We updated our research report on Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (NLY Quick QuoteNLY - Free Report) on Jun 30, 2016. This New York-based mortgage real estate investment trust (“mREIT”) is engaged in owning, managing and financing a portfolio of real estate related investment securities.

Annaly is focusing on diversifying its array of investment and financing options. In fact, the company is concentrating on expanding its commercial real estate investments, which is likely to complement its agency investments. In April, Annaly and Hatteras Financial inked a deal under which the former will acquire the latter for $1.5 billion as part of its portfolio diversification strategy. Subsequently, Annaly extended the previously announced exchange offer for the purchase in order to obtain the remaining regulatory approvals which are essential for the completion of the deal.

Further, even amid the turbulent market conditions of 2015, Annaly paid more than $1.2 billion in the form of dividends to its shareholders and also provided decent return on equity. In Feb 2016, the company started an updated capital allocation policy to generate better and more attractive returns for stockholders.

ANNALY CAP MGMT Price and Consensus

ANNALY CAP MGMT Price and Consensus | ANNALY CAP MGMT Quote

The stock presently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).

Investors interested in the mREIT industry can consider stocks like American Capital Agency Corp. (AGNC Quick QuoteAGNC - Free Report) , Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital, Inc. (HASI Quick QuoteHASI - Free Report) and Capstead Mortgage Corp. . While both American Capital Agency and Hannon Armstrong Sustainable Infrastructure Capital sport a Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), Capstead Mortgage holds the same Zacks Rank as Annaly.

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