The IPO market remained active this past week as four IPOs raised $2.3 billion, joined by two direct listings. SPAC activity kept steady with nine blank check IPOs. New filers continue to pour into the IPO pipeline, with 17 IPOs and 10 SPACs submitting initial filings.
NYSE direct listingWarby Parker(WRBY) opened for trading at $54 (+35% vs. reference price) for an implied market value of $6.6 billion market cap. Warby Parker sells prescription glasses starting at $95 per pair through both its online store and in over 145 physical locations. Despite operating in an increasingly competitive space, this eyeglasses retailer has a track record of steady growth and a sticky customer base. Warby Parker finished up 34%.
Nasdaq direct listingAmplitude(AMPL) opened for trading at $50 (+43% vs. reference price) for an implied market value of $6.6 billion market cap. Amplitude provides a customer behavior analytics for over 1,200 customers to improve and optimize digital products and businesses. Growing but unprofitable, this digital optimization company has a large market opportunity. Amplitude finished up 56%.
Hair care brandOlaplex Holdings(OLPX) upsized and priced above the upwardly revised range to raise $1.5 billion at a $14.5 billion market cap. Backed by Advent, this company is a leading brand of prestige hair health products containing a patented repair ingredient. Olaplex operates in a crowded market, but has demonstrated explosive growth and robust profitability. Olaplex finished up 9%.
Tech services providerTDCX(TDCX) upsized and priced at the high end to raise $348 million at a $2.6 billion market cap. This Singapore-based company provides digital customer experience solutions globally in more than 20 languages. Despite operating in competitive markets, the company has delivered solid growth, and it has a multibillion-dollar opportunity. TDCX finished up 6%.
Drug discovery platformExscientia(EXAI) upsized and priced at the high end to raise $305 million at a $2.7 billion market cap. This AI-driven biotech develops and licenses small molecule therapies, as well as its drug discovery platform. Exscientia has a large pipeline and collaborations with global pharmaceutical companies, though it is early stage and faces significant competition. Exscientia finished up 23%.
Restaurant chainFirst Watch Restaurant Group(FWRG) priced within the range to raise $170 million at a $1.1 billion market cap. Only serving breakfast, brunch, and lunch, this restaurant chain owns and franchises over 420 locations across the US. Despite continued labor and food shortages, First Watch Restaurant Group has had a strong recovery from the pandemic with double digit same-restaurant sales. First Watch finished up 23%.
Nine blank check companies raised $1.9 billion this past week led by industrial technology-focusedHennessy Capital Investment VI(HCVIU), which raised $300 million.
Ten SPACs submitted initial filings, led by transportation-focusedPegasus Digital Mobility Acquisition(PGSS.U), which filed to raise $200 million.
The Renaissance IPO Indices are market cap weighted baskets of newly public companies. As of 9/16/2021, the Renaissance IPO Index was up 7.8% year-to-date, while the S&P 500 was up 19.1%. Renaissance Capital's IPO ETF (NYSE: IPO) tracks the index, and top ETF holdings include Snowflake (SNOW) and Palantir Technologies (PLTR). The Renaissance International IPO Index was down 14.8% year-to-date, while the ACWX was up 9.5%. Renaissance Capital’s International IPO ETF (NYSE: IPOS) tracks the index, and top ETF holdings include Smoore International and EQT Partners.