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Journal of Financial Economics Vol. 59 No. 3 2001

Do investment banks compete in IPOs?: the advent of the “7% plus contract”

Robert S. Hansen

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Abstract

The large number of initial public offerings (IPOs) with a 7% spread suggests either that investment bankers collude to profit from 7% IPOs or that the 7% contract is an efficient innovation that better suits the IPO. My tests do not support the collusion theory. Low concentration and ease of entry characterize the IPO market. Moreover, the 7% spread is not abnormally profitable, nor has its use been diminished by public awareness of collusion allegations. In support of the efficient contract theory, banks compete in pricing 7% IPOs on the basis of reputation, placement service, and underpricing.

DOI
10.1016/s0304-405x(00)00089-1
Volume
59
Issue
3
Pages
313-346
Sources
crossref bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex

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