Market Cycles & Historical Analysis - The analysis suggests that Bitcoin's four-year cycles are likely to continue, despite potential disturbances [1] - Bitcoin's history shows recurring patterns: a halving event, followed by an all-time high, then a dip and reset [2][3] - Past bull markets were driven by different factors: early adopters in 2013, retail investors in 2017, and institutions in 2021 [7][8][12][21] - Each cycle faced hurdles like exchange collapses (Mount Gox), ICO bubble bursts, and regulatory crackdowns [9][10][15][16] - The analysis highlights that human nature and market exuberance contribute to the cyclical pattern [17][19][20][55] Current Market & Future Risks - The current bull market (2025) is driven by favorable US regulations, potential Fed rate cuts, and the approval of spot Bitcoin and ETH ETFs [29][30][31] - Institutions hold over 10% of Bitcoin, potentially buffering volatility [32][33][34] - Risks include short-term pullbacks, profit-taking by institutions, and potential unwinding of leverage in the system [35][36][39] - The analysis suggests that the market is still macro-dependent, and any delays in Fed rate cuts or a flare-up in inflation could cause a violent retracement [42][43] Quantitative Easing (QE) & Tightening (QT) - Quantitative easing involves central banks buying assets, adding money, increasing the money supply, and lowering interest rates to stimulate growth [44][45] - Quantitative tightening involves central banks selling assets or letting them expire, decreasing the money supply, pushing rates up, and slowing growth to curb inflation [45][46] - Historical data shows that Bitcoin can hit all-time highs even as the Fed funds rate goes up [48]

Core Viewpoint - The ongoing trade war and tariffs have significantly disrupted various sectors, including the bond markets, adversely affecting mortgage real estate investment trusts (mREITs) like AGNC Investment, which has faced a challenging operating environment recently [1] Group 1: Company Overview - AGNC Investment primarily holds a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities (MBSes) backed by government-sponsored agencies such as Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are generally considered virtually risk-free from default [3] - The company has a current dividend yield of 17%, making it an attractive option for investors [2] Group 2: Financial Performance - AGNC's tangible net book value (TBV) per share fell from $8.41 at the end of 2024 to $8.25 in the first quarter of 2025, and further declined to between $7.75 and $7.85 as of April 9, 2025, with an additional drop of 7.5% to 8% noted during the earnings call [6][7] - The decline in TBV is attributed more to the widening spread between Treasuries and mortgages rather than an increase in interest rates, with the spread peaking at 230 basis points [6][7] Group 3: Market Conditions and Future Outlook - Management believes that the current wide spreads between Treasuries and mortgages are not likely to persist for long, presenting a compelling return opportunity for the company [8] - Favorable bank capital requirements are expected to increase demand for agency MBSes, which could help lower spreads and improve market conditions [9] - The potential privatization of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac is not seen as a significant concern by management, as they expect the government to maintain a supportive role in the mortgage market [10] Group 4: Investment Considerations - If the current wide spread between Treasuries and mortgages is temporary, it may present a good buying opportunity for AGNC stock, as the company could make attractive investments and its portfolio may recover when spreads normalize [12] - While there are elevated risks in the current environment, including the potential privatization of GSEs, investors may consider cautiously entering AGNC stock [13]