Five Real Estate Stocks to Buy On Industry Weakness

#3 Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (NYSE:JLL)

 – Investors with Long Positions (as of December 31): 31

 – Aggregate Value of Investors’ Holdings (as of December 31): $6 Million

The number of hedge fund managers bullish on Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (NYSE:JLL) increased by six during the fourth trimester, alongside a 16.5% hike in the aggregate value of their holdings, so there was a notable boost in smart money enthusiasm. This could make it the ideal time to snap up the stock, considering it has plunged by more than 28% so far this year and is likely in a bottoming out phase. In its financial results for the fourth quarter, JLL did miss both top and bottom line estimates. However, margins expanded through all geographical segments and the company delivered record revenue and profit for the full year. Moody’s also raised its outlook on JLL’s Baa2 investment grade balance sheet to positive. Sahm Adrangi‘s Kerrisdale Capital hiked its Jones Lang LaSalle Inc (NYSE:JLL) stake by 20% during the fourth quarter.

#2 Realogy Holdings Corp (NYSE:RLGY)

 – Investors with Long Positions (as of December 31): 49

 – Aggregate Value of Investors’ Holdings (as of December 31): $2 Billion

Hedge funds held more than 37% of the Madison, New Jersey-based company’s outstanding shares at December’s end. Realogy Holdings Corp (NYSE:RLGY) delivered top line growth of 7% for the full 2015 year, while net income appreciated by 29% for the same period. Free cash flow also increased by 19% year-over-year. Nonetheless, shares of the company are down by 5% this year and by 23% over the past 12 months, making this another stock that appears to be significantly more attractive than it was a year ago. Larry Robbins‘ renowned Glenview Capital boosted its Realogy Holdings Corp (NYSE:RLGY) position by 8% to 6.79 million shares during the fourth quarter.

#1 NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc (NYSE:NSAM)

 – Investors with Long Positions (as of December 31): 52

 – Aggregate Value of Investors’ Holdings (as of December 31): $952 Million

Despite the number of investors that we track which were bullish on NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc (NYSE:NSAM) dropped by four during the fourth quarter, hedgies still held about 40% of the company’s outstanding shares. This stock has been one of the hardest hit in the sector, experiencing a sharp fall of 52% in the last 12 months. The company’s management predicted that the spin off of its European assets that took place in October would boost its stock price, since European REITs trade at higher multiples than their American counterparts, however this has yet to materialize. Analysts believe that the company’s portfolio is scattered and unfocused, which could be improved by selling more assets, something which the company doesn’t seem to be particularly keen on at this time. Robert Pohly‘s Samlyn Capital still seems upbeat about the company’s prospects as it raised its stake in NorthStar Asset Management Group Inc (NYSE:NSAM) by 12% to 9.36 million shares during the fourth quarter.

Disclosure: None