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Key Questions: Investing Before Lift‑Off – What Should Investors Know About Private Markets and the Next IPO Cycle?

Sean Poe, Director of Investment Research
February 9, 2026

<p>Key Questions: Investing Before Lift‑Off – What Should Investors Know About Private Markets and the Next IPO Cycle?</p>

The Key Wealth Institute is a team of highly experienced professionals representing various disciplines within wealth management who are dedicated to delivering timely insights and practical advice. From strategies designed to better manage your wealth, to guidance to help you better understand the world impacting your wealth, Key Wealth Institute provides proactive insights needed to navigate your financial journey.

With the investor enthusiasm for one (and possibly more) high-profile private companies rumored to be considering filing an initial public offering (IPO) this year, there is palpable hope that the IPO market may finally be reopening after several years of tepid activity. Investors are likely wondering what this notable market event could mean for their portfolios and, more specifically, how they can capitalize on the opportunity set. In this article, we discuss the market dynamics that led to this point, as well as the opportunities and considerations for investors looking for IPO market exposure.

Key Takeaways:

  • The IPO window may be reopening, led by a few high-profile companies.
  • Companies have waited longer to go public in recent years.
  • Rates, costs, and volatility closed the window, but conditions may be easing.
  • IPO investing is often more complicated than headlines suggest.
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