This Stock Has Quietly Paid A 14% Dividend For Almost Six Straight Years-Is It Right For You?

Dividend kings and dividend aristocrats get a lot of attention from investors and the media due to their prolific track record of delivering passive income. That said, there is an abundance of other stocks that can generate passive income streams. One is AGNC Investment (Nasdaq: AGNC), a mortgage REIT. This stock may not be familiar, but it has paid investors a 14% dividend for almost the last six years. 

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Mortgage REITs function by purchasing large tranches of mortgage-backed securities (MBSs), many of which are backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. Because these loans are secured, their profit yield is relatively low. Mortgage REITs generate extra profit by aggressively borrowing money to acquire as many MBSs as possible. 

AGNC Investment, like all mortgage REITs, ability to generate profit hinges on their ability to borrow money at a lower interest rate than the borrowers whose loans are in the MBSs are paying. If the portfolios are large enough and most borrowers pay on time, mortgage REITs can generate solid income for investors. However, the post-COVID run-up in interest rates has created difficult market conditions for many Mortgage REITs. 

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Despite that, AGNC Investment has successfully paid its expected dividend through the Federal Reserve's rate increases. This is not to say that higher interest rates haven't impacted AGNC Investment in the past. There have been dividend cuts in this Mortgage REIT's history. However, AGNC's management has hedged its portfolio and stockpiled enough cash to outlast the recent rise in borrowing costs. 

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It's on a 55-consecutive-month streak of paying out investor dividends – that's almost six straight years. Now that interest rates are declining and the market is regaining its equilibrium, AGNC Investment looks well-positioned to continue making those dividend payments that passive income investors love so much. 

 AGNC CEO Peter Federico was decidedly optimistic about the near-term future during the REIT's Q3 2024 earnings report, where he wrote, “AGNC’s return opportunities are most favorable when agency MBS spreads to benchmark rates are wide and stable and interest rates and monetary policy are less volatile.” He repeated those sentiments on the company's earnings call. 

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Federico said the REIT's brain trust "feel(s) good about our alignment with our dividend policy and the economics of our portfolio.” Now that interest rates are beginning to go back down, AGNC appears to have weathered the storm and will continue paying out investors. That outlook could change if there is any major economic instability in the future, but unforeseen circumstances could threaten the viability of any investment.

AGNC shares are trading at $9.45 and Benzinga estimates its current dividend to be 15%. The biggest potential risk here is that all mortgage REITs, including AGNC Investments, depend heavily on leverage to make their profits. So, this REIT's continued success is contingent on its ability to balance risk in its portfolio. With that caveat, a monthly dividend in the 14-15% range is worth consideration.

Looking For Higher-Yield Opportunities In A Shifting Market?

The changing interest rate environment has created an incredible opportunity for income-seeking investors to earn massive yields, but not through dividend stocks… Certain private market real estate investments are giving retail investors the opportunity to capitalize on these high-yield opportunities and Benzinga has identified some of the most attractive options for you to consider. 

Arrived Homes, the Jeff Bezos-backed investment platform, offers a Private Credit Fund. This fund provides access to a pool of short-term loans backed by residential real estate with a target of 7% to 9% net annual yield paid to investors monthly. The best part? Unlike other private credit funds, this one has a minimum investment of only $100. 

Don't miss out on this opportunity to take advantage of high-yield investments while rates are high. Check out Benzinga's favorite high-yield offerings.