Bankers Readying US IPOs at ‘Overwhelming’ Pace Ahead of 2026

Core Viewpoint - The US IPO market is experiencing heightened activity as companies prepare to go public, driven by stock markets nearing record highs and the resolution of previous delays due to the government shutdown [1]. Group 1: IPO Market Activity - The US IPO volume, excluding SPACs and closed-end funds, is expected to exceed $40 billion this year, with Medline Inc.'s IPO potentially raising $5.37 billion, marking it as the largest global debut [2]. - The anticipated IPO volume for 2025 is projected to be significantly higher than last year's figures, although still below the $100 billion levels seen in 2020 and 2021 [3]. - There is a notable increase in IPO pitch activity across various industries, with a more defined list of potential early-year debutants, enhancing the prospects for a strong start in 2026 [4]. Group 2: Companies Preparing for IPOs - A considerable number of companies are preparing for US listings, including Ethos Technologies Inc., Grayscale Investments Inc., and York Space Systems Inc., with many likely to target 2026 for their IPOs [5]. - Other companies considering IPOs but not yet publicly filed include Kraken and Alphonso Inc., along with Bill Ackman's closed-end fund and EquipmentShare [6]. Group 3: Market Sentiment and Predictions - Optimism exists for a strong start to the first quarter of 2026, as several companies transition from the fourth quarter, indicating a continued upward trend in IPO volumes [7]. - High-profile tech companies like SpaceX may influence the IPO landscape, with expectations that at least one or two will pursue public offerings [8]. - The performance of recent IPOs has been mixed, with some underperforming compared to the S&P 500 Index, which may affect investor sentiment towards upcoming IPOs [10]. Group 4: Investor Behavior and Pricing - IPO discounts are expected to remain at the higher end of recent ranges at the beginning of the year, leading to cautious investor behavior [11]. - There is a focus on accurate pricing of IPOs to meet investor expectations, as past performances have shown both significant successes and notable failures [12].