Facebook Getting Ready to Float?

The eagerly awaited and long expected stock market floatation of Facebook could now be imminent. According to sources, the firm is in the process of preparing its IPO filing, which could see Facebook go public in a few months' time.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Facebook could be ready to file papers for its Initial Public Offering (IPO) to the Securities and Exchange Commission as soon as 1 February. Facebook's public listing is a much anticipated event, with analysts predicting a major boost to the US financial market. A knock-on effect of the floatation would also see the firm's financial results published for the first time since its creation almost eight years ago.

The Wall Street Journal is reporting Facebook's estimated value at between $75 and $100 billion, and that the floatation could raise $10 billion. If these figures turn out to be accurate, Facebook's floatation, boosted by its popularity, could shape up to be one of the 15 biggest stock market débuts to date.

The WSJ points to bank Morgan Stanley as lead advisor in the operation rather than Goldman Sachs, which was initially thought to be better placed to do the job. As yet, however, neither bank has commented on the matter.


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