REA Group Limited (ASX: REA) has announced it will be launching a smartwatch app for property hunters. The Apple Watch app, due out in April, will allow users to find properties for sale, literally, with GPS directions, and make audio notes about homes as they inspect them.
The operator of the market-leading property listing website realestate.com.au has been an innovator for many years. In the company's media statement, Chief Product Officer Henry Ruiz said, "Our product philosophy is to be on all devices that people use in their property search, to make their journey simple, efficient and stress free. Increasingly, that means on-the-go and wearable technology."
REA Group already has a popular mobile app for property searches, which has 4 million downloads. People are on the go more and having a better way to locate listed properties immediately around you could help property sales.
It will probably help real estate listing numbers and revenue for REA Group. Giving users yet another good reason to use realestate.com.au can help maintain and maybe even grow market share. The stock has been a fast grower for a number of years. Analysts forecast earnings to grow in the high 20s on average annually over the next several years.
Other reasons REA Group is a standout company are:-
– strong dividend growth because the company pays out about 50% of earnings per share, so if earnings are rising quickly, so are dividends. Dividend payments have doubled since 2011,
– return on equity and net profit margin around 35% were achieved in financial year 2015, and
– no long-term debt because the company makes ample profits to cover operating expenses and investments.
REA Group is also expanding into the US property market together with joint venture partner, Rupert Murdoch's News Corp, through the recent acquisition of Move Inc, the third largest property advertising website operator.
I think REA Group could continue as a high-growth company, making it the kind of stock investors would like to have in their portfolio.
