The Predictability of Equity REIT Returns

This study examines the predictability of monthly returns on equity real estate investment trusts (EREITs) over the period 1975-95 and compares it with that for small- and mid-cap firms. Using the time series approach of Jegadeesh (1990), evidence is found that monthly EREIT returns are predictable based on past performance. However, the predictability is not substantial enough to cover typical transactions costs, so that there is no evidence of unexploited arbitrage opportunities. The magnitude of EREIT predictability also is examined over different time periods, with the greatest amount found in the most recent data since 1992, which marks the emergence of the new wave of EREITs. Finally, persistence in individual REIT return performance is examined using a nonparametric technique. Limited evidence of persistence in performance is found, with retail-oriented REITs tending to exhibit the most persistence.

Equity trading costs and the price effects of shopping the block

This dissertation examines the dissemination of information in stock prices around large block trades. It uses a unique new data set on investors\u27 expressed desires to trade large blocks of U.S. equities to examine the extent to which the market learns of impending block trades, and the relation between trade characteristics and the process known as shopping the block. Empirical analysis of the duration of the period over which block trades are arranged finds that the duration of a trade increases with trade size. The process of shopping the block affects stock prices prior to seller-initiated trades. As a result, using the prior transaction price or prior day\u27s closing price to calculate the impact of a trade may understate the trade\u27s true permanent price impact, and thus understate the cost of trading large blocks

Corporate social responsibility and financial performance: the “virtuous circle” revisited

We examine the causal relation between corporate social responsibility (CSR) and financial performance. Consistent with past studies, we find that the two variables appear to be related when we use traditional statistical techniques. However, using a time series fixed effects approach, we find that the relation between CSR and financial performance is much weaker than previously thought. We also find little evidence of causality between financial performance and narrower measures of social performance that focus on stakeholder management. Our results suggest that strong stock market performance leads to greater firm investment in aspects of CSR devoted to employee relations, but that CSR activities do not affect financial performance. We conclude that CSR is driven more by unobservable firm characteristics than by financial performance

Corporate social responsibility and financial performance: the “virtuous circle” revisited

Corporate governance, Corporate culture, Social responsibility, G34, M14,

Executive Compensation In Socially Responsible Firms

This study examines chief executive officer (CEO) compensation and turnover in socially responsible (SR) firms. We compare characteristics of SR firms with a matched sample of firms based on industry and size. Analysis of CEO compensation indicates that the link between CEO pay and firm performance is weaker for SR firms than for non-SR firms. CEO turnover tests indicate that SR firms are more likely to experience CEO turnover following poor performance. Stock option grants to CEOs of SR firms do not appear to result in future risk-taking behaviour, whereas such grants are significantly related to future risk at non-SR firms. © 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Innovation and price: the case of digital cameras

This study examines a hedonic regression model of digital camera prices using data collected from an internet price comparison service. We find that a small number of product characteristics explains most of the variation in camera prices. In addition, the model demonstrates substantial downward pressure on camera prices during the time period considered. We also examine technological innovation shocks to determine their impact on product prices. We find that the corresponding price reaction exhibits gradual adjustment over time, providing evidence of some degree of anticipation of the innovation, as well as a post-innovation price shock. This study also demonstrates the power of web-based shopping services as a new and novel source of data for econometric analysis.

Executive Compensation in Socially Responsible Firms

This study examines chief executive officer (CEO) compensation and turnover in socially responsible (SR) firms. We compare characteristics of SR firms with a matched sample of firms based on industry and size. Analysis of CEO compensation indicates that the link between CEO pay and firm performance is weaker for SR firms than for non-SR firms. CEO turnover tests indicate that SR firms are more likely to experience CEO turnover following poor performance. Stock option grants to CEOs of SR firms do not appear to result in future risk-taking behaviour, whereas such grants are significantly related to future risk at non-SR firms. Copyright (c) 2006 The Authors; Journal compilation (c) 2006 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.

The speed of adjustment to information: Evidence from the Chinese stock market

This paper examines the speed of price adjustment in Chinese A- and B-share stock markets. We use a VAR model to show that A-shares, which are owned primarily by domestic individual investors, adjust to information faster than do B-shares, which are owned primarily by foreign institutional investors. Our analysis of firm characteristics suggests that the speed of stock price adjustment for A-shares is related to earnings per share, while that for B-shares is related to firm size. We also find that A-shares react more quickly to bad news, while B-shares react more quickly to good news. The difference in the speed of adjustment between A- and B-shares decreased following the liberalization of financial policy in February 2001, which allowed domestic investors to purchase B-shares.