Facebook Inc. (Nasdaq: FB) is expected to report Q1 2017 earnings on April 26, 2017, and shareholders are hoping to finally receive an update on the Facebook stock split date.
Ever since the June 20, 2016, vote to approve the 3-for-1 FB stock split passed, CEO Mark Zuckerberg has not provided updates about the process. FB shareholders still have no idea when to expect the Facebook stock split date.
So as of right now, it doesn't appear the Facebook stock split will happen in 2017.
And there's one major reason why it could be delayed until 2018...
Why the Facebook Stock Split Date Is Taking So Long
Similar to Facebook, Alphabet Inc. (Nasdaq: GOOGL) co-founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin proposed a 2-for-1 stock split on April 2, 2012.
The split was designed to give the co-founders the majority voting rights.
According to a letter sent to shareholders, the duo wanted to prevent activist investors from influencing the company. That's because activists are known for wanting to quickly turn a profit and encourage CEOs to cut funding to research and development projects that are currently unprofitable.
However, some shareholders weren't happy...
After the letter, shareholders came together and sued Google in April 2012. The lawsuit was eventually settled, but that wasn't until 14 months later in June 2013.
That delayed the Google stock split until April 3, 2014, which means it took almost exactly two years for the split to happen from when it was proposed.
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And just like Google, Facebook was sued on April 30, 2016, by a shareholder over the proposed stock split. The lawsuit alleges Facebook shareholders won't benefit from the split in any way. If it takes as much time as Google's lawsuit to settle, the FB stock split may not happen until 2018.
But the lawsuit isn't what Money Morning readers should focus on.
We're focusing on the profit opportunity from Facebook and not the inevitable 3-for-1 stock split.
Here's our bold, double-digit growth prediction for the Facebook stock price...
Our Bold Facebook Stock Price Prediction
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According to FactSet, the Facebook stock price has a one-year price target of $159.37. From today's opening price of $137.90, that's a potential profit of 15.5%.
Not bad.
But Money Morning Director of Tech & Venture Capital Research Michael A. Robinson believes there are even bigger gains ahead. By 2020, Robinson believes Facebook stock will trade for $250 per share.
And what's most impressive is Robinson made this bold prediction on Nov. 3, 2015, when FB stock closed at $102.58 per share. Readers who followed his recommendation that day are already up over 34%.
"I'm one of the few tech analysts who's stood by Facebook when others were slamming it," Robinson said.
If you missed out on his recommendation, that's OK. With a $250 price target, you could still profit from today's opening price by 81.29%.
And the best way for our readers to invest in FB stock over the long term is by buying Facebook stocks on dips.
For example, the FB stock price traded for $108.89 per share on April 27, 2016. That was a dip from March 30, 2016, where the FB stock price opened at $116.73 per share.
Investors who bought shares of Facebook stock on that day have watched their shares climb 26.64%. And investors who bought the Facebook stock price dip on Dec. 30, 2016, have watched those shares climb 19.8%.
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Facebook is one of the best long-term investments. However, it's not the only profit opportunity on Robinson's radar.
Who Is Tech Guru Michael Robinson?
Michael's been a giant in tech investing for more than 30 years. As a leading analyst and tech journalist, he's been on the forefront of just about every major emerging technology story of the last decade.
He's even been nominated for a Pulitzer Prize.
His privileged access to technology-pioneering CEOs... prize-winning scientists... and high-profile industry insiders has allowed him to consistently give investors huge gains on remarkable breakthroughs like 3D printing, the mobile wave, and shale energy technologies well before anyone else.
Those who listened to his recommendations on rare earth metals, for example, would've seen cumulative gains of 990% in just 16 months.
And what's on his radar right now is the marijuana industry...
You see, the vote across America for marijuana legalization is expected to create one of the biggest wealth grabs in history, transforming everyday Americans into millionaires overnight.
More states are passing some form of marijuana legalization law each year.
And as a service to Money Morning readers, we're now making available a 90-page cannabis investing guide called The Roadmap to Marijuana Millions.
This "bible of weed investing" reveals the world's top marijuana stocks every serious investor should consider right now.
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