Meta Platforms (META) is taking its biggest step yet in the race for artificial intelligence. The Facebook parent said in a filing on Thursday that it plans to raise up to $30 billion through a record bond sale, its largest debt issue so far. The money will go toward AI-related projects, as CEO Mark Zuckerberg continues to spend heavily on data centers and computing power.
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The bond plan came a day after Zuckerberg told investors that AI spending will climb sharply next year, with capital costs in 2026 expected to be “notably higher” than in 2025. Meta aims to use these funds to boost its AI-driven ads, content tools, and recommendations across Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Analyst Sees Big Upside in Meta’s AI Push
Some investors remain cautious about Meta’s high spending, but Rosenblatt Securities analyst Barton Crockett believes the company is on the right track. Crockett, who recently set a Street-high price target of $1,117 for the stock, said Meta’s heavy AI investment could bring faster revenue growth and stronger user engagement.
He praised Meta’s Q3 results as “great” and said the company’s focus on AI positions it ahead of other tech players in digital advertising.
Meta Shares Slide but Finances Stay Strong
Despite the optimism, Meta shares fell 13% on Thursday to $650.25 after the company reported a $16 billion one-time tax charge in its quarterly results. The drop wiped out more than $220 billion in market value and highlighted investor concern over rising expenses and slower short-term profits.
Even so, Meta’s financial health remains solid. The company has strong cash reserves and steady cash flow, giving it room to fund big projects without hurting daily operations.
What’s Next for Meta
Meta’s $30 billion bond sale shows it is all-in on AI, even as costs mount. While some investors are uneasy, analysts like Crockett see it as a smart long-term bet. The key question now is whether this record fundraising will help Meta turn its massive AI spending into faster growth — or if these rising bills will test Wall Street’s patience once again.
Is Meta a Buy, Sell, or Hold?
Turning to Wall Street, analysts have a Strong Buy consensus rating on META stock based on 33 Buys, eight Holds, and one Sell assigned in the past three months, as indicated by the graphic below. Furthermore, the average META price target of $847.26 per share implies 27.13% upside potential.
