Wella Company Announces NYSE IPO Under ‘WELA’ Ticker, Anticipating $4.3B+ Valuation

Beauty industry leader Wella Company, supported by private equity firm KKR and renowned for its OPI nail polish and Wella professional hair care brands, has officially filed for a U.S. Initial Public Offering (IPO). The filing, dated Monday, August 31, 2026, aims to list the company on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol ‘WELA’.

This move places Wella amidst a surging tide of consumer brands looking to leverage the revived investor interest in public market listings. With its origins dating back to 1880 in Germany, the company now has a presence in over 100 countries. It employs more than 6,000 people and has offices in Geneva, New York City, London, and Calabasas, California. Wella’s brand portfolio is diverse, featuring Clairol, ghd, Briogeo, Sebastian Professional, and Nioxin.

In 2020, KKR initially purchased a 60% stake in Wella from beauty conglomerate Coty, valuing the company at $4.3 billion, inclusive of debt. The upcoming IPO is projected to significantly exceed this valuation. On the financial front, Wella has reported a robust 9%+ revenue increase, amounting to $2.94 billion for the year ending on June 30, 2026. This marks a swing to a net income of $62.3 million, a considerable improvement from an $8.7 million net loss in the previous year. The lead underwriters for the IPO include Goldman Sachs, Bank of America Securities, KKR, and J.P. Morgan.

Source: CNBC / Reuters – August 31, 2026