Latest Updates on Facebook Inc (FB): Secret Court, Apple Inc. (AAPL)’s Top Spot & More

Editor’s Note: Related tickers: Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB), Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO), Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG), Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC)

Facebook, Yahoo want to disclose FISA orders data (LasvegasSun)
Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) and Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ:YHOO) are asking a secret court to allow them to disclose data on national security orders the companies have received under the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. The two tech companies filed separate, similar motions Monday with the secret court that oversees that law. Two other companies, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) and Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), have similar motions pending with the court. All four companies were among several U.S. Internet businesses identified as giving the National Security Agency access to customer data under the program known as PRISM.

Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB)

Don’t Get Too Excited by Facebook’s Sheryl Sandberg Visit (WSJ)
To the Chinese government, Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) -1.01% isn’t a social-media platform, it’s a channel for Chinese businesses to expand beyond the country’s borders. At least that is the implication of a post on the website of China’s State Council Information Office following a meeting between Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg and the office’s head, Cai Mingzhao. The post includes a photo of Ms. Sandberg and Mr. Cai standing next to each other in the formal pose with a Chinese flag drooping in the background—a routine setup usually taken by Chinese officials during all manners of state visits.

Ads on Facebook to become more prevalent (TVNZ)
The advertising on your Facebook page is set to becoming more prevalent. Facebook has announced that ads will feature larger photos to go along with an ad’s text and, in some cases an image will be 3.5 times the size of old ad images. Advertisers have known about these changes for some time, Mashable.com reports. The changes will not just impact the way the ads look to users, they will also change how advertisers prepare campaigns for the platform.

Facebook Inc. (FB) Dominates App Market In Both iOS and Android (DazeInfo)
Smartphone in the US have penetrated 60% of the total mobile market during the three months ending in July. 143.3 million people in the US now own smartphones, reported comScore. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) gained the top spot among smartphone manufacturers with 40% OEM market share. Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s Android stood out as the numero uno smartphone platform with 52% market share. Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) was leading the race as the top smartphone OEM and saw an increase in the number of its subscribers by 1.2%, following closely was Samsung (KRX:005930), whose subscribers increased by 2.1%, most probably with the launch of its Galaxy S4 smartphone…

Most Active Options Update: Facebook Inc (FB) (SchaeffersResearch)
The 20 stocks in the table below have attracted the highest options volume — in the front three-months’ series — during the past five trading days. The companies highlighted are those new to the list since the last time the study was run. Data is courtesy of Schaeffer’s Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White. Three names of notable interest this afternoon are Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL), Intel Corporation (NASDAQ:INTC), and Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB).

Facebook (FB) Joins Apple (AAPL) Decline as Retail Investors Puke (StreetInsider)
Facebook Inc (NASDAQ:FB) stock declined intraday on Tuesday, a move that on the surface appears tied to negative Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) sentiment. Shares of Apple declined after the company unveiled two new phones, the iPhone 5C and iPhone 5S. To many on Wall Street, this wasn’t a surprise given past performance following events. However, retail investors appear to have been caught off guard and sentiment turned negative, sending ripples throughout the tech sector. As a result, Facebook stock declined.