This study examines the market value of total, mandatory, and discretionary REIT dividends and supports dividend relevance. Consistent with agency cost theory, the results show dividends paid by REITs with greater potential agency conflicts have greater market value. Discretionary dividends paid...

Using Morningstar mutual fund stewardship grade data, we find that the governance mechanisms of mutual funds play a key role in their monitoring of portfolio firms and in their investment decisions. Mutual funds with better governance practices tend to vote responsibly on corporate governance...

This paper examines whether firms' auditor choice affects their ability to access foreign equity capital. Using the equity holdings of 34,837 foreign mutual funds from 28 countries, we find evidence that appointing a Big 4 auditor increases the level of foreign mutual fund ownership in firms....

This paper investigates whether multinational firms are less or more efficient in innovation activities than domestic firms. Using patents and citations scaled by R&D expenses and R&D capital as measures of innovation efficiency, we find that multinational firms have lower levels of innovation...

The paper finds evidence that corporate governance mechanisms matter for mutual funds, especially funds with better governance standards. Using new and unexplored mutual fund governance data, we show that corporate governance mechanisms play a role in both the investment decisions and the...

For a household, home ownership provides necessary shelter, potential investment returns associated with property appreciation and a hedge against increased housing related cash outlays. In addition to potential appreciation, individual households benefit over time from a housing dividend...

Analysis of REIT credit line availability and use under normal conditions and during the recent financial crisis are provided. Descriptive statistics indicate REIT credit lines represent an important component of capital structure, credit line availability and utilization have increased...

Existing retail theory postulates a hierarchical space market with larger centers having greater drawing capacity and greater agglomeration benefits. In this study, rent determinants for two tiers of the proscribed hierarchical model are compared and the existence of retail center property type...