Core Insights - The mortgage REITs (mREITs) have significantly outperformed the Business Development Company (BDC) sector this year, driven by falling short-term rates and increased investor caution due to bankruptcies among some borrowers [1][4]. Performance Comparison - The VanEck Mortgage REIT Income ETF (MORT) has consistently outperformed the VanEck BDC Income ETF (BIZD) and Putnam BDC Income ETF (PBDC) over the past 12 months, with substantial outperformance noted [4]. - The top holdings in MORT include Annaly Capital Management Inc. (15.08% of total holdings) and Agni Investment Corp. (14.51% of total holdings), indicating a strong focus on agency mortgage-backed securities [4][5]. Interest Rate Sensitivity - Agency mortgage REITs are particularly sensitive to interest rate changes, but there is a common misconception that they only benefit from lower rates. In reality, a significant decline in mortgage rates can lead to increased prepayments, negatively impacting mREITs [5][6]. - The ideal scenario for mortgage REITs is stable mortgage rates with a gradual decline in the Fed Funds Rate, allowing them to manage their portfolios effectively [12][11]. Valuation Insights - The price-to-book value for major mortgage REITs is estimated at approximately 1.08x to 1.23x, with projected increases in book values of about 4% to 5% from mid-2025 to the present [13]. - Some mortgage REITs may report declines in book value per share for Q3 2025, indicating potential volatility in valuations across the sector [13]. Investment Opportunities - There are opportunities within the mortgage REIT sector, with some shares becoming relatively cheap, although the focus has been more on BDCs recently due to their price declines [14]. - The company is also exploring investments in preferred shares and baby bonds, which offer attractive yields with more stable prices compared to common shares [15].