Core Viewpoint - AGNC Investment is considered an unreliable dividend payer despite its high yield of 13.7%, while W.P. Carey, despite a recent dividend cut, is viewed as a more stable option for dividend investors with a yield of 5.5% [1][2][15]. Group 1: AGNC Investment - AGNC Investment is a mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) known for offering extremely high yields, currently at 13.7% [6][7]. - The company's dividend payouts have been highly volatile over time, with a trend of decreasing payouts in recent years, making it less reliable for income generation [9][15]. - The nature of mREITs involves managing a portfolio of mortgage-backed securities, which adds complexity and risk to dividend stability [7][10]. Group 2: W.P. Carey - W.P. Carey cut its dividend in 2023 after nearly 25 years of consecutive annual increases, a decision made to strategically exit the troubled office sector [11][13]. - Following the dividend cut, W.P. Carey quickly resumed raising its dividend, indicating a strong recovery and growth potential, with management increasing its full-year forecast after the third-quarter earnings announcement [13][14]. - The company has redirected funds from property sales into new industrial, warehouse, and retail properties, enhancing its growth trajectory [13][14].

Core Viewpoint - AGNC Investment offers an exceptionally high dividend yield of 14%, which is significantly above the S&P 500's yield of 1.2% and the average REIT yield of 3.8%, but this high yield comes with cautionary considerations for income-focused investors [2][12]. Group 1: Company Overview - AGNC Investment is characterized as a well-managed mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) with a total return since its IPO that closely resembles that of the S&P 500, making it a potential diversification tool [3]. - The company primarily invests in mortgage-backed securities, where mortgage payments consist of both principal and interest, leading to dividends that are also composed of these two components [6]. Group 2: Dividend Analysis - The dividend history of AGNC Investment has been highly volatile, with a significant decline over the past decade, indicating that the company has not maintained a stable dividend payout [8][10]. - The practice of paying out dividends that include a return of capital means that the portfolio's value diminishes over time, resulting in less capital available to generate interest [8][10]. - While AGNC Investment has paid out more in dividends than it has lost in value since its IPO, it is not a reliable source of income for dividend investors, as the company's focus is on total return rather than consistent dividend income [10][11].