The data mining firm could start trading as early as September, but has not yet decided whether to do so via an IPO or a direct listing. (Reuters)

Talking point: Palantir CEO Alexander Karp has been talking about going public since at least mid-2016, and the company has reportedly been on the cusp of profitability for at least as long. When it does eventually file, its prospectus could provide more visibility into its government business; the company has reportedly told investors it’s been winning a lot of public-sector contracts of late. It’s also expanding internationally, working on COVID-19 responses in 18 countries and offering its services largely pro-bono to generate business. Last year, it hired former Canadian ambassador to the U.S. David MacNaughton to run its local operation. But Palantir’s sole disclosed contract with Ottawa—a million-dollar deal for software to be used by the Canadian Special Operations Forces Command—expired in March, defense department spokesperson Sue Beler told The Logic.