The Joy of Missing Out on IPOs

Many investors are anxious about missing out on SpaceX’s initial public offering (IPO) priced at $135 per share. However, not having access to these shares isn’t necessarily a disadvantage.

Elon Musk might soon achieve trillionaire status, and many SpaceX employees stand to gain significantly from the IPO. Despite this, it’s important to recognize that the IPO game might not be for everyone.

Broader access is not guaranteed. Some brokerage firms, due to high demand, are even holding lotteries for access to these shares. If you experience a fear of missing out (FOMO), remember there’s also joy in missing out (JOMO).

For instance, SoFi, a brokerage firm, has offered different perspectives on participation. In 2024, it promoted indirect access to SpaceX through private-market funds. In 2025, an article focused on avoiding FOMO trading.

Participating in an IPO can be risky. Some investors may profit by quickly buying and selling shares, but this could involve penalties or be restricted by lockup periods. Meanwhile, those holding stocks long-term face the risk of overvaluation. As noted by Jeff Sommer, SpaceX’s price-to-sales ratio is very high. Morningstar estimates the stock’s value at $63, indicating the $135 IPO price may not be a bargain.

Ultimately, missing out on this IPO might prevent future regrets. If valuations are overly inflated, opting out could be financially prudent.