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The Review of Corporate Finance Studies Vol. 2 No. 2 2014

The Pricing of IPO Services and Issues: Theory and Estimation

Ari Kang; Richard Lowery

The University of Texas-Austin Department of Finance

Abstract

We estimate a model for the process for setting IPO spreads and offer prices. We establish that the partially rigid spread schedule observed for IPOs, where over 90% of IPOs with proceeds between $20 and $80 million have a spread of 7%, can be rationalized as optimal collusion. Optimal collusion creates a rationale for high underpricing, and we use data on both spreads and underpricing to estimate structural parameters. Our estimates suggest that firms benefit from holding IPOs but that idiosyncratic manager preferences may drive much of the IPO market. Much of the money left on the table is estimated to accrue to underwriters.

DOI
10.1093/rcfs/cfu005
Volume
2
Issue
2
Pages
188-234
Language
en
Sources
openalex crossref bibtex:phds-export.bib

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