THE INTERACTION BETWEEN PRICING AND UNDERWRITING SPREAD IN THE NEW ISSUE CONVERTIBLE DEBT MARKET

The objective of this research is to measure the interaction among pricing variables in new issues of convertible debt. In underwriting convertible debt issues, there is a simultaneous tradeoff among the conversion premium, yield, and underwriting spread. Since the three endogenous variables are interrelated, a simultaneous equation model is used to test for this interaction. Based on a sample of 264 new convertible debt offerings, the results indicate underpricing in terms of conversion premium and yield as well as simultaneous increases in yield and underwriting spread.