Topic: U.S. Markets

Top galleries, list articles, quizzes

Facebook IPO: Six key dates in its debacle

Facebook's first week as a publicly traded company will go down as a terribly botched corporate launch, perhaps one of the worst in recent history for such a highly visible entity. Eight days ago, it was the tech world's most highly anticipated initial public offering in eight years. Now, the social media company faces mounting legal woes and serves as an embarrassing example of how not to run an IPO. Despite rising insider pessimism about its growth prospects, Facebook kept boosting its asking price and the number of shares it would sell. The result: billions of dollars in losses; investigations by two congressional committees, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), an industry watchdog, and the state of Massachusetts; at least 13 class-action lawsuits; and thousands of resentful shareholders who days later still were unsure how many Facebook shares they had or at what price. Here are six key dates in Facebook's unfolding IPO disaster.
Briefing
Facebook IPO: five things to know before buying the stock

About 1 out of every 8 people on the planet have a Facebook account. Now, with the arrival of a public stock offering, all those people have a chance to be part owners of this social hub. Should you buy? Here are five things to consider.
What does the JOBS Act actually do? Six questions answered.

A bipartisan bill known as the JOBS Act, for 'Jumpstart Our Business Startups,' is among the GOP's priorities in Congress. It is targeted at small-business owners, but what would the bill actually do?
Stock market quiz: Can you predict the market based on the trader's face?

Match the trader's face with the stock market's performance on the day the photo was taken.
Columbus Day: What's open, what's closed, what's happening?

True, it's not the most exciting holiday on the calendar. It's not even observed in every state, which means Columbus Day comes with a lot of confusion about practical matters, such as what's open and what's not. Here's your practical guide to Columbus Day.

All Content

Facebook IPO: Six key dates in its debacle

Facebook's first week as a publicly traded company will go down as a terribly botched corporate launch, perhaps one of the worst in recent history for such a highly visible entity. Eight days ago, it was the tech world's most highly anticipated initial public offering in eight years. Now, the social media company faces mounting legal woes and serves as an embarrassing example of how not to run an IPO. Despite rising insider pessimism about its growth prospects, Facebook kept boosting its asking price and the number of shares it would sell. The result: billions of dollars in losses; investigations by two congressional committees, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), an industry watchdog, and the state of Massachusetts; at least 13 class-action lawsuits; and thousands of resentful shareholders who days later still were unsure how many Facebook shares they had or at what price. Here are six key dates in Facebook's unfolding IPO disaster.
HP jump boosts Dow; stocks mixed

Hewlett-Packard helped pull the Dow Jones industrial average to a slight gain Thursday, giving the index only its fourth gain this month. The Dow closed up 33 points at 12529.
Stocks rally to erase steep losses

Stocks closed mixed Wednesday after a late rally erased steep losses. The Dow lost seven points to close at 12496
Oil prices fall to seven-month low

Oil prices edge down below $91 a barrel as tensions ease over Iran nuclear program. London's Brent crude oil prices fall to $107.
Stocks mixed after Greek worries resurface

After gaining for most of the day, the Dow only finished up 2 points at 12503 Tuesday, as news out of Greece yanked indexes lower shortly before the closing bell.
Tech stocks exchange to change IPO auctions after Facebook glitches

Tech stocks IPO auctions will be revamped, Nasdaq CEO says, after delays plagued Facebook's first day of trading. SEC investigating to see if delays hurt trading in the tech stock's underwhelming IPO.
Facebook debut doesn't buoy stocks; Dow down 73

The Dow lost 73 points to close at 12369 on Facebook's big day. The index fell 3.5 percent on the week.
Stocks fall amid discouraging economic reports

The Dow fell 156 points to close at 12442 – the index's 11th loss in 12 days – after a pair of discouraging economic reports unnerved investors already worried about a possible exit from the euro by Greece.
Greek turmoil causes US stocks to slide

The Dow lost 33 points to close at 12598, continuing its rocky performance during the month of May.
Stocks fall; Dow continues two-week slide

The Dow lost 63 points to close at 12632 Tuesday as Europe's latest political impasse cast a gloom over financial markets.
Briefing
Facebook IPO: five things to know before buying the stock

About 1 out of every 8 people on the planet have a Facebook account. Now, with the arrival of a public stock offering, all those people have a chance to be part owners of this social hub. Should you buy? Here are five things to consider.
JP Morgan $2 billion loss stirs memories of 2008 crisis (+video)

JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon dubs losses 'egregious,' but market analysts expect that, this time, the damage would be contained and not spread to the entire financial system.
Stocks break losing streak. Barely.

The Dow rose 19 points to close at 12885 Thursday, just barely ending its longest losing streak since August.
Stocks slide as doubts about Europe simmer

Stocks pitched down Wednesday in the US as borrowing rates climbed for Spain and Italy, a sign that investors are losing confidence in those countries' finances. The Dow lost 97 points to close at 12835 – its sixth consecutive day of losses.
Germany frets, markets falter over French and Greek election results

In Germany, the results of yesterday's elections are seen as a refusal to follow the austerity plan hammered out by European leaders in long, painful negotiations.
US stocks fall on disappointing jobs report

US stocks opened lower Friday after the government reported that hiring slowed in April.
Stocks mixed after lackluster jobs report

The Dow fell 10 points to close at 13268 after ADP reported that the US added far fewer jobs in April than in March.
RIM debuts BlackBerry 10, but no new phones

At RIM's annual BlackBerry World conference, the company unveiled a new operating system. But where are the new phones?
Spain enters recession; Dow and S&P 500 fall

Spain reentered a recession Monday, renewing fears about Europe's economic stability and sending stocks lower. The Dow fell 14 points to close at 13213; the Standard and Poor 500 index had its first monthly loss since November.
Consumer Energy Report
High gas prices? Don't (always) blame oil speculators.

Most people would probably agree that speculation in the oil and gas markets is hurting American consumers. But speculation is not a one-way street where the average consumer always loses.
Apple surge lifts Nasdaq 2 percent

The Nasdaq composite index shot 2 percent higher Wednesday, powered by a surge in Apple. The Dow gained 89 points to close at 13090 on an all-around good day for US stocks.
Apple earnings will report this evening; stocks rise

Apple earnings for the first quarter will be reported after the close of the stock market Tuesday. In anticipation of he Apple earnings report, Apple stock has fallen sharply.
Stocks fall on worries over European stability

The Dow slipped 102 points to close at 12927 Monday as worrying news out of Europe sent US stocks sharply lower.
Oil prices drop to $103 a barrel

Oil prices fell to near $103 a barrel Monday. Oil prices have been falling because of investor worries that economic growth in the US and China may slow more than previously expected.
Stock market gets boost from earnings, Germany

Stock market futures in US as well as exchanges across Europe buoyed by German business optimism, US earnings. German stock market up 1 percent.