Mega IPOs loom as Wall Street anticipates breakout year for listings

• SpaceX is planning a blockbuster IPO potentially valuing the company at over $200 billion as soon as June 2026, which could surpass Saudi Aramco's 2019 record if it raises more than $25.6 billion
• OpenAI is reportedly preparing for an IPO that could value it at up to $1 trillion, with a possible filing in the second half of 2026, though its CFO has stated an IPO is not in near-term plans
• AI startup Anthropic hired Wilson Sonsini law firm to prepare for a potential 2026 IPO, though the company has not officially decided on timing or whether to go public

Summary: Wall Street Anticipates Record IPO Year with Mega Listings on Horizon

The U.S. IPO market is poised for a potential breakout year in 2026, driven by pent-up demand and a robust pipeline of high-profile private companies. Goldman Sachs projects U.S. IPO proceeds could reach a record $160 billion in 2026 if major companies proceed with their planned listings.

Key Companies and Valuations:

SpaceX leads the anticipated mega-IPOs, planning a blockbuster offering potentially valuing the company at over $350 billion, with a possible June timeline. If SpaceX raises more than $25.6 billion, it would surpass Saudi Aramco's $25.6 billion 2019 listing as the largest IPO in history. The company recently announced acquiring AI startup xAI, merging Elon Musk's AI and space ventures.

OpenAI is reportedly preparing for an IPO that could value the ChatGPT maker at up to $1 trillion, with potential filing in the second half of 2026, though the company's CFO previously stated an IPO was not in near-term plans.

Anthropic, the Claude AI developer, hired law firm Wilson Sonsini to prepare for a potential 2026 IPO, though the company has not confirmed definitive plans to go public.

Market Context:

The strong pipeline consists primarily of late-stage private companies, with significant representation from the technology sector. However, risks remain that could temper issuance activity, particularly affecting the tech sector which comprises a substantial portion of the IPO pipeline.

The convergence of major AI and space technology companies entering public markets signals investor appetite for high-growth sectors and could mark a turning point for equity capital markets after recent quieter years.