Top 10 Largest Global IPOs of All Time. An initial public offering (IPO) or stock launch is a public offering in which shares of a company are sold to institutional investors and usually also to retail (individual) investors. An IPO is typically underwritten by one or more investment banks, who also arrange for the shares to be listed on one or more stock exchanges. Through this process, colloquially known as floating, or going public, a privately held company is transformed into a public company. Initial public offerings can be used to raise new equity capital for companies, to monetize the investments of private shareholders such as company founders or private equity investors, and to enable easy trading of existing holdings or future capital raising by becoming publicly traded.
An initial public offering (IPO) is among the most important and significant steps any company can ever take in its lifetime. Not only does it represent a stage of growth, but it also gives investors a chance to own a piece of it. After all, going through the IPO process means taking the company public and trading on a stock exchange.
Some IPOs get more clout than others. The buzz depends on a number of factors, including the company’s status (i.e. how well known it is) and how well the IPO does markets the offering, But it’s also important for the company to have a unique business model, a track record for success, and a market that’s poised for growth.
1. Saudi Aramco
- IPO Date: Dec. 5, 2019
- Capital Raised: $25.6 billion
- Industry: Energy
2. Alibaba
- IPO Date: Sept. 18, 2014
- Capital Raised: $21.8 billion
- Industry: Technology
3. SoftBank
- IPO Date: Dec. 10, 2018
- Capital Raised: $21.3 billion
- Industry: Communication services
4. NTT Mobile Communication Network
- IPO Date: Oct. 22, 1998
- Capital Raised: $18.1 billion
- Industry: Communication services
5. Visa
- IPO Date: March 18, 2008
- Capital Raised: $17.4 billion
- Industry: Financial services, technology
6. AIA Group
- IPO Date: Oct. 21, 2010
- Capital Raised: $17.8 billion
- Industry: Financial services
7. Enel SpA
- IPO Date: Nov, 1, 1999
- Capital Raised: $16.4 billion
- Industry: Utilities
8. Meta (formerly Facebook)
- IPO Date: May 17, 2012
- Capital Raised: $16 billion
- Industry: Technology
9. General Motors
- IPO Date: Nov. 17, 2010
- Capital Raised: $15.8 billion
- Industry: Consumer discretionary
10. ICBC
- IPO Date: Oct. 20, 2006
- Capital Raised: $14 billion
- Industry: Financial services
