META vs MSFT: AI Stock Comparison
Meta Platforms, Inc. vs Microsoft Corporation: AI exposure, key metrics, next earnings dates, upcoming catalysts and risks — every number linked to its source.
Tie: both score 4/5 on AI exposure under our rubric; compare the catalysts and risks below. The score measures how directly each business is tied to AI, not which stock to buy.
⏱ Next catalyst: $MSFT has the earlier next catalyst (Nov 17, 2026).
| AI exposure score | ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ 4/5 | ⚡⚡⚡⚡⚡ 4/5 |
|---|---|---|
| Shares outstanding | Not shown (multiple share classes or no recent cover-page figure) | 7.43B as of 2026-10-22 · 10-Q cover page · SEC filing |
| Category | Hyperscalers & platforms | Hyperscalers & platforms |
| Key metrics | Revenue (latest quarter) $64.60B 10-Q period ended 2026-09-30; +26% y/y · SEC filing Operating income $12.99B Same quarter; 20% operating margin · SEC filing Net income $9.86B Same quarter · SEC filing | Revenue (latest quarter) $92.28B 10-Q period ended 2026-09-30; +19% y/y · SEC filing Gross margin 67.8% Gross profit / revenue, same quarter · SEC filing Operating income $45.91B Same quarter; 50% operating margin · SEC filing |
| Next earnings | Not yet announced / not on our calendar | Not yet announced / not on our calendar |
| Next catalyst | Dec 8, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026 NeurIPS 2026 (Atlanta; also Sydney & Paris) · source | Nov 17, 2026 – Nov 20, 2026 Microsoft Ignite 2026 (San Francisco) · source |
| Upcoming catalysts | Dec 8, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026 NeurIPS 2026 (Atlanta; also Sydney & Paris) · source | Nov 17, 2026 – Nov 20, 2026 Microsoft Ignite 2026 (San Francisco) · source Dec 8, 2026 – Dec 13, 2026 NeurIPS 2026 (Atlanta; also Sydney & Paris) · source Dec 9, 2026 FOMC rate decision + projections · source |
| Most recent reported | Oct 21, 2026 Meta Platforms, Inc. reports quarterly results · source Q3 revenue $64.6B (+26% y/y); capex $34.9B in the quarter; 2026 capex guided to $135–145B. | Oct 28, 2026 Microsoft Corporation reports quarterly results · source Azure growth and AI capex guidance set the tone for the whole AI trade. Revenue: $92.28B (+19% y/y), per 10-Q. |
| Key risks |
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| AI angle | Meta uses AI for ad targeting and content ranking and is building frontier models and assistants. Its spending on AI data centers is among the largest of any company. | Microsoft monetizes AI through Azure AI infrastructure, Copilot subscriptions and model partnerships. Its 10-K calls its cloud and AI strategy a substantial investment that depends on customer demand. |
| Full analysis: $META → | Full analysis: $MSFT → |
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