Is real estate an important factor in corporate valuation? Evidence from listed retail firms

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to examine whether there is a systematic real estate risk factor in retail firms' common stock returns and whether this risk is priced in the stock market. In addition, whether the real estate risk sensitivities of retail stocks are linked to each firm's real estate intensity is investigated.

Design/methodology/approach

With a sample of 556 retail firms from 15 countries and a three‐index model with a domestic stock market and a retail market factor, as well as a real estate risk factor as the three explanatory variables, the paper appeals to the maximum likelihood methodology of Gibbons which estimates factor sensitivity coefficients and factor risk premia simultaneously using an iterative seemingly unrelated regression (ITSUR) technique, as well as the generalized method of moments (GMM) procedure. In addition, the paper investigates whether the individual retail firms' real estate βs are affected by the firms' CRER levels and other financial characteristics, using instrumental variables estimation technique via three‐stage least squares (3SLS).

Findings

The paper finds property market risks carry positive risk premia after controlling for sensitivities to general market and retail market risks, implying that real estate is an important factor priced in the stock market value of the sample retail firms. However, higher real estate concentration does not necessarily cause higher real estate exposure after controlling for firm size, leverage and growth, implying that stock market investors are unwilling or unable to understand and capture the full risk real estate ownership risk in corporate valuation.

Research limitations/implications

From the corporate management viewpoint, those retail firms with a significant real estate portfolio should always consider the “real estate exposure” factor in their overall corporate strategy. Their high real estate exposure renders them vulnerable to shocks in the real estate market.

Originality/value

The paper offers insights into whether real estate is an important factor in corporate valuation

Citation

Hiang Liow, K. (2010), "Is real estate an important factor in corporate valuation? Evidence from listed retail firms", Journal of Corporate Real Estate, Vol. 12 No. 4, pp. 249-278. https://doi.org/10.1108/14630011011094685