IPOs in the US markets

[johntherevelato]

Just wondering what the general consensus is on IPOs.

Is taking part in an IPO very much an 'ad hoc' affair? In other words, it depends more on the situation with the brokers?

[DuaneG]

Traditionally, most institutions are allocated a certain amount of IPO shares for distribution among various brokerage clients. The availability of these shares from various brokers tends to rely on a number of factors; (i.e.) account size, trading activity and so on. All of this varies from brokerage to brokerage.