Why Is Meta Stock Up Today?

Source The Motley Fool

Key Points

  • Meta shares are getting a lift from the Muse Spark 1.3 release and a broader rise in technology stocks.

  • The new model improves coding and so-called agentic tasks, which AI can complete with less human help.

  • Investors still need Meta to turn better models into popular products that can help pay for its AI spending.

  • 10 stocks we like better than Meta Platforms ›

Meta Platforms Inc. (NASDAQ: META) stock is up 3.7% as of 3:17 p.m. ET on Thursday, Sept. 3, 2026, after the release of its Muse Spark 1.3 AI model.

The S&P 500 and Nasdaq Composite were up 1.1% and 1.5%, respectively.

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Muse Spark 1.3 improves Meta's coding tools

Meta released Muse Spark 1.3 late Wednesday, the newest iteration of its AI model. The company says it is better at coding and at agentic tasks -- work that AI can do work with less human help.

The model scored well on benchmark tests, placing it among the leading models from OpenAI and Anthropic. Meta AI chief Alexandr Wang said the release lays the groundwork for future personal AI assistants.

Meta still needs people to use what it builds

Meta has been spending an enormous amount on AI, so investors understandably want to see something come out of it. Muse Spark 1.3 is not a dramatic new iteration, but it is a sign that Meta's models are improving and that it can compete with offerings from frontier labs.

A phone with ChatGPT.

Image source: Getty Images.

The bigger test is whether these improvements lead to products consumers actually use and, eventually, products that can help pay for Meta's massive AI investment.

Should you buy stock in Meta Platforms right now?

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Johnny Rice has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. 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.
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