As Meta Postpones Launch of New Ray-Ban Smart Glasses, Is It Time to Buy, Sell, or Hold META Shares?

Meta Platforms Faces a Pivotal Moment

Meta Platforms (META) is navigating a significant turning point. Earlier this month, the company revealed it would halt the global expansion of its highly anticipated Ray-Ban Display smart glasses. The decision was attributed to overwhelming demand in the United States and insufficient inventory to support an international launch.

Initially, Meta had planned to introduce these innovative augmented reality glasses in Europe and Canada by early 2026. However, the rollout will now be limited to the U.S. as the company prioritizes fulfilling domestic orders and optimizing its manufacturing process. While this move demonstrates strong consumer interest, it also exposes Meta’s ongoing supply chain and operational hurdles, which could impact its broader ambitions in hardware and artificial intelligence.

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Since 2019, Meta has collaborated with EssilorLuxottica, the parent company of Ray-Ban, to develop smart eyewear. Their partnership was renewed in 2024. Last year, CEO Mark Zuckerberg introduced the $799 Meta Ray-Ban Display glasses, which represent Meta’s first AI-powered consumer glasses. These allow users to view videos and respond to messages via a neural wristband interface.

Given these developments, investors may be wondering: is now the right time to buy, sell, or hold META shares?

Overview of Meta Stock

Meta Platforms, headquartered in Menlo Park, California, is a leading technology conglomerate best known for its ownership of major social and communication platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Messenger, and Threads. Founded as Facebook in 2004, the company rebranded to Meta in 2021 to signal its focus on immersive technologies, including virtual and augmented reality as well as the metaverse.

Beyond its core social apps, Meta also produces hardware and AI-driven products through its Reality Labs division, which includes VR headsets and smart glasses. With a market capitalization nearing $1.65 trillion, Meta ranks among the world’s largest tech firms.

Despite its size, Meta’s share price has experienced notable fluctuations over the past year, as investors balance its dominant advertising business against rising investments in AI and infrastructure.

Recent Stock Performance

Over the last 52 weeks, META’s stock price has experienced considerable volatility, trading between a peak of approximately $796.25 in August 2025 and a low of about $479.80 in April 2025. This wide range reflects changing investor sentiment. The latest closing price of around $653.06 is roughly 22% below its 52-week high. Over the past year, the stock has delivered a modest 5% return, trailing broader market benchmarks.

Looking at a longer timeframe, Meta’s shares have achieved impressive growth, with a 376.76% return over the past three years, fueled by its dominance in digital advertising and investments in emerging technologies.

META currently trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 21.09, which is higher than the sector average.

Third Quarter 2025 Results

Meta reported its Q3 2025 earnings on October 29, 2025, showing strong revenue growth but mixed profitability. For the quarter ending September 30, 2025, total revenue reached $51.2 billion, a 26% increase from $40.6 billion in Q3 2024. This growth was primarily driven by continued gains in digital advertising and higher engagement across Meta’s suite of apps. Advertising impressions rose by 14%, and the average price per ad increased by 10%, highlighting the company’s effective monetization strategies.

However, net income dropped sharply to about $2.7 billion, down 83% from $15.7 billion a year earlier, mainly due to a one-time, non-cash tax expense of approximately $15.9 billion. Excluding this tax charge, adjusted earnings per share came in at $7.25, surpassing analyst expectations.

Operating income remained robust at $20.5 billion, up 18%, but operating margins narrowed as total expenses climbed 32% year-over-year to $30.7 billion, reflecting increased spending on infrastructure and research and development.

Capital expenditures were significant in Q3, with investments focused on servers, data centers, and AI infrastructure. Full-year 2025 capital spending is now projected at $70 to $72 billion, underscoring Meta’s aggressive push into artificial intelligence. The company expects fourth-quarter revenue to be between $56 billion and $59 billion.

Analysts forecast Meta’s earnings per share to reach $29.40 for fiscal 2025, a 23.2% increase year-over-year, with further growth of 4.2% to $30.63 expected in 2026.

Analyst Outlook for META

Recently, Cantor Fitzgerald increased its price target for Meta to $750 from $720 and maintained an “Overweight” rating, citing strong advertising performance and a promising AI growth trajectory.

Jefferies also reiterated its “Buy” rating, setting a price target of $910, based on Meta’s long-term prospects in social media and ongoing investments in AI and the metaverse.

Overall, Wall Street sentiment toward META remains highly positive. Of the 55 analysts covering the stock, 44 rate it a “Strong Buy,” three recommend a “Moderate Buy,” and eight suggest holding the stock. The consensus rating is “Strong Buy.”

The average analyst price target stands at $839.67, implying a potential upside of nearly 30%. The highest target, at $1,117, suggests the stock could climb as much as 71% from current levels.