Even Annaly's CEO Doesn't Buy It

In a world with a zero-interest rate policy, or ZIRP, how can you turn a 2% to 3% spread between short- and long-term interest rates into a 13.98% yield? Use the structure of a mortgage real estate investment trust and leverage up 5.4x, as Annaly Capital Management (NLY) has done.

Annaly is a cult stock. Those who have held it long-term, since Annaly's formation in 1998, have done very, very well -- because long-term rates were in an almost continuous downtrend over that period. The return was more than 100% derived from the distributions, as the share price is lower today than it was 10 years ago. Since the end of last October, when the average stock has done really well, Annaly has shown a negative total return, even after adjusting for dividends....507 more words left in this article. To read them, just click below and try Real Money FREE for 14 days.

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