IPO Bidding Question

I understand the basics of how an IPO is underwritten using the book building method, but I'm trying to figure out what prevents bidding investors from all submitting bids at the floor price...?

My understanding is as follows:

1. An investment bank underwriting an IPO builds a book by providing potential investors with a floor price and a ceiling price between which they can submit bids. 

2. The bank then collects all the bids at different price levels and aggregates demand to arrive at the final share price, also known as the cut-off price.

3. Shares are allocated to accepted bidders at the cut-off price. Investors who bid in excess of the cut-off price are refunded their excess payment and investors who bid below the cut-off price are asked to pay up.

My question: Why don't all bidders submit their bids at the floor price with the idea that the cut-off price will be lower and they can all get allocated shares at a lower price?

Any insight is appreciated. Just trying to learn more about the process. Thank you! 

1 Comments
 

Id culpa iste corporis amet eum. Aliquid ut ipsam ea debitis maiores sint et recusandae. Qui voluptatem est accusantium autem fuga earum libero. Ab quia sint eveniet ex qui. Et aut tempore molestiae perspiciatis unde quidem vel.

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.

Career Advancement Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • JPMorgan 01 98.3%
  • Guggenheim Partners 01 97.7%
  • Morgan Stanley 07 97.1%

Overall Employee Satisfaction

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Moelis & Company No 99.4%
  • Evercore No 98.8%
  • Morgan Stanley 01 98.3%
  • BMO Capital Markets 13 97.7%
  • Banco Santander 01 97.1%

Professional Growth Opportunities

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Evercore 01 99.4%
  • Moelis & Company 01 98.9%
  • Morgan Stanley 06 98.3%
  • Goldman Sachs 01 97.7%
  • JPMorgan 01 97.1%

Total Avg Compensation

July 2026 Investment Banking

  • Vice President (15) $434
  • Associates (46) $258
  • 3rd+ Year Analyst (8) $210
  • 2nd Year Analyst (22) $179
  • Intern/Summer Associate (13) $156
  • 1st Year Analyst (80) $150
  • Intern/Summer Analyst (73) $101
notes
16 IB Interviews Notes

“... there’s no excuse to not take advantage of the resources out there available to you. Best value for your $ are the...”

Leaderboard

success
From 10 rejections to 1 dream investment banking internship

“... I believe it was the single biggest reason why I ended up with an offer...”