Meta Stumbles Under $25 B New Mexico Judgment

Meta was hit with a $25 billion judgment from a New Mexico jury, dwarfing its quarterly earnings. The verdict arrived as the company reported Q3 2026 revenue of $64.6 billion, up 26%, and net income of $9.86 billion. But an $18 billion settlement with 52 state attorneys general forced nearly $10 billion of extra legal costs into that quarter. Analysts had expected earnings per share of $5.46, yet Meta posted $3.83, though the stock rose two percent after hours. The jury found 43 million consumer‑protection violations, each carrying a $5,000 penalty, tying the case to the old Cambridge Analytica breach. Chief Legal Officer C.J. Mahoney says Meta will appeal, confident it will prevail and keep building its platform.