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Firm-level analysis of bubble formation in Chinese real estate equities

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  • Figuerola-Ferretti, Isabel
  • Cueto, José Manuel
  • Márquez, Javier
  • Bermejo, Ramón

Abstract

This study investigates evidence of bubble preponderance in China's real estate sector and seeks to identify the main determinants of exuberance in the equity prices of listed developers, relative to their dividend-based fundamentals. In contrast to the focus on property prices and rents that characterizes prior research, we emphasize real estate equity prices and firm-specific metrics. This shift in perspective, and the corresponding use of a dividend-based proxy, separates speculative-driven bubbles from those linked to fundamentals and thus enables us to better interpret the nature of exuberance as well as assess the alignment—or misalignment—between prices and fundamentals. Our empirical examination, based on the equity prices of 25 publicly listed developers included in the BICHODVP Chinese benchmark real estate index, detects bubbles in developer equity prices as well as the presence of common bubble dynamics among BICHODVP index components. Additionally, by incorporating firm-specific characteristics and macroeconomic variables, we provide a more granular understanding of how company characteristics—especially corporate valuation multiples and leverage—interact with broader market and policy conditions to generate equity price bubbles in the real estate sector.

Suggested Citation

  • Figuerola-Ferretti, Isabel & Cueto, José Manuel & Márquez, Javier & Bermejo, Ramón, 2025. "Firm-level analysis of bubble formation in Chinese real estate equities," Economic Modelling, Elsevier, vol. 151(C).
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:ecmode:v:151:y:2025:i:c:s0264999325002214
    DOI: 10.1016/j.econmod.2025.107226
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    Keywords

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    JEL classification:

    • C22 - Mathematical and Quantitative Methods - - Single Equation Models; Single Variables - - - Time-Series Models; Dynamic Quantile Regressions; Dynamic Treatment Effect Models; Diffusion Processes
    • G12 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Asset Pricing; Trading Volume; Bond Interest Rates
    • G14 - Financial Economics - - General Financial Markets - - - Information and Market Efficiency; Event Studies; Insider Trading
    • G28 - Financial Economics - - Financial Institutions and Services - - - Government Policy and Regulation
    • R30 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - General
    • R31 - Urban, Rural, Regional, Real Estate, and Transportation Economics - - Real Estate Markets, Spatial Production Analysis, and Firm Location - - - Housing Supply and Markets

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