IPO
Also known as: Initial Public Offering · going public
DEFINITION
An Initial Public Offering is the process by which a private company registers shares with the SEC (via Form S-1) and offers them for sale to public investors, listing on an exchange like NYSE or Nasdaq. The IPO process typically takes 6-12 months and involves SEC review, investment-bank underwriting, a roadshow, pricing, and the first day of trading. Direct listings and SPAC mergers are alternative paths.
WHY IT MATTERS FOR RETAIL INVESTORS
IPOs are the moment a company is forced into full public disclosure for the first time. The S-1 is the most detailed document you will ever see for a name; later 10-K filings often have less narrative depth. Be skeptical of IPO pricing — companies and underwriters have strong incentives to maximize proceeds, which often means investors pay a premium. Historically, the first-day pop captures most of the upside.
OFFICIAL SEC SOURCE
https://www.sec.gov/education/smallbusiness/goingpublic ↗RELATED TERMS
See IPO in a real filing
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