Meta Q3 revenue rises 26% to $64.6 billion, above estimate; operating profit down 37%
In short
Meta reported third-quarter revenue of $64.6 billion, up 26% year on year against an estimate of $63.33 billion. Operating profit fell 37% to $12.99 billion, below the $20.85 billion estimate, while earnings per share were $3.83 against an estimate of $3.57. The company also guided fourth-quarter revenue of $73 billion to $76 billion and disclosed a plan to issue non-voting Class C shares.
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Meta reported third-quarter revenue of $64.6 billion, up 26% year on year, against an analyst estimate of $63.33 billion, according to CLS, Jiemian and 36Kr. Operating profit was $12.99 billion, down 37% year on year, against an estimate of $20.85 billion. Earnings per share were $3.83, compared with $1.05 a year earlier and an estimate of $3.57. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
For the fourth quarter, Meta expects revenue of $73 billion to $76 billion, while the market estimate is $73.57 billion. The company expects full-year capital expenditure of $135 billion to $145 billion, having earlier forecast $130 billion to $145 billion. CLS also reported that Meta expects Reality Labs to lose $18 billion to $19 billion in 2026. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
The company also disclosed a plan to issue new non-voting Class C common shares. The outlets say the non-voting shares will ensure CEO Mark Zuckerberg continues to lead the company. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
IT Home reported the results for Meta's 2026 fiscal third quarter, covering July to September 2026, and headlined net profit attributable to shareholders of $9.86 billion, up 264%. Its article text lists no figures. 36Kr's summary credits Jiemian. [ 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The results beat estimates on revenue and earnings per share but missed on operating profit, and the company raised the low end of its 2026 capital spending forecast. The non-voting share plan is described by outlets as a way to keep Mark Zuckerberg leading the company.
Key facts
- Meta's third-quarter revenue was $64.6 billion, up 26% year on year, against an estimate of $63.33 billion. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Third-quarter operating profit was $12.99 billion, down 37% year on year, against an estimate of $20.85 billion. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Third-quarter earnings per share were $3.83, against $1.05 a year earlier and an estimate of $3.57. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Meta expects fourth-quarter revenue of $73 billion to $76 billion; the market estimate is $73.57 billion. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Meta expects full-year capital expenditure of $135 billion to $145 billion, compared with its earlier forecast of $130 billion to $145 billion. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- Meta disclosed a plan to issue new non-voting Class C common shares. [ 1 , 3 , 4 ]
- IT Home's headline gives net profit attributable to shareholders for the quarter as $9.86 billion, up 264%. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- Why operating profit fell 37% while earnings per share rose from $1.05 to $3.83. The documents give the figures but no explanation for the difference.
- Net profit attributable to shareholders of $9.86 billion, up 264%. Only the IT Home headline states it; its article text lists no figures.
- Reality Labs is expected to lose $18 billion to $19 billion in 2026. Only CLS reports this.
- Third-quarter revenue was $64.6 billion, up 26% year on year, above the $63.33 billion estimate. Reported by a single source so far
- Third-quarter operating profit was $12.99 billion, down 37% year on year, against an estimate of $20.85 billion. Reported by a single source so far
- Meta guided fourth-quarter revenue of $73 billion to $76 billion and full-year capital expenditure of $135 billion to $145 billion. Reported by a single source so far
- Meta disclosed a plan to issue non-voting Class C common shares, which the outlets say will ensure CEO Mark Zuckerberg continues to lead the company. Reported by a single source so far