SPAC IPO Waves

Abstract

We examine the wave pattern of U.S. SPAC IPOs using a hand-collected data set of the entire SPAC population since their emergence in 2003. We find that both the SPAC volume and SPAC share of total IPOs are negatively related to market-wide uncertainty (VIX) and time-varying risk aversion (variance risk premium). We attribute our findings to risk-averse investors' reluctancy to invest in opaque securities. In response, the SPAC sponsor can credibly signal the issue’s quality by increasing their “skin in the game” through the purchase of additional warrants.

Keywords: IPO, SPACs, Time-Varying Risk Aversion, Uncertainty, Variance Risk Premium, VIX

JEL Classification: G14, G24, G34