3 Capital Markets Stocks Tied To AI IPO Fees Retail Investors Should Watch

AI protectionism, blockbuster model launches and a potential Anthropic IPO near a reported US$1t valuation have turned the usually quiet world of capital markets plumbing into a front row story. Fee driven platforms that sit closest to listings and trading flows could see real consequences if AI mega deals accelerate or stall. This article unpacks three stocks exposed to that theme and how this news might matter for your portfolio thinking.

The stocks below are just a starting sample, and the full screen surfaced 14 more capital markets companies with equally compelling AI IPO fee stories that are not covered in this article. To identify and analyze the highest conviction opportunities, go straight to the Global Capital Markets Benefiting from AI Mega-IPOs screener.

Victory Capital Holdings (VCTR)

Overview: Victory Capital Holdings is a diversified asset manager offering active and passive funds, ETFs, and multi asset solutions to institutions and individuals.

Operations: Victory Capital Holdings generates about US$1.6b in revenue from providing investment management services and related products to its clients.

Market Cap: US$7.0b

Victory Capital Holdings matters for this AI mega IPO theme because a larger, more diversified asset base can feed into equity allocations, trading activity, and fee pools when high profile listings hit the market.

"The First Eagle deal is expected to close in the first half of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals and customary conditions. It reflects continued consolidation in asset management as fee pressure affects the sector."

What really moves the needle for Victory Capital Holdings is how one less visible cost and scale equation ultimately shapes future profitability.

That cost and scale trade off is exactly what the full narrative for Victory Capital Holdings unpacks, spelling out how consolidation, fee pressure and AI listings could reshape Victory Capital Holdings’ earning power.

Moelis (MC)

Overview: Moelis is a pure-play investment banking adviser, helping global clients structure mergers, restructurings, and capital market deals tied to major listings.

Operations: Moelis generates about US$1.6b from investment banking advisory, with around US$1.4b from the United States and the rest from Europe and other regions.

Market Cap: US$5.6b

Moelis matters for this AI mega IPO screen because it is built almost entirely around earning advisory and equity capital markets fees when very large companies decide where and how to list.

"The rapid proliferation of AI and automation in deal sourcing, execution, and due diligence threatens to displace the traditional high-touch advisory model, potentially leading to a sustained compression of advisory fees and reducing Moelis's future revenue growth and margins."

For investors, what really counts is how one quiet shift in who controls the most valuable AI deal mandates ultimately shapes Moelis’s future pricing power.

That quiet shift is exactly what the full narrative for Moelis unpacks, mapping where fee pressure could soften and where AI mega deals might still accelerate Moelis’s earnings power.

Polar Capital Holdings (AIM:POLR)

Overview: Polar Capital Holdings is a London based specialist fund manager running tech heavy equity strategies for institutions, including potential AI focused portfolios.

Operations: Polar Capital Holdings generates about £263.6 million from its investment management business, with most client assets and fees sourced from Ireland.

Market Cap: £795 million

Polar Capital Holdings provides exposure to fee income from global equities at a time when AI related IPO activity could influence trading volumes and fund launches. The combination of earnings growth, high margins and a 5.48% dividend highlights the current characteristics of the platform, while the next phase will be influenced by how investor appetite for AI themed funds develops.

That next phase starts with the analyst forecasts for Polar Capital Holdings, where AI fund appetite, fee resilience and sentiment toward Polar Capital Holdings could be pulling in different directions.

Seeking Fresh Alternatives Before Momentum Flies

Capital shifts fast. The next breakout ideas can move from under the radar to fully priced before most people notice. Scan these fresh lists while it still matters.

• Spot companies with stronger balance sheets before they attract more institutional and retail attention by using the list of solid balance sheet and fundamentals (24 results).
• Explore rising income potential with companies curated for sizable payouts in the 6 dividend fortresses.
• Review early automation leaders by scanning the curated 37 robotics and automation stocks.

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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