National

Pro Rata

Axios Pro Rata

Chewy, an online pet food and supplies retailer owned by PetSmart, raised $1 billion in its IPO. 

Why it matters: It's a massive valuation bump from the $3.3 billion that PetSmart, owned by BC Partners, paid to buy Chewy in 2017.

By the numbers: The company priced 46.5 million shares at $22, above its upwardly-revised range, for an initial market cap of around $8.77 billion.

The bull case: This is a very sticky subscription service in an age of ubiquitous e-commerce (i.e., it operates in a very different world than did Pets.com). Plus, it's managed to consistently outpace Amazon in its segment. 

The bear case: This is partially around profits, or lack thereof, but more around a lopsided governance structure whereby BC Partners/PetSmart could maintain control of Chewy with as little as a 10% equity stake.

Go deeper: PetSmart's unprofitable online pet store Chewy to go public this week

Chewy IPO raises $1 billion

It's a massive valuation bump for the PetSmart-owned company.

Illustration of a seesaw with a giant dog on one side and a bunch of puppies on the other side

Business

Initial public offerings (IPO)

Axios Pro: Deals

Chewy, an online pet food and supplies retailer owned by PetSmart, raised $1 billion in its IPO. Why it matters: It&#x27;s a massive valuation bump from the $3.3 billion that PetSmart, owned by BC Partners, paid to buy Chewy in 2017.

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.