Rising geopolitical risk and a spike in the VIX are complicating expectations for the 2026 IPO market. Samuel Kerr says higher energy costs, inflation pressure, and single-stock volatility are making investors cautious, especially as tech multiples face strain from heavy AI-related capital spending. With recent IPOs like Klarna (KLAR), Navan (NAVN), and StubHub (STUB) struggling post-listing, Kerr notes that companies are shifting from timing seasonal windows to staying ready for brief periods of market calm.