Initial public offering (IPO)
Definition
A company's first sale of stock to the public. Securities offered in an IPO are often, but not always, those of young, small companies seeking outside equity capital and a public market for their stock. Investors purchasing stock in IPOs generally must be prepared to accept considerable risks for the possibility of large gains. IPOs by investment companies (closed-end funds) usually include underwriting fees that represent a load to buyers.
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Copyright © 2011 Campbell R. Harvey, Professor of Finance, Fuqua School of Business at Duke University
Term of the Day
Managing underwriter
The leading firm in an underwriting group, which originates the deal and acts as an agent for the group.
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