Evolution of REITs in the Nigerian real estate market
Journal of Property Investment & Finance
ISSN: 1463-578X
Article publication date: 26 February 2021
Issue publication date: 18 January 2022
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the performance of real estate investment trusts (REITs) in emerging property markets. The paper used the Nigerian REIT (N-REIT) as a case study of an African REIT market, to provide information for investment decisions.
Design/methodology/approach
Seven years quarterly returns data (from 2013 to 2019) were obtained and used to analyse the holding period returns, return–risk ratio, coefficient of variation and Sharpe ratios of N-REIT, All Share Index of stocks (ASI) and the Federal Government Bonds (FGB) in Nigeria.
Findings
The study reveals that N-REIT outperformed stocks but underperformed bonds. Concerning risk, stocks provided the highest level of risk (7.69), followed by bonds (2.78), while N-REIT provided the lowest risk (2.7). The Sharpe ratios showed that N-REIT is the second-best performing asset, while bond is the first and stocks the last on the risk-adjusted basis.
Practical implications
N-REIT is the second-largest REIT market in Africa with a market capitalisation of about US$136m. The N-REIT market has provided investment benefits to institutional and individual investors such as liquidity, transparency and ease of transaction. This study shows the peculiarity of N-REITs; this can guide investors in making informed investment decisions.
Originality/value
This study is one of the first to empirically analyse in a comparative context, the risk-adjusted performance of N-REITs, ASI and FGB. The study will add to the limited research in this field and equip investors with valuable information for informed investment decisions.
Keywords
Citation
Dabara, D.I. (2022), "Evolution of REITs in the Nigerian real estate market", Journal of Property Investment & Finance, Vol. 40 No. 1, pp. 38-48. https://doi.org/10.1108/JPIF-09-2020-0098
Publisher
:Emerald Publishing Limited
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