Legal Bonding, Investor Recognition, and Cross-Listing Premia in Emerging Markets

Abstract

Using the IFC investable measure to designate firms as either investable or non-investable prior to cross-listing, I show that Level 2/3 cross-listing firms that were previously non-investable enjoy the largest “cross-listing premia.” Since previously non-investable firms are likely to experience the largest increase in their shareholder base post-listing, the results are consistent with the notion that enhanced “recognition” explains cross-listing premia. For these firms, a combination of bonding and greater recognition serves to deliver the largest cross-listing premia. For previously investable firms, bonding alone is sufficient to generate cross-listing premia.