3 US Capital Markets Stocks Linked To The IPO Rebound

University endowments are suddenly in the spotlight, thanks to big gains tied to private tech and AI giants, and that ripple effect reaches far into public markets. If private exits and IPOs continue to unlock capital, some listed US capital markets platforms could sit closer to the action than most investors realise. This article walks through 3 stocks exposed to that news trend and how each might benefit or face pressure.

The three stocks below are just a starting sample, and the full screen surfaced 18 more US capital markets companies with equally compelling stories that are not covered here. To identify your own highest conviction ideas, head straight to the US Capital Markets Platforms (Exchanges and Investment Banks) screener.

Moody's (MCO)

Moody’s is an integrated risk assessment company that sits alongside exchanges and investment banks by providing the credit ratings and analytics needed for much of the world’s bond issuance and capital markets activity. It generated about US$4.7b from Moody’s Investors Service and US$3.7b from Moody’s Analytics, highlighting a balanced mix between ratings and recurring software and data. With a market cap of roughly US$85.5b, Moody’s is one of the largest financial infrastructure providers in global markets.

Investors looking at the reopening of the IPO and private exit window may want to watch Moody’s because it tends to be involved whenever large issuers tap debt markets around those deals. The company couples a long entrenched ratings franchise with a growing analytics and AI toolkit that is now plugged into major cloud platforms, which can deepen its role in how banks, asset managers and corporates assess risk. The flip side is a debt heavy balance sheet and exposure to swings in issuance, so a sharp slowdown in capital raising or tighter funding conditions could hurt. If you believe capital markets activity and data driven risk tools remain essential over the long term, Moody’s offers a way to get exposure to that trend without taking direct lending risk.

Moody’s AI powered analytics and established ratings franchise may be obscuring where the real upside and balance sheet pressure intersect. Get the full picture in the 3 key rewards and 1 important warning sign

Houlihan Lokey (HLI)

Houlihan Lokey is a pure play investment bank squarely tied to the US Capital Markets Platforms theme, earning advisory fees when companies pursue M&A, IPOs and other exits. Its largest revenue engine is Corporate Finance at about US$1.6b, followed by Financial Restructuring at roughly US$520 million and Financial and Valuation Advisory at around US$350 million, giving it multiple ways to participate when deal activity returns. With a market cap near US$9.6b, Houlihan Lokey is a mid sized listed advisory platform with global reach.

If you care about getting closer to the IPO and exit pipeline without owning volatile single deal stocks, Houlihan Lokey is worth a hard look. The company focuses on mid market M&A, sponsor exits and complex capital solutions, which ties directly into the renewed liquidity from private tech and AI winners that institutional investors are starting to recycle. At the same time, high compensation costs and sensitivity to deal volumes mean profits can feel the impact when activity slows, and recent revenue pressure has reminded investors that this is not a straight line story. The interest lies in how a mix of steady restructuring work, growing international coverage and thoughtful capital returns could play against those risks as deal flow normalises.

Houlihan Lokey’s mid market deal engine and steady restructuring work could be setting up a powerful rebound in advisory fees that many investors might be underestimating. See how the full story of liquidity, compensation pressure and capital returns fits together in the analysis report for Houlihan Lokey

Cboe Global Markets (CBOE)

Cboe Global Markets is one of the key US exchanges in this screener, giving you exposure to trading and listings activity when IPO and exit windows are open. It runs a broad derivatives and securities platform across options, equities, futures and FX, with the Options segment generating about US$2.7b in revenue, North American Equities about US$1.7b, Europe and Asia Pacific about US$424 million, Futures about US$140 million and Global FX about US$106 million. With a market cap around US$31.2b, Cboe Global Markets is a large exchange and market infrastructure company in the listed capital markets universe.

Cboe Global Markets ties directly into the current interest in blockbuster tech and AI exits because higher equity market participation and hedging demand often flow through its index options and futures franchises. The company has leaned into derivatives, data and prediction market products, which can support earnings resilience when trading volumes stay healthy. Its long record of dividend growth suggests management is confident enough in cash generation to keep returning capital. The flip side is reliance on key index partnerships and ongoing technology and global expansion spending, which could pressure margins if trading activity cools or new products underperform. For investors who want to be closer to the plumbing of IPO and trading cycles without owning individual growth stocks, Cboe is a stock worth understanding in more depth.

Cboe Global Markets’ options and data engine could be masking a much bigger story about how trading volumes and new products interact. See what the market might be missing in the analysis report for Cboe Global Markets

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before Others?

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.

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