Core Insights - The rise of new trading platforms like Robinhood and Fidelity has significantly lowered the barriers for retail investors to participate in the U.S. IPO market, which was traditionally dominated by wealthy clients and institutional investors [1][2][12] - Despite the increased accessibility, the inherent risks associated with IPO investments remain high, particularly for retail investors who lack the information and resources available to institutional investors [4][12] Section 1: Opportunities for Retail Investors in U.S. IPOs - New trading platforms provide a convenient channel for retail investors to directly participate in IPOs, with significant market activity expected to increase by 50% by 2026 [1] - Robinhood offers a "zero-commission" and "zero-threshold" model, allowing users to participate in IPOs with as little as one share and without the need to freeze funds [2][5] - Fidelity has established partnerships with multiple underwriters to create pathways for qualified clients to access new stock offerings, although it imposes higher asset thresholds for participation [2][5] Section 2: Disparities in Participation Requirements - Different platforms have varying qualification requirements for retail investors to obtain IPO shares, with Robinhood having lower barriers compared to Fidelity [3][5] - Fidelity requires a minimum of $100,000 in specific assets for traditional IPOs and $500,000 for those obtained through strategic partnerships, excluding certain retirement accounts [5][6] Section 3: Risks Associated with Retail Participation in IPOs - Retail investors face structural disadvantages in IPO allocations, with a typical distribution ratio of 90% to institutional investors and only 10% to retail investors [6] - The high volatility and uncertainty of IPO stocks, especially in the initial trading days, can lead to significant price fluctuations and potential disappointment for investors [4][6] Section 4: Professional Investment Strategies and Due Diligence - Retail investors are advised to conduct thorough research on a company's fundamentals before participating in any IPO, focusing on both quantitative and qualitative aspects [9][10] - Regulatory documents like the S-1 filing are crucial for assessing the reliability of an investment, highlighting risks such as the potential for stock price declines post-IPO [10][12] - Investors should adopt a diversified and cautious investment strategy to mitigate the speculative nature of IPO investments [11][12]