New York, Feb 21, 2026, 11:31 EST — Market closed.
- Meta shares last closed at $655.66, up 1.7% on Friday.
- A U.S. Supreme Court tariff ruling and fresh trade moves reset the backdrop for ad-driven stocks.
- Investors also weighed signs Meta is squeezing costs while ramping AI spending.
Meta Platforms’ shares ended the week higher on Friday, tracking gains in megacap growth stocks after a U.S. Supreme Court decision knocked down President Donald Trump’s global tariffs. The stock last closed at $655.66, up about 1.7%.
With U.S. markets shut for the weekend, traders head into Monday looking for whether that relief holds, or fades into the next round of tariff headlines. The ruling matters for Meta because most of its revenue comes from advertising, and ad budgets tend to follow swings in business confidence. (Reuters)
Inside Meta, investors also digested a separate cost signal: Meta trimmed its annual stock-option awards by about 5% for most employees, a second straight year of cuts, as it pours billions into artificial intelligence and data-center buildouts. Meta declined to comment. (Reuters)
On Friday, U.S. stocks finished higher and communication services led sector gains, with big tech again doing much of the lifting. “Today is a removal of some uncertainty, and we’re on to the next phase,” said Mike Dickson, head of research and quantitative strategies at Horizon Investments. (Reuters)
The court setback did not end the trade story. Trump announced a new 10% global tariff for 150 days under a different legal provision, reopening questions about where duties settle and how quickly companies see clarity on costs and demand. (Reuters)
Macro also stayed in the frame. Data on Friday showed U.S. economic growth slowed more than expected in the fourth quarter, while a separate inflation reading picked up in December — the kind of mix that can jolt rate expectations and, in turn, long-duration tech valuations. (Investing)
Meta’s own spending plans remain a live debate. In January, the company told investors it expected 2026 capital expenditure of $115 billion to $135 billion as it races rivals to build AI capacity, even as it pares back elsewhere. (Reuters)
A late-week SEC filing underscored how closely investors are watching compensation and incentives. Dina Powell, Meta’s president and vice chairman, reported receiving 91,333 restricted stock units — RSUs are equity awards that typically vest over time if the executive stays in the job. (SEC)
Powell joined Meta last month and her appointment came with a compensation package that included a large equity component, according to an earlier company filing. (SEC)
But the path into next week is not one-way. A fresh tariff regime, legal fallout over refunds, and sticky inflation can still squeeze corporate marketing budgets, while Meta’s heavy AI bill keeps pressure on margins if ad growth cools. (Reuters)
The next clear market catalyst is Nvidia’s results on Wednesday, a read-through for the AI supply chain and the pace of spending by its biggest customers. For Meta, traders will be watching whether the stock can hold Friday’s gain when markets reopen Monday. (Reuters)
