What seems like yesterday was over 20 years ago.
So we’re hopping into a time capsule to revisit an unforgettable year – 1998.
This was when over 350 companies took the plunge with their Initial Public Offerings (IPOs).
Whether its stock is climbing, it was acquired, or liquidated, each company’s journey holds unique lessons that we can leverage in today’s competitive business landscape.
So in this article, I’m going to share the companies that went public and how they’re doing today.
Table of contents
ToggleMajor world events that happened in 1998 that affected the stock markets

Before we get into the list of companies, it’s important to reflect on all of the major events that occurred. Some of which had major influence over the companies that went public. Each of these events left a mark on the companies that debuted on the stock market in 1998. You might even remember them vividly.
Dot-com Boom Ignites: 1998 was a hot year for tech with big Internet companies like Broadcast.com and GeoCities going public. But the dot-com party didn’t last forever, as these companies would see a major downturn just a few years later (p.s. take a look at IPOs that occurred in 1999, 2001, and 2001 for some hints).
Asian Financial Crisis: Despite the Asian financial crisis that started in 1997, companies like China Telecom (now China Mobile) braved the storm and went public, showing resilience in tough economic times which reinforced how bullish they were.
Microsoft Legal Battle: In 1998, the U.S. Department of Justice and 20 states took Microsoft to court over antitrust issues. This caused ripples in the tech industry, casting a shadow over tech IPOs during the year.
Merger Fever: Big corporate mergers were the talk of the town. Exxon and Mobil joined forces to become the world’s largest company, ExxonMobil. This caused a stir in the market and influenced the performance of public companies in related sectors.
Economic Shakeups: The Russian financial crisis in 1998 sent shockwaves through global markets when the government defaulted on its debt. This naturally scared investors and affected the performance of companies that went public in 1998.
4 household brand names that had their IPO in 1998
1. Adams Golf (acquired)
- Country: United States of America
- Stock Exchange: NASDAQ
- Industry: 3D Printing, Manufacturing, Sports
- IPO Price: $16
- IPO Date: July 10, 1998
If you’ve ever played Golf then Adams Golf products might be a staple in your collection. They specialize in creating high-performance clubs that are designed to help golfers of all levels improve their game. Their products include drivers, fairway woods, hybrids, irons, wedges, putters, and golf bags. They also offer custom fitting services to ensure that golfers get the perfect clubs for their game. Over the years they’ve built one of the best sporting brands which eventually led to their acquisition.
2. DoubleClick (acquired by Google)
- Country: United States of America
- Stock Exchange: NASDAQ
- Industry: Online Advertising
- IPO Price: $29
- IPO Date: February 1998
DoubleClick was a well-known digital marketing company that provided “pay-per-click” ad services to businesses that wanted to reach their target audiences. It offered a range of other services, including ad serving, search engine marketing, display advertising, and analytics. It was eventually acquired by Google in a very lucrative deal.
3. eBay
- Country: United States of America
- Stock Exchange: NASDAQ
- Industry: Internet Retail
- IPO Price: $18
- IPO Date: September 4, 1998
eBay was the reason I made my first dollar online. It’s where I learned how to buy and sell used goods and it eventually become a website I was using daily. For those that aren’t familiar, they’re an online marketplace that allows people to buy and sell goods and services. Whilst eBay was one of the earlier innovators, companies like Amazon have eaten into their market share.
4. Muji (Owned by Ryohin Keikaku Co Ltd)
- Country: Japan
- Stock Exchange: Tokyo Stock Exchange (JPX)
- Industry: Retail
- IPO Price: N/A
- IPO Date: December 14, 1998
Muji is a Japanese retail company that offers a wide range of products, from clothing and furniture to stationery and food. This is actually one of my favorite stationary brands, I don’t actually own any stationary other than Muji! Their focus is on providing high-quality, affordable items that are simple and functional. Muji’s philosophy is to reduce waste and promote sustainability, something very popular in 2023.
350+ companies that had their IPO in 1998
Company name | Year founded | Ticker | Current status |
---|---|---|---|
1-800 CONTACTS INC | 1995 | CTAC | Active |
21st Century Holding Company | 1983 | TCHC | Active |
800 Travel Systems Inc | 1995 | IFLY | Unknown |
Abgenix Inc | 1996 | ABGX | Acquired by Amgen. |
AboveNet Communications Inc | 1996 | ABOV | Acquired by Zayo Group. |
ACLN Ltd | 1978 | ACLNF | Unknown |
ACSYS Inc | 1997 | ACSY | Active |
Actuate Software Corp | 1994 | ACTU | Acquired by OpenText. |
Adams Golf Inc | 1987 | ADGO | Acquired by TaylorMade |
Admiralty Bancorp Inc, FL | 1987 | AAABB | Active |
Advanced Communications Group | 1987 | ADG | Unknown |
Allegiance Telecom Inc | 1997 | ALGX | Acquired |
Alstom SA | N/A | ALS | Active |
Ambassador Eyewear Group Inc | N/A | AEY | Active |
Ambient Corporation | 1996 | ABTG | Inactive. |
Amdocs Ltd | 1982 | DOX | Active |
American Aircarriers Support | 1985 | AIRS | Unknown |
American Bank Note Holograph | 1993 | ABH | Active |
American Dental Partners Inc | 1995 | ADPI | Active |
American Safety Insurance Hld | 1986 | ASI | Acquired by Fairfax |
American Xtal Technology | 1986 | AXTI | Active |
Amkor Technology Inc | 1970 | AMKR | Active |
Amresco Capital Trust | N/A | AMCT | Inactive |
Annuity and Life RE Holdings | 1997 | ALREF | Active |
AnswerThink Consulting Group | 1997 | ANSR | Acquired |
Anthracite Capital | N/A | AHR | Acquired |
Anworth Mortgage Asset Corp | N/A | ANH | Active |
AquaPenn Spring Water Co Inc | 1986 | APN | Active |
ARM Holdings PLC | N/A | ARMHY | Acquired by NVIDIA |
Artificial Life Inc | 1994 | ALIF | Inactive |
Artisan Components Inc | 1991 | ARTI | Acquired by ARM |
Aspec Technology Inc | 1991 | ASPC | Unknown |
Associated Materials Inc | 1986 | SIDE | Acquired by Ply Gem Industries Inc. |
Astropower Inc | 1983 | APWR | Inactive |
Asymetrix Learning Systems Inc | 1984 | ASYM | Inactive. |
ATG Inc | 1976 | ATGC | Acquired by Uber. |
Atlantic Data Services Inc | 1980 | ADSC | Inactive. |
audiohighway.com | N/A | AHWY | Inactive. |
Aurora Foods Inc | 1901 | AOR | Acquired |
Balance Bar Co | 1992 | BBAR | Acquired by NBTY Inc. |
Balanced Care Corp | 1995 | BAL | Inactive. |
Banc Corp, Birmingham,Alabama | 1957 | TBNC | Active |
Banco Santander de Puerto Rico | N/A | SBP | Active |
BankFirst Corp | 1988 | BKFR | Active |
Bebe Stores Inc | 1976 | BEBE | Inactive |
Bindview Development | 1990 | BVEW | Inactive |
BioShield Technologies Inc | N/A | MVLA | Active |
Birner Dental Mngmt Svcs Inc | 1995 | BDMS | Active |
BlackRock High Yield Trust | N/A | BHY | Active |
Blue Rhino Corp | 1994 | RINO | Active |
Blue River Bancshares Inc | 1937 | BRBI | Active |
BMJ Medical Management Inc | 1996 | BONS | Unknown |
BNC Mortgage Inc | 1995 | BNCM | Inactive |
BrightStar Information Tech | 1987 | BTSR | Active |
Brio Technology Inc | 1989 | BRYO | Unknown |
Broadcast.Com Inc | 1995 | BCST | Acquired by Yahoo! |
Broadcom Corp | 1991 | BRCM | Acquired by Avago. |
Burnham Pacific Properties Inc | N/A | BPP | Inactive |
C2I Solutions Inc | 1996 | CTWO | Active |
Cabot Industrial Trust | N/A | CTR | Active |
Caliber Learning Network Inc | 1996 | CLBR | Inactive |
Capital Automotive REIT | 1997 | CARS | Active |
Capstar Broadcasting Corp | 1996 | CRB | Acquired |
Cardinal Financial Corporation | 1997 | CFNL | Acquired by United Bankshares, Inc. |
Career Education Corp | 1994 | CECO | Active |
Carreker-Antinori Inc | 1978 | CANI | Acquired by Fiserv. |
Carrier Access Corporation | 1992 | CACS | Inactive |
Cash Technologies Inc | 1995 | CHNG | Inactive. |
Cavanaughs Hospitality Corp | 1969 | CVH | Unknown |
CDnow Inc | 1994 | CDNW | Acquired. |
Celestica Inc | 1923 | CLS | Active |
Central European Distribution | 1990 | CEDC | Active |
Championship Auto Racing Teams | 1978 | OPW | Defunct |
Charles River Associates Inc | 1965 | CRAI | Active |
Chartwell Div and Income Fd | N/A | CWF | Active |
Chastain Capital Corp | N/A | CHAS | Inactive |
Citadel Communications Corp | 1984 | CITC | Active |
Clark/Bardes Holdings Inc | 1967 | CLKB | Acquired by Aon. |
Clarkston Financial Corp | N/A | Inactive. | |
Cleveland Indians Baseball | 1901 | CLEV | Active |
CNB Holdings Inc | N/A | Unknown. | |
Cognizant Technology Solutions | 1994 | CTSH | Active |
Collateral Therapeutics Inc | 1995 | CLTX | Acquired by Schering-Plough |
Colorado Business Bankshares | 1980 | COBZ | Acquired |
Columbia Sportswear Co | 1938 | COLM | Active |
COM21 Inc | 1992 | CMTO | Inactive |
CombiChem | 1994 | CCHM | Inactive |
Command Systems Inc | 1985 | CMND | Active |
Compass International Svcs | 1997 | CMPS | Active |
Computer Literacy Inc | 1994 | CMPL | Inactive. |
CompX International Inc | 1993 | CIX | Active |
Concur Technologies Inc | 1993 | CNQR | Acquired by SAP. |
Condor Technology Solutions | 1996 | CNDR | Active |
Conoco(EI du Pont de Nemours) | 1875 | COC | Active |
Conrad Industries | 1948 | CNRD | Active |
Conseco Strategic Income Fund | N/A | CFD | Active |
Convergys(Cincinnati Bell) | 1983 | CVG | Acquired by Concentrix. |
Corporate High Yield Fund III | N/A | CYE | Active |
Cost U Less Inc | 1989 | CULS | Unknown |
Cowlitz Bancorp, Longview, WA | 1978 | CWLZ | Active |
CPS Systems Inc | 1975 | SYS | Active |
CrediTrust Corporation | 1991 | CRDT | Inactive. |
Crown Castle International | 1994 | CCI | Active |
Crusader Holding Corp, PA | 1943 | CRSB | Active |
CSK Auto Corp | 1917 | CAO | Acquired by OโReilly Auto Parts |
CulturalAccessWorldwide Inc | 1983 | CAWW | Unknown |
CUMETRIX Inc | 1996 | CDSC | Active |
Cumulus Media Inc | 1941 | CMLS | Active |
Cunningham Graphics Inter Inc | 1989 | CGII | Unknown |
CuraGen Corp | 1991 | CRGN | Inactive |
Curtis International | 1990 | CURTF | Active |
Cyberian Outpost | 1995 | COOL | Inactive |
CyberShop International Inc | 1994 | CYSP | Inactive. |
DA Consulting Group Inc | 1984 | DACG | Active |
Dearborn Bancorp Inc | 1992 | DEAR | Acquired by TCF Financial Corporation |
Debt Strategies Fund II Inc | N/A | DSU | Active |
Debt Strategies Fund III | N/A | DBU | Active |
Decoma International | 1957 | DECAF | Acquired by Magna International |
Dectron Internationale Inc | 1977 | DECT | Active |
Delicious Brands Inc | 1988 | DBSI | Active |
Digital River Inc | 1994 | DRIV | Active |
Dispatch Management Services | 1996 | DMSC | Active |
Diversified Senior Services | 1996 | DISS | Unknown |
Dorel Industries Inc | 1962 | DIIBF | Active |
DoubleClick Inc | 1996 | DCLK | Acquired by Google. |
Dreyfus High Yld Strategies Fd | N/A | DHF | Active |
DSET Corp | 1989 | DSET | Unknown |
Duane Reade Inc | 1960 | DRD | Acquired by Walgreens |
E-Tek Dynamics Inc | 1983 | ETEK | Inactive |
EarthShell Corp | 1992 | ERTH | Inactive. |
EarthWeb Inc | 1994 | EWBX | Acquired by Dice Holdings Inc. |
eBay Inc | 1995 | EBAY | Active |
Echelon Corp | 1988 | ELON | Active |
Eclipsys Corp | 1995 | ECLP | Acquired by Allscripts |
ElderTrust Realty Group | 1997 | ETT | Active |
Electronics Boutique Hldng Cor | 1977 | ELBO | Acquired by GameStop. |
Emultek | 1993 | EMU | Inactive |
Entrust Technologies Inc | 1994 | ENTU | Acquired by Datacard Group. |
Equant NV | 1991 | ENT | Acquired by Orange. |
Equity One Inc | 1992 | EQY | Acquired by Regency Centers Corporation |
Evolving Systems Inc | 1985 | EVOL | Active |
Exchange Applications Inc | 1994 | EXAP | Inactive |
Exodus Communications Inc | 1992 | EXDS | Defunct |
Extended Systems Inc | 1984 | XTND | Acquired by Sybase. |
Factual Data Corp | N/A | FDCC | Active |
Federated Investors | 1957 | FII | Active |
First Community Corp | N/A | Active | |
First Consulting Group Inc | 1980 | FCGI | Acquired by CSC |
First Virtual Corp | 1993 | FVCX | Inactive |
FirstLink Communications Inc | 1994 | FLCI | Unknown |
Florida Banks Inc | 1997 | FLBK | Active |
Fox Entertainment Group Inc | 1985 | FOX | Acquired by Disney |
Freedom Securities Corp | 1975 | FSI | Inactive. |
Frisby Technologies Inc | 1989 | FRIZ | Inactive. |
Frontline Communications Corp | 1997 | FCCN | Active |
Fundtech Ltd | 1993 | FNDTF | Acquired by D+H Corporation. |
Galvestons Steakhouse Corp | 1996 | SIZL | Unknown |
Genesis Direct Inc | 1995 | GEND | Unknown |
Genesis Microchip Inc | 1987 | GNSS | Acquired by STMicroelectronics |
GeoCities | 1994 | GCTY | Inactive |
Gerber Childrenswear(Gerber) | 1989 | GCW | Active |
Giga Information Group Inc | 1993 | GIGX | Acquired by Forrester Research Inc. |
Gildan Activewear Inc | 1984 | GIL | Active |
GLB Bancorp Inc, Mentor, Ohio | 1994 | GLBK | Acquired by First Commonwealth Bank. |
Global Crossing Ltd | 1997 | GBLC | Bankrupt |
Global Imaging Systems Inc | 1994 | GISX | Acquired by Xerox. |
Global TeleSystems Group Inc | 1983 | GTSG | Acquired |
Global Vacation Group Inc | 1959 | GVG | Unknown |
Global-Tech Appliances | 1991 | GAI | Acquired by Welbilt |
Golden State Vintners | 1933 | VINT | Acquired |
Grand Court Lifestyles Inc | 1996 | GCLI | Inactive |
Guaranty Bancshares Inc | 1913 | GNTY | Active |
Happy Kids Inc | 1979 | HKID | Unknown |
Harvey Electronics Inc | 1926 | HRVE | Inactive |
Hastings Entertainment Inc | 1968 | HAST | Bankrupt |
Havana Group Inc | 1957 | HVGPU | Unknown |
Hawk Corp | 1989 | HWK | Inactive. |
Hawker Pacific Aerospace | 1980 | HPAC | Acquired by Jet Aviation |
Headlands Mortgage Corp, CA | 1981 | HDLD | Inactive. |
Heller Financial Inc | 1919 | HF | Acquired |
Hines Horticulture Inc | 1920 | HORT | Acquired |
HLM Design Inc | 1997 | HLMD | Active |
Hometown Auto Retailers Inc | 1993 | HCAR | Active |
Horizon Medical Products Inc | 1990 | HMPS | Unknown |
Horizon Offshore Inc | 1995 | HOFF | Inactive |
Horizon Organic Holding Corp | 1991 | HCOW | Acquired by Danone. |
Host America Corp | 1985 | CAFE | Inactive |
Hyperion Telecommunications | 1991 | HYPT | Inactive |
Hypertension Diagnostics Inc | N/A | HDII | Inactive. |
IBS Interactive Inc | 1995 | IBSX | Inactive. |
ICO Global Communications | 1995 | ICOGF | Inactive |
Icon CMT Corp | 1991 | ICMT | Active |
ICON PLC | N/A | ICLRY | Active |
IDG Books Worldwide Inc | 1990 | IDGB | Acquired |
Incam AG | N/A | INAGY | Active |
Indigo Aviation AB | 1988 | IAABY | Active |
Industrial Rubber Products Inc | 1986 | INRB | Active |
Infinity Broadcasting Corp | 1972 | INF | Acquired |
Information Holdings Inc | 1996 | IHI | Unknown |
InfoSpace.com | 1996 | INSP | Active |
Inktomi Corporation | 1996 | INKT | Acquired by Yahoo. |
Innotrac Corp | 1984 | INOC | Acquired by Radial Inc. |
Integrated Electrical Services | 1962 | IES | Active |
Integrated Sensor Solutions In | 1989 | ISNR | Active |
Interactive Magic | 1994 | IMGK | Inactive |
InterCept Group Inc | 1986 | ICG | Acquired by Fidelity National Information Services (FIS) |
International Integration Inc | 1981 | ICUB | Unknown. |
Internet America Inc | 1995 | GEEK | Active |
Interplay Entertainment | 1982 | IPLY | Active |
Iomed Inc | 1974 | IOX | Inactive |
ISS Group Inc | 1992 | ISSX | Active |
iXOS Software | N/A | XOSY | Active |
Jenkon International | 1982 | JNKN | Inactive |
Jinpan International Ltd | 1997 | JST | Acquired by Hauman Technologies Corporation. |
Keebler Foods Co | 1853 | KBL | Acquired by Kelloggโs. |
King Pharmaceuticals Inc | 1993 | KING | Acquired |
Knight Trimark Group | 1986 | NITE | Acquired by TD Securities |
L-3 Communications Holdings | 1977 | LLL | Acquired by Harris Corporation |
Ladish Co Inc | 1987 | LDSH | Acquired by ATI |
Lamar Capital Corp | 1904 | LCCO | Active |
LandCARE USA Inc | 1997 | GRW | Active |
Lincoln Heritage Corporation | 1980 | LHC | Active |
LJ International Inc | 1987 | JADEF | Inactive. |
LJL Biosystems | 1988 | LJLB | Inactive |
LMI Aerospace Inc | 1948 | LMIA | Acquired by Sonaca Group. |
Macatawa Bank Corporation | N/A | Active | |
Managed High Yield Plus Fund | N/A | HYF | Active |
Manhattan Associates Inc | 1990 | MANH | Active |
MarineMax | 1971 | HZO | Active |
Master Graphics Inc | 1968 | MAGR | Unknown |
Maxtor Corp | 1982 | MXTR | Acquired by Seagate. |
Med-Emerg International Inc | N/A | MDERF | Unknown |
MegaBank Financial Corp | 1984 | MBFC | Active |
Mercury Computer Systems Inc | 1981 | MRCY | Acquired by Vector Capital |
Merge Technologies Inc | 1986 | MRGE | Active |
Merkert American Corporation | 1934 | MERK | Inactive. |
Merrill Merchants Bancshares | 1992 | MERB | Active |
MetroCorp Bancshares Inc | 1987 | MCBI | Acquired. |
MGC Communications Inc | 1996 | MGCX | Inactive |
Micromuse, Inc | 1989 | MUSE | Acquired by IBM. |
MicroStrategy Inc | 1989 | MSTR | Active |
Midwest Banc Holdings Inc | 1983 | MBHI | Acquired. |
Miller Exploration Co | 1925 | MEXP | Inactive |
MIPS Technologies Inc | 1992 | MIPS | Acquired by Wave Computing. |
Mobius Management Systems Inc | 1981 | MOBI | Inactive |
MONY Group Inc | 1901 | MNY | Acquired by AXA. |
MuniHoldings CA Insd Fund II | N/A | MUC | Active |
MuniHoldings California III | N/A | MCF | Active |
MuniHoldings Florida In Fd III | N/A | MFD | Active |
MuniHoldings Florida Ins II | N/A | MUF | Active |
MuniHoldings Fund II Inc | N/A | MUH | Active |
MuniHoldings Insured Fund Inc | N/A | MUS | Active |
MuniHoldings New Jersey | N/A | MUJ | Active |
MuniHoldings New York Fund Inc | N/A | MUN | Active |
MuniHoldings NJ Insured Fd II | N/A | MWJ | Active |
MuniHoldings NY Ins Fund II | N/A | MNU | Active |
Muse Technologies Inc | N/A | MUZE | Unknown |
Nanogen Inc | 1991 | NGEN | Inactive |
National Equipment Services | 1979 | NSV | Unknown |
NationsRent Inc | 1997 | NRI | Inactive |
Natrol Inc | 1981 | NTOL | Acquired by Aurobindo Pharma. |
Navigant International Inc | 1983 | FLYR | Active |
NEFF Corp | 1988 | NFF | Active |
NetGravity Inc | 1995 | NETG | Acquired by DoubleClick. |
Network-1 Security Solutions | 1990 | NSSI | Active |
New American Healthcare Corp | 1995 | NAH | Unknown |
Newmark Homes Corp | 1983 | NHCH | Active |
Noga Electronics Ltd | 1986 | NOGAF | Active |
Northeast Optic Network Inc | 1981 | NOPT | Unknown |
Nutraceutical International | 1993 | NUTR | Active |
Omega Protein Corporation | 1913 | OME | Acquired by Cooke Inc. |
ONIX Systems Inc | 1994 | ONX | Inactive. |
Ontro Inc | N/A | ONTR | Unknown |
Ophidian Pharmaceuticals Inc | N/A | OPHD | Inactive |
Paradigm Geophysical Ltd | 1988 | PGEOF | Unknown |
PawnMart Inc | 1994 | PMRT | Active |
PBOC Holdings Inc, CA | 1987 | PBOC | Active |
PC Connection Inc | 1983 | PCCC | Active |
Pentacon Inc | 1997 | JIT | Unknown |
Pentegra Dental Group Inc | 1997 | PEN | Active |
PF Changโs China Bistro Inc | 1993 | PFCB | Active |
Philips International Realty | N/A | PHR | Active |
Pilot Network Services | 1992 | PILT | Inactive |
PMCC Financial Corp | 1991 | PFC | Inactive. |
Point of Sale Ltd | 1982 | POSI | Unknown |
Pointe Financial Corp, FL | 1993 | PNTE | Active |
Professional Detailing Inc | 1988 | PDII | Active |
Prosperity Bancshares Inc, TX | 1983 | PRSP | Active |
Provant Inc | 1996 | POVT | Inactive |
Province Healthcare Co | 1975 | PRHC | Unknown |
Quanta Services Inc | 1997 | PWR | Active |
Ragen MacKenzie Group Inc | 1982 | RMG | Unknown |
RailWorks Corp | 1966 | RWKS | Active |
Rainbow Rentals | 1986 | RBOW | Inactive. |
Realax Software AG | N/A | RLAXY | Active |
Realty Information Group Inc | 1987 | RIGX | Active |
Registry Magic Inc | 1995 | RMAG | Unknown |
Reltec Corp | 1938 | RLT | Inactive. |
Republic Bancorp | 1982 | RBCAA | Active |
Republic Banking Corp, Miami | 1965 | RBCF | Active |
Republic Services Inc | 1975 | RSG | Active |
ResortQuest International | 1997 | RZT | Acquired |
Resource Asset Investment | 1997 | RAS | Active |
Restoration Hardware Inc | 1987 | RSTO | Active |
Rhodia SA(Rhone-Poulenc) | N/A | RHA | Acquired by Solvay. |
RiboGene Inc | 1989 | RBO | Inactive. |
Ritchie Bros Auctioneers Inc | 1963 | RBA | Active |
Rock Financial Corp | 1985 | RCCK | Acquired by Quicken Loans. |
Rockwell Medical Technologies | N/A | RMTI | Active |
Rollerball International Inc | 1994 | ROLL | Inactive. |
Rosedale Decorative Products | 1913 | ROSDF | Inactive |
Royal Olympic Cruises Inc | 1995 | ROCLF | Inactive |
Sauer | 1960 | SHS | Active |
SCC Communications Corp | 1979 | SCCX | Inactive |
Schein Pharmaceutical Inc | 1985 | SHP | Inactive |
School Specialty Inc | 1960 | SCHS | Active |
SCNV Acquisition Corp | N/A | SAQCU | Active |
Select Comfort Corp | 1987 | AIRB | Acquired by Serta Simmons Bedding LLC |
Sherwood Brands Inc | 1982 | SHD | Active |
Shoe Pavilion Inc | 1979 | SHOE | Inactive |
Showpower Inc | 1987 | SHO | Unknown |
software.net Corp | 1994 | SWNT | Inactive |
Softworks Inc | 1977 | SWRX | Unknown |
Sonic Foundry Inc | N/A | SFO | Active |
SQL Financials International | 1991 | SQLF | Inactive |
Standard Automotive Corp | 1997 | AJX | Inactive |
Stav Electrical Systems (1994) | 1994 | SES | Active |
Steelcase Inc | 1912 | SCS | Active |
STET Hellas Telecommunications | N/A | STHLY | Active |
Steven Myers & Associates Inc | 1982 | WINS | Active |
SurModics Inc | 1979 | SRDX | Active |
Swisscom AG | N/A | SCM | Active |
Symphonix Devices Inc | 1994 | SMPX | Inactive |
Tag-It Pacific Inc | 1997 | TAG | Inactive |
Tam Restaurants Inc | 1981 | TAMR | Unknown |
Tarpon Coast Bancorp Inc | N/A | Acquired by Stonegate Bank | |
Team Communication Group Inc | 1995 | TMTV | Unknown |
Technisource Inc | 1987 | TSRC | Acquired. |
Terayon Communication Systems | 1993 | TERN | Acquired by Motorola |
theglobe.com inc | 1995 | TGLO | Inactive. |
Ticketmaster Online-CitySearch | 1996 | TMCS | Active |
Towne Services Inc | 1995 | TWNE | Inactive. |
Transgene | N/A | TRGNY | Active |
Transnational Financial Corp | 1985 | TFN | Unknown |
Transportation Components Inc | 1997 | TUI | Active |
Travelers Corporate Loan Fund | N/A | TLI | Active |
Tricom SA | N/A | TDR | Unknown |
Tristar Aerospace Co | 1973 | TSX | Active |
Tweeter Home Entertainment | 1983 | TWTR | Bankrupt |
uBID | 1997 | UBID | Inactive. |
Ultimate Software Group | 1990 | ULTI | Acquired by Kronos Incorporated |
UniCapital Corporation | 1972 | UCP | Inactive. |
Unigraphics Solutions Inc | 1991 | UGS | Acquired by Siemens. |
Uniservice Corp | 1997 | UNSRA | Active |
United Financial Holdings Inc | 1982 | UFHI | Active |
United Financial Mortgage | 1986 | UFM | Active |
United Investors Realty Trust | N/A | UIRT | Active |
United Panam Financial Corp | 1994 | UPFC | Inactive |
United Road Services Inc | 1997 | URSI | Active |
Ursus Telecom Corporation | 1993 | UTCC | Inactive |
US LEC Corp | 1996 | CLEC | Acquired |
USEC | 1952 | USU | Inactive |
USN Communications | 1993 | USNC | Inactive. |
Vail Banks Inc | 1977 | VAIL | Inactive |
Van Kampen Senior Income Trust | N/A | VVR | Active |
Verio Inc | 1996 | VRIO | Inactive |
VeriSign Inc | 1995 | VRSN | Active |
VI Technologies Inc | 1983 | VITX | Inactive |
ViaGrafix Corp | 1989 | VIAX | Inactive. |
Visual Networks | 1994 | VNWK | Inactive |
Vysis Inc | 1991 | VYSI | Acquired by Abbott Laboratories. |
Waddell & Reed Financial Inc | 1937 | WDR | Acquired by Macquarie Group. |
Washington Banking Company | 1961 | WBCO | Acquired by Heritage Bank |
Waste Connections Inc | 1997 | WCNX | Active |
Waterside Capital Corp | N/A | WSCC | Inactive. |
Wilshire Real Estate Inv Trust | N/A | WREI | Active |
Xoom.com Inc | 1996 | XMCM | Acquired by PayPal. |
Yanzhou Coal Mining Co Ltd | 1976 | YZC | Active |
Young & Rubicam Inc | 1923 | YNR | Active |
Ziff-Davis Inc(Softbank Corp) | 1927 | ZD | Active |
Frequently asked questions
How many IPOs were there in 1998?ย
There were approximately 380 IPOs in 1998 according toย Wikipedia,ย Crunchbase,ย Yahoo Finance,ย Techcrunch, and Jay R. Ritterโs data fromย UF Warrington College of Business.ย However, itโs hard to find a complete list of every company that has hit the stock exchange for the first time since the global data is fragmented. Please do your own research to confirm this figure.
Which company that had its IPO in 1998 is currently valued the highest?
As of June 2023, Republic Services leads with a market capitalization of $45B. Of course, this is subject to change and you should check for the latest data.ย
Which companies that had their IPO in 1998 are now defunct?
So far four companies have been classified as โdefunctโ, including Cyberian Outpost, Superior Bancior, RAIT Financial Trust, and TheGlobe.com.ย There is likely more since many were acquired and then absorbed into other brands.