The year 2007 was a significant one for initial public offerings (IPOs) in the stock market. Despite the looming financial crisis that would unfold in the following year, many companies chose to go public, seeking to capitalize on the still-robust market conditions. This article highlights 15 notable companies that made their debut on the public markets in 2007, providing insights into their initial offerings and their performance up to the present day.
1. Blackstone Group Inc. (BX)
- IPO Date: June 22, 2007
- IPO Price: $31
- Valuation: $33.5 billion
Blackstone is one of the world’s leading investment firms, focusing on private equity, real estate, and hedge fund solutions.
Since its IPO, Blackstone has grown substantially, becoming one of the largest alternative asset managers globally, with its stock price reflecting this growth.
2. VMware Inc. (VMW)
- IPO Date: August 14, 2007
- IPO Price: $29
- Valuation: $19.1 billion
VMware is a cloud computing and virtualization technology company. It provides software-defined solutions to businesses for IT environments.
As of 2024, VMware’s stock has shown significant growth since its IPO, with the company being acquired by Broadcom in a $61 billion deal in 2023.
3. MercadoLibre Inc. (MELI)
- IPO Date: August 10, 2007
- IPO Price: $18
- Valuation: $1.1 billion
MercadoLibre is the largest e-commerce ecosystem in Latin America, often referred to as the “Amazon of Latin America.”
The company’s stock has been a stellar performer, with its value increasing many times over since its IPO, reflecting the growth of e-commerce in Latin America.
4. Och-Ziff Capital Management (now Sculptor Capital Management) (SCU)
- IPO Date: November 14, 2007
- IPO Price: $32
- Valuation: $11.1 billion
Och-Ziff, now known as Sculptor Capital Management, is a global alternative asset management firm.
The company’s stock performance has been volatile since its IPO, facing challenges including regulatory issues and management changes.
5. EnergySolutions Inc. (ES)
- IPO Date: November 15, 2007
- IPO Price: $23
- Valuation: $1.8 billion
EnergySolutions provides nuclear services, including decommissioning, spent fuel handling, and waste management.
The company was later taken private in 2013 and has since merged with other nuclear services providers.
6. Visa Inc. (V)
- IPO Date: March 19, 2008 (Announced in 2007, completed in early 2008)
- IPO Price: $44
- Valuation: $17.9 billion
Visa is a global payments technology company, facilitating electronic funds transfers worldwide.
Since its IPO, Visa has become one of the most valuable financial companies globally, with its stock price showing substantial growth.
7. NetSuite Inc. (N)
- IPO Date: December 20, 2007
- IPO Price: $26
- Valuation: $1.5 billion
NetSuite provided cloud-based financials, ERP, and omnichannel commerce software suites.
The company was acquired by Oracle in 2016 for $9.3 billion, providing significant returns for early investors.
8. Orbitz Worldwide Inc. (OWW)
- IPO Date: July 20, 2007
- IPO Price: $15
- Valuation: $1.1 billion
Orbitz was an online travel company, providing a platform for booking flights, hotels, and vacation packages.
The company was acquired by Expedia in 2015 for $1.6 billion, ending its run as a public company.
9. Accuray Inc. (ARAY)
- IPO Date: February 8, 2007
- IPO Price: $18
- Valuation: $744 million
Accuray develops, manufactures, and sells radiotherapy systems for the treatment of tumors.
The company’s stock has faced challenges since its IPO, with its value fluctuating significantly over the years.
10. Lululemon Athletica Inc. (LULU)
- IPO Date:Â August 3, 2007
- IPO Price:Â $18.00
- Valuation:Â $327.6 million
Lululemon, the Canadian athletic apparel retailer, went public in 2007. The company has since grown significantly, becoming a major player in the athleisure market, providing a significant premium to its IPO price.
11. Athenahealth Inc. (ATHN)
- IPO Date: September 20, 2007
- IPO Price: $18
- Valuation: $570 million
Athenahealth provides network-enabled services for healthcare and point-of-care mobile apps.
The company was taken private in 2019 in a $5.7 billion deal, after showing significant growth in the years following its IPO.
12. Constant Contact Inc. (CTCT)
- IPO Date: October 3, 2007
- IPO Price: $16
- Valuation: $408 million
Constant Contact provided online marketing tools for small businesses, including email marketing and social media campaigns.
The company was acquired by Endurance International Group in 2015 for $1.1 billion, providing a good return for IPO investors.
13. Sucampo Pharmaceuticals Inc. (SCMP)
- IPO Date: August 2, 2007
- IPO Price: $11.50
- Valuation: $376 million
Sucampo Pharmaceuticals was a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing drugs for gastrointestinal disorders.
The company was acquired by Mallinckrodt Pharmaceuticals in 2018 for $1.2 billion, marking a successful exit for its investors.
14. Limelight Networks Inc. (LLNW)
- IPO Date: June 8, 2007
- IPO Price: $15
- Valuation: $1.2 billion
Limelight Networks provides content delivery network (CDN) services, helping deliver digital content over the internet.
The company’s stock has faced challenges since its IPO, with its value fluctuating significantly over the years.
15. Infinera Corporation (INFN)
- IPO Date: June 7, 2007
- IPO Price: $13
- Valuation: $1.2 billion
Infinera provides networking solutions, specializing in optical transmission equipment for telecommunications service providers.
The company’s stock has experienced volatility since its IPO, reflecting the competitive and evolving nature of the telecommunications equipment market.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many companies went public in 2007?
According to available data, approximately 159 companies had their IPO in 2007.
What was the largest IPO of 2007?
The largest IPO of 2007 was Blackstone Inc., which raised $4.13 billion
How did the 2007 IPOs perform after the financial crisis?
Many companies that went public in 2007 faced significant challenges during the financial crisis. Some went bankrupt, while others, like VMware and Lululemon, managed to weather the storm and achieve long-term success.
Were there any notable tech IPOs in 2007?
Yes, several tech companies had successful IPOs in 2007, including VMware and NetSuite
How did the 2007 IPO market compare to previous years?
2007 saw a significant increase in IPO activity compared to the previous few years. The total proceeds raised in 2007 IPOs were $41.4 billion, up from $37.3 billion in 2006.
