SpaceX vs. Anthropic: Which Is the Better IPO to Own?
2026-09-02 09:21
•Geoffrey Seiler •The Motley Fool
••••••• •• Axe Cap view
SpaceX vs. Anthropic: Which IPO Fits South African Portfolios?
Two giant tech IPOs loom, but only one offers clearer profitability and less speculation for SA investors.
SpaceX’s recent valuation reflects the allure of Musk’s vision, especially its Starlink satellite internet, which is indeed growing profitably. Yet, the heavier bets are in space exploration and AI ventures which are far from proven. For South African investors, this means SpaceX is a gamble on tech and vision rather than steady earnings. Anthropic, with a planned IPO at a $2 trillion valuation, boasts a truly striking 14-fold revenue jump while already turning a profit. It’s positioned as an enterprise AI leader, a sector likely to gain traction globally and resonate in SA, where tech adoption in business services is rising. The challenge could be its hefty valuation and dependency on broad AI adoption timelines. For rand investors, Anthropic’s growth story offers a cleaner read-through than SpaceX’s more speculative fields. this is just our opinion and not financial advice
Wait to see Anthropic’s IPO details; it merits a watch or small buy on listing for exposure to profitable AI growth. Avoid SpaceX for now until its non-Starlink segments prove viable and less speculative.
- USD/ZAR
- Prosus
- Global tech valuations may cool abruptly
- AI adoption timelines longer than expected
6/10
SpaceX and Anthropic are set to be among the largest IPOs ever in 2026. SpaceX, which debuted in June with a $1.9 trillion market cap, is primarily driven by its profitable Starlink satellite internet business but faces challenges in its space and AI segments. Anthropic, planning an IPO this fall at a $2 trillion valuation, has achieved hyperbolic revenue growth (14x year-over-year to $11.5B in Q2) while remaining profitable, positioning itself as a leader in enterprise AI. The analyst recommends Anthropic as the better investment due to its stronger profitability and market position.
Our take is based on reporting first published by The Motley Fool.