Meta Slides as Investors Doubt Returns on AI Capital Spending

Overview

• Meta shares closed at $547.54 with a one‑month loss of 15.53%, reflecting caution over a planned ramp in AI and infrastructure investment.
• Columbia Threadneedle said the stock fell about 10% in the fourth quarter after management flagged aggressive capital plans that could squeeze near‑term profits.
• Management outlined even higher outlays for AI data centers, cloud contracts, and select acquisitions.
• The fund said Meta’s ad business remains healthy and expects AI tools in its ad system to raise advertiser productivity.
• Meta stayed a top hedge‑fund holding at No. 5 on one ranking, though the number of funds owning the stock fell to 256 from 273.