The price of REITs is influenced by various factors, including economic conditions and corporate performance, in addition to interest rates. However, over the past five years, volatility due to interest rate changes has been particularly pronounced. T...
The price of REITs is influenced by various factors, including economic conditions and corporate performance, in addition to interest rates. However, over the past five years, volatility due to interest rate changes has been particularly pronounced. This suggests that if the high-interest rate environment comes to an end and rate cuts begin, easing funding burdens, REIT prices may rebound. Moreover, the return of the Trump administration, which favors REITs and the real estate market, calls for greater attention to the REITs sector.
While previous studies have examined the maturity and development of the domestic REITs market and its price movements, research on the REIT price index after 2019—when the Korea Exchange introduced the comprehensive REIT index and financial market volatility increased due to COVID-19—remains scarce. This study, therefore, investigates the interest rate sensitivity of the REIT price indices in Korea and the U.S., comparing their asymmetric responses to rate hikes and cuts.
The analysis reveals that Korea’s REIT price index exhibits a negative correlation with the 10-year Korean government bond yield and a strong positive correlation with the KOSPI index and the real estate market consumer sentiment index. In contrast, the U.S. REIT price index shows a negative correlation with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield and a strong positive correlation with the S&P 500 index, commercial real estate index, and consumer sentiment index. These findings indicate that the Korean REIT price index is less sensitive to interest rate fluctuations than its U.S. counterpart.
Furthermore, an analysis of the asymmetric nature of REIT price fluctuations reveals that both the Korean and U.S. REIT price indices exhibit greater volatility during periods of interest rate hikes than during rate cuts. The volatility in Korea was approximately four times higher during rate hikes, while in the U.S., the difference was about twofold.
This study differentiates itself by conducting a broad market analysis using national REIT benchmark indices rather than focusing on individual REIT stocks. It also incorporates control variables such as stock market performance, real estate market conditions, and consumer sentiment, based on previous research. Additionally, it provides insights into REIT price dynamics in the post-COVID-19 era. However, limitations remain in generalizing the results due to the restricted scope and period of analysis.