High Yielding REITs Outperform Broader S&P 500 Index for the Fourth Consecutive Year Five Star Equities Provides Stock Research on Newcastle Investment and RAIT Financial Trust

(live-PR.com) - NEW YORK, NY -- (Marketwire) -- 02/14/13 -- Shares of high yielding real estate investment trusts have performed well this earnings season. The iShares FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REITs Index ETF (REM) has gained over 11 percent year-to-date -- outperforming the Dow Jones Industrial Average gain of 6.5 percent over the same period. Five Star Equities examines the outlook for diversified REITs and provides equity research on Newcastle Investment Corp. (NYSE: NCT) and RAIT Financial Trust (NYSE: RAS).



Access to the full company reports can be found at:



www.FiveStarEquities.com/NCT : ctt.marketwire.com/?release=985870&id=261687 ..





www.FiveStarEquities.com/RAS : ctt.marketwire.com/?release=985870&id=261688 ..



In a low interest rate environment investors have flocked to the high yielding dividend of REITs, as many companies offer yields in excess of 10 percent. REITs are not taxed at the corporate level but in return are required to distribute at least 90% of their taxable income as dividends to investors. A steadily improving U.S. housing market has helped boost investor's appetite for REITs. The Dow Jones Equity All REIT Index, which tracks the performance of all the publicly traded U.S. REITs, gained nearly 20 percent in 2012, making it the fourth consecutive year REITs have bested the broader Standard & Poor's 500 Index.



"Despite vacillation in stock markets, investors haven't lost their appetite for a steady diet of real estate," says Jeff Tjornehoj, a Lipper analyst.



Five Star Equities releases regular market updates on diversified REITs so investors can stay ahead of the crowd and make the best investment decisions to maximize their returns. Take a few minutes to register with us free at www.FiveStarEquities.com : ctt.marketwire.com/?release=985870&id=261688 .. and get exclusive access to our numerous stock reports and industry newsletters.



Newcastle Investment Corp. focuses on opportunistically investing in, and actively managing, real estate related assets. The company currently offers investors an annual dividend of $0.88 per share for a dividend yield of approximately 8.2 percent. Newcastle Investment is scheduled to release its results for the fourth quarter on Monday, February 25th.



RAIT Financial Trust is an internally-managed real estate investment trust that provides debt financing options to owners of commercial real estate and invests directly into commercial real estate properties located throughout the United States. The company currently offers investors an annual dividend of $0.40 per share for a dividend yield of approximately 5.7 percent. Shares of RAIT Financial have gained over 20 percent year-to-date.



Five Star Equities provides Market Research focused on equities that offer growth opportunities, value, and strong potential return. We strive to provide the most up-to-date market activities. We constantly create research reports and newsletters for our members. Five Star Equities has not been compensated by any of the above-mentioned companies. We act as an independent research portal and are aware that all investment entails inherent risks. Please view the full disclaimer at:



www.FiveStarEquities.com/disclaimer : ctt.marketwire.com/?release=985870&id=261688 ..



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