Impact of Ind-AS on IPO Underpricing in India

Abstract

The present study analyses the collaborative endeavours associated with the evolving modifications in the procedures and regulations governing initial public offering (IPO) processes in India. Partly spurred by the mandated adoption of the Ind-AS (Indian Accounting Standards), which are aligned with International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS), the study employs a student’s t-test along with multivariate regression on 126 firms listed in India between April 2013 to March 2020 on both BSE and NSE to examine the impact of changes in accounting standards on IPO under-pricing in India. The study finds substantial evidence that transitioning from AS (erstwhile accounting standards based on Generally Accepted Accounting Principles-GAAP) to Ind-AS improved market efficiency and reduced under-pricing. The adoption of Ind-AS also demonstrates a significant impact on the investing community’s investing perception. Further, the study finds that the mean under-pricing was not affected for firms supported by venture capital and group affiliation. The study concludes that regulatory bodies should prioritise enhancing transparency in offer documents to mitigate information asymmetry. This study is a pioneering effort in examining the Indian stock market, serving as foundational research that may be used in future investigations.