Meta Platforms 10% Layoff Raises a Bigger Question About AI Spending

Shares of Meta Platforms (NASDAQ: META) have faced a notable degree of volatility in 2026. The stock started off the year hot, being up around 12% near the end of January. The company’s impressive Q4 2025 earnings report drove an over 10% single day gain.

However, a convergence of pressures then hit the stock. This included artificial intelligence (AI) spending fears, legal losses, and the U.S.-Iran conflict that drove down the market as a whole. Near the end of March, Meta was down 20% on the year.