No one likes waiting in line, especially (I assume) the world’s richest people. So I guess it shouldn’t come as a surprise that part of the planning for the SpaceX (plus xAI) IPO is figuring out how to accelerate entry into major stock indexes that otherwise have lengthy (sometimes longer than the lockup) waiting periods. Think amusement park fast passes, but this one is about avoiding rollercoaster-like post-IPO period stock price volatility by balancing supply and demand. The WSJ reports:

Advisers for the company . . . have reached out to major index providers . . . to discuss how SpaceX and this year’s other hot startups might join key indexes sooner than normal, according to people familiar with the matter.

Companies typically must wait several months or a year after their public debut before gaining inclusion in a major index such as the S&P 500 or the Nasdaq-100. Inclusion unlocks access to retail and institutional capital from funds, particularly those mimicking the performance of indexes that have to hold the companies in the index.

The traditional waiting period is intended to give the companies time to demonstrate that they are stable and liquid enough to handle extensive buying from index funds.

SpaceX hopes to skirt traditional rules in an effort to bring liquidity to its shareholders sooner as part of its planned IPO. SpaceX advisers have sought index policy changes that would fast-track its entry into major indexes for the company and benefit other highly-valued private companies, the people said.

Just earlier this week, Nasdaq posted a Nasdaq-100 Index Consultation seeking feedback from market participants on potential methodology changes, including a 15-trading-day “fast entry” for newly Nasdaq-listed large (top 40) companies.