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A slim majority–51 percent–of the Super Bowl’s audience enjoys the commercials more than the game, according to a Nielsen survey. Few, however, will consider the value of those companies behind the ads in terms of investment opportunities. 
Photo: geetarchurchy
A Senate bill was passed on Thursday making it illegal for members of Congress, their staff and many executive-branch employees to trade stocks and other securities using inside information received on the job. The bill, which passed with overwhelming support, was created on the urging of President Barack Obama.
On Wednesday, a Facebook IPO was filed to raise $5 billion, due to the company’s significant earnings in 2011–in the ballpark of $1 billion on sales of $3.7 billion–and years of profits. If the company meets its fundraising target, it would be the largest internet initial public offering since Google Inc. raised $1.9 billion in 2004.
Facebook Stock Estimated Worth
**Update: Facebook plans to file to go public tomorrow morning. Find out if investing in this online company is a good idea:
Original publish date: December 7, 2011
Wall Street will likely soon be partying like it’s 1999 as social media giant Facebook is reportedly planning an initial public offering (IPO) in 2012, according to The Wall Street Journal. The hotly anticipated IPO could raise as much as $10 billion in an offering that would value Facebook at $100 billion.
“Follow the money!” might have become the now-iconic line from Jerry Maguire had Tom Cruise’s character been an investment advisor rather than a sports agent.
Insiders–those who possess non-public knowledge–have an edge when it comes to investing in the stock of public companies. Insiders typically include those working for a specific company, usually in higher-level positions, but can also include others, such as politicians.
The 2011 U.S. stock market was a roller coaster of a ride, but ended in nearly the same place as it started. The S&P 500 index ended 2011 down about 1.1% (or up 0.9%, when dividends are included).
Of course, the average masks the huge gulf between winning and losing stocks.
The S&P 500 index and U.S. stock market as a whole have experienced their share of ups and downs over the past year–and according to Wall Street experts, investors can expect more of the same in 2012. The only difference is, while 2011 ended flat, experts say that stocks should end on a high note this year.
S&P 500 Stocks to Rise 7 Percent
The stock market has experienced severe swings over the past year and it seems it has significantly impacted the Standard & Poor’s (S&P) 500 Index. According to a recent Bloomberg report, the index has experienced the smallest price change in 41 years.
S&P 500 Gained Only 0.6 Percent in 2011
The U.S. stock market responded abruptly at Wall Street’s open with news that initial unemployment claims the week ending Dec. 10 reached a 3.5-year low. According to the Labor Department’s weekly report, the fewest number of Americans filed for their first week of unemployment benefits since May 2008.
Unemployment Claims Experience 19,000 Drop
This post is part 6 of our 12 Days of Finance series. Have you voted yet? If not, make your choice known below!
Warren Buffett: CEO of Berkshire Hathaway, second wealthiest man in the nation, the “Oracle of Omaha.” Buffett didn’t rise to the top by accident.
Known for his uncanny mathematical and business skills even as a child, Buffett has established himself as one of the most successful investors in the world. But he’s not just great at picking stocks; he’s smart with his money even though there’s enough of it to last many lifetimes–and most importantly, generous with it as well.