The Role of Infrastructure Investments in a Multi-Asset Portfolio – Answers from Dynamic Asset Allocation

Author(s):  
Tobias Dechant ◽  
Konrad Finkenzeller
2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 495-508 ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Jufri Marzuki ◽  
Graeme Newell

PurposeSpanish real estate investment trusts (REITs) emerged as an important and rapidly expanding property investment vehicle, against the backdrop of improving Spain macro-economic fundamentals and commercial property market. This sees Spanish REITs being the 3rd largest REIT market in Europe, offering access to important Iberian and European property assets, with the added benefits of transparency, governance and liquidity. The purpose of this paper is to assess the significance, risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of Spanish REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio over August 2014–February 2018.Design/methodology/approachUsing monthly total returns, the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification potential of Spanish REITs over August 2014–February 2018 are assessed. Asset allocation diagrams are used to assess the role of Spanish REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio.FindingsSpanish REITs delivered strong risk-adjusted returns compared to stocks over August 2014–February 2018, but with limited portfolio diversification benefits. Compared to bonds, Spanish REITs offered competitive risk-adjusted returns and excellent diversification benefits. Importantly, this sees Spanish REITs as strongly contributing to the Spanish mixed-asset portfolio across the portfolio risk spectrum.Practical implicationsThe 2012 Spanish REIT regulatory changes have been pivotal in providing a supportive environment for Spanish REITs’ growth. Spanish REITs are now a significant market in a European context. The results highlight the major role of Spanish REITs in a Spanish mixed-asset portfolio. The strong risk-adjusted performance of Spanish REITs compared to stocks sees Spanish REITs contributing to the mixed-asset portfolio across the portfolio risk spectrum. This is particularly important, as an increasing number of investors have utilised Spanish REITs to obtain their property exposure in a liquid format in recent years.Originality/valueThis paper is the first published empirical research analysis of the risk-adjusted performance of Spanish REITs, and the role of Spanish REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio. This research enables empirically validated, more informed and practical property investment decision-making regarding the strategic role of Spanish REITs in a portfolio.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 91-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Newell ◽  
Muhammad Jufri Marzuki

Purpose German real estate investment trusts (REITs) are a small but important property investment vehicle in the European REIT landscape, offering German commercial property investment exposure in a liquid format, compared to the more property development-focused German listed property companies and the popular German open-ended property funds. The purpose of this paper is to assess the emergence of the German REIT market and the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of German REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio over 2007-2015. The post-global financial crisis (GFC) recovery of German REITs is highlighted. Enabling strategies for the ongoing development of the German REIT market are also identified. Design/methodology/approach Using monthly total returns, the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of German REITs over 2007-2015 are assessed. Efficient frontier and asset allocation diagrams are used to assess the role of German REITs (and German property companies) in a mixed-asset portfolio. Sub-period analysis is used to assess the post-GFC recovery of German REITs. Findings German REITs delivered lesser risk-adjusted returns compared to German stocks over 2007-2015, with limited portfolio diversification benefits. However, since the GFC, German REITs have delivered strong risk-adjusted returns, but with continued limited portfolio diversification benefits with German stocks. German REITs also out-performed German property companies. Importantly, this sees German REITs as strongly contributing to the German mixed-asset portfolio across the portfolio risk spectrum in the post-GFC environment. Practical implications German REITs are a small but important market at a local, European and global REIT level. The results highlight the major role of German REITs in a German mixed-asset portfolio in the post-GFC context. The strong risk-adjusted performance of German REITs compared to German stocks sees German REITs contributing to the mixed-asset portfolio across the portfolio risk spectrum. This is particularly important, as many investors (e.g. small pension funds) use German REITs (and German listed property companies) to obtain their German property exposure in a liquid format, as well as the increased importance of blended property portfolios of listed property and direct property. Originality/value This paper is the first published empirical research analysis of the risk-adjusted performance of German REITs, and the role of German REITs as a listed property vehicle in a mixed-asset portfolio. This research enables empirically validated, more informed and practical property investment decision making regarding the strategic role of German REITs in a portfolio.


2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-182 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Newell ◽  
Muhammad Jufri Bin Marzuki

Purpose UK-Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) are an important property investment vehicle, being the fourth largest REIT market globally. The purpose of this paper is to assess the significance, risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of UK-REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio over 2007−2014. The post-global financial crisis (GFC) recovery of UK-REITs is highlighted. Design/methodology/approach Using total monthly returns, the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of UK-REITs over 2007–2014 are assessed. Efficient frontier and asset allocation diagrams are used to assess the role of UK-REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio. Sub-period analysis is used to assess the post-GFC recovery of UK-REITs. Findings UK-REITs delivered poor risk-adjusted returns compared to UK stocks over 2007–2014 with limited portfolio diversification benefits. However, since the GFC, UK-REITs have delivered strong risk-adjusted returns, but with continued limited portfolio diversification benefits with UK stocks. Importantly, this sees UK-REITs as strongly contributing to the UK mixed-asset portfolio across the portfolio risk spectrum in the post-GFC environment. Practical implications UK-REITs are a significant market at a European and global REIT level. The results highlight the major role of UK-REITs in a UK mixed-asset portfolio in the post-GFC context. The strong risk-adjusted performance of UK-REITs compared to UK stocks sees UK-REITs contributing to the mixed-asset portfolio across the portfolio risk spectrum. This is particularly important, as many investors (e.g. small pension funds, defined contribution [DC] funds) use UK-REITs to obtain their property exposure in a liquid format, as well as the increased importance of blended property portfolios of listed property and direct property. Originality/value This paper is the first published empirical research analysis of the risk-adjusted performance of UK-REITs and the role of UK-REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio. This research enables empirically validated, more informed and practical property investment decision-making regarding the strategic role of UK-REITs in a portfolio.


2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (2) ◽  
pp. 671-693
Author(s):  
Muhammad Kashif ◽  
Francesco Menoncin ◽  
Iqbal Owadally

AbstractWe investigate the role of different spending rules in a dynamic asset allocation model for university endowment funds. In particular, we consider the fixed consumption-wealth ratio (CW) rule and the hybrid rule which smoothes spending over time. We derive the optimal portfolios under these two strategies and compare them with a theoretically optimal (Merton) strategy. We show that the optimal portfolio with habit is less risky compared to the optimal portfolio without habit. A calibrated numerical analysis on U.S. data shows, similarly, that the optimal portfolio under the hybrid strategy is less risky than the optimal portfolios under both the CW and the classical Merton strategies, in typical market conditions. Our numerical analysis also shows that spending under the hybrid strategy is less volatile than the other strategies. Thus, endowments following the hybrid spending rule use asset allocation to protect spending. However, in terms of the endowment’s wealth, the hybrid strategy comparatively outperforms the conventional Merton and CW strategies when the market is highly volatile but under-performs them when there is strong stock market growth and low volatility. Overall, the hybrid strategy is effective in terms of stability of spending and intergenerational equity because, even if it allows short-term fluctuation in spending, it ensures greater stability in the long run.


2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Newell ◽  
Anh Khoi Pham ◽  
Joseph Ooi

Purpose – REITs have taken on increased significance in Asia in recent years, with Singapore REITs (S-REITs) becoming an important property investment vehicle since 2002. The purpose of this paper is to assess the significance, risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of S-REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio context in Singapore over 2003-2013. The post-GFC recovery of S-REITs is also assessed. Design/methodology/approach – Using monthly total returns, the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of S-REITs over 2003-2013 is assessed, with efficient frontiers and asset allocation diagrams used to assess the role of S-REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio. Sub-period analyses are conducted to assess the post-GFC recovery of S-REITs. Findings – S-REITs delivered strong risk-adjusted returns, being the best-performed asset class, but with little portfolio diversification benefit over 2003-2013. Whilst taking on reduced risk, but with less portfolio diversification benefits in recent years, S-REITs are seen to be robust relative to the other major Singapore asset classes; contributing significantly across the risk spectrum; particularly in the post-GFC period, where S-REITs have been the best-performed asset class in Singapore. Practical implications – The results highlight the important strategic role of S-REITs in a Singapore mixed-asset portfolio. The strong risk-adjusted performance has highlighted the robustness of S-REITs, with S-REITs contributing to the mixed-asset portfolio across the portfolio risk spectrum; particularly in the post-GFC period. This robustness highlights the ongoing strategic role of S-REITs in a Singapore mixed-asset portfolio, as well as the ongoing development of S-REITs as an important pan-Asia hub for REITs. Originality/value – This paper is the first published empirical research analysis of the risk-adjusted performance of S-REITs and the role of S-REITs in a portfolio. Given the increased significance of REITs in Asia, this research enables empirically validated, more informed and practical property investment decision-making regarding the role of S-REITs in a mixed-asset portfolio and S-REIT performance in a post-GFC context.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (6) ◽  
pp. 523-538 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Newell ◽  
Muhammad Jufri Marzuki

Purpose Amongst the alternative property sectors, student accommodation has recently become an important institutionalised property sector for pension funds and sovereign wealth funds in the global property landscape, particularly in the UK. The purpose of this paper is to assess the significance, risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of student accommodation in a UK property and mixed-asset portfolio over 2011–2017. Drivers and risk factors for the ongoing development of the student accommodation sector are also identified. The question of student accommodation being a proxy for residential property exposure by institutional investors is also assessed. Design/methodology/approach Using annual total returns, the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of UK student accommodation over 2011–2017 is assessed. Asset allocation diagrams are used to assess the role of student accommodation in a UK property portfolio and in a UK mixed-asset portfolio for a range of property investor types. Findings UK student accommodation delivered superior risk-adjusted returns compared to UK property, stocks and REITs over 2011–2017, with portfolio diversification benefits. Importantly, this sees UK student accommodation as strongly contributing to the UK property and mixed-asset portfolios across the entire portfolio risk spectrum and validating the property industry perspective of student accommodation being low risk and providing diversification benefits. Student accommodation is also not seen to be a proxy for residential exposure by institutional investors. Practical implications Student accommodation is an alternative property sector that has become increasingly institutionalised in recent years. The results highlight the important role of student accommodation in a UK property portfolio and in a UK mixed-asset portfolio. The strong risk-adjusted performance of UK student accommodation compared to UK property, stocks and REITs over this timeframe sees UK student accommodation contributing to the mixed-asset portfolio across the entire portfolio risk spectrum. This is particularly important, as many investors (e.g. pension funds, sovereign wealth funds) now see student accommodation as an important property sector in their overall portfolio. Originality/value This paper is the first published empirical research analysis of the risk-adjusted performance of UK student accommodation, and the role of student accommodation in a UK property portfolio and in a UK mixed-asset portfolio. This research enables empirically validated, more informed and practical property investment decision making regarding the strategic role of student accommodation as an alternative property sector in a portfolio.


2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 466-478 ◽  
Author(s):  
Graeme Newell ◽  
Muhammad Jufri Marzuki

Purpose Amongst the alternate property sectors, healthcare property has recently become an important property sector for major investors such as pension funds in the global property landscape; particularly in the UK, and being driven by the ageing population demographics. The purpose of this paper is to assess the significance, risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of UK healthcare property in a UK property and mixed-asset portfolio over 2007–2016. Both healthcare property and listed healthcare property channels are assessed. Drivers and risk factors for the on-going development of the healthcare property sector are also identified. Design/methodology/approach Using annual total returns, the risk-adjusted performance and portfolio diversification benefits of UK healthcare property over 2007–2016 is assessed. An asset allocation diagram is used to assess the role of both healthcare property channels in a UK property portfolio and in a UK mixed-asset portfolio. Findings Both UK healthcare property and listed healthcare property delivered superior risk-adjusted returns compared to UK property, stocks and listed property over 2007–2016, with portfolio diversification benefits in the fuller mixed-asset portfolio context, but not in a narrower property portfolio context. Importantly, this sees both UK healthcare property channels as strongly contributing to the UK property and mixed-asset portfolios across the entire portfolio risk spectrum and validating the property industry perspective of healthcare property being low risk and providing diversification benefits in a mixed-asset portfolio. However, this was not to the loss or substitution of traditional direct property exposure. Practical implications Healthcare property is an alternate property sector that has become increasingly important in recent years. The results highlight the important role of both healthcare property channels in a UK property portfolio and in a UK mixed-asset portfolio. The strong risk-adjusted performance of both UK healthcare property compared to UK property, stocks and listed property sees both UK healthcare property channels contributing to the mixed-asset portfolio across the entire portfolio risk spectrum. This is particularly important, as many investors (e.g. pension funds) now see healthcare property as an important property sector in their overall portfolio; particularly with the ageing population dynamics in most countries. The importance of both healthcare property channels sees healthcare property exposure accessible to both small investors and large investors. Originality/value This paper is the first published empirical research analysis of the risk-adjusted performance of UK healthcare property, and the role of healthcare property in a UK property portfolio and in a UK mixed-asset portfolio. This research enables empirically validated, more informed and practical property investment decision-making regarding the strategic role of both healthcare property and listed healthcare property in a portfolio.


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