Ethos Technologies, a San Francisco-based insurtech platform, debuted on the Nasdaq on Thursday, marking one of the first major tech IPOs of 2026. The company and its selling shareholders raised approximately $200 million in the offering, selling 10.5 million shares at $19 each under the ticker symbol "LIFE," according to TechCrunch.
The IPO is being closely watched as a bellwether for the 2026 listing cycle. Ethos operates a three-sided platform where consumers can buy life insurance policies online in 10 minutes without medical exams. TechCrunch reported that over 10,000 independent agents use its software to sell policies, and carriers like Legal & General America and John Hancock rely on it for underwriting and administrative services.
In other economic news, Apple reported record-breaking iPhone sales for the final three months of last year, driven by the new iPhone 17 range. According to the BBC, revenue rose by 16% compared to the same period last year, reaching $144 billion, the strongest growth since 2021. Sales were boosted by growth in China, Europe, the Americas, and Japan. Apple CEO Tim Cook stated the firm was in "supply chase mode" to meet the high demand. However, the BBC noted that sales of Mac computers were down by just over 7%, and sales of wearables and accessories, including the Apple Watch and AirPods, fell by roughly 3%.
Meanwhile, in Washington, D.C., President Donald Trump endorsed a spending deal negotiated by US Senate Republicans and Democrats to avert a government shutdown. Sky News reported that the deal would fund the vast majority of the government until September while extending current funding for Homeland Security. Trump said that Republicans and Democrats "have come together" on the agreement. The move comes as the US reels from the deaths of two protesters at the hands of federal agents in Minneapolis, according to Sky News.
President Trump also signed an executive order on Thursday laying the groundwork to potentially impose tariffs on goods from countries that provide oil to Cuba. The Guardian reported that the order declares a national emergency and establishes a process for the US secretaries of state and commerce to assess tariffs against countries. The White House cited Cuba's ties to hostile powers as the reason for the order, which is intended to increase pressure on the Cuban government.
In addition, President Trump warned the UK against closer ties with China, just hours after British Prime Minister Keir Starmer lauded the economic relationship during a visit to Beijing. The Guardian reported that Trump said it was "very dangerous" for the UK to do business with China. Starmer, the first British prime minister to travel to Beijing in eight years, promised a more sophisticated relationship.
Discussion
Join the conversation
Be the first to comment