Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG), a leading real estate investment trust (REIT), has reported relatively modest third quarter results, with FFO (funds from operations) of $473.1 million or $1.38 per share compared to $463.9 million or $1.61 per share in the year-earlier quarter. Funds from operations, a widely used metric to gauge the performance of REITs, is obtained after adding depreciation and amortization and other non-cash expenses to net income. Occupancy in the regional malls and premium outlet centers was 91.4% and 97.5%, respectively during the quarter, compared to 92.5% and 98.8% in the year-ago period. Comparable sales in the regional malls decreased to $438 per square feet in the quarter compared to $493 in the prior-year quarter, while that of premium outlet centers decreased to $492 from $515 in the previous year. The decrease in the comparable sales was primarily due to the continued economic downturn ...

For Immediate Release

Chicago, IL – October 23, 2009 – Zacks.com announces the latest Industry Outlook. Today, Zacks Equity Research discusses the REITs sector, including American Capital Agency Corp. (AGNC), Fannie Mae (FNM), Freddie Mac (FRE), Vornado Realty Trust (VNO) and Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG).

Here is the latest on the REITs sector:

The credit freeze will have a positive effect on commercial real estate down the road; new office, apartment and retail construction has slowed considerably, which will benefit owners in a couple of years. Many companies that we cover have stopped all-new construction.

In this environment, we like well-capitalized companies that have adequate liquidity and manageable near-term debt maturities. Currently, we are bullish on American Capital Agency Corp. (AGNC), a mortgage REIT that invests exclusively in agency securities for which the principal and interest

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Amid positive signals emanating from the uptick in housing prices and an improving outlook for consumer spending, the housing sector is gradually stabilizing. Both new and existing home sales have increased during the last four consecutive months and are now 32% and 17% above their recent lows, respectively. Single-family housing starts have also risen 37% from their low point, and inventories of homes-for-sale have fallen sharply.

Equity REITs rebounded nicely in the third quarter, recording total returns of 33% (total return FTSE NAREIT Index) vs. a 15% gain each for the S&P and the Dow. The strong third quarter returns marked the second consecutive record-setting performance of equity REITs after a dismal performance in the first quarter of 2009.

In what has been a volatile year, equity REITs gained approximately 29% (total return FTSE NAREIT Index) in the second quarter after falling 32% in the first quarter. So far in October, equity

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Amid positive signals emanating from the uptick in housing prices and an improving outlook for consumer spending, the housing sector is gradually stabilizing. Both new and existing home sales have increased during the last four consecutive months and are now 32% and 17% above their recent lows, respectively. Single-family housing starts have also risen 37% from their low point, and inventories of homes-for-sale have fallen sharply.

Equity REITs rebounded nicely in the third quarter, recording total returns of 33% (total return FTSE NAREIT Index) vs. a 15% gain each for the S&P and the Dow. The strong third quarter returns marked the second consecutive record-setting performance of equity REITs after a dismal performance in the first quarter of 2009.

In what has been a volatile year, equity REITs gained approximately 29% (total return FTSE NAREIT Index) in the second quarter after falling 32% in the first quarter. So far in October, equity

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Amid positive signals emanating from the uptick in housing prices and an improving outlook for consumer spending, the housing sector is gradually stabilizing. Both new and existing home sales have increased during the last four consecutive months and are now 32% and 17% above their recent lows, respectively. Single-family housing starts have also risen 37% from their low point, and inventories of homes-for-sale have fallen sharply. Equity REITs rebounded nicely in the third quarter, recording total returns of 33% (total return FTSE NAREIT Index) vs. a 15% gain each for the S&P and the Dow. The strong third quarter returns marked the second consecutive record-setting performance of equity REITs after a dismal performance in the first quarter of 2009. In what has been a volatile year, equity REITs gained approximately 29% (total return FTSE NAREIT Index) in the second quarter after falling 32% in the first quarter. ...

Simon Property Group Inc. (SPG), the largest publicly traded retail real estate company in North America, recently announced the death of its pioneer and co-founder Melvin Simon after a short illness. With his demise, the company lost an able leader who had remarkable deal-making skills that fostered strong ties with lenders as well as owners of department store chains – a critical element during recession.     Melvin Simon along with his brother started the real estate company in 1960 under the name – Melvin Simon & Associates. Later this company became Simon Property Group Inc. having embraced the real estate investment trust (REIT) structure. The company’s initial offering in 1993 was the largest for a REIT.   Besides being the founder of Simon, Melvin Simon was also involved in the sports and movie businesses. He was the co-owner of Indiana Pacers professional basketball team in the National ...

Seligman Capital A (SCFIX) seeks capital appreciation by primarily investing in primarily in stocks of medium-sized US companies.

The fund considers both qualitative and quantitative factors to identify companies with above-average growth potential, strong management, reasonable valuations and strong or improving fundamentals. It may invest up to 10% of assets in exchange-traded funds.

Unit holders have to make a minimum initial investment of $2,000 to enter this Zacks#1 Rank (“Strong Buy") fund. It distributes dividends and capital gains annually.

Seligman Emerging Markets A (SHEMX) was incepted in May 1996. The investment seeks long-term capital appreciation.

The fund focuses on companies which conduct their principal business in emerging economies, are organized under those laws, or whose securities are traded principally on exchanges in developing countries. It may invest up to 15% of net assets in illiquid securities.

Vera M. Trojan has been lead manager at the fund since September

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DrStockPick.com Stock Report!

Thursday August 6, 2009

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PACCAR’s (Nasdaq:PCAR) Corporate office and its Kenworth Truck Company manufacturing facility in Renton were recently named as leaders in King County, Washington’s 2009 Best Workplaces for Recyclers. “PACCAR is honored to receive this prestigious environmental award,” said Richard Bangert, PACCAR vice president. “PACCAR is a global environmental leader and is committed to waste reduction, the conservation of natural resources and the ongoing protection of the environment. This award recognizes the diligent efforts of our employees to reduce, reuse and recycle. PACCAR’s recycling program is an important facet in its comprehensive environmental framework.” Several PACCAR commercial vehicle facilities have achieved “zero waste to landfill,” which has enhanced

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Today we are featuring top-performing “Real Estate" equity mutual funds, which primarily invest in stocks of companies that are part of the real estate and REIT sectors.

Investors can find such funds by checking out the entire list of the Zacks #1 Rank Real Estate Equity Funds.

3 Solid Samples

Thrivent Real Estate Securities A (TREFX) seeks to provide high current income and long-term capital appreciation by investing primarily in the equity securities of companies in the real estate industry.

The fund focuses on real estate equity securities, but may invest in other types of real estate securities or in companies from other industries. It may invest up to 20% in equity and fixed-income securities of companies that are not principally engaged in the real estate industry.

Reginald L. Pfeifer has managed the fund since its inception in June 2005. Pfeifer has 22 years of industry experience.

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Simon Property Group, Inc. (SPG), the largest publicly traded retail real estate company in North America, has recently opened a premium outlet in Japan. The outlet has been developed by a JV called Chelsea Japan Co. Ltd., in which Simon Property has 40% stake. The remaining 60% of the JV is owned by Mitsubishi Estate Co. Ltd., the second largest real estate developer in Japan.

Currently only Phase I of the outlet, known as Ami Premium Outlet, spanning 225,000 square feet of gross leasable area, has been opened to the general public. Ami Premium Outlet is the eighth outlet of the JV in Japan, the others being Gotemba Premium Outlets and Sano Premium Outlets (both serving Tokyo), Rinku Premium Outlets (Osaka), Kobe-Sanda Premium Outlets (Kobe-Osaka), Sendai-Izumi Premium Outlets (Sendai), Toki Premium Outlets (Nagoya) and Tosu Premium Outlets (Fukuoka).

Ami Premium Outlet is strategically located in the close proximity of Ami-Higashi interchange

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