Newsmax Stock Surges Over 700% in Explosive IPO Debut—Here’s What Happened

In a stunning debut on the New York Stock Exchange, Newsmax experienced an extraordinary stock surge, climbing over 700% on its first day of trading. The conservative news network began trading under the ticker symbol NMAX, quickly becoming one of the most talked-about initial public offerings of 2025. This remarkable rise drew parallels to other right-wing media stocks like Trump Media & Technology Group and Rumble, highlighting investor enthusiasm for conservative media despite challenges facing the broader industry.

A Volatile First Day

The trading action for Newsmax was nothing short of dramatic. Shares opened at $14 but skyrocketed to an intraday high of $82.25, prompting 12 trading halts due to extreme volatility. By the close of the market, Newsmax’s valuation had surged to over $7.3 billion, positioning it among established media giants such as The New York Times Company and Paramount. Even after-hours trading saw an additional 8% increase, pushing shares to $89.

Financial analysts were taken aback by the unprecedented movement. Mark Douglas, a seasoned market expert, commented that such volatility is uncommon for a media stock. He emphasized that the event underscores the overwhelming investor interest in conservative media, even in the face of financial uncertainties.

Comparing Newsmax to Other Right-Wing Media Stocks

Newsmax’s debut naturally invited comparisons to other right-wing media companies, particularly Trump Media & Technology Group, which went public in March 2024. While TMTG saw a 56% rise on its first day, its stock has since been heavily influenced by Donald Trump’s political activities and reported $401 million in net losses last year. Similarly, Rumble, the conservative video platform, peaked at $15.23 in late 2024 before declining to around $7.11 by March 2025.

Newsmax’s surge, however, was far more explosive, raising questions about whether this growth is sustainable or merely speculative hype.

The Road to the IPO

Prior to its public debut, Newsmax raised $75 million by selling 7.5 million shares at $10 each. Earlier this year, the company also secured $225 million in a private preferred offering. Another pivotal factor was the recent resolution of a high-profile defamation lawsuit with Smartmatic over false claims regarding the 2020 election, eliminating a significant legal hurdle ahead of the IPO.

Why This Matters

The performance of Newsmax’s stock reflects a broader trend of investor excitement surrounding conservative media, even as traditional cable news struggles with declining viewership. The network competes with Fox News, OANN, and other right-leaning outlets, but its IPO success suggests a unique level of market confidence—or speculation.

Past right-wing media IPOs, like TMTG and Rumble, experienced initial spikes before cooling off. Whether Newsmax can sustain its momentum remains uncertain. For now, the company’s explosive debut highlights how politics and finance often intersect in unpredictable ways.

The big question is whether Newsmax’s surge signals long-term growth or another speculative bubble. Only time will tell, but one thing is clear: conservative media continues to captivate Wall Street.