The Influence of New IPO Firms on Incumbent Performance: An Empirical Investigation

Abstract

Market entry of new IPO firms adds to the competition of any industry, however, the impact on competitors may differ depending on several factors. Our study contributes to the literature on IPOs and incumbent performance by providing empirical evidence of the importance of firm specific characteristics in determining performance. Using a sample of 232 firms, we found that the strategic content of an IPO firm's prospectus affects the short-term pricing of incumbents during an IPO. Specifically, our findings suggest that IPO firms that signal high levels of exploitative tendencies in their prospectus have a negative impact on incumbents’ performance. Incumbent firms’ high degree of involvement in the focal business segment of the IPO firm tends to negatively impact their performance. Finally, technologically diversity of incumbents attenuates the negative impact of new IPOs.