IPO : Initial Public Offering
An IPO, or Initial Public Offering, is the process by which a private company raises capital, and it is done by issuing shares to the public for the first time. This allows the company to raise huge capital and gain access to a wider network of potential investors. The company will work with one or more stockbrokers or investment banks to price and distribute the shares to investors. A significant amount of regulatory compliance, including the lodgement of a prospectus with ASIC is involved in the process of going public. The company's shares are then published on a stock market (like the ASX), where the general public can purchase and sell them after all shares have been placed with investors, all funds have been received, and all compliance requirements have been completed. "Public offering," "going public," "stock market launch," "float" or "flotation," and "flotation" are other terms frequently used to describe IPOs.
IPOs as Investment
Investing in an IPO is an opportunity for investors to buy shares in a company at the start point of its public life, which has the potential for remarkable growth in value. Investors are choosing to take on more risk in the hopes of earning bigger returns, but without a history of public trading, they have less information to help them comprehend the possible price behaviour of the stock.
Investing in an IPO can provide investors with a chance to get a serve of a company that has the potential for prominent growth. For example, some companies that go public do so to raise funding to help sudden growth in quickly expanding industries such as technology or biotech.
On the other hand, investing in an IPO can also be risky as the company may not have a track record of financial performance or profitability. Additionally, apart from the investment fundamentals of a particular IPO, its stock price may be volatile in the short-term purely due to market conditions and investor sentiment.
Investors should consider the pros and cons of investing in each IPO by conducting their own research on the company and its industry, as well as assessing the possible impact of ongoing market conditions on the IPO’s stock price performance.
Why ASX?
Many growing and successful private companies consider listing on the ASX via an IPO at some stage in their development as a route to accelerate growth and to open new opportunities for their business. To gain access to the Australian capital markets, many international businesses also list on the ASX, either as a primary listing or a dual listing. Investors in venture capital and private equity frequently aim for an IPO as an exit strategy for their investments. With more than 150 years of exchange history, the ASX stands as one of the top exchange groups globally. With more than 150 years of exchange experience and a strong regulatory framework, the ASX is one of the top exchange groups globally. As a highly active capital market, the ASX regularly attracts over 100 IPOs each year and provides companies with access to the largest pool of investable funds in Asia. Currently, the ASX has over 2,200 listed companies and issuers across diverse sectors, with a market capitalisation of more than $2 trillion. In addition, the ASX has 6.7 million share owners and 180 market participants.
Laverne Securities Pty Ltd, ACN 629 216 477, T/As Investor Desk, is a Corporate Authorised Representative of Laverne Capital Pty Ltd (AFSL 482937). This service is administered by OpenInvest Limited ACN 614 587 183 via the OpenInvest Portfolio Service ARSN 628 156 052. This website provides factual information about the service, and any general advice contained does not take into account your objectives, financial situation or needs. Before making any investment decision, please review the PDS and Target Market Determination available at https://www.investordesk.com.au/key-documents/. Should you require assistance in determining whether an investment in the service is right for you, you may wish to seek personal advice from an appropriately licensed financial adviser.