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Political Risk and the Cost of Capital in Asia-Pacific Property Markets

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Listed:
  • George D. Cashman

    (Texas Tech University)

  • David M. Harrison

    (Texas Tech University)

  • Hainan Sheng

    (Texas Tech University)

Abstract

This study investigates the impact of political risk on the cost of capital for publicly traded real estate firms. More specifically, by using a sample of 102 REITs and listed property trusts, which hold nearly 6,000 distinct investment properties across the Asia-Pacific region, we find strong empirical evidence that increased exposure to political risk increases both the cost of equity financing of a firm and its weighted average cost of capital. Interestingly, no such linkages are apparent between political risk and the cost of debt of a firm. These empirical results are robust to a variety of alternative measures of political risk, including a: 1) political rights index, 2) political change index, and 3) corruption perceptions index.

Suggested Citation

  • George D. Cashman & David M. Harrison & Hainan Sheng, 2015. "Political Risk and the Cost of Capital in Asia-Pacific Property Markets," International Real Estate Review, Global Social Science Institute, vol. 18(3), pages 331-364.
    • Handle: RePEc:ire:issued:v:18:n:03:2015:p:331-364
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    Cited by:

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    2. George D. Cashman & David M. Harrison & Michael J. Seiler & Hainan Sheng, 2019. "The Impact of Geographic and Cultural Dispersion on Information Opacity," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 59(2), pages 166-208, August.
    3. Zhou, Chao, 2022. "Global diversification, host-country environments, and corporate philanthropic giving: Evidence from Chinese multinational corporations," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 184(C).
    4. Farida Titik Kristanti, 2017. "Corporate Governance, Financial Ratios, Political Risk and Financial Distress, A Survival Analysis," GATR Journals afr130, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.
    5. Tarek Eldomiaty & Islam Azzam & Jasmine Fouad & Hussein Mowafak Sadek & Marwa Anwar Sedik, 2025. "Stochastic Uncertainty of Institutional Quality and the Corporate Capital Structure in the G8 and MENA Countries," Risks, MDPI, vol. 13(6), pages 1-20, June.

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    • L85 - Industrial Organization - - Industry Studies: Services - - - Real Estate Services

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