
A red herring prospectus is a document submitted by a company as part of an initial public offering (IPO) of securities, which can be stocks or bonds. It is a preliminary prospectus that does not contain complete information, particularly regarding the price of the securities offered and the number of securities to be issued. The term red herring refers to the bold red disclaimer on the cover page, stating that the prospectus is not yet effective and subject to change. This disclaimer also explicitly mentions that the document does not constitute an offer to sell securities. The red herring prospectus is circulated to potential investors during the quiet period before the registration statement becomes effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Definition | A red herring prospectus is a document submitted by a company as part of an initial public offering of securities (stocks or bonds) |
| Type of Document | Preliminary prospectus |
| Contents | Details of the company, but no details of the price of the shares or number of shares offered |
| Purpose | To "test the waters" and make adjustments as needed |
| Distribution | During the "quiet period", before the registration statement has become effective with the SEC |
| Disclaimer | A red-lettered disclaimer on the front page stating that the document is subject to change and does not constitute an offer to sell securities |
| Legal Requirements | Compliance with regulations, comprehensive disclosure of financials, business plans, risks, and other key details |
| Examples | Facebook's 2012 IPO filing |
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What You'll Learn
- Red herring prospectuses are shared with institutional investors during the quiet period
- A red herring is a preliminary prospectus filed with the SEC, usually in connection with an IPO
- A red herring prospectus contains most of the information pertaining to a company's operations and prospects
- The red herring statement contains names and addresses of officers, directors, underwriters, and stockholders
- The red herring prospectus is a roadmap for investors and a tool for companies to present their story to the market

Red herring prospectuses are shared with institutional investors during the quiet period
A red herring prospectus is a preliminary document submitted by a company as part of an initial public offering (IPO) of securities, which are either stocks or bonds. It is a document circulated by a company that is selling shares for the first time, providing details of the company but omitting key details such as the price of the shares. The red herring prospectus is shared among institutional investors during the quiet period, before the registration statement has become effective with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
The name "red herring" comes from the red-lettered disclaimer on the front page, which states that the document is not yet complete and may be changed. This disclaimer also makes clear that the securities may not be sold, and offers to buy may not be accepted, until the registration statement becomes effective. In other words, the red herring prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell securities.
The red herring prospectus is a vital document in the IPO process, serving as a roadmap for potential investors and a tool for companies to present their story to the market. It is often the first prospectus filed with the SEC, and it may refer to various subsequent drafts created before approval for public release. The SEC must thoroughly review the red herring prospectus to ensure it does not include any false or misleading statements.
During the quiet period, the red herring prospectus is shared with institutional investors, who provide feedback to the company and its advisors. This feedback is important, as it can shape the final prospectus, and changes are usually made to cater to the specific interests of these investors. Once the registration statement is effective, a final prospectus is prepared and distributed, containing the final public offering price and the number of shares issued.
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A red herring is a preliminary prospectus filed with the SEC, usually in connection with an IPO
A red herring prospectus is a preliminary document submitted by a company as part of its initial public offering >(IPO) of securities, which are either stocks or bonds. It is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and contains most of the information pertaining to the company's operations, including details of the offering, such as the type of shares and their features. Notably, a red herring prospectus does not include key details such as the price of the securities and the number of shares offered. This is because the document is intended to be amendable, allowing for changes based on feedback from investors and the SEC.
The name "red herring" originates from the bold red disclaimer on the cover page, which states that the prospectus is not yet effective and is subject to change. Specifically, the disclaimer indicates that a registration statement relating to the securities has been filed with the SEC, but the securities cannot be sold or offered for purchase until the registration statement becomes effective. This preliminary prospectus is distributed during the "quiet period" before the registration statement has become effective. Once the registration statement is effective, a ""final prospectus" is prepared and distributed, which includes the final public offering price and the number of shares issued.
The red herring prospectus is an important document in the IPO process, serving as a roadmap for potential investors and allowing companies to present their story to the market. It is shared among institutional investors during the "road show" or ""quiet period" to gauge their interest and thoughts on the proposed offering's terms. Although the red herring prospectus does not include all the details, potential investors can indicate their interest provided they receive a copy at least 48 to 72 hours before the public sale.
Overall, the red herring prospectus is a key step in the IPO process, enabling companies to gather feedback and make adjustments before the final prospectus is filed with the SEC and the public offering of shares can be completed.
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A red herring prospectus contains most of the information pertaining to a company's operations and prospects
A red herring prospectus is a document submitted by a company as part of an initial public offering (IPO) of securities, which are either stocks or bonds. It is a preliminary prospectus filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and is usually connected to a company's IPO. The document contains most of the information pertaining to a company's operations and prospects, including details of the offering, such as the type of shares and their features, as well as the overall size of the offering. It also includes a list of risks associated with the company and the offering, such as market risks and industry-specific risks.
However, a red herring prospectus does not include key details such as the price of the securities and the number of shares offered. This is because the document is subject to change and is not yet approved by the SEC. The name "red herring" comes from the bold red disclaimer on the cover page, which states that the information in the prospectus is not complete and may change. This disclaimer also mentions that the securities cannot be sold, and offers to buy may not be accepted, until the registration statement becomes effective.
The red herring prospectus is important as it serves as a roadmap for potential investors, providing them with information about the company and its offerings. It also allows companies to present their story to the market and gauge interest from investors. During the "quiet period", the red herring prospectus is shared with institutional investors to get their feedback and make adjustments before the final prospectus is filed. The final prospectus, also known as the S-1 filing, contains all the necessary information about the IPO and is approved by the SEC.
In summary, a red herring prospectus contains most of the information about a company's operations and prospects but excludes key details such as pricing and share numbers. It is a preliminary document that is subject to change and is used to test the waters before the final prospectus is filed and the IPO process can be completed.
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The red herring statement contains names and addresses of officers, directors, underwriters, and stockholders
A red herring prospectus is a document submitted by a company as part of an initial public offering (IPO) of securities, which can be stocks or bonds. It is a preliminary prospectus that is filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and does not include key details such as the price of the securities and the number of shares offered. The red herring statement contains the names and addresses of all officers, directors, underwriters, and stockholders owning 10% or more of the current outstanding stock.
The term "red herring" comes from the bold red disclaimer on the cover page, which states that the registration statement relating to the securities being offered has been filed with the SEC but is not yet effective. This means that the information in the prospectus is subject to change and the securities cannot be sold until the registration statement becomes effective. The red herring prospectus is shared among institutional investors during the "quiet period" or "road show" to gauge their interest and get feedback. It is a preliminary document that precedes the final prospectus, which contains all the necessary information for investors to make informed decisions.
The red herring prospectus is an important document in the IPO process, serving as a roadmap for potential investors and a tool for companies to present their story to the market. It provides details about the company, including information about the securities being offered, the type of shares, their features, and the overall size of the offering. It also includes a comprehensive list of risks associated with the company and the offering, as well as information about the company's promoters, board of directors, and key management personnel.
The red herring prospectus is subject to regulatory requirements and must provide transparent and accurate disclosures. In some cases, there may be misrepresentation or incomplete disclosure in the red herring prospectus, which can lead to legal consequences. Overall, the red herring prospectus plays a crucial role in the IPO process by providing preliminary information to potential investors and allowing companies to test the market before the final prospectus is approved and the IPO is completed.
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The red herring prospectus is a roadmap for investors and a tool for companies to present their story to the market
A red herring prospectus is a preliminary document drafted by companies during the initial stages of an initial public offering (IPO). It is a document submitted by a company as part of a public offering of securities, either stocks or bonds. The red herring prospectus is a roadmap for investors and a tool for companies to present their story to the market.
The red herring prospectus contains most of the information pertaining to the company's operations and prospects but does not include key details of the security issue, such as the price and number of shares offered. It is shared among institutional investors during the "quiet period" of the "road show", i.e., the period during which a company sets up meetings with investors to gauge their interest and thoughts around the proposed offering's terms. The red herring prospectus is also used to test the waters and make adjustments as needed before the final prospectus filing.
The name "red herring" comes from the red-lettered disclaimer displayed on the front page of each preliminary prospectus. This disclaimer states that the prospectus is not complete and may be changed, and that the securities may not be sold or offered for purchase until the registration statement filed with the market regulator becomes effective. In other words, the red herring prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell securities.
Once the registration statement becomes effective, a "Final Prospectus" is prepared and distributed, which includes the final public offering price and the number of shares issued. Only then can the public offering of shares be completed.
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Frequently asked questions
A red herring is a preliminary prospectus filed with the SEC, usually in connection with an IPO. It does not include key details such as the price and number of shares offered.
A red herring prospectus contains most of the information pertaining to the company's operations and prospects. It also includes a bold red disclaimer on the front page stating that the information in the prospectus is not complete and may be changed, and that the securities may not be sold until the registration statement becomes effective.
No, a red herring is not an offer to sell securities. It is a preliminary document that is filed with the SEC during the "quiet period" before the registration statement has become effective. Once the registration statement is effective, a "Final Prospectus" is prepared and distributed, which includes the final public offering price and the number of shares issued.



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