Stock Markets February 17, 2026

Blackstone-Backed Liftoff Mobile Plans Potential Rapid Refile of IPO Registration

Company withdraws earlier filing and may submit a new registration as soon as Tuesday amid sector volatility

By Nina Shah BX
Blackstone-Backed Liftoff Mobile Plans Potential Rapid Refile of IPO Registration
BX

Liftoff Mobile Inc., which is backed by Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX), withdrew its initial IPO registration earlier in the day and is reportedly weighing a revised filing that could be submitted as soon as Tuesday. The mobile app advertising company paused an earlier offering less than two weeks before its expected pricing and had sought up to $762 million in the initial prospectus. Sources say the firm may still decide against going public later this year as market conditions, notably a selloff in software stocks tied to artificial intelligence concerns, have affected peers.

Key Points

  • Liftoff Mobile withdrew its previous IPO registration earlier in the day and may refile a new registration as soon as Tuesday.
  • The company had been seeking to raise up to $762 million in the initial SEC filing and had postponed the IPO less than two weeks before expected pricing.
  • The withdrawal occurred against a software sector selloff linked to artificial intelligence concerns, which has led to sharp declines among Liftoff's peers - impacting the tech and advertising-related market segments.

Overview

Liftoff Mobile Inc., a mobile app advertising business supported by Blackstone Inc. (NYSE:BX), has withdrawn a prior IPO registration and is contemplating filing a revised registration as soon as Tuesday, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. Those same sources said Liftoff could aim to complete a public offering later this year, though no final decision has been reported.


Background and recent actions

The company pulled its initial public offering paperwork earlier in the day after previously postponing the IPO less than two weeks before the deal was expected to price. In its earlier filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, Liftoff had indicated an intention to raise as much as $762 million through the offering.


Market context

The timing of the withdrawal coincided with a broader selloff in the software sector that investors have linked to concerns over the impact of artificial intelligence. That selloff has produced sharp declines in the share prices of firms peer to Liftoff, according to the sources. The market turbulence is cited in the deliberations around whether to proceed with a public listing.


Current status and prospects

People familiar with the situation said discussions are ongoing and that Liftoff may choose to refile its IPO registration as soon as Tuesday. The same sources also cautioned that the company could ultimately decide not to move forward with an initial public offering. No new filing details, pricing targets, or timing beyond the possibility of a resubmission were provided by the sources.


Implications

The developments leave Liftoff's path to the public markets uncertain. While the company remains associated with a major backer in Blackstone Inc., the combination of recent postponement, withdrawal of registration, and sector-wide selling pressures linked to AI-related worries mean that any potential IPO timeline remains contingent on further internal deliberations and market conditions.


Summary of facts

  • Liftoff Mobile withdrew an earlier IPO registration earlier in the day.
  • Sources say Liftoff may refile a new registration as soon as Tuesday.
  • The company had sought to raise up to $762 million in its initial filing with the SEC.
  • The original withdrawal followed a postponement less than two weeks before expected pricing.
  • The withdrawal occurred amid a software sector selloff tied to concerns about artificial intelligence, and peers have seen sharp price declines.
  • Sources indicate Liftoff could still opt not to proceed with an IPO.

Risks

  • Market volatility in the software sector tied to AI-related concerns could undermine investor demand for an IPO - affecting technology and advertising equities.
  • Liftoff may ultimately decide not to proceed with an offering despite considering a refiling, leaving the company's public listing plans uncertain - impacting IPO market activity in the advertising and tech sectors.
  • Withdrawal and re-filing activity could signal sensitivity to pricing risk; earlier postponement less than two weeks before expected pricing highlights potential execution risks in a volatile market environment.

More from Stock Markets

Market Turbulence Reinforces Case for Broader Diversification Feb 21, 2026 NYSE Holdings UK Ltd launches unified trading platform to streamline market access Feb 21, 2026 Earnings Drive Weekly Winners and Losers as Buyout Headlines Lift Masimo Feb 21, 2026 Barclays Sees 'Physical AI' Scaling to Hundreds of Billions by 2035 Feb 21, 2026 Germany's Wind Expansion Accelerates Amid Growing Questions Over Durability Feb 21, 2026