overallotment option
Greenshoe Option
A provision in some underwriting contracts allowing the underwriter to sell more shares to investors than were originally agreed. In an underwriting agreement, the underwriter agrees with the issuer of a security to place a certain amount with investors. If demand for the security exceeds the underwriter's supply, the greenshoe option allows the underwriter to avoid a sudden jump in price by increasing supply. Normally, the greenshoe option allows the underwriter to increase supply up to 15%. It is important to note that not all underwriting contracts have greenshoe options, especially in situations in which the issue is for a limited project for which the issuer only needs a certain amount of capital. It is also called an overallotment option.
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overallotment option
See greenshoe.
Wall Street Words: An A to Z Guide to Investment Terms for Today's Investor by David L. Scott. Copyright © 2003 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. All rights reserved.