The financial landscape is buzzing with significant institutional movements, as Wealthstream Advisors Inc. recently amplified its stake in Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META), signaling a broader trend among major investment firms. This strategic increase reflects ongoing confidence in the social networking giant, drawing attention to how professional money managers are positioning themselves within the volatile tech stock market.

Wealthstream Advisors Inc. specifically boosted their holdings in Meta Platforms by 0.6% in the first quarter, according to their latest Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm now commands 3,171 shares of Meta’s stock, having acquired an additional 19 shares during the period. At the close of the most recent quarter, Wealthstream Advisors Inc.’s investment in Meta Platforms was valued at a substantial $1,828,000, underscoring the considerable capital at play in these transactions.

Beyond Wealthstream, other prominent hedge funds have also adjusted their positions in Meta. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD, for example, expanded its stake by 2.5% in the fourth quarter, now holding over 42.3 million shares worth an astounding $24.7 billion. Similarly, Capital World Investors increased its Meta holdings by 2.9% in the same quarter, bringing its total to over 40.3 million shares valued at more than $23.6 billion, demonstrating widespread institutional interest.

The bullish sentiment extends further, with GAMMA Investing LLC making a remarkable 67,172.9% surge in its Meta stake during the first quarter, accumulating over 23.4 million shares. Northern Trust Corp also amplified its position by 13.5% in the fourth quarter, reaching nearly 23.4 million shares. Even UBS AM, a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC, lifted its stake by 2.4%, owning over 12 million shares, collectively showing that institutional investors and hedge funds control a significant 79.91% of Meta’s total stock.

Adding to the financial narrative, recent insider trading activity reveals notable movements by company executives. The CEO sold 2,361 shares in an early July transaction for over $1.69 million, as detailed in an SEC filing. Shortly after, a Director divested 465 shares, totaling over $336,000. Over the last 90 days, insiders have collectively sold 152,980 shares of company stock, amounting to over $105.7 million, with corporate insiders owning 13.61% of the total stock.

Meta Platforms recently delivered robust quarterly earnings results, surpassing analyst expectations. On July 30th, the social networking firm reported an impressive $7.14 EPS, significantly beating the consensus estimate of $5.75 by $1.39. The company’s revenue for the quarter reached $47.52 billion, exceeding analysts’ projections of $44.55 billion and marking a strong 21.6% increase from the prior year. These strong financial metrics highlight Meta’s solid operational performance and a healthy return on equity of 40.31% with a net margin of 39.99%.

In a move to reward shareholders, Meta Platforms also declared a quarterly dividend of $0.525 per share, which was disbursed on June 26th to investors recorded by June 16th. This translates to an annualized dividend of $2.10, yielding 0.3%, and reflects a current payout ratio of 8.19%. This consistent dividend declaration further adds to the attractiveness of Meta Platforms as an investment opportunity for those seeking regular returns.

Research firms have largely responded positively to Meta’s performance and outlook. Wedbush elevated its target price from $750.00 to $920.00, maintaining an “outperform” rating. HSBC Global Res upgraded Meta from “hold” to “strong-buy,” while Sanford C. Bernstein, Bank of America, and Stifel Nicolaus all raised their price objectives to $900.00, reiterating “outperform” or “buy” ratings. Consensus among forty-seven analysts points to a “Moderate Buy” rating for Meta Platforms, with an average price target of $811.31, indicating strong confidence in its future trajectory.

Meta Platforms, Inc. is a global technology company focused on connecting people through its diverse product offerings. It operates primarily through two segments: Family of Apps, which includes popular platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Messenger, and WhatsApp, enabling vast social interactions; and Reality Labs, dedicated to developing immersive virtual reality headsets and wearables. This dual focus positions Meta at the forefront of both established social media landscapes and emerging technological frontiers.