2. Advantages and disadvantages of IPOs An initial public offering (IPO) refers to the first sale of a company's stock to the public through the stock market. Once a company launches its IPO, it changes from a privately held company to a publicly traded company. Alibaba (9/19/2014, $25 blilion), Visa (3/18/2008, $17,9 billion), Facebook (5/17/2012,$16 billion), General Motors (11/17/2010, $15,8 billion), Kraft Foods (6/12/2001,$8.7 billion), and United Parcel Services (11/9/1999,$5.5 billion) are among the firms considered to have issued the largest 1POs in US history. These companies, along with thousands of other companies whose stock trades in equity markets across the globe, reap the benefits of going public. The following table describes some advantages and disadvantages of going public in the United States. 2. Advantages and disadvantages of IPOs An initial public offering (IPO) refers to the first sale of a company's stock to the public through the stock market. Once a company launches its IPO, it changes from a privately held company to a publicly traded company. Alibaba (9/19/2014, $25 blilion), Visa (3/18/2008, $17,9 billion), Facebook (5/17/2012,$16 billion), General Motors (11/17/2010, $15,8 billion), Kraft Foods (6/12/2001,$8.7 billion), and United Parcel Services (11/9/1999,$5.5 billion) are among the firms considered to have issued the largest 1POs in US history. These companies, along with thousands of other companies whose stock trades in equity markets across the globe, reap the benefits of going public. The following table describes some advantages and disadvantages of going public in the United States