Stock Markets August 31, 2026 09:38 AM

Wall Street Prepares for a Wave of AI Mega-IPOs and Near-Term Listings

Anthropic and OpenAI loom as potential record-breakers while SB Energy, recent debuts and China’s Enflame offer nearer-term entry points

By Ajmal Hussain
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XNDU HAWK SPCX

A cluster of high-profile technology IPOs is coming into view. Anthropic and OpenAI sit at the top of the pipeline, each commanding valuations in the hundreds of billions and the potential to raise historic sums. Closer-term listings such as SoftBank’s SB Energy and several recent debuts provide more immediate avenues for investors seeking AI and infrastructure exposure. Timing, market conditions and lock-up events will shape near-term performance.

Wall Street Prepares for a Wave of AI Mega-IPOs and Near-Term Listings
XNDU HAWK SPCX
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Key Points

  • Anthropic is positioned to potentially raise up to $100 billion at a private valuation of $965 billion, making it the largest IPO candidate in the pipeline.
  • OpenAI’s advertising channel has reached a $1 billion annualized run rate across 40+ countries and is preparing for a major IPO at a reported $852 billion valuation.
  • SB Energy is the nearest actionable IPO, potentially pricing in September and targeting $5-7 billion with ~9 gigawatts contracted capacity and a $400+ billion backlog.

Overview

The IPO calendar is filling with large, market-moving technology and AI listings. Anthropic is being positioned to raise as much as $100 billion at a reported private valuation of $965 billion, and OpenAI - which the article notes is already generating a $1 billion annualized run rate from adverts - is eyeing its own blockbuster listing at a roughly $852 billion valuation. At the same time, SoftBank’s SB Energy data-center unit is preparing for a much smaller but nearer-term offering that could price as soon as September, targeting $5-7 billion in proceeds and backed by a substantial contracted backlog.


The Anthropic Opportunity

Anthropic currently represents the largest single IPO narrative. Following the SpaceX listing in June, Anthropic is widely expected to be among the next mega-listings. With a May private valuation near $965 billion, an offering that priced close to that level could conceivably raise up to $100 billion, which would make it the largest technology IPO on record. Market interest is evident in vehicles that attempt to provide pre-IPO exposure to these firms, reflecting intense investor demand.


OpenAI’s Rapid Ad Revenue Trajectory

OpenAI is advancing its IPO case on the strength of early commercialization. The advertising business launched roughly 200 days ago and is already reported to have reached a $1 billion annualized revenue run rate, operating in over 40 countries across both paid and free ChatGPT tiers. The company’s private valuation in the narrative sits at about $852 billion. Strategic ties between OpenAI and other market participants add another layer of interest for investors watching these listings.


SoftBank’s SB Energy - A Near-Term Infrastructure Play

SB Energy is highlighted as the most actionable near-term IPO among the names discussed. The unit is preparing for an IPO as soon as September and is expected to seek $5-7 billion in proceeds. The offering is notable for its scale of contracted cloud capacity and backlog, while also remaining pre-operational in terms of data centers:

  • Approximately 9 gigawatts of contracted computing capacity
  • More than $400 billion in contracted backlog
  • A $3 billion commitment from Nvidia via private transactions
  • Zero operational data centers at the time of reporting - implying growth optionality rather than current cash flow

SoftBank’s connection to OpenAI is also material here: SoftBank’s data-center arm reportedly offered OpenAI warrants valued at $5.5 billion to secure it as a tenant, while OpenAI is said to have invested $500 million for a single-digit equity stake in SB Energy’s upcoming IPO. That interlinking of interests makes the two listings worth watching in tandem.


Selected Recent Listings and Near-Term Events

The article lists several recent and recently announced public debuts, alongside the catalysts investors should monitor:

Company Ticker Price / Since IPO Key Catalyst
SpaceX SPCX $142.17 - Listed June 2026 Fubon initiates Buy, $183 target
HawkEye 360 HAWK $19.37 - May 2026 Lock-up expires Sept 2; Russell 2000 addition Sept 21
Xanadu Quantum XNDU $10.71 - Public Targeting 1,000+ logical qubits by 2031
Ticketplus TP $8.00 - Recent Roth/MKM initiates Buy, $14 target (+79%)

HawkEye 360 and Lock-Up Dynamics

HawkEye 360 is called out as an interesting short-term story because its lock-up period is set to expire on September 2, and the company is slated for inclusion in the Russell 2000 index on September 21. The stock has underperformed year-to-date, down roughly 42.8% to $19.37, which places it a considerable distance below its IPO range. Lock-up expirations often bring selling pressure, while index inclusion can deliver a mechanical bid from funds tracking the index.


China’s Enflame Technology IPO

On the other side of the world, Enflame Technology priced its Shanghai STAR Market IPO at 142.18 yuan per share, raising 6.12 billion yuan - approximately $860 million - according to the report. The company is presented as a domestic Chinese AI chipmaker aligned with Beijing’s push for semiconductor self-sufficiency, offering an alternative path for investors who want AI exposure outside of U.S. mega-cap listings.


Timing and Market Factors

One of the central uncertainties identified is timing: there is no firm schedule for Anthropic or OpenAI to price, and several macro and market factors could affect those decisions. The article highlights a potential Federal Reserve interest rate decision on September 16, geopolitical developments that have pushed oil above $90, and the historically weak seasonality of September as reasons management teams might prefer to delay very large offerings into Q4 or early 2027. SB Energy’s smaller size and strategic backing are presented as reasons it may proceed on its anticipated timetable.


Practical Takeaways for Investors

  • Near-term monitoring: SB Energy’s expected September IPO and HawkEye 360’s upcoming lock-up expiration
  • Medium-term exposure: gaining pre-IPO access via Yorkville’s MANGOS Plus Index ETF or waiting for direct listings of Anthropic and OpenAI
  • Post-IPO observation: SpaceX’s public price of $142 versus a $183 target is noted as a potential reference point for entry

Investors and market participants are therefore presented with a mix of immediate events and longer-term, potentially market-shaping offerings. The pipeline mixes pure enterprise AI plays, infrastructure-focused listings and regional chipmakers, each offering different risk and reward profiles according to the article.

Risks

  • Timing risk - Anthropic and OpenAI have no confirmed pricing schedules and may delay listings due to market conditions such as a potential Fed action on September 16 and historically weak September seasonality.
  • Market and macro uncertainty - geopolitical tensions (noted for pushing oil above $90) and interest-rate dynamics could influence IPO appetite and pricing for mega-listings.
  • Short-term catalysts and technical events - HawkEye 360’s lock-up expiry (Sept 2) may create selling pressure even as Russell 2000 inclusion (Sept 21) could provide an offsetting index-driven bid.

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