Zuckerberg’s Net Worth Falls $18 Billion Amid Meta Stock Plunge—Wall Street Sours On AI Spending

Forbes Published Jul 30, 2026 Reviewed Jul 30, 2026 ✓ Reviewed by citations.press editors

Mark Zuckerberg’s net worth declined by $17.8 billion to $183.3 billion, making him the sixth‑richest person in the world.

17.8 $ · Zuckerberg's net worth decline183.3 $ · Zuckerberg's net worth

Meta shares fell 9% on Thursday, marking the company's worst single-day loss of the year and a 21.7% decline over the previous 11 trading sessions.

9 % · Meta shares21.7 % · Meta shares

Meta increased its annual spending forecast to $137.5 billion, but declined to provide a 2027 estimate.

137.5 $ · Meta spending forecast

Meta reported quarterly earnings of $6.18 per share, below analysts' consensus of $7.18, while revenue reached $60.8 billion.

6.18 $ · Meta earnings per share7.18 $ · Meta consensus earnings per share60.8 $ · Meta revenue

Scotiabank analyst Nat Schindler lowered Meta's price target to $600 from $700.

600 $ · Meta price target700 $ · Meta price target Nat Schindler, Scotiabank analyst

Wedbush Securities reduced its price target for Meta to $595 from $671.

595 $ · Meta price target671 $ · Meta price target Wedbush Securities, analyst firm

Evercore ISI cut Meta's price target by $110, Wolfe Research by $100, Goldman Sachs by $90, and Cantor Fitzgerald by $90.

110 $ · Evercore ISI price target cut100 $ · Wolfe Research price target cut90 $ · Goldman Sachs price target cut90 $ · Cantor Fitzgerald price target cut Evercore ISI, Wolfe Research, Goldman Sachs, Cantor Fitzgerald, analyst firms

Microsoft's stock surged 15% after announcing that Microsoft 365 Copilot has over 30 million paid users, up from 20 million in April.

15 % · Microsoft stock30 million · Microsoft 365 Copilot paid users20 million · Microsoft 365 Copilot paid users

Microsoft reported quarterly revenue of $90 billion, surpassing analysts' estimates of $87.6 billion.

90 $ · Microsoft quarterly revenue87.6 $ · Microsoft quarterly revenue estimate

Meta's stock has fallen almost 18% year‑to‑date.

18 % · Meta stock

Meta's stock rose over 14% during a five‑session stretch ending July 10, its best week since 2024.

14 % · Meta stock

Mark Zuckerberg’s net worth declined by nearly $18 billion on Thursday as Meta’s stock paced an 11-day losing streak, with Wall Street souring on the Facebook parent’s plans to accelerate spending on AI.

Shares of Meta plunged 9% as of Thursday afternoon, pacing what would be the stock’s worst single-day loss this year so far and a 21.7% slide over the last 11 trading sessions.

The latest dip in Meta’s shares cut $17.8 billion from Zuckerberg’s net worth, valued at $183.3 billion, ranking him the sixth-richest person in the world directly ahead of Nvidia’s Jensen Huang ($167.2 billion) and behind Michael Dell ($228.9 billion).

A decline for Meta’s stock comes after the firm raised its spending forecast for the year to $137.5 billion while also declining to commit to an estimate for 2027.

Meta also reported quarterly earnings of $6.18 per share, falling well below consensus analyst estimates of $7.18, according to FactSet, even as revenue topped projections at $60.8 billion.

A boost in spending drew ire of some economists: Scotiabank analyst Nat Schindler cut his stock price target for Meta to $600 from $700, warning investors that until the firm can prove it can deliver on AI revenue, Meta should focus on free cash flow durability rather than the size of its AI opportunity.

Wedbush Securities trimmed its price target to $595 from $671, arguing investors should scrutinize whether Meta’s spending will yield returns, adding to reductions on price targets from other firms, including Evercore ISI (down $110), Wolfe Research ($100), Goldman Sachs ($90) and Cantor Fitzgerald ($90), among others.

Microsoft’s stock soared 15% after reporting its AI work assistant, Microsoft 365 Copilot, now has more than 30 million paid users, up from 20 million in April. The company reiterated its spending goals for the year and signaled a possible expansion in fiscal 2027. Forrester analyst Tracy Woo said Microsoft’s quarterly revenue of $90 billion, which topped estimates of $87.6 billion, and the success of its Copilot signaled the firm's data center buildout is “beginning to deliver returns.”

Meta, once a powerhouse stock that rarely showed vulnerability, has dropped nearly 18% this year following landmark court rulings and concerns around its AI buildout. Zuckerberg’s firm saw some relief earlier this month, posting its best week since 2024 during a five-session stretch ending July 10 that boosted Meta’s stock by more than 14%. That came as Meta rolled out Muse Image, a new AI model to be used as a tool for creating images, despite backlash from Hollywood unions, talent agencies and cybersecurity firms over privacy concerns.

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