Facebook de-friends the sharemarket

Facebook might be worth $78 billion, but Mark Zuckerberg is content to wait for his huge pay-day

a woman

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

Facebook might be worth $78 billion, but Mark Zuckerberg is content to wait for his huge pay-day, writes The Motley Fool

The figures at Facebook are simply staggering. The company has more than 750 million active users, half of which log onto Facebook daily.

Having only recently focused on its mobile presence, Facebook already sports 250 million unique mobile users that it insists are twice as active as non-mobile users. Perhaps most impressive, 70% of all Facebook users are located outside of the United States, truly speaking to its global dominance.

Then again, its valuation is almost equally as staggering.

$78 billion reasons to like

Trading very sparsely on secondary markets like SharesPost, Facebook boasts an implied valuation of $77.7 billion, which is actually down from $86 billion earlier in the year.

Through the first half of 2011, according to Reuters, Facebook's revenue doubled to $1.6 billion and net income neared $500 million.

While this implies an estimated full-year price-to-sales ratio of 24 (which is down considerably from the year-ago period), this figure is still brutally high. By comparison, carsales.com (ASX: CRZ) trades at around 7 times sales, and Seek (ASX: SEK) trades around 6 times sales.

Still, sharemarket traders and investors alike are sitting on the edge of their seats in anticipation of Facebook's inevitable IPO. The only problem, though, is it appears they'll need to wait just a bit longer.

Delayed payday

According to a recent report released by the Financial Times, Facebook plans to delay its IPO until late 2012 so that its employees can focus less on their big payday and more on developing the site even further.

One aspect Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg was very clear about was that this delay had nothing to do with current volatile sharemarket conditions. However, we're not convinced.

We think current market volatility could have a lot to do with the decision to delay the Facebook IPO. Alarmingly, 63% of all U.S. IPOs in 2011 are now underwater from their listing price. If we were Facebook, we'd probably wait to file for an IPO as well with IPO pessimism peaking.

This also means that private equity investors and public entities with sizable investments in Facebook — Goldman Sachs and Microsoft — will have to wait even longer before they find out if their gambles pay off.

Ignore

Either way you look at it, Facebook took the market's friend request and promptly hit the ignore tab.

It has instead chosen to list itself on its own terms and hopefully during less volatile times.

We're uncertain as of yet as to whether this delay will be a boon to Facebook's valuation when it does eventually list, but its rapidly rising sales may give it enough time to bring its valuation metrics down from the stratosphere and into a more investor-friendly range.

Whilst you're waiting for the Facebook IPO, want to know more about a company we think has big potential? Get this free special report from the Motley Fool – The Best Stock For $100 Oil. Sign up now.

More on ⏸️ Investing

A white and black robot in the form of a human being stands in front of a green graphic holding a laptop and discussing robotics and automation ASX shares
Technology Shares

Joining the revolution: How I'd invest in ASX AI shares right now

Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) could usher in a new industrial revolution. Here’s how you can invest in it.

Read more »

Close up of baby looking puzzled
Retail Shares

What has happened to the Baby Bunting (ASX:BBN) share price this year?

It's been a volatile year so far for the Aussie nursery retailer. We take a closer look

Read more »

woman holds sign saying 'we need change' at climate change protest
ETFs

3 ASX ETFs that invest in companies fighting climate change

If you want to shift some of your investments into more ethical companies, exchange-traded funds can offer a good option

Read more »

a jewellery store attendant stands at a cabinet displaying opulent necklaces and earrings featuring diamonds and precious stones.
⏸️ Investing

The Michael Hill (ASX: MHJ) share price poised for growth

Investors will be keeping an eye on the Michael Hill International Limited (ASX: MHJ) share price today. The keen interest…

Read more »

ASX shares buy unstoppable asx share price represented by man in superman cape pointing skyward
⏸️ Investing

The Atomos (ASX:AMS) share price is up 15% in a week

The Atomos (ASX: AMS) share price has surged 15% this week. Let's look at what's ahead as the company build…

Read more »

Two people in suits arm wrestle on a black and white chess board.
Retail Shares

How does the Temple & Webster (ASX:TPW) share price stack up against Nick Scali (ASX:NCK)?

How does the Temple & Webster (ASX: TPW) share price stack up against rival furniture retailer Nick Scali Limited (ASX:…

Read more »

A medical researcher works on a bichip, indicating share price movement in ASX tech companies
Healthcare Shares

The Aroa (ASX:ARX) share price has surged 60% since its IPO

The Aroa (ASX:ARX) share price has surged 60% since the Polynovo (ASX: PNV) competitor listed on the ASX in July.…

Read more »

asx investor daydreaming about US shares
⏸️ How to Invest

How to buy US shares from Australia right now

If you have been wondering how to buy US shares from Australia to gain exposure from the highly topical market,…

Read more »