Core Viewpoint - Gold prices have retreated more than 2% amid a broader market sell-off, but analysts predict potential new highs for the precious metal by 2026, with futures around $4,900 as of the Chinese New Year [1] Group 1: Market Dynamics - Despite short-term volatility, structural drivers such as central bank buying, geopolitical fragmentation, and portfolio diversification are expected to support gold's safe-haven appeal [2] - Goldman Sachs analysts forecast a significant upside risk for gold, estimating a price of $5,400 per troy ounce by the end of 2026, with every 1 basis point increase in gold's share of US financial portfolios potentially raising prices by 1.5% [3] - Investors anticipate the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates this year, which could weaken the US dollar and increase commodity prices, including gold [4] Group 2: Performance Metrics - Gold has gained 12% year-to-date, while silver has decreased by 4% [6] - The precious metal has experienced volatility since its rally halted in late January, with futures dropping sharply from a high of $5,600 [5]

Core Viewpoint - Annaly Capital Management's performance is closely linked to mortgage rates and Federal Reserve policies, with recent trends indicating lower mortgage rates which may enhance housing affordability and support growth in home purchases and refinancing activities [1][2]. Mortgage Rates and Federal Reserve Policy - Mortgage rates have decreased to 6.09% as of February 12, 2026, down from 6.11% the previous week and significantly lower than 6.87% a year ago [1]. - The Federal Reserve has maintained its benchmark federal funds target range at 3.50-3.75% and is expected to implement two 25-basis-point rate cuts later in 2026, which will reduce funding costs for mortgage REITs [3]. Financial Performance - Annaly's net interest income (NII) rose to $1.14 billion in 2025 from $247.8 million the previous year, reflecting improved earnings due to lower funding pressure [3]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Annaly's 2026 sales indicates a year-over-year growth of 74%, with projected sales of $1.98 billion [16]. Portfolio Diversification - Annaly operates a diversified investment platform that includes Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), residential credit, and mortgage servicing rights (MSR), which aids in balancing income generation and risk management [5]. - As of December 31, 2025, Annaly's investment portfolio totaled $104.7 billion, with $92.9 billion in highly liquid Agency MBS, primarily rated 'AAA' [6]. Strategic Initiatives - The company is expanding its MSR platform through a long-term agreement with PennyMac Financial Services, enhancing its servicing capabilities and operational efficiency [7]. - Annaly has exited its commercial real estate and Middle Market Lending businesses to focus on core housing finance operations, allowing for more concentrated capital deployment [8]. Liquidity and Capital Distribution - Annaly maintains a strong liquidity position with $9.4 billion in total assets available for financing, including $6.1 billion in cash and unencumbered Agency MBS [10]. - The company has a current dividend yield of 12.14%, having increased its quarterly cash dividend by 7.7% to 70 cents per share in March 2025 [12]. Market Performance - Annaly's shares have increased by 11.8% over the past six months, outperforming the industry average of 5.7% [20]. - The stock is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-tangible book (P/TB) multiple of 1.12X, which is higher than the industry average of 1.05X [23].

Beyond FFO, we have increased the diversification of our portfolio across geography, asset type, operator, borrower, manager, and payer source, as well as achieving continual improvement in our already strong EBITDAR rent coverage. We ended the year having again grown our market cap by 61% to $8.2 billion. I cannot help but take a moment to thank our shareholders, our board, our operators, our capital and strategic partners, and our entire team for their dedication and hard work. We simply could not have pr ...

Core Insights - The focus is on income-producing asset classes such as REITs, ETFs, Preferreds, and Dividend Champions, targeting premium dividend yields up to 10% [1][3] - The iREIT®+HOYA Capital service is designed for income-focused investing, providing research and exclusive portfolios aimed at sustainable income, diversification, and inflation hedging [2][3] Group 1 - The investment strategy emphasizes dependable monthly income and portfolio diversification through various asset classes [3] - The service offers a free two-week trial for potential investors to explore top ideas and income-focused portfolios [2] - The group aims to assist investors in preparing for retirement by sharing strategies related to CEFs, ETFs, BDCs, and REITs [3] Group 2 - The investment research includes a focus on closed-end funds, preferreds, and dividend champions, enhancing the potential for income generation [3] - The service is positioned as a premier income-focused investing platform on Seeking Alpha, catering to investors seeking sustainable portfolio income [2]

Core Viewpoint - The Indian government has delayed discussions on a cryptocurrency bill, prompting criticism from the Supreme Court for the lack of clear guidelines in the crypto sector [1][5]. Group 1: Regulatory Framework - Lawmaker Raghav Chadha emphasized the necessity for a "clear domestic regulatory sandbox" to classify cryptocurrencies as an asset class, which could generate billions in annual tax revenue for the government [2]. - Chadha pointed out the paradox of imposing a 30% tax on cryptocurrency gains without providing legal recognition or investor protections, urging the establishment of a regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies and stablecoins [5]. Group 2: Current Taxation and Market Impact - India currently imposes a 30% flat tax on income from virtual digital assets, including cryptocurrencies, along with a 1% tax on all transfers, regardless of holding period or income level [4]. - An analysis revealed that 72.66% of India's cryptocurrency trading volume, approximately $5.60 billion, occurred on offshore platforms, indicating that unclear regulations have led to the migration of around 180 cryptocurrency startups abroad [3].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported Q4 AFFO per share of $0.45, with full year AFFO at $1.78 per share, representing a 2.9% growth over 2024 [22] - Q4 cash rental income was $67.5 million, reflecting an 11.1% growth compared to the previous year [23] - Annualized cash-based rent at quarter end was $264.2 million, with a weighted average five-year annual cash rent escalator of 1.5% [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4, the company acquired 30 properties for $95 million at a blended cap rate of 7%, marking a 20 basis point expansion over the previous quarter [12] - Total investment volume for 2025 increased by 20% from 2024, with 53 unique transactions completed [13] - The company maintained a portfolio occupancy rate of 99.6%, with 95% of leases expiring in 2025 remaining occupied [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company sidestepped major tenant credit issues, reporting zero bad debt expense in 2020 and 2025 [6] - Rent coverage in Q4 was 5.1x for the majority of the portfolio, among the strongest in the net lease industry [6] - The company has diversified its rent sources, with 37% coming from outside casual dining, including automotive service (13%), quick service restaurants (11%), and medical retail (10%) [9] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company focuses on acquiring high-quality real estate occupied by creditworthy tenants, avoiding problematic retail sectors [5][9] - The strategy includes expanding into new retail categories such as grocery and equipment rental, while maintaining a cautious approach to acquisitions [10][15] - The company aims to leverage its strong balance sheet and low leverage to capitalize on acquisition opportunities in 2026 [11][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate the current market, citing a favorable debt capital environment and ample liquidity [19][20] - The company anticipates continued growth in 2026, supported by a strong pipeline of acquisition opportunities and a disciplined capital allocation strategy [17][76] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a balanced approach to real estate and credit, avoiding sectors with high risk [46] Other Important Information - The company has no debt maturities until December 2026, with a focus on managing minor upcoming maturities [21] - The company reported a significant gap between its implied cap rate and the blended cap rate of recently sold net lease properties, indicating potential undervaluation [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you discuss the market for United Rentals and industrial outdoor storage? - Management noted the attractiveness of the sector, highlighting the large addressable market and the potential for creditworthy tenants [28] Question: What is the status of the Bahama Breeze locations? - Management confirmed that several locations will be converted to other Darden brands, with strong interest from potential new tenants [32][38] Question: How does the company manage its balance sheet and leverage? - Management emphasized a disciplined approach to capital allocation, with a focus on maintaining low leverage while pursuing accretive acquisitions [41] Question: What is the company's exposure to Red Lobster? - Management indicated that Red Lobster is performing better under new ownership, with stores predominantly under a master lease [45] Question: Are there any sectors the company is avoiding? - Management reiterated its focus on balanced real estate and credit, avoiding sectors that have not proven resilient through cycles [46]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2025, the company reported an AFFO per share of $0.45, with a full-year AFFO of $1.78 per share, representing a 2.9% growth over 2024 [21] - Q4 cash rental income was $67.5 million, reflecting an 11.1% growth compared to the same quarter last year [22] - Annualized cash-based rent at the end of Q4 was $264.2 million, with a weighted average five-year annual cash rent escalator of 1.5% [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company acquired 30 properties in Q4 for $95 million at a blended cap rate of 7%, marking a 20 basis point expansion over the previous quarter [11] - In 2025, the total acquisition volume reached $318 million, with a blended cap rate of 6.8% [11][12] - The portfolio maintained a strong rent coverage ratio of 5.1 times, one of the highest in the net lease industry [5] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has diversified its revenue sources, with 37% of rents coming from sectors outside casual dining, including automotive service (13%), quick service restaurants (11%), and medical retail (10%) [8] - The company reported no exposure to problematic retail sectors and maintained a portfolio occupancy rate of 99.6% [5][24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to continue its conservative and thoughtful capital allocation strategy, focusing on high-quality acquisitions without sacrificing quality for volume [4] - The strategy includes expanding into new sectors such as grocery and equipment rental, while maintaining a focus on recession-resistant, essential service retailers [13][15] - The company plans to leverage favorable debt capital markets for acquisitions in 2026, with a focus on maintaining low leverage [10][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the quality of the portfolio and the ability to re-tenant properties, particularly in light of recent discussions with Darden regarding the conversion of Bahama Breeze locations [7][32] - The company anticipates a strong year in 2026, supported by ample liquidity and a favorable cost of debt capital [75] - Management highlighted the importance of disciplined capital allocation and the potential for continued growth despite market challenges [40] Other Important Information - The company has no debt maturities until December 2026, providing a stable financial outlook [21] - The company has maintained a healthy fixed charge coverage ratio of 4.8 times and 98% of its debt is fixed [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Market outlook for United Rentals and industrial outdoor storage - Management noted the attractiveness of the sector, highlighting a large addressable market and the potential for creditworthy tenants [27][28] Question: Update on Bahama Breeze exposure - Management confirmed that several locations will be converted to other Darden brands, with strong interest from potential new tenants [30][32] Question: Comfort level with approaching leverage limits - Management expressed confidence in maintaining a disciplined approach to capital allocation, with ample acquisition opportunities before reaching leverage limits [39][49] Question: Red Lobster exposure and performance - Management indicated that Red Lobster is performing better under new ownership, with properties predominantly under master leases [43][44] Question: Diversification strategy and sectors to avoid - Management reiterated a focus on balanced real estate and credit approaches, avoiding sectors with high risk [45] Question: Direct deals with developers - Management stated that they do not see a significant difference in returns between direct deals and those involving brokers [69][70]

Core Insights - The logistics sector has seen significant engagement from investors, particularly in the ASEAN and US markets, highlighting its growth potential and diversification opportunities [1] Investment Focus - The company has diversified its investments across various sectors including banking, telecommunications, logistics, and hotels, indicating a strategic approach to portfolio management [1] - The entry into the US market in 2020 reflects a growing interest in international investment opportunities, particularly in sectors like banks, hotels, and shipping [1] Market Trends - The popularity of insurance companies in the Philippines since 2014 suggests a shift in investment preferences among local investors, moving towards more diversified financial products [1] - The trend of using platforms like Seeking Alpha for analysis indicates a growing reliance on data-driven investment strategies among investors in both the ASEAN and US markets [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Getty Realty reported an annualized base rent growth of nearly 12% in 2025, with AFFO per share increasing by 5% in Q4 and 3.8% for the full year, reaching the high end of the earnings guidance [6][20] - For Q4 2025, AFFO per share was $0.63, FFO was $0.64, and net income was $0.45 per share, while for the full year, AFFO per share was $20.43, FFO was $20.34, and net income was $1.35 per share [20][21] - The G&A ratio, excluding stock-based compensation and non-recurring costs, was 9.5% for 2025, showing a 10 basis point improvement over 2024 [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company invested approximately $270 million in 2025, with a focus on diversifying its portfolio, including a $100 million sale-leaseback for a convenience store portfolio [7][8] - Investments in the collision repair sector amounted to $82.5 million for the construction of new collision centers, with expectations for openings in 2026 [8] - The company also invested nearly $40 million in drive-through quick service restaurants, representing about 15% of its investment activity for the year [9] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Over 75% of Getty's 2025 investment activity was concentrated in the top 100 markets in the U.S., with increased exposure to cities like Atlanta, Dallas, and Houston [9] - The portfolio included 1,169 net lease properties with a 99.7% occupancy rate and a weighted average lease term of 9.9 years [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Getty Realty aims to accelerate its growth trajectory by expanding relationships and refining processes through data-driven analysis [11] - The company is focused on diversifying its portfolio, with nearly 30% of annual base rent now derived from non-convenience and gas properties [19] - The management transition, with RJ Ryan succeeding Mark Olear as Chief Investment Officer, is expected to support the execution of growth plans [12] Management Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the investment pipeline, with $100 million under contract and a strong start to the year [30] - The company anticipates maintaining a healthy investment pipeline, with expectations for continued sourcing of actionable opportunities [10] - Management noted that the tenant health remains strong, with a portfolio occupancy of 99.7% and full rent collections [55] Other Important Information - The company has a pro forma liquidity position of over $500 million, which includes cash and availability under its revolving credit facility [25] - The company reaffirmed its AFFO per share guidance for 2026 in the range of $20.48-$20.50, excluding prospective investment activities [25] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide more detail on the $100 million investment pipeline? - The CFO indicated that about 80% of the pipeline is focused on auto service properties, with the majority being development funding [29] Question: Do you think you can do more investment volume this year relative to last year? - Management expressed optimism about the current pipeline and noted that they are already above 25% of last year's underwriting volume [30][31] Question: Can you speak about the cadence of the $100 million? - The CFO explained that about 20% of the pipeline consists of regular acquisitions expected to close in 60-90 days, while development funding will be deployed over the next 12 months [34] Question: What is driving the increased emphasis to potentially sell? - Management noted that the team is actively sourcing opportunities and that the selling pool appears more active, contributing to the increased emphasis [39][40] Question: Can you provide color on the dispositions of the 7 properties sold in Q4? - The CFO mentioned that some properties were sold back to existing tenants, and others were disposed of for tactical reasons [63][64]

Investment Platforms - Acorns offers a service that automatically rounds up purchases made with debit and credit cards, investing the spare change into a diversified portfolio of ETFs, making investing effortless for users [1] - Fundrise Venture Capital aims to build a portfolio of top private tech companies, allowing individuals to start investing with as little as $10 [5] Retirement Planning - Consistency in contributions to retirement accounts is emphasized as a key factor in building a nest egg, with a focus on giving money time in the market rather than trying to time it [2] - A report from the Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies indicates that 64% of surveyed individuals did not retire as planned, with 58% retiring earlier than intended, highlighting the importance of financial preparedness [3] Regrets of Retirees - Many retirees express regret over not retiring earlier while in good health, suggesting that planning for a fulfilling retirement is crucial [4] - A significant number of retirees wish they had spent more during their early retirement years on experiences, indicating a need for better financial planning to allow for spending [11] Health and Wellness - Retirees often regret not prioritizing their health earlier in life, with over 85% of older adults relying solely on Medicare having chronic health conditions, suggesting that healthier habits could prevent many illnesses [18][19] Financial Tools - Apps like Rocket Money can help individuals track their spending and manage subscriptions, which can aid in redirecting savings into retirement funds [15][17] - AARP offers resources and benefits related to healthcare and financial planning, potentially saving members thousands of dollars [20][21]