What is the term for the first time a publicly listed company offers shares for sale on a stock exchange?

The term for the first time a publicly listed company offers shares for sale on a stock exchange is known as an Initial Public Offering (IPO). This process marks a significant milestone for a company as it transitions from private ownership to public ownership, allowing it to raise capital from a wider range of investors. During an IPO, the company creates and sells its stock to the public for the first time, typically with the assistance of investment banks that help determine the offering price and manage the sale.

An IPO provides the company with immediate capital which can be used for various purposes, such as funding expansion, paying down debt, or investing in research and development. Additionally, it enhances the company's profile and credibility in the market, making it easier to raise funds in the future if needed.

Other terms listed do not accurately describe this initial offering process. For example, share repurchase refers to a company buying back its own shares from the market, which is related to managing share price or returning capital to shareholders. A secondary offering entails offering additional shares for sale after the initial shares are already publicly traded, often by existing shareholders. Equity financing broadly describes raising capital by selling shares, but it does not specifically denote the initial sale of shares on a stock exchange. Therefore, Initial Public