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Can Annaly Capital Uphold Its Impressive 13% Dividend Yield?
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Key Takeaways
Annaly Capital maintains a 13.02% dividend yield and a 97% payout ratio to ensure stable returns.
A new $1.5B stock repurchase program runs through 2029 to enhance shareholder value.
NLY's $8.8B liquidity cushion supports its ability to sustain dividends and buybacks.
One of the most closely watched aspects of Annaly Capital Management, Inc.’s(NLY - Free Report) financial profile is its dividend policy. This publicly traded mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) offers favorable long-term stockholder returns and a gigantic dividend yield that appeals to income-focused investors.
Income-seeking investors have a large appetite for REIT stocks, as U.S. law requires REITs to distribute 90% of their annual taxable income as dividends. In March 2025, the company increased its cash dividend by 7.7% to 70 cents per share. NLY’s dividend yield currently stands at 13.02%, surpassing the industry average of 12.51%. Also, its 97% payout ratio underscores its commitment to maintaining regular distributions.
Dividend Yield
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Beyond dividends, Annaly Capital remains focused on enhancing shareholder value through repurchases. On Dec. 31, 2024, the board authorized a new common stock repurchase program of up to $1.5 billion, set to expire on Dec. 31, 2029. However, the company has not repurchased any shares to date under this plan.
The company enjoys a decent liquidity position. As of Sept. 30, 2025, the company held $8.8 billion in total assets available for financing, including $3.9 billion in cash and unencumbered Agency MBS. This strong liquidity cushion positions Annaly Capital well to navigate economic stress and sustain capital distributions.
How NLY Competes With AGNC & ABR in Terms of Dividends
Annaly Capital’s peers, such as AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC - Free Report) and Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (ABR - Free Report) , have also been focusing on maintaining shareholder returns through consistent dividend payouts.
AGNC Investment offers a 14.2% dividend yield and maintains a payout ratio of 94%. As of Sept. 30, 2025, AGNC Investment held $7.2 billion in liquidity, including unencumbered cash and Agency MBS, which reinforces the sustainability of its capital distribution strategy.
On the other hand, Arbor Realty has a dividend yield of 12.6% and a payout ratio of 98%. However, its liquidity position remains comparatively weak. As of Sept. 30, 2025, Arbor Realty had cash and cash equivalents of $423.4 million against long-term debt of $5.9 billion. Such a narrow liquidity cushion raises concerns about the sustainability of its capital distribution in the long term.
Over the past year, NLY shares have gained 11.6% against the industry’s decline of 2.6%.
Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, NLY trades at a forward price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio of 1.07X, above the industry’s average of 1.04X.
Price-to-Tangible Book TTM
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NLY’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 7.4% and 1.5%, respectively. The estimates for 2025 have been revised upward, while the 2026 estimates have been revised downward over the past 30 days.
Image: Bigstock
Can Annaly Capital Uphold Its Impressive 13% Dividend Yield?
Key Takeaways
One of the most closely watched aspects of Annaly Capital Management, Inc.’s (NLY - Free Report) financial profile is its dividend policy. This publicly traded mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) offers favorable long-term stockholder returns and a gigantic dividend yield that appeals to income-focused investors.
Income-seeking investors have a large appetite for REIT stocks, as U.S. law requires REITs to distribute 90% of their annual taxable income as dividends. In March 2025, the company increased its cash dividend by 7.7% to 70 cents per share. NLY’s dividend yield currently stands at 13.02%, surpassing the industry average of 12.51%. Also, its 97% payout ratio underscores its commitment to maintaining regular distributions.
Dividend Yield
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Beyond dividends, Annaly Capital remains focused on enhancing shareholder value through repurchases. On Dec. 31, 2024, the board authorized a new common stock repurchase program of up to $1.5 billion, set to expire on Dec. 31, 2029. However, the company has not repurchased any shares to date under this plan.
The company enjoys a decent liquidity position. As of Sept. 30, 2025, the company held $8.8 billion in total assets available for financing, including $3.9 billion in cash and unencumbered Agency MBS. This strong liquidity cushion positions Annaly Capital well to navigate economic stress and sustain capital distributions.
How NLY Competes With AGNC & ABR in Terms of Dividends
Annaly Capital’s peers, such as AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC - Free Report) and Arbor Realty Trust, Inc. (ABR - Free Report) , have also been focusing on maintaining shareholder returns through consistent dividend payouts.
AGNC Investment offers a 14.2% dividend yield and maintains a payout ratio of 94%. As of Sept. 30, 2025, AGNC Investment held $7.2 billion in liquidity, including unencumbered cash and Agency MBS, which reinforces the sustainability of its capital distribution strategy.
On the other hand, Arbor Realty has a dividend yield of 12.6% and a payout ratio of 98%. However, its liquidity position remains comparatively weak. As of Sept. 30, 2025, Arbor Realty had cash and cash equivalents of $423.4 million against long-term debt of $5.9 billion. Such a narrow liquidity cushion raises concerns about the sustainability of its capital distribution in the long term.
Annaly Capital’s Price Performance, Valuations & Estimates
Over the past year, NLY shares have gained 11.6% against the industry’s decline of 2.6%.
Price Performance
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
From a valuation standpoint, NLY trades at a forward price-to-tangible book (P/TB) ratio of 1.07X, above the industry’s average of 1.04X.
Price-to-Tangible Book TTM
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for NLY’s 2025 and 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year rise of 7.4% and 1.5%, respectively. The estimates for 2025 have been revised upward, while the 2026 estimates have been revised downward over the past 30 days.
Estimates Revision Trend
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.