Business · Companies · 1 hr ago
Meta's third-quarter profit rises 264% as revenue beats expectations
Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp, reported results for the July-to-September quarter.
Revenue rose 26% from a year earlier to $64.6 billion, beating market expectations.
Net profit increased 264% to $9.9 billion, while earnings per share reached $3.83.
Meta recorded a $9.89 billion expense tied to lawsuits over young people's mental health and social media use.
The company had agreed to a settlement with the attorneys general of 52 states, which could involve payments of up to $18.59 billion.
Without that expense, Meta said operating income would have been $22.88 billion and earnings per share $7.40.
For the final quarter of 2026, Meta expects revenue of $73 billion to $76 billion.
CEO Mark Zuckerberg cited new AI products, and Meta's board also approved a new class of shares without voting rights, effective January 2027.
Meta reported third-quarter 2026 net profit of about $9.9 billion, up 264% from a year earlier.
Revenue rose 26% to $64.60 billion, beating analysts’ expectations of $63.34 billion.
The results included a $9.89 billion expense tied to a settlement over lawsuits concerning social media’s effects on young people.
Meta said revenue would have been higher and earnings per share would have been $7.40 without the charge.
The company forecast fourth-quarter revenue of $73 billion to $76 billion.
- Who
- Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp.
- What
- It reported third-quarter net profit of about $9.9 billion, up 264%, and revenue of $64.60 billion, up 26%.
- When
- The results covered July to September 2026 and were released on October 21, 2026.
- Where
- Not stated
- Why
- Revenue growth and a $9.89 billion settlement-related expense were among the factors reported; the sources do not explain the profit increase in detail.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Meta agreed to a settlement related to lawsuits over young people’s mental health and social media use.
Meta recorded $9.89 billion in costs and expenses related to the settlement in its third-quarter results.
Meta released its third-quarter results, reporting revenue of $64.60 billion and net profit of about $9.9 billion.
Meta’s new Class C ordinary shares are due to take effect, according to the reports.
- Third-quarter revenue
- $64.60 billion, up 26% year over year
- Third-quarter net profit
- $9.86 billion in CNN Brasil; about $9.9 billion in Ekonomim and Bloomberg HT
- Settlement-related expense
- $9.89 billion
- Revenue without settlement charge
- Analysts expected $63.34 billion; reported revenue was $64.60 billion
- Fourth-quarter revenue forecast
- $73 billion to $76 billion
- Capital expenditure forecast
- $135 billion to $145 billion for 2026
8 sources
Meta決算、売上高26％増も営業益37％減 AIエージェント「Muse」は1000万人超が利用開始
Meta tem lucro de US$ 9,86 bi no 3° tri, avanço de 264%
Meta'dan beklentileri aşan bilanço
Meta'nın üçüncü çeyrek net kârı yıllık bazda yüzde 264 arttı
Konzern investiert kräftig in KI: Metas Gewinn bricht nach teurem Vergleich ein
Meta says it would’ve made over $22 billion if it didn’t have to pay a child safety settlement
For Meta, $10 Billion in Social Media-Related Legal Fees Is a Blip
Balanço da Meta no 3º tri vem acima do esperado; empresa cria ação sem voto
What people are saying
We hit major milestones this quarter toward delivering personal superintelligence for everyone. Our investments are paying off, the core business is strong, and we’re seeing velocity across the board.