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Meta Platforms Inc. Financial Performance Overview

On January 28, 2026, Meta Platforms, Inc. (Nasdaq: META) shared its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year concluding on December 31, 2025. Mark Zuckerberg, the company's CEO, expressed optimism about the previous year's achievements: "We had strong business performance in 2025. I'm looking forward to advancing personal superintelligence for people around the world in 2026."

Financial Highlights for Q4 and Full Year 2025

During the fourth quarter of 2025, Meta reported revenues amounting to $59.89 billion, a 24% increase from $48.39 billion in Q4 2024. The full-year revenue reached $200.97 billion, up 22% from $164.50 billion in 2024.

Despite the growth in revenue, costs and expenses also soared, with Q4 expenses hitting $35.15 billion, a staggering increase of 40% from the previous year's $25.02 billion. For 2025, total expenses were recorded at $117.69 billion, representing a 24% rise from $95.12 billion in 2024.

The income from operations for Q4 was $24.75 billion, indicating a modest growth of 6% from $23.37 billion in Q4 2024. The full-year operating income increased by 20%, reaching $83.28 billion, compared to the previous year’s $69.38 billion.

In terms of net income, Meta posted $22.77 billion for Q4, a 9% increase from $20.84 billion in Q4 2024. However, the annual net income saw a slight decline, totaling $60.46 billion for 2025 compared to $62.36 billion the year before.

The diluted earnings per share (EPS) also reflected these changes, showing an 11% increase for Q4, landing at $8.88, while the full year EPS was $23.49, which is a decrease of 2% from $23.86 in 2024.

Operational Metrics and Growth Drivers

Meta's focus on user engagement remained strong, with the average daily active people (DAP) reaching 3.58 billion in December 2025, reflecting a 7% increase year-over-year. The number of ad impressions across its family of apps surged, with an 18% increase in Q4 and 12% over the full year. The average price per advertisement also rose by 6% and 9% for Q4 and the full year respectively, highlighting a solid demand for advertising on the platform.

Looking Ahead: Projections for 2026

Meta's outlook for the first quarter of 2026 indicates expected revenues in the range of $53.5 billion to $56.5 billion, benefiting from a favorable foreign currency impact projected at approximately 4% for the year-over-year revenue growth. Additionally, total expenses for the upcoming year are estimated between $162 billion and $169 billion, primarily driven by infrastructure-related costs and increased employee compensation focused on recruiting technical talent for areas such as artificial intelligence.

Throughout 2026, capital expenditures, including principal payments on finance leases, are expected to fall in the range of $115 billion to $135 billion. This forecast includes significant investment aimed at supporting Meta's ambitious Superintelligence Labs initiatives.

Conclusion

As Meta continues to expand on various fronts, including investment in artificial intelligence and enhancing user experiences, it navigates the intricate landscape of legal and regulatory considerations that might influence its operations and financial outlook. The company’s strategic direction and commitment to innovation hint at a vibrant future, emphasizing their mission to build deeper human connections through technology. As the tech landscape evolves, Meta's ability to adapt will be crucial in solidifying its market position and driving sustained growth in the coming years.