upper waypoint

Investors Pump Up the Volume on Pandora IPO

Save ArticleSave Article
Failed to save article

Please try again

All hell is breaking lose in the debut of Pandora's stock.

In what some may consider to be Round 2 of the neo-tech-bubble era, shares of the Oakland-based streaming music are currently at $20 and change, up about 26 percent from the opening price of $16 on the NYSE.

From CNBC this morning:

Pandora Media's lack of profitability didn't stop investors from tuning in to the Internet radio stock, boosting its price as much as 50 percent in its market debut Wednesday. Pandora sold its initial public offering of stock at $16 per share late Tuesday, twice as much as the popular but unprofitable Internet radio service expected less than two weeks ago.

And from the Oakland Tribune:

Since being founded in 2000 by Tim Westergren, Pandora has lost $92 million and has never turned a profit. Analysts think Pandora would have to be in the black by next year to justify a $16 stock price.

Last month, shares of another Bay Area web company, LinkedIn, debuted with a bang-and-a-half, hitting a high of $122.70. LinkedIn is currently trading at about $75.

Sponsored

If you invested in Pandora today and are feeling some buyers remorse, don't worry -- CEO Joe Kennedy thinks the company is awesome:

Even better than the soaring stock price: The company somehow managed to snag the ticker symbol "P". How does a profitless, NYSE rookie land that single consonant? Sort of like some Giants' rookie coming up from AAA and being given the number 24.

lower waypoint
next waypoint
Stunning Archival Photos of the 1906 Earthquake and FireCould Protesters Who Shut Down Golden Gate Bridge Be Charged With False Imprisonment?San Francisco Sues Oakland Over Plan to Change Airport NameAfter Parole, ICE Deported This Refugee Back to a Country He Never KnewHow a Pivotal Case on Homelessness Could Redefine Policies in California and the NationAlameda County DA Charges 3 Police Officers With Manslaughter in Death of Mario GonzalezDeath Doula Alua Arthur on How and Why to Prepare for the EndGaza Aid Flotilla to Include Bay Area ResidentsCalifornia Pet Owners Could Rent Apartments More Easily Under New BillDespite Progress, Black Californians Still Face Major Challenges In Closing Equality Gap