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Why Do REITs Repurchase Stock? Extricating the Effect of Managerial Signaling in Open Market Share Repurchase Announcements

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  • James C. Brau

    (Marriott School, TNRB 670, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602)

  • Andrew Holmes

    (Marriott School, TNRB 670, Brigham Young University, Provo, UT 84602)

Abstract

This paper explores the effect of stock repurchase announcements on equity returns for publicly traded real estate investment trusts (REITs). In addition to providing analysis of the corporate decision to repurchase shares, the study of share repurchases in the context of REITs provides a novel opportunity to disentangle the impact of competing theories for the abnormal returns observed around repurchase announcements. Prior literature advances six hypotheses to explain the stock price reaction associated with repurchases. Given that the theories all predict the same stock price reaction, existing studies are unable to disentangle the competing hypotheses. The intent of this research is to extricate the signaling hypothesis from the competing explanations to determine whether the managerial signaling hypothesis is a credible explanation for the abnormal returns observed around share repurchase announcements. After controlling for relevant economic variables, we provide evidence for the efficacy of the managerial signaling hypothesis.

Suggested Citation

  • James C. Brau & Andrew Holmes, 2006. "Why Do REITs Repurchase Stock? Extricating the Effect of Managerial Signaling in Open Market Share Repurchase Announcements," Journal of Real Estate Research, American Real Estate Society, vol. 28(1), pages 1-24.
    • Handle: RePEc:jre:issued:v:28:n:1:2006:p:1-24
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    Cited by:

    1. Joseph Ooi & Seow-Eng Ong & Lin Li, 2010. "An Analysis of the Financing Decisions of REITs: The Role of Market Timing and Target Leverage," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 40(2), pages 130-160, February.
    2. Gregory L. Adams & James C. Brau & Andrew Holmes, 2007. "REIT Stock Repurchases: Completion Rates, Long - Run Returns, and the Straddle Hypothesis," Journal of Real Estate Research, American Real Estate Society, vol. 29(2), pages 115-136.
    3. Anupam Nanda & Stephen Ross, 2012. "The Impact of Property Condition Disclosure Laws on Housing Prices: Evidence from an Event Study Using Propensity Scores," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 45(1), pages 88-109, June.
    4. Chinmoy Ghosh & Erasmo Giambona & John P. Harding & Özcan Sezer & C.F. Sirmans, 2010. "The Role of Managerial Stock Option Programs in Governance: Evidence from REIT Stock Repurchases," Real Estate Economics, American Real Estate and Urban Economics Association, vol. 38(1), pages 31-55, March.
    5. Gow-Cheng Huang & Kartono Liano & Ming-Shiun Pan, 2019. "Do open-market stock repurchases convey firm-specific or industry-wide information? Evidence from REITs," Journal of Economics and Finance, Springer;Academy of Economics and Finance, vol. 43(2), pages 382-397, April.
    6. Dan W. French & Thibaut G. Morillon & Adam S. Yore & Andrew E. Kern, 2023. "The impact of exchange listing on corporate governance: Evidence from direct listings," The Financial Review, Eastern Finance Association, vol. 58(2), pages 197-234, May.
    7. Gow-Cheng Huang & Kartono Liano & Ming-Shiun Pan, 2009. "REIT Open-Market Stock Repurchases and Profitability," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 39(4), pages 439-449, November.
    8. James Brau & J. Carpenter & Mauricio Rodriguez & C. Sirmans, 2013. "REIT Going Private Decisions," The Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics, Springer, vol. 46(1), pages 24-43, January.
    9. Boudry, Walter I. & Kallberg, Jarl G. & Liu, Crocker H., 2013. "Investment opportunities and share repurchases," Journal of Corporate Finance, Elsevier, vol. 23(C), pages 23-38.

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    JEL classification:

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

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