Clawback Provisions in Real Estate Investment Trusts

Using a sample of 195 unique real estate investment trusts (REITs), we examine factors related to the adoption of clawback provisions within managerial compensation contracts. In general, we find strong and consistent empirical evidence that clawback provision are directly related to firm size, complexity, leverage, growth options, monitoring incentives, and CEO performance incentives. We also find that clawbacks are associated with enhanced market and accounting performance, with stronger performance relations observed for adoption decisions tied directly to regulatory mandates. In sum, we conclude compensation clawback provisions represent a value-relevant, strategic governance mechanism for REITs

Clawback Provisions In Real Estate Investment Trusts

Using a sample of 195 unique real estate investment trusts (REITs), we examine factors related to the adoption of clawback provisions within managerial compensation contracts. In general, we find strong and consistent empirical evidence that clawback provision are directly related to firm size, complexity, leverage, growth options, monitoring incentives, and CEO performance incentives. We also find that clawbacks are associated with enhanced market and accounting performance, with stronger performance relations observed for adoption decisions tied directly to regulatory mandates. In sum, we conclude compensation clawback provisions represent a value-relevant, strategic governance mechanism for REITs

Further Evidence on the Capital Structure of REITs Forthcoming in Real Estate Economics 2011 Further Evidence on the Capital Structure of REITs Further Evidence on the Capital Structure of REITs

Abstract This study examines the determinants of REIT capital structure decisions from 1990-2008. Using a broad sample of 2,409 firm-year observations, we find that asset tangibility is positively related to leverage, while profitability and market-to-book ratios are negatively related. Additional evidence suggests firm debt capacity varies systematically with the unique operating and financing mechanisms employed by REITs. Finally, our results provide further insight into competing capital structure theories, generally supporting empirical predictions derived from the market timing and trade-off theories, while failing to support pecking order theory predictions