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Inflation hedging and protection characteristics of infrastructure and real estate assets

Author

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  • Daniel Wurstbauer
  • Wolfgang Schäfers

Abstract

Purpose - – Similar to real estate, infrastructure investments are regarded as providing a good inflation hedge and inflation protection. However, the empirical literature on infrastructure and inflation is scarce. Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the short- and long-term inflation-hedging characteristics, as well as the inflation protection associated with infrastructure and real estate assets. Design/methodology/approach - – Based on a unique data set for direct infrastructure performance, a listed infrastructure index, common direct and listed real estate indices, the authors test for short- and long-term inflation-hedging characteristics of these assets in the USA from 1991-2013. The authors employ the traditional Fama and Schwert (1977) framework, as well as Engle and Granger (1987) co-integration tests. Granger causality tests are further conducted, so as to gain insight into the short-run dynamics. Finally, shortfall risk measures are applied to investigate the inflation protection characteristics of the different assets over increasingly long investment horizons. Findings - – The empirical results indicate that in the short run, only direct infrastructure provides a partial hedge against inflation. However, co-integration tests suggest that all series have a long-run co-movement with inflation, implying a long-term hedge. The causality tests reveal reverse unidirectional causality – while real estate asset returns are Granger-caused by inflation, infrastructure asset returns seem to cause inflation. These findings further confirm that both assets represent a distinct asset class. Ultimately, direct infrastructure investments exhibit the most desirable inflation protection characteristics among the set of assets. Research limitations/implications - – This study only presents results based on a composite direct infrastructure index, as no sub-indices for sub-sectors are available yet. Practical implications - – Investors seeking assets that are sensitive to inflation and mitigate inflation risk should consider direct infrastructure investments in their asset allocation strategy. Originality/value - – This is the first study to examine the ability of direct infrastructure to assess inflation risk.

Suggested Citation

  • Daniel Wurstbauer & Wolfgang Schäfers, 2015. "Inflation hedging and protection characteristics of infrastructure and real estate assets," Journal of Property Investment & Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 33(1), pages 19-44, February.
  • Handle: RePEc:eme:jpifpp:v:33:y:2015:i:1:p:19-44
    DOI: 10.1108/JPIF-04-2014-0026
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    4. Choi, Sun-Yong, 2021. "Analysis of stock market efficiency during crisis periods in the US stock market: Differences between the global financial crisis and COVID-19 pandemic," Physica A: Statistical Mechanics and its Applications, Elsevier, vol. 574(C).
    5. Louis Chakkalakal & Ulrich Hommel & Wenwei Li, 2018. "Transport infrastructure equities in mixed-asset portfolios: estimating risk with a Garch-Copula CVaR model," Journal of Property Research, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 35(2), pages 117-138, April.
    6. Muhammad Jufri Marzuki & Graeme Newell, 2020. "The investment opportunities in the innovation-led listed satellite and telecommunication infrastructure sectors," Journal of Property Investment & Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 39(3), pages 223-238, April.
    7. Muhammad Jufri Marzuki & Graeme Newell, 2020. "A global investment opportunity in non-listed infrastructure for institutional investors," Journal of Property Investment & Finance, Emerald Group Publishing Limited, vol. 39(3), pages 239-255, May.
    8. Michael Heinrich & Thomas Schreck, 2017. "Effects of Solvency II on Portfolio Efficiency, The Case of Real Estate and Infrastructure Investments," LARES lares_2017_paper_8, Latin American Real Estate Society (LARES).
    9. Steininger, Bertram & Groth, Martin & Weber, Birgitte, 2020. "Cost overruns and delays in infrastructure projects: the case of Stuttgart 21," Working Paper Series 20/11, Royal Institute of Technology, Department of Real Estate and Construction Management & Banking and Finance.
    10. Alexander Carlo & Piet Eichholtz & Nils Kok & Ruud Wijnands, 2023. "Pension fund investments in infrastructure," Journal of Asset Management, Palgrave Macmillan, vol. 24(5), pages 329-345, September.
    11. Henry Koon Nam Lee, 2021. "The Inflation Hedging Effectiveness of Residential Property-Evidence from Three Emerging Asian Markets," International Real Estate Review, Global Social Science Institute, vol. 24(2), pages 221-251.

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