The long awaited Facebook initial public offering (IPO) arrived at the Securities and Exchange Commission yesterday, raising $5bn. For anyone not au fait with the inner workings of the western capitalism, here's a choice quote from the good chaps at Wikipedia explaining:


When a company lists its securities on a public exchange, the money paid by investors for the newly issued shares goes directly to the company (in contrast to a later trade of shares on the exchange, where the money passes between investors). An IPO, therefore, allows a company to tap a wide pool of investors to provide itself with capital for future growth, repayment of debt or working capital

Since the devastating events in Japan in the past month or so, some people wonder if this will affect the supply of components that are used for the creation of iPad 2. While others think of theories of why it will be a worry, an analyst says that it is unlikely the iPad 2 supplies will be affected. ...

Here's something to think about the next time you pick up a call on your iPhone: the device you're holding may soon be the signature product of the most valuable company in the world.

Thanks to its line of gadgets that combine the ability to make calls, send email, read books, watch movies and listen to music, Apple Inc. is on a path to overtake Exxon Mobil Corp. as the largest company by market capitalization.

While Apple CEO Steve Jobs will no doubt be happy about his new perch atop the business world, there's more at stake here than mere bragging rights. As soon as the total value of the company's shares edges above Exxon's, Apple will take over the top spot in the Standard and Poor's 500, the market index used by most professional money managers.