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The Geography of Real Property Information and Investment: Firm Location, Asset Location and Institutional Ownership

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  • David C. Ling
  • Chongyu Wang
  • Tingyu Zhou

Abstract

Using a sample of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), we show that institutional investors exploit location‐based information asymmetries by overweighting firms headquartered locally and those with greater economic interests in the investor's home metropolitan statistical area (MSA). This asset allocation strategy is associated with superior portfolio performance. In a difference‐in‐difference‐in‐differences analysis of investor headquarters relocations, we find that investors tend to increase their ownership of REITs that have property holdings in the market to which the investor relocates. Our findings highlight the importance of understanding the relation between information advantages and the geography of firm's operations, as well as the implications on ownership patterns and portfolio construction.

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  • David C. Ling & Chongyu Wang & Tingyu Zhou, 2021. "The Geography of Real Property Information and Investment: Firm Location, Asset Location and Institutional Ownership," Real Estate Economics, American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, vol. 49(1), pages 287-331, March.
    • Handle: RePEc:bla:reesec:v:49:y:2021:i:1:p:287-331
    DOI: 10.1111/1540-6229.12294
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    3. Gregg Fisher & Eva Steiner & Sheridan Titman & Ashvin Viswanathan, 2022. "Location density, systematic risk, and cap rates: Evidence from REITs," Real Estate Economics, American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, vol. 50(2), pages 366-400, June.
    4. Daniel Broxterman & Tingyu Zhou, 2023. "Information Frictions in Real Estate Markets: Recent Evidence and Issues," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 66(2), pages 203-298, February.
    5. Eduard Hromada & Tomáš Krulický, 2021. "Investing in Real Estate in the Czech Republic and Analyzing the Dependence of Profitability and Technical and Socio-Economic Factors," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(18), pages 1-12, September.
    6. David C. Ling & Chongyu Wang & Tingyu Zhou, 2022. "Asset productivity, local information diffusion, and commercial real estate returns," Real Estate Economics, American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, vol. 50(1), pages 89-121, March.
    7. Paul Anglin & Jianxin Cui & Yanmin Gao & Li Zhang, 2021. "Analyst Forecasts during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Evidence from REITs," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(10), pages 1-21, September.

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