Established 1974 239,000+ clients worldwide 17,000+ markets

Contact us

New to IG: +35 318 009 95362
Existing clients: +35 318 009 95364
Email: newaccounts.uk@ig.com

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

Why do companies hold IPOs?

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.

Can I trade IG's grey market on IPOs from my mobile?

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.

How can I take position after the IPO?

Following an IPO, you can trade a company’s shares just like you would any other listed company.

Find out more about share trading with IG.

Where can I find out about upcoming IPOs?

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.

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.

Options are complex financial instruments and your capital is at risk. Losses may be extremely rapid.

Professional clients can lose more than they deposit.

The value of shares, ETFs and ETCs bought through a share dealing account, can fall as well as rise, which could mean getting back less than you originally put in. All trading involves risk.

CFD and share dealing accounts provided by IG Markets Ltd; CFD, options and derivative accounts provided by IG Europe GmbH; spread betting accounts provided by IG Index Ltd. IG is a reference to IG Markets Ltd (a company registered in England and Wales under number 04008957), IG Index Ltd (a company registered in England and Wales under number 01190902), both registered address at Cannon Bridge House, 25 Dowgate Hill, London EC4R 2YA, and IG Europe GmbH (a company incorporated in the Federal Republic of Germany and registered in the Frankfurt Trade Register under number HRB 115624 with registered office at Westhafenplatz 1, 60327 Frankfurt, Germany), as the context requires. IG Markets Ltd (Register number 195355) and IG Index Ltd (Register number 114059) are authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. IG Europe GmbH (Register number 148759) is authorised and regulated by the Bundesanstalt für Finanzdienstleistungsaufsicht and Deutsche Bundesbank. IG is a trading name of IG Markets Ltd.

The information on this site is not directed at residents of the United States, Belgium or any particular country outside the EEA and is not intended for distribution to, or use by, any person in any country or jurisdiction where such distribution or use would be contrary to local law or regulation.

Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 76% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider. You should consider whether you understand how spread bets and CFDs work, and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing your money.
Options are complex financial instruments and your capital is at risk. Losses may be extremely rapid.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage.