Meta shares rise as revenue jumps 26% despite legal charges
U.S. social media and artificial intelligence company Meta Platforms (META) reported third-quarter 2026 revenue of approximately $64.6 billion and GAAP net income of $9.8 billion on October 21.
Meta Q3 2026 earnings
| Financial metric | Actual | Market estimate |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue | Approximately $64.6 billion | $63.34 billion |
| Revenue growth | +26% YoY | — |
| Net income (GAAP) | Approximately $9.8 billion | — |
| Diluted EPS (GAAP) | $3.83 | $6.54 |
| EPS calculated excluding legal charge | $7.40 | Comparable consensus not verified |
| Legal settlement charge | Approximately $9.9 billion | — |
| Operating margin | Approximately 35% | — |
| Free cash flow | Approximately -$2.1 billion | — |
| FY2026 capital expenditure guidance | $135–$145 billion | Previous company guidance $130–$145 billion |
| Q4 2026 revenue guidance | $73–$76 billion | Approximately $73.7 billion |
| Stock reaction (October 21, after-hours) | Gain of more than 2% | — |
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