We use a range of cookies to give you the best possible browsing experience. By continuing to use this website, you agree to our use of cookies. You can view our cookie policy and edit your settings here, or by following the link at the bottom of any page on our site.
Contact us
New to IG: +35 318 009 95362
Existing clients: +35 318 009 95364
Email: newaccounts.uk@ig.com
Start trading now
It’s free to open an account and no downloads are required to use our web-based platform.
IPOs
Take a position on a company before the Initial Public Offering (IPO)
Key benefits
-
Trade on our grey market before the IPO
Use our grey markets to take a position on a company's anticipated value
-
React to the latest news
Take advantage of speculation on the price, and any potential volatility
-
Go long or short
Back your judgement if you feel a company’s anticipated value has been overestimated
-
A superior trading platform
Plus mobile and tablet apps to help you react faster, wherever you are
-
Trade after the IPO
Use spread bets or CFDs to trade on the company's shares from the first day of conditional trading
-
The trading partner you can trust
We’re a secure and financially strong FTSE 250 company
What is an IPO?
An initial public offering is the first time a company offers its stock for sale to the public. Following an IPO, the company ceases to be a private enterprise – it becomes publically listed and its shares are traded on a stock exchange.
We offer a market on a company's anticipated value during the build up to its IPO, so you can trade on a grey market before the shares are released.
When trading around an IPO it’s important to do your research and keep up-to-speed with breaking news. Remember IPO markets can be particularly volatile, so you should be careful to manage your exposure.
Learn more about spread betting and CFDs and their potential risks
Watch Sara explain the basics of IPO trading in less than two minutes
Example IPO: Alibaba
Chinese e-commerce company Alibaba held its IPO in September 2014, raising a massive $230 billion. This made it the largest technology listing in US history, exceeding the estimate of $168 billion and also previous record-breaking IPOs, such as Facebook in May 2012.
There was lots of speculation surrounding the IPO, and we provided a grey market for IG clients to take a position – our video from September 2014 explains the interest that surrounded Alibaba’s IPO, and an example of how to trade a grey market using our platform.
IPOs FAQs
Primarily, companies hold IPOs to generate capital. By floating a company on a stock market, the management allow investors to buy shares and are able to raise capital to put back into the company.
Appearing on a major exchange can also boost the company’s reputation – it shows the company is regulated, of a reasonable size, and that investors have faith in its future.
Yes – you can trade over 17,000 markets, including our grey markets, from our mobile and tablet apps. Find out more about our trading platforms.
Following an IPO, you can trade a company’s shares just like you would any other listed company.
When you create an account and become an IG client, you’ll be able to view the upcoming IPOs in our trading platform – the Alibaba video above shows how to find them.
