Meta Plans Up To $95 Billion Stock Offering To Fund AI Investments
The unprecedented share sale, including non-voting stock, aims to finance Meta's ambitious AI infrastructure while maintaining founder control.
The story
Meta Platforms announced plans to raise up to $95 billion through a stock offering to fund its extensive artificial intelligence initiatives. The company intends to issue approximately $35 billion in common shares and convertible preferred stock in the near term.
An additional $60 billion is slated to be raised in 2027, utilizing a new class of non-voting shares. This significant financial maneuver comes as Meta's free cash flow turned negative last quarter for the first time in over a decade, with 2026 data center spending guided between $135 billion and $145 billion. The introduction of non-voting shares is seen as a mechanism for CEO Mark Zuckerberg to retain control of the company while securing substantial outside capital for its AI development.
Who moved
Meta
What Changed: Announced plans to raise up to $95 billion via a stock sale, including a new class of non-voting shares.
Why It Matters: This move is designed to finance Meta's substantial AI infrastructure investments while allowing Mark Zuckerberg to retain control.
Microsoft
What Changed: Reported Q3 FY26 revenue of $82.9 billion, an 18% increase, and operating income of $38.4 billion, up 20%.
Why It Matters: The results demonstrate continued strong performance, particularly in Microsoft Cloud, which grew 29% to $54.5 billion.
Microsoft
What Changed: Offered voluntary buyouts to approximately 60,000 employees, representing about a quarter of its workforce in certain regions.
Why It Matters: This signals a strategic reallocation of resources, shifting focus towards AI investments and away from some existing roles.
SpaceX
What Changed: Committed to a $40 billion GPU lease for Nvidia chips.
Why It Matters: This deal underscores the immense demand for Nvidia's AI hardware from major industry players for large-scale AI operations.
Money & markets
Meta. Reported Q3 2026 revenue of $64.60 billion, a 26% year-over-year increase, exceeding consensus estimates.
Meta. Q3 2026 GAAP diluted EPS was $3.83, impacted by a $9.89 billion legal charge; excluding the charge, EPS would have been approximately $7.40.
Microsoft. Q3 FY26 revenue reached $82.9 billion, up 18%, with Microsoft Cloud revenue growing 29% to $54.5 billion.
Alphabet. Analysts expect Q3 2026 revenue of approximately $127.8 billion, a 25% year-over-year increase, with a particular focus on Google Cloud growth in its upcoming report.
Amazon. Analysts forecast Q3 2026 earnings of $1.96 per share and $202.16 billion in revenue ahead of its October 29 report, with AWS growth being a key metric.
What we'll be watching
- Alphabet (Google) Q3 2026 earnings report after market close on October 28, 2026.
- Microsoft's Q4 2026 outlook and guidance during its earnings conference call on October 27, 2026.
- Amazon Q3 2026 earnings report after market close on October 29, 2026.
- US Federal Reserve monetary policy meeting conclusion and rate announcement on October 28, 2026.
Reporting + analyst voices: grounded via Google Search at publish time.