Wall Street IPO activity slows amid valuation concerns: FT

Wall Street is experiencing a slowdown in its IPO activity, primarily due to weak demand and growing concerns over valuations. The Financial Times reports that several companies have delayed or withdrawn their IPO plans amid heightened market volatility and increased scrutiny over deal valuations. Despite a recovery from the post-2021 slump, the number of U.S. IPOs in 2026 remains below the pace of the previous year. These developments appear to have influenced market expectations surrounding significant IPOs, including Anthropic, where concerns over valuation and demand could impact market cap predictions. Key Takeaways Market activity suggests a cooling in IPO enthusiasm, with participants reacting to weak demand and valuation concerns. The drop in IPO momentum appears consistent with scenarios where Anthropic’s IPO market cap expectations decrease. Current market pricing reflects a lower probability of Anthropic achieving a market cap exceeding $1.25 trillion at IPO close. What to Watch Markets will be closely monitoring any updates from Anthropic regarding its IPO timeline and pricing range. The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission’s review process could also play a critical...