tombstone

Tombstone

A written advertisement placed by investment bankers in a public offering of a security. It gives basic details about the issue and, in order of importance, the underwriting groups involved in the deal.

Investopedia Commentary

So-called because of its black border and heavy black print, the tombstone provides investors with "bare bones" information, usually directing prospective investors to where they can find a red herring/prospectus.

In practice, the tombstone is sometimes made after the issue has been sold.

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See also: Bulge Bracket, Investment Banker, IPO, Prospectus, Red Herring, Underwriting

Also spelled: tomb stone

tombstone

An advertisement for a securities issue. The ad lists the security, some of the security's specifics, and a bracketed list of the members of the syndicate selling the issue in the order of the members' importance. The term derives from the fact that the notice appears as a matter of record after the sale has been completed.