Restructuring US stock markets Weild has been associated with discussions on U.S. initial public offering (IPO) regulations and equity market structure. His views were referenced in a 1994
Businessweek cover story addressing IPO-related issues. In October 2011, he published an op-ed in
The Wall Street Journal discussing the idea of a stock market designed to support smaller companies. During his career, Weild has been involved in equity capital markets, including participation in more than 1000 equity offerings. His research and analysis have been cited in financial media; for example,
The Economist referenced work associated with him in a 2009 discussion on market structure and trends in public listings. In February 2012, he contributed an article to ''
Crain's New York Magazine'' about rebuilding the IPO market for smaller firms, especially in the shadow of the failed
Facebook IPO. Around the same period, U.S. policymakers introduced legislative changes related to capital formation. Coverage of these developments has included references to various market participants and advocacy efforts, including those associated with Weild. Some media coverage has characterized his role in discussions on small-cap markets and IPO activity, including descriptions in financial press highlighting his focus on these areas. He also contributed to the 2012 book
Broken Markets, published by Financial Times Press, which examined issues related to market structure and public company trends.
JOBS Act Weild participated in policy discussions concerning U.S. capital markets and initial public offering (IPO) regulation. On June 20, 2012, he provided testimony to the
U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Financial Services during a hearing on market structure and capital formation. In his testimony, he addressed issues related to equity market structure, including the impact of tick size on IPO activity. He has also been involved in discussions with regulatory and advisory bodies, including contributions to hearings and consultations focused on small and emerging companies. The
Jumpstart Our Business Startups Act was enacted in April 5, 2012. Contemporary reporting and policy analysis of the legislation reference a range of contributors, including policymakers, industry participants, and researchers. Studies co-authored by Weild and Edward Kim have been cited in discussions relating to IPO market structure and capital formation. The
JOBS Act was signed into law by the President in April 2012. The final bill relied heavily on studies done by Weild and coauthor Edward Kim. Some media sources have characterized Weild’s role in advocacy surrounding capital markets reform, including descriptions of his involvement in debates leading up to the legislation and efforts have led him to be known as the "Father" of the JOBS Act.
Views on US IPO markets Weild has written and spoken about U.S. equity market structure, including proposals intended to support small-cap companies and increase initial public offering (IPO) activity. In 2012, he discussed the possibility of establishing a stock market designed to address the financing and aftermarket needs of smaller companies. Among the issues he has raised is the structure of minimum price increments, or “tick sizes,” used in equity trading. He has argued that alternative tick sizes, such as increments larger than one cent, could affect liquidity and market participation in small-cap stocks. He has also suggested that changes in market structure and incentives for intermediaries could influence IPO activity and capital formation. Weild has cited historical comparisons in discussing trends in the number of publicly listed companies in the United States, including estimates regarding IPO levels required to maintain historical totals. Empirical research on these issues has produced differing findings. A pilot program conducted by
FINRA and reported in 2018 examined the effects of wider tick sizes on small-cap stocks. The study found that, relative to a control group, quoting in larger increments was associated with reduced trading activity and did not increase the number of market makers. Weild has expressed disagreement with the conclusions of that study and has questioned aspects of its methodology. ==Personal life==