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The role of individual investment bankers in IPO pricing: Evidence from investor bidding behavior

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  • Brockman, Paul
  • He, Xianjie
  • Sun, Shuwei
  • Zou, Huan

Abstract

Using unique datasets on investor bidding and on investment bankers' biography, we examine the role of individual investment bankers in the process of IPO pricing. We find that when an investment banker has a social connection with a mutual fund manager, this manager is significantly more likely to (1) participate in the IPO, (2) submit above average bid prices, (3) realize lower IPO returns. The effect of investment bankers' social relationships is more pronounced when the issuer has low accounting quality and/or when the underwriter is a small bank. Further evidence shows that social relationships between investment bankers and fund managers reduce IPO underpricing. Overall, our findings suggest that social interactions help individual investment bankers to efficiently exchange value-relevant information with IPO investors.

Suggested Citation

  • Brockman, Paul & He, Xianjie & Sun, Shuwei & Zou, Huan, 2023. "The role of individual investment bankers in IPO pricing: Evidence from investor bidding behavior," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 82(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:corfin:v:82:y:2023:i:c:s0929119923000809
    DOI: 10.1016/j.jcorpfin.2023.102431
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Xuan, Ziyue & Guo, Wenting & Lan, Faqin, 2023. "Underwriters interest binding and IPO underpricing," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 57(C).
    2. Wenjun Wang, 2024. "You scratch my back and i scratch yours: evidence from relationship-based bidding in IPO auctions," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 62(4), pages 1593-1613, May.
    3. Cao, Aochen & Lu, Huaixin & Zhang, Jianyang & Wang, Zidong, 2025. "How does sponsor Co-investment distort institutional investor bidding? Evidence from China," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 84(C).
    4. Dong, Xiuliang & Wang, Yiqun & Zhang, Jiaming & Liu, Jianing, 2024. "Sponsor Co-investment, inquiry divergence, and IPO pricing efficiency," Finance Research Letters, Elsevier, vol. 62(PA).
    5. Alireza Saranj & Mehdi Zolfaghari, 2025. "Trading behavior-stock market volatility nexus among institutional and individual investors," Financial Innovation, Springer;Southwestern University of Finance and Economics, vol. 11(1), pages 1-50, December.

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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • G24 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Investment Banking; Venture Capital; Brokerage
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General
    • G41 - Financial Economics - - Behavioral Finance - - - Role and Effects of Psychological, Emotional, Social, and Cognitive Factors on Decision Making in Financial Markets
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading

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