Meta plans new non-voting share class to fund AI initiatives, acquisitions, and compensation

Meta announced a new class of non-voting shares intended to fund AI initiatives, potential acquisitions, and employee compensation, according to its third-quarter 2026 earnings report released on Wednesday. The company stated that the scale of investment required to compete, sustain growth, expand infrastructure, and pursue new strategic initiatives in the AI sector is significant.

Meta’s chief financial officer, Susan Li, said during an earnings call that the new share class will expand the company’s funding tools and provide flexibility to invest behind the momentum driven by AI across its business. Trading for the new class of shares is expected to begin in 2027.

The announcement comes as Meta disclosed an updated capital expenditure estimate for 2026, raising the range to between $135 billion and $145 billion, up from the prior estimate of $130 billion to $145 billion. The company has previously emphasized its substantial investments in AI infrastructure, including data centers and talent acquisition.

Meta has also been active in AI product development, including the launch of its AI agent Muse in September, which can perform tasks such as cleaning email inboxes, booking reservations, and planning trips. The Muse app reached 10 million downloads in the US shortly after its rollout.