In the context of Listed Property Trusts (LPTs), three strategic investment issues have received considerable prominence in recent years. This thesis focuses on both the quantitative and qualitative aspects of these three strategic investment issues. 1/ the role of international property in LPTs 2/ the effect of stapled-securities management structure 3/ the performance of property securities funds. The three investment issues are assessed in some detail. The findings of the research suggest that the addition of international LPTs in the Australian LPT portfolio has resulted in significant diversification gains. The findings of the mixed-asset portfolio analysis suggest adding international LPTs to the Australian mixed-asset portfolio.Portfolio performance improved considerably. Mixed-asset portfolio performance is further enhanced when direct property is included. It is evident from the study that the property research discussed has led to the development of new LPT methodologies and a fuller understanding of the investment dynamics of the LPT sector in Australia. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The purpose of this dissertation is to determine whether size and book value to market value (BV/MV) effects dominate the property effects in the return generating process for Listed Property Trusts (LPTs) in Australia.The study endeavours to answer a critical question regarding listed property investment vehicles. That is, are they stocks or property? The approach, however, differs from previous studies in that it avoids utilising direct property data because of the inherent valuation-smoothing problems.Instead, it develops unique specialised indices for LPTs by size and BV/MV ratios. The analyses are conducted in four different ways. Amongst other findings, it is suggested that the two well known stock market effects, namely size and BV/MV effects, are significant in LPT returns. As such, by way of inference, it is suggested that property effects in LPT returns are subsumed under the effects of these two factors. The findings support the hybrid-asset hypothesis for LPTs; that is, LPTs are an asset class of its own, sharing to an extent, the characteristics of both shares and property direct. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)