Meta earnings series 2/2: Zuckerberg defends higher AI expenditure, outlines the path to returns

<p class="P1" data-sourcepos="5:1-5:289;127-415">Meta Platforms' second-quarter results showed a widening gap between its fast-growing advertising business and the cost of building AI infrastructure. Free cash flow fell to US$784 million, while the company lifted the lower end of its 2026 capital expenditure forecast to US$130 billion.