Meta Q3 revenue beats estimates as Muse tops 10 million users

Meta Platforms reported third-quarter net income of $9.86 billion, more than tripling from $2.71 billion a year earlier, as revenue rose 26% to $64.60 billion, beating analyst expectations of $63.34 billion. The results included a $9.89 billion charge from an August settlement with 48 U.S. states over teen mental health effects, which reduced earnings to $3.83 per share; excluding that charge, earnings were $7.40 per share. CEO Mark Zuckerberg said over 10 million people in the U.S. and Canada have set up accounts for Muse, the company's personal AI agent launched in August. Daily active users across Meta's apps grew 3% to 3.64 billion, while headcount fell 15% year-over-year to 66,775. The company forecasts fourth-quarter revenue between $73 billion and $76 billion, above analyst expectations, and shares rose 2.9% in after-hours trading.