Can I place a buy order during after hour session before the listing date of an IPO?

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No, you cannot place an order for shares which are not yet listed in the stock exchange. Not even in the after-hours trading setting.

But the exchanges allow a special pre-open trading session for IPO shares on a listing day (only first day of their trading). The pre-open session last for 45 minutes (9:00 AM to 9:45 AM) during which orders can be entered, modified and canceled.

The listing price of the IPO share is determined between 9:45 AM to 10 AM by the exchange based on the demand and supply of shares came in the pre-open trading window. At 10 AM the IPO stocks actually start trading in public.

If the listing price is equal or higher than the price you pre-open order to sell in pre-open; your shares are sold at the listing price in the pre-open trading session.

If the listing price is lower than your sell order price in the pre-open market, your pre-open order will be canceled.