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On the Determinants of REIT Capital Structure: Evidence from around the World

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  • Yunus Yasin Dogan

    (INVESDO Grundbesitz GmbH)

  • Chinmoy Ghosh

    (University of Connecticut)

  • Milena Petrova

    (Syracuse University)

Abstract

Using a sample of REITs from twelve countries around the world, we examine the determinants of REIT capital structure. We investigate firm-specific and country-specific factors, and account for the unique legal requirements that REITs face in each country. Our results suggest that legal requirements are significant determinants of the capital structure of REITs. Specifically, we find that REITs have the highest book debt ratio in countries where they must pay out most of their operating income. This result implies that REITs prefer debt financing to equity financing. Additionally, we find that in countries with no payout requirement, but leverage restrictions, REITs have lower book leverage, which suggests that internal financing is preferred to external financing. Our findings also indicate that country-specific factors do not have significant impact on REIT leverage.

Suggested Citation

  • Yunus Yasin Dogan & Chinmoy Ghosh & Milena Petrova, 2019. "On the Determinants of REIT Capital Structure: Evidence from around the World," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 59(2), pages 295-328, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jrefec:v:59:y:2019:i:2:d:10.1007_s11146-018-9687-7
    DOI: 10.1007/s11146-018-9687-7
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    Cited by:

    1. Chinmoy Ghosh & Milena Petrova, 2021. "The Effect of Legal Environment and Regulatory Structure on Performance: Cross-Country Evidence from REITs," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 63(1), pages 40-81, July.
    2. Yener Coskun & Isil Erol & Giacomo Morri, 2021. "Why do Turkish REITs trade at discount to net asset value?," Empirical Economics, Springer, vol. 60(5), pages 2227-2259, May.
    3. Marc Berninger & Paul Bossong & Dirk Schiereck & Marcel Steinhardt, 2023. "Too transparent for signalling? A global analysis of bond issues by property companies," Accounting and Finance, Accounting and Finance Association of Australia and New Zealand, vol. 63(3), pages 3125-3145, September.
    4. Zifeng Feng & Zhonghua Wu, 2023. "ESG Disclosure, REIT Debt Financing and Firm Value," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 67(3), pages 388-422, October.

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