Motley Fool Money 2026: The Year of the Mega IPOs?
5 snips
Jan 22, 2026 
In this discussion, investment analysts Matt Frankel and Jon Quast dive into the exciting potential of 2026 being a pivotal year for mega IPOs. They highlight SpaceX's recent hiring of bankers for a possible IPO and explore the implications of Rocket Lab's latest test failures. Listeners gain practical advice on evaluating IPOs, emphasizing long-term financial trends, and identifying upcoming companies like Stripe and Plaid that are on the radar for public offerings. The conversation offers insights into the speculative yet promising landscape of space investing.
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Testing Failures Are Normal But Investors Fear Delays
- Rocket Lab's Neutron test tank rupture is concerning but not unusual in rocket development, where engineers often push parts until they break.
- The key investor worry is whether the failure will delay the first launch and affect timelines and valuation.
Macro And Capital Needs Power The 2026 IPO Wave
- A wave of 2026 IPOs is driven by AI and space companies needing massive capital and favorable macro conditions.
- Cooler inflation, falling rates, and regulatory friendliness make 2026 attractive for big IPOs.
Check Long-Term Financial Trends Before Buying IPOs
- When analyzing IPO prospectuses, seek the longest-term financial results you can find rather than recent improvements alone.
- If a company shows only a sudden pre-IPO 'glow-up', wait a year or two to see if gains are sustainable.