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The traditional approach and methodology can no longer cope effectively with the complexities and problems associated with large scale property investment. The level of sophistication of the analysis of property investments is still much lower than the analysis of investments in other media. There is a need to establish an analytical framework which could facilitate the management of the complex decision making and management problems associated with large property investment portfolios. The principal aim of this paper is to identify and rationalise the property portfolio problem in order to pave the way for the applications of recent developments in investment and portfolio theory. The definition of the general portfolio problem is followed by a comparison of the nature and characteristics of property portfolios and stock market security portfolios. The property portfolio problem is defined as a complex decision making problem requiring effective decision making in three stages: investment policy, selection and portfolio assembly, and finally management and portfolio rationalisation.

Examines the role of property in a portfolio investment context. Demonstrates that the return an asset is required to achieve depends on the variability and correlation of returns and not simply average returns. Shows that property, as measured by the Jones Lang Wootton Index, should have been included in institutional portfolios using both nominal and real returns, even if the variability of property was more than doubled. Suggests that property portfolios still offer considerable benefits to existing gilt/equity dominated funds in terms of improved risk‐adjusted performance.

Considers the role of property in a multi‐asset portfolio and highlights the need for property to be subject to the same analytical framework as other assets in the portfolio. Discusses the principles of portfolio construction, consisting of development of economic scenarios; forecasts of return on asset classes; asset allocation and portfolio construction; and stock selection. Sets out a strategic framework for the construction of a property portfolio, which involves an explicit consideration of risk and return relative to an appropriate benchmark. States that both the structure and stock of the fund need to be considered. Suggests that most of the published work on the subject is seriously flawed by inadequate data.

Retail property is an important property investment sector. The purpose of this paper is to assess the importance of retail property type, size and region in Australian retail property and the strategic role of direct retail property and retail listed property trusts (LPTs) in a mixed‐asset portfolio.

This paper analyses the performance of retail property in Australia over 1995‐2005 for both direct and indirect retail property. Risk‐adjusted performance analysis is used to assess the added value of retail property in a mixed‐asset portfolio, with the portfolio diversification benefits of retail property also assessed.

The paper finds that retail property and retail LPTs have delivered substantial risk‐adjusted returns and portfolio diversification benefits over 1995‐2005. The retail property sub‐sectors of retail property type, size and region have different performance characteristics; particularly highlighting the substantial role of geographic diversification as the most effective portfolio diversification strategy for retail property investors. Direct retail property and retail LPTs are also identified as having different performance characteristics and each contributing substantially to an institutional property investment strategy.

Previous retail research has been at an “overall” Australian retail property level. This paper rigorously assesses retail property at a retail sub‐sector level regarding retail property type, size and location. This level of analysis enables more informed and practical investment decision‐making regarding the role of retail property in a mixed‐asset portfolio for both direct and indirect retail property as part of an institutional property investment strategy.

The purpose of this paper is to stimulate thinking as to how we might produce timely and more reliable estimates of changes in the value of portfolios, price indices based on a portfolio of properties, and other aggregate measures of trends in property values. It is argued that a traditional market value appraisal of each individual property may not be necessary or optimal when the objective is to value portfolios or get a leading indicator of shifts in market value at an aggregate level. Rather, it is more important to use a critical mass of current market data that captures systematic movements in property values. Although a traditional market value appraisal is always more likely to capture the unique unsystematic characteristics of an individual property, automated valuation models using a database of valuation data may provide the best way to get real time interim updates of real estate portfolios and create more timely real estate indices.

The measurement of property portfolio performance is an important issue that, superficially, appears very straightforward. All that is required is an index of property market movements which can then be used as a reference point for comparing performance. Problems can arise, however, if the statistical characteristics of the index are different from the portfolio being analysed. This is not a trivial issue as the difference can be large enough to obscure the true performance of the portfolio and can lead to an inaccurate diagnosis of investment skill. Draws on recent research into index construction and examines some of the issues surrounding these problems. Discusses tracking errors and benchmarking issues.

Introduction The principal objective of a portfolio manager's work is the construction and maintenance of successful, efficient portfolios of investment assets. It is necessary, therefore, that methods are designed and made available through which the success and efficiency of portfolios may be assessed. Only through the continuous monitoring of the achieved results can long term investment strategies succeed.

Healthcare property has become an important alternate property sector in recent years for many international institutional investors. The purpose of this paper is to assess the risk-adjusted performance, portfolio diversification benefits and performance dynamics of French healthcare property in a French property portfolio and mixed-asset portfolio over 1999–2020. French healthcare property is seen to have different performance dynamics to the traditional French property sectors of office, retail and industrial property. Drivers and risk factors for the ongoing development of the direct healthcare property sector in France are also identified, as well as the strategic property investment implications for institutional investors.

Using annual total returns, the risk-adjusted performance, portfolio diversification benefits and performance dynamics of French direct healthcare property over 1999–2020 are assessed. Asset allocation diagrams are used to assess the role of direct healthcare property in a French property portfolio and in a French mixed-asset portfolio. The role of specific drivers for French healthcare property performance is also assessed. Robustness checks are also done to assess the potential impact of COVID-19 on the performance of French healthcare property.

French healthcare property is shown to have different performance dynamics to the traditional French property sectors of office, retail and industrial property. French direct healthcare property delivered strong risk-adjusted returns compared to French stocks, listed healthcare and listed property over 1999–2020, only exceeded by direct property. Portfolio diversification benefits in the fuller mixed-asset portfolio context were also evident, but to a much lesser extent in a narrower property portfolio context. Importantly, this sees French direct healthcare property as strongly contributing to the French property and mixed-asset portfolios across the entire portfolio risk spectrum and validating the property industry perspective of healthcare property being low risk and providing diversification benefits in a mixed-asset portfolio. However, this was to some degree to the loss or substitution of traditional direct property exposure via this replacement effect. French direct healthcare property and listed healthcare are clearly shown to be different channels in delivering different aspects of French healthcare performance to investors. Drivers of French healthcare property performance are also shown to be both economic and healthcare-specific factors. The performance of French healthcare property is also shown to be different to that seen for healthcare property in the UK and Australia. During COVID-19, French healthcare property was able to show more resilience than French office and retail property.

Healthcare property is an alternate property sector that has become increasingly important in recent years. The results highlight the important role of direct healthcare property in a French property portfolio and in a French mixed-asset portfolio, with French healthcare property having different investment dynamics to the other traditional French property sectors. The strong risk-adjusted performance of French direct healthcare property compared to French stocks, listed healthcare and listed property sees French direct healthcare property contributing to the mixed-asset portfolio across the entire portfolio risk spectrum. French healthcare property’s resilience during COVID-19 was also an attractive investment feature. This is particularly important, as many institutional investors now see healthcare property as an important property sector in their overall portfolio; particularly with the ageing population dynamics in most countries and the need for effective social infrastructure. The importance of French direct healthcare property sees direct healthcare property exposure accessible to investors as an important alternate real estate sector for their portfolios going forward via both non-listed healthcare property funds and the further future establishment of more healthcare REITs to accommodate both large and small institutional investors respectively. The resilience of French healthcare property during COVID-19 is also an attractive feature for future-proofing an investor’s portfolio.

This paper is the first published empirical research analysis of the risk-adjusted performance, diversification benefits and performance dynamics of French direct healthcare property, and the role of direct healthcare property in a French property portfolio and in a French mixed-asset portfolio. This research enables empirically validated, more informed and practical property investment decision-making regarding the strategic role of French direct healthcare property in a portfolio; particularly where the strategic role of direct healthcare property in France is seen to be different to that in the UK and Australia via portfolio replacement effects. Clear evidence is also seen of the drivers of French healthcare property performance being strongly influenced by healthcare-specific factors, as well as economic factors.

Index by subjects, compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals: Facilities Volumes 8‐17; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐17; Property Management Volumes 8‐17; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐17.

Compiled by K.G.B. Bakewell covering the following journals published by MCB University Press: Facilities Volumes 8‐18; Journal of Property Investment & Finance Volumes 8‐18; Property Management Volumes 8‐18; Structural Survey Volumes 8‐18.