Did the big four tech firms spend as much on buildings and equipment in Q3 2026 as they brought in from operations?
Divide combined purchases of property and equipment by combined net cash from operations for Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta for the quarter ended September 30, 2026; yes if the ratio is at least 100.0 percent. SEC EDGAR, XBRL company facts of Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta (Forms 10-Q and 10-K)
The exact question and the full rule
Did the purchases of property and equipment of Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 come to at or above 100.0% of their net cash from operating activities?
Divide the purchases of property and equipment by the net cash from operating activities that Microsoft, Alphabet, Amazon and Meta report for the quarter ended September 30, 2026 in their 10-Q or 10-K filings on SEC EDGAR, each line added across the companies first. The answer is yes if the ratio is at or above 100.0%; no if it is below 100.0%.
If the source is late or silent: If any of them has not filed by November 16, 2026, or a filing restates a period the rule reads, the test is inconclusive, and the Result says what was read and what was missing.
The cash keeps pace
Expects no: staggered construction keeps operating cash climbing just as fast, so free cash flow dips only temporarily before recovering.
The spending outruns the cash
Expects yes: AI data center and chip spending is scaling faster than cloud and ad revenue converts into usable operating cash.
No position, no money. The crowd, the Call and the machines appear after you lock your number.