Meta’s Almost $10 Billion Legal Costs Take Huge Toll on Q3 Earnings, Wall Street Shrugs

By Corbin Bolies

Corbin Bolies

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Meta’s $18 billion nationwide settlement with state attorneys general forced nearly $10 billion in additional costs for the company during its third quarter in 2026, missing Wall Street expectations on Wednesday even as its quarterly revenue was up 28%.

The company’s revenue for the quarter hit $64.6 billion, up 26%, while its net income was $9.86 billion, up 264%. Its earnings per share hit $3.83. Analysts polled by LSEG Data & Analytics expected the company’s revenue to hit $63.4 billion and earnings per share of $5.46.

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