Discussion paper
DP3314 IPO Pricing in the dot-com Bubble
IPO initial returns reached astronomical levels during 1999-2000. We show that the regime shift in initial returns and other elements of pricing behaviour can be at least partially accounted for by a variety of marked changes in pre-IPO ownership structure and insider selling behaviour over the period which reduced key decision-makers? incentives to control underpricing. After controlling for these changes, there appears to be little special about the 1999-2000 period, aside from the preponderance of Internet and high-tech firms going public. Our results suggest that it was firm characteristics that were unique during the ?dot-com bubble? and that pricing behaviour followed from incentives created by these characteristics.
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