Meta Platforms (META.O) shares rose 36% in September, their strongest monthly
gain since July 2013, taking market value close to $2 trillion. The rally
followed the launch of personal AI assistant Muse, which investors see as a new
growth avenue and a partial answer to concerns over returns on large AI
investments. Shares had been pressured earlier this year by heavy AI spending,
legal risks to its social media business and soft revenue expectations, leaving
them about 18% below the start of the year; since an August low the stock is up
roughly 43%. Meta is expanding its AI product slate, including a portable Muse
device and a camera-less smart glasses variant, and forecasts capex near $140
billion in 2026, rising to $197 billion in 2027 and $215 billion in 2028.
Analysts currently project 2026 revenue of $254 billion (up 26% YoY) and net
income of $80.6 billion (up 33% YoY).
