By Anirban Sen
(Reuters) - Home rental giant Airbnb said it plans to list its shares in 2020, making it one of the most high-profile names to tap the stock market next year. (https://
In a short statement posted on its website on Thursday, Airbnb did not give any details on how it plans to list its shares, although it is widely expected to take a direct-listing route.
A direct listing to go public is a process in which no new shares are created and helps companies save millions of dollars in underwriting fees.
This year has marked the stock market debuts of several high-profile companies, including Uber (N:UBER) and Lyft Inc (O:LYFT), but their shares have fared poorly after the launch, amid investor scepticism over their path to profitability.
WeWork owner The We Company has also delayed its initial public offering, walking away from preparations to launch it this month after a lacklustre response from investors.
Market experts though have said Airbnb might receive a warmer reception from investors when it debuts, considering that its financials looked more stable than recent internet unicorns that have gone public.
"I think it'll be a whole different reception for Airbnb, assuming that they can show they're a profitable business without having to lose money on marketing," said Kathleen Smith, principal at Renaissance Capital, a provider of institutional research and IPO ETFs.
Airbnb has not given any details on whether it was profitable in the second quarter of 2019 but has previously said that its earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation were positive for 2017 and 2018.
On Wednesday, the company said it raked in more than $1 billion (800.51 million pounds) in revenue for the second quarter.