Core Insights - StubHub went public with an IPO price of $23.50, closing 6% below that price, which values the company at over $7 billion, highlighting the perseverance of its co-founder Eric Baker [1] Company History - StubHub was co-founded by Eric Baker and Jeff Fluhr in 2000 during their time at Stanford, shortly after the dotcom bubble burst [1] - Baker was pushed out of the company in 2004 due to differences in vision with Fluhr [2] - In 2005, Baker founded Viagogo in London, aiming to merge it with StubHub in the future [3] - In 2019, eBay spun off StubHub, and Baker acquired it for $4.05 billion with backing from investors [3] Impact of COVID-19 - The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted StubHub, leading to a collapse in revenue due to the cancellation of live events [4][6] - The company managed to survive the pandemic and saw a significant rebound in revenue as live events resumed [6] Recent Performance - StubHub's revenue grew by 10% to $397.6 million in Q1 2025 compared to the same period last year, driven by high-demand events like Taylor Swift's Eras Tour and the Super Bowl [6] - Baker reflected on the company's journey and challenges faced, including the impact of COVID-19 [7] Ownership Structure - Eric Baker owns 4.7% of StubHub, while investors Madrone Partners, WestCap, and Bessemer Venture Partners hold 24.5%, 12.3%, and 8.8% respectively [7]

Core Insights - Stubhub's IPO opened at $24.96, rising over 8% to $25.43, with a market capitalization of $9.4 billion [1] - The IPO price was set at $23.50 [1] - For the six months ending June 30, Stubhub's gross merchandise volume increased to $4.4 billion, up from $3.9 billion in the same period last year [1]

Company Overview - StubHub shares rose about 8% in their NYSE debut but closed 6.4% below the IPO price, valuing the company at $8.09 billion [1][2] - The company raised nearly $800 million by selling 34 million shares, pricing within the marketed range of $22 to $25 [3] Market Context - The IPO market has seen a resurgence this fall, with notable debuts from companies like Klarna and Figure, despite concerns over inflation and labor market issues [4] - StubHub's revenue grew 3% in the first half of 2025, which is lower than Live Nation's 6% growth during the same period [5] Competitive Landscape - StubHub's valuation is nearly double the $4.05 billion that viagogo paid to acquire it from eBay [2] - Rival Vivid Seats has seen a significant decline, down nearly 82% this year after a 27% drop last year, indicating challenges in the public market for ticket-selling platforms [6] Industry Trends - The ticket-selling industry is experiencing increased consumer demand for live events, but also heightened scrutiny regarding reseller practices, particularly following events like Taylor Swift's "The Eras Tour" [7]

Group 1 - Shares of StubHub rose about 8% in their New York Stock Exchange debut on Wednesday [1] - The ticket reseller marketplace is valued at $9.32 billion following its debut [1] - This performance adds to a streak of positive day-one receptions for technology-related companies [1]

Company Overview - StubHub has priced its IPO at $23.50 per share, with a company valuation of approximately $8.5 billion [1] - The shares will be traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "STUB" [1] Financial Strategy - The IPO proceeds will primarily be used for deleveraging the balance sheet, following a $4 billion acquisition from eBay [2] - A strong balance sheet will allow the company to allocate resources towards business growth rather than debt repayment [3] Market Dynamics - The ticket industry is experiencing a shift towards all-in pricing, which has led to a temporary decrease in customer conversion rates, estimated at around 10% in states like New York [5][7] - Despite short-term impacts, the expectation is that the market will normalize and growth will resume as the pricing becomes standardized across competitors [7][8] Customer Experience - StubHub has advocated for transparent all-in pricing to enhance customer experience, despite initial resistance from some consumers [6][10] - The company aims to leverage AI to improve customer interactions and personalize ticket recommendations based on user data [12][13] Competitive Landscape - Live Nation has been a long-standing competitor in the secondary ticket market, but StubHub focuses on providing a superior customer experience rather than competing solely on market share [24][25] - The company is positioning itself as a one-stop destination for all live events, aiming to simplify the ticket purchasing process for consumers [17][19]

Core Viewpoint - StubHub is preparing for an IPO with a valuation of $8.6 billion, reflecting a 7% decrease from previous estimates, amidst various business challenges and competitive pressures [3][10]. Company Overview - Founded in 2000, StubHub operates a marketplace for live event tickets, selling over 40 million tickets from at least 200 countries in 2024 [6]. - The company has experienced ownership changes, initially sold to eBay for $310 million in 2007 and later repurchased by co-founder Eric Baker for $4 billion in 2020 [8]. Financial Performance - For the first half of 2025, StubHub's revenue grew by 3% to $828 million, a significant slowdown from a 30% growth in 2024 [7]. - The company reported a net loss of $76 million in the first half of 2025, a 217% increase in losses compared to previous periods [7]. Valuation and Market Position - StubHub's IPO valuation has fluctuated, with attempts to go public at $16.5 billion in 2024 and a recent target of $9.2 billion, which was reduced by 7% [10]. - The company faces a potential valuation drop to between $4 billion and $6 billion within 12 months due to regulatory and competitive pressures [5]. Business Challenges - StubHub is facing significant consumer complaints regarding high fees and poor customer service, with a Net Promoter Score of -100 and an F rating from the Better Business Bureau [13]. - Regulatory scrutiny is increasing, particularly concerning "junk fees" and all-in pricing, which could impact revenue models and growth [13]. - The company carries $2.38 billion in long-term debt, leading to high leverage ratios that may pressure financial stability [13]. - StubHub's dual-class share structure allows CEO Eric Baker to retain 90% voting control, raising concerns about shareholder interests [13]. - Compared to rivals, StubHub is considered overvalued at 4.9 times its 2024 revenue of $1.77 billion, while competitors like Vivid Seats trade at 0.59 times revenue [13].

StubHub has raised $800 million from its initial public offering after pricing the deal at the midpoint of a marketed range, as the online ticketing reseller succeeds in its third attempt at going public. https://t.co/qtH0un0578 ...

Company Overview - StubHub has successfully raised $800 million from its initial public offering (IPO) after pricing the deal at the midpoint of a marketed range [2][4] - The company sold 34 million shares at $23.50 each, with a price range set between $22 and $25, valuing StubHub at approximately $8.8 billion [3][4] - StubHub plans to start trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "STUB" [3] Market Context - The IPO market is experiencing a resurgence, with funds raised in 2025 already surpassing those in previous years, marking the highest level since 2021 [3][4] - Recent IPOs, including those from Klarna and Gemini, have shown positive market performance, although the track record of recent listings has been mixed compared to earlier months [4]

NEW YORK (AP) — StubHub received a lackluster reception on Wall Street Wednesday. The ticket marketplace's stock fell 6.4% from its initial public offering price of $23.50 per share on its first day of trading. The company's shares are trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “STUB." StubHub offered just over 34 million shares and raised approximately $800 million. At the closing price, the company has a market valuation of about $8.1 billion. StubHub plans to use proceeds from the sale t ...

Core Viewpoint - StubHub Holdings Inc. successfully completed its IPO, raising $800 million at a share price of $23.50, achieving a market valuation of $8.64 billion, marking a significant milestone for the company and its co-founder Eric Baker [1][5]. Group 1: IPO Details - StubHub priced its IPO at the midpoint of its proposed range, selling 34 million shares with a valuation of $8.64 billion based on the IPO price [1]. - The IPO was underwritten by major banks including JPMorgan and Goldman Sachs, with shares expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker "STUB" [5]. Group 2: Market Context - The U.S. IPO market has been active, raising approximately $4.7 billion since September 1, excluding SPACs, with several companies experiencing significant stock price increases on their debut [1]. - StubHub's IPO comes amid increased scrutiny of the ticketing industry, particularly regarding practices at Ticketmaster, which is under investigation by the FTC [3]. Group 3: Company Background and Financials - StubHub's IPO follows a long pursuit of going public, initially aiming for a valuation exceeding $13 billion, which was postponed due to unfavorable market conditions [2]. - For the six months ending June 30, StubHub reported revenue of $827.9 million and a net loss of $76 million, compared to $803.5 million in revenue and a net loss of $24 million in the same period last year [5]. - The company is expanding its new ticketing business, which currently represents a small portion of its overall sales, and has secured a multi-year partnership with Major League Baseball [2]. Group 4: Leadership and Ownership Structure - Co-founder Eric Baker, who previously founded Viagogo, retains significant control over StubHub post-IPO, holding 4.2% of Class A common stock and 88.3% of voting power through Class B shares [4]. - Other investors, including Madrone Partners LP and WestCap Management, will hold 2.7% and 1.3% of voting power, respectively, with both having board representation [4].