Apollo stands as a key financing partner for some of the most innovative sectors driving our future.
Learn about our firm, our purpose, our people and our offices around the world.
Apollo stands as a key financing partner for some of the most innovative sectors driving our future.
As markets change, Apollo transforms by creating innovative and differentiated strategies that are defining the future of finance.
Discover what makes Apollo an innovative capital provider, future-focused asset manager and leader in wealth management and retirement solutions.
Discover Apollo’s latest perspectives, case studies, research and analysis shaping conversations about private markets.
Explore resources designed to support private markets investors and public shareholders.
July 23, 2026
Partner, Chief Economist
The chart below shows that IPOs since 2019 have underperformed the broader market over the following three years, driven by three main forces:
1) Peak valuations: The 2020–2021 wave came public at rich multiples amid zero rates, stimulus and speculative retail demand, leaving little room for gains.
2) A hostile rate regime: The Fed's hiking cycle from 2022 compressed valuations and hit the long-duration, unprofitable growth stocks that dominate IPO cohorts hardest.
3) Low quality, high bar: The boom pushed marginal companies public before they were ready while the market-adjusted benchmark was set against an index carried by a handful of mega-cap winners.
Each of these forces could persist: valuations may re-inflate in the next IPO window, rates look set to stay structurally higher than the 2010s and index returns remain concentrated in a few mega-caps that keep the relative bar high.
Note: Returns of 2023 and 2024 IPOs are shown through December 2025. Sources: Jay Ritter, Apollo Chief Economist
Tell us your role for a more relevant Apollo.com experience.
This presentation may not be distributed, transmitted or otherwise communicated to others in whole or in part without the express consent of Apollo Global Management, Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, “Apollo”).
Apollo makes no representation or warranty, expressed or implied, with respect to the accuracy, reasonableness, or completeness of any of the statements made during this presentation, including, but not limited to, statements obtained from third parties. Opinions, estimates and projections constitute the current judgment of the speaker as of the date indicated. They do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Apollo and are subject to change at any time without notice. Apollo does not have any responsibility to update this presentation to account for such changes. There can be no assurance that any trends discussed during this presentation will continue.
Statements made throughout this presentation are not intended to provide, and should not be relied upon for, accounting, legal or tax advice and do not constitute an investment recommendation or investment advice. Investors should make an independent investigation of the information discussed during this presentation, including consulting their tax, legal, accounting or other advisors about such information. Apollo does not act for you and is not responsible for providing you with the protections afforded to its clients. This presentation does not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, any security, product or service, including interest in any investment product or fund or account managed or advised by Apollo.
Certain statements made throughout this presentation may be “forward-looking” in nature. Due to various risks and uncertainties, actual events or results may differ materially from those reflected or contemplated in such forward-looking information. As such, undue reliance should not be placed on such statements. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of terminology including, but not limited to, “may”, “will”, “should”, “expect”, “anticipate”, “target”, “project”, “estimate”, “intend”, “continue” or “believe” or the negatives thereof or other variations thereon or comparable terminology.
Social
Explore Apollo
More Information