Can Annaly Capital Uphold Its Impressive 13% Dividend Yield?

Core Insights - Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NLY) is recognized for its attractive dividend policy, offering significant long-term returns and a high dividend yield appealing to income-focused investors [1][2] Dividend Policy - NLY increased its cash dividend by 7.7% to 70 cents per share in March 2025, resulting in a current dividend yield of 13.02%, which exceeds the industry average of 12.51% [2] - The company maintains a payout ratio of 97%, demonstrating its commitment to regular dividend distributions [2] Shareholder Value Enhancement - Annaly Capital has authorized a stock repurchase program of up to $1.5 billion, set to expire on December 31, 2029, although no shares have been repurchased under this plan to date [4] Liquidity Position - As of September 30, 2025, NLY holds total assets available for financing of $8.8 billion, including $3.9 billion in cash and unencumbered Agency MBS, providing a strong liquidity cushion [5] Competitive Landscape - In comparison, AGNC Investment Corp. offers a higher dividend yield of 14.2% with a payout ratio of 94%, while Arbor Realty Trust has a yield of 12.6% and a payout ratio of 98%, but with a weaker liquidity position [6][7][8] Price Performance - Over the past year, NLY shares have increased by 11.6%, contrasting with a 2.6% decline in the industry [9] Valuation Metrics - NLY trades at a forward price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio of 1.07X, slightly above the industry average of 1.04X [13] Earnings Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate indicates a year-over-year earnings rise of 7.4% for 2025 and 1.5% for 2026, with recent upward revisions for 2025 estimates and downward revisions for 2026 [15]