Meta Platforms Stock Forecast: Trending Strong Buy by Analysts

Meta Platforms (META) stock has risen 12.1% over the past week, 11.8% in the last month, and 7.8% over the past year, reflecting renewed investor enthusiasm after a run of strong quarterly results and upbeat guidance. Wall Street’s analysts are firmly bullish, with a consensus rating of StrongBuy and an average 12‑month price target of $861.87 versus a last closing price of $738.31. That target implies meaningful upside from current levels as the market digests Meta’s accelerating ad revenue growth and aggressive push into artificial intelligence.

Analyst Jeffrey Wlodarczak of Pivotal Research Group reiterated his Buy rating on META on January 29, 2026, with a price target of $910, still representing considerable upside even after a modest $20 cut. Wlodarczak highlights “unquestionably strong” fourth‑quarter results and first‑quarter revenue guidance that came in well ahead of his and the Street’s expectations, driven by early payoffs from Meta’s AI investments. While he notes that 2026 capex and expense plans are far above prior forecasts, he believes the much stronger revenue outlook de‑risks this spending, and he now models a five‑year revenue CAGR of 23% versus 19% previously. This 3‑star analyst ranks 2,968 out of 11,984 on TipRanks, with a 51.36% success rate and a 3.4% average return per rating.

Thomas Champion of Piper Sandler also reiterated a Buy (Overweight) on January 29, 2026, raising his price target on META to $880 from $840 after a quarter he describes as impressive on both topline and guidance. Champion points to 4Q revenue of $59.9 billion, up 23% year‑on‑year in constant currency and roughly 2% above his forecast, with EBITDA 4% ahead and ad revenue up 24%. He underscores strong regional performance, particularly in Rest of World and Europe, and notes that Reels time spent in the U.S. rose about 30% year‑on‑year as AI‑powered content and language dubbing drive more engagement. Despite flagging a “material increase” in 2026 capex and opex, he remains bullish, arguing that Meta’s heavy AI investments are yielding tangible improvements in conversion rates and ad tools. Champion ranks 1,343 out of 11,984, with a 53.70% success rate and an 8.6% average return.

Ronald Josey of Citi echoed the upbeat tone, reiterating a Buy on META with an $850 price target as he digested what he calls better‑than‑expected fourth‑quarter 2025 results and a stronger‑than‑anticipated first‑quarter 2026 outlook. Josey emphasizes total revenue of $59.9 billion, up 23% year‑on‑year ex‑FX and roughly 2.5% above consensus, led by advertising revenue growth of 23% ex‑FX with ad impressions up 18% and pricing up 6%. He notes GAAP EPS of $8.88 came in about 8% above consensus, while Meta’s 2026 expense and capex guidance—both well above prior expectations—will be a focal point. Still, he believes the significantly stronger near‑term revenue trajectory and engagement trends across the Family of Apps, combined with Reality Labs losses that are now expected to peak and improve after 2026, help balance investor concerns. Josey ranks 266 out of 11,984, with a 58.35% success rate and a 19.9% average return.

Justin Post of BofA rounds out the bullish chorus, reiterating a Buy rating and lifting his META price objective to $885 from $810 following what he describes as a “robust” fourth‑quarter beat and a notably stronger first‑quarter outlook. Post highlights 4Q revenue and EPS of $59.9 billion and $8.88, both ahead of Street estimates, and a first‑quarter revenue guide of $53.5–$56.5 billion that implies a sharp acceleration in growth. He notes that while Meta’s 2026 expense and capex guides are well above consensus, management is still targeting profit growth, signaling confidence that AI‑driven gains in usage and ad efficiency will offset the spending ramp. Ranked 54 out of 11,984, with a 68.65% success rate and an average 25% return per rating, Post argues that Meta is expanding its leadership and building a sizable AI moat while keeping spending flexible and self‑funded. Never miss a stock rating. Find all the latest ratings on TipRanks’ Top Wall Street Analysts page.