IP-No: Two in five DIY investors believe demand for IPO listings is overhyped 

The 2026 IPO (initial public offering) market is experiencing a boom, and with a wave of mega-cap flotations set to redefine global equity markets, this gives investors reason for optimism when it comes to investing across different markets, sectors, and companies.

However, the scale and timing of some of these widely anticipated IPOs have raised concerns that they may coincide with – or even mark – a peak in market sentiment. IPOs can also carry significant risks for DIY investors, including price volatility, overvaluations, and restricted share allocations for retail buyers. But sentiment is mixed among DIY investors, according to new research from Charles Stanley Direct, part of Raymond James.

• Two in five (41%) DIY investors believe demand for IPO listings is overhyped
• 35% of DIY investors are actively looking to invest in IPOs this year, while 31% are not
• 46% wish it was easier for retail investors to invest in IPO listings
• 34% say there is no point in trying to buy shares from IPO listings as retail investor allocations are often limited and oversubscribed
• 34% of DIY investors say it’s too risky to invest in IPOs as a retail investor
• 36% say they’re not confident enough to invest in IPO listings
• 27% revealed they have no interest in investing in IPO listings

Rob Morgan, Chief Investment Analyst at Charles Stanley Direct, part of Raymond James, comments: “IPOs play a big part in boosting market breadth and investor interest, but an IPO-frenzy can easily be created too, resulting in a skewed perspective as to the opportunities they offer.

“While many may want a piece of the IPO pie, they carry their own risks – particularly so for retail investors. High valuations and inflated demand can lead to short-term volatility which many DIY investors may not easily recover from. It’s important that investors navigate the investment landscape carefully, and avoid being clouded by ambition or scale from IPO excitement.”

Methodology:

The research was conducted by Censuswide, among a sample of 1,000 DIY Investors in the UK (’Self-Directed’), defined as; investors who actively choose their own investments (stocks, shares, crypto etc), making their own asset allocation decisions, excluding; ‘passive investors’ who just invest in managed ‘index funds’/ETFs who don’t select their own individual stock and instead invest a diversified portfolio that is managed by someone else. Censuswide abides by and employs members of the Market Research Society and follows the MRS code of conduct and ESOMAR principles. Censuswide is also a member of the British Polling Council.

The data was collected between 26.06.2026 – 06.07.2026.