Meta's shares registered a decline of over 7% on Wednesday, the 29th, following the release of second-quarter financial results. Investors were disappointed with the earnings per share that fell below Wall Street forecasts and with a modest revenue projection for the current quarter.
Although the company, owner of Facebook, Instagram, Threads, and WhatsApp, managed to exceed revenue estimates, the profit result and future outlook exerted negative pressure on stock values. Specifically, Meta achieved an earnings per share (EPS) of US$ 6.18 (equivalent to R$ 31.69), which was lower than the US$ 7.22 (R$ 37.02) projection calculated by LSEG. Conversely, revenue reached US$ 60.8 billion (R$ 311.7 billion), exceeding analyst expectations, which pointed to US$ 60.1 billion (R$ 308.5 billion).
Looking ahead to the current quarter, Meta communicated an expected revenue between US$ 61 billion and US$ 64 billion (the midpoint is US$ 62.5 billion, or R$ 320.4 billion). However, the market expected a more optimistic scenario, as LSEG analysts predicted US$ 63.1 billion (R$ 323.8 billion). The company clarified that its estimate takes into account that currency fluctuation should generate an approximate negative impact of 1% on annual revenue growth, considering current exchange rates.
Additionally, another indicator closely monitored by the market, the daily active users (DAU) number, was slightly below consensus. Meta reported that this number reached 3.6 billion, while analysts consulted by Wall Street expected 3.61 billion.
The company also adjusted its capital expenditure (capex) forecast for 2026. Meta now projects investing between US$ 130 billion and US$ 145 billion (which corresponds to R$ 666.6 billion to R$ 743.5 billion) during this period. This new range raises the minimum projected value while keeping the maximum limit unchanged from the previous range, which was US$ 125 billion to US$ 145 billion (R$ 640.9 billion to R$ 743.5 billion).
During the earnings conference, investors are paying close attention to CEO Mark Zuckerberg's comments on how Meta plans to convert its investments in artificial intelligence (AI) into new revenue streams. At the beginning of the month, the company launched the Muse Spark 1.1 AI model. On that occasion, Alexandr Wang, head of Meta's AI division, stated that this technology constitutes the 'most powerful model to date for working with AI agents and programming,' in addition to having a lower cost compared to solutions offered by OpenAI and Anthropic. Investors await Zuckerberg to detail the monetization strategy for these initiatives and justify the high investments in AI infrastructure.
Mercedes-Benz concluded the second quarter of 2026 with a net profit up by 13.5%, totaling 1.09 billion euros. However, the profit from its automotive division suffered a drastic reduction due to the situation in China.
Due to decreased sales in the Asian country, the German automaker was forced to lower its revenue and sales volume forecasts for the remainder of the year. The operating result of the car division registered a drop of approximately 94%, falling from 783 million to just 49 million euros.
This decline was explained by losses of 704 million euros recognized in the brand's investments in Chinese companies, constituting an adjustment in the balance sheet that did not affect cash flow. After discounting this impact, the division's profit fell by 26%, reaching 909 million euros, maintaining a margin of 4% on sales, which is within the company's established targets.
Despite the loss in the Chinese market, the loss of market share is a concrete fact. In the analyzed quarter, 417,765 vehicles were sold, compared to 453,674 in the previous year. Specifically in China, registration figures decreased by 30%, under pressure from competition from local manufacturers and low demand. In contrast, sales in Europe showed an increase of 4%, while in the United States they grew by 10%. It is estimated that without the performance in China, global volume growth would have been 2%.
In response to these challenges, the company began estimating slightly lower revenues and car sales than projected for 2025. However, it maintained the annual profitability target and raised the expectation for the share of electrified vehicles to between 23% and 25%. The company's shares recorded a rise of over 5% on the Frankfurt stock exchange.
Two sectors contributed to stabilizing the overall balance sheet: the financial services segment, whose adjusted operating profit rose by 70%, reaching 492 million euros, and the 417 million obtained from the sale of part of the stake in Daimler Truck. In the vehicle portfolio, electric models brought significant relief, with the sale of 52,852 units, a 51% increase compared to last year.
The financial report does not detail information regarding Brazil, where the brand only sells imported passenger cars since closing production in Iracemápolis (SP) and selling the factory to the Chinese company GWM.
Land Rover has announced that the global manufacturing of the Discovery Sport model will conclude in December 2026. This seven-seater SUV, introduced in 2014 and once the brand's best seller, is currently facing lower sales volumes compared to more expensive models.
In addition to its considerable age for the category, the Discovery Sport will be discontinued because it does not comply with current European legislation. Starting in January 2027, all vehicles sold on the European continent must feature advanced driver distraction alert systems and automatic emergency braking capable of detecting pedestrians and cyclists.
The larger sibling model, the Discovery, also risks being retired without a direct replacement, which would end this vehicle line. Its successor will be the new Defender Sport, which will feature a more robust design and come in electric versions.
In Brazil, production of both the Land Rover Discovery Sport and the Range Rover Evoque has already been halted. According to Quatro Rodas magazine, operations at the factory located in Itatiaia, Rio de Janeiro, ceased in June.
Chery has held meetings with the municipality of Itatiaia to discuss the possibility of taking over the manufacturing unit. If this transaction materializes, the factory could be expanded to produce models from the Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas, and Jetour brands. The vehicle most anticipated to begin production is the Omoda 4, equipped with a 1.0 turbo flex engine.
The Chinese companies plan to use the Fluminense plant to supply the Brazilian market and other international markets, although these actions are still in the negotiation phase without confirmation of purchase.
In parallel, there is a collaboration between Land Rover and Chery in China that led to the creation of the Freelander brand. This new division manufactures automobiles using Chinese platforms and is focused on the Asian market. There are plans for Freelander to become a global brand, integrating Chery's expansion strategy, which already includes Omoda, Jaecoo, Lepas, iCaur, and Jetour. If Brazil becomes a target market for this brand, there is a possibility that production could take place in Itatiaia.
The UK government has announced a major investment in nuclear submarines, which, according to Prime Minister Andy Burnham, will create jobs and opportunities for young people in the coming years. Specifically, it will announce a significant contribution to the UK's nuclear deterrence.
The British defense industry group BAE Systems has received a contract to supply four nuclear submarines to strengthen the country's nuclear deterrence. This part of the contract is valued at £5.9 billion (€6.88 billion), while the rest of the program will be distributed among the supply chain.
According to Downing Street, this funding will allow the first of the four submarines, HSM Dreadnought, to undergo sea trials and be ready for Royal Navy service in the early 2030s. Furthermore, it will enable the second vessel, HMS Valiant, to reach the sea trial stage, and construction of the remaining two vessels will begin.
According to Burnham, this project will create 47,000 jobs and internships, aligning with his government's priorities to combat youth unemployment. During a visit to BAE Systems headquarters in Barrow, northwest England, Burnham emphasized that these submarines will protect the UK for decades to come, and the created jobs will change lives in this city and dozens of other settlements.
The UK government plans to allocate over £63 billion (€73 billion) over the next four years to fund nuclear deterrence as part of a broader defense investment plan.
