Core Insights - AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC) and Annaly Capital Management (NLY) are leading players in the mortgage real estate investment trusts (mREITs) sector, both providing attractive long-term returns and substantial dividend yields, but differing in portfolio strategies and risk profiles [1] Capital Distribution & Dividend Yield - AGNC has a dividend yield of 15.34% with a payout ratio of 81%, but has not increased its dividend in the last five years [2] - NLY announced a cash dividend of 70 cents per share for Q1 2025, a 7.7% increase from the previous payout, with a current dividend yield of 14.37% and a payout ratio of 101% [3] - AGNC has a share repurchase plan authorizing up to $1 billion of common stock until December 31, 2026 [6] - NLY has a share repurchase program allowing for the repurchase of up to $1.5 billion of common stock until December 31, 2029, but has not executed any repurchases since its announcement [7] Business Model & Portfolio Diversification - AGNC focuses exclusively on agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), which exposes it to volatility, while NLY employs a diversified capital allocation strategy that includes residential credit and mortgage servicing rights, reducing rate sensitivity [8][11] - NLY's diversified strategy is expected to contribute to long-term growth and stability, allowing it to capitalize on various market cycles [12] Interest Rate Sensitivity - AGNC is significantly affected by interest rate changes due to its concentrated agency MBS exposure, leading to increased borrowing costs and profit margin pressures [13][14] - AGNC's interest expenses surged from $75 million in 2021 to $2.9 billion in 2024, reflecting its vulnerability to rate hikes [15] - NLY's diversified portfolio allows it to better withstand interest rate volatility, resulting in lower increases in borrowing costs compared to AGNC [16] Benefits From Mortgage Rates - Both AGNC and NLY are expected to benefit from declining mortgage rates, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropping from 6.95% to 5.80% year-over-year [19] - NLY is likely to see stronger book value appreciation due to tightening spreads in the Agency MBS market, while AGNC may benefit from increased refinancing activity [20][21] Earnings Estimates - AGNC's earnings estimates for 2025 and 2026 indicate year-over-year declines of 11.2% and 3.9%, respectively [22] - NLY's earnings estimates for the same period suggest year-over-year growth of 6.3% and 1.4% [25] Price Performance & Valuations - Over the past year, AGNC gained 12.6% and NLY rose 17.7%, outperforming the industry average of 8.6% [29] - AGNC trades at a forward price-to-tangible book (P/TB) multiple of 1.10X, while NLY trades at 0.99X, both above the industry average of 0.98X [31][34] Conclusion - NLY's recent dividend hike and diversified strategy position it as a more attractive option for long-term stability and growth compared to AGNC, which has faced challenges due to its concentrated agency MBS exposure [36][38]

Core Viewpoint - Both Annaly Capital Management (NLY) and Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (STWD) are mortgage real estate investment trusts (mREITs) with different portfolio strategies and risk profiles, leading to a comparison of their investment opportunities for investors [1] Group 1: Annaly Capital Management (NLY) - NLY's investment strategy focuses on prudent asset selection and effective capital allocation, including traditional Agency MBSs for downside protection and non-agency assets for enhanced returns [2] - As of March 31, 2025, NLY's investment portfolio totaled $84.9 billion, benefiting from a low prepayment environment through a scaled mortgage servicing rights (MSR) platform [3] - The decline in mortgage rates is expected to improve NLY's book value and net interest spread, enhancing the overall yield of its portfolio [4] - By the end of Q1 2025, NLY had $7.5 billion in total assets available for financing, including $4.7 billion in unencumbered Agency MBS, providing liquidity during adverse market conditions [5] - NLY has a monthly dividend yield of 14.6% with a payout ratio of 101%, reflecting confidence in its cash flow and growth prospects [6] - NLY's diversified portfolio and growth in MSR position it for improved returns as mortgage rates decline, trading at a discount compared to the industry average [10][17] Group 2: Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (STWD) - STWD's investment strategy includes commercial mortgage-backed securities (CMBS) and related commercial real estate assets, with a diversified portfolio of $1.02 billion as of March 31, 2025 [7] - The company has engaged in acquisitions and divestitures to optimize its portfolio, including the sale of 16 retail properties for $387.1 million, recognizing a gain of $92 million [8] - STWD's liquidity position is concerning, with cash and cash equivalents of $692 million against long-term debt of $18.4 billion as of March 31, 2025 [11] - STWD pays a quarterly dividend of 48 cents, yielding 9.5% with a payout ratio of 108%, but has not increased its dividend over the last five years [11] - STWD's earnings estimates suggest a year-over-year decline of 10.9% for 2025, with downward revisions indicating a more cautious outlook from analysts [20][22] Group 3: Comparative Analysis - Over the past year, shares of STWD and NLY have risen 13.7% and 11.8%, respectively, outperforming the industry's growth of 5.2% [12] - STWD is trading at a 12-month forward P/E of 10.87X, higher than its five-year median, while NLY trades at a lower P/E of 6.65X, indicating better value for NLY [14] - NLY's earnings estimates reflect a year-over-year rise of 6.3% for 2025, with upward revisions suggesting a bullish outlook, contrasting with STWD's downward revisions [20][22] - NLY is viewed as the more resilient and better-valued option for investors seeking stable income with lower risk, while STWD's higher debt levels and exposure to commercial real estate present more risks [23]

Core Insights - Annaly Capital Management (NLY) benefits from a well-diversified capital allocation strategy, with an investment portfolio totaling $84.9 billion as of March 31, 2025, which includes residential credit, mortgage servicing rights (MSR), and agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) [1][9] Investment Strategy - The diversified investment strategy is expected to contribute significantly to long-term growth and stability, allowing the company to capitalize on various opportunities while mitigating risks from overexposure to specific areas [2] - In 2022, NLY divested its Middle Market Lending portfolio and exited the commercial real estate sector, reallocating capital to enhance its core housing finance strategy and focus on residential credit, MSR, and Agency MBS [3] - The inclusion of MSRs is particularly advantageous as their value tends to rise with increasing interest rates, providing a hedge against declines in agency MBS values, which may lead to more consistent returns [4] Competitive Landscape - AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC) adopts a proactive portfolio management approach, frequently adjusting asset allocations and hedging strategies to reduce risks and capture yield opportunities [5] - Starwood Property Trust (STWD) focuses on commercial real estate, holding a diversified portfolio of $1.02 billion as of Q1 2025, and maintains steady income through principal repayments and targeted acquisitions [6] Performance Metrics - NLY shares have increased by 9.2% over the past year, outperforming the industry growth of 4.8% [7][9] - The forward price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio for Annaly is 0.98X, slightly above the industry average of 0.96X [10] - Earnings estimates for NLY indicate a year-over-year increase of 6.3% for 2025 and 1.4% for 2026, with upward revisions in the past 60 days [13]

Core Viewpoint - Annaly Capital Management (NLY) has demonstrated strong stock performance, gaining 8% over the past six months, significantly outperforming the industry average of 1.7% and its peers AGNC Investment and Arbor Realty Trust [1][4]. Price Performance - NLY's stock has outperformed AGNC Investment, which grew by 5.7%, and Arbor Realty Trust, which fell by 20.9% during the same period [4]. Interest Rate Impact - The Federal Reserve's reduction of interest rates by 100 basis points in 2024 has led to a slight decline in mortgage rates, with the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage at 6.84% as of June 12, 2025, down from 6.95% a year prior [6]. - Lower mortgage rates are expected to improve housing affordability and increase loan demand, which will benefit NLY [7]. Financial Outlook - NLY is likely to see improvements in book value due to rising purchase originations and refinancing activities, as well as tightening spreads in the Agency market, which will enhance net interest spread and overall yield [8]. - The company has a strong dividend profile, currently yielding 14.7%, higher than the industry average of 11.7%, with a recent 7.7% increase in its dividend payout [9]. Liquidity and Capital Management - As of the end of Q1 2025, NLY had $7.5 billion in total assets available for financing, including $4.7 billion in unencumbered Agency MBS, providing substantial liquidity [11]. - The company has authorized a share repurchase program of up to $1.5 billion, which will expire on December 31, 2029, although no shares have been repurchased under this plan yet [12]. Diversification Strategy - NLY's diversified capital allocation includes residential credit, mortgage servicing rights (MSR), and agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), totaling an investment portfolio of $84.9 billion as of March 31, 2025 [13][15]. - The inclusion of MSRs is significant as they tend to increase in value when interest rates rise, providing a hedge against declines in agency MBS [16]. Valuation Analysis - NLY is currently trading at a forward 12-month price-to-tangible book (P/TB) multiple of 0.98X, which is higher than the industry average of 0.96X, indicating a premium valuation [17][20]. Analyst Sentiment - Analysts have revised earnings estimates upward over the past 60 days, indicating a constructive sentiment around NLY's stock [22].

Core Insights - The article focuses on analyzing Rithm Capital Corp.'s (RITM) recent performance and comparing it with 17 mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) peers, highlighting key metrics such as investment composition, leverage, hedging coverage ratio, and economic returns [1][2][3]. Investment Composition and Performance - As of March 31, 2025, RITM's investment portfolio consisted of 21% fixed-rate agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), 0% variable-rate agency MBS, and 36% allocated to mortgage servicing rights (MSR) investments, with 43% in non-agency MBS and non-MBS holdings [17][18]. - RITM's book value (BV) per share decreased from $12.56 at the end of Q4 2024 to $12.39 at the end of Q1 2025, resulting in a quarterly BV decrease of 1.35% [20][21]. - Despite the minor BV decrease, RITM has managed to grow its BV over the past three years, outperforming most mREIT peers in terms of economic return [21][48]. Leverage and Hedging Coverage - RITM's on-balance sheet leverage ratio was 2.6x, with an at-risk (total) leverage ratio of 1.1x as of March 31, 2025, indicating a slight decrease in on-balance sheet leverage and a slight increase in at-risk leverage compared to the previous quarter [19][49]. - The hedging coverage ratio for RITM was geared towards lower mortgage interest rates, which helped mitigate BV volatility during periods of declining rates [50]. Economic Returns and Valuation - RITM's trailing 24-month economic return was 23.31%, significantly outperforming the average returns of its mREIT peers, which ranged from 2.43% to 20.02% across various classifications [48]. - As of June 6, 2025, RITM's stock price was trading at a 9.64% discount to the estimated current BV of $12.55 per share, suggesting that RITM is slightly undervalued compared to its peers [45][46]. Diversification and Investment Strategy - RITM's investment strategy includes a diverse array of financial investments, which provides natural hedges against market fluctuations, particularly in rising interest rate environments [25][26]. - The company has recently expanded its asset management services and diversified its investment portfolio through acquisitions, including Sculptor Capital Management [27][31].

Core Viewpoint - Annaly Capital Management (NLY) presents a more attractive investment opportunity compared to Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (ABR) due to its stronger liquidity, sustainable dividend, and positive financial outlook, while ABR faces significant risks and challenges [1][19]. Group 1: Annaly Capital Management (NLY) - NLY is focused on improving liquidity and reducing leverage, with total assets available for financing amounting to $7.5 billion, including $4.7 billion in cash and unencumbered Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS) [2]. - The company has a monthly dividend yield of 14.9% and a payout ratio of 101%, with a recent cash dividend increase of 7.7% to 70 cents per share, indicating confidence in cash flow and growth prospects [3]. - NLY's investment strategy includes traditional Agency MBSs for downside protection and investments in non-agency and credit-focused asset classes to enhance returns, supported by a scaled mortgage servicing rights (MSR) platform [4]. - As of March 31, 2025, NLY's investment portfolio totaled $84.9 billion, and the company expects book value improvement as mortgage rates decline, which will enhance net interest spread and overall yield [5][6]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NLY's 2025 and 2026 sales indicates year-over-year increases of 492.8% and 13.2%, respectively, with earnings expected to rise by 6.3% and 1.4% in the same periods [13]. Group 2: Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (ABR) - ABR focuses on originating and servicing loans for multi-family, single-family, and commercial real estate assets, with expectations of improved mortgage originations as housing affordability challenges decline [7]. - The current dividend yield for ABR is 12.66%, but the company recently reduced its dividend by 30.3% to 30 cents per share, reflecting concerns over its weak liquidity position, which includes cash and cash equivalents of $508 million against long-term debt of $4.8 billion [8]. - ABR has significant exposure to multi-family loans, with seven non-performing loans totaling $196.7 million foreclosed in the first quarter of 2025, indicating credit risk [9]. - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ABR's 2025 sales suggests a year-over-year decline of 17.9%, with earnings expected to fall by 32.2% in the same year, although a slight recovery is anticipated in 2026 [17].

Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NLY) has a record of paying monthly dividends, currently yielding a staggering 14.34% compared with the industry’s 12.2%. It currently sits at a payout ratio of 101%.Annaly Capital Management Inc Dividend Yield (TTM) Generally, such a high dividend yield screams that the company might reduce dividends. However, that is not the case with this mortgage REIT's payout. Instead, Annaly recently hiked its dividend for the first time in the past five years.In March 2025, Annaly ann ...

Core Viewpoint - Annaly Capital Management offers an exceptionally high dividend yield of over 14%, significantly higher than the S&P 500 average, but concerns exist regarding the sustainability of this yield due to the nature of its investments and market conditions [1][2]. Group 1: Dividend and Financial Performance - Annaly Capital raised its quarterly dividend payout by 7.7% to $0.70 per share, despite the high yield appearing unsustainable [2]. - The company reported earnings available for distribution of $0.72 per share in the first quarter, aligning with its increased dividend commitment [5]. - It will take over five years for investors to recoup their principal investment based on the current yield [3]. Group 2: Investment Strategy and Portfolio Composition - Unlike traditional REITs, Annaly invests in mortgage-backed securities (MBS), mortgage servicing rights (MSR), and residential credit, allowing it to avoid income taxes by distributing at least 90% of profits [4]. - As of March 31, 2023, Annaly's portfolio asset values were $77.6 billion in Agency MBS, $1.8 billion in MSR, and $5.2 billion in residential credit, with committed capital of $7.7 billion, $1.8 billion, and $2.1 billion respectively [5]. - The company utilizes approximately $8 billion in capital to manage a $75 billion MBS portfolio, indicating significant leverage [6]. Group 3: Risks and Market Conditions - The high yields offered by mortgage REITs like Annaly are tied to the performance of their MBS portfolios, which can be adversely affected by rising interest rates [7]. - Rapid interest rate increases can lead to significant challenges for Annaly, as evidenced by a 26% dividend reduction in early 2023 due to previous rate hikes [9][10]. - The Federal Reserve's decision to maintain interest rates and reduce its MBS portfolio adds uncertainty to Annaly's future dividend sustainability [11].

Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation (CHMI) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 06, 2025 05:00 PM ET Company Participants Garrett Edson - Managing DirectorJay Lown - President and CEOJulian Evans - Chief Investment OfficerMichael Hutchby - Chief Financial OfficerRandy Binner - Managing DirectorJason Stewart - Director - Mortgage FinanceMikhail Goberman - VP - Equity ResearchRaymond Slater - Senior VP & MSR Portfolio Manager Operator Good day, and welcome to the Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation First ...

Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation (CHMI) Q1 2025 Earnings Call May 06, 2025 05:00 PM ET Speaker0 Good day, and welcome to the Cherry Hill Mortgage Investment Corporation First Quarter twenty twenty five Earnings Call. At this time, all participants are in a listen only mode. After the speakers' presentation, there will be a question and answer session. Instructions will be given at that time. As a reminder, this call may be recorded. I would now like to turn the call over to Garrett Edson with ICR ...