This Real Estate Stock Is Yielding 12% (Legally)

Core Viewpoint - Annaly Capital Management offers a significantly high dividend yield, exceeding 10 times that of the S&P 500, due to its legal obligation to distribute 90% of its taxable income as dividends [1][6]. Group 1: Company Overview - Annaly Capital Management operates as a mortgage REIT, investing in Agency mortgage-backed securities, non-agency residential mortgages, and mortgage servicing rights, which typically yield low-risk, fixed-rate returns [3]. - The company utilizes leverage to enhance returns, currently achieving double-digit yields across its investment strategies [3]. Group 2: Financial Performance - In the third quarter, Annaly reported earnings available for distribution (EAD) of $0.73 per share, an increase from $0.66 per share in the same quarter last year, comfortably covering its dividend payment of $0.70 per share [4]. - The EAD for Annaly was consistent, with $0.73 per share in the second quarter and $0.72 per share in the previous two quarters, allowing for a dividend increase from $0.65 per share earlier this year [4]. - Historical EAD figures for 2022 ranged from $0.89 to $1.22 per share, supporting a quarterly dividend of $0.88 per share [5]. Group 3: Dividend Policy - Annaly is legally required to distribute nearly all of its taxable net income as dividends, which results in its high yield, but this payout is subject to fluctuations based on earnings [6].