Facebook days away from IPO as firm heads for $100bn valuation

Facebook could soon be making shares in the company available on the stock market in one of the most eagerly anticipated initial public offerings (IPOs) in recent memory.

Multiple reports have suggested that the company will file for its initial public offering in the US next week, with target valuations of the offering reportedly ranging from $75bn to $100bn.

The speculation comes in the wake of a reports which noted that Facebook's lawyers have filed for a three-day suspension of the company's shares on secondary markets.

Such moves are often made in the run-up to a major filing.

Facebook's IPO has been highly anticipated. Analysts have suggested that a successful IPO from Facebook could help other companies decide to take their shares public as well.

Previous reports have suggested the company was looking to hold its IPO in the spring.

The $100bn top valuation would be in line with previous reports on the company's worth. A November report suggested the company was seeking $100bn, though some analysts remained sceptical that the company would be able to raise the money in its IPO.

In 2009, Facebook received investments which valued the company at just $10bn but as the site has seen its popularity and user base skyrocket, estimates on the company's worth have soared. 

The Facebook IPO would be by far the largest of several that have taken place in the past few months, including business social network LinkedIn, music streaming service Pandora and social gaming specialist Zynga.