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After spending several months at no better than a four-star rank, enough top-performing CAPS members have turned bullish on Plum Creek Timber (NYSE:PCL) for it to touch five stars recently. A total of 654 members have given their opinion on the timberland real estate investment trust, with many of them offering analysis and commentary explaining the recent optimism.

As one of the nation's largest private landowners and timber processors, Plum Creek Timber is part of the supply chain hit hard by the housing slowdown, following alongside housing retailers like Home Depot (NYSE:HD) and Lowe's (NYSE:LOW). But, similar to bellwether Caterpillar (NYSE:CAT), the company has recently seen signs of a turn for the better, saying that timber markets have stabilized and log prices have shown improvement in some regions. Many CAPS members like the company's geographically diversified land and timber assets and believe the company is in a solid position to benefit from an eventual rebound once the economy and homebuilders like KB Home (NYSE:KBH) and Lennar (NYSE:LEN) spring back to growth.

Bullish investors also cite the healthy dividend Plum Creek pays, thanks to its REIT structure, a conversion that Weyerhaeuser (NYSE:WY) plans to soon make. By the end of the third quarter, Plum Creek had generated more than $490 million in cash flow from operating activities, far more than is required for its annual dividend. Despite the slowdown, the company has been able to cut costs and routinely sell off non-strategic assets to focus on its core lands. The active management of its land portfolio has enabled it to generate cash and pay down debt, strengthening its position geared for long-term value. 

Do you think Plum Creek Timber deserves its raised status? Add your thoughts in the comments box below on this page, or head over to CAPS to rate the company and check out all the information the community offers, absolutely free.