Figma’s Post-IPO Plunge: Short to $50 or Buy the Dip?

$NYSE(NYSE)$ $Figma(FIG)$ Figma’s (NYSE:FIG) IPO on July 31, 2025, was a showstopper, with shares surging 270% from a $33 IPO price to a $115.50 close, valuing the design software giant at $47 billion. But the euphoria has faded, with the stock dropping 15% to $98, trading near its $85 opening price. Investors are now grappling with a critical question: is Figma’s valuation too lofty, warranting a short via options to a $50 target, or is this a prime opportunity to buy the dip? Unlike Circle’s crypto-fueled 600% IPO surge, Figma lacks speculative momentum, but its AI-driven growth and market leadership suggest a collapse to $50 is unlikely without major catalysts. This deep dive explores Figma’s fundamentals, market dynamics, options strategies, and investment approaches to navigate this volatile moment.

Figma’s IPO Performance: From Euphoria to Reality Check

Figma’s IPO was a blockbuster, pricing 36.9 million shares at $33, above the revised $30-$32 range (up from $25-$28), reflecting 40x oversubscription. Shares opened at $85, hit an intraday high of $120, and closed at $115.50, delivering a 250% first-day gain. Trading was briefly halted due to volatility, underscoring investor frenzy. The $47 billion market cap, ballooning to over $65 billion fully diluted, made it one of 2025’s top tech IPOs, outpacing CoreWeave’s $23 billion debut but trailing Circle’s crypto-driven surge.

The recent 15% drop to $98 reflects market skepticism about the valuation. With an RSI of 68 (down from 80 post-IPO), the stock is no longer overbought but faces pressure from broader market risks, including tariffs (30% on EU/Mexico, 35% on Canada, effective August 1) and a potential 7-10% S&P 500 pullback, per Morgan Stanley. Social media on X shows a split: some call Figma a “long-term winner” for its AI tools, while others warn of a “valuation bubble” without crypto’s speculative tailwinds.

Fundamentals: Can They Justify the Hype?

Figma’s financials are robust, supporting its growth narrative:

  • Revenue: Q1 2025 revenue hit $228.2 million, up 46% year-over-year, driven by its cloud-based design platform used by 95% of Fortune 500 companies.

  • Profitability: Net income tripled to $44.9 million, with a 91% gross margin, showcasing operational efficiency.

  • Market Position: Figma holds a 36.8% share of the $12.5 billion collaborative design market, per AInvest, bolstered by AI features like Figma Make (Prompt-to-Code).

  • User Base: Two-thirds of users are non-designers, reflecting broad adoption across business functions.

These metrics position Figma as a leader in a growing market, but its valuation raises eyebrows:

  • Price-to-Sales (P/S): Annualized Q1 revenue of ~$912.8 million implies a P/S ratio of ~51x at $47 billion, high compared to Adobe’s 12x ($158 billion market cap, $20.4 billion revenue).

  • Price-to-Earnings (P/E): Annualized Q1 net income of ~$179.6 million yields a P/E of ~262x, reflecting aggressive growth expectations.

Analysts like Kat Liu from IPOX argue the valuation is justified by Figma’s “dominant market share and AI innovation,” while others, per The Information, caution about a “murky outlook” due to competition and economic risks.

Why the Pullback? Comparing to Circle

Figma’s 15% slide contrasts with Circle’s sustained post-IPO rally, driven by cryptocurrency speculation and USDC’s $60 billion market cap. Key differences:

  • Speculative Momentum: Circle benefited from crypto’s volatility and retail enthusiasm, with Bitcoin at $119,000 fueling gains. Figma, tied to enterprise software, lacks this speculative edge.

  • Market Dynamics: Circle’s 600% surge was amplified by crypto ETF inflows and regulatory optimism (e.g., CLARITY Act). Figma’s growth depends on enterprise budgets, which are sensitive to economic slowdowns and tariffs.

  • Valuation Pressure: Figma’s 85.2x forward P/E at $115.50 (now ~75x at $98) is steep compared to Circle’s lower multiples, making it more vulnerable to profit-taking.

The market’s reassessment suggests Figma’s valuation may have overshot its near-term growth potential, but its fundamentals argue against a collapse to $50 absent major negative catalysts.

Will Figma Dip to $50?

A drop to $50—a 49% decline from $98—seems unlikely without significant headwinds. Key factors:

  • Support Levels: Technical analysis shows support at $90 (near IPO opening) and $85 (50-day moving average). A breach below $85 could test $70 (200-day moving average), but $50 would require a major catalyst like a Q3 earnings miss or economic downturn.

  • Fundamentals: Figma’s 46% revenue growth and profitability provide a buffer. Annualized revenue of ~$912.8 million and net income of ~$179.6 million suggest a floor above $50 unless growth stalls dramatically.

  • Market Risks: Tariffs could raise costs, and a 7-10% S&P 500 pullback (RSI 65, VIX 15.94) might drag Figma lower, but a 49% drop would require systemic shocks, per Morgan Stanley.

It seems likely that Figma could see further short-term pressure to $85-$90, but a plunge to $50 is improbable without a major negative event, such as a significant earnings miss or competitive disruption.

Options Strategies: Shorting or Hedging?

Figma’s options market, live as of August 6, 2025, shows high implied volatility (IV) at 120%, reflecting expectations for big swings. Here are key strategies:

  • Shorting with Puts: Buy $100 strike puts (August expiry) to bet on a decline to $90 or below. If Figma drops 10%, puts could yield 200-300% returns, but rapid premium decay is a risk if the stock stabilizes.

  • Straddle for Volatility: Buy $100 calls and puts (August expiry) to profit from a 10%+ move in either direction. This captures Figma’s volatility without picking a side, ideal for earnings or market swings.

  • Selling Puts for Income: Sell $90 strike puts (August expiry) to collect premiums while positioning for a potential buy at a lower price. If Figma stays above $90, you keep the premium; if it dips, you buy at a discount.

  • Risks: High IV means expensive options, and Figma’s momentum could reverse quickly if AI adoption or partnerships (e.g., with Oracle) accelerate.

Buying the Dip: Where’s the Safe Zone?

For long-term investors, a dip to $85-$90 offers a compelling entry:

  • Technical Support: $90 aligns with the IPO opening price, a psychological level where buyers may step in. $85 matches the 50-day moving average, a historical bounce point.

  • Fundamental Backing: Figma’s 46% revenue growth, 91% gross margin, and 36.8% market share support a premium valuation. A P/E of ~65x at $90 is more reasonable than ~85x at $115.50.

  • Catalysts: Q3 earnings (expected November 2025) could highlight new AI features or enterprise deals, driving a rebound to $120-$130 by 2026.

Selling $90 puts could generate income while positioning for a buy at this level, offering a 10-15% upside to $100-$110 if sentiment stabilizes.

Competitive Landscape: Figma vs. Adobe and AI Upstarts

Figma’s growth faces challenges:

  • Adobe: With a $158 billion market cap and Creative Cloud’s dominance, Adobe’s AI tools (e.g., Firefly) pose a threat. Its 12x P/S ratio contrasts with Figma’s 51x, highlighting valuation risks.

  • AI Upstarts: OpenAI and Anthropic’s generative AI tools could disrupt design software, per Seeking Alpha.

  • Market Growth: The $12.5 billion design software market is expanding, driven by cloud and AI adoption, per AInvest. Figma’s leadership positions it to capture share, but execution is critical.

Market Context: Volatility and Risks

The broader market adds complexity:

  • Bullish Sentiment: The S&P 500’s 18.06% YTD gain and Nasdaq’s 20% rise reflect tech optimism, per Bloomberg.

  • Volatility Risks: August’s historical 7-10% pullback risk, tariffs, and geopolitical tensions (Israel-Iran conflict, oil at $75/barrel) could pressure Figma, per Euronews.

  • IPO Trends: Renaissance Capital notes 123 IPOs in 2025, up 48% from 2024, but proceeds are down 15% to $19.7 billion, signaling selective investor appetite.

Trading and Investment Strategies

Short-Term Plays

  • Short with Puts: Buy $100 strike puts (August expiry) if RSI drops below 60, targeting $90-$85, with a stop at $105. Potential 200-300% gain if Figma falls 10%.

  • Straddle for Volatility: Buy $100 calls/puts (August expiry) to capture a 10%+ move, targeting 200-300% returns. High IV increases costs, so time carefully.

  • Scalp Pullback: Buy at $90-$92, sell at $100-$105, with a 5% stop at $87. A 8-14% gain if support holds.

Long-Term Investments

  • Buy on Dip: Enter at $85-$90, target $120-$130 by 2026, for 33-44% upside with AI growth. Stop at $80 to limit losses.

  • Sell Puts: Sell $90 strike puts (August expiry) to collect premiums, buying at $90 if assigned. Yields income with a favorable entry.

  • Diversify with Tech ETF ( $Technology Select Sector SPDR Fund(XLK)$ ): Buy at $200, target $220, stop at $190, for broad tech exposure.

  • Hold Microsoft ( $Microsoft(MSFT)$ ): Buy at $430-$435, target $500-$550 by 2026, for 15-26% upside with AI/cloud strength.

Hedge Strategies

  • VIXY ETF: Buy at $15, target $18, stop at $13, to hedge tariff or market volatility.

  • SPY ETF Puts: Use puts at $614 to protect against a 5-10% S&P 500 pullback.

  • Gold ETF ( $SPDR Gold Shares(GLD)$ ): Buy at $200, target $220, stop at $190, as a safe-haven hedge.

My Trading Plan

I’m cautiously optimistic about Figma’s long-term potential but see short-term pressure to $85-$90 due to valuation concerns. I’ll buy FIG at $85-$90, targeting $120-$130 by 2026, with an $80 stop, and use a $100 call/put straddle (August expiry) for volatility. For diversification, I’ll add XLK at $200, targeting $220, with a $190 stop, and MSFT at $430-$435, targeting $500, with a $420 stop. I’m hedging with VIXY at $15, targeting $18, and keeping 20% cash for dips if tariffs, geopolitical tensions, or a Q3 earnings miss escalate. I’ll monitor Figma’s Q3 earnings, Adobe’s AI moves, and tariff developments for cues.

Key Metrics

The Bigger Picture

Figma’s 270% IPO surge was a testament to its AI-driven growth and market leadership, but the 15% pullback to $98 reflects valuation concerns and a lack of crypto-like speculative momentum. Shorting with options could profit from further declines to $85-$90, but a drop to $50 seems unlikely without major negative catalysts. Long-term investors should eye $85-$90 as a safe entry, leveraging Figma’s 46% revenue growth and 36.8% market share. Options straddles offer flexibility for traders, while hedges like VIXY or GLD manage broader market risks. Figma’s rally may pause, but its fundamentals suggest it’s far from fading—play it smart to seize the upside.

Will you short Figma to $50 or buy the dip at $90? Share your strategy below! 🎁

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# ARK Loads Figma After 20% Plunge! Follow or Wait for IPO Pricing?

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  • Reg Ford
    ·08-06
    Straddle the $100 strike,volatility’s high. Either direction 10%+ moves mean gains.
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  • 51x P/S vs Adobe’s 12x? Even $90 feels frothy.
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  • JimmyHua
    ·08-06
    Love using Figma. Such a great company.
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