IPO Calendar 2025-2026

An IPO (Initial Public Offering) is when a private company offers shares to the public for the first time, becoming a publicly traded company. This process allows companies to raise capital from public investors and provides liquidity for early investors and employees. IPOs are underwritten by investment banks who help determine the initial share price and market the offering to institutional and retail investors.

To invest in an IPO, you typically need a brokerage account. However, most retail investors cannot buy shares at the IPO price as they are primarily allocated to institutional investors and high-net-worth individuals. Retail investors can usually purchase shares once the stock begins trading on the public exchange, though the price may be higher than the IPO price. Some brokers like Robinhood, Fidelity, and TD Ameritrade offer IPO access programs that may allow participation in select IPOs.

Buying IPO stocks on the first day is risky and not recommended for most investors. IPOs often experience high volatility, with prices swinging dramatically in early trading. Many IPOs pop significantly on day one but later decline. It's generally better to wait for the initial hype to settle, review the company's first quarterly earnings as a public company, and assess the stock after a few months of trading history.

The IPO lock-up period is typically 90-180 days after the IPO when company insiders (founders, employees, early investors) are restricted from selling their shares. This prevents massive sell-offs immediately after going public. When the lock-up period expires, there's often increased selling pressure that can drive the stock price down. Investors should be aware of lock-up expiration dates when evaluating IPO investments.

IPO prices are determined through a process called book building, where investment banks gauge demand from institutional investors and set a price range. The final IPO price is based on market conditions, comparable company valuations, growth prospects, and investor demand. The underwriters aim to price the IPO low enough to generate a first-day pop (showing strong demand) but high enough to maximize capital raised for the company.

An IPO calendar is a schedule of upcoming initial public offerings, showing expected IPO dates, price ranges, share counts, and company information. IPO calendars help investors track new stock listings and plan investment decisions. Dates are often tentative and can change based on market conditions, regulatory approvals, and company decisions.

Companies go public primarily to raise capital for growth, expansion, and operations. Other reasons include providing liquidity for early investors and employees who hold equity, enhancing company credibility and brand recognition, using stock for acquisitions, and creating a public market for valuation. However, going public also brings costs like regulatory compliance, disclosure requirements, and pressure for short-term results.

IPO investing carries several risks: 1) Limited historical data makes valuation difficult, 2) High volatility in early trading, 3) Lock-up period expirations can pressure prices, 4) Many IPOs underperform over the long term, 5) Retail investors often cannot access IPO prices, 6) Companies may go public during market peaks, and 7) Initial optimism may not reflect true fundamentals. Always research thoroughly and consider waiting for more trading history.

An IPO involves underwriters who buy shares from the company and resell them to investors, with a lock-up period and new shares created. A direct listing allows existing shareholders to sell directly to the public without intermediaries, no new capital is raised, there's no lock-up period, and no price stabilization. Companies like Spotify, Slack, and Coinbase chose direct listings to avoid dilution and underwriter fees.

To find promising IPOs, use our IPO calendar to track upcoming offerings, research the company's business model and competitive position, analyze growth rates and profitability, review the S-1 filing for detailed financials, compare valuations to public peers, assess management quality and track record, and read expert analysis. Focus on companies with strong fundamentals rather than just hype. Quality IPOs often come from profitable companies with sustainable competitive advantages.