Alibaba Group’s 2014 initial public offering was the largest IPO at the time.
Alibaba began trading on the New York Stock Exchange in September 2014. The offering raised about $21.8 billion initially, and an overallotment option later increased the total to roughly $25 billion, making it the largest IPO then recorded.
The Chinese company operates major e-commerce platforms, including Taobao and Tmall, and has also developed businesses in cloud computing, logistics, digital media, and financial technology. Its scale made the listing a major event for global investors seeking exposure to Chinese internet commerce.
Alibaba’s IPO is often compared with later offerings, especially Saudi Aramco’s 2019 listing. The record therefore depends on the date being discussed: Alibaba held the record in 2014, while subsequent IPOs exceeded its proceeds.