Annaly Shares Gains 10.3% in 1H25: Buy, Hold, or Take Profits?

Core Insights - Annaly Capital Management (NLY) shares have increased by 10.3% in the first half of 2025, outperforming the industry growth of 5.1% and its peers AGNC Investment (7.6% growth) and Arbor Realty Trust (17.8% decline) [1][7]. Company Overview - Annaly is a mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) that primarily owns, manages, and finances a portfolio of real estate-related investment securities, utilizing a diversified capital allocation strategy to navigate market fluctuations [2][3]. Portfolio Composition & Strategy - Annaly's investment portfolio totals $89.5 billion as of June 30, 2025, with $79.5 billion in a highly liquid Agency portfolio, which helps lower volatility and interest rate sensitivity while generating attractive risk-adjusted returns [3][4]. - The company is focusing on acquiring newly originated mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) to enhance its MSR business, which tends to increase in value as interest rates rise, offsetting declines in agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) [5][10]. Financial Performance - Net interest income (NII) surged to $493.2 million in the first half of 2025, a significant increase from $47.1 million in the same period the previous year, driven by improving loan demand [7][18]. - Annaly's dividend yield stands at 13.6%, higher than the industry average of 12.5%, with a payout ratio of 99% [11][14]. Market Position & Outlook - The company has a strong liquidity position with $7.4 billion in total assets available for financing, including $4.7 billion in unencumbered Agency MBS, providing a competitive edge in adverse market conditions [15]. - Analysts have revised earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 upward, indicating a bullish outlook with expected year-over-year growth of 7% and 2.5%, respectively [21]. Valuation Metrics - Annaly is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-tangible book (P/TB) multiple of 1.07X, which is higher than the industry average of 1.01X, suggesting a premium valuation compared to peers [24].