Here at Zacks, our focus is on the proven Zacks Rank system, which emphasizes earnings estimates and estimate revisions to find great stocks. Nevertheless, we are always paying attention to the latest value, growth, and momentum trends to underscore strong picks.
If there is one sector that has been out of favor for the past few years, it has been the mortgage real estate investment trusts (REIT). AGNC Investment (NASDAQ: AGNC) and Annaly Capital (NYSE: NLY) are two leading mortgage REITs with double-digit dividend yields that are worth considering. Mortgage REITs are different from the typical REIT that invests in properties and collects rent.
First, they suffered through margin calls, then a refinancing wave, and now a hawkish Federal Reserve. Annaly invests in agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), which are guaranteed by the government. In other words, if we hit a recession and borrowers fail to make their mortgage payments, Annaly still gets its principal and interest.