And Associated Estates Realty, my little diamond in the rough, has once again raised its dividend following an absolutely wonderful quarter. The move represents a 5.6% increase in payout, bringing the annual yield back up to around 5% from the days’ open.

The stock is up 2% on the announcement, but that’s no consolation.

AEC has been crushed over the last 6 months as trolling analysts and crack addicted gamblers were pissed off that the company decided it was better to control their debt than make failed bids at grand slams and gluttonous attempts at devouring the entire apartment market on nothing but a smile and a signature.

By doing things their more conservative way, not only have profit margins continued to improve, but the company’s operations have become more consolidated, lower cost, containing higher value properties, and lower influence from interest rate swings.

And, because they decided to tender their debt load, they’ve been catching ratings upgrades, which will only serve to save the shareholder more in earnings down the road.

Recently, a series of articles have come out suggesting the Multifamily REIT boom is over, because the resurge in housing prices is foretelling a collapse in occupancy and rates. A second, alternate version of this storyline suggests that because a house could, theoretically, cost less than renting an apartment, we would see a huge shift away from rental occupancy and downward pressure on rates.

Sorry, but no, that’s not how attaining mortgages works.

I continue to forecast strong outperformance from the REIT multifamily sector. And, when the market finally catches on, these stocks will have a long way to go before they’re pricing that in properly.

In the meanwhile, AEC and CLP continue to see FFO bulging. And since that’s money going straight to my pocket, I guess I’ll just have to enjoy these dividend hikes while I wait.

Yesterday I was holding a fever of around 102. Nothing was going to get done. In fact, I just put my head down and didn’t bother trying to get back up until mid afternoon.

Today, I’m around and about, trying to get back into the sway of things.

The mid week report of uranium spot prices was issued yesterday. It details a clear bounce occuring at historical low prices.

This is terrific news. Truthfully, I don’t care of U308 spot prices at all. They don’t fortell profits of uranium miners, which is why I was so undisturbed about buying into CCJ as fearlessly as I have been. But I know that there is a small gathering of market participants who have reasoned out that uranium miners are a good buy here, but are holding out for some sort of catalyst.

This logic makes no sense to me. But a bottom in U308 prices could very well be just the Ouija board needed to coax some real money back into uranium miners.

Should pricing continue to shore up in the uranium spot market, it might convince some of the cowards who most recently evacuated CCJ to rethink their decision.

I spent today curdled in a pool of sweat, as God struck me down for outstripping Abel in every possible way.

My throat had been bothering me a little on the return flight. Today, it struck in full force, like an assassin. I hurdled in the corner of my office shivering for warmth, beneath my desk.

But, lo, as I peaked out from under my harbor, I caught a sight most wonderful. All of my positions are up an enormous amount, with the sole exception being silver. I ended the day up 1%.

After hours, silver is running back up – 5000 oz bars are going for over $34 again. An ounce is going for $33.

I will say this once more. The age of Cameco lagging is coming to an end. As it blossoms, so too will my wealth. All time highs are just around the corner, friends.

I dropped another 5% on CCJ, bringing my cash position to 25%.

My my my, whatever could it be?

This scent and aroma that fills my nostrils.

This welcome hint so starkly different from the effluvia that’s suffocated me until now.

What is it?

I’ll give you a hint…

……

Naw, to hell with hints. I’m in a generous mood. I’ll just tell you.

It looks like uranium prices may have finally bottomed.

While you were all comfortably stuffed, still sleeping in this morning, I awoke bright and early and tip toed softly to the landing and made my way winding up the stairs. At the top, I gently creaked open the door to the 9th floor office and passed inside to get some tasks done before the sun rose.

As the market bells rang, I waited patiently for the pricing I needed. And surely, a low volume morning surge grabbed RGR, sending it higher. I finally sold out at $54.70.

Not a bad 11% gain, for 5 days worth of holding.

I would normally have loved to wait into December for the special dividend to be issued – an extra $4.50 a share would have catapulted my gains to 20% – but why bother? When the market is so accommodating on price right now and the exercise date is so far away, I’ll just take my $4.50 now, plus extra.

I hope you all had wonderful holidays. Enjoy the leftover bird.