Key Highlights
- Meta Platforms has increased its Richland Parish, Louisiana data center budget beyond $50B, nearly doubling from the $27B initially announced in October 2025
- The complex has expanded from a planned 2GW capacity to 5GW, establishing it as Meta’s largest data infrastructure facility worldwide
- Cumulative investment expectations for the Louisiana location now surpass $250B according to Bloomberg reports
- Louisiana-based contractors have secured contracts worth more than $1.6B since groundbreaking in December 2024
- META stock started Monday trading at $669.21, with analysts maintaining a “Moderate Buy” consensus and $838.26 average target price
Meta Platforms has substantially increased the financial commitment to its Louisiana data center project in Richland Parish, with costs now exceeding $50 billion — representing close to a 100% increase from the $27 billion originally announced in October 2025.
META stock opened Monday’s session at $669.21. The shares trade within a 52-week band between $520.26 and $796.25, supporting a market capitalization of $1.69 trillion.
Initially designed as a 2-gigawatt operation, the Louisiana campus has expanded to a massive 5GW infrastructure. This scale positions it as Meta’s most substantial data center facility on a global basis.
According to Bloomberg News, Meta’s aggregate anticipated spending for the Louisiana project now crosses the $250 billion threshold. The magnitude of this commitment is staggering by any measure.
Construction activities commenced in December 2024. In the months since, regional businesses throughout Louisiana have been awarded contracts exceeding $1.6 billion related to construction and support services.
In October 2025, Meta established a partnership with Blue Owl Capital (OWL) through a joint venture structure to oversee facility operations. The most recent expansion plan injects an additional $40 billion into that collaborative framework.
Energy Infrastructure Requirements
Addressing the substantial power requirements of a 5GW data center campus, Meta has entered into an agreement with regional utility provider Entergy (ETR). This partnership will finance construction of seven natural gas generation facilities, three utility-scale battery storage systems, nuclear capacity enhancements, and supplementary power procurement arrangements.
Meta assumes complete financial responsibility for energy consumption, water usage, and associated infrastructure development. Regional consumers face no cost burden from these requirements.
The Richland Parish Chamber of Commerce has highlighted that Meta has deployed business development specialists to support local enterprises at zero cost to participating companies.
Financial Performance and Wall Street Outlook
Regarding quarterly results, Meta delivered first-quarter earnings per share of $10.44, significantly exceeding analyst projections of $6.67. Quarterly revenue reached $56.31 billion, marking a 33.1% year-over-year increase and surpassing the $55.56 billion consensus forecast.
The company announced a quarterly dividend distribution of $0.525 per share, disbursed June 25th. On an annualized basis, this equates to $2.10 per share, yielding 0.3%.
Wall Street sentiment toward META stock remains predominantly favorable. Among covering analysts, 35 maintain Buy recommendations, three issue Strong Buy ratings, nine have Hold positions, and one recommends Sell. The consensus price target stands at $838.26, suggesting substantial appreciation potential from current trading levels.
Both Guggenheim and TD Cowen reduced their price objectives to $800 while maintaining Buy ratings. Rosenblatt Securities holds the most optimistic view with a $1,015 target.
On the regulatory front, European Union authorities have raised concerns regarding Facebook and Instagram features like infinite scroll and autoplay video, citing potential addictive characteristics that could result in penalties under Digital Services Act provisions.
Chief Financial Officer Susan Li and Chief Technology Officer Andrew Bosworth executed stock sales in May through predetermined 10b5-1 trading programs, primarily addressing tax liabilities associated with equity compensation vesting.
Erste Group Bank elevated META from Hold to Buy status on July 7th.
