IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/zbw/jumsac/308472.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

The impact of prospectus language on IPO underpricing: A textual analysis of European IPOs

Author

Listed:
  • von Bodman, Nicolas

Abstract

This study explores the impact of IPO prospectus language on the prevalent underpricing in European IPOs, using natural language processing techniques. Specifically, it investigates whether a relationship exists between litigious, negative, positive, and uncertain language, as well as the degree of document similarity and IPO underpricing. For this purpose, qualitative text data is converted into quantifiable metrics using modern analysis techniques. The study presents new methodological approaches to textual analysis. The results establish a clear relationship between underpricing and multiple dimensions of prospectus language and highlights unique features of European markets. These include specific disclosure obligations of various market segments and the different listing types available to issuing firms. The results of the variables related to sentiment analysis all reveal significant relationships. However, no robust evidence emerges for variables related to document similarity. Overall, the introduced methodological approaches offer enhanced explanatory power over traditional methods, effectively contributing to the explanation of the underpricing phenomenon in European markets.

Suggested Citation

  • von Bodman, Nicolas, 2024. "The impact of prospectus language on IPO underpricing: A textual analysis of European IPOs," Junior Management Science (JUMS), Junior Management Science e. V., vol. 9(4), pages 1934-1963.
  • Handle: RePEc:zbw:jumsac:308472
    DOI: 10.5282/jums/v9i4pp1934-1963
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/308472/1/1913500721.pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.5282/jums/v9i4pp1934-1963?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Sean Cao Robert H. Smith & Wei Jiang & Baozhong Yang J. Mack Robinson & Alan L Zhang & Tarun Ramadorai, 2023. "How to Talk When a Machine Is Listening: Corporate Disclosure in the Age of AI," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 36(9), pages 3603-3642.
    2. Jenkinson, Tim & Morrison, Alan D. & Wilhelm, William Jr., 2006. "Why are European IPOs so rarely priced outside the indicative price range?," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 80(1), pages 185-209, April.
    3. Michael Ewens & Joan Farre-Mensa, 2020. "The Deregulation of the Private Equity Markets and the Decline in IPOs," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 33(12), pages 5463-5509.
    4. Hanley, Kathleen Weiss & Hoberg, Gerard, 2012. "Litigation risk, strategic disclosure and the underpricing of initial public offerings," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(2), pages 235-254.
    5. Andrei Shleifer & Florencio Lopez-de-Silanes & Rafael La Porta, 2008. "The Economic Consequences of Legal Origins," Journal of Economic Literature, American Economic Association, vol. 46(2), pages 285-332, June.
    6. Fred E. Huibers, 2020. "Towards an Optimal IPO Mechanism," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-14, June.
    7. Kathleen Weiss Hanley, 2010. "The Information Content of IPO Prospectuses," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 23(7), pages 2821-2864, July.
    8. Sherman, Ann E. & Titman, Sheridan, 2002. "Building the IPO order book: underpricing and participation limits with costly information," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(1), pages 3-29, July.
    9. Geddes, Ross, 2003. "IPOs and Equity Offerings," Elsevier Monographs, Elsevier, edition 1, number 9780750655385.
    10. Benveniste, Lawrence M. & Spindt, Paul A., 1989. "How investment bankers determine the offer price and allocation of new issues," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 24(2), pages 343-361.
    11. Gao, Xiaohui & Ritter, Jay R. & Zhu, Zhongyan, 2013. "Where Have All the IPOs Gone?," Journal of Financial and Quantitative Analysis, Cambridge University Press, vol. 48(6), pages 1663-1692, December.
    12. Guo, Haifeng & Wang, Ying & Wang, Bo & Ge, Yuanjing, 2022. "Does prospectus AE affect IPO underpricing? A content analysis of the Chinese stock market," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 1-12.
    13. Rock, Kevin, 1986. "Why new issues are underpriced," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 15(1-2), pages 187-212.
    14. James C. Brau & James Cicon & Grant McQueen, 2016. "Soft Strategic Information and IPO Underpricing," Journal of Behavioral Finance, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 17(1), pages 1-17, January.
    15. Lin, Hui Ling & Pukthuanthong, Kuntara & Walker, Thomas John, 2013. "An international look at the lawsuit avoidance hypothesis of IPO underpricing," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 19(C), pages 56-77.
    16. Loughran, Tim & McDonald, Bill, 2013. "IPO first-day returns, offer price revisions, volatility, and form S-1 language," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(2), pages 307-326.
    17. Tim Jenkinson & Howard Jones & Felix Suntheim, 2018. "Quid Pro Quo? What Factors Influence IPO Allocations to Investors?," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 73(5), pages 2303-2341, October.
    18. Tim Loughran & Bill Mcdonald, 2016. "Textual Analysis in Accounting and Finance: A Survey," Journal of Accounting Research, Wiley Blackwell, vol. 54(4), pages 1187-1230, September.
    19. Silvio Vismara & Stefano Paleari & Jay R. Ritter, 2012. "Europe's Second Markets for Small Companies," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 18(3), pages 352-388, June.
    20. Lowry, Michelle & Shu, Susan, 2002. "Litigation risk and IPO underpricing," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 65(3), pages 309-335, September.
    21. Gerard Hoberg & Gordon Phillips, 2010. "Product Market Synergies and Competition in Mergers and Acquisitions: A Text-Based Analysis," The Review of Financial Studies, Society for Financial Studies, vol. 23(10), pages 3773-3811, October.
    22. Paul C. Tetlock, 2007. "Giving Content to Investor Sentiment: The Role of Media in the Stock Market," Journal of Finance, American Finance Association, vol. 62(3), pages 1139-1168, June.
    23. Seegmiller, Bryan & Papanikolaou, Dimitris & Schmidt, Lawrence D.W., 2023. "Measuring document similarity with weighted averages of word embeddings," Explorations in Economic History, Elsevier, vol. 87(C).
    24. Stephen P. Ferris & (Grace) Qing Hao & (Stella) Min-Yu Liao, 2013. "The Effect of Issuer Conservatism on IPO Pricing and Performance," Review of Finance, European Finance Association, vol. 17(3), pages 993-1027.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Patrick M. Corrigan, 2022. "Does an initial public offering (IPO) issuer's Securities and Exchange Commission registration fee calculation method predict pricing revisions and IPO underpricing?," Journal of Empirical Legal Studies, John Wiley & Sons, vol. 19(4), pages 1114-1147, December.
    2. Loughran, Tim & McDonald, Bill, 2013. "IPO first-day returns, offer price revisions, volatility, and form S-1 language," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 109(2), pages 307-326.
    3. Katsafados, Apostolos G. & Androutsopoulos, Ion & Chalkidis, Ilias & Fergadiotis, Manos & Leledakis, George N. & Pyrgiotakis, Emmanouil G., 2020. "Textual Information and IPO Underpricing: A Machine Learning Approach," MPRA Paper 103813, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    4. Jana P. Fidrmuc & Tereza Tykvova, 2023. "Are Acquirer Shareholders Happier when Their Industries Are Unhappy?," Swiss Finance Institute Research Paper Series 23-52, Swiss Finance Institute.
    5. Natalia Matanova & Tanja Steigner & Bingsheng Yi & Qiancheng Zheng, 2019. "Going concern opinions and IPO pricing accuracy," Review of Quantitative Finance and Accounting, Springer, vol. 53(1), pages 195-238, July.
    6. Chi, Yeguang & He, Jingbin & Ma, Xinru & Wu, Fei, 2023. "Institutional investor inattention bias in auctioned IPOs," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 150(C).
    7. Hanley, Kathleen Weiss & Hoberg, Gerard, 2012. "Litigation risk, strategic disclosure and the underpricing of initial public offerings," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 103(2), pages 235-254.
    8. Bian, Shibo & Jia, Dekui & Li, Ruihai & Sun, Wujun & Yan, Zhipeng & Zheng, Yingfei, 2021. "Can management tone predict IPO performance? – Evidence from mandatory online roadshows in China," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 68(C).
    9. Florysiak, David & Schandlbauer, Alexander, 2022. "Experts or charlatans? ICO analysts and white paper informativeness," Journal of Banking & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 139(C).
    10. Salim Chahine & Gonul Colak & Iftekhar Hasan & Mohamad Mazboudi, 2020. "Investor relations and IPO performance," Review of Accounting Studies, Springer, vol. 25(2), pages 474-512, June.
    11. Guo, Haifeng & Wang, Ying & Wang, Bo & Ge, Yuanjing, 2022. "Does prospectus AE affect IPO underpricing? A content analysis of the Chinese stock market," International Review of Economics & Finance, Elsevier, vol. 82(C), pages 1-12.
    12. Chi, Yeguang & He, Jingbin & Ma, Xinru & Wu, Fei, 2023. "Air pollution and institutional investors' valuation bias during initial public offerings," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 80(C).
    13. Anastasiou, Dimitrios & Katsafados, Apostolos G., 2020. "Bank Deposits Flows and Textual Sentiment: When an ECB President's speech is not just a speech," MPRA Paper 99729, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    14. Jerry W. Chen & Eunice S. Khoo & Zihang Peng, 2023. "Climate change disclosure and the information environment in the initial public offering market," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(S1), pages 907-952, April.
    15. Benson, David F. & Brau, James C. & Cicon, James & Ferris, Stephen P., 2015. "Strategically camouflaged corporate governance in IPOs: Entrepreneurial masking and impression management," Journal of Business Venturing, Elsevier, vol. 30(6), pages 839-864.
    16. Stavros Thomadakis & Dimitrios Gounopoulos & Christos Nounis & Andreas Merikas, 2016. "Collateral Regulation and IPO†Specific Liberalisation: the Case of Price Limits in the Athens Stock Exchange," European Financial Management, European Financial Management Association, vol. 22(2), pages 276-312, March.
    17. Sonu, Catherine Heyjung, 2022. "Information quality and IPO underpricing: The role of underwriter pricing and allocation powers," Pacific-Basin Finance Journal, Elsevier, vol. 75(C).
    18. Boone, Audra L. & Floros, Ioannis V. & Johnson, Shane A., 2016. "Redacting proprietary information at the initial public offering," Journal of Financial Economics, Elsevier, vol. 120(1), pages 102-123.
    19. Crain, Nicholas & Parrino, Robert & Srinivasan, Raji, 2021. "Uncertainty, prospectus content, and the pricing of initial public offerings," Journal of Empirical Finance, Elsevier, vol. 64(C), pages 160-182.
    20. Enrico Forti & Serena Morricone & Federico Munari, 2021. "Litigation risks and firms innovation dynamics after the IPO," Economia e Politica Industriale: Journal of Industrial and Business Economics, Springer;Associazione Amici di Economia e Politica Industriale, vol. 48(2), pages 291-313, June.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:zbw:jumsac:308472. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: ZBW - Leibniz Information Centre for Economics (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://jums.academy/en/ .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.