• Driven by a surge in tech, all 5 IPOs traded up 30% or more (44% avg.)
• Tech is by far the year's best IPO sector, averaging 30% vs. 4% for non-tech
• AXA Equitable launched its $3.5 billion IPO, the largest since Alibaba in 2014
• A flurry of deals joined AXA on the May IPO calendar; next up is tech IPO Carbon Black
Technology asserted its place as the top-performing IPO sector in a strong week for growth IPOs. Five deals raised a combined $1.4 billion. The four tech IPOs priced above their proposed ranges, and two priced above their upwardly-revised ranges, a first since January 2015 (SHAK and ONCE). These two software unicorns, DocuSign (DOCU) and Smartsheet (SMAR), combine high growth and large markets, along with steep losses. Fast-growing and profitable laser manufactuer nLight (LASR) soared 56%. Software provider Ceridian HCM (CDAY) had the best first-day pop (+42%) for a tech LBO in the past 10 years. Just as rare, fast-growing insurer Goosehead (GSHD) popped 58% after pricing below its range.
| 5 IPOs During the Week of April 23rd, 2018 | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer Business |
Deal Size |
Market Cap at IPO |
Price vs. Midpoint |
First Day Return |
Return at 04/27 |
| Goosehead Insurance (GSHD) | $85M | $350M | -33% | +58% | +58% |
| Operates and franchises personal lines insurance agencies in the US. | |||||
| nLight (LASR) | $96M | $611M | 14% | +68% | +56% |
| Leading manufacturer of high-power semiconductor and fiber lasers. | |||||
| Ceridian HCM (CDAY) | $462M | $3,048M | 10% | +42% | +39% |
| Provides enterprises with human capital management software. | |||||
| DocuSign (DOCU) | $629M | $5,460M | 16% | +37% | +37% |
| Provides the world's leading cloud-based e-signature platform. | |||||
| Smartsheet (SMAR) | $175M | $1,668M | 36% | +30% | +30% |
| Provides a spreadsheet-based work collaboration platform. | |||||
These IPOs screened out well on IPO Pro's proprietary Quick Take. Explore IPO Pro's enhanced profiles with a free trial.
DocuSign (DOCU) raised $629 million ($466 million excluding insiders) at a $5.5 billion market cap, then popped 38%. The large, fast-growing unicorn has become synonymous with e-signatures, making impressive inroads at large enterprises. While it has a history of operating losses, free cash flow recently turned positive.
Smartsheet (SMAR) priced its $175 million IPO at $15, well above its original range of $11-12. The work collaboration unicorn was valued at a market cap of $1.7 billion, before flying up 30% on Friday. Smartsheet's blazing-fast growth and large market opportunity more than made up for its massive losses.
nLight (LASR) raised $96 million by pricing above its range at $16, before flying up 68% on its first day. The company boasts strong growth, expanding margins and an experienced management team. However, it faces a number of key risks: high customer concentration, low revenue visibility and exposure to China.
Ceridian HCM (CDAY) raised $462 million at a market cap of $3.0 billion. LBOs rarely pop; Ceridian's 42% initial gain was the best for a technology LBO in the past decade (there have been 34). Investors were likely attracted to the fast growth of its Dayforce software platform. However, we note that Ceridian's post-IPO debt of $671 million is still relatively high.
Goosehead Insurance (GSHD) priced its $85 million IPO at $10, well below its range of $14-16, then rocketed 66% to close at $16.65. Companies rarely pop after pricing below the range. The 5-year average is +2.5%, and the last time a company priced down and popped 50% or more was in 2014. While a number of factors (available to IPO Intelligence clients) likely led to pricing pushback, Goosehead's differentiated model has helped it achieve strong organic growth.
IPO Pipeline Update: GreenSky files for an estimated $1 billion IPO
| 5 Filings During the Week of April 23rd, 2018 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Issuer Business |
Deal Size |
Sector | Lead Underwriter |
| GreenSky (GSKY) | $1,000M | Financials | Goldman |
| Operates a digital lending platform. | |||
| Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals (KNSA) | $100M | Health Care | Goldman |
| Clinical-stage biotech developing treatments for autoinflammatory and autoimmune conditions. | |||
| Scholar Rock (SRRK) | $75M | Health Care | Jefferies |
| Preclinical biotech targeting growth factor inhibition for a variety of diseases. | |||
| Evo Payments (EVOP) | $300M | Technology | JP Morgan |
| Provides payment processing services to merchants and financial institutions. | |||
| MR2 Group (MRMR) | $18M | Industrials | ThinkEquity |
| Data-collection firm providing market research under the Precision Opinion brand. | |||
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IPO Market Snapshot
The Renaissance IPO Indices are market cap weighted baskets of newly public companies. The Renaissance IPO Index has returned 1.5% year-to-date, while the S&P 500 is down -0.1%. Renaissance Capital's IPO ETF (NYSE: IPO) tracks the index, and top ETF holdings include Spotify (SPOT) and Snap (SNAP). The Renaissance International IPO Index is up 1.7% year-to-date, while the ACWX is up 0.6%. Renaissance Capital’s International IPO ETF (NYSE: IPOS) tracks the index, and top ETF holdings include Orsted (DONG Energy) and Samsung BioLogics.
