Dec 11, 2020 - Economy

Airbnb value tops $100 billion in Wall Street debut

Ina Fried

Illustration: Aïda Amer/Axios

Shares of Airbnb reached the stratosphere as they began trading on Thursday, doubling their IPO price before closing the day at nearly $145 apiece.

Why it matters: The high-flying price means that Airbnb is now valued at more than $100 billion, but also increases the pressure on the company as the U.S. heads into a potentially deeper struggle with the coronavirus.

Details: Airbnb raised $3.5 billion through its IPO, with shares sold to investors at $68 apiece, well above the company's already raised estimates.

But the shares burst out of the gate as they began trading on the Nasdaq on Thursday, opening at $146 and touching as high as $165 apiece before closing at $144.71.

Yes, but: As Axios' Felix Salmon writes, there are limits to the company's growth, particularly in its core lodging market.

Go deeper: Airbnb CEO Brian Chesky talked about the company's blockbuster IPO, its origins and more with Dan Primack for the Axios Re:Cap podcast.

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Airbnb value tops $100 billion in Wall Street debut

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