Erstellt am: 18. 5. 2012 - 13:55 Uhr

Will the markets "like" Facebook?

Reality Check: Facebook flotation, Dalai Lama visits Austria, G8 in Camp David, Islamic sexual revolution, US gun culture.

So, the big day is here and all around the stock markets the "F" word is on everyone's lips - the "F" being, of course, "Facebook".

EPA

Facebook goes public, but will the public "like" it?

Trading will start with the shares valued at Euro 30 each, but before you break open your piggy-bank to buy into the coolest flotation ever, bear a couple of things in mind. Firstly, you need to spend a few thousand Euros to make the whole transaction worthwhile becuase the banks and brokers will be taking their fees out of your funds. Secondly, assuming you have the few thousands to spare to make the transaction worthwhile, if you think buying into The Social Network will give you some sort of say in those horrendous privacy settings or how the site works, you'll be sorely disappointed. The only people who have enough money to buy a share of the company with any sort of influence are institutions. So, let's say you were the CEO of an institution that could buy into Facebook, would it be a good investment? The Head of Group Equity Capital Markets at Erste Group Bank AG, Martin Hinteregger, says not necessarily. He told Riem Higazi the value of the Facebook is based on its advertising revenue, not its users. As more and more people access it over mobile devices and bypass the advertising, the company becomes less and less attractive as an advertising platform.

• The Dalai Lama in Austria

The Dalai Lama's visit to the UK caused considerable tension with China. Our Beijung correspondent, Jörg Winter, explains why China is particularly sensitive at the moment, and the significance of the visit to Austria.

• G8 in Camp David

The G8 meeting in Camp David will be concentrating largely on the Euro crisis, but what can the non-European powers do to help solve the problems?

• A sexual revolution in Islam

Ahead of tomorrow's Reality Check Special on feminism, Muslim writer and lawyer Seyrab Ates talks to Joanna Bostock about why a sexual revolution is needed in the Islamic world.

• The ever rising gun culture in the USA

lukastagwerker

Carrying firearms on the street is becoming a common sight in parts of the US

Although crime rates are falling, American people are feeling under more personal threat than ever before, with record numbers of people applying for licences to carry concealed guns.

Anti-firearms campaigner, Joan Burbick, tells Elizabeth Alcock why the US is feeling increasingly vulnerable when the facts suggest just the opposite.

FM4 Reality Check

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