Reddit is set to debut in the public markets following the pricing announcement for its highly anticipated initial public offering (IPO).
The social media giant has priced its IPO at $34 per share, at the upper end of the projected range of $31 to $34 per share disclosed last week. This move will attribute the company a valuation of approximately $6.4 billion. With 22 million shares on offer, Reddit and its investors are poised to raise $748 million.
Trading for Reddit’s stock will commence on Thursday, 28 March 2024, on the New York Stock Exchange, identified by the ticker symbol “RDDT.”
Amidst a lacklustre performance in the IPO market throughout 2023, Reddit’s IPO has been a focal point of attention. Reuters has reported that the offering has been oversubscribed up to five times, indicating significant investor interest and anticipation.
Despite its inception in 2005, Reddit has yet to achieve profitability. However, the company is actively highlighting the significance of artificial intelligence (AI) in shaping its future post-IPO landscape. It emphasizes the potential of its vast content to fuel AI and large language models, paving the way for innovative advancements.
In its S-1 filing, Reddit outlines plans to bolster its advertising business and capitalize on e-commerce opportunities within its platform.
Notably, Reddit hosts the WallStreetBets subreddit, which played a pivotal role in the meme-stock frenzy of 2021, propelling the stocks of AMC Entertainment Holdings Inc. (AMC) and GameStop Corp. (GME) to unprecedented heights.
In a remarkable turn of events, Reddit has become the subject of meme discussions leading up to its IPO, marking a unique twist in the meme-stock narrative.
In its S-1 filing, Reddit acknowledged the influence of WallStreetBets among retail investors as a potential risk to its stock price.
The company cautioned that its stock could face “extreme volatility” due to factors unrelated to its core business or broader economic fundamentals, hinting at the possibility of it becoming a meme stock.
Furthermore, Reddit has invited users and moderators who have actively contributed to the platform to participate in its IPO by purchasing shares.
One such individual, Redditor Heather Lagaso, saw the opportunity and invested nearly $800 in Reddit shares.
Lagaso expressed her view in an interview, stating, “It’s a bit of a gamble.”
She also acknowledged Reddit’s potential to transform into a meme stock, adding, “We’re all familiar with meme stocks, and that alone intrigues me to see how this unfolds.
Jon Keidan, the founder and managing partner of Torch Capital, has raised a cautionary flag regarding Reddit’s IPO, describing it as a “tightrope” walk.
Keidan emphasizes Reddit’s fans’ strong attachment towards the platform, noting their dynamism and protective nature towards their community.
Keidan foresees a potential scenario where the demands of the public markets might compel Reddit to make strategic and financial decisions to achieve profitability. However, such moves could clash with the interests of its user base.
He warns, “If Reddit’s actions don’t align with the preferences of its audience, it could result in a mass exodus of users or even manipulation of the stock price.” This underscores the delicate balance Reddit must maintain between appeasing investors and preserving its community ethos.
Jon Keidan’s cautionary remarks remind us of the delicate equilibrium Reddit must uphold. The company’s success will hinge on its financial performance and its ability to preserve and nurture its community-driven ethos.
As the IPO unfolds, all eyes will be on Reddit to see how it manages this delicate dance between profitability and community loyalty.
Only time will tell whether Reddit emerges as a true pioneer in social-media finance or faces the challenges of reconciling its dual identities in the public spotlight.
