5 Most Widely Held Stocks by Individuals in 2026

2. Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META)

Number of Hedge Fund Holders: 256

Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is also among the most widely held stocks by individuals.

TheFly reported on May 20 that META CEO Mark Zuckerberg informed employees that the company does not expect any additional broad layoffs for the remainder of the year. Earlier restructuring reduced the global workforce by about 10% and included the reassignment of roughly 7,000 employees into artificial intelligence-focused roles. The internal communication, reported via a memo cited by Reuters, indicated that the company is shifting headcount toward AI development rather than continuing large-scale workforce reductions. The update suggests a transition phase in which META is stabilizing staffing levels after prior cuts while prioritizing investment in artificial intelligence initiatives and reorganizing internal teams to support that strategic direction.

In a separate move, on May 20, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton opened an investigation into Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) regarding its Meta AI smart glasses, focusing on privacy and data protection concerns. The inquiry examines whether the device’s camera-enabled eyewear could expose sensitive personal information, including audio, video recordings, and facial data of individuals in Texas.

The glasses include continuous data-processing features linked to Meta AI, along with a recording indicator light that authorities say may not always be easily noticeable. The investigation also references concerns about third-party data access and potential exposure of private user content during data annotation processes. Additional scrutiny involves reports that future versions may incorporate facial recognition capabilities using embedded camera systems to identify individuals without their knowledge.

Meta Platforms, Inc. (NASDAQ:META) is a global tech company that operates major social platforms like Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and Messenger, connecting billions of users worldwide.