OpenAI Hits Pause on IPO Plans Amid Market Uncertainty

The American company behind the popular chatbot ChatGPT, OpenAI, is reconsidering its plans to go public in 2026. According to sources close to the matter, the company may postpone its initial public offering (IPO) until 2027 due to the current instability in the stock market. The New York Times reports that this decision comes after the disappointing performance of Elon Musk's SpaceX stocks, which initially soared after their record-breaking IPO but then plummeted back to their starting point. OpenAI had filed for an IPO just two weeks ago, with the company stating that no decision had been made on the timing. However, insiders reveal that consultants hired by the company suggested either proceeding with the IPO in 2026 at a lower valuation or delaying it to achieve the desired trillion-dollar mark, which CEO Sam Altman is pushing for. As of the end of March, OpenAI's valuation stood at $852 billion, although a previous private valuation had estimated it to be around $730 billion. The company's decision to potentially delay its IPO may be a strategic move to wait for more favorable market conditions and reach its target valuation.