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Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% 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.
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 71% 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.

Virgin Orbit listing

Virgin Orbit is set to go public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) merger. Explore how you can gain exposure to Virgin Orbit before and after its listing.

Call 0800 195 3100 or email newaccounts.uk@ig.com to talk about opening an account.

Contact us 08001953100

Get info fast via our instant help and support portal. Available for account queries, ProRealTime, product info and more.

Visit help and support for more information.

Get info fast via our instant help and support portal. Available for account queries, ProRealTime, product info and more.

Visit help and support for more information.

Call 0800 409 6789 or email helpdesk.uk@ig.com if you have any questions about trading or investing. We're available 24/7 between 8am Saturday and 10pm Friday.

Contact us 0800 409 6789

Call 0800 195 3100 or email newaccounts.uk@ig.com to talk about opening an account.

Contact us 08001953100

Get info fast via our instant help and support portal. Available for account queries, ProRealTime, product info and more.

Visit help and support for more information.

Get info fast via our instant help and support portal. Available for account queries, ProRealTime, product info and more.

Visit help and support for more information.

Call 0800 409 6789 or email helpdesk.uk@ig.com if you have any questions about trading or investing. We're available 24/7 between 8am Saturday and 10pm Friday.

Contact us 0800 409 6789

Why trade Virgin Orbit's listing with us?

We’re the only UK provider that allows you to take a position before, during and after an IPO.1

Trade or invest in the Virgin Orbit SPAC before the listing

Take a position on the SPAC company NextGen Acquisition Corp. II that could merge with Virgin Orbit – before the merger

Trade Virgin Orbit shares with derivatives

Deal once Virgin Orbit shares are in the open stock market – you can buy, sell or short

Buy physical Virgin Orbit stock

Invest in Virgin Orbit stock and become a company shareholder

How to buy or trade Virgin Orbit shares

Pre-listing

Trade or invest in NextGen Acquisition Corp. II - the SPAC Virgin Orbit could merge with - before Virgin Orbit's listing.

After the merger happens, your NextGen Acquisition Corp. II shares would be converted into Virgin Orbit shares automatically.

Post-listing

Take a position on Virgin Orbit shares from the day of the merger. You can:

Trading vs investing in Virgin Orbit shares

Trading and investing are different in many ways. When trading Virgin Orbit shares with us, you’ll use spread bets or CFDs to speculate on share price movements. These derivatives let you take a position without owning the underlying shares, plus, you could receive various tax benefits.2 With spread bets and CFDs, you can speculate on shares that are rising (known as going long) or falling (known as going short) in value. If your prediction is correct, you’ll make a profit, but if you’re wrong about the market movement, you’d take a loss.

Spread bets and CFDs are leveraged products, which means that you only need to commit a deposit upfront – called margin – to receive full market exposure. But, bear in mind that while margin can increase your profits, it can also increase your losses – so it’s important to take steps to manage your risk.

Learn more about the impact of leverage on your trades

When investing in Virgin Orbit shares with us, you’ll buy and own physical shares using a share dealing account. Leverage isn’t available when you’re share dealing – so you’ll need to commit the full value of your position upfront. This increases your initial outlay compared to trading, but it also caps your risk at the price you paid for your shares (excluding additional fees).

Investing in shares will make you a shareholder – eligible to receive dividends and voting rights if the company grants them. You’ll profit if the share price increases above the price at which you opened your position. If you decide to sell your shares for less than you paid to buy them, you’ll take a loss.

Virgin Orbit SPAC deal vs IPO: what’s the difference?

A SPAC deal, also known as a reverse takeover or merger, differs from a traditional IPO in a number of ways. For one, SPACs raise money from the public market before acquiring a private company.

Below are some of the key differences between a SPAC deal and an IPO.

Special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) deal

  • ​The private company goes public by merging with a SPAC, which is already publicly listed
  • The process of listing is quicker for the private company as fulfilling regulatory requirements, raising funds and other aspects of going public are already covered by the SPAC
  • The deal is signed with the SPAC sponsor at a fixed price that has been negotiated before the announcement of going public
  • ​The private company makes a deal with one party only, the SPAC

Initial public offering (IPO)

  • The private company goes public on its own through the traditional IPO process
  • Raising money, organising the IPO and paying for it can be costly and time consuming
  • Negotiations on the size and target share price of the listing happen after the announcement has been made
  • The private company raises capital through deals with several parties, and employs a bank to oversee the listing

Open a share trading account in minutes

Open a share trading account in minutes

Fast execution on a huge range of markets

Enjoy flexible access to 17,000+ global markets, with reliable execution

Deal seamlessly, wherever you are

Trade on the move with our natively designed, award-winning trading app

Feel secure with a trusted provider

With more than 47 years of experience, we’re proud to offer a truly market-leading service

Open a share trading account in minutes

Open a share trading account in minutes

Fast execution on a huge range of markets

Enjoy flexible access to 17,000+ global markets, with reliable execution

Deal seamlessly, wherever you are

Trade on the move with our natively designed, award-winning trading app

Feel secure with a trusted provider

With more than 47 years of experience, we’re proud to offer a truly market-leading service

Start trading now

Log in to your account now to access today’s opportunity in a huge range of markets.

Start trading now

Log in to your account now to access today’s opportunity in a huge range of markets.

How do IPOs work?

IPOs work by having a company list its shares for participants to buy and sell on the open market. Some reasons a company may want to go public include raising capital for expansion, paying off debts, attracting and retaining talent or improving liquidity.

The company must start by arranging for a third party to conduct a comprehensive audit, which looks at the company’s financials. Thereafter, it needs to get a registration document ready with the relevant exchange commission.

If the commission approves the registration, the company will list a specific number of shares on a stock exchange, at a price determined by an investment bank. The investment bank will also be the company’s underwriter for the IPO. Once the company is publicly listed, shares will be available through the chosen stock exchange.

Learn more about what IPOs are and how they work

FAQs

What are the risks of trading a SPAC merger?

Some of the key risks involved in trading a SPAC merger include:

  • Missing important company information that could impact share prices, like pending legal cases and intellectual property that isn’t patented
  • Elevated market expectations that might not materialise and low demand following the merger
  • Companies not meeting their target market cap – which could deter future investment

Try these next

Find out more about the biggest upcoming IPOs

Compare the differences between spread betting and CFD trading

Learn how to trade and invest in IPOs with us

1 We do not offer grey markets on all listings.
2 Tax laws are subject to change and depend on individual circumstances. Tax law may differ in a jurisdiction other than the UK.