The Last Times IPO Volume Was This High Were 1929 and 2000. Should That Scare You?

IPO fundraising in 2026 has reached levels not seen since 1929 and 2000, historically preceding market downturns. JPMorgan predicts $260 billion will be raised this year through new stock issuances. While this high volume suggests potential 'irrational exuberance' and overconfidence, the article cautions that correlation isn't causation—IPO activity is a symptom, not the cause of bear markets. Investors should evaluate market conditions individually rather than panic, as elevated IPO activity in the 1990s didn't prevent market gains.