The Interaction of Volatility, Volume and Skewness: Empirical Evidence from REITs

Abstract

In this paper, we consider how trading volume impacts the first three moments of real estate investment trust (REIT) returns. Consistent with previous studies of the broader stock market, we find that volume is a significant factor with respect to both returns and volatility. We also find evidence supportive of Hong and Stein’s (2003) Investor Heterogeneity Theory with respect to the finding that skewness in REIT index returns is significantly related to volume.

Keywords: REITs, volume, skewness, volatility

JEL Classification: G1, G12