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August 18, 2004

Google's IPO - Will the stock sink or swim?

Posted by Adam Viener

As we anxiously await Google’s IPO which, according to Google could happen as soon as this week. It is worth taking a quick look back over some of the blunders made along the way.

Google has shown an irreverent attitude throughout the process. They have pushed forward with a dutch auction style offering in hopes to put more money in their pocket, or as their PR team puts it, more shares in the hands of individual investors... Now they have slashed the price range from $108-$135 per share to between $85-$95. I guess the demand they had predicted just wasn't there.

To add insult to injury, after the announced that they failed to register 23.2 million shares with the SEC that they sold to current and former employees and consultants, the company offered to buy these shares for $25.9 million. At this price, Google is saying to the world that they think their shares are only really worth $1.12 per share.

Throw in an interview with Playboy magazine by the founders during the company's SEC mandated quiet period, and you have a case of a young, irreverant compnay in desparate need of adult supervision.

As Google moves into the big leagues, it will be interesting if they will sink or swim.

Do you think Google will prosper like Yahoo and eBay or flounder like Netscape?