Core Viewpoint - Meta's third-quarter net profit plummeted by 83% year-on-year, primarily due to a one-time non-cash tax expense of $15.93 billion resulting from the U.S. tax reform, which significantly impacted earnings per share (EPS) and overall financial performance [2][4][3]. Financial Performance - Revenue for Q3 reached $51.24 billion, a 26% year-on-year increase, but net profit fell from $15.69 billion to $2.71 billion, marking an 83% decline [4][8]. - The effective tax rate surged from 12% in the previous year to 87% due to the one-time tax expense [4]. - EPS was reported at $1.05, significantly below market expectations of $6.68, primarily due to the tax impact [4][8]. - Free cash flow stood at $10.6 billion, with cash reserves amounting to $44.5 billion [8]. Business Progress - Daily active users reached 3.54 billion, reflecting an 8% year-on-year growth, while ad impressions grew by 14% and average ad prices increased by 10% [11][8]. - Despite strong performance in the core advertising business, potential regulatory changes in the EU pose a significant threat to future revenue [12][13]. Strategic Adjustments - Meta is significantly increasing its capital expenditures, with projections for 2026 potentially exceeding $80-85 billion, driven by infrastructure investments and AI talent costs [17][21]. - Total expenses are expected to grow at a rate that will outpace revenue growth, raising concerns about profit margins [16][20]. Future Outlook - The Reality Labs division is expected to see a decline in revenue for Q4, raising questions about its profitability trajectory [19][20]. - The Q4 revenue guidance of $56-59 billion aligns with market expectations, but ongoing cost pressures may continue to impact profit margins [20][21]. - Despite a robust cash position and stock buybacks, investor sentiment remains cautious regarding the long-term returns of Meta's AI investments, as reflected in the post-earnings stock drop of over 8% [21][9].

Core Viewpoint - Meta's third-quarter net profit plummeted by 83% year-on-year, primarily due to a one-time non-cash tax expense of $15.93 billion resulting from the U.S. tax reform, which raised the effective tax rate to 87% from 12% in the same period last year [1][3][5] Financial Performance - Revenue for the third quarter reached $51.24 billion, a 26% year-on-year increase, while net profit fell from $15.69 billion to $2.71 billion [3][5] - Earnings per share (EPS) was reported at $1.05, significantly below market expectations of $6.68, but adjusted EPS, excluding the tax impact, was $7.25, exceeding expectations [5] - Operating profit margin decreased from 43% to 40%, with total costs rising by 32% year-on-year [5][13] - Free cash flow stood at $10.6 billion, with cash reserves of $44.5 billion [5][15] Business Progress - Daily active users reached 3.54 billion, an 8% year-on-year growth, with ad impressions increasing by 14% and average ad prices rising by 10% [4][10] - Q4 revenue guidance is set between $56 billion and $59 billion, aligning with market expectations [6][14] Strategic Adjustments - Significant capital expenditures are anticipated, with projections for 2026 potentially exceeding $80-85 billion, driven by infrastructure investments and AI talent costs [12][13] - The CFO indicated that the growth in capital expenditures for 2026 will significantly surpass that of 2025, which was already projected at $70-72 billion [13] Future Outlook - Concerns arise regarding the Reality Labs division, which is expected to see a decline in hardware revenue in Q4 due to last year's product launches and preemptive stocking by retailers [14] - Despite a solid financial position, the key issue lies in whether investors are willing to support an unclear return cycle for AI investments, as indicated by the post-earnings drop of over 8% [15]