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Impact of Environmental Investments on Corporate Financial Performance: Decomposing Valuation and Cash Flow Effects

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  • Avis Devine

    (York University)

  • Erkan Yönder

    (Concordia University)

Abstract

Environmentally-sustainable investment can impact firm financial performance through multiple channels. We concentrate on disentangling the related cash flow and valuation impacts. By using an instrumental variable approach, we find that U.S. REITs with a more environmentally-sustainable portfolio attract premiums to their market valuation beyond operating benefits, carry lower systematic risk, and are subject to less uninformed trading (for office and retail portfolios). Such firms also experience both higher asset-level rental revenues and net operating income, and lower interest costs. Importantly, the equity market premium exceeds the property market premium, which is partially explained by reputational effects. Results also confirm valuation findings in office and retail portfolios.

Suggested Citation

  • Avis Devine & Erkan Yönder, 2023. "Impact of Environmental Investments on Corporate Financial Performance: Decomposing Valuation and Cash Flow Effects," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 66(4), pages 778-805, May.
    • Handle: RePEc:kap:jrefec:v:66:y:2023:i:4:d:10.1007_s11146-021-09872-y
    DOI: 10.1007/s11146-021-09872-y
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