Ahead of Meta Platforms’ (NASDAQ: META) Q1 2026 earnings release, a majority of Wall Street analysts are bullish on the company’s stock.
Notably, Wall Street expects quarterly revenue of about $55.56 billion, up 31% year over year. Advertising revenue is projected at roughly $53.93 billion, a 30% increase, while earnings per share are estimated at around $6.67, with some forecasts as high as $6.73.
This earnings report is a key test for Meta, as investors look for proof that heavy AI spending can translate into sustained revenue growth.
The focus is on whether AI-driven gains in ad targeting, engagement, and automation can justify one of the tech sector’s largest capital expenditure cycles.
Ahead of the earnings, scheduled for market close on April 29, META is showing volatility, trading at $664 as of press time, down about 1%. Year to date, the equity remains up 2%, while over the past month, Meta shares have rallied nearly 25%.
Regarding the stock outlook, according to aggregated data from 33 analysts over at TipRanks, META carries a ‘Strong Buy’ rating, with 28 buy recommendations, five holds, and no sell calls.
The average 12-month price target stands at $852.64, implying a 28.16% increase, with a high estimate of $1,015 and a low projection of $676, suggesting differing views on the pace of Meta’s expansion.
META stock analyst breakdown
Among the analysts, Mark Shmulik of Bernstein on April 28 reiterated a ‘Market Perform’ rating on Meta with a $900 price target, pointing to a likely near-term revenue beat in Q1 driven by resilient U.S. ad demand and FX tailwinds. He added that AI-driven operating discipline could support earnings upside, while free cash flow may accelerate by 2027. Shmulik also highlighted potential sentiment gains from Meta’s AI product cycle, including its “Muse Spark” push, but cautioned that softer March trends, fading FX benefits, and normalization in ad returns could weigh on Q2, leaving the overall outlook balanced between strong fundamentals and near-term headwinds.
On April 24, Mark Mahaney of Evercore ISI reiterated an ‘Outperform’ rating on Meta with a $900 price target, highlighting roughly 35% upside as cost cuts, including a 10% workforce reduction, free up an estimated $3 billion annually to reinvest in AI and infrastructure. He pointed to agentic AI as a major long-term growth driver, supported by resilient ad demand and improved targeting efficiency, while expecting a modest Q1 beat with stable margins.
On the same date, Jason Helfstein of Oppenheimer reiterated a ‘Perform’ rating on META stock, flagging a strong revenue outlook but limited earnings upside due to rising compute and operating costs. He noted that increased reliance on third-party infrastructure and ongoing AI investments are pressuring margins, even as AI improves engagement and conversions. With investors already pricing in roughly 30% revenue growth and tougher second-half comparisons ahead, Helfstein maintains a cautious stance, warning that high expectations leave little room for upside surprises.
