Social media giant Meta Platforms (META) is scheduled to announce its fourth-quarter results after the market closes on Wednesday, January 28. META stock has risen by only 3.5% over the past year. While bulls are confident about the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) across the company’s apps, bears are concerned about elevated capital spending and margin pressures. According to TipRanks’ Options Tool, options traders expect about a 6.68% move in either direction in META stock in reaction to Q4 2025 results.
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This implied move is lower than META stock’s average post-earnings move (in absolute terms) of 7.09% over the past four quarters.
Meanwhile, Wall Street expects Meta Platforms to report earnings per share (EPS) of $8.20 for Q4 2025, reflecting a 2.2% year-over-year growth. Revenue is expected to increase by 21% to $58.41 billion.
Analysts’ Views Ahead of Meta Platforms’ Q4 Earnings
Heading into Q4 results, Bank of America analyst Justin Post reiterated a Buy rating on Meta Platforms stock with a price target of $810. The 5-star analyst expects the company to report Q4 revenue and EPS of $59.2 billion and $8.27, respectively, with both estimates being higher than the Street’s consensus. Post noted that checks by his firm indicate potential upside driven by healthy macro, higher usage, and AI initiatives. The analyst added that data indicated potential expense discipline in the fourth quarter, with job postings down 16% sequentially.
For Q1 2026, Post projects revenue and EPS of $52.3 billion and $6.31, respectively, compared to the Street’s estimates of $51.2 billion and $6.29. Given concerns about 2026 expenses, the analyst thinks that Meta Platforms’ guidance of 30% growth could be positive, while at/above 35% could prompt an unfavorable reaction.
On Monday, Rothschild & Co Redburn analyst James Cordwell upgraded META stock to Buy from Hold and increased the price target to $900 from $740. The analyst noted the focus on Meta Platforms’ 2026 operating expenses and capital expenditure outlook and concerns about CEO Mark Zuckerberg being back in ‘founder mode’ to achieve AI goals at any financial cost. Given this scenario, Cordwell sees the possibility of a continued cautious view over the near term.
The analyst increased his 2026 cost estimate to $158.6 billion, higher than the consensus estimate of $150.5 billion and capex estimate to $117.1 billion, above the Street’s estimate of $110 billion. Despite near-term pressure from higher costs and capex, Cordwell is bullish on META, given the disconnect between the current stock price and long-term value. “At c$650, we now believe that to be the case with Meta, with the upside potential far outweighing any near-term risks to the downside,” said Cordwell.
AI Analyst Is Bullish on META Stock
TipRanks’ AI Analyst has an Outperform rating on Meta Platforms stock, with a price target of $692 indicating an upside potential of 5.05%. The AI Analyst’s bullish stance is based on META’s solid financial performance and a favorable medium-term outlook based on AI-driven growth as reflected in the earnings call. However, the AI Analyst cautioned about weakening technical trends, high capital spending, and regulatory risks.
Is META a Good Stock to Buy Now?
Currently, Wall Street has a Strong Buy consensus rating on Meta Platforms stock based on 37 Buys, six Holds, and one Sell recommendation. The average META stock price target of $820.21 indicates 24.5% upside potential.
