It’s a May Friday, which would usually mean a slow news day… but not today. Facebook has gone public, and is now trading on the NASDAQ. CEO Mark Zuckerberg rang the opening bell from Menlo Park, CA this morning.
After some drama and a brief delay in trading, apparently due to overwhelming demand for orders, the stock started to trade at 11:30 AM. Not surprisingly, cable news has been eating it up, the business networks in particular:
For reporters covering the IPO, it was all about finding unique angles on the story. Take CNBC’s Brian Sullivan, for example:
U2’s Bono will make multiples more on Facebook IPO than in entire 30+year music career: bit.ly/JVNv1n
— Brian Sullivan (@SullyCNBC) May 18, 2012
Likewise, Bloomberg’s Dominic Chu used Twitter to provide some interesting background information on the trade:
Reminder…circuit breakers are still in effect…so if there is a sharp move in #Facebook stock, trading halts will kick in $$ $FB
— Dominic Chu (@The_Domino) May 18, 2012
Not to be outdone, even the “big three” cable news channels were sure to cover the news:
The delay in trading also led to some funny responses from the reporters that cover finance:
Where’s the Greensleeves waiting music when you need it? #FacebookIPO
— Amanda Drury (@MandyCNBC) May 18, 2012
Right about now, NYSE and Duncan Niederauer saying, “Told you u shud have listed with us!”
— Liz Claman (@LizClaman) May 18, 2012