Category Archives: The IPO Buzz

After the long holiday break for Independence Day, the curtain is finally going up on July’s IPO calendar – mid-month – with just one deal. Instead of promising a fireworks show to remember, this week’s IPO appears to be somewhat tamer – like those sparklers deemed safe for backyard use with parental supervision.

 

The IPO Express is gearing up for its final run for 2011’s first half. On board are four hopefuls: a carryover from last week, a retread and two smiling new faces. None are expected to be greeted by roaring crowds with brass bands, but such is today’s market.

 

 

There’s a big difference between the sizzle and the steak in any IPO calendar. Sometimes they come together and other times – well, let’s take last week’s Pandora Media (P). It was a classic example of each going their separate ways.

 

 

Hot topics in this year’s IPO market have tended to come from names in three sectors — private-equity firms, limited partnerships and “insanity-dot-com” companies. Each sector is running a horse this week, according to the IPO calendar. But there can be only one “pick of the week.”

 

 

By: John E. Fitzgibbon, Jr.

 

First, the bad news: The stock market has taken a few body blows over the last five weeks. The three popular indexes have lost on average 4.9 percent since the end of April. Now for the good news: Leadership is emerging in the IPO market. It’s in specialty technology.

 

By: John E. Fitzgibbon, Jr.

 

The Memorial Day holiday is usually a small speed bump on the IPO Highway. This year is no exception. After 23 companies went public in May, the month of June opens with just a single deal. It’s a carryover from May. But tiny Internet bubbles can be seen floating on the horizon.

 

By: John E. Fitzgibbon, Jr.

 

LinkedIn (LNKD) leaped into legend last week with a moonshot. The IPO skyrocketed for a 109.4 percent opening-day gain. You could almost hear eyeballs popping in Silicon Valley and hearts beating faster with anticipation of another wave of “insanity-dot-com” sweeping over the IPO calendar. And that set the stage for this week.

 

The IPO ship pulls into New York City’s harbor this week with 10 offerings looking to raise over $2.1 billion. The focal point will be on three deals coming from the People’s Republic of China. The Chinese IPOs have hit a speed bump.

 

The May IPO market storms into town with all the excitement and thrills of a Chinese New Year parade. There are eight deals on this week’s calendar and another seven for next week. Collectively, they could raise as much as $3.2 billion. And there’s more. The Street expects fireworks from some of those 15 names.