2026 Could Be a Massive Year for IPOs. Here Are 3 Candidates to Watch.

IPO Market Overview - The IPO market began to recover in 2025 after several years of inactivity, with larger companies going public and experiencing significant gains [1] - The outlook for 2026 is optimistic, with expectations of more IPOs due to lower interest rates and improved market visibility [1] Potential IPO Candidates - OpenAI: Speculation exists regarding OpenAI's potential IPO in 2026 or early 2027, contingent on market conditions and financial health. The company has $1.4 trillion in obligations, raising questions about its ability to meet these commitments. If it goes public, it could debut at a $1 trillion valuation, making it the highest valued IPO ever [3][4] - OpenAI is projected to achieve a $20 billion annualized run rate this year, with ChatGPT having 800 million weekly active users, charging $20 per month for its premium version [5] - SpaceX: Elon Musk has indicated that a SpaceX IPO in 2026 is plausible. The company recently raised capital at an $800 billion valuation, and there are reports of plans to raise $30 billion. However, Musk has disputed the accuracy of the valuation reports [6] Market Conditions - Lower interest rates are anticipated to stimulate IPO activity, particularly among high-profile private companies, including those in the artificial intelligence sector [7]