NEW YORK — Meta Platforms Inc. shares rose nearly 2% on Friday to $548.78, gaining $9.74, as the stock found some footing a day after plunging on second-quarter results that highlighted the heavy financial toll of the company's aggressive artificial intelligence investments.

The rebound came after Meta reported strong advertising revenue growth but a sharp contraction in free cash flow and a profit miss driven by elevated expenses. Investors had sent the shares down roughly 8% on Thursday following the release, reflecting ongoing concerns about the pace of capital spending required to support Meta's AI ambitions even as its core advertising business continues to expand.

Meta reported revenue of $60.8 billion for the quarter ended June 30, an increase of 28% from $47.5 billion a year earlier and above analysts' consensus estimates near $60.2 billion. Advertising revenue, which accounts for the vast majority of sales, rose 27% to $59.4 billion. Ad impressions delivered across Meta's Family of Apps increased 14% year over year, while the average price per ad rose 12%.

Family daily active people reached 3.60 billion on average in June, up 3% from a year earlier. Family of Apps other revenue, which includes WhatsApp paid messaging and subscriptions, jumped 73% to $1.0 billion, crossing the $1 billion mark for the first time in a quarter. Reality Labs revenue was $431 million, up 16%, driven by growth in AI glasses sales that partially offset lower Meta Quest headset volumes.

Despite the top-line strength, net income fell 14% to $15.8 billion, or $6.18 per diluted share,........

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