StubHub IPO is back on for September after ticketing company delayed plans on tariff concerns

Company Overview - StubHub, a ticketing marketplace that separated from eBay in 2020, is planning to go public with an IPO expected next month [1] - The company had previously paused its IPO plans in April due to market volatility caused by tariffs [1] - StubHub submitted its IPO prospectus in March, aiming to list on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "STUB" [1] Financial Performance - In the first quarter, StubHub reported revenue growth of 10% year-over-year, reaching $397.6 million [2] - Operating income for the same period was $26.8 million, a recovery from a loss of $883,000 in the previous year [2] - However, the net loss widened to $35.9 million from $29.7 million a year ago [2] Market Context - The IPO market has seen a resurgence recently after a period of stagnation due to high inflation and rising interest rates [3] - Several startups have gone public, indicating a more favorable environment for IPOs [3] Historical Background - StubHub was founded in 2000 and was acquired by eBay for $310 million in 2007 [4] - The company was reacquired by co-founder Eric Baker in 2020 for $4 billion through Viagogo [4] - Prior to the IPO process, StubHub sought a valuation of $16.5 billion [4] Competitive Landscape - StubHub faces significant competition in the online ticketing market, particularly from Ticketmaster, Vivid Seats, SeatGeek, and TicketNetwork [5] - For the first quarter, StubHub reported gross merchandise sales (GMS) of $2.08 billion, reflecting a 15% increase year-over-year, though this was a slowdown from 47% growth in the previous quarter [5] - GMS represents the total value paid by buyers for tickets and fulfillment, with initial sales for major concert tours typically occurring towards the end of the year [5]