Aug 25 (Reuters) - Data analytics firm Palantir Technologies Inc on Tuesday filed to go public through a direct listing, setting the stage for what is expected to be one of the most closely watched market debuts of a Silicon Valley tech startup in years.

The Peter Thiel-backed firm had confidentially filed to go public in July. (Reporting by Anirban Sen in Bengaluru; Editing by Shounak Dasgupta)