Why Meta Platforms Stock Skyrocketed Today

Source Motley_fool

Key Points

  • Meta Connect, the company's annual two-day AI event, kicks off this week.

  • Investors will primarily be focused on the adoption of its recently launched Muse AI agent.

  • Meta stock is attractively priced.

  • 10 stocks we like better than Meta Platforms ›

Shares of Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) charged sharply higher Monday morning, gaining as much as 7.6%. As of 11:22 a.m. ET, the stock was still up 7.1%.

The catalyst that sent the social media and artificial intelligence (AI) specialist higher was bullish commentary from Wall Street regarding the company's recently launched AI agent.

Missed AI’s "Act 1"? Act 2 Could Be 15x Bigger. Most investors think they missed the AI boat because they didn't buy Nvidia in 2005. But according to our analysts, we’re only at the end of "Act 1"—the R&D phase. "Act 2" is the global rollout. Continue »

The Meta Platforms logo over a blue background superimporsed over a picture of the company's headquarters building.

Image source: The Motley Fool.

A new revenue stream?

Wells Fargo analyst Ken Gawrelski raised its price target on Meta to $796, up from $640, while maintaining an overweight (buy) rating on the shares. That represents potential upside of 20% compared to Friday's closing price.

The analyst made the move ahead of Meta Connect -- the annual two-day event that kicks off on Wednesday -- which the company uses to showcase its latest advancements in AI. Meta will likely highlight the adoption of Muse, the company's personal AI agent that can perform tasks, rather than just answer questions. Meta unveiled Muse earlier this month, with a free version and paid tiers costing $20 and $100 per month, depending on usage.

Investors will be watching closely to see whether Meta provides usage updates on its latest release and whether that translates into an ongoing revenue stream. The company's focus on direct-to-consumer applications differs from many of its rivals, who focus on enterprise tools made available via their cloud computing services.

Meta's legal troubles have weighed on the stock, as investors assess the long-term implications of the company's recent $18 billion legal settlement.

Even after today's rally, Meta is selling for less than 27 times earnings, an attractive price for a company in the thick of the AI revolution.

Should you buy stock in Meta Platforms right now?

Before you buy stock in Meta Platforms, consider this:

The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the 10 best stocks for investors to buy now… and Meta Platforms wasn’t one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years.

Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $387,158!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you’d have $1,365,749!*

Now, it’s worth noting Stock Advisor’s total average return is 932% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 211% for the S&P 500. Don't miss the latest top 10 list, available with Stock Advisor, and join an investing community built by individual investors for individual investors.

See the 10 stocks »

*Stock Advisor returns as of September 21, 2026.

Danny Vena, CPA has positions in Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has positions in and recommends Meta Platforms. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy.

Disclaimer: For information purposes only. Past performance is not indicative of future results.
placeholder
Weekly Market Wrap: The Fed finally raised rates — but oil’s retreat gave stocks room to breatheThe Fed finally raised interest rates, while retreating oil prices gave global stocks some relief. Explore this week’s market wrap, key moves across equities and commodities, and what traders should watch next.
Author  Mark Garro
Yesterday 02: 21
The Fed finally raised interest rates, while retreating oil prices gave global stocks some relief. Explore this week’s market wrap, key moves across equities and commodities, and what traders should watch next.
placeholder
As Wall Street Turns Suddenly Bullish, Questions Arise if Bitcoin Will Follow or FlopWall Street strategists say markets have cleared several of September’s biggest fears. Bitcoin (BTC) jumped more than 6% to trade near $86,600 as risk appetite returned.Anastasia Amoroso is chief inve
Author  Beincrypto
1 hour ago
Wall Street strategists say markets have cleared several of September’s biggest fears. Bitcoin (BTC) jumped more than 6% to trade near $86,600 as risk appetite returned.Anastasia Amoroso is chief inve
placeholder
Market Is Primed for a ‘Face Ripper' Rally Thanks to Four Ingredients Says Tom LeeFundstrat head of research Tom Lee says the market is primed for a face-ripping rally into month end. He named four specific ingredients behind the call.Lee, a CNBC contributor, joined Freedom Capital
Author  Beincrypto
1 hour ago
Fundstrat head of research Tom Lee says the market is primed for a face-ripping rally into month end. He named four specific ingredients behind the call.Lee, a CNBC contributor, joined Freedom Capital
placeholder
USD/JPY Forecast: Yen Strength Puts 152 Support in Focus as BoJ Tightening LoomsUSD/JPY remains under pressure as the Japanese yen strengthens ahead of another potentially important Bank of Japan policy decision. The pair has fallen toward the mid-155 region after breaking below
Author  Beincrypto
1 hour ago
USD/JPY remains under pressure as the Japanese yen strengthens ahead of another potentially important Bank of Japan policy decision. The pair has fallen toward the mid-155 region after breaking below
placeholder
Waited for Bitcoin's October Bottom? Benjamin Cowen Says He Was WrongBenjamin Cowen, founder of Into The Cryptoverse, publicly admitted his bearish Bitcoin call failed on Monday, as the cryptocurrency broke decisively above $85,000 and squeezed short sellers.The revers
Author  Beincrypto
1 hour ago
Benjamin Cowen, founder of Into The Cryptoverse, publicly admitted his bearish Bitcoin call failed on Monday, as the cryptocurrency broke decisively above $85,000 and squeezed short sellers.The revers
goTop
quote