Schaeffer's Top Stock Picks for '25

Is Twilio Inc's (TWLO) Huge First Day a Sign of What's to Come?

Twilio Inc (TWLO) is surging up the charts in its first day of public trading

Jun 23, 2016 at 3:45 PM
facebook X logo linkedin


Today is the first day of public trading for Twilio Inc (NYSE:TWLO), a developer of cloud-based communications software. The company, already labeled a "unicorn" with its private valuation of over $1 billion, raised $150 million in its initial public offering (IPO) of 10 million shares, priced at $15 each -- higher than the expected $12-$14 IPO price range. The stock is already making big waves today, opening at $23.99 -- a 60% premium over its IPO price -- and has soared even higher since, last seen up 86.6% at $28.02.

Of course, a big first day is no guarantee of future success. Schaeffer's Senior Quantitative Analyst Rocky White compiled some data on stocks that have had notable IPOs in recent years, along with their first-day returns, returns over the next three months, and returns to the present.

Best First-Day Returns1

Topping the list with the largest first-day return (calculated from the difference between its first-day closing price and its IPO price) is Qihoo 360 Technology Co Ltd (NYSE:QIHU), which hit the market in 2011. The stock added a whopping 134.5% from its IPO price by the end of day one, but the shares couldn't keep the same momentum going in the following months. In fact, three months after its debut, QIHU had shed more than 42%. Traders who kept the faith were eventually rewarded, though -- the stock surged higher through 2013 and early 2014, and now boasts a return of 417.8% over its initial IPO price of $14.50, trading at $75.21 today.

Worst First-Day Returns1

On the other side of the coin, XPO Logistics Inc (NYSE:XPO) hit the market in 2002 with an IPO priced at $15.75 per share. But on its first day, the stock gave up nearly 80%, ending the session at $3.20. Now, XPO is trading 78.3% above its IPO price, at $28.08.

Taking a slightly different view, one of the stock's with the most impressive total returns since its IPO in recent years has been Chipotle Mexican Grill, Inc. (NYSE:CMG). Though the stock has been troubled by food-borne illness woes since last fall, CMG's current value of $408.70 sits a whopping 1,757.7% above its IPO price of $22 in 2006. And CMG, too, started out with a bang, exactly doubling in price during its first day of public trading.

Among the worst returns-to-date from its IPO? Groupon Inc (NASDAQ:GRPN), which at $3.35 has given back more than 83% of its value since its $20.00 IPO in late 2011. GRPN gained 30.6% during its first day in the markets, but peaked just a month later, sinking to less than $3 by the end of its first year of public trading.

So what does all this mean for TWLO? The truth is, judging popular stocks by their first-day return doesn't present a clear pattern, nor a promise of future returns (just ask Etsy Inc (NASDAQ:ETSY), which popped 87.5% in its first day, only to give it all back and more in just over a year). But Twilio Inc's (NYSE:TWLO) notable first day on the market will surely have the stock on traders' radar for quite some time.

Let us help you profit from market volatility. Target big gains in short order with a 30-day trial of Schaeffer's Weekly Volatility Trader!
 
 

Which of These SUB-$5 Stocks Could 26x From Here? (AD)

He called a rare 11x on Tesla…

Then he called a 26x on Workhorse…

Then an even rarer 35x on Nio Inc…

Now Tim Bohen says these 5 tiny “America First” stocks are next up in 2025.

They’re trading for less than $5 right now.

But thanks to Elon & Trump’s new alliance…

They could be off to the races in Trump’s first 100 days.

And right now for a limited time…

You can get the names & tickers for just $1 here. (AD)

10 Stock Picks FREE
 
 

Featured Articles from Trusted Partners:

🚀 One Stock Pick Could Change Everything in 2025
What if one stock pick could define your success next year? Get 10 expert-vetted stocks set for 2025—plus 5 bonus picks to watch now. Get the Report →

🆕 New Options Need New Trading Strategies
Zero-DTE options are the newest (and hottest) options to trade.  Professional traders have rushed into the market and are making a mint.  Don’t get left behind - learn all about these options, how to trade them, market setups to profit from, plus much more. Download now →

👀 Revealed: 3 Defensive Stocks for Your Portfolio
Worried about the market? This free report reveals 3 under-the-radar defensive stocks for uncertain times in any kind of economy.

 

 
 

FREE Report Download

 

Follow us on X, Follow us on Twitter