US IPOs and Share Sales Hit Record $251 Billion at Midyear

US IPOs and secondary share sales reached a record $251 billion at midyear, marking an unusually strong start to equity capital markets activity in 2026. The total issuance figure, reported Tuesday by prediction market Polymarket, reflects robust demand from companies raising cash through initial public offerings and follow-on listings.

The milestone underscores a continued revival in US equity financing following a sluggish period earlier in the decade, driven by favorable regulatory conditions and steady corporate willingness to tap public markets. Analysts are now tracking whether this momentum persists through the third quarter as valuation benchmarks and interest rate environments evolve.