Meta to Report Third Quarter Earnings October 21
Investors look to upcoming earnings data as Meta faces ongoing regulatory pressure in Brazil.
Updated on Oct. 21, 2026 in Public Companies
Live Poll
Should tech companies proactively adjust their platform algorithms to accommodate political campaign accounts?
Meta Platforms is set to release its third-quarter earnings report on October 21, 2026. The company faces increased scrutiny in Brazil regarding its technical restrictions on political accounts ahead of the presidential runoff election.
Why it matters
Market analysts are closely watching Meta's performance metrics as the company navigates both significant revenue growth expectations and complex international regulatory challenges.
Analysts project quarterly earnings of $5.70 per share, significantly higher than the $1.05 per share reported in the third quarter of 2025. Consensus estimates anticipate total revenue of $63.39 billion.
The players
Meta Platforms
Meta Platforms is a technology conglomerate based in Menlo Park, California, that owns social media platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva
Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is the current President of Brazil who is involved in a dispute over the visibility of his campaign accounts on Meta platforms.
Flavio Bolsonaro
Flavio Bolsonaro is a political figure in Brazil whose accounts are reportedly favored by Meta's algorithmic recommendations.
The details
Ahead of the report, multiple financial institutions recently raised price targets for the stock, with Citigroup setting its target at $895. Meta shares declined 1.6% to close at $694.25 on October 20, while the company faces local complaints regarding algorithm visibility for political candidates in Brazil.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: Analyst ratings updated by Goldman Sachs, UBS, and Guggenheim.
October 15, 2026: JP Morgan and Citigroup issued revised analyst ratings.
October 20, 2026: Meta shares closed trading at $694.25.
October 21, 2026: Meta releases third quarter earnings report.
October 25, 2026: Brazil holds its presidential runoff election.
Market Landscape
The situation in Brazil mirrors the challenges tech companies face under the European Union's Digital Services Act regarding content moderation and platform neutrality. These regulatory tensions form a significant backdrop for Meta as it seeks to maintain growth in international markets.
Investors may see increased share price volatility surrounding the earnings release and the outcome of the Brazilian election. Subscribers and users should monitor potential changes to platform content visibility policies resulting from these international regulatory disputes.
The takeaway
Meta enters a high-stakes period balancing robust analyst earnings expectations against complex political risks in emerging markets. Investors should watch for management commentary regarding regulatory compliance costs during the upcoming earnings call.
What happens next
Meta is scheduled to release its third-quarter earnings report on October 21, 2026, followed by the Brazilian presidential runoff election on October 25, 2026.
Further reading
For additional context on corporate financial performance, visit the Public Companies section.
Live Poll
Should tech companies proactively adjust their platform algorithms to accommodate political campaign accounts?
