Housing Market & Chimera: The Numbers Don't Lie

NEW YORK, January 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

With recent news surrounding housing and real estate this year, investors who are looking for good bets may want to place their money where the numbers are.

With numbers heating up in the real estate market, Chimera Investment Corporation (NYSE: CIM) [Full Research Report]⁽¹⁾ may be in for a good year. Home equity recently surpassed $7.6 trillion, reaching its highest point in the last five years.

"These results indicate that 2013 could be the year that Americans begin to embrace credit again, after the considerable deleveraging we've seen since 2008," said Dr. Andrew Jennings, chief analytics officer at FICO and head of FICO labs.

Financing analysts and bankers are bullish on the housing market. The focus of Chimera on residential real estate lending can lead the company to an impressive growth this year as homeowners take advantage of record-low borrowing costs. In December 2012, Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke discussed the approved open-ended quantitative easing program, and how it has significantly decreased long-term interest rates. A credible decline in mortgage rates is another reason for Americans to celebrate their way to a new home.

After housing prices skyrocketed from the median price of $50,000 in the 1990s to $250,000 in 2006, most citizens opted to rent apartments and condos to manage their finances, and ultimately to sustain their lifestyles. Since the downturn of the industry, renting homes and condos had become the darling for most consumer segments. This demand, however, created a bubble that led to renting costs that are more expensive than owning a home. Now that the times have changed, the whole populace has more reason to buy a residential property - anywhere in the country.

In CNBC's recent interview with Warren Buffett, considered the most successful investor of the 20th Century, the "Oracle of Omaha" said that he is putting where his mouth is, referring to his bullish stance about housing and real estate.

Although most banks are expecting a surge in the application of credit line, refinancing and mortgage credit in the next six months, a survey showed that over 70 percent of bankers believe that consumers must manage their finances with caution. Home prices are also expected to mildly rise this year, but the annual price hike of five percent may be managed, if there are enough houses on the market.

While the positive outlook of investors and analysts on housing and real estate is slowly uncovering, real estate securities are a good source of investment for those who want to bring home great dividends and capital gains throughout the year.

In October 2012, Chimera recorded 13.20% dividend yield per share. The company has an operating cash flow of $400 million, and a 6.16 forward price-to-earnings ratio. With numbers like these and a favorable real estate climate, you don't need luck to secure your investment.

Reference Links:

⁽¹⁾   The Full Research Report on Chimera Investment Corporation - including full detailed breakdown, analyst ratings and price targets - is available to download free of charge at: [http://www.nationaltradersassociation.org/r/entire_report/74d7_CIM]

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SOURCE National Traders Association