"MGIC (MTG) is the leading U.S. private mortgage insurer; in fact, the company claims to have founded the mortgage insurance industry in 1957," notes turnaround specialist George Putnam.

The editor of The Turnaround Letter explains, "After many years of relatively steady earnings, MGIC was forced to sharply increase its reserves beginning in 2007 as more homeowners began defaulting on their mortgages.

"As a result, the company posted large losses in each of the last three years, which reduced its capital to a precarious level. Almost all of the other mortgage insurers suffered similar fates, with several competitors being forced out of business.

Continue reading MGIC (MTG): Mortgage Turnaround?

MGIC (MTG): Mortgage Turnaround? originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Even after the recent bump in long-term yields, they remain too low to meet most investors' needs," says Marvin Appel.

The editor of Systems & Forecasts explains, "The iShares NAREIT Mortgage Plus Capped Index ETF (REM) appears to be a good solution for those seeking income in 2011; its current SEC yield exceeds 10%.

"About 2/3 of its holdings are mortgage REITs, which are companies that borrow at short-term rates and use the proceeds to buy mortgage-backed securities.

Continue reading NAREIT Mortgage Plus (REM): The Right REIT

NAREIT Mortgage Plus (REM): The Right REIT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is one in a series in which more than 60 newsletter advisors share their Top Stock Picks for 2011. This special report is courtesy of TheStockAdvisors.com.

"Founded in 1938, Owens Corning (OC) -- my top pick for 2011, is a leading manufacturer of building products, including insulation, roofing products, and composite materials," says George Putnam.

The editor of The Turnaround Letter explains, "The stock looks quite cheap, particularly for a company with such a strong business franchise in a temporarily depressed sector.

Continue reading Top Picks 2011: Owens Corning (OC)

Top Picks 2011: Owens Corning (OC) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 02 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"With the new school year underway, we're adding an attractive REIT to our portfolio that specializes in campus housing: American Campus Communities (ACC)," says Stephen Leeb.

The growth & income specialist and editor of The Complete Investor explains, "The real estate investment trust, which went public in 2004, has been providing housing for college students since 1993, and is now one of the nation's largest developers, owners, and managers of high-quality student housing communities.

"The REIT has grown both through internal development and via acquisitions, most notably its 2008 purchase of the student housing division of GMH Communities Trust for around $1.4 billion.

Continue reading American Campus Communities (ACC): Graduating Gains

American Campus Communities (ACC): Graduating Gains originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 21 Oct 2010 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Following a record low reading for new home sales, you might think now is the worst time to bet on a housing recovery," says Lou Basenese.

The editor of the Small Cap and Special Situations Report asserts, "Think again. The aftermath of such disappointing news represents an ideal contrarian opportunity.

And one such opportunity is Avatar Holdings (AVTR), which ranks as a buy even by Ben Graham's strict value criteria.

Continue reading Avatar Holdings (AVTR): A Ben Graham-Style Housing Value

Avatar Holdings (AVTR): A Ben Graham-Style Housing Value originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 12 Jul 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Capstead Mortgage (CMO) borrows for the short term at low cost -- rolling loans among a handful of big banks -- while lending money for the long term at a higher rate," says Andy Obermueller.

The editor of Government-Driven Investing -- which finds stocks positioned to benefit from changes in government policies and regulations -- explains, "Capstead, organized as a real-estate investment trust, keeps the spread for its troubles, and pays out 95% of its net earnings to shareholders. The result is a good defensive stock to help protect your portfolio.

"One of the things the government did to make sure that the housing market didn't crater even more than it had was to step in and guarantee certain mortgages. If the borrower defaulted, Uncle Sam would step in, like a co-signer, and make good on the loan.

Continue reading Capstead Mortgage (CMO): Low Beta, High Yield

Capstead Mortgage (CMO): Low Beta, High Yield originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 28 Jun 2010 13:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

In his Half-Priced Stocks, he explains, "Potlatch (PCH) owns plenty of them, with a portfolio of 1.6 million acres spread throughout Arkansas, Idaho, Minnesota and Wisconsin. That forestland produces a steady harvest year in and year out. Timber production has been rising at a healthy +9% annual pace, reaching 4.4 million tons before last year's slowdown

Continue reading Potlatch (PCH): Timber!

Potlatch (PCH): Timber! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 24 Feb 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"My pick for the top stock of 2010 is Gafisa (GFA), a Brazilian homebuilder and developer," says emerging markets specialist Paul Goodwin.

In his The Cabot China & Emerging Markets Report, he explains, "This is an experienced growth company in a country with an excellent economic engine."

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Gafisa (GFA)

Top Picks for 2010: Gafisa (GFA) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

This post is part of a special report, Top Picks for 2010, the 27th annual survey in which TheStockAdvisors.com asks the nation's leading advisors for their single favorite stock for the new year. See all 80 stocks listed here.

"Annaly Mortgage Management (NLY) is our favorite investment idea for 2010," says Jack Adamo.

In his Insiders Plus newsletter, he explains, "The company buys only Ginnie Mae, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac bonds, all of which now have explicit U.S. government guarantees."

Continue reading Top Picks for 2010: Annaly Mortgage (NLY)

Top Picks for 2010: Annaly Mortgage (NLY) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Sun, 27 Dec 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Gafisa S.A. (NYSE: GFA) is a bet on Brazil; the company is the country's second-largest homebuilder," says international investing expert Nicholas Vardy.

In his The Global Bull Market Alert, he adds, "Brazilian homebuilders are a red-hot sector in a red-hot market. Brazil is one of the strongest-performing global markets this year, and one that you should definitely have exposure to in the final quarter of 2009.

"Brazilian homebuilders are a red-hot sector in a red-hot market. Stocks in this sector have already doubled their share prices this year as policy makers cut interest rates to a record low and the government unveiled a 34 billion real ($18.8 billion) housing stimulus plan.

Continue reading Homebuilding in Brazil: 'Hot sector in hot market'

Homebuilding in Brazil: 'Hot sector in hot market' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 13 Oct 2009 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"With its strong balance Plum Creek Timber (NYSE: PCL) will be able to weather the real estate storm," says growth and income expert Stephen Leeb in The Complete Investor. Here is his look at the timber play.

"Plum Creek, which was added to our model portfolio in November, is the largest and most geographically diverse private landowner in the U.S. and owns more than 7.4 million acres of timberlands in the Pacific Northwest, the South, and the Northeast.

Continue reading Plum Creek: Timber!

Plum Creek: Timber! originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 17 Apr 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"With occupancy rates around 95%, apartment REITs appear to be the one bright spot in the REIT sector," says Asif Suria in The SINLetter; he looks at AvalonBay Communities (NYSE: AVB).

"The company generates nearly half its net operating income from the NY/NJ metro area and New England. California represents an additional 32% of net operating income.

"With a management team that is well respected and leverage that is the lowest of any apartment REIT, AvalonBay has traded at a premium over the last few years and the stock was trading at nearly $150 when I first came across the company in early 2007.

"I continued watching the company over the last two years looking for an opportunity to start a position. With a decline of over 70% from its 2007 high and a yield of 8.1%, this apartment REIT is finally at a level that not only offers a fat yield but also the potential of price appreciation.

Continue reading AvalonBay (AVB): REIT rental returns

AvalonBay (AVB): REIT rental returns originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Fri, 13 Mar 2009 11:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Homeowners lost $3.3 trillion in the value of their houses last year. A report from Zillow.com, picked up by Bloomberg, said that national home prices dropped 11.6% compared to 2007.

That makes stocks like Hovnanian (NYSE: HOV) and Beazer (NYSE: BZH) sells, even at current depressed levels. HOV shares are down to $1.64 from a 52-week high of $13.50. Beazer is off from a high of $12.40 to $0.98. The company could even face delisting over the next year if it cannot get its share price up.

There is a temptation to think that home-building stocks are so inexpensive that, if the companies can drop inventory prices enough, they can start to improve sales, even if the margins on each home sold are poor. But it is not that simple.

Continue reading New data: No recovery in home-building stocks

New data: No recovery in home-building stocks originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 03 Feb 2009 12:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Seattle-based Plum Creek Timber (NYSE: PCL), the nation's largest private landowner with more than eight million acres, has caught our eye," says Bill Martin.

In his BullMarket.com advisory, he explains, "Earnings have been stunted in recent quarters by the housing slump, but the company sports a strong balance sheet and an asset base that thanks to nature only gets larger and more valuable as time goes by."

"Plum Creek, which operates as a real estate investment trust, reported surprisingly solid Q3 profit. It posted net income of $69 million, or 40 cents per share, for the quarter ended September 30th, compared with a profit of $59 million, or 34 cents per share, for the same period a year ago.

"In the 2007 quarter, fire losses in Montana forced the company to report a $4 million non-cash expense, or two cents per share, related to fire losses experienced in Montana.

"The company's EPS results topped the expectations of Wall Street analysts by a penny a share. Revenue grew to $414 million, up 2% from $407 million last year. The sales results were a bit short of the consensus of $419.8 million.

Continue reading 'Growing' assets: Plum Creek Timber (PCL)

'Growing' assets: Plum Creek Timber (PCL) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 18 Nov 2008 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"The economic crisis began in the housing sector and will likely end there," says Stephen Leeb. In his top-notch The Complete Investor he takes a contrary look at two homebuilders.

"Though my view may sound contrarian to a fault, a close look at the housing market, especially given recent government actions, suggests a recovery will happen sooner rather than later and be stronger rather than weaker.

"When home prices decline, buyers pull back, afraid of buying too soon. This leads to further declines and further buyer reluctance. No surprise, then, that housing starts have fallen dramatically.

"Meanwhile, consumers, who had been borrowing money based on the value of their homes, found this source of credit drying up, which dealt a further blow to the economy.

"It is a vicious circle indeed. Ultimately, though, it will almost certainly end with more willing lenders and a stronger housing market as the huge amounts of money being flooded into the system start boosting balance sheets of potential lenders.

Continue reading Building value: Contrary call on homebuilders

Building value: Contrary call on homebuilders originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Mon, 10 Nov 2008 13:18:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For speculators, Martin Weiss has uncovered a stock that benefits from rising home foreclosures. In the higher risk section of his The Safe Money Report he looks at Lender Processing Services (NYSE: LPS).

"We have a new speculative pick: Lender Processing Services. This company was spun off from Fidelity National Information Services a couple of months ago.

"It is the biggest outsourcing firm in the business of processing home loan defaults and foreclosures.

"As you might imagine, that business is booming due to the massive flood of troubled mortgages -- revenues in the company's default services unit soared 90% to $197.2 million in the second quarter from a year earlier.

"LPS also has a division that helps investors, banks and other clients model prepayments, defaults and other characteristics of mortgage-related securities.

"With everyone trying to figureout the value of all the troubled paper out there, the demand for those services should also ramp up. We emphasize, however, that this is a speculative play."

Steven Halpern's TheStockAdvisors.com offers a daily look at the latest market commentary and favorite stock picks and investment ideas from the nation's leading financial newsletter advisors.

A stock that profits from foreclosures originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 21 Oct 2008 14:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"Broad-based chemical, agriculture, and 'science technology' company DuPont (NYSE: DD) is about as 'blue chip' as companies get," says Bill Martin.

In his BullMarket.com, the trading and investing expert explains, "One of the oldest firms in the country DuPont has shown it can continue to remake itself and grow." Here's his review.

"DuPont offers the potential of significant gains once the major weak links in the U.S. economy -- namely housing and the automotive sector -- rebound from their funks and eventually begin to grow.

"DuPont turned in a solid performance in the second quarter, posting a profit of $1.08 billion, or $1.18 per share, up from $972 million, or $1.04 per share, a year ago.

"The bottom line was enhanced by seven cents a share as the result of a lawsuit settlement and a lower tax rate that resulted from a one-time tax settlement. The company cited strength in is agricultural products business as well strong sales in emerging markets for the growth.

Continue reading DuPont (DD): 'As blue chip as a company gets'

DuPont (DD): 'As blue chip as a company gets' originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Wed, 10 Sep 2008 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

"A decline in home ownership is good for companies who have apartments to rent," notes The Dave Dyer Newsletter. To benefit from this trend, he looks at Avalon Bay (NYSE: AVB)." Here is his review.

"After a 10 year period of consistent increases from 1995 to 2005, the trend toward increasing home ownership has reversed and is now clearly in decline. The subprime problems and tighter credit policies will only serve to increase the decline.

"One of the easiest ways to invest in this trend is to buy shares in a REIT that owns apartment properties. Avalon Bay (NYSE: AVB.) is a REIT that manages high quality apartment communities in the high barrier-to-entry markets like California, the Pacific Northwest, the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic.

"In some cases, they develop their own properties; in others, they buy and remodel existing apartment complexes. They currently own 182 properties with about 52,000 apartments in total. AVB has 19 more properties under constructions and development rights for another 52.

Continue reading Avalon Bay (AVB): More renters boost apartment REIT

Avalon Bay (AVB): More renters boost apartment REIT originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Tue, 26 Feb 2008 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"My favorite 'home run' speculation for 2008 is playing a rebound in the beaten-down US housing sector," says Mike Burnick, editor of Global Market Investor.

"Specifically, I like the iShares Dow Jones US Home Construction ETF (ASE: ITB). This exchange-traded fund is a pure contrarian play not based on valuation, since fundamentals continue to deteriorate in the US housing market.

"The US housing market is still a mess, home prices are plunging, sales continue to slump, and inventories of unsold homes are at record highs. There's very little we can see to like in this sector.

"But, in fact, that's often the key to earning big returns in the stock market: Make well-timed contrarian bets on the most unloved stocks and sectors.

"However, I believe that negative sentiment in the sector has reached an extreme. Put/call volume on homebuilder stocks is at an extreme, and short interest is near record highs. I believe the turning point for this sector is close at hand.

Continue reading Best Stocks for 2008: Contrary call on US Home Construction ETF (ITB)

Best Stocks for 2008: Contrary call on US Home Construction ETF (ITB) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 27 Dec 2007 14:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

For 25 years, Steven Halpern, editor of TheStockAdvisors.com, has surveyed the leading financial newsletter advisors asking for their favorite stocks for the coming year. This article is one of 100+ ideas in the Best Stocks for 2008 report.

"Our favorite conservative pick for 2008 is Home Depot (NYSE: HD)," says Daniel Frishberg, editor of The MoneyMan Report and host of BizRadio.

"This is a stock that has been beaten down due to the weak housing market. We believe, based on the fact that it owns most of the real estate its stores sit on and these are typically in the best areas of town, that it's undervalued.

"With new management in there and a housing market that will stabilize, home improvement will do very well over the next several years. Home Depot typically trades at 14X cash flow since 1995. Based on that one parameter, the stock could be a double over the next couple of years.

"The company's balance sheet is in excellent shape at this point. We believe most of the bad news is priced in and with a Fed that will continue to cut interest rates, Home Depot will be an economically sensitive stock that will benefit. In our view, this is a 2-3 year hold.

Continue reading Best Stocks for 2008: Value shopping at Home Depot (HD)

Best Stocks for 2008: Value shopping at Home Depot (HD) originally appeared on BloggingStocks on Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.