However,
mean values in this case is somewhat misguiding, due to some extreme values as firms
ranging from high growth to mature firms are included in the samples to have a better
overview of the IPO markets. Thus, it is more reasonable to use median values to avoid such
problems. Using median values, firms in both of these markets are of low leverage, with
pre-IPO D/E ratio less than 10%. However, the median D/E ratios of Singapore firms are still
1.8% lower than in Hong Kong. Overall, firms listed in Singapore perform better than the
firms listed in Hong Kong and both markets have conservative capital structure. This seems to
be consistent with the signaling theory and hypothesis 1-a and c since in order to signal the
‘good’ quality of the firms to their investors, firms listed in Singapore will underprice more
than the firms in Hong Kong. However, the average and median of net assets in Exhibit 4.2