Abstract: This paper estimates the first constant quality price index for internet domain names. The index can serve as a benchmark for domain name traders and investors looking for information on price trends, historical returns and fundamental risk of internet domain names. It thereby increases transparency in the market for this newly emerged asset class. Furthermore, it can serve as a fever curve for the well-being of the internet economy, since the demand for domains is linked to online business opportunities in general. This proxy also includes small enterprises that are excluded by traditional stock-price indices.
The quality of the domain names is controlled for by hedonic repeat sales regressions. The empirical work is based on a large dataset of real domain transactions spanning the years 2005-2011.
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ssrn.com/abstract=1885465
