Sotheby's is a multinational auction house and luxury brand specializing in fine and decorative arts, jewelry, watches, wine, real estate, and collectibles. Founded in 1744, it operates as the world's premier destination for art and luxury goods with a global presence across 40 countries and 70 categories. The company operates through online and in-person auctions, private sales, e-commerce, and retail channels supported by proprietary technology.
Sotheby's is publicly traded
IPO'd on 1988
This company is no longer available on our private secondary market. Shares can be traded publicly under BID.
Company data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Founded
1744
Employees
2,800–3,000
Est. Revenue
$6.0B
-23% YoY
Total Funding
$4.7B
2 rounds
Last Private Valuation
$3.7B
October 30, 2024
Total raised $4.7B across 2 rounds
Funding data and valuation marks are estimates and may be incomplete, stale, erroneous, or revised.
Last updated 06-25-2026
Latest Round
Type
Take-private
Date
2019
Amount
$3.7B
Valuation
$3.7B
Lead Investors
| Date | Round | Amount Raised | Valuation | Lead Investors |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| October 30, 2024 | Minority growth investment | $1B | — | ADQ |
| 2019 | Take-private | $3.7B | $3.7B | BidFair USA |
Charles F. Stewart
Chief Executive Officer
David Kownator
Chief Financial Officer
Competitor list is illustrative and may be incomplete, stale, or erroneous.
Christie's
Global auction house for fine art, jewelry, watches, and luxury goods; major competitor in high-end art auctions
Bonhams
International fine art and antiques auctioneer with presence in London, New York, and other major cities
Gagosian Gallery
Leading contemporary art gallery network with global footprint and private sales focus
Yes, Sotheby's is publicly traded under the ticker symbol BID on the NYSE. The company went public in 1988.
Sotheby's trades under the ticker symbol BID on the NYSE. It began trading in 1988.
Sotheby's (BID on the NYSE) shares can be purchased through any standard brokerage account — including Fidelity, Charles Schwab, TD Ameritrade, and online platforms like Robinhood or E*TRADE. Search for the ticker BID to place an order.
Sotheby's went public in 1988 via ipo, with an offering valuation of approximately $3.7B. Sotheby's was taken private in October 2019 by Patrick Drahi's BidFair USA for $3.7 billion (at $57 per share). The company remains privately held as of May 2026, with no active IPO filings. In October 2024, Abu Dhabi's ADQ acquired a minority equity stake for $1 billion, with approximately $800 million used to reduce debt. No subsequent IPO announcements or SEC filings detected.
Sotheby's raised $4.7B across 2 disclosed funding rounds prior to its public listing.
Sotheby's is headquartered in New York, NY, United States.
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