The year 2021 has been exceptional for IPOs (initial public offerings). More than 950 IPOs were listed on the U.S. exchanges alone. This number is more than 100% higher than the number of IPOs in 2020, which was also a record-breaking year. The surge in IPOs was primarily the result of ultra-low interest rates and government stimulus programs during the COVID-19 pandemic that pushed the market valuations to record highs.
Ten Best Performing IPOs Of 2021
We have ranked the 10 best-performing IPOs of 2021 based on their year-to-date performance data or the return they have given since their IPO. We have only considered the companies with more than $10 billion in valuation for our list. Following are the 10 best performing IPOs of 2021:
10. Olaplex Holdings (>9%)
Founded in 2021, it is a holding company that through its subsidiary makes and sells hair-care products. Olaplex Holdings (NASDAQ:OLPX) was created for the purpose of completing a public offering and other transactions of Penelope Holdings and subsidiaries. Its shares are down more than 7% in the last one month. Olaplex Holdings went public in September and its shares are trading around $27. It is headquartered in Santa Barbara, Calif.
9. Affirm Holdings (>14%)
Founded in 2012, this company offers a digital and mobile-first commerce platform. Affirm Holdings (NASDAQ:AFRM) specifically offers split pay, integrated checkout, Affirm app and marketplace, virtual cards, and more. Its shares are down more than 5% in the last three months, and over 20% in the last one month. Affirm Holdings went public in January, and its shares are trading around $114. It is headquartered in San Francisco.
8. SentinelOne (>17%)
Founded in 2013, this company offers endpoint security software to detect, model and predict treating behavior to block attacks. Its shares are down more than 31% in the last three months and over 30% in the last month. SentinelOne (NYSE:S) went public in June, and its shares are trading around $51. It is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.
7. Endeavor Group Holdings (>20%)
Founded in 1995, it is an intellectual property, content, events and experiences company. Endeavor Group Holdings (NYSE:EDR) has the following business segments: Events, experiences and rights, representation, and owned sports properties segments. Its shares are up more than 19% in the last three months and over 2% in the last month. Endeavor Group went public in April, and its shares are trading around $31. It is headquartered in Beverly Hills, Calif.
6. GlobalFoundries (31%)
Founded in 2009, it is a semiconductor contract manufacturing and design company. Its shares have been down more than 5% in the last month. Prior to its IPO, it was privately owned by Mubadala Investment Company, which is the sovereign wealth fund of the United Arab Emirates. Globalfoundries (NASDAQ:GFS) went public in October, and its shares are trading around $62.20. It is headquartered in Santa Clara, Calif.
5. Aurora Innovation (>32%)
Founded in 2017, Aurora Innovation (NASDAQ:AUR) is a self-driving vehicle technology company known for developing the Aurora Driver, an autonomous driving computer system that can be fitted into vehicles. Its shares are up more than 16% in the last month. The company went public in November, and its shares are trading around $13.55. It is headquartered in Pittsburgh.
4. Applovin (>35%)
Founded in 2011, Applovin Corp (NASDAQ:APP) develops and operates a mobile marketing platform such as AppDiscovery, MAX and SparkLabs. Its shares are up more than 23% in the last three months. but down over 11% in the last month. Applovin went public in April, and its shares are trading around $89. It is headquartered in Palo Alto, Calif.
3. Roblox (>40%)
Founded in 2004, this company offers online gaming services. Roblox Corp (NYSE:RBLX) product list includes Roblox Client, the Roblox Studio and the Roblox Cloud. Its shares are up more than 20% in the last three months but are down over 22% in the last month. Roblox went public in March, and its shares are trading around $101. It is headquartered in San Mateo, Calif.
2. Confluent (>41%)
Founded in 2014, this company designs and develops a real-time data platform for companies. Confluent's (NASDAQ:CFLT) product list includes confluent platforms, KSQL and Confluent hub products. Its shares are down more than 5% in the last three months and over 20% in the last month. Confluent's shares are trading around $70, and it is headquartered in Mountain View, Calif.
1. GXO Logistics (>60%)
Founded in 2021, this company offers logistics services in Europe and North America. GXO Logistics (NYSE:GXO) provides high-value-added warehousing and distribution, order fulfillment and other supply chain services. Its shares are up more than 5% in the last three months but are down over 10% in the last month. GXO's shares are trading over $87, and it is headquartered in Greenwich, Conn.