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Tech Titans and Beyond: Companies that Had Their IPO in 2014
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When we think about the year 2014, we often remember it as an exciting time in the world of initial public offerings (IPOs). Many new players entered the market with a bang, with technology companies leading the charge. Below, we take a deep dive into the companies that had their IPO in 2014 and analyze their impact and performance over the years.
Largest IPO in 2014: Alibaba
The crown jewel of 2014 was undoubtedly the Alibaba IPO. The Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group Holding Limited went public in the United States on September 19, 2014. It was not just the largest IPO of 2014, but it was also the biggest IPO in history at that time. The company raised an astonishing $25 billion, with shares initially priced at $68. Alibaba's IPO illustrated the immense potential and scale of the Chinese market and made headlines worldwide.
The Biggest IPO in History
Although Alibaba held the title of the biggest IPO in history for quite some time, it was eventually surpassed by Saudi Aramco. On December 11, 2019, Saudi Arabian Oil Company, commonly known as Saudi Aramco, went public on the Tadawul stock exchange and raised $29.4 billion. This monumental event became the largest IPO ever, dwarfing even the colossal Alibaba IPO.
The Biggest IPO Fail
Not all IPOs in 2014 were as successful as Alibaba. One notable disappointment was Candy Crush creator, King Digital Entertainment. King Digital Entertainment went public in March 2014 and faced a rocky road ahead. The stock began trading at $22.50 per share but quickly declined in value. Although King had a wildly popular game, investors were concerned about the company's ability to replicate that success. Ultimately, Activision Blizzard acquired King Digital Entertainment in 2016, marking the end of its short stint as a public company. Activision Blizzard was then acquired themselves by Microsoft in 2023.
The Largest IPO in the Last 10 Years
As mentioned before, Saudi Aramco holds the title for the largest IPO in history, making it the largest in the last 10 years as well. However, apart from Saudi Aramco, there have been other significant IPOs. For instance, Uber's IPO in 2019 was one of the most anticipated and largest in the tech industry, raising $8.1 billion.
In Conclusion
Looking back at companies that had their IPO in 2014, we see a mixture of triumphs and tribulations. Alibaba stood tall among its peers, but other companies didn't fare as well. This variety in outcomes serves as a reminder that, while IPOs can offer lucrative opportunities, they are not without risks. With an ever-evolving market landscape, investors should approach IPO investments with a well-thought-out strategy and an understanding of market trends.
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