Anthropic Likely to Receive High ‘Junk’ Credit Rating Following Upcoming IPO

Image: TechCrunch · Source

Anthropic is expected to get a speculative-grade credit rating after its IPO, complicating future fundraising efforts for the AI startup, according to Financial Times reporting.

Anthropic, the AI startup known for its Claude language model, is anticipated to receive a high “junk” credit rating from credit agencies following its initial public offering (IPO), as reported by the Financial Times. This expected rating falls within the double B range, which is the top tier of speculative-grade, or “junk,” credit ratings.

Previously, Blackstone, a major investment firm and key investor in Anthropic’s recent $63 billion chip financing deal, had predicted the AI company would achieve an investment-grade credit rating before 2027, signaling lower risk for investors and lenders. However, Blackstone has revised this outlook and now forecasts a less favorable rating for Anthropic post-IPO.

Such a high junk rating implies that Anthropic would face greater challenges and higher costs when raising capital moving forward. The company has been engaged in substantial spending, particularly on large compute power agreements over the past year, which has led to investor concerns about the sustainability of its financial strategy.

Anthropic officially filed for its IPO earlier in October 2026, fueling speculation about the size and impact of the offering on the broader AI sector. Representatives from both Anthropic and Blackstone have declined to comment on the credit rating forecasts.

Overall, this anticipated credit rating highlights the risks perceived by investors regarding Anthropic’s financial trajectory despite its position in the competitive AI industry. This development may influence investor sentiment as the company transitions into public markets.