On Tuesday, September 19, 2023, Instacart, the widely recognized grocery delivery and pick-up service, made its much-anticipated debut on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker "CART", marking one of the most high-profile U.S. listings of 2023. The company's initial public offering (IPO) price was set at $30 per share, which climbed to $42.06 once trading began on Wednesday.
Instacart, owned by Maplebear Inc., is not only one of the most significant U.S. venture-backed tech IPOs since December 2021 but also stands as the first independent grocery delivery business to ever go public. The company's debut on the stock market symbolizes a new era for retail investors who have been eagerly waiting for an opportunity to invest in Instacart.
However, acquiring shares in Instacart might still prove challenging for some retail investors. IPO shares are often reserved for high-net-worth investors, bankers, hedge funds, and large institutions. Currently, SoFi (NASDAQ:SOFI) Invest is the only confirmed brokerage planning to offer Instacart stock to its users.
To purchase Instacart shares, investors must first set up a brokerage account, which allows access to the stock market and provides a secure platform for storing investments. It's important that potential investors conduct thorough research before buying shares of Instacart. Despite the company's limited stock history, investors can still review the company's recent profit history and current market standing.
Investors should also decide on how much they want to invest in Instacart based on their individual investment goals, risk tolerance, and time horizon. After purchasing shares of Instacart, implementing an investment strategy such as a buy-and-hold or dollar-cost averaging is recommended.
Previously a private entity, Instacart's transition to a public company has been eagerly awaited. The company has now started trading on the NASDAQ under the ticker "CART". However, retail investors may have to wait a bit longer to buy shares of Instacart as certain high-net-worth investors, institutions, and firms typically get first dibs on IPOs.
Before investing in Instacart, potential investors are advised to conduct their due diligence and research the company’s financials and market history. Certified financial planners or financial advisors can offer assistance if needed.
In a separate development on Wednesday, September 20, 2023, marketing-tech company Klaviyo also went public after raising $576 million in its IPO. Shares opened at $36.75 each. The company's CEO, Andrew Bialecki, attributed their success to being a "disciplined company".
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