Truist raised its Meta price target to $1,000 from $763 and maintained a Buy rating ahead of the company’s third-quarter 2026 earnings. The call, outlined on October 16, reflects analyst Youssef Squali’s confidence in Meta’s artificial intelligence products, while increasing infrastructure investment raises the stakes for demonstrating financial returns.
Key Takeaways
- Truist increased its target by about 31% while retaining a Buy rating.
- Squali forecasts quarterly revenue near the top of Meta’s guidance range.
- Meta’s October 21 results will provide the next checkpoint for revenue and AI spending.
Table of Contents
- Meta price target rises on AI commercialization expectations
- Higher investment remains part of the forecast
- October 21 results provide the next checkpoint
- Conclusion
Meta price target rises on AI commercialization expectations
Squali cited monetization, user engagement and adoption of Meta’s Muse AI agent as reasons for his confidence. His third-quarter revenue estimate is close to the upper end of management’s outlook, positioning the call around strong sales rather than merely the prospect of future AI products.
The higher target is an analyst assessment, not a company forecast or a realized investment return. The roughly 31% increase measures the change from Truist’s previous target; it does not represent potential upside from Meta’s current share price.
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Truist Q3 revenue estimate | Approximately $63.9 billion. |
| Meta Q3 revenue guidance | $61 billion–$64 billion. |
| Estimate versus guidance ceiling | Squali’s forecast is $100 million below the upper end. |
Higher investment remains part of the forecast
Truist’s revised longer-term forecasts also incorporate increased capital investment, including spending associated with Muse. Squali’s positive view therefore does not depend on Meta pulling back from its AI buildout.
That leaves two distinct questions for the earnings release: whether revenue supports the analyst’s expectations, and what management discloses about the spending needed to develop and operate its AI products. Positive adoption signals alone do not establish how much profit or cash those products generate.
October 21 results provide the next checkpoint
Meta’s third-quarter 2026 reporting schedule confirms that results are due after market close on October 21, 2026. The company will hold its earnings call at 1:30 p.m. Pacific time, or 4:30 p.m. Eastern time, that day.
As of October 16, the quarterly figures remained unreleased. Squali’s revenue estimate and assessment of Muse should therefore be distinguished from reported results and management’s subsequent commentary.
Conclusion
The $1,000 target raises expectations for Meta’s ability to commercialize AI while funding its infrastructure expansion. The next confirmed event is the October 21 earnings release and call, when reported revenue and management’s spending commentary can be assessed against those expectations.
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