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Journal of Corporate Finance Vol. 14 No. 5 2008

Credit ratings and IPO pricing

Heng (Hunter) An1; Kam C. Chan2

1 University of South Dakota · 2 Western Kentucky University

Abstract

We examine the effects of credit ratings on IPO pricing. The evidence from U.S. common share IPOs during 1986–2004 shows that when firms go public, those with credit ratings are underpriced significantly less than firms without credit ratings. Credit rating levels, however, do not have a significant effect on IPO underpricing. The existence of credit rating reduces uncertainty about firm value. It is the value certainty that matters, not the value per se. Credit ratings also reduce the degree of price revision during the bookbuilding process and the aftermarket volatility in the post-IPO period. The evidence suggests that credit ratings convey useful information in reducing value uncertainty of the issuing firms as well as information asymmetry in the IPO markets.

DOI
10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2008.09.010
Volume
14
Issue
5
Pages
584-595
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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