IPO Companies in 2018

There were 191 companies that had their IPO (initial public offering) in 2018, raising a total of $47.2 billion. This was similar to the 195 IPOs in 2017, but  represented a significant increase from the 98 IPOs in 2016. While 2018 was a strong year for IPOs, it did not match the peak years of 2014 and 2013, with 273 IPOs and 222 IPOs, respectively. These IPOs provided companies with an opportunity to raise capital and expand their business, while also providing investors with an opportunity to invest in promising companies. Overall, 2018 reflected a continuing interest and excitement around new, innovative companies going public, especially tech companies, consumer brands and financial firms.

Spotify Technology, the music streaming giant and biggest IPO of 2018, opted for a direct listing instead of the traditional IPO process. This stock has been volatile since, and as of mid-2022, the company has been trading below its IPO price. Biopharmaceutical company Moderna, however, transitioned into popular awareness since its IPO when it became a household name for developing a vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic. Other notable companies that went public in 2018 include Dropbox, DocuSign, Eventbrite and BJ’s Wholesale Club, all with varying degrees of success. SoftBank, another company that went public this year, is one of the top 10 global IPOs by capital raised as of 2022. 

Ultimately the largest IPOs by capital raised were, as listed below, some of the best performers of that year, indicating ongoing successful performance. 

• Moderna
• AXA Equitable Holdings, Inc.
• PagSeguro Digital Ltd.
• iQiyi, Inc.
• Pinduoduo Inc.
• Elanco Animal Health Inc.
• BJ’s Wholesale Club 

2018 was a year with many notable companies going public, providing them with an opportunity to raise capital and expand their business, while also providing investors with an opportunity to invest in promising companies. Something notable about the companies that strove to raise money and drive growth in 2018 is the later success of several of those companies.

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