Initial Offering Date

When a private company wants to become a public company, it has to go through a long, complicated process. First it must go on a quest for the magic amulet. This artifact will grant the firm one wish, but only if the company is true of heart and clean of spirit. Using that wish, and speaking the proper mystical incantation, launches an initial public offering.

That, or the company can file a bunch of paperwork. It may seem as long and involved as the quest for a mystical artifact. Less dragon-slaying though, and more meetings in conference rooms.

Once all the documents are properly filled out and the IPO process is nearing its end, the company will set an initial offering date. That's the first day it can sell its shares to the public.

Any public offering (not just a stock IPO) will have an initial offering date. It generally applies to the day a security becomes available to the public.