Initial Public Offerings Direct Public Offerings
Shares are offered before the market opens Shares are offered directly to the public on the open market
Not all investors may have access to the listed shares at first Everyone has access to the shares at the same time
The issuing company typically relies on an underwriter The issuing company does not utilize an underwriter
The underwriter advises on the terms of the offering The issuing company proceeds without underwriter assistance
Generally attractive for larger companies Generally attractive for smaller companies
Process typically takes more time Process is usually faster