Modeling long memory in REITs

One stylized feature of financial volatility impacting the modeling process is long memory. This paper examines long memory for alternative risk measures, observed absolute and squared returns for Daily REITs and compares the findings for a non-REIT equity index. The paper utilizes a variety of tests for long memory finding
evidence that REIT volatility does display persistence, in contrast to the actual return series. Trading volume is found to be strongly associated with long memory. The
results do however suggest differences in the findings with regard to REITs in
comparison to the broader equity sector which may be due to relatively thin trading
during the sample period.