Faculty Publications

Do The Individuals Closest To Internet Firms Believe They Are Overvalued

Document Type

Article

Keywords

G14, G32, Internet, IPO, Market efficiency, Mergers

Journal/Book/Conference Title

Journal of Financial Economics

Volume

59

Issue

3

First Page

347

Last Page

381

Abstract

Two explanations are commonly offered for the large number of recent IPOs by Internet firms. The first argues that Internet firms are trying to grab market share in an industry with large economies of scale. The second argues that Internet firms are rushing to go public when Internet stock prices are irrationally high. In this paper we examine the actions of those closest to Internet firms - firm managers, underwriters, and venture capitalists - to determine their motives for going public. Numerous strategic alliances and mergers and acquisitions provide strong evidence of a rush to grab market share. Other factors provide only weak evidence that Internet IPOs are attempts to sell overpriced stock. © 2001 Elsevier Science Ltd.

Department

Department of Finance

Original Publication Date

3-1-2001

DOI of published version

10.1016/S0304-405X(00)00090-8

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