This paper studies how expected returns interact with product market competition. The model predicts that (i) competition erodes markups, such that firms are more exposed to systematic risk; (ii) the threat of entry by new firms lowers exposure to systematic risk of incumbents; and (iii) higher...

This paper theoretically and empirically examines the effect of product market competition on the relation between real estate investments and stock returns. By limiting operating flexibility in the event of negative demand shocks, real estate assets are found to increase firm risk. This study...

The paper tests if the documented size effect in the Indian stock market is an anomaly with respect to market efficiency or an artifact with respect to data or methodology employed. The study employs two related datasets (one being held constant through the study period, the other being revised...

Processing qualitative information about a firm's product market competition matters for professional investors. Consistent with a superior understanding of a firm's market power, fund managers who overweight companies with the fewest competitors (monopolies) outperform their peers. An exogenous...

Prior research has identified various determinants of Equity REIT sector dynamics and investment performance. This paper focuses on Mortgage REITs (MREITs) instead. MREITs are subject to the same statutory requirements as equity REITs, but invest in mortgages and MBS, and thus resemble...

In this paper we examine the interaction between social and financial returns in microfinance. Running multivariate regression models and using 1,508 observations on microfinance institutions between 2004 and 2010, we find strong evidence suggesting that institutions with more social engagement...

We build a competition network that links two industries through their common market leaders. Industries with higher centrality on the competition network have higher expected stock returns because of higher exposure to the cross-industry spillover of distress shocks. The competition intensity...

Taking a firm's competitive position into account benefits investors who are better at evaluating this qualitative information. I find that fund managers who overweight companies with market power outperform their peers. Placebo exercises and an exogenous shock to product market competition...