Morgan Stanley Reduces $181K in Meta Platforms, Inc. ($META)

Morgan Stanley has cut its stake in Meta Platforms, Inc. (NasdaqGS: META) by 34.8%, according to its latest 13F filing with the SEC. The firm sold 305 shares, reducing its holdings to 571 shares valued at approximately $339,579 as of the reporting period ending March 31, 2026.

What Changed in Morgan Stanley's Meta Platforms Position

Morgan Stanley's decision to trim its position in Meta Platforms involved a reduction of 305 shares, leaving it with 571 shares. This represents a 34.8% decrease from its previous holding of 876 shares. The value of the remaining shares is reported to be around $339,579.

Other Institutional Activity in Meta Platforms

Other major institutions also adjusted their positions in Meta Platforms. BlackRock, Inc. reduced its holdings by 2,661,807 shares, ending with 168,843,283 shares worth about $96.6 billion. Vanguard Capital Management LLC added 142,138,157 shares, bringing its total to the same number, valued at approximately $81.3 billion. FMR LLC trimmed its stake by 5,726,859 shares to hold 116,614,753 shares valued at $66.7 billion, while State Street Corp decreased its position by 2,317,505 shares, leaving it with 88,523,840 shares worth $50.6 billion. Geode Capital Management, LLC increased its holdings by 1,358,480 shares, ending with 54,165,192 shares valued at about $30.9 billion.

Meta Platforms Stock Snapshot

Shares of Meta Platforms traded near $594.71. The company boasts a market cap of approximately $1.51 trillion and a P/E ratio of 21.6, with a forward P/E of 16.4. The stock's beta is 1.229, indicating moderate volatility. Over the past year, the stock has seen a low of $520.26 and a high of $796.25. Its 50-day moving average is $622.21, while the 200-day moving average stands at $657.32. Meta Platforms maintains a current ratio of 2.35 and a quick ratio of 2.11, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 35.61.

Recent Earnings

Meta Platforms reported revenue of $214.96 billion, with a growth rate of 33.1%. The company's net margin is 32.8%, and it achieved a return on equity of 32.9%. Earnings per share were $27.48. The next earnings announcement is scheduled for July 29, 2026.

Dividend

Meta Platforms offers an annual dividend rate of $2.10, yielding 0.35%. The dividend payout ratio is 7.64%, indicating a conservative approach to dividend distribution.

Insider Buying and Selling at Meta Platforms, Inc.

Several planned insider sales were reported at Meta Platforms. On June 1, 2026, Robert Kimmitt sold 504 shares at an average price of $629.29, and Javier Olivan, Chief Operating Officer, sold 1,466 shares at the same price. Earlier, on May 27, 2026, Curtis Mahoney, Chief Legal Officer, sold 2,079 shares at $609.92. Andrew Bosworth, Chief Technology Officer, sold 7,847 shares at $607.83 on May 18, 2026.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Analysts remain optimistic about Meta Platforms. On April 30, 2026, JP Morgan downgraded the stock to a 'hold' with a $725 price target, while UBS maintained a 'buy' rating with an $865 target. Other firms like TD Cowen, Bernstein, and Barclays also maintained 'buy' ratings with targets ranging from $800 to $865. The overall analyst consensus is a 'strong buy' with a target mean price of $827.32.

About Meta Platforms

Meta Platforms, Inc., headquartered in Menlo Park, California, focuses on connecting people through products like Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp. It operates in the Internet Content & Information industry within the Communication Services sector. Under CEO Mark Zuckerberg, Meta develops platforms for mobile devices, PCs, and VR headsets, aiming to enhance social connection through its Family of Apps and Reality Labs segments. The company was previously known as Facebook, Inc.

Bottom Line

Morgan Stanley's reduction in Meta Platforms shares is a noteworthy move among institutional investors. While the filing provides a snapshot of Morgan Stanley's past position, it's important to remember that 13F filings are historical and may not reflect current holdings. Investors keep a close watch on such filings for insights into institutional sentiment and potential market trends.