Evidence on Anchoring to Industry Multiples in IPO Pricing

40 Pages Posted: 14 Nov 2015 Last revised: 2 Nov 2020

Date Written: November 1, 2020

Abstract

We develop a hypothesis where IPO offer prices are anchored to average valuation
multiples of industry peers. The hypothesis predicts initial price compression: IPOs with
multiples higher than peers should experience higher-than-average abnormal returns, and
vice versa. Accordingly, IPOs with P/E multiples higher (lower) than peers exhibit 2.8
percentage points higher (5.5 percentage points lower) first-day returns than average. A
one-standard-deviation increase in valuation difference is associated with a 5-10
percentage-point higher first-day return. We find no evidence of associated reversals in
long-term risk-adjusted returns. This explanation of IPO pricing is orthogonal to partial
adjustment, prospect theory, and sentiment.

Keywords: Anchoring, IPOs, Behavioral Finance, Comparables, Contrast Effects

JEL Classification: G24, G32

Suggested Citation

Hundtofte, Sean and Torstila, Sami, Evidence on Anchoring to Industry Multiples in IPO Pricing (November 1, 2020). Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2690869 or http://dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn.2690869

Sami Torstila

Aalto University ( email )

P.O. Box 21210
Helsinki, 00101
Finland
+358 40 353 8069 (Phone)

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