Market Structure, Changing Incentives, and Underwriter Certification

Early studies find that higher quality underwriters are associated with lower underpricing; however, more recent evidence suggests the opposite relation. By controlling for influences associated with the changing market structure of the underwriter industry, I provide a potential explanation for this conflict, that is, that higher quality underwriters do certify initial public offerings, resulting in lower underpricing. However, effects associated with increasing market shares tend to offset certification benefits, particularly for issues underwritten by the largest investment banks.