Wall Street Rewarded Microsoft 9% and Punished Meta 9% for Answering the Same Question Differently

Build-out continues, but patience is waning. Microsoft has begun delivering results, while Meta has yet to oblige, as investors wait to see if the spending pays off. (Credit: Wikimedia Commons, Library of Congress. IBTimes UK)

Microsoft and Meta reported within an hour of each other on Wednesday evening. Microsoft shares rose about 9%. Meta shares fell about 9%. Both companies are pouring record sums into artificial intelligence (AI), and investors were listening for the same thing from each.

Microsoft had an answer ready. Fourth-quarter revenue of $90.01B (£67.7B) beat the $87.62B expected.