wallstreets pump&dump

the problem i have with reits,, is they are valued by cousins of the housing bubble. motleyfool doesnt even have a definitive view of the sector,,, just throwing darts using whatever model others might bite onto.,, sometimes they play the p/e game,, other times its the ffo game,, other times its the div yeild. -- those same views caught alot of 'investors' holding the bag on TOL at the top.

The Easy Way to Better Returns
By Tim Hanson (TMF Mmbop) -he sold the part of his port he actually viewed not worth holding,, and now he tells you he bought (an overpriced?) home.
May 15, 2006

I sold my stocks in advance of earnings season, because my wife and I recently put a contract on a house. It was bittersweet; I was excited to be a homeowner but sad to see my holdings go. Then I watched in even greater dismay as Dawson Geophysical (Nasdaq: DWSN) shot up more than 14% on earnings.

Yet the market quickly reminded me why I was smart to sell:

Natus Medical (Nasdaq: BABY), down 18%.
American Financial Realty (NYSE: AFR), down 10%.
http://www.fool.com/news/commentary/2006/commentary06051514.htm?source=eptyholnk303100&logvisit=y&npu=y


Which of These Stocks Is Not Like the Others?
By Mathew Emmert (TMF Gambit) -model only works in a bull market
May 15, 2006
If Equity Office Properties (NYSE: EOP) is the kingpin of the office REITs, American Financial Realty (NYSE: AFR) is the kingpin of the banking office REITs. Actually, it's the only REIT in the sector that focuses exclusively on the financial industry. American Financial is basically working hard to become the landlord of choice in the banking, brokerage, and insurance sectors. However, the market remains unconvinced that the management is solid enough to pull this off, and there are doubts about the company's dividend -- which is why the shares now offer a 10.4% yield. Though I appear to be alone on this, I believe the company will maintain the dividend and that operating cash flow from the company's core real estate portfolio will fully cover the payout by the end of 2007 (management says by early 2007). In the meantime, it should generate enough cash from the sale of non-core properties to fund the dividend. If that proves accurate, American Financial shareholders could be well rewarded for the added risk they're taking.

http://www.fool.com/news/commentary/2006/commentary06051515.htm?source=eptyholnk303100&logvisit=y&npu=y


Hit the High-Yield Jackpot
By Tim Hanson (TMF Mmbop) --he is reminding he warned others
June 6, 2006

I profiled back in January that were paying out more than they were earning:

Company
January 2006 Yield January 2006 Payout Ratio*

General Motors (NYSE: GM) 10.6%
N/A (negative net income)

Reddy Ice (NYSE: FRZ) 6.9%
N/A (negative net income)

American Financial Realty (NYSE: AFR) 8.9%
N/A (negative net income)

*Trailing 12 months.

http://www.fool.com/news/commentary/2006/commentary06060606.htm?source=eptyholnk303100&logvisit=y&npu=y



Something Afoot at American Financial
By Nathan Parmelee (TMF Doraemon) -- seems confused, investors prolly are too given all the motleyfool pumps given to reits.
August 8, 2006
Because I've written numerous times about this company, I want to disclose that I sold most of my position in American Financial last month. I believe the business model could work, but I don't believe the team in place has been focused on executing that model to its fullest, and I'm not convinced that will change. A buyout and any premium that comes with it would make up for some of the pain of the last year for many shareholders. However, if a buyout doesn't happen, it still doesn't look like this company is making material headway toward generating recurring earnings from its core properties, and that combination wouldn't be good for the share price.