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Market Update

Earnings on Tap: Facebook

Investors would really 'like' to see Facebook's young founder Mark Zuckerberg use the opportunity to clear up a number of issues after a highly controversial Nasdaq listing.

Jul 26, 2012

Social-networking leader Facebook (FB) is set to report its maiden financial results as a publicly traded company after Thursday's closing bell. Analysts expect earnings per share of $0.12.

Investors are hoping the company's young founder and chief executive Mark Zuckerberg provides some reassurance and addresses a number of concerns after being criticized for remaining in the back seat for much of the time during the company's controversial Nasdaq (NDAQ) listing.

Investors will also want to know Facebook's strategy for growth on mobile devices and new advertising initiatives.

After a 23% drop in its share price since its listing in May, Facebook trades slightly below Morningstar analyst Rick Summer's fair value estimate. Although Summer expects growth rates to be highly variable, he nevertheless feels that the opportunity for Facebook is enormous.

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