OpenAI May Delay IPO after SpaceX Stock Drop

Quick overview

OpenAI was supposed to launch its initial public offering (IPO) sometime in 2026, and the company had already filed its paperwork, but it appears they are pushing the launch back to next year.

Did the quick drop-off for SpaceX (SPCX) stock give OpenAI cold feet? That could be the case since they are delaying their IPO after SpaceX’s stock fell sharply in the week after their initial public offering.

OpenAI’s CEO Sam Altman was aiming for a $1 trillion valuation, but that might be overly optimistic, say some sources. It might take the company until 2027 to hit that target number, and the delayed launch could put some much needed space between the SpaceX IPO and the soured public sentiment after their stock fell.

OpenAI IPO Still Highly Likely

Reports of OpenAI’s hesitation to go public following months of public indecisiveness for the IPO launch. The company spoke to reporters back in October of last year that they were considering an initial public offering. They filed the necessary paperwork with regulators in early 2026, but they have not set a date for the IPO yet.

Altman said that the IPO would be the most likely course for the AI company as it would raise necessary funds to help them move the tech forward. Yet at every talk about the offering, Altman and the company have decided not to set a date. As a private company, OpenAI has more freedom to accomplish some of their current goals, and that freedom is a big part of why the company has not gone public yet, according to Altman.

With the paperwork filed, OpenAI can go public when they want, but they are waiting for the right time. Initial reports pegged the IPO during the second half of 2026, but they may be pushed back now. The company could be trying to stay clear of the wake of SpaceX’s IPO.

SpaceX CEO Elon Musk spoke after the company went public on the Nasdaq Composite index. He became emotional when reporting that the company launched with the biggest IPO valuation ever- a $2.2 trillion debut. Before the stock was available to trade, it was priced at $135 per share and then jumped to $150 once the market opened on the first day. Less than a week later, SPCX had climbed to $218, but then it started to fall off sharply by the next day.

The price of the stock dropped to $190 and then down to $149 by June 26^th, just two weeks after its launch. The company is still worth trillions, and the stock is widely traded, but the massive gains seen after launch have disappeared. OpenAI’s leadership is right to be concerned that they could suffer from launching too quickly after SpaceX disappointed on some fronts.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR See More

Timothy St. John

Financial Writer - European & US Desks

Timothy St John is a seasoned financial analyst and writer, catering to the dynamic landscapes of the US and European markets. Boasting over a decade of extensive freelance writing experience, he has made significant contributions to reputable platforms such as Yahoo!Finance, business.com: Expert Business Advice, Tips, and Resources - Business.com, and numerous others. Timothy's expertise lies in in-depth research and comprehensive coverage of stock and cryptocurrency movements, coupled with a keen understanding of the economic factors influencing currency dynamics. Timothy majored in English at East Tennessee State University, and you can find him on LinkedIn.

Intel Stock INTC Slips 3.4% Pre-Market as Goldman Caution Tests AI Turnaround Rally

7 h ago

Save

Dell Stock Forecast: DELL Drops 5.5% as Valuation Fears Test AI-Server Rally

7 h ago

Save

Palantir Stock PLTR Drops 5.5% as Valuation Fears and Software Selloff Hit AI Momentum

15 h ago

Save