Senior housing companies overly punished -Barron's

NEW YORK, March 9 (Reuters) - Shares of companies that provide senior housing have been so badly hurt by an "indiscriminate pullback" that they present buying opportunities for investors, according to a report in the latest issue of Barron's.

The article said companies such as Brookdale Senior Living (BKD.N: Quote, Profile, Research) and Emeritus Corp (ESC.A: Quote, Profile, Research) have been overly hurt by concerns that a deepening housing downturn would deter the elderly from selling their homes and moving into their facilities.

The stock declines overlook the fact that occupancy at senior homes nationwide remains near a peak of around 90 percent, Barron's said.

Emeritus could rally 54 percent before reaching Wall Street's consensus projected price target of $33.50, the article said.

On Friday, Emeritus closed up 46 cents at $22.72 on the American Stock Exchange.

(Reporting by Ransdell Pierson, editing by Richard Chang)