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Asymmetric Information, Market Power, and the Underpricing of New Stock Issues in Germany, 1882–1892

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  • Fohlin, Caroline

Abstract

Investors in new stock issues in Germany in the 1880s experienced low spreads between the price they paid for stock and the price at which they could sell the stock in the market. Stock issuing companies paid substantial fees to underwriting banks, and these costs increased with the underwriter's market share. Bank's faced lower issuing costs than did nonfinancial firms. These patterns are consistent with a situation in which underwriters exploited their access to better information (agency problems) and had market power, but do not support the supposed lemons problems that motivated the imposition of stringent regulations in 1896.

Suggested Citation

  • Fohlin, Caroline, 2010. "Asymmetric Information, Market Power, and the Underpricing of New Stock Issues in Germany, 1882–1892," The Journal of Economic History, Cambridge University Press, vol. 70(3), pages 630-656, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:cup:jechis:v:70:y:2010:i:03:p:630-656_00
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    Cited by:

    1. Marc Deloof & Abe Jong & Wilco Legierse, 2023. "Going public: evidence from stock and bond IPOs in Belgium, 1839–1935," Cliometrica, Springer;Cliometric Society (Association Francaise de Cliométrie), vol. 17(3), pages 433-466, September.
    2. Sebastian A.J. Keibek, 2016. "Using probate data to determine historical male occupational structures," Working Papers 26, Department of Economic and Social History at the University of Cambridge, revised 21 Mar 2017.
    3. David Chambers & Carsten Burhop & Brian Cheffins, 2016. "The Rise and Fall of the German Stock Market, 1870-1938," Working Papers 25, Department of Economic and Social History at the University of Cambridge, revised 21 Sep 2016.
    4. Wilco Legierse, 2023. "Offering Method and Pricing of IPOs: An Analysis of Stock IPOs in the Netherlands, 1918–1939," De Economist, Springer, vol. 171(3), pages 207-238, September.
    5. Abe de Jong & Wilco Legierse, 2022. "What causes hot markets for equity IPOs? An analysis of initial public offerings in the Netherlands, 1876–2015 [Market timing and capital structure]," European Review of Economic History, European Historical Economics Society, vol. 26(2), pages 208-233.
    6. Sibylle Lehmann, 2011. "Taking Firms to the Stock Market: IPOs and the Importance of Universal Banks in Imperial Germany 1896-1913," Cologne Economic History papers 9, University of Cologne, Department of Economic and Business History, revised Mar 2011.
    7. Jens Günther, 2017. "Capital market effects around dividend announcements: an analysis of the Berlin stock exchange in 1895," Accounting History Review, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 27(3), pages 249-278, September.
    8. Marc Deloof & Ine Paeleman, 2024. "International entrepreneurship without investor protection: Evidence from initial public offerings in Belgium before the First World War," Economic History Review, Economic History Society, vol. 77(2), pages 523-553, May.

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