Should You Forget AGNC Investment and Buy Realty Income Instead?

Core Viewpoint - AGNC Investment offers a significantly higher dividend yield of 13.5% compared to Realty Income's 5.7%, but Realty Income is considered the better choice for investors seeking reliable and sustainable income streams [2][12]. Group 1: Investment Goals - Investors should define their goals before purchasing stocks, particularly focusing on generating substantial and sustainable income to cover living expenses [3]. - The challenge lies in finding companies that can maintain or grow their dividends over the long term, rather than just seeking high yields [5]. Group 2: Dividend Stability - AGNC Investment's dividend has been highly volatile, while Realty Income has demonstrated stability with a consistently rising dividend for three decades [8]. - Realty Income is designed to provide a reliable and growing dividend stream, making it more suitable for those needing dividends to supplement retirement income [12]. Group 3: Company Profiles - AGNC Investment operates by managing a portfolio of mortgages pooled into bond-like securities, focusing on maximizing total returns [9]. - Realty Income is a traditional property-owning REIT, primarily focused on single-tenant properties under net lease agreements, with a diverse portfolio across the U.S. and Europe [11]. Group 4: Yield Comparison - Realty Income's 5.7% yield is attractive compared to the S&P 500's 1.1% and the average REIT yield of 3.9%, despite being lower than AGNC's yield [12]. - AGNC's high yield may indicate potential risks, including the likelihood of dividend cuts, which are common in the mREIT sector [13].