exactly so the valuation is based on nothing....
There was just a 6 page debate the word "value" in this thread, so you are stirring the pot.
Some investors look at the P/E ratio and invest, those traditionally want a lower P/E then Facebook value at 100 times what it's earning.
Some investors are in it for the quick buck, pump and dumb.
Other investors are going to short it, to make their monies.
Everyone has a difference philosophy on the "value" of the company. That's the point of the stock market, to trade according to the "value" they perceive of the company, whether it is current or future. Looks like current value is winning, that would be the reason for the drop. Facebook was betting people would value them for the "future" value, which is why, IN MY OPINION, they came in at 100 times earnings.
I just have to think about it from a simple guy selling apples. A guy is selling apples at $1 each, and people are willing to pay $1 for the apple. But Facebook, is saying, that eventually people will be paying $100 for that apple, or that apple will in the future be worth $100. Maybe, maybe not. I don't know what the future holds, maybe there could be a huge drop in apple supply, like a drought that wipes out apple farms. Then the apple will be worth $100, or even $200. I don't know, but I know, right now, Apples are selling for $1. If someone wants to pay $2 per apple, and then the seller will sell it to them at $2, but if no one else wants to buy it, the it will drop back to $1. If everyone is only buying apples at $0.50, and the seller won't budge, then his apples will go rotten, and be worthless. Either way, I like oranges.