Meta beats forecasts, but its AI build now costs more than the business brings in

Ads keep growing. Almost all revenue, $63.06 billion, is advertising, up 26% on the year. Ad impressions rose 10% and the average price per ad rose 14%. Meta's apps had 3.64 billion daily users, up 3% from a year ago.

Profit is hard to compare. Net income was $9.86 billion versus $2.71 billion a year ago. But a year ago Meta booked a huge one-off tax charge, and this quarter it took a $9.89 billion charge for its settlement with 52 US attorneys general over teen mental health and social media. Operating income fell 37% to $12.99 billion, and the margin dropped to 20% from 40%.

Where the money goes. Spending on equipment and data centers was $34.91 billion, up from $19.37 billion a year ago. The core business brought in $32.79 billion of operating cash, less than went into building. The glasses and VR unit, Reality Labs, lost another $4.13 billion. Headcount fell 15% to 66,775. Mark Zuckerberg says the investments are paying off and calls the launch of Meta's own Muse model the big milestone of the quarter.

New shares. The board approved a new non-voting Class C stock, effective 19 January 2027. Every holder of Class A and Class B shares gets one Class C share for each share they own. Meta expects the Class A price to then adjust as in a two-for-one split. Voting power does not change. Meta says the new shares will help it raise money, pay staff and buy companies.

Confirmed facts

• Meta's third-quarter 2026 revenue was $64.6 billion, up 26% from a year earlier.^[1][2]
• Analysts expected revenue of $63.37 billion.^[2]
• Meta expects fourth-quarter revenue of $73-76 billion; analysts polled by LSEG expected $73.73 billion.^[1][2]
• Advertising revenue was $63.06 billion; ad impressions rose 10% and average price per ad rose 14%.^[1]
• Daily active people averaged 3.64 billion in September, up 3% year over year.^[1]
• Net income was $9.86 billion versus $2.71 billion a year ago; operating income fell 37% to $12.99 billion, with a 20% margin versus 40%.^[1]
• Costs include a $9.89 billion charge for the settlement with 52 attorneys general over teen mental health and social media, which provides for payments of up to about $18.59 billion.^[1]
• Capital expenditures including finance leases were $34.91 billion; free cash flow was minus $2.12 billion versus plus $10.63 billion a year ago.^[1]
• The 2026 capex outlook was narrowed to $135-145 billion from $130-145 billion, total expenses to $175-179 billion.^[1]
• Reality Labs had $443 million in revenue and a $4.13 billion operating loss.^[1][2]
• Headcount was 66,775, down 15% from a year earlier.^[1]
• The board approved a new non-voting Class C stock effective 19 January 2027 and a one-time dividend of one Class C share per Class A and Class B share.^[1][2]
• Meta expects the Class A price to reflect a two-for-one split after the payout; voting power does not change, and record and payment dates come later.^[1]
• Meta shares rose about 2% in after-hours trading.^[2]

Implications

• ConfirmedMeta's AI and data center spending is growing faster than its revenue.
• Our readingTo land inside its plan, Meta has to spend roughly another $50-60 billion in the fourth quarter.
• Our readingNon-voting shares let Meta raise money without weakening Zuckerberg's control.

Still unknown

• The record and payment dates for the Class C shares.
• How much Meta plans to spend on data centers in 2027.
• How fast the Muse AI models start earning money on their own.

Who it affects

United States, World. Anyone holding Meta, Nasdaq or S&P 500 funds, or following the AI race

Sources

1. Meta (PR Newswire): Meta Reports Third Quarter 2026 Results October 21, 2026 · official
2. CNBC: Meta reports third-quarter revenue beat and issues strong guidance October 21, 2026 · media