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Economic freedom and IPO underpricing

Author

Listed:
  • Yibiao Chen

    (Agriculture Bank of China International Securities Co Ltd. Central)

  • Steven S. Wang

    (School of Business, Renmin University of China)

  • Wilson H. S. Tong

    (The Hong Kong Polytechnic University)

  • Hui Zhu

    (Zhejiang University of Finance and Economics)

Abstract

This paper examines how the difference in institutional environments constitutes differential IPO underpricing across countries. Using the Heritage Foundation’s Index of Economic Freedom (IEF) as a proxy for the heterogeneous institutional environment, and a sample of 3728 IPOs from 22 countries and regions over the period 1993–2014, we find that countries with higher economic freedom have significantly less serious IPO underpricing problems. Moreover, we find that among the 10 economic freedom factors covered by theIEF, financial freedom related factors play a more important role in reducing the IPO underpricing problem. Finally, consistent with the market sentiment hypothesis, we find strong evidence that pre-IPO market sentiment influences IPO first-day returns, and that the IPO underpricing problem is less severe when the market is bearish.

Suggested Citation

  • Yibiao Chen & Steven S. Wang & Wilson H. S. Tong & Hui Zhu, 2017. "Economic freedom and IPO underpricing," Frontiers of Business Research in China, Springer, vol. 11(1), pages 1-22, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:fobric:v:11:y:2017:i:1:d:10.1186_s11782-017-0019-1
    DOI: 10.1186/s11782-017-0019-1
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    More about this item

    Keywords

    IPO underpricing; Institutional environment; Economic freedom;
    All these keywords.

    JEL classification:

    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G15 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - International Financial Markets
    • G30 - Financial Economics - - Corporate Finance and Governance - - - General

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