Microsoft and Meta Platforms: Why 2026 Could Bring Stock Splits to These Tech Giants

Key Points

• The Magnificent Seven stocks have largely completed their stock splits; only two remain
• Microsoft and Meta Platforms haven’t split shares in years, setting up potential announcements
• Both companies’ AI strategies and financial fundamentals make them worth watching regardless of splits

The Magnificent Seven and Their Split History

Among the world’s largest companies by market capitalization—Nvidia, Alphabet, Apple, Microsoft, Amazon, Meta Platforms, and Tesla—most have undergone stock splits since 2020. Nvidia, Alphabet, Apple, Amazon, and Tesla have all executed splits to make shares more accessible.

This leaves two significant outliers: Microsoft and Meta Platforms, neither of which has split shares recently. Microsoft’s most recent split occurred back in 2003, breaking its historical pattern of splitting every few years. Meanwhile, Meta Platforms has never executed a split since going public in 2012, despite becoming the priciest stock in the group at roughly $650 per share.

With Microsoft trading near the $500 level and Meta trading at historically expensive valuations, market observers are speculating whether 2026 could finally bring splits from these two tech heavyweights. Such announcements would likely generate investor enthusiasm, though the companies’ underlying business fundamentals offer far stronger reasons to monitor them.

Two Different Approaches to the AI Revolution

The real story behind both stocks lies not in potential splits, but in how each is positioning itself within the artificial intelligence landscape—where their strategies diverge significantly.

Microsoft’s Strategy: The Neutral AI Platform

Microsoft has adopted a facilitation model rather than betting entirely on a single AI solution. While the company maintains a partnership with OpenAI and integrates tools like Copilot into its Office suite, it simultaneously offers alternative models through its Azure cloud computing platform. This includes competing systems such as Grok from xAI and R1 from DeepSeek, positioning Microsoft as an agnostic infrastructure provider.

This approach has proven effective. Azure has emerged as the fastest-growing cloud service among major providers, and the company’s cloud division continues generating impressive revenue growth. By remaining neutral rather than fully committed to one vendor, Microsoft is hedging its bets while capturing growth across the AI ecosystem.

Meta Platforms’ Strategy: Monetizing AI Through Advertising

Meta Platforms, the parent of Facebook and Instagram, generates the majority of its revenue through digital advertising. Generative AI has already begun transforming ad performance on these platforms, enabling rapid revenue growth over recent quarters. The company’s investment in AI capabilities is beginning to show measurable returns.

However, this growth comes with a caveat: Meta Platforms’ capital expenditure plans are raising investor concerns. The company has signaled that spending on AI data centers will accelerate in 2026 compared to 2025, likely pushing capital expenditures beyond the $100 billion threshold. This aggressive spending has spooked some investors, causing recent stock weakness.

Beyond Stock Splits: Why Both Stocks Deserve Attention

Whether or not Microsoft and Meta Platforms announce splits in 2026, the fundamental investment thesis for each remains compelling.

For Microsoft, sustained momentum in cloud computing and its flexible approach to AI partnerships position it well for continued growth. The company isn’t betting its entire future on a single AI vendor but rather enabling customers to access multiple technologies through its infrastructure—a more defensive and practical strategy.

For Meta Platforms, the key will be demonstrating that its substantial AI investments generate consistent returns. If the company can show meaningful improvements in advertising economics and progress in emerging technologies like AI-powered glasses, investors may overlook the higher spending levels. The stock’s recent pullback could present an opportunity for those willing to accept near-term spending volatility for longer-term AI upside.

The Bottom Line

Stock splits might capture headlines in 2026, but they shouldn’t drive investment decisions for either Microsoft or Meta Platforms. Both companies are executing distinct strategies within the AI sector, with Microsoft leveraging its platform neutrality and Meta betting on advertising transformation. Evaluating these stocks requires looking beyond potential splits to examine their competitive positioning, capital efficiency, and ability to monetize artificial intelligence innovations.