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Journal of Finance Vol. 55 No. 3 2000

When the Underwriter Is the Market Maker: An Examination of Trading in the IPO Aftermarket

Katrina R. Ellis1; Roni Michaely2,3; Maureen O’Hara

1 Australian Federation of Graduate Women New South Wales · 2 Tel Aviv University · 3 Cornell University

Abstract

This paper examines aftermarket trading of underwriters and unaffiliated market makers in the three‐month period after an IPO. We find that the lead underwriter is always the dominant market maker; he takes substantial inventory positions in the aftermarket trading, and co‐managers play a negligible role in aftermarket trading. The lead underwriter engages in stabilization activity for less successful IPOs, and uses the overallotment option to reduce his inventory risk. Compensation to the underwriter arises primarily from fees, but aftermarket trading does generate positive profits, which are positively related to the degree of underpricing.

DOI
10.1111/0022-1082.00240
Volume
55
Issue
3
Pages
1039-1074
Language
en
Sources
bibtex:phds-export.bib openalex crossref

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