Ep. 83 Should I Buy an IPO? What to Know Before Investing in a New Stock

Send us Fan Mail When a recognizable company announces it’s going public, the headlines, excitement, and fear of missing out can make buying shares feel like an opportunity you can’t afford to miss. But by the time most individual investors can actually buy the stock, the story may look very different. In this episode of Not Just Numbers, Mike and Madison break down what really happens when a company goes public—from IPO pricing and institutional access to opening-day jumps, lockup periods, and long-term performance. They also explore the behavioral biases that can make a popular company feel like an obvious investment, even when the valuation tells a different story. Mike shares the questions investors should ask before buying into a newly public company, including how much of your portfolio you’re willing to risk, whether you’re investing in the business or the narrative, and how the opportunity fits into your broader financial plan.