Angela Lee, professor of practice at Columbia Business School, offered expert commentary on Yahoo Finance’s Catalyst regarding the current freeze in the IPO market amid escalating trade tensions and historic market volatility.
Lee pointed to the broader economic uncertainty and extreme market swings—measured by the VIX reaching one of its highest points in the last two decades—as key reasons why companies are holding off on going public. “Nobody wants to IPO into that sort of market,” Lee explained, referencing the sharp drop in share price experienced by newly public company CoreWeave as a cautionary example.
She also warned of long-term ripple effects, particularly for innovation and entrepreneurship. “If the next Airbnb or Uber doesn’t start right now, we’re not going to see that company IPO in 10 years,” she said, noting how tightening capital cycles could stifle future growth.
Watch the full segment here: Yahoo Finance: Catalyst – April 8, 2025
