PROVIDING PRIVATE CAPITAL TO THE U.S. HOUSING MARKET THROUGH
INVESTMENT EXCELLENCE
2017 ANNUAL REPORT
AGNC.COM | NASDAQ: AGNC
DEAR FELLOW STOCKHOLDERS:
2017 was a tremendously successful year for AGNC and our stockholders. For the year, AGNC gener-
ated an economic return of 12.1%, comprised of dividends of $2.16 per common share and $0.19 per
common share of tangible net asset value appreciation.1 AGNC’s total stock return, which includes the
price appreciation on our common stock and assumes dividend reinvestment, was 23.7% for the year2
(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:9)(cid:51)(cid:3)(cid:24)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:90)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:564)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)
full year as an internally-managed company, and, as anticipated, AGNC’s total operating costs as a per-
centage of equity were among the lowest in the industry at 0.68% of total stockholders’ equity, net of
management fee income from MTGE Investment Corp. (“MTGE”) and excluding the impact of non-cash
amortization expense associated with our internalization.3
STRONG FINANCIAL PERFORMANCE
Generating attractive long-term returns for our stockholders is our primary objective, and we are
(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)
nearly ten years ago. From our IPO through December 31, 2017, AGNC’s cumulative total stock return,
(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3) (cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3) (cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:90)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:22)(cid:24)(cid:25)(cid:8)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:8)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:93)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:564)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)
than the 123% generated by our Agency-focused residential mortgage REIT peers (collectively, the
(cid:522)(cid:36)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:40)(cid:918)(cid:55)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:42)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:83)(cid:523)(cid:12)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:22)(cid:23)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:9)(cid:51)(cid:98)(cid:24)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:17)4
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE REIT TOTAL STOCK RETURNS
Since AGNC’s May 2008 IPO
Dec 31, 2016–Dec 31, 2017
AGNC
Peer Group
Resi mREIT Universe
S&P 500
30%
356%
25%
24%
22%
(cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:8)
(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:8)
(cid:20)(cid:22)(cid:23)(cid:8)
(cid:20)(cid:21)(cid:22)(cid:8)
(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:28)(cid:8)
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
450%
400%
350%
300%
250%
200%
150%
100%
50%
0%
(50)%
(100)%
2008
2009
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
2015
2016
2017
AGNC
S&P 500
Peer
Group
Resi
mREIT
Universe
AGNC 2017 ANNUAL REPORT(cid:581)(cid:20)
(cid:918)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:42)(cid:49)(cid:38)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:93)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:22)(cid:17)(cid:24)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:918)(cid:51)(cid:50)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:98)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:15)
2017, which is more than double the 6.6% average annualized economic return of the Agency REIT
Peer Group over the same period.5 We believe economic return is a critical consideration in evaluating
AGNC’s performance, as it measures AGNC’s actual investment performance based upon the aggre-
gate impact of dividends and net asset value changes over the relevant period.
LOW COST OPERATING STRUCTURE
Following the acquisition of our external manager in July 2016, AGNC became an internally-managed
(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:92)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:564)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:564)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:3)
internally-managed company, AGNC had one of the lowest operating cost structures among all resi-
dential mortgage REITs. Our operating expense ratio, expressed as our operating expenses divided by
our average stockholders’ equity, is analogous to the expense ratios disclosed by investment vehicles
such as mutual funds. AGNC’s operating expenses in 2017, net of the fee income earned from the
management of MTGE and excluding non-cash amortization expense, totaled 68 basis points (0.68%)
of average stockholders’ equity.6 Additionally, net operating expenses averaged less than 10 basis
points (0.10%) of gross assets, which is competitive with passive, indexed bond ETFs. Our operating
(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:564)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:17)
RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE REIT OPERATING COST STRUCTURE COMPARISON
(Operating expenses as a percentage of stockholders’ equity, in basis points)
626
(cid:25)(cid:19)(cid:23)
542
(cid:23)(cid:20)(cid:27)
Denotes REIT with over $3 billion of stockholders’ equity as of September 30, 2017
352
(cid:22)(cid:23)(cid:28)
336
336
(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:27)
(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:26)
(cid:22)(cid:19)(cid:19)
(cid:21)(cid:28)(cid:26)
(cid:21)(cid:28)(cid:23)
(cid:21)(cid:26)(cid:26)
AGNC’s net operating cost
(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:564)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)
lower than those of
comparable residential
mortgage REITs
(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:19)
(cid:20)(cid:23)(cid:21)
(cid:20)(cid:20)(cid:28)
(cid:27)(cid:25)
(cid:25)(cid:27)
(cid:21)(cid:20)(cid:27)
(cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:25)
(cid:20)(cid:27)(cid:22)
(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:20)
REIT
A
REIT
B
REIT
C
REIT
D
REIT
E
REIT
F
REIT
G
REIT
H
REIT
I
REIT
J
REIT
K
REIT
L
REIT
M
REIT
N
REIT
O
REIT
P
REIT
Q
REIT
R
REIT
S
REIT
T
REIT
U
REIT
V
AGNC
(Net)
(cid:21)(cid:581)AGNC 2017 ANNUAL REPORT
DISCIPLINED RISK MANAGEMENT
Protecting AGNC’s net asset value over a wide range of interest rate scenarios is an important objective
of our risk management framework. To do so, we utilize a comprehensive approach to risk manage-
ment that emphasizes careful asset selection and hedging with a variety of instruments. We adjust the
size and composition of our hedge instruments based upon the risks inherent in our assets as market
environments evolve. In 2017, the interest rate environment was remarkably benign, with long-term
rates remaining relatively static over the course of the year, and interest rates remained low by his-
(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:71)(cid:86)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:42)(cid:49)(cid:38)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:564)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:3)
protection throughout 2017. A measure of this protection is AGNC’s hedge ratio, or ratio of hedges to
(cid:73)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:28)(cid:23)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:564)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:86)(cid:17)
HEDGE RATIO(cid:26)
(cid:28)(cid:27)(cid:8)
(cid:28)(cid:26)(cid:8)
(cid:28)(cid:20)(cid:8)
(cid:28)(cid:19)(cid:8)
(cid:28)(cid:21)(cid:8)
(cid:27)(cid:26)(cid:8)
(cid:27)(cid:22)(cid:8)
(cid:26)(cid:28)(cid:8)
(cid:26)(cid:24)(cid:8)
100%
90%
80%
70%
60%
50%
12/31/15
3/31/16
6/30/16
9/30/16
12/31/16
3/31/17
6/30/17
9/30/17
12/31/17
(cid:918)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:42)(cid:49)(cid:38)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:564)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:522)(cid:71)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)
gap,” from 1.3 years as of December 31, 2016 to 0.1 years as of December 31, 2017. As a result, the
estimated adverse impact to our tangible net asset value in an instantaneous parallel 100 basis point
(cid:11)(cid:20)(cid:17)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:12)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:24)(cid:19)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:24)(cid:17)(cid:22)(cid:8)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:98)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:15)
2016 to a negative 6.6% as of December 31, 2017.
AGNC 2017 ANNUAL REPORT(cid:581)(cid:22)
LIQUIDITY AND SCALE
AGNC is the largest internally-managed and second largest residential mortgage REIT overall by mar-
(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:93)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:519)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:68)(cid:89)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:564)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)
scale to our stockholders. In 2017, we further enhanced AGNC’s liquidity and scale by taking advantage
of favorable equity capital markets, raising over $1.5 billion in accretive capital. This capital included
$1.25 billion of common equity and $325 million of preferred equity, which was used in part to redeem
higher cost preferred equity. As an internally-managed company, AGNC does not incur additional man-
agement fees associated with this new capital. As a result, this new capital was accretive to our tangible
net asset value and reduced our operating costs as a percentage of stockholders’ equity.
(cid:54)(cid:56)(cid:48)(cid:48)(cid:36)(cid:53)(cid:60)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:41)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:42)(cid:49)(cid:38)(cid:519)(cid:54)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:36)(cid:51)(cid:918)(cid:55)(cid:36)(cid:47)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:36)(cid:53)(cid:46)(cid:40)(cid:55)(cid:54)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:38)(cid:55)(cid:918)(cid:57)(cid:918)(cid:55)(cid:60)
Implemented Feb 1, 2017
May 1, 2017
Aug 15, 2017
Sep 12, 2017
Common Stock
Follow-On
(cid:50)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)
Gross Proceeds
$507 Million
7.00% Series C
Fixed-to-Floating
Preferred Stock
Gross Proceeds
$325 Million
Common Stock
Follow-On
(cid:50)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)
Gross Proceeds
$587 Million
(cid:50)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:76)(cid:93)(cid:72)
24.5 Million
Common Shares
(cid:50)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:76)(cid:93)(cid:72)
13.0 Million Preferred
Depositary Shares
(cid:50)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:76)(cid:93)(cid:72)
28.2 Million
Common Shares
Highlights
First common equity
(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:16)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)
AGNC’s peer group since
Feb 20138
Highlights
Redeemed 8.00% Series A
Preferred Stock, reducing
(cid:564)(cid:91)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)
by 100 bps
Highlights
Stock traded back
(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:16)(cid:82)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)
level within
(cid:24)(cid:98)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:86)
At-the-Market
Common Stock
(cid:50)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:80)
Gross Proceeds
$750 MM / $161 MM
(cid:11)(cid:55)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:74)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:80)(cid:12)(cid:581)(cid:11)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:3)(cid:918)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:12)
(cid:50)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:76)(cid:93)(cid:72)
7.6 Million
Common Shares
(2017 Issuance)
Highlights
Provides ongoing
(cid:565)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)
common equity at
attractive economics
LOOKING AHEAD
Following 2017’s benign interest rate environment, we anticipate that the 2018 mortgage investment
landscape will likely be more challenging, as interest rate and equity market volatility increases and the
Federal Reserve gradually reduces its Agency mortgage-backed securities (“Agency MBS”) holdings.
Nevertheless, we believe AGNC is well-positioned for this environment:
• (cid:57)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:37)(cid:54)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:16)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:564)(cid:91)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)
especially for levered investors.
• The Federal Reserve’s gradual reduction of its Agency MBS portfolio could provide further opportu-
nities to enhance the projected return on our portfolio.
(cid:23)(cid:581)AGNC 2017 ANNUAL REPORT
• The superior liquidity of Agency MBS, coupled with our size and ability to leverage Agency MBS
(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:16)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:92)(cid:15)(cid:3) (cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:89)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)
leverage to take advantage of compelling investment opportunities in Agency MBS.
• Following AGNC’s expansion of its investment guidelines in 2016 to include credit-sensitive assets,
(cid:36)(cid:42)(cid:49)(cid:38)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:565)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:76)(cid:69)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:68)-
tive return picture changes materially.
• (cid:47)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:68)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:89)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:564)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:71)
(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:3)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:71)(cid:89)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:79)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:85)(cid:88)(cid:70)-
ture will continue to distinguish AGNC from its peers in 2018.
As always, we thank you for your continued support of AGNC.
Best regards,
Gary Kain
AGNC 2017 ANNUAL REPORT(cid:581)(cid:24)
ENDNOTES
1. Total economic return represents the change in tangible net asset value per common share and dividends declared on
common stock during the period over the beginning tangible net asset value per common share.
2. Total stock return includes price appreciation and dividend reinvestment; dividends are assumed to be reinvested at the
closing price of the security on the ex-dividend date. Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence.
3. AGNC’s cost structure is based on operating expenses, as adjusted, and average month-end stockholders’ equity for the
year ended December 31, 2017.
4. Total stock return was calculated from AGNC’s IPO date through December 31, 2017. For Agency-focused residential
mortgage REIT peer comparison purposes, AGNC’s peer group is unweighted and includes Annaly Capital Management,
Inc. (“NLY”), Anworth Mortgage Asset Corporation (“ANH”), ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. (“ARR”), Capstead Mortgage
Corporation (“CMO”), and CYS Investments, Inc. (“CYS”). As CYS and ARR did not exist as public entities at the time of
(cid:36)(cid:42)(cid:49)(cid:38)(cid:519)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:918)(cid:51)(cid:50)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:60)(cid:54)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:53)(cid:53)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:88)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:565)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:82)(cid:70)(cid:78)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:74)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:81)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:72)
that each became publicly traded. Average total stock return is based upon a simple, unweighted average of the Agency
REIT Peer Group. Source: S&P Global Market Intelligence.
5. Economic return represents the change in net asset value per common share and dividends declared on common stock
during the period over the beginning net asset value per common share. Economic return was calculated from June 30,
(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:27)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:564)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:73)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:42)(cid:49)(cid:38)(cid:519)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:918)(cid:51)(cid:50)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:74)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:60)(cid:54)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:53)(cid:53)(cid:3)(cid:71)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:81)(cid:82)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:91)(cid:76)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:88)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:86)
at the time of AGNC’s IPO, CYS and ARR results have been annualized throughout the period based on actual economic
returns for which public data is available. Average economic return is based upon a simple, unweighted average of the
(cid:36)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:53)(cid:40)(cid:918)(cid:55)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:42)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:564)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:86)(cid:17)
6. For all mortgage REITs other than AGNC, cost structures are based on operating expenses and average stockholders’
equity (excluding noncontrolling interests, as applicable) over the trailing twelve-month period ended September 30, 2017
as publicly reported by such REITs due to limits on the availability of more recent data. Operating costs include expenses
(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:564)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:73)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:11)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:83)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:70)(cid:68)(cid:69)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:12)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:42)(cid:9)(cid:36)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:16)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)
nonrecurring expenses. Operating costs exclude direct costs associated with operating activities, such as loan acquisition
costs, securitization costs, servicing expenses, and similar costs and expenses to the extent publicly disclosed by such
REITs. AGNC’s cost structure is based on operating expenses, as adjusted, and average month-end stockholders’ equity for
(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:92)(cid:72)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:39)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:22)(cid:20)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:21)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:26)(cid:17)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:29)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:92)(cid:3)(cid:564)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:9)(cid:51)(cid:3)(cid:42)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:69)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:48)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:78)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:918)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:17)
7. Measured as the ratio of interest rate swaps, swaptions and net U.S. Treasury position over repo agreements, other debt
and net TBA position, at cost.
(cid:27)(cid:17)
(cid:918)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:80)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:72)(cid:84)(cid:88)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:79)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:90)(cid:16)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:82)(cid:909)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:69)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:86)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:88)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3) (cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:3) (cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3) (cid:36)(cid:74)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:92)(cid:3) (cid:53)(cid:40)(cid:918)(cid:55)(cid:3) (cid:51)(cid:72)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3) (cid:42)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:83)(cid:17)(cid:3) (cid:54)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:29)(cid:3) (cid:54)(cid:9)(cid:51)(cid:3)
Global Market Intelligence.
(cid:25)(cid:581)AGNC 2017 ANNUAL REPORT
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K
ý
o
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the year ended December 31, 2017
OR
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 001-34057
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
__________________________________________________
Delaware
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
26-1701984
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
2 Bethesda Metro Center, 12th Floor
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(Address of principal executive offices)
(301) 968-9315
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share
7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Name of each exchange on which registered
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
The Nasdaq Global Select Market
Securities registered pursuant to section 12(g) of the Act: NONE
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act. Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Act. Yes ¨ No ý
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the
preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the
past 90 days. Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Website, if any, every Interactive Data File required to
be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit
and post such files). Yes ý No ¨
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best
of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-
K. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See
definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
ý
Accelerated filer
Non-accelerated filer
¨ (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company
¨
¨
Emerging growth company
¨
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or
revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No ý
As of June 30, 2017, the aggregate market value of the Registrant's common stock held by non-affiliates of the Registrant was approximately $6.3 billion based
upon the closing price of the Registrant's common stock of $21.29 per share as reported on The Nasdaq Global Select Market on that date. (For this computation, the
Registrant has excluded the market value of all shares of its common stock reported as beneficially owned by executive officers and directors of the Registrant and
certain other stockholders; such an exclusion shall not be deemed to constitute an admission that any such person is an "affiliate" of the Registrant.)
The number of shares of the issuer's common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of January 31, 2018 was 391,316,840.
DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE. The Registrant's definitive proxy statement for the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders is incorporated
by reference into certain sections of Part III herein.
Certain exhibits previously filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission are incorporated by reference into Part IV of this report.
[THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
PART I.
Item 1.
Business . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1A.
Risk Factors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 1B.
Unresolved Staff Comments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 2.
Item 3.
Item 4.
PART II.
Item 5.
Item 6.
Item 7.
Properties . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Legal Proceedings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Mine Safety Disclosures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters, and Issuer Purchases of Equity
Securities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Selected Financial Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 7A.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 8.
Item 9.
Financial Statements and Supplementary Data. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9A.
Controls and Procedures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 9B.
Other Information . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART III.
Item 10.
Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 11.
Executive Compensation. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 12.
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters. . . . . . .
Item 13.
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Item 14.
Principal Accounting Fees and Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
PART IV.
Item 15.
Exhibits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Signatures . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2
7
23
23
23
23
24
27
29
55
59
92
92
92
94
94
94
94
94
95
98
1
Item 1. Business
PART I
AGNC Investment Corp. ("AGNC," the "Company," "we," "us" and "our") was organized on January 7, 2008 and commenced
operations on May 20, 2008 following the completion of our initial public offering. Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq
Global Select Market under the symbol "AGNC."
We operate to qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"). As a REIT, we are required to distribute annually 90% of our taxable income. So long
as we continue to qualify as a REIT, we will generally not be subject to U.S. Federal or state corporate taxes on our taxable income
to the extent that we distribute all our annual taxable income to our stockholders on a timely basis. It is our intention to distribute
100% of our taxable income within the time limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code, which may extend into the subsequent
taxable year.
We earn income primarily from investing in Agency residential mortgage-backed securities ("Agency RMBS") on a leveraged
basis. These investments consist of residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations for which
the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise, such as the Federal National
Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac," and together with
Fannie Mae, the "GSEs"), or by a U.S. Government agency, such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie
Mae"). We may also invest in other types of mortgage and mortgage-related residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities
where repayment of principal and interest is not guaranteed by a GSE or U.S. Government agency.
Our principal objective is to provide our stockholders with attractive risk-adjusted returns through a combination of monthly
dividends and tangible net book value accretion. We generate income from the interest earned on our investments, net of associated
borrowing and hedging costs, and net realized gains and losses on our investment and hedging activities. We fund our investments
primarily through borrowings structured as repurchase agreements.
Investment Strategy
Our investment strategy is designed to:
•
generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for our stockholders through monthly dividend distributions and tangible net
book value accretion;
• manage an investment portfolio consisting primarily of Agency securities;
•
•
invest a subset of the portfolio in mortgage credit risk oriented assets;
capitalize on discrepancies in the relative valuations in the Agency and non-Agency securities market;
• manage financing, interest rate, prepayment, extension and credit risks;
•
•
continue to qualify as a REIT; and
remain exempt from the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act").
Targeted Investments
Agency Securities
•
•
Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities. Our primary investments consist of Agency pass-through
certificates representing interests in "pools" of mortgage loans secured by residential real property. Monthly payments
of principal and interest made by the individual borrowers on the mortgage loans underlying the pools are in effect
"passed through" to the security holders, after deducting GSE or U.S. Government agency guarantee and servicer fees.
In general, mortgage pass-through certificates distribute cash flows from the underlying collateral on a pro rata basis
among the security holders. Security holders also receive guarantor advances of principal and interest for delinquent
loans in the mortgage pools. We also invest in Agency collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs"), which are
structured instruments representing interests in Agency residential pass-through certificates, and interest-only, inverse
interest-only and principal-only securities, which represent the right to receive a specified proportion of the contractual
interest or principal flows of specific Agency CMO securities.
To-Be-Announced Forward Contracts ("TBAs"). TBAs are forward contracts to purchase or sell Agency RMBS.
TBA contracts specify the coupon rate, issuer, term and face value of the bonds to be delivered, with the actual bonds
to be delivered only identified shortly before the TBA settlement date.
2
Non-Agency Securities
•
•
•
Credit Risk Transfer Securities ("CRT"). CRT securities are risk sharing instruments that transfer a portion of the
risk associated with credit losses within pools of conventional residential mortgage loans from the GSEs and/or third-
parties to private investors. Unlike Agency RMBS, full repayment of the original principal balance of CRT securities
is not guaranteed by a GSE or other third-party; rather, "credit risk transfer" is achieved by writing down the outstanding
principal balance of the CRT security if credit losses on the related pool of loans exceed certain thresholds. The reduced
amount that issuers are obligated to repay to the security holders offsets the issuer's credit losses on the related pool of
loans.
Non-Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities ("Non-Agency RMBS"). Non-Agency RMBS are securities
backed by residential mortgages, for which payment of principal and interest is not guaranteed by a GSE or U.S.
Government agency. Instead, a private institution such as a commercial bank will package residential mortgage loans
and securitize them through the issuance of RMBS. Non-Agency RMBS may benefit from credit enhancement derived
from structural elements, such as subordination, overcollateralization or insurance. We may purchase highly-rated
instruments that benefit from credit enhancement or non-investment grade instruments that absorb credit risk. We focus
primarily on non-Agency securities where the underlying mortgages are secured by residential properties within the
United States. Residential non-Agency securities are backed by residential mortgages that can be comprised of prime
mortgage or nonprime mortgage loans. We may also purchase Agency or non-Agency multifamily securities where the
collateral backing the securitization consists of loans for properties housing multiple tenants.
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities ("CMBS"). CMBS are securities that are structured utilizing collateral
pools comprised of commercial mortgage loans. CMBS can be structured as pass-through securities, where the cash
flows generated by the collateral pool are passed on pro rata to investors after netting servicer or other fees, or where
cash flows are distributed to numerous classes of securities following a predetermined waterfall, which may give priority
to selected classes while subordinating other classes. We may invest across the capital structure of these securities, and
we intend to focus on CMBS where the underlying collateral is secured by commercial properties located within the
United States.
Active Portfolio Management Strategy
We employ an active management strategy designed to achieve our principal objectives of generating attractive risk-adjusted
returns and managing our net book value within reasonable bands. We invest in securities based on our assessment of the relative
risk-return profile of the securities and our ability to effectively hedge a portion of the securities' exposure to market risks. The
composition of our portfolio and strategies that we use will vary based on our view of prevailing market conditions and the
availability of suitable investment, hedging and funding opportunities. We may experience investment gains or losses when we
sell securities that we believe no longer provide attractive risk-adjusted returns or when we believe more attractive alternatives
exist elsewhere in the mortgage or mortgage-related securities market. We may also experience gains or losses from our hedging
strategies or due to credit losses on non-Agency securities.
Financing Strategy
As part of our investment strategy, we use leverage on our investment portfolio to increase potential returns to our stockholders.
Our primary source of financing is through repurchase agreements. A repurchase (or "repo") agreement transaction acts as a
financing arrangement under which we effectively pledge our investment securities as collateral to secure a loan. Our borrowings
pursuant to repurchase transactions generally have maturities ranging from 30 days to one year, but may have maturities less than
30 days or up to five or more years. Our financing rates typically track one or three-month London Interbank Offered Rate
("LIBOR"), plus or minus a fixed spread.
Our leverage depends on market conditions, our assessment of risk and returns and our ability to borrow funds sufficient to
fund the acquisition of mortgage securities. We generally expect our leverage to be within six to twelve times the amount of our
tangible stockholders' equity. However, under certain market conditions, we may operate at leverage levels outside of this range
for extended periods of time.
We seek to diversify our funding exposure by entering into repurchase agreements with multiple counterparties. We had
master repurchase agreements with 43 financial institutions as of December 31, 2017. The terms of our master repurchase
agreements generally conform to the terms in the standard master repurchase agreement as published by the Securities Industry
and Financial Markets Association ("SIFMA") as to repayment, margin requirements and the segregation of all securities sold
under the repurchase transaction. In addition, each lender may require that we include supplemental terms and conditions to the
standard master repurchase agreement to address such matters as additional margin maintenance requirements, cross default and
3
other provisions. The specific provisions may differ for each lender and certain terms may not be determined until we engage in
individual repurchase transactions.
During 2015, we formed a wholly-owned captive broker-dealer subsidiary, Bethesda Securities, LLC ("BES"). BES became
operational and received final membership approval to the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation ("FICC") during the third quarter
of 2016. BES has direct access to bilateral and triparty repo funding as a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority ("FINRA")
member broker-dealer. As an eligible institution, BES also raises repo funding through the General Collateral Finance ("GCF")
Repo service offered by the FICC, with the FICC acting as the central counterparty, which provides us greater depth and diversity
of repurchase agreement funding while also lowering our funding cost, reducing our collateral requirements and limiting our
counterparty exposure.
We also effectively finance the acquisition of Agency RMBS by entering into TBA dollar roll transactions in which we would
sell a TBA contract for current month settlement and simultaneously purchase a similar TBA contract for a forward settlement
date. Prior to the forward settlement date, we may choose to roll the position to a later date by entering into an offsetting TBA
position, net settling the paired off positions for cash, and simultaneously entering into a similar TBA contract for a later settlement
date. The TBA contract purchased for the forward settlement date is priced at a discount to the TBA contract sold for settlement/
pair off in the current month. The difference (or discount) is referred to as the "price drop" and is the economic equivalent of net
interest carry income on the underlying Agency RMBS over the roll period (interest income less implied financing cost), which
is commonly referred to as "dollar roll income." We recognize TBA contracts as derivative instruments on our consolidated
financial statements at their net carrying value (fair value less the purchase price to be paid or received under the TMA contract).
Consequently, dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing. In evaluating our overall leverage at risk,
we consider both our on-balance sheet and off-balance sheet financing.
Risk Management Strategy
We use a variety of strategies to reduce our exposure to market risks, including interest rate, prepayment, extension and
credit risks. Our investment strategies are based on our assessment of these risks, the cost of hedging transactions and our intention
to qualify as a REIT. Our hedging strategies are generally not designed to protect our net book value from "spread risk," which
is the risk that the yield differential between our investments and our hedges fluctuates. In addition, while we use interest rate
swaps and other supplemental hedges to attempt to protect our net book value against moves in interest rates, we may not hedge
certain interest rate, prepayment or extension risks if we believe that bearing such risks enhances our return profile, or if the
hedging transaction would negatively impact our REIT status.
•
Interest Rate Risk. We hedge a portion of our interest rate risk with respect to both the fixed income nature of our long-
term assets and the short-term, variable rate nature of our financing. A majority of our funding is in the form of repurchase
agreements, and, as a result, our financing costs fluctuate based on short-term interest rate indices, such as LIBOR. Our
investments are assets that primarily have fixed rates of interest and maturities up to 40 years, and the interest we earn
on those assets generally does not move in tandem with the interest that we pay on our repurchase agreements. As such,
we may experience reduced income or losses due to adverse interest rate movements. To mitigate a portion of such risk,
we utilize hedging techniques to attempt to lock in a portion of the net interest spread between the interest we earn on
our assets and the interest we pay on our financing costs. We also use certain hedges, such as short U.S. Treasury securities
and U.S. Treasury futures positions, to hedge a portion of the price risk associated with our largely fixed-rate asset portfolio
due to changes in interest rates.
Prepayments on residential mortgages generally accelerate when interest rates decrease and slow when interest rates rise,
and, as a result, mortgage securities may increase in price more slowly than similar duration bonds, or even fall in value,
as interest rates decline. Mortgage securities could also decrease in value more quickly than similar duration bonds as
interest rates rise. This is referred to as "negative convexity." To manage our convexity exposure, we monitor the interest
rate sensitivity of our assets relative to the interest rate sensitivity of our liabilities and interest rate hedge portfolio,
referred to as our "duration gap," and we monitor how our convexity and duration gap change if interest rates and
prepayment expectations were to increase or decrease.
The value of our mortgage assets may also be adversely impacted by fluctuations in the shape of the yield curve or by
changes in the market's expectation about future interest rate volatility. We analyze our exposure to non-parallel changes
in interest rates and to changes in the market's expectation of future interest rate volatility and attempt to mitigate these
risks.
•
Prepayment Risk. Because residential borrowers have the option to prepay their mortgage loans at par at any time, we
face the risk that we will experience a return of principal on our investments faster than anticipated. Prepayment risk
generally increases when interest rates decline. In this scenario, our financial results may be adversely affected as we
may have to invest that principal at potentially lower yields.
4
•
•
•
Extension Risk. Because residential borrowers have the option to make only scheduled payments on their mortgage
loans, we face the risk that a return of capital on our investment will occur slower than anticipated. Extension risk
generally increases when interest rates rise. In this scenario, our financial results may be adversely affected as we may
have to finance our investments at potentially higher costs without the ability to reinvest principal into higher yielding
securities because borrowers prepay their mortgages at a slower pace than originally expected.
Spread Risk. Because the market spread between the yield on our investments and the yield on benchmark interest rates,
such as U.S. Treasury rates and interest rate swap rates, may vary, we are exposed to spread risk. The inherent spread
risk associated with our investments and the resulting fluctuations in fair value of these securities can occur independent
of interest rates and may relate to other factors impacting the mortgage and fixed income markets, such as actual or
anticipated monetary policy actions by the Federal Reserve (the "Fed"), liquidity, or changes in required rates of return
on different assets. Our strategies are generally not designed to protect our net book value from spread risk.
Credit Risk. We accept mortgage credit exposure related to our CRT and other non-Agency securities at levels we deem
to be prudent within the context of our overall investment strategy. We seek to manage this risk through prudent asset
selection, pre-acquisition due diligence, post-acquisition performance monitoring, and sale of assets where we identify
negative credit trends. We may also manage credit risk with credit default swaps or other financial derivatives that we
believe are appropriate. Additionally, we may vary the mix of our Agency and non-Agency mortgage investments or our
duration gap, when we believe credit performance is inversely correlated with changes in interest rates, to adjust our
credit exposure and/or to improve the return profile of our investment portfolio.
The principal instruments that we use to hedge a portion of our exposure to interest rate, prepayment and extension risks are
interest rate swaps, options to enter into interest rate swaps ("swaptions"), U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures
contracts. We also use TBA forward contracts to periodically reduce our exposure to Agency RMBS.
The risk management actions we take may lower our earnings and dividends in the short term to further our objective of
maintaining attractive levels of earnings and dividends over the long term. In addition, some of our hedges are intended to provide
protection against larger rate moves and as a result may be relatively ineffective for smaller interest rate changes. Our projections
of exposures to interest rate, prepayment, extension and other risks are also based on models that are dependent on a number of
assumptions and inputs, and actual results could differ materially from our projections.
Income from hedging transactions that we enter to manage risk may not constitute qualifying gross income under one or
both of the gross income tests applicable to REITs (see Real Estate Investment Trust Requirements below). Therefore, we may
have to limit our use of certain hedging techniques, which could expose us to greater risks than we would otherwise want to bear,
or implement those hedging techniques through a taxable REIT subsidiary ("TRS"). Implementing our hedges through a TRS
could increase the cost of our hedging activities because a TRS would be subject to tax on income and gains.
Management Internalization
Prior to July 1, 2016, we were externally managed by AGNC Management, LLC (our "Manager"). On July 1, 2016, we
completed the acquisition of all the outstanding membership interests of AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC ("AMM"), the parent
company of our Manager, from American Capital Asset Management, LLC ("ACAM"), a wholly owned portfolio company of
American Capital, Ltd. AMM is also the parent company of MTGE Management, LLC, the external manager of MTGE Investment
Corp. ("MTGE") (Nasdaq: MTGE). Following the closing of the acquisition of AMM, we became internally managed and the
external manager of MTGE.
Prior to our management internalization, we paid our Manager a management fee equal to 1.25% of our stockholders' equity,
as defined in our management agreement, and we were obligated to reimburse our Manager for its expenses incurred directly
related to our operations, excluding employment-related expenses. Following our management internalization, we no longer incur
a management fee, but we incur expenses associated with being an internally managed organization, including compensation
expenses previously borne by our Manager.
Employees
As of December 31, 2017, we had 56 full-time employees.
Exemption from Regulation under the Investment Company Act
We conduct our business so as not to become regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act (the
"Act"), in reliance on the exemption provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Act. So long as we qualify for this exemption, we will
not be subject to leverage and other restrictions imposed on regulated investment companies, which would significantly reduce
5
our ability to use leverage. Section 3(c)(5)(C), as interpreted by the staff of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"),
requires us to invest at least 55% of our assets in "mortgages and other liens on and interest in real estate" or "qualifying real estate
interests" and at least 80% of our assets in qualifying real estate interests and "real estate-related assets." In satisfying this 55%
requirement, based on pronouncements of the SEC staff and in certain instances our own judgment, we treat Agency RMBS issued
with respect to an underlying pool of mortgage loans in which we hold all the certificates issued by the pool ("whole pool" securities)
as qualifying real estate interests. We typically treat "partial pool" and other mortgage securities where we hold less than all the
certificates issued by the pool as real estate-related assets.
Real Estate Investment Trust Requirements
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. So long as we qualify as a REIT, we generally will
not be subject to U.S. Federal or state corporate income tax on our taxable income to the extent that we annually distribute all our
taxable income to stockholders within the time limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code. Qualification and taxation as a
REIT depends on our ability to continually meet requirements imposed upon REITs by the Internal Revenue Code, including
satisfying certain organizational requirements, an annual distribution requirement and quarterly asset and annual income tests.
The REIT asset and income tests are significant to our operations as they restrict the extent to which we can invest in certain types
of securities and conduct certain hedging activities within the REIT. Consequently, we may be required to limit these activities
or conduct them through a TRS. We believe that we have been organized and operate in such a manner as to qualify for taxation
as a REIT.
Income Tests
To continue to qualify as a REIT, we must satisfy two gross income requirements on an annual basis.
1. At least 75% of our gross income for each taxable year generally must be derived from investments in real property or
mortgages on real property.
2. At least 95% of our gross income in each taxable year generally must be derived from some combination of income that
qualifies under the 75% gross income test described above, as well as other dividends, interest, and gains from the sale
or disposition of stock or securities, which need not have any relation to real property.
Interest income from obligations secured by mortgages on real property (such as Agency and non-Agency MBS) generally
constitutes qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test described above. Interest income from CRT securities
is treated as non-qualifying income for the 75% gross income test. There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification
of income or gains from TBAs for the 75% gross income test; however, we treat these as qualifying income for this purpose based
on an opinion of legal counsel. Income and gains from instruments that we use to hedge the interest rate risk associated with our
borrowings incurred, or to be incurred, to acquire real estate assets will generally be excluded from both gross income tests,
provided that specified requirements are met.
Asset Tests
At the close of each calendar quarter, we must satisfy five tests relating to the nature of our assets.
1. At least 75% of the value of our total assets must be represented by some combination of "real estate assets," cash, cash
items, U.S. Government securities, and, under some circumstances, temporary investments in stock or debt instruments
purchased with new capital. For this purpose, mortgage-backed securities and mortgage loans are generally treated as
"real estate assets." Assets that do not qualify for purposes of the 75% asset test are subject to the additional asset tests
described below.
2. The value of any one issuer's securities that we own may not exceed 5% of the value of our total assets.
3. We may not own more than 10% of any one issuer's outstanding securities, as measured by either voting power or value.
The 5% and 10% asset tests do not apply to securities of TRSs and qualified REIT subsidiaries and the 10% asset test
does not apply to "straight debt" having specified characteristics and to certain other securities.
4. The aggregate value of all securities of all TRSs that we hold may not exceed 20% of the value of our total assets.
5. No more than 25% of the total value of our assets may be represented by certain non-mortgage debt instruments issued
by publicly offered REITs (even though such debt instruments qualify under the 75% asset test).
If we should fail to satisfy the income or asset tests, such a failure would not cause us to lose our REIT qualification if we
were able to eliminate the discrepancy within a 30-day cure period, in the case of the asset test, or satisfy certain relief provisions
6
and pay any applicable penalty taxes and other fines. Please also refer to the "Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT" in "Item
1A. Risk Factors" of this Form 10-K for further discussion of REIT qualification requirements and related items.
Corporate Information
Our executive offices are located at Two Bethesda Metro Center, 12th Floor, Bethesda, MD 20814 and our telephone number
is (301) 968-9315.
We make available our Annual Reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K and
amendments to such reports as well as our Code of Ethics and Conduct on our internet website at www.AGNC.com as soon as
reasonably practical after such material is electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. These reports are also available on the
SEC internet website at www.sec.gov.
Competition
Our success depends, in large part, on our ability to acquire assets at favorable spreads over our borrowing costs. In acquiring
mortgage assets, we compete with mortgage REITs, mortgage finance and specialty finance companies, savings and loan
associations, banks, mortgage bankers, insurance companies, mutual funds, institutional investors, investment banking firms, other
lenders, governmental bodies and other entities. These entities and others that may be organized in the future may have similar
asset acquisition objectives and increase competition for the available supply of mortgage assets suitable for purchase. Additionally,
our investment strategy is dependent on the amount of financing available to us in the repurchase agreement market, which may
also be impacted by the overall supply of repo funding and competing borrowers. Our investment strategy will be adversely
impacted if we are not able to secure financing on favorable terms, if at all.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
You should carefully consider the risks described below and all other information contained in this Annual Report on Form
10-K, including our annual consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto before deciding to purchase our securities.
If any of the following risks were to occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely
affected. If that happens, the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment. The
risks and uncertainties described below are not the only ones facing us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known
to us, or not presently deemed material by us, may also impair our operations and performance.
Risks Related to Our Investing, Portfolio Management and Financing Activities
An increase in our borrowing costs would adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We rely primarily on short-term and/or variable rate borrowings to acquire fixed-rate securities with long-term maturities.
Due to the short-term or adjustable rate nature of our financing, our borrowing costs are particularly sensitive to increases in short-
term interest rates, as well as overall funding availability, market liquidity, fluctuations in asset values and "haircut" levels applied
to assets pledged under repurchase agreements and other factors.
The relationship between short and longer-term interest rates is often referred to as the "yield curve." Ordinarily, short-term
interest rates are lower than longer-term interest rates, but a flattening of the yield curve can occur if short-term interest rates rise
disproportionately relative to longer-term interest rates. It is also possible that the yield curve could invert, with short-term rates
exceeding longer-term rates. If either of these conditions occur our borrowing costs could increase more rapidly than the interest
income earned on our fixed rate assets and our net interest margin would decline, or in extreme scenarios even turn negative. In
this event, we could incur operating losses and our financial condition and ability to make distributions to our stockholders could
be adversely affected.
Changes to the pace of the Fed's purchases or sales of Agency mortgage-backed securities may adversely affect the price and
return associated with Agency securities.
In October 2017, the Fed began to taper its reinvestments of principal payments from its U.S. Treasury, Agency debt and
Agency RMBS portfolios acquired as a function of its quantitative easing programs. We cannot predict the impact that these or
future actions will have on the prices and liquidity of Agency RMBS or on mortgage spreads relative to interest rate hedges tied
to benchmark interest rates. During periods in which the Fed further reduces or ceases reinvestment of principal or undertakes
outright sales of its securities portfolio, the price of Agency RMBS and U.S. Treasury securities could decline, mortgage spreads
could widen, refinancing volumes could be lower and market volatility could be considerably higher than would have been the
case absent such actions and our results of operations and financial condition could be adversely affected.
7
We may change our targeted investments, investment guidelines and other operational policies without stockholder consent,
which may adversely affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to make distributions to stockholders.
We may change our targeted investments and investment guidelines at any time without the consent of our stockholders,
which could result in our making investments that are different from, and possibly riskier than, the investments described herein.
Our Board of Directors also determines our other operational policies, including our policies with respect to our REIT qualification,
acquisitions, dispositions, operations, indebtedness and distributions. Our Board of Directors may amend or revise such policies
or approve transactions that deviate from them, without a vote of, or notice to, our stockholders. A change in our targeted
investments, investment guidelines or other operational policies may increase our exposure to interest rate, spread, credit,
prepayment, extension, liquidity and other risks, all of which could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition
and ability to make distributions to our common and preferred stockholders.
Our active portfolio management strategy may expose us to significant realized gains or losses.
We employ an active management strategy to achieve our principal objective of preserving our net book value while
generating attractive risk-adjusted returns. The composition of our investment portfolio will vary as we believe changes to market
conditions, risks and valuations warrant. Consequently, we may experience significant investment gains or losses when we sell
investments that we no longer believe provide attractive risk-adjusted returns or when we believe more attractive alternatives are
available. We may be incorrect in our assessment and select an investment portfolio that could generate lower returns than a more
static management strategy. Also, investors may be less able to assess the changes in our valuation and performance by observing
changes in the mortgage market since we may have changed our strategy and portfolio from the last publicly available data. Our
leverage and hedging levels may also fluctuate as we pursue our active management strategy.
Our strategy involves significant leverage, which increases the risk that we may incur substantial losses.
We expect our leverage to vary with market conditions and our assessment of the risks and returns on our investments. We
incur leverage by borrowing against a substantial portion of the market value of our assets. While leverage is fundamental to our
investment strategy, it also creates significant risks. For example, we may incur substantial losses if our borrowing costs increase
or if the value of our investments declines.
Failure to procure adequate financing or to renew or replace existing financing as it matures (to which risk we are specifically
exposed due to the short-term nature of the financing arrangements on our mortgage investments) could adversely affect our
financial condition and results of operations.
We use debt financing as a strategy to increase our return on equity, and because we rely primarily on short-term borrowings
to finance our mortgage investments, our ability to achieve our investment objectives depends not only on our ability to borrow
money in sufficient amounts and on favorable terms, but also on our ability to renew or replace our maturing short-term borrowings
on a continuous basis. However, we may be unable to borrow sufficient funds to achieve our desired leverage ratio for several
reasons, including the following:
•
•
•
•
our lenders do not make repurchase or other financing agreements available to us at acceptable rates and terms;
our lenders exit the market;
our lenders require additional collateral to cover our borrowings, which we may be unable to deliver; or
we determine that the leverage would expose us to excessive risk.
Additionally, our wholly-owned captive broker-dealer subsidiary's ability to access bilateral and triparty repo funding,
including through the FICC's GCF Repo service, requires that it continually meet regulatory and membership requirements
established by FINRA and the FICC, which could change over time, potentially resulting in BES to lose access to these funding
sources.
If we are unable to renew or replace maturing borrowings, we may have to sell assets, possibly under adverse market
conditions. In addition, if the regulatory capital requirements imposed on our lenders change, they may be required to significantly
increase the cost of the financing that they provide to us. Our lenders also may revise their eligibility requirements for the types
of assets they are willing to finance or the terms of such financings, based on, among other factors, the regulatory environment
and their management of perceived risk, particularly with respect to assignee liability. Consequently, we cannot make any assurance
that financing will be available to us in the future on terms that are acceptable to us. If we cannot obtain sufficient funding on
acceptable terms, our investment returns, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected and there may
be a negative impact on the value of our common and preferred stock and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
8
A decline in the fair value of our assets will adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations, and make it
costlier to finance our assets.
Our investments are recorded at fair value with changes in fair value reported in net income or other comprehensive income
(a component of equity). As a result, a decline in the fair value of our investments could reduce both our net income and stockholders'
equity. We also use our investments as collateral for our financings. A decline in fair value, or perceived market uncertainty about
the value of our assets, could make it difficult for us to obtain financing on favorable terms or at all, or for us to maintain our
compliance with terms of any financing arrangements already in place. Since we primarily invest in long-term fixed rate securities,
our investment portfolio is particularly sensitive to changes in longer-term interest rates. If interest rates or other market conditions
result in a decline in the fair value of our assets we would be subject to margin calls on our existing repurchase agreements and
it will decrease the amounts we may borrow to purchase additional investments. If this occurs, we could be required to sell assets
at adverse prices and our ability to maintain or increase our net income could be significantly restricted, negatively impacting our
financial condition and results of operations and ability to make distributions to stockholders.
Our hedging strategies may not be successful in mitigating the risks associated with changes in interest rates.
Subject to complying with REIT tax requirements, we employ techniques that are intended to limit, or "hedge," the adverse
effect of changes in interest rates on the value of our assets and financing costs. Hedging strategies are complex and there are no
perfect hedges. Our business model also calls for accepting certain amounts of risk. Consequently, our hedging activities are
generally designed to limit our interest rate exposure, but not to eliminate it, and they are generally not designed to hedge against
spread risk and other risks inherent to our business model.
Our hedging strategies vary in scope based on our portfolio composition, liabilities and our assessment of the level and
volatility of interest rates, expected prepayments, credit and other market conditions, and is expected to change over time. We
could fail to properly assess a risk or fail to recognize a risk entirely, leaving us exposed to losses without the benefit of any
offsetting hedges. The derivative financial instruments we select may not have the effect of reducing our risk, and the nature and
timing of hedging transactions may influence their effectiveness in risk mitigation. Poorly designed hedging strategies or improperly
executed transactions could increase our risk of loss. Hedging activities could also result in losses if the hedged event does not
occur. Numerous other factors can also impact the effectiveness of our hedging strategies including, but are not limited to, the
following:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
the cost of interest rate hedges can be expensive, particularly during periods of rising and volatile interest rates due
to higher costs demanded by counterparties and additional charges that may be incurred to adjust our hedges in such
circumstances;
available interest rate hedges may not correspond directly with the interest rate risk for which protection is sought
such that the reference rates could reset at a different time or times from the shorter-term rates intended to be limited;
the duration of the hedge may not match the duration of the related asset or liability;
the amount of income that a REIT may earn from hedging transactions other than hedging transactions that satisfy
certain requirements of the Internal Revenue Code or that are done through a TRS is limited by Federal tax provisions
governing REITs;
the party in the hedging transaction owing money to us may default on its obligation to pay;
the credit quality of the party owing money to us on the hedge may be downgraded to such an extent that it impairs
our ability to sell or assign our side of the hedging transaction; and
the value of our interest rate hedges declines due to interest rate fluctuations, lapse of time or other factors.
Furthermore, our hedging activities involve costs that we incur regardless of the effectiveness of the hedging activity or
whether we receive any corresponding economic benefit. For these reasons, our hedging strategies may fail to protect us from
loss and could even result in greater losses than if we had not entered in the hedge transaction, which would negatively impact
our operating results and financial condition.
Our hedging strategies are generally not designed to mitigate spread risk.
When the spread between the market yield on our mortgage assets and benchmark interest rates widens, our net book value
could decline. We refer to this as "spread risk" or "basis risk," and we generally do not seek to hedge this risk. The spread risk
associated with our mortgage assets and the resulting fluctuations in fair value of these securities is a risk inherent to our business
and can occur independent of changes in benchmark interest rates. Spread risk may relate to other factors impacting the mortgage
and fixed income markets, such as actual or anticipated monetary policy actions by the Fed, market liquidity, or changes in required
rates of return on different assets. Consequently, while we use interest rate swaps and other hedges to attempt to protect against
moves in interest rates, such instruments typically will not protect our net book value against spread risk. If the value of our
9
mortgage assets falls by more than the offsetting fair value increases on our hedging instruments tied to the underlying benchmark
interest rates, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected.
Changes in prepayment rates may adversely affect our profitability and are difficult to predict.
Our investment portfolio includes securities backed by pools of mortgage loans which receive payments related to the
underlying mortgage loans. When borrowers prepay their mortgage loans at rates faster or slower than expected, it results in faster
or slower prepayment of our assets. We are exposed to prepayment or extension risk in the event prepayments occur at a faster
or slower rate than we anticipated. Generally, prepayments increase during periods of falling mortgage interest rates and decrease
during periods of rising mortgage interest rates. However, this may not always be the case as other factors can affect the rate of
prepayments, including loan age and size, loan-to-value ratios, housing price trends, general economic conditions and other factors.
If our assets prepay at a faster rate than anticipated, we may be unable to reinvest the repayments at acceptable yields. If
the proceeds are reinvested at lower yields than our existing assets, our net interest margins would be negatively impacted. We
also amortize or accrete any premiums and discounts we pay or receive at purchase relative to the stated principal of our assets
into interest income over their projected lives using the effective interest method. If the actual and estimated future prepayment
experience differs from our prior estimates, we are required to record an adjustment to interest income for the impact of the
cumulative difference in the effective yield, which could negatively affect our interest income.
If our assets prepay at a slower rate than anticipated, our assets could extend beyond their expected maturities and we may
have to finance our investments at potentially higher costs without the ability to reinvest principal into higher yielding securities.
Additionally, if prepayment rates decrease due to a rising interest rate environment, the average life or duration of our fixed-rate
assets would extend, but our interest rate swap maturities would remain fixed and, therefore, cover a smaller percentage of our
funding exposure. This situation may also cause the market value of our assets to decline, while most of our hedging instruments
would not receive any incremental offsetting gains.
Prepayment rates are difficult to predict. Prepayments also occur when borrowers sell the property and use the sale proceeds
to prepay the mortgage or when borrowers default on their mortgages and the mortgages are prepaid from the proceeds of a
foreclosure sale of the property. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac will generally purchase mortgages that are 120 days or more
delinquent from RMBS trusts when the cost of guarantee payments to security holders, including advances of interest at the security
coupon rate, exceeds the cost of holding the nonperforming loans in their portfolios. Consequently, prepayment rates can be
affected by conditions in the housing and financial markets that impact delinquencies on mortgage loans, GSE's cost of capital
and their decisions as to when to repurchase delinquent loans, general economic conditions and the relative interest rates on fixed
and adjustable rate loans, which could impact refinancing rates. In addition, the introduction of U.S. Government programs, or
changes to existing programs, could increase the availability of mortgage credit to homeowners, which could impact prepayment
rates, particularly for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac Agency RMBS.
To the extent that actual prepayment speeds differ from our expectations, our operating results could be adversely affected
and we could be forced to sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur realized losses. In addition,
should significant prepayments occur, there is no certainty that acceptable new investments could be identified and proceeds of
such prepayments could be timely reinvested.
Market conditions may disrupt the historical relationship between interest rate changes and prepayment trends, which may
make it more difficult to analyze our investment portfolio.
Our success depends, in part, on our ability to analyze the relationship between changing interest rates and the rate of
prepayments. Changes in interest rates and prepayments affect the market price of mortgage assets. As part of our overall portfolio
risk management, we analyze interest rate changes and prepayment trends separately and collectively to assess their effects on
our investment portfolio. To a large extent our analysis is based on models that are dependent on a number of assumptions and
inputs. Many of the assumptions we use are based upon historical trends with respect to the relationship between interest rates
and prepayments under normal market conditions. There is risk that our assumptions are incorrect. Dislocations in the residential
mortgage market and other developments may disrupt the relationship between the way that prepayment trends have historically
responded to interest rate changes and, consequently, may negatively impact our ability to (i) assess the market value of our
investment portfolio, (ii) implement hedging strategies and (iii) implement techniques to reduce our prepayment rate volatility,
which could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Recent changes to the U.S. Federal income tax code could have a material impact on the residential mortgage market, which
could impact the pricing of RMBS.
On December 22, 2017, the President signed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA"), which provides for substantial changes
to the taxation of individuals and business entities, generally with an effective date of January 1, 2018. For individual taxpayers,
10
the changes included, among others, lower ordinary income tax rates, higher standard deductions, and suspension or modification
of several itemized deductions. The changes to the categories of itemized deductions include a limit on deductions of state and
local income and property taxes of $10,000 and a modification to the amount of residential mortgage interest that would be
deductible. The new rule would limit the deduction available for mortgage interest by reducing the amount of debt that can qualify
from $1 million to $750,000, however mortgage debt borrowed prior to December 15, 2017 would not be affected by the
reduction. In addition, home equity mortgage interest is no longer deductible. Many of the changes affecting individual taxpayers
would cease to apply after December 31, 2025 and would revert to their pre-2018 form with future legislation required to make
the provisions effective beyond 2025. As a result of these changes, it is expected that the number of individual taxpayers that
itemize deductions will decrease significantly causing the income tax benefits of residential home ownership to decline
materially. It is likely that these factors could result in a decline in the pricing of residential real estate as well as alter the prepayment
patterns of residential mortgages, which could have a significant impact on the pricing and returns of RMBS.
The mortgage loans referenced by our CRT securities or that underlie our non-Agency securities may be or could become
subject to delinquency or foreclosure, which could result in significant losses to us.
Investments in mortgage-related securities, such as CRT securities and non-Agency MBS, where repayment of principal and
interest is not guaranteed by a GSE or U.S. Government agency, subject us to the potential risk of loss of principal and/or interest
due to delinquency, foreclosure and related losses on the underlying mortgage loans.
CRT securities are risk sharing instruments issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, and similarly structured transactions
arranged by third-party market participants. The CRT securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are designed to transfer
mortgage credit risk from the entities to private investors. The transactions are structured as unsecured and unguaranteed bonds
issued by the GSEs whose principal payments are determined by the delinquency and prepayment experience of a reference pool
of mortgages guaranteed by the GSE. CRT transactions arranged by third-party market participants are similarly structured to
reference a specific pool of loans that have been securitized by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac and transfer mortgage credit risk
related to those loans to the purchaser of the securities. The holder of CRT securities bears the risk that the borrowers may default
on their obligations to make full and timely payments of principal and interest. The return of the principal invested in CRT securities
is dependent on the level of borrower defaults on the underlying pool of mortgages. An investor in CRT securities bears the risk
that the borrowers in the reference pool of loans may default on their obligations to make full and timely payments of principal
and interest.
Residential mortgage loans underlying non-Agency RMBS are secured by residential property and are subject to risks of
delinquency, foreclosure and loss. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by residential property is dependent upon the
income or assets of the borrower. Many factors could impair a borrower's ability to repay the loan, including: loss of employment,
divorce, illness, acts of God, acts of war or terrorism, adverse changes in economic and market conditions, changes in laws and
regulations, changes in fiscal policies and zoning ordinances, costs of remediation and liabilities associated with environmental
conditions such as mold, and the potential for uninsured or under-insured property losses.
Commercial mortgage loans underlying CMBS are generally secured by multifamily or other commercial property and are
subject to risks of delinquency and foreclosure, and risks of loss that are greater than similar risks associated with loans made on
the security of residential property. The ability of a borrower to repay a loan secured by an income-producing property typically
is dependent primarily upon the successful operation of such property rather than upon the existence of independent income or
assets of the borrower. If the net operating income of the property is reduced, the borrower's ability to repay the loan may be
impaired. Net operating income of an income producing property can be affected by, among other things: tenant mix; success of
tenant businesses; property management decisions; property location and condition; competition from comparable types of
properties; changes in laws that increase operating expense or limit rents that may be charged; any need to address environmental
contamination at the property; the occurrence of any uninsured casualty at the property; changes in national, regional or local
economic conditions or specific industry segments; declines in regional or local real estate values; declines in regional or local
rental or occupancy rates; increases in interest rates; real estate tax rates and other operating expenses; changes in governmental
rules, regulations and fiscal policies, including environmental legislation; acts of God, acts of war or terrorism, social unrest and
civil disturbances.
Our assets are also not subject to any geographic, diversification or concentration limitations. Accordingly, our investments
in CRT and non-Agency securities could be concentrated by geography, asset, property type and/or borrower. Such concentrations
could subject us to a greater risk of loss due to adverse developments. For example, adverse conditions in the areas where the
properties securing or otherwise referenced to our investments are located (such as business layoffs or downsizing, industry
slowdowns, changing demographics and other factors) and local real estate conditions (such as oversupply or reduced demand)
could in an adverse way disproportionately affect the value of our investments and our ability to recover interest and principal on
our investments.
11
Our investments in CRT and non-Agency securities may benefit from private mortgage insurance, but this insurance may not
be sufficient to cover losses.
In certain instances, mortgage loans in reference to our CRT securities or underlying our non-Agency RMBS may have
private insurance. This insurance is often structured to absorb only a portion of the loss if a loan defaults and, as such, we may
be exposed to losses on these loans in excess of the insurance. Rescission and denial of mortgage insurance may affect the ability
to collect on this insurance. If private mortgage insurers fail to remit insurance payments for insured portions of loans when losses
are incurred and where applicable, whether due to breach of contract or to an insurer's insolvency, we may experience a loss on
related CRT or non-Agency RMBS securities for the amount that was insured by such insurers.
Any credit ratings assigned to our credit risk oriented investments will be subject to ongoing evaluations and revisions and we
cannot assure you that those ratings will not be downgraded.
Some of our investments are rated by Moody's Investors Service, Fitch Ratings or Standard & Poor's. Any credit ratings
on our investments are subject to ongoing evaluation by credit rating agencies, and we cannot assure you that any such ratings
will not be changed or withdrawn by a rating agency in the future. If rating agencies assign a lower-than-expected rating or reduce
or withdraw, or indicate that they may reduce or withdraw, their ratings of our investments in the future, the value of these
investments could significantly decline, which would adversely affect the value of our investment portfolio and could result in
losses upon disposition.
Changes in credit spreads may adversely affect our profitability.
A significant component of the fair value of CRT and non-Agency securities and other credit risk oriented investments is
attributable to the credit spread, or the difference between the value the credit instrument and the value of a financial instrument
with similar interest rate exposure, but with no credit risk, such as a U.S. Treasury note, and the credit instrument. Credit spreads
are subject to market factors and can be highly volatile. In addition, hedging fair value changes associated with credit spreads
can be inefficient and our hedging strategies are generally not designed to mitigate credit spread risk. Consequently, changes in
credit spreads could adversely affect our profitability and financial condition.
Actions of the U.S. Government, including the U.S. Congress, Fed, U.S. Treasury, Federal Housing Finance Administration
("FHFA") and other governmental and regulatory bodies may adversely affect our business.
U.S. Government actions may have an adverse impact on the financial markets. To the extent the markets do not respond
favorably to any such actions or such actions do not function as intended, they could have broad adverse market implications and
could negatively impact our financial condition and results of operations. New regulatory requirements could adversely affect
the availability or terms of financing from our lender counterparties, could impose more stringent capital rules on financial
institutions, could restrict the origination of residential mortgage loans and the formation of new issuances of mortgage-backed
securities and could limit the trading activities of certain banking entities and other systemically significant organizations that are
important to our business. Together or individually these new regulatory requirements could materially affect our financial condition
or results of operations in an adverse way.
Pursuant to the terms of borrowings under master repurchase agreements, we are subject to margin calls that could result in
defaults or force us to sell assets under adverse market conditions or through foreclosure.
We enter into master repurchase agreements with multiple financial institutions. We borrow under these agreements to
finance the assets for our investment portfolio. Pursuant to the terms of borrowings under our master repurchase agreements, a
decline in the value of the collateral may result in our lenders initiating margin calls, where the lender requires us to pledge
additional collateral. The specific collateral value to borrowing ratio that would trigger a margin call is not set in the master
repurchase agreements and is not determined until we engage in a repurchase transaction under these agreements. Our fixed-rate
collateral generally may be more susceptible to margin calls as increases in interest rates tend to affect more negatively the market
value of fixed-rate securities. In addition, some collateral may be less liquid than other instruments, which could cause them to
be more susceptible to margin calls in a volatile market environment. Moreover, collateral that prepays more quickly increases
the frequency and magnitude of potential margin calls as there is a time lag between when the prepayment is reported (which
reduces the market value of the security) and when the principal payment is received. If we are unable to satisfy margin calls, our
lenders may foreclose on our collateral. The threat of or occurrence of a margin call could force us to sell, either directly or through
a foreclosure, our collateral under adverse market conditions, which could result in substantial losses.
12
Our derivative agreements expose us to margin calls that could result in defaults or force us to sell assets under adverse market
conditions.
Our derivative agreements typically require that we pledge collateral to our counterparties. Our counterparties, or the central
clearing agency, typically have the sole discretion to determine the value of the derivative instruments and the value of the collateral
securing such instruments. In the event of a margin call, we must generally provide additional collateral on the same business
day. Furthermore, our derivative agreements may also contain cross default provisions under which a default under certain of our
other indebtedness above a certain threshold amount would cause an event of default under the derivative agreement. Following
an event of default, we could be required to settle our obligations under the agreements at their termination values. The threat of
or occurrence of margin calls or the forced settlement of our obligations under our derivative agreements at their termination
values could force us to sell our investments under adverse market conditions, which could result in substantial losses.
Regulations adopted by the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission ("CFTC") and regulators of other countries could
impose increased margin requirements and require additional operational and compliance costs, which could negatively affect
our financial condition and results of operations.
The CFTC subjects certain swaps to clearing and exchange trading requirements, margin requirements, reporting and record
keeping requirements and counterparties to business conduct rules. Current and future rules and regulations promulgated by the
CFTC and regulators of other countries may adversely affect our ability to engage in derivative transactions or may increase the
cost of our hedging activity and potentially result in higher collateral requirements. Such increased costs and potentially higher
collateral requirements could have an adverse impact on our business and results of operations.
It may be uneconomical to roll our TBA dollar roll transactions or we may be unable to meet margin calls on our TBA contracts,
which could negatively affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We utilize TBA dollar roll transactions as a means of investing in and financing Agency RMBS. TBA contracts enable us
to purchase or sell, for future delivery, Agency RMBS with certain principal and interest terms and certain types of collateral, but
the specific securities to be delivered are not identified until shortly before the TBA settlement date. Prior to settlement of the
TBA contract we may choose to move the settlement of the securities to a later date by entering into an offsetting position (referred
to as a "pair off"), net settling the paired off positions for cash, and simultaneously purchasing a similar TBA contract for a later
settlement date, collectively referred to as a "dollar roll." The Agency RMBS purchased for a forward settlement date under the
TBA contracts are typically priced at a discount to Agency RMBS for settlement in the current month. This difference (or discount)
is referred to as the "price drop." The price drop is the economic equivalent of net interest carry income on the underlying Agency
RMBS over the roll period (interest income less implied financing cost) and is commonly referred to as "dollar roll income."
Consequently, dollar roll transactions and such forward purchases of Agency RMBS represent a form of off-balance sheet financing
and increase our "at risk" leverage.
Under certain market conditions, TBA dollar roll transactions may result in negative carry income whereby the Agency
RMBS purchased for a forward settlement date under TBA contracts are priced at a premium to Agency RMBS for settlement in
the current month. Additionally, sales or declines in purchases of Agency RMBS by the Fed could adversely impact the dollar
roll market. Under such conditions, it may be uneconomical to roll our TBA positions prior to the settlement date and we could
have to take physical delivery of the underlying securities and settle our obligations for cash. We may not have sufficient funds
or alternative financing sources available to settle such obligations. In addition, pursuant to the margin provisions established by
the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division ("MBSD") of the FICC we are subject to margin calls on our TBA contracts. Further,
our prime brokerage agreements may require us to post additional margin above the levels established by the MBSD. Negative
carry income on TBA dollar roll transactions or failure to procure adequate financing to settle our obligations or meet margin calls
under our TBA contracts could result in defaults or force us to sell assets under adverse market conditions or through foreclosure
and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
Defaults by our repurchase agreement counterparties on their obligations to resell the underlying collateral back to us at the
end of the transaction term, declines in the value of our collateral, or defaults by us on our obligations under the transaction
could cause us to lose money on repurchase transactions.
When we engage in a repurchase transaction, we initially transfer securities to the financial institution under one of our
master repurchase agreements in exchange for cash, and our counterparty is obligated to resell such assets to us at the end of the
term of the transaction. The cash we receive when we initially sell the collateral is less than the value of that collateral and this
difference is referred to as the "haircut." As a result, we borrow a smaller amount than the collateral we initially sell in these
transactions, and increases in "haircuts" may require us to post additional collateral. The haircut rates under our master repurchase
agreements are not set until we engage in a specific repurchase transaction. If a counterparty defaults on an obligation to resell
collateral to us, we could incur a loss on the transaction equal to the amount of the haircut (assuming there was no change in the
value of the securities), which could adversely affect our earnings, and, thus, our cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
13
If we default on one of our obligations under a repurchase transaction the counterparty could terminate the transaction and
cease entering into other repurchase transactions with us. In that case, we would likely need to establish a replacement repurchase
facility with another financial institution to continue to leverage our investment portfolio and carry out our investment strategy.
We may not be able to secure a suitable replacement facility on acceptable terms or at all.
Further, financial institutions providing the repurchase agreements may require us to maintain a certain amount of cash or
to set aside non-leveraged assets sufficient to maintain a specified liquidity position which would allow us to satisfy our collateral
obligations should the fair value of our collateral decline. As a result, we may not be able to leverage our assets as fully as we
would otherwise choose, which could reduce our return on equity. If we are unable to meet these collateral obligations, our financial
condition could deteriorate rapidly and our counterparties could choose to cease entering into further repurchase transactions with
us.
Our rights under repurchase agreements are subject to the effects of bankruptcy laws in the event of our or our lender's
bankruptcy or insolvency.
In the event of our insolvency or bankruptcy, certain repurchase agreements may qualify for special treatment under the U.S.
Bankruptcy Code, the effect of which, among other things, would be to allow the lender under the applicable repurchase agreement
to avoid the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and to foreclose on the collateral without delay. In the event
of the insolvency or bankruptcy of a lender during the term of a repurchase agreement, the lender may be permitted, under applicable
insolvency laws, to repudiate the contract, and our claim against the lender for damages may be treated simply as an unsecured
creditor. In addition, if the lender is a broker or dealer subject to the Securities Investor Protection Act of 1970, or an insured
depository institution subject to the Federal Deposit Insurance Act, our ability to recover our assets under a repurchase agreement
or to be compensated for any damages resulting from the lender's insolvency may be further limited by those statutes. Recoveries
on these claims could be subject to significant delay and, if received, could be substantially less than the damages incurred.
Our use of derivative agreements may expose us to counterparty risk.
Certain hedging instruments, such as interest rate swaptions, are not traded on regulated exchanges or guaranteed by an
exchange or its clearinghouse and, consequently, there may not be the same level of protections with respect to margin requirements,
record keeping, segregation of customer funds and positions and other requirements designed to protect both us and our
counterparties. Furthermore, the enforceability of agreements underlying hedging transactions may depend on compliance with
applicable statutory, commodity and other regulatory requirements and, depending on the domicile of the counterparty, applicable
international requirements. Consequently, if a counterparty fails to perform under a derivative agreement we could incur a
significant loss.
Our investments are recorded at fair value, which may not be readily determinable or may be materially different from the
value that we ultimately realize upon their disposal.
We measure the fair value of our investments quarterly, in accordance with guidance set forth in Accounting Standards
Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures. Fair value is only an estimate based on good faith judgment
of the price at which an investment can be sold since market prices of investments can only be determined by negotiation between
a willing buyer and seller. Our determination of the fair value of our investments includes inputs provided by third-party dealers
and pricing services. Valuations of certain investments in which we invest may be difficult to obtain or unreliable. In general,
dealers and pricing services heavily disclaim their valuations and we do not have recourse against them due to liabilities and other
damages arising from inaccurate price quotes or other inputs used to determine the fair value of our investments. Depending on
the complexity and illiquidity of a security, valuations of the same security can vary substantially from one dealer or pricing service
to another. Moreover, fair value and estimates of fair value may fluctuate over short periods of time. For these reasons, the fair
value at which our investments are recorded may not be an indication of their realizable value. Furthermore, the ultimate realization
of the value of an asset depends on economic and other conditions that are beyond our control. Consequently, if we were to
liquidate an asset, particularly in a forced liquidation, the realized value may be less than the amount at which the asset is recorded,
which would negatively affect our results of operations and financial condition.
Investments in the common stock of other publicly traded mortgage REITs expose us to incremental risks and costs.
We may invest in other mortgage REITs that primarily invest in Agency securities, non-Agency securities, other mortgage
related instruments and/or real estate on a leveraged basis, utilizing short-term borrowings as their primary source of funding.
Such mortgage REITs are, therefore, exposed to similar risk factors as those described herein and other risks inherent to investment
strategies that they may pursue that diverge from our own. In addition, our investments in other mortgage REITs may expose us
to incremental risks and costs due to our lack of control, lack of transparency into their underlying investment portfolios and
business operations, stock market volatility and management fees, each of which could adversely affect our financial condition
and results of operations. Furthermore, with regard to investments in MTGE common stock, we may be unable to sell, or dispose
14
of, shares of MTGE common stock in a time frame that we may desire. We are subject to daily transaction volume limits established
under the SEC’s safe harbor provisions of Rule 10b-18. We may also be subject to "closed window" periods, during which we
are generally limited in the extent to which we can transact in MTGE common stock.
The Federal conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and related efforts, along with any changes in laws and
regulations affecting the relationship between these agencies and the U.S. Government, may adversely affect our business.
The payments of principal and interest we receive on our Agency RMBS are guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or
Ginnie Mae. The guarantees on Agency securities created by Ginnie Mae are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S.
Government, whereas the guarantees on Agency securities created by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are not.
The future roles of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could be significantly modified and the nature of their guarantee obligations
could be considerably limited relative to historical measurements. Any such changes to the nature of their guarantee obligations
could re-define what constitutes an Agency security and could have broad adverse implications for the market and our business,
operations and financial condition.
Future changes to Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac may create market uncertainty and may reduce the actual or perceived credit
quality of securities issued or guaranteed by these agencies. If the guarantee obligations of Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae were
repudiated by FHFA, payments of principal and/or interest to holders of Agency RMBS issued by Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae
would be reduced in the event of any borrower delinquencies or a servicer's failure to remit borrower payments to the trust and
trust administration and servicing fees could be paid from mortgage payments prior to distributions to holders of Agency RMBS.
Any actual direct compensatory damages owed due to the repudiation of Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae's guarantee obligations may
not be sufficient to offset any shortfalls experienced by holders of Agency RMBS.
As a result, such laws or changes could increase the risk of loss on our investments in Agency mortgage investments guaranteed
by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac or adversely impact the market for such securities and spreads at which they trade and could
materially and adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
There are conflicts of interest with other funds that we manage.
Through our wholly-owned subsidiary, MTGE Management, LLC, we manage MTGE, which is also a mortgage REIT that
invests in securities and instruments of the type invested by us. Although we have policies in place to seek to mitigate the effects
of conflicts of interest, including potential conflicts relating to the allocation of certain types of securities that meet our investment
objectives and those of MTGE, these policies will not eliminate the conflicts of interest that our officers and employees may face
in making investment decisions on behalf of us and MTGE. Furthermore, we do not have any agreement or understanding with
MTGE that would give us priority over it in opportunities to invest in overlapping investments. Accordingly, we may compete for
access to investments with MTGE.
Our executive officers and other key personnel are critical to our success and the loss of any executive officer or key employee
may materially adversely affect our business.
We operate in a highly specialized industry and our success is dependent upon the efforts, experience, diligence, skill and
network of business contacts of our executive officers and key personnel. The departure of any of our executive officers and/or
key personnel could have a material adverse effect on our operations and performance.
We rely on information technology in our operations, and any material failure, inadequacy, interruption or security failure of
that technology could disrupt our business and result in the loss of confidential information.
We rely on information technology networks and systems to process, transmit and store electronic information, and to
manage or support a variety of business processes. We purchase some of our information technology from third-party vendors
and rely on commercially available systems, software, tools and monitoring to provide security for the processing, transmission
and storage of confidential data. While we select third-party vendors carefully, we do not control their actions. Any problems
caused by these third parties, including those resulting from breakdowns or other disruptions in communication services, failure
to handle current or higher volumes, cyber-attacks and other security breaches could adversely affect our ability to conduct our
business.
While we employ measures to protect the security of our information systems and data, it is possible that these measures
will not prevent the systems’ improper functioning or damage, or the improper access or disclosure of information in the event of
cyber-attacks. In some cases, it may be difficult to anticipate or immediately detect a security breach and the damage caused. Any
failure to maintain proper function, security and availability of our information systems could interrupt our operations, damage
our reputation, subject us to liability claims or regulatory penalties and could have a materially adverse effect on our business,
financial condition and results of operations.
15
Risks Related to Our Taxation as a REIT
Our failure to qualify as a REIT would have adverse tax consequences.
We believe that we operate in a manner that allows us to qualify as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes under Sections
856 through 860 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, and Treasury Regulations promulgated thereunder (or the
Code). We plan to continue to meet the requirements for taxation as a REIT. The determination that we are a REIT requires an
analysis of various factual matters and circumstances that may not be totally within our control and our compliance with the annual
REIT income and quarterly asset requirements depends upon our ability to successfully manage the composition of our income
and assets on an ongoing basis. For example, to qualify as a REIT, at least 75% of our gross income must come from real estate
sources and 95% of our gross income must come from real estate sources and certain other sources that are itemized in the REIT
tax laws. Additionally, our ability to satisfy the REIT asset tests depends upon our analysis of the characterization and fair market
values of our assets, some of which are not susceptible to a precise determination, and for which we will not obtain independent
appraisals. Furthermore, the proper classification of an instrument as debt or equity for Federal income tax purposes may be
uncertain in some circumstances, which could affect the application of the REIT asset requirements. We are also required to
distribute to stockholders at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid
and by excluding any net capital gain).
If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any tax year, we would be subject to U.S. Federal and state corporate income tax on our
taxable income at regular corporate rates, and dividends paid to our stockholders would not be deductible by us in computing our
taxable income. Also, unless the IRS granted us relief under certain statutory provisions, we would remain disqualified as a REIT
for four years following the year we first fail to qualify. If we fail to qualify as a REIT, we would have to pay significant income
taxes and would, therefore, have less money available for investments or for distributions to our stockholders. This would likely
have a significant adverse effect on the value of our equity. In addition, the tax law would no longer require us to make distributions
to our stockholders.
If we should fail to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification, we may still qualify as a REIT if there is
reasonable cause for the failure and not due to willful neglect and other applicable requirements are met, including completion of
applicable IRS filings. It is not possible to state whether we would be entitled to the benefit of these relief provisions in all
circumstances. If these relief provisions are inapplicable, we will not qualify as a REIT. Furthermore, if we satisfy the relief
provisions and maintain our qualification as a REIT, we may be still subject to a penalty tax. The amount of the penalty tax will
be at least $50,000 per failure, and, in the case of certain asset test failures, will be determined as the amount of net income
generated by the assets in question multiplied by the highest U.S. Federal corporate tax rate in effect at the time of the failure if
that amount exceeds $50,000 per failure, and, in case of income test failures, will be a 100% tax on an amount based on the
magnitude of the failure, as adjusted to reflect the profit margin associated with our gross income.
New legislation or administrative or judicial action, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more
difficult or impossible for us to remain qualified as a REIT or it could otherwise adversely affect REITs and their stockholders.
The present Federal income tax treatment of REITs may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial
or administrative action at any time, which could affect the Federal income tax treatment of an investment in us. The Federal
income tax rules dealing with REITs constantly are under review by persons involved in the legislative process, the IRS and the
U.S. Treasury Department, which results in statutory changes as well as frequent revisions to regulations and interpretations.
The recently enacted TCJA makes substantial changes to the Internal Revenue Code. Among those changes are a significant
permanent reduction in the generally applicable corporate tax rate, a temporary reduction in the highest marginal income tax rate
applicable to individuals subject to a "sunset" provision, the elimination or modification of various currently allowed deductions
(including substantial limitations on the deductibility of interest), certain additional limitations on the deduction of net operating
losses, and preferential rates of taxation on most ordinary REIT dividends and certain business income derived by non-corporate
taxpayers in comparison to other ordinary income recognized by such taxpayers. The effect of these, and the many other, changes
made in the TCJA is highly uncertain, both in terms of their direct effect on the taxation of an investment in our common stock
and their indirect effect on the value of our assets or shares of our common stock or market conditions generally. Furthermore,
many of the provisions of the TCJA will require guidance through the issuance of Treasury regulations in order to assess their
effect. There may be a substantial delay before such regulations are promulgated, increasing the uncertainty as to the ultimate
effect of the statutory amendments on us. There may also be technical corrections legislation proposed with respect to the TCJA,
the effect and timing of which cannot be predicted and which may be adverse to us or our stockholders.
Revisions in Federal tax laws and interpretations thereof could affect or cause us to change our investments and affect the
tax considerations of an investment in us.
16
REIT distribution requirements could adversely affect our ability to execute our business plan.
We generally must distribute annually at least 90% of our taxable income, subject to certain adjustments and excluding any
net capital gain, for U.S. Federal and state corporate income tax not to apply to earnings that we distribute. Distributions of our
taxable income must generally occur in the taxable year to which they relate, or in the following taxable year if declared before
we timely file our tax return for the year and if paid with or before the first regular dividend payment after such declaration. We
may also elect to retain, rather than distribute, our net long-term capital gains and pay tax on such gains if required, in which case,
we could elect for our stockholders to include their proportionate share of such undistributed long-term capital gains in income,
and to receive a corresponding credit for their share of the tax that we paid. Our stockholders would then increase the adjusted
basis of their stock by the difference between (a) the amounts of capital gain dividends that we designated and that they include
in their taxable income, minus (b) the tax that we paid on their behalf with respect to that income. We intend to make distributions
to our stockholders to comply with the REIT qualification requirements of the Internal Revenue Code.
To the extent that we satisfy this distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be
subject to U.S. Federal and state corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income. Furthermore, if we should fail to
distribute during each calendar year at least the sum of (a) 85% of our REIT ordinary income for such year, (b) 95% of our REIT
capital gain net income for such year, and (c) any undistributed taxable income from prior periods, we would be subject to a non-
deductible 4% excise tax on the excess of such required distribution over the sum of (x) the amounts actually distributed, (y) the
amounts of income we retained and on which we have paid corporate income tax and (z) any excess distributions from prior
periods.
From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our income for financial reporting purposes prepared in
accordance with GAAP, or differences in timing between the recognition of taxable income and the actual receipt of cash, or the
deductibility of expenses and the actual payment of cash in respect of those expenses, may occur. For example, if we purchase
mortgage securities at issuance with a discount, we are generally required to accrete the discount into taxable income prior to
receiving the cash proceeds. In addition, we generally will be required to take certain amounts into income no later than the time
such amounts are reflected on certain financial statements. The application of this rule may require the accrual of, among other
categories of income, income with respect to certain debt instruments or mortgage-backed securities, such as original issue discount
or market discount, earlier than would be the case under the general tax rules, although the precise application of this rule is unclear
at this time. This rule generally will be effective for tax years beginning after December 31, 2017 or, for debt instruments or
mortgage-backed securities issued with original issue discount, for tax years beginning after December 31, 2018. Moreoever, we
are not allowed to reduce our taxable income for a net capital loss incurred; instead, the net capital loss may be carried forward
for a period of up to five years and applied against future capital gains subject to our ability to generate sufficient capital gains,
which cannot be assured. If we do not have funds available in these situations, we could be required to borrow funds on unfavorable
terms, sell investments at disadvantageous prices or distribute amounts that would otherwise be invested in future acquisitions to
make distributions sufficient to maintain our qualification as a REIT or avoid corporate income tax and the 4% annual excise tax.
These alternatives could increase our costs and reduce our stockholders' equity. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements
may hinder our ability to grow, which could adversely affect the value of our common stock.
We may in the future choose to pay dividends in our own stock, in which case stockholders may be required to pay income
taxes in excess of cash dividends received.
We may in the future distribute taxable dividends that are payable in cash and shares of our common stock at the election
of each stockholder. Taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend as
ordinary income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. Federal income tax purposes. As a
result, stockholders may be required to pay income taxes with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash dividends received.
If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock that it receives as a dividend to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount
included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore,
with respect to certain non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including
in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders
determine to sell shares of our common stock to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price
of our common stock.
Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our cash flow.
Even if we remain qualified for taxation as a REIT, we may nonetheless be subject to certain Federal, state and local taxes
on our income and assets, including, but not limited to, the following items. Any of these or other taxes we may incur would
decrease cash available for distribution to our stockholders.
•
Regular U.S. Federal and state corporate income taxes on any undistributed taxable income, including undistributed
net capital gains.
17
•
•
•
•
•
•
A non-deductible 4% excise tax if the actual amount distributed to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a
minimum amount specified under Federal tax laws.
Corporate income taxes on the earnings of subsidiaries, to the extent that such subsidiaries are subchapter C
corporations and are not qualified REIT subsidiaries or other disregarded entity for Federal income tax purposes.
A 100% tax on certain transactions between us and our TRSs that do not reflect arm's-length terms.
If we acquire appreciated assets from a corporation that is not a REIT (i.e., a corporation taxable under subchapter
C of the Internal Revenue Code) in a transaction in which the adjusted tax basis of the assets in our hands is determined
by reference to the adjusted tax basis of the assets in the hands of the subchapter C corporation, we may be subject
to tax on such appreciation at the highest corporate income tax rate then applicable if we subsequently recognize a
gain on a disposition of any such assets during the five-year period following their acquisition from the subchapter
C corporation.
A 100% tax on net income and gains from "prohibited transactions"
Penalty taxes and other fines for failure to satisfy one or more requirements for REIT qualification.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forgo otherwise attractive opportunities.
To remain qualified as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other
things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts that we distribute to our stockholders
and the ownership of our stock. We may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we
do not have funds readily available for distribution, and may be unable to pursue investments that would be otherwise advantageous
to us to remain qualified as a REIT. Thus, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to make and, in certain
cases, to maintain ownership of, certain attractive investments.
Complying with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
To remain qualified as a REIT, we must ensure that, at the end of each calendar quarter, at least 75% of the value of our
assets consists of cash, cash items, government securities and qualified real estate assets. The remainder of our investments in
securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the
outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer.
In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate
assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 20% of the value of our total assets can be represented by
securities of one or more TRSs. If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct
the failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter or qualify for certain statutory relief provisions to avoid losing our
REIT qualification and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, we may be required sell otherwise attractive investments
from our investment portfolio. These actions could have the effect of reducing our income and amounts available for distribution
to our stockholders.
The failure of assets subject to repurchase agreements to qualify as real estate assets could adversely affect our ability to remain
qualified as a REIT.
We enter into financing arrangements that are structured as sale and repurchase agreements pursuant to which we nominally
sell assets to a counterparty and simultaneously enter into an agreement to repurchase these assets at a later date in exchange for
a purchase price. Economically, these agreements are financings that are secured by the assets sold pursuant thereto. We believe
that we would be treated for REIT asset and income test purposes as the owner of the assets that are the subject of any such sale
and repurchase agreement notwithstanding that such agreement may transfer record ownership of the assets to the counterparty
during the term of the agreement. It is possible, however, that the IRS could assert that we did not own the assets during the term
of the sale and repurchase agreement, in which case we could fail to remain qualified as a REIT.
Liquidation of assets may jeopardize our REIT qualification or create additional tax liability for us.
To remain qualified as a REIT, we must comply with requirements regarding the composition of our assets and our sources
of income. If we are compelled to liquidate our investments to repay obligations to our lenders, we may be unable to comply with
these requirements, ultimately jeopardizing our qualification as a REIT, or we may be subject to a 100% tax on any resultant gain
if we sell assets that are treated as dealer property or inventory.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively and may cause us to incur tax liabilities.
The REIT provisions of the Internal Revenue Code could substantially limit our ability to hedge our liabilities. Any income
from a properly designated hedging transaction to manage risk of interest rate changes with respect to borrowings made or to be
made, or ordinary obligations incurred or to be incurred, to acquire or carry real estate assets generally does not constitute "gross
18
income" for purposes of the 75% or 95% gross income tests. To the extent that we enter into other types of hedging transactions,
the income from those transactions is likely to be treated as non-qualifying income for purposes of both gross income tests. As
such, we may have to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques or implement those hedges through our TRS. This could
increase the cost of our hedging activities as our TRS would be subject to tax on gains, or expose us to greater risks associated
with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise want to bear. In addition, losses in our TRS will generally not provide any
tax benefit, except for being carried forward against future taxable income in the TRS.
Uncertainty exists with respect to the treatment of our TBAs for purposes of the REIT asset and income tests.
There is no direct authority with respect to the qualification of TBAs as real estate assets or U.S. Government securities for
purposes of the 75% asset test or the qualification of income or gains from dispositions of TBAs as gains from the sale of real
property or other qualifying income for purposes of the 75% gross income test. However, we treat our TBAs as qualifying assets
for purposes of the REIT 75% asset test, and we treat income and gains from our TBAs as qualifying income for purposes of the
75% gross income test, based on an opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP substantially to the effect that (i) for
purposes of the REIT asset tests, our ownership of a TBA should be treated as ownership of the underlying Agency RMBS, and
(ii) for purposes of the 75% REIT gross income test, any gain recognized by us in connection with the settlement of our TBAs
should be treated as gain from the sale or disposition of the underlying Agency RMBS. Opinions of counsel are not binding on
the IRS, and no assurance can be given that the IRS will not successfully challenge the conclusions set forth in such opinions. In
addition, it must be emphasized that the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is based on various assumptions
relating to our TBAs and is conditioned upon fact-based representations and covenants made by our management regarding our
TBAs. No assurance can be given that the IRS would not assert that such assets or income are not qualifying assets or income.
If the IRS were to successfully challenge the opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, we could be subject to a
penalty tax or we could fail to remain qualified as a REIT if a sufficient portion of our assets consists of TBAs or a sufficient
portion of our income consists of income or gains from the disposition of TBAs.
Qualifying as a REIT involves highly technical and complex provisions of the Internal Revenue Code.
Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code provisions for
which only limited judicial and administrative authorities exist. Even a technical or inadvertent violation could jeopardize our
REIT qualification. Our qualification as a REIT depends on our satisfaction of certain asset, income, organizational, distribution,
stockholder ownership and other requirements on a continuing basis. In addition, our ability to satisfy the requirements to remain
qualified as a REIT depends in part on the actions of third parties over which we have no control or only limited influence, including
cases where we own an equity interest in an entity that is classified as a partnership for Federal income tax purposes.
The tax on prohibited transactions could limit our ability to engage in certain transactions.
Net income that we derive from a prohibited transaction is subject to a 100% tax. The term "prohibited transaction" generally
includes a sale or other disposition of property that is held primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or
business by us or by a borrower that has issued a shared appreciation mortgage or similar debt instrument to us. We could be
subject to this tax if we were to dispose of or structure CMOs in a manner that was treated as a prohibited transaction for Federal
income tax purposes.
We intend to conduct our operations so that no asset that we own (or are treated as owning) at the REIT level will be treated
as, or as having been, held for sale to customers, and that a sale of any such asset will not be treated as having been in the ordinary
course of our business. As a result, we may choose not to engage in certain transactions at the REIT level that might otherwise
be beneficial to us. In addition, whether property is held "primarily for sale to customers in the ordinary course of a trade or
business" depends on the particular facts and circumstances. No assurance can be given that any property that we sell will not be
treated as property held for sale to customers, or that we can comply with certain safe-harbor provisions of the Internal Revenue
Code that would prevent such treatment. The 100% tax does not apply to gains from the sale of property that is held through a
TRS or other taxable corporation, although such income will be subject to tax in the hands of the corporation at regular corporate
rates. We intend to structure our activities to avoid prohibited transaction characterization.
Distributions to tax-exempt investors, or gains on sale of our common stock by tax-exempt investors, may be classified
as unrelated business taxable income.
Distributions with respect to our common stock and gains from the sale of our common stock should generally not constitute
unrelated business taxable income to a tax-exempt investor. However, there are certain exceptions to this rule. For example, if (i)
all or a portion of our assets are subject to the rules relating to "taxable mortgage pools" or we hold residual interests in a real
estate mortgage investment conduit (or "REMIC"); (ii) we are a "pension held REIT;" (iii) a tax-exempt stockholder has incurred
debt to purchase or hold our common stock; or (iv) a tax-exempt stockholder is classified as a social club, voluntary employee
benefit association, supplemental unemployment benefit trust or a qualified group legal services plan, then a portion of our
19
distributions to tax-exempt stockholders and, in the case of stockholders described in clauses (iii) and (iv), gains realized on the
sale of our common stock by tax-exempt stockholders may be subject to U.S. Federal income tax as unrelated business taxable
income under the Internal Revenue Code.
Our inability to deduct for tax purposes compensation paid to our executives could require us to increase our distributions to
stockholders or pay entity level taxes in order to maintain REIT status.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code prohibits publicly held corporations from taking a tax deduction for annual
compensation in excess of $1 million paid to any of the corporation’s “covered employees.” Prior to the enactment of the TCJA,
a publicly held corporation’s covered employees included its chief executive officer and the three other most highly compensated
executive officers (other than the chief financial officer), and certain performance-based compensation” was excluded from the
$1 million cap. The TCJA made certain changes to Section 162(m), effective for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017.
These changes include, among others, expanding the definition of “covered employee” to include the chief financial officer and
repealing the performance-based compensation exception to the $1 million cap, subject to certain transition rules. The TCJA also
added that once an individual becomes a covered employee after December 31, 2016, that individual will remain a covered
employee for all future years including after termination or death. Since we qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code
and we are generally not subject to Federal income taxes, if compensation did not qualify for deduction under Section 162(m),
the payment of compensation that fails to satisfy the requirements of Section 162(m) would not have a material adverse consequence
to us, provided we continue to distribute 100% of our taxable income. In the future, if we make compensation payments subject
to Section 162(m) limitations on deductibility, we may be required to make additional distributions to shareholders or pay entity
level tax to comply with REIT requirements.
Risks Related to Our Business Structure
Loss of our exemption from regulation pursuant to the Investment Company Act would adversely affect us.
We conduct our business so as not to become regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act in
reliance on the exemption provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the Investment Company Act. Section 3(c)(5)(C), as interpreted by
the staff of the SEC, requires that: (i) at least 55% of our investment portfolio consists of "mortgages and other liens on and interest
in real estate," or "qualifying real estate interests," and (ii) at least 80% of our investment portfolio consists of qualifying real
estate interests plus "real estate-related assets."
The specific real estate related assets that we acquire are limited by the provisions of the Investment Company Act and the
rules and regulations promulgated thereunder. In satisfying the 55% requirement, we treat Agency RMBS issued with respect to
an underlying pool of mortgage loans in which we hold all the certificates issued by the pool ("whole pool" securities) as qualifying
real estate interests based on pronouncements of the SEC staff. We treat partial pool securities, CRT and other mortgage related
securities as real estate-related assets. If the SEC determines that any of these securities are not qualifying interests in real estate
or real estate-related assets, adopts a contrary interpretation with respect to these securities or otherwise believes we do not satisfy
the above exceptions or changes its interpretation of the above exceptions, we could be required to restructure our activities or
sell certain of our assets. Our compliance with these requirements may at times lead us to adopt less efficient methods of financing
certain of our investments, and we may be precluded from acquiring higher yielding securities. Importantly, if we fail to qualify
for this exemption, our ability to use leverage would be substantially reduced and we would be unable to conduct our business as
we currently conduct it, which could materially and adversely affect our business.
Risks Related to Our Common Stock
The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be volatile.
The market price and trading volume of our common stock may be highly volatile and subject to wide fluctuations. Price
variations may be unrelated to our operating performance. If the market price of our common stock declines significantly,
stockholders may be unable to resell shares at a gain. Further, fluctuations in the trading price of our common stock may adversely
affect the liquidity of the trading market for our common stock and our ability to raise additional equity capital
Some of the factors that could negatively affect our share price or result in fluctuations in the price or trading volume of our
common stock include:
•
•
•
•
actual or anticipated variations in our quarterly operating results or distributions;
changes in our earnings estimates or publication of research reports about us or the real estate or specialty finance
industry;
increases in market interest rates that lead purchasers of our shares of common stock to demand a higher yield;
changes in market valuations of similar companies;
20
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
adverse market reaction to any increased indebtedness we incur in the future;
issuance of additional equity securities;
our repurchases of shares of our common stock;
actions by institutional stockholders;
additions or departures of key management personnel;
speculation in the press or investment community;
price and volume fluctuations in the stock market from time to time, which are often unrelated to our operating
performance;
changes in regulatory policies, tax laws and financial accounting and reporting standards, particularly with respect
to REITs, or applicable exemptions from the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended;
actual or anticipated changes in our dividend policy and earnings or variations in operating results;
any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by securities analysts;
decreases in our net book value per share;
loss of major repurchase agreement providers; and
general market and economic conditions.
In addition, the price of our common stock may be below our reported net book value per common share. We cannot assure
you that the market price of our common stock will not fluctuate or decline significantly in the future.
Future offerings of debt securities, which would rank senior to our common and preferred upon our liquidation, and future
offerings of equity securities, which would dilute our existing stockholders and may be senior to our common stock for the
purposes of dividend and liquidating distributions, may adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
In the future, we may raise capital through the issuance of debt or equity securities. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt
securities, if any, preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings will be entitled to our available assets prior to the
holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the
market price of our common stock, or both. Our preferred stock has a preference on liquidating distributions and a preference on
dividend payments that could limit our ability to pay dividends to the holders of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts
of our common stock, or the perception that these sales could occur, could have a material adverse effect on the price of our
common stock. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions
and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus,
holders of our common stock bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting the
value of their stock holdings in us.
Future sales of shares of our common stock may depress the price of our shares.
We cannot predict the effect, if any, of future sales of our common stock or the availability of shares for future sales on the
market price of our common stock. Any sales of a substantial number of our shares in the public market, or the perception that
sales might occur, may cause the market price of our shares to decline.
We have not established a minimum dividend payment level and we cannot assure you of our ability to pay dividends in the
future.
We intend to pay monthly dividends to our common stockholders in an amount that all or substantially all our taxable income
is distributed within the limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code. However, we have not established a minimum dividend
payment level and the amount of our dividend may fluctuate. Our ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected by the risk
factors described herein. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend on our earnings
and financial condition, the requirements for REIT qualification and such other factors as our Board of Directors deems relevant
from time to time. We may not be able to make distributions in the future or our Board of Directors may change our dividend
policy. In addition, some of our distributions may include a return of capital. To the extent that we decide to pay dividends in
excess of our current and accumulated tax earnings and profits, such distributions would generally be considered a return of capital
for Federal income tax purposes. A return of capital reduces the cost basis of a stockholder's investment in our common stock to
the extent of such basis and is treated as capital gain thereafter.
21
An increase in market interest rates may cause a material decrease in our net book value and the market price of our common
stock.
Market interest rate fluctuations and capital market conditions can have a significant adverse effect on our net book value
and the market price of our common stock. For instance, rising interest rates would result in increased interest expense on our
variable rate debt, thereby reducing cash flow and our ability to service our indebtedness and pay distributions. In addition, if
market interest rates rise without an increase in our distribution rate, the market price of our common stock could decrease as
potential investors may require a higher distribution yield on our common stock or seek other investments paying higher distributions
or interest.
The stock ownership limit imposed by the Internal Revenue Code for REITs and our amended and restated certificate of
incorporation may restrict our business combination opportunities.
To qualify as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code, not more than 50% of our outstanding stock may be owned, directly
or indirectly, by five or fewer individuals (as defined in the Internal Revenue Code to include certain entities) at any time during
the last half of each taxable year in which we qualify as a REIT. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, with
certain exceptions, authorizes our Board of Directors to take the actions that are necessary and desirable to qualify as a REIT.
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, no person may beneficially or constructively own more than
9.8% in value or in number of shares, whichever is more restrictive, of our common or capital stock.
Our Board of Directors may grant an exemption from this 9.8% stock ownership limitation, in its sole discretion, subject to
such conditions, representations and undertakings as it may determine are reasonably necessary. Pursuant to our amended and
restated certificate of incorporation, our Board of Directors has the power to increase or decrease the percentage of common or
capital stock that a person may beneficially or constructively own. However, any decreased stock ownership limit will not apply
to any person whose percentage ownership of our common or capital stock is in excess of such decreased stock ownership limit
until that person's percentage ownership of our common or capital stock equals or falls below the decreased stock ownership limit.
Until such a person's percentage ownership of our common or capital stock falls below such decreased stock ownership limit, any
further acquisition of our common or capital stock will be in violation of the decreased stock ownership limit.
The ownership limits imposed by the tax law are based upon direct or indirect ownership by "individuals," but only during
the last half of a tax year. The ownership limits contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation apply to the
ownership at any time by any "person," which term includes entities. Any attempt to own or transfer shares of our common stock
or capital stock in violation of these restrictions may result in the shares being transferred to a charitable trust or may be void.
These ownership limitations are intended to assist us in complying with the tax law requirements, and to minimize administrative
burdens. However, these ownership limits might also delay or prevent a transaction or a change in our control that might involve
a premium price for our common stock or otherwise be in the best interest of our stockholders.
The stock ownership limitation contained in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation generally does not permit
ownership in excess of 9.8% of our common or capital stock, and attempts to acquire our common or capital stock in excess
of these limits will be ineffective unless an exemption is granted by our Board of Directors.
As described above, our amended and restated certificate of incorporation generally prohibits beneficial or constructive
ownership by any person of more than 9.8% (by value or by number of shares, whichever is more restrictive) of our common or
capital stock, unless exempted by our Board of Directors. Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation's constructive
ownership rules are complex and may cause the outstanding stock owned by a group of related individuals or entities to be deemed
to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of less than these percentages of the outstanding
stock by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity to own constructively in excess of these percentages of the
outstanding stock and thus be subject to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation's ownership limit. Any attempt to
own or transfer shares of our common or preferred stock in excess of the ownership limit without the consent of the Board of
Directors will result in the shares being automatically transferred to a charitable trust or, if the transfer to a charitable trust would
not be effective, such transfer being treated as invalid from the outset.
Anti-takeover provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws could discourage a change of
control that our stockholders may favor, which could also adversely affect the market price of our common stock.
Provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may make it more difficult and expensive
for a third-party to acquire control of us, even if a change of control would be beneficial to our stockholders. We could issue a
series of preferred stock to impede the completion of a merger, tender offer or other takeover attempt. The anti-takeover provisions
in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws may impede takeover attempts, or other transactions, that may
be in the best interests of our stockholders and, in particular, common stockholders. In addition, the market price of our common
22
stock could be adversely affected to the extent that provisions of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws
discourage potential takeover attempts, or other transactions, that our stockholders may favor.
Item 1B. Unresolved Staff Comments
None.
Item 2. Properties
We do not own any property. Our executive offices are in Bethesda, Maryland.
Item 3. Legal Proceedings
AGNC is named as a nominal defendant in three stockholder derivative lawsuits filed against the Company and certain of
our current and former directors and officers. One case, H&N Management Group and AFF Cos. Frozen Money Purchase Plan
v. Couch, et al., (the “Delaware Action”) was filed in the Chancery Court of the State of Delaware on October 21, 2016, and an
amended complaint was filed on December 12, 2016. The other two cases, Clem v. Kain, et al., and Wall v. Kain, et al., were filed
in the U.S. District Court in the District of Maryland on September 21, 2016 and September 30, 2016, respectively, and were
consolidated on October 25, 2016, under the name In re American Capital Agency Stockholder Derivative Litigation, (collectively,
the “Maryland Action” and collectively, with the Delaware Action, the “Derivative Lawsuits”). An amended complaint in the
Maryland Action was filed on December 23, 2016.
The amended complaint in the Delaware Action alleges breach of fiduciary duty and corporate waste by certain of our
current and former directors and officers relating to decisions not to terminate our management agreement with our former external
Manager and the internalization of our management through the acquisition of AMM, which was completed on July 1, 2016. The
amended complaint in the Maryland Action alleges breach of fiduciary duties against the same individuals related to substantially
the same events. In addition, the Maryland Action alleges violations of Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended, due to purported omissions from our proxy statements in 2014, 2015 and 2016 and aiding and abetting by ACAM. The
plaintiffs in the Derivative Lawsuits demand an unspecified amount of damages, pre-judgment and post-judgment interest,
restitution from the individual defendants, attorneys’ fees and other costs, and further relief as the Court deems just and proper.
The plaintiffs in the Maryland Action also seek a directive that the Company and the individual defendants take certain actions
with respect to our corporate governance and procedures. A motion to dismiss the Delaware Action was denied on August 1, 2017,
and the Delaware Action is currently in the discovery phase. A motion to dismiss the Maryland Action was filed on September
30, 2017 and is currently pending. We believe the claims in the Derivative Lawsuits lack merit, and we expect that the defendants
will vigorously defend these cases. See also "Loss Contingencies" in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included
under Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
23
PART II
Item 5. Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
Quarterly Stock Prices and Dividend Declarations
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "AGNC." As of January 31, 2018, we
had 1,100 stockholders of record. Most of the shares of our common stock are held by brokers and other institutions on behalf of
stockholders.
The following table sets forth the range of high and low sales prices of our common stock as reported on the Nasdaq Global
Select Market and dividends declared on our common stock for fiscal years 2017 and 2016:
Fiscal Year 2017
Fourth Quarter ............................. $
Third Quarter ............................... $
Second Quarter ............................ $
First Quarter................................. $
Fiscal Year 2016
Fourth Quarter ............................. $
Third Quarter ............................... $
Second Quarter ............................ $
First Quarter................................. $
Common Stock
Sales Prices
High
Low
Dividends
Declared 1
21.90 $
21.94 $
22.34 $
20.02 $
20.43 $
20.10 $
19.85 $
18.80 $
19.26
20.76
19.57
18.10
17.30
18.88
18.00
15.69
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.54
0.54
0.54
0.54
0.54
0.56
0.60
0.60
________________________________
1. Represents the sum of monthly dividends declared during each period presented.
We intend to pay dividends on a monthly basis to our common stockholders and to continue to qualify for the tax benefits
accorded to a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. We have not established a minimum dividend payment level and our ability
to pay dividends may be adversely affected for the reasons described under the caption "Risk Factors."
Additionally, holders of depositary shares underlying our 7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series
B Preferred Stock") and our 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred
Stock") are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends before holders of our common stock are entitled to receive any dividends.
Holders of depository shares underlying our Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate
of 7.750% per annum of their aggregate liquidation preference of $175 million. Holders of depositary shares underlying our Series
C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 7.00% per annum up to, and including, October
14, 2022 and thereafter at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.111% per annum of their aggregate
liquidation preference of $325 million. All distributions to stockholders will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors
and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of our REIT status and other factors as our Board of Directors
may deem relevant from time to time.
The following table summarizes the tax characterization of dividends declared on our common stock for fiscal years 2017
and 2016:
Dividends
Declared Per
Share of
Common Stock
Ordinary
Income Per
Share
Qualified
Dividends
Long-Term
Capital Gains Per
Share
Non-Dividend
Distributions 3
Tax Characterization
Fiscal Year 2017 1...................
Fiscal Year 2016 2...................
$
$
2.16
2.12
$
$
0.813744
1.689674
$
$
— $
— $
— $
— $
1.346256
0.430326
________________________________
1.
2.
Includes dividends declared during the 12-month period ended November 30, 2017. The dividend of $0.18 per common share declared on December
12, 2017, which was paid on January 9, 2018, will be reported to stockholders as a fiscal year 2018 distribution for Federal income tax purposes.
Includes dividends declared during the 11-month period ended November 30, 2016.
24
3.
Also referred to as a "return of capital." Represents dividends paid in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profit, or "E&P," which is
a tax-based measure calculated by making adjustments to taxable income for items that are treated differently for E&P purposes, such as utilization of
net capital loss carryforwards. A return of capital reduces the basis of a stockholder's investment in our common stock to the extent of such basis and
is treated as capital gain thereafter.
Our stock transfer agent and registrar is Computershare Investor Services. Requests for information from Computershare
can be sent to Computershare Investor Services, P.O. Box 43078, Providence, RI 02940-3078 and their telephone number is
1-800-733-5001.
Equity Compensation Plan Information
The following table summarizes information, as of December 31, 2017, concerning shares of our common stock authorized
for issuance under our equity compensation plans, pursuant to which grants of equity-based awards, namely restricted stock units
("RSUs"), may be granted from time to time. See "Item 8. Financial Statements" for a description of our equity compensation
plans.
Plan Category
Number of securities
to be issued upon
exercise of
outstanding options,
warrants
and rights 1
Weighted average
exercise price of
outstanding
options, warrants
and rights
Number of securities
remaining available for
future issuance under
equity compensation plans
(excluding securities
reflected in the first
column of this table) 2
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders ...................
901,065
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders .............
—
Total
________________________________
901,065
$
$
—
—
—
9,097,050
—
9,097,050
1.
2.
Includes (i) unvested time and performance-based RSU awards (unvested performance-based awards assume the maximum payout under the terms of
the award); (ii) outstanding previously vested awards, if distribution of such awards has been deferred beyond the vesting date; and (iii) accrued dividend
equivalent units on items (i) and (ii) through December 31, 2017.
Available shares are reduced by items (i), (ii) and (iii) noted above and by shares issued for vested RSU awards, net of units withheld to cover minimum
statutory tax withholding requirements paid by us in cash on behalf of the employee.
Performance Graph
The following graph and table compare a stockholder's cumulative total return, assuming $100 invested at December 31,
2012, with the reinvestment of all dividends, as if such amounts had been invested in: (i) our common stock; (ii) the stocks included
in the Standard & Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500"); (iii) the stocks included in the FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REIT Index;
(iv) an index of selected issuers in our peer group, composed of Annaly Capital Management, Inc., Anworth Mortgage Asset
Corporation, Capstead Mortgage Corporation, CYS Investments, Inc. and Armour Residential REIT, Inc. (collectively, the "Agency
REIT Peer Group").
25
COMPARISON OF 5 YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
Among AGNC Investment Corp., The S&P 500 Index,
The FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REITs Index, and Agency REIT Peer Group
250
200
150
100
50
0
12/31/12
12/31/13
12/31/14
12/31/15
12/31/16
12/31/17
AGNC Investment Corp.
S&P 500
FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REITs
Agency REIT Peer group
________________________________
*
$100 invested on 12/31/12 in stock or index, including reinvestment of dividends.
Fiscal year ending December 31.
Copyright © 2018 S&P, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies Inc. All rights reserved.
AGNC Investment Corp...............................................................................................
S&P 500........................................................................................................................
FTSE NAREIT Mortgage REITs .................................................................................
Agency REIT Peer Group 1 ..........................................................................................
________________________________
December 31,
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
$
$
$
$
130.13
208.14
154.98
140.94
$
$
$
$
105.20
170.84
129.38
110.96
$
$
$
$
89.01
152.59
105.31
92.20
$
$
$
$
98.78
150.51
115.57
97.13
$
$
$
$
77.68
132.39
98.04
80.59
1.
Agency REIT Peer Group annual return is calculated on a weighted basis by market cap at the end of the previous year.
The information in the share performance graph and table has been obtained from sources believed to be reliable, but neither
its accuracy nor its completeness can be guaranteed. The historical information set forth above is not necessarily indicative of
future performance. Accordingly, we do not make or endorse any predictions as to future share performance.
26
Item 6. Selected Financial Data
The following selected financial data is derived from our audited financial statements for the five years ended December 31,
2017. The selected financial data should be read in conjunction with the more detailed information contained in Item 8. Financial
Statements and Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations included in this
Annual Report on Form 10-K.
($ in millions, except per share amounts)
Balance Sheet Data
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Investment securities, at fair value ...................................................................
$ 57,080
$ 46,499
$ 52,473
$ 56,748
$ 65,941
Total assets........................................................................................................
$ 70,376
$ 56,880
$ 57,021
$ 67,766
$ 76,255
Repurchase agreements and other debt ............................................................
$ 50,653
$ 41,355
$ 46,102
$ 51,057
$ 64,443
Total liabilities ..................................................................................................
$ 61,622
$ 49,524
$ 49,050
$ 58,338
$ 67,558
Total stockholders' equity .................................................................................
Net book value per common share 1.................................................................
Tangible net book value per common share 2...................................................
$
$
$
8,754
21.09
19.69
$
$
$
7,356
21.17
19.50
$
$
$
$
7,971
22.59
N/A
9,428
25.74
N/A
$
$
8,697
23.93
N/A
Statement of Comprehensive Income Data
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Interest income.................................................................................................................
$
1,293
$
1,321
$
1,466
$
1,472
$
2,193
Fiscal Year
Interest expense................................................................................................................
Net interest income ..........................................................................................................
Other gain (loss), net........................................................................................................
Operating expenses ..........................................................................................................
Income (loss) before income tax......................................................................................
Provision for income tax, net ...........................................................................................
Net income (loss) .............................................................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock.............................................................................................
Issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock.....................................................................
Net income available to common stockholders ...............................................................
Net income (loss) .............................................................................................................
Other comprehensive income (loss).................................................................................
Comprehensive income (loss)..........................................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock.............................................................................................
Issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock.....................................................................
524
769
72
70
771
—
771
32
6
733
771
52
823
32
6
$
$
394
927
(199)
105
623
—
623
28
—
595
623
(331)
292
28
—
$
$
$
$
330
1,136
372
1,100
(782)
(1,192)
536
1,657
(217)
168
1,272
13
1,259
14
—
141
(233)
—
(233)
23
—
$
$
(256) $
1,245
(233) $
1,259
1,813
1,580
23
—
(2,938)
(1,679)
14
—
139
215
—
215
28
—
187
215
(496)
(281)
28
—
Comprehensive income (loss) available (attributable) to common stockholders ............
$
785
$
264
$
(309) $
1,557
$ (1,693)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic ..................................
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted ...............................
Net income per common share - basic and diluted ..........................................................
Comprehensive income per common share - basic and diluted.......................................
Dividends declared per common share ............................................................................
358.6
358.7
2.04
2.19
2.16
$
$
$
331.9
331.9
1.79
0.80
2.30
$
$
$
348.6
348.6
353.3
353.3
$
$
$
0.54
$
(0.72) $
(0.89) $
2.48
$
4.41
2.61
$
$
379.1
379.1
3.28
(4.47)
3.75
27
Other Data (unaudited) *
2017
2016
2015
2014
2013
Fiscal Year
Average investment securities - at par .............................................................................
Average investment securities - at cost ............................................................................
Net TBA dollar roll position - at par (as of period end)...................................................
Net TBA dollar roll position - at cost (as of period end) .................................................
Net TBA dollar roll position - at market value (as of period end) ...................................
Net TBA dollar roll position - at carrying value (as of period end) 3 ..............................
Average net TBA portfolio - at cost .................................................................................
Average total assets - at fair value ...................................................................................
Average Agency repurchase agreements and other debt outstanding 4............................
Average stockholders' equity 5 .........................................................................................
Average "at risk" leverage 6 .............................................................................................
Average tangible net book value "at risk" leverage 7.......................................................
"At risk" leverage (as of period end) 8.............................................................................
Tangible net book value "at risk" leverage (as of period end) 7 ......................................
Economic return on common equity 9 .............................................................................
Economic return on tangible common equity 10 ..............................................................
Expenses % of average total assets..................................................................................
Expenses % of average assets, including average net TBA position ...............................
Expenses % of average stockholders' equity ...................................................................
________________________________
$45,198
$47,330
$15,474
$15,739
$15,742
$3
$16,859
$58,727
$41,942
$7,933
$47,101
$49,268
$10,916
$11,312
$11,165
$(147)
$10,329
$56,931
$44,566
$7,718
7.4:1
8.0:1
7.6:1
8.1:1
9.8%
12.1%
0.12%
0.09%
0.88%
7.1:1
7.5:1
7.1:1
7.7:1
3.9%
N/A
0.18%
0.16%
1.36%
$51,759
$54,019
$7,295
$7,430
$7,444
$14
$7,547
$63,674
$48,641
$8,817
6.4:1
N/A
6.8:1
N/A
$53,578
$56,051
$14,412
$14,576
$14,768
$192
$13,212
$67,007
$50,015
$9,295
7.0:1
N/A
6.9:1
N/A
$75,263
$79,056
$2,119
$2,276
$2,271
$(5)
$11,383
$96,956
$71,753
$10,394
8.0:1
N/A
7.5:1
N/A
(2.6)%
18.5%
(12.5)%
N/A
0.22 %
0.20 %
1.58 %
N/A
0.21%
0.18%
1.52%
N/A
0.17 %
0.15 %
1.61 %
* Except as noted below, average numbers for each period are weighted based on days on our books and records.
N/A - Not applicable
1.
Net book value per common share is calculated as our total stockholders' equity, less our preferred stock liquidation preference, divided by our number
of common shares outstanding as of period end.
Tangible net book value per common share excludes goodwill and other intangible assets, net.
The carrying value of our net TBA position represents the difference between the market value and the cost basis of the TBA contract as of period-end
and is reported in derivative assets/(liabilities), at fair value on our accompanying consolidated balances sheets.
Other debt includes FHLB advances and debt of consolidated VIEs. Amount excludes U.S. Treasury repo agreements and TBA contracts.
Average stockholders' equity calculated as our average month-ended stockholders' equity during the period.
Average "at risk" leverage is calculated by dividing the sum of our daily weighted average mortgage borrowings outstanding (Agency repo, other debt
and TBA securities (at cost)) for the period by the sum of our average stockholders' equity less our average investment in REIT equity securities for
the period. Leverage excludes U.S. Treasury repurchase agreements.
Tangible net book value "at risk" leverage includes the components of "at risk" leverage, with stockholders' equity adjusted to exclude goodwill and
other intangible assets, net.
"At risk" leverage as of period end is calculated by dividing the sum of our mortgage borrowings outstanding (Agency repo, other debt and TBA
securities (at cost)) and our receivable/payable for unsettled investment securities as of period end (at cost) by the sum of our total stockholders' equity
less the fair value of investments in REIT equity securities at period end. Leverage excludes U.S. Treasury repurchase agreements.
Economic return on common equity represents the sum of the change in our net book value per common share and our dividends declared on common
stock during the period over our beginning net book value per common share.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10. Economic return on tangible common equity represents the sum of the change in our tangible net book value per common share and our dividends
declared on common stock during the period over our beginning tangible net book value per common share.
28
Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is designed to provide
a reader of our consolidated financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management, and should be read in
conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Our MD&A is presented in eight sections:
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Executive Overview
Financial Condition
Summary of Critical Accounting Estimates
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Aggregate Contractual Obligations
Forward-Looking Statements
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
Our principal objective is to provide our stockholders with attractive risk-adjusted returns through a combination of monthly
dividends and tangible net book value accretion. We generate income from the interest earned on our investments, net of associated
borrowing and hedging costs, and net realized gains and losses on our investment and hedging activities. We fund our investments
primarily through borrowings structured as repurchase agreements.
The size and composition of our investment portfolio depends on the investment strategies we implement, availability of
attractively priced investments, suitable financing to appropriately leverage our investment portfolio and overall market conditions.
Market conditions are influenced by interest rates, prepayment expectations, liquidity, housing prices, unemployment rates, general
economic conditions, government participation in the mortgage market, regulations, relative returns on other assets and other
factors.
Trends and Recent Market Impacts
Economic conditions in the U.S. and abroad continued to improve throughout 2017 and long-term interest rates remained
remarkably stable. Investors generally favored higher risk assets, as evidenced by the strong performance of equities and tighter
credit spreads throughout much of the fixed income market. Agency RMBS spreads, on the other hand, widened modestly during
the first three quarters of the year versus benchmark interest rates in anticipation of the Fed's reduction of its Agency RMBS
holdings. In September 2017, the Fed announced the details of its plan to gradually reduce the reinvestment of proceeds from its
RMBS holdings beginning in October 2017. Following the announcement, the price of our Agency RMBS appreciated relative
to our hedge instruments, as Agency spreads narrowed somewhat in the fourth quarter. The overall strong performance of Agency
RMBS, as well as CRT securities, over the course of the year was a key driver of the increase in our tangible net book value to
$19.69 per common share as of December 31, 2017, from $19.50 per common share as of December 31, 2016. The $0.19 per
common share improvement in our tangible net book value and the $2.16 per common share of dividends paid for the year resulted
in an economic return on our tangible common equity of 12.1% for 2017.
Throughout 2017, the Fed continued to gradually increase short-term interest rates, raising the federal funds rate three times
for a total increase of 75 basis points. Over the same period, the yield on the 10-year U.S. Treasury note declined 2 basis points.
As a result, the yield differential between short and long-term U.S. Treasury rates narrowed, or flattened, significantly. Despite
this flattening, our average net interest margin (including our TBA dollar roll funded assets and interest rate swap hedges and
excluding "catch-up" premium amortization cost due to changes in CPR forecasts) increased to 1.45% for 2017, compared to
1.41% for 2016. Our net interest margin benefited from a relative increase in our holdings of higher yielding 30-year fixed rate
Agency RMBS, versus 15-year holdings, and favorable funding conditions for both our repo and TBA dollar roll funded assets.
Additionally, we increased the portion of our funding raised through our captive broker-dealer subsidiary, BES, which was generally
at more favorable terms than traditional bilateral repo. As of December 31, 2017, 33% of our Agency repo funding was sourced
through BES, up from 12% as of the year prior. These conditions provided a favorable investment landscape against which we
increased our "at risk" leverage ratio during 2017 to 8.1x our tangible equity as of December 31, 2017, from 7.7x as of December
31, 2016.
During 2017, we generally believed interest rates were biased higher given improving underlying economic fundamentals
and a reduction of quantitative easing measures by central banks. As such, we reduced our exposure to higher rates and maintained
a relatively large interest rate hedge position. As of December 31, 2017, the notional balance of our interest rate hedges totaled
97% of our Agency repo and TBA position, up from 90% as of December 31, 2016, providing significant protection to our net
29
book value against potential fluctuations due to interest rate changes. Consistent with our higher hedge ratio, our net "duration
gap," which is a measure of the risk due to mismatches that can occur between the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities,
inclusive of hedges, was 0.1 years as of December 31, 2017, down from 1.3 years as of December 31, 2016. We also adjusted the
composition of our hedge positions to include a greater portion of interest rate swaptions, which provide us greater protection
against larger interest rate increases and higher interest rate volatility. As of December 31, 2017, we estimate that if interest rates
were to immediately increase by 100 basis points, assuming an instantaneous parallel shift in the yield curve and no re-balancing
actions, our tangible net book value would decrease by 6.6%, which is significantly lower than our corresponding interest rate
sensitivity as of December 31, 2016, which projected an approximate decline of 15% under similar circumstances. Please refer
to Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk for further discussion of our interest rate and spread
sensitivity.
Looking ahead, we believe Agency RMBS spreads may widen further and interest rates may trend higher. The broader
financial markets may also experience greater volatility in comparison to 2017. Although, our tangible net book value may decline
if these conditions occur, we believe levered returns on Agency RMBS will remain attractive. We could also opportunistically
increase our leverage when we believe the risk-adjusted returns are appropriate.
Market Information
The following table summarizes interest rates and prices of generic fixed rate Agency RMBS as of each date presented below:
Interest Rate/Security Price 1
Dec. 31,
2016
Mar. 31,
2017
June 30,
2017
Sept. 30,
2017
Dec. 31,
2017
Dec. 31, 2017
vs
Dec. 31, 2016
LIBOR:
1-Month ..............................................................................
3-Month ..............................................................................
6-Month ..............................................................................
U.S. Treasury Security Rate:
2-Year U.S. Treasury ..........................................................
3-Year U.S. Treasury ..........................................................
5-Year U.S. Treasury ..........................................................
10-Year U.S. Treasury ........................................................
30-Year U.S. Treasury ........................................................
Interest Rate Swap Rate:
2-Year Swap .......................................................................
3-Year Swap .......................................................................
5-Year Swap .......................................................................
10-Year Swap .....................................................................
30-Year Swap .....................................................................
30-Year Fixed Rate Agency Price:
0.77%
1.00%
1.31%
1.20%
1.46%
1.92%
2.43%
3.05%
1.46%
1.68%
1.96%
2.32%
2.57%
3.0%....................................................................................
$99.38
3.5%....................................................................................
4.0%....................................................................................
4.5%....................................................................................
15-Year Fixed Rate Agency Price:
2.5%....................................................................................
3.0%....................................................................................
3.5%....................................................................................
4.0%....................................................................................
$102.50
$105.13
$107.51
$100.20
$102.62
$104.17
$102.69
________________________________
0.98%
1.15%
1.42%
1.26%
1.50%
1.93%
2.39%
3.02%
1.62%
1.81%
2.06%
2.39%
2.65%
$99.15
$102.29
$104.90
$107.24
$100.03
$102.51
$104.06
$103.29
1.22%
1.30%
1.45%
1.38%
1.55%
1.89%
2.30%
2.84%
1.61%
1.74%
1.95%
2.27%
2.53%
$99.88
$102.70
$105.12
$107.27
$100.53
$102.64
$104.06
$103.44
1.23%
1.33%
1.51%
1.48%
1.61%
1.93%
2.33%
2.86%
1.73%
1.84%
2.00%
2.28%
2.52%
$100.33
$103.09
$105.27
$107.33
$100.69
$102.75
$104.14
$103.13
1.56%
1.69%
1.84%
1.89%
1.98%
2.21%
2.41%
2.74%
2.08%
2.17%
2.24%
2.40%
2.53%
$100.02
$102.70
$104.59
$106.40
$99.88
$101.88
$103.23
$102.72
+0.79 bps
+0.69 bps
+0.53 bps
+0.69 bps
+0.52 bps
+0.29 bps
-0.02 bps
-0.31 bps
+0.62 bps
+0.49 bps
+0.28 bps
+0.08 bps
-0.04 bps
+$0.64
+$0.20
-$0.54
-$1.11
-$0.32
-$0.74
-$0.94
+$0.03
1.
Price information is for generic instruments only and is not reflective of our specific portfolio holdings. Price information is as of 3:00 p.m. (EST) on
such date and can vary by source. Prices and interest rates in the table above were obtained from Barclays. LIBOR rates were obtained from Bloomberg.
30
FINANCIAL CONDITION
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our investment portfolio consisted of $57.1 billion and $46.5 billion of investment
securities, at fair value, respectively, and $15.7 billion and $11.2 billion of TBA securities, at fair value, respectively. The
following table is a summary of our investment portfolio as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):
Investment Portfolio (Includes TBAs) 1
Fixed rate Agency RMBS and TBA securities:
≤ 15-year:
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Average
Coupon
%
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
Average
Coupon
%
≤ 15-year RMBS..............................................
$
8,951
$
8,933
3.31% 12% $
12,794
$
12,867
3.26%
22%
15-year TBA securities .....................................
5,025
5,015
2.90%
7%
2,188
2,172
2.57%
4%
Total ≤ 15-year ......................................................
13,976
13,948
3.16% 19%
14,982
15,039
3.16%
26%
20-year RMBS ......................................................
673
687
3.48%
1%
801
817
3.49%
1%
30-year:
30-year RMBS ..................................................
30-year TBA securities .....................................
Total 30-year .........................................................
Total fixed rate Agency RMBS and TBA securities
Adjustable rate Agency RMBS ...............................
CMO Agency RMBS:
CMO .................................................................
Interest-only strips ............................................
Principal-only strips..........................................
Total CMO Agency RMBS .....................................
45,853
10,714
56,567
71,216
278
629
101
112
842
283
2.90%
1%
45,406
10,727
56,133
70,768
631
112
116
859
3.72% 62%
31,553
31,052
3.40% 15%
3.65% 77%
3.55% 97%
3.43%
1%
4.39% —%
—% —%
9,124
40,677
56,460
371
796
132
136
8,993
40,045
55,901
379
801
151
144
3.63%
3.58%
3.62%
3.49%
2.96%
54%
16%
70%
97%
1%
3.41%
2%
5.03% —%
—% —%
3.58%
1%
1,064
1,096
3.89%
2%
Total Agency RMBS and TBA securities ................
72,336
71,910
3.55% 99%
57,895
57,376
3.50% 100%
Non-Agency RMBS ................................................
CMBS......................................................................
CRT .........................................................................
7
28
834
7
29
876
2.50% —%
6.55% —%
5.26%
1%
102
23
161
101
23
164
3.42% —%
6.55% —%
5.25% —%
Total investment portfolio .......................................
$
73,205
$
72,822
3.57% 100% $
58,181
$
57,664
3.51% 100%
________________________________
1.
TBA securities are presented net of long and short positions. For further details of our TBA securities refer to Note 6 of the accompanying
consolidated financial statements.
TBA securities are recorded as derivative instruments in our accompanying consolidated financial statements and
our TBA dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our
TBA positions had a net carrying value of $3 million and $(147) million, respectively, reported in derivative assets /
(liabilities) on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The net carrying value represents the difference between
the fair value of the underlying Agency security in the TBA contract and the contract price to be paid or received for the
underlying Agency security.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the weighted average yield on our investment securities (excluding TBA securities)
was 2.89% and 2.77%, respectively.
31
The following tables summarize certain characteristics of our fixed rate Agency RMBS portfolio, inclusive of TBAs,
as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):
Fixed Rate Agency RMBS and
TBA Securities
Par
Value
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
% Lower
Loan
Balance &
HARP 1,2
Weighted Average
Amortized
Cost Basis
WAC 3
Yield 4
Age
(Months)
Projected
Life
CPR 4
Includes Net TBA Position
Excludes Net TBA Position
December 31, 2017
Fixed rate
≤ 15-year
2.5% ..................................
$
3,041
$
3,061
$
3,046
3.0% ..................................
3.5% ..................................
4.0% ..................................
4.5% ..................................
≥ 5.0% ...............................
5,616
2,710
2,054
215
4
5,749
2,804
2,134
224
4
5,724
2,804
2,145
225
4
Total ≤ 15-year .....................
13,640
13,976
13,948
20-year
≤ 3.0% ..............................
3.5% ..................................
4.0% ..................................
4.5% ..................................
≥ 5.0% ...............................
Total 20-year: .......................
30-year:
3.0% ..................................
3.5% ..................................
4.0% ..................................
4.5% ..................................
5.0% ..................................
≥ 5.5% ...............................
195
365
45
55
2
662
7,583
24,045
21,015
1,271
97
92
193
373
47
58
2
673
7,576
25,072
22,348
1,366
103
102
198
380
48
59
2
687
7,592
24,800
22,166
1,369
104
102
Total 30-year ........................
54,103
56,567
56,133
Total fixed rate .........................
$ 68,405
$
71,216
$ 70,768
________________________________
32%
33%
75%
89%
98%
17%
51%
31%
75%
51%
99%
—%
62%
1%
56%
64%
71%
65%
36%
52%
52%
101.2%
102.8%
103.5%
103.9%
104.3%
102.8%
103.0%
99.4%
102.1%
104.2%
106.5%
106.0%
101.8%
100.2%
104.6%
106.5%
107.4%
106.6%
110.0%
105.2%
104.8%
2.98%
3.49%
3.96%
4.40%
4.87%
6.56%
3.77%
3.55%
4.05%
4.54%
4.90%
5.95%
4.02%
3.58%
4.04%
4.47%
4.98%
5.45%
6.18%
4.23%
4.15%
2.13%
2.18%
2.42%
2.68%
3.01%
4.47%
2.38%
3.10%
3.00%
2.96%
2.95%
3.32%
3.02%
2.96%
2.84%
2.99%
3.18%
3.69%
3.34%
2.93%
2.84%
63
62
69
84
88
125
70
55
58
76
85
116
61
43
35
29
62
116
135
34
40
9%
10%
11%
11%
12%
44%
10%
9%
11%
11%
11%
17%
10%
6%
7%
9%
10%
10%
14%
8%
8%
1.
2.
Lower loan balance securities represent pools backed by an original loan balance of ≤ $150,000. Our lower loan balance securities had a
weighted average original loan balance of $97,000 and $109,000 for 15-year and 30-year securities, respectively, as of December 31, 2017.
HARP securities are defined as pools backed by 100% refinance loans with LTV ≥ 80%. Our HARP securities had a weighted average LTV
of 114% and 136% for 15-year and 30-year securities, respectively, as of December 31, 2017.
3. WAC represents the weighted average coupon of the underlying collateral.
4.
Portfolio yield incorporates a projected life CPR assumption based on forward rate assumptions as of December 31, 2017.
32
Fixed Rate Agency RMBS and
TBA Securities
Par
Value
Amortized
Cost
Fair
Value
% Lower
Loan
Balance &
HARP 1,2
Weighted Average
Amortized
Cost Basis
WAC 3
Yield 4
Age
(Months)
Projected
Life
CPR 4
Includes Net TBA Position
Excludes Net TBA Position
December 31, 2016
Fixed rate
≤ 15-year
≤ 2.5% ..............................
$
4,877
$
4,945
$
4,912
3.0% ..................................
3.5% ..................................
4.0% ..................................
4.5% ..................................
≥ 5.0% ...............................
3,460
3,294
2,655
285
4
3,561
3,408
2,766
298
4
3,561
3,450
2,810
302
4
Total ≤ 15-year ......................
14,575
14,982
15,039
20-year
≤ 3.0% ..............................
3.5% ..................................
4.0% ..................................
4.5% ..................................
≥ 5.0% ...............................
Total 20-year:.........................
30-year:
≤ 3.0% ..............................
3.5% ..................................
4.0% ..................................
4.5% ..................................
5.0% ..................................
≥ 5.5% ...............................
225
436
54
68
3
786
7,390
16,365
13,464
1,246
119
120
223
445
57
73
3
801
7,482
17,227
14,368
1,341
127
132
228
454
58
74
3
817
7,357
16,849
14,224
1,352
130
133
Total 30-year..........................
38,704
40,677
40,045
Total fixed rate .........................
$ 54,065
$
56,460
$ 55,901
________________________________
26%
73%
90%
89%
98%
22%
65%
31%
75%
50%
99%
—%
63%
2%
72%
61%
87%
65%
38%
56%
58%
101.7%
102.9%
103.4%
104.2%
104.6%
103.3%
103.1%
99.4%
102.2%
104.4%
106.7%
106.3%
101.9%
100.1%
105.4%
107.4%
107.6%
106.8%
110.0%
105.4%
104.6%
2.96%
3.50%
3.95%
4.40%
4.87%
6.63%
3.72%
3.55%
4.06%
4.54%
4.90%
5.94%
4.03%
3.57%
4.07%
4.51%
4.97%
5.45%
6.20%
4.19%
4.05%
2.05%
2.20%
2.50%
2.69%
3.03%
4.65%
2.37%
3.10%
3.01%
2.97%
2.99%
3.33%
3.03%
2.97%
2.75%
2.92%
3.30%
3.73%
3.40%
2.86%
2.73%
50
55
63
72
76
112
60
43
46
64
73
104
49
26
38
45
67
104
122
40
46
9%
9%
10%
11%
11%
13%
10%
8%
10%
10%
11%
17%
10%
6%
7%
7%
8%
10%
14%
7%
8%
1.
2.
Lower loan balance securities represent pools backed by an original loan balance of ≤ $150,000. Our lower loan balance securities had a
weighted average original loan balance of $97,000 and $100,000 for 15-year and 30-year securities, respectively, as of December 31, 2016.
HARP securities are defined as pools backed by 100% refinance loans with LTVs ≥ 80%. Our HARP securities had a weighted average LTV
of 113% and 135% for 15-year and 30-year securities, respectively, as of December 31, 2016.
3. WAC represents the weighted average coupon of the underlying collateral.
4.
Portfolio yield incorporates a projected life CPR assumption based on forward rate assumptions as of December 31, 2016.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our investments in CRT and non-Agency securities had the following credit
ratings:
CRT and Non-Agency Security Credit Ratings 1
CRT
RMBS
CMBS
CRT
RMBS
CMBS
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
AAA..................................................................................
$
— $
BBB ..................................................................................
BB .....................................................................................
B........................................................................................
Not Rated ..........................................................................
20
136
691
29
Total ..................................................................................
$
876
$
________________________________
7
—
—
—
—
7
$
$
— $
— $
29
—
—
—
29
—
—
164
—
$
99
—
—
2
—
—
23
—
—
—
23
$
164
$
101
$
1.
Represents the lowest of Standard and Poor's ("S&P"), Moody's and Fitch credit ratings, stated in terms of the S&P equivalent rating as of
each date.
Our CRT securities reference the performance of loans underlying Agency RMBS issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie
Mac, which were subject to their underwriting standards. As of December 31, 2017, our CRT securities had floating rate
coupons ranging from 3.9% to 8.5%, referenced to loans originated between 2012 and 2017 with weighted average coupons
33
ranging from 3.6% to 4.4%. As of December 31, 2016, our CRT securities had floating rate coupons ranging from 4.6%
to 7.1%, referenced to loans originated between 2015 and 2016 with weighted average coupons ranging from 4.0% to 4.2%.
SUMMARY OF CRITICAL ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES
Our critical accounting estimates relate to the recognition of interest income and the fair value of our investments and
derivatives. Certain of these items involve estimates that require management to make judgments that are subjective in nature.
We rely on our experience and analysis of historical and current market data to arrive at what we believe to be reasonable estimates.
Under different conditions, we could report materially different amounts based on such estimates. The remainder of our significant
accounting policies are described in Note 2 to the Consolidated Financial Statements included under Item 8 of this Annual Report
on Form 10-K.
Interest Income
The effective yield on our Agency RMBS and non-Agency securities of high credit quality is highly impacted by our estimate
of future prepayments. We accrue interest income based on the outstanding principal amount and their contractual terms and we
amortize or accrete premiums and discounts associated with our purchase of these securities into interest income over their projected
lives, taking into account scheduled contractual payments and estimated prepayments, using the interest method. The weighted
average cost basis of our securities as of December 31, 2017 was 104.9% of par value; therefore, faster actual or projected
prepayments could significantly reduce the yield on our assets.
Future prepayment rates are difficult to predict and we rely on a third-party service provider and our experience and analysis
of historical and current market data to arrive at what we believe to be reasonable estimates. Our third-party service provider
estimates prepayment speeds using models that incorporate the forward yield curve, current mortgage rates, mortgage rates on the
outstanding loans, age and size of the outstanding loans, loan-to-value ratios, interest rate volatility and other factors. We review
the prepayment speeds estimated and compare the results to market consensus prepayment speeds, if available. We also consider
historical prepayment speeds and current market conditions to validate the reasonableness of the third-party estimates and, based
on our judgment, we may adjust the estimates.
We review our actual and anticipated prepayment experience on at least a quarterly basis and effective yields are recalculated
when differences arise between (i) our previously estimated future prepayments and (ii) actual prepayments to date and current
estimated future prepayments. If the actual and estimated future prepayment experience differs from our prior estimate of
prepayments, we are required to record an adjustment in the current period to the amortization or accretion of premiums and
discounts for the cumulative difference in the effective yield through the reporting date.
The most significant factor impacting prepayment rates on our securities is changes to long-term interest rates. Prepayment
rates generally increase when interest rates fall and decrease when interest rates rise. However, there are a variety of other factors
that may impact the rate of prepayments on our securities. Consequently, under different conditions, we could report materially
different amounts. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk in this Form 10-K includes the estimated
change in our net interest income should interest rates instantaneously go up or down by 50 and 100 basis points.
At the time we purchase non-Agency securities that are not of high credit quality, we determine an effective interest rate
based on our estimate of the timing and amount of cash flows and our cost basis. On at least a quarterly basis, we review the
estimated cash flows and make appropriate adjustments, based on input and analysis received from external sources, internal
models, and our judgment about interest rates, prepayment rates, timing and amount of estimated credit losses, and other factors.
Any resulting changes in effective yield are recognized prospectively based on the current amortized cost of the investment as
adjusted for credit impairment, if any.
Fair Value of Investment Securities
We estimate the fair value of our investment securities based on a market approach using "Level 2" inputs from third-party
pricing services and non-binding dealer quotes derived from common market pricing methods. Such methods incorporate, but
are not limited to, reported trades and executable bid and ask prices for similar securities; benchmark interest rate curves, such as
the spread to the U.S. Treasury rate and interest rate swap curves; convexity, duration and the underlying characteristics of the
security, including coupon, periodic and life caps; rate reset period; issuer; additional credit support; and expected life of the
security. We generally obtain 3 to 6 quotes or prices per security. We attempt to validate these quotes by comparing them to our
recent completed transactions involving the same or similar securities on or near the reporting date. Changes in the market
environment and other events that may occur over the life of our investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on
these investments to be different from the valuations currently estimated.
34
At the time we purchase a security, we either designate it as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading (depending on
our ability and intent to hold such security to maturity) or we elect the fair value option of accounting for such securities. All of
our securities are reported at fair value as they have either been designated as available-for-sale or trading or we have elected the
fair value option of accounting. Unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as available-for-sale are reported in accumulated
OCI. Unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as trading or for which we elected the fair value option are reported in
net income through other gain (loss) during the period in which they occur. Prior to fiscal year 2017, we primarily designated our
investment securities as available-for-sale. On January 1, 2017, we began electing the fair value option of accounting for all
investment securities acquired after fiscal year 2016. In our view, this election simplifies the accounting for investment securities
and more appropriately reflects the results of our operations for a reporting period, as the fair value changes for these assets are
presented in a manner consistent with the presentation and timing of the fair value changes of our hedging instruments. We are
not permitted to change the designation of securities acquired prior to January 1, 2017; accordingly, such securities will continue
to be classified as available-for-sale securities until we receive full repayment of principal or we dispose of the security.
We evaluate securities classified as available-for-sale for other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") on at least a quarterly
basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired may involve judgments and assumptions based
on subjective and objective factors. When a security is impaired, an OTTI is considered to have occurred if any one of the following
three conditions exists as of the financial reporting date: (i) we intend to sell the security (that is, a decision has been made to sell
the security), (ii) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis
or (iii) we do not expect to recover the security's amortized cost basis, even if we do not intend to sell the security and it is not
more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security. A general allowance for unidentified impairments in a portfolio
of securities is not permitted.
If either of the first two conditions exists as of the financial reporting date, the entire amount of the impairment loss, if any,
is recognized in earnings as a realized loss and the cost basis of the security is adjusted to its fair value. However, with respect
to the first condition, since the liquidity of the Agency securities market allows us to obtain competitive bids and execute on a
sale transaction typically within a day or two of making the decision to sell a security, we generally do not make decisions to sell
specific mortgage securities until shortly prior to initiating a sell order.
If the third condition exists, the OTTI is separated into (i) the amount relating to credit loss (the "credit component") and
(ii) the amount relating to all other factors (the "non-credit components"). Only the credit component is recognized in earnings,
with the non-credit components recognized in OCI. In evaluating if the third condition exists, our investments in Agency securities
typically would not have a credit component since the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a GSE or U.S. Government
agency, and by their designation as available-for-sale securities, any non-credit component would have been fully recognized in
OCI.
Derivative Financial Instruments/Hedging Activity
We use a variety of derivative instruments to hedge a portion of our exposure to market risks, including interest rate,
prepayment, extension and liquidity risks. The objective of our risk management strategy is to reduce fluctuations in net book
value over a range of interest rate scenarios. In particular, we attempt to mitigate the risk of the cost of our variable rate liabilities
increasing during a period of rising interest rates. The primary instruments that we use are interest rate swaps, swaptions, U.S.
Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts. We also use TBA contracts for the forward purchase or sale of Agency
RMBS.
We recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on our consolidated balance sheets, measured at fair value. We
do not designate our derivative instruments as hedges for GAAP accounting purposes; therefore, all changes in their fair value are
reported in earnings in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income in gain (loss) on derivatives and other securities,
net during the period in which they occur.
The use of derivatives creates exposure to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized if the counterparties
to these instruments fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. We attempt to minimize this risk by limiting our
counterparties to major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings, monitoring positions with individual counterparties
and adjusting posted collateral as required.
We estimate the fair value of our derivative instruments using "Level 1" inputs from unadjusted quoted prices for identical
instruments in active markets or "Level 2" inputs from third-party pricing services, non-binding dealer quotes and/or daily settlement
prices from central clearing exchanges, which are derived from common market pricing methods. In considering the effect of
nonperformance risk on our estimate of fair value, we consider the impact of netting and credit enhancements, such as collateral
postings and guarantees, and have concluded that neither our own nor our counterparty risk is significant to the overall valuation
of these agreements.
35
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Non-GAAP Financial Measures
In addition to the results presented in accordance with GAAP, our results of operations discussed below include certain
non-GAAP financial information, including "economic interest income", "economic interest expense," "net spread and dollar roll
income," "net spread and dollar roll income, excluding 'catch-up' premium amortization," "estimated taxable income" and the
related per common share measures and certain financial metrics derived from such non-GAAP information, such as "cost of
funds" and "net interest margin."
"Economic interest income" is measured as interest income (GAAP measure), adjusted to (i) exclude "catch-up" premium
amortization associated with changes in CPR estimates and to (ii) include TBA dollar roll implied interest income. "Economic
interest expense" is measured as interest expense (GAAP measure) adjusted to include TBA dollar roll implied interest expense
and interest rate swap periodic costs. "Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization" includes
(i) the components of economic interest income and economic interest expense and dividends on REIT equity securities ("adjusted
net interest and dollar roll income"), less (ii) total operating expenses (GAAP measure), adjusted to exclude non-recurring
transaction costs (referred to as "adjusted operating expenses"), net of management fee income (GAAP measure) ("other operating
income (expense), net)."
By providing such measures, in addition to the related GAAP measures, we believe we give greater transparency into the
information used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making. We also believe it is important for users
of our financial information to consider information related to our current financial performance without the effects of certain
measures that are not necessarily indicative of our current investment portfolio performance and operations.
Specifically, in the case of "adjusted net interest and dollar roll income," we believe the inclusion of TBA dollar roll income
is meaningful as TBAs, which are accounted for under GAAP as derivative instruments with gains and losses recognized in other
gain (loss) in our consolidated statement of comprehensive income, are economically equivalent to holding and financing generic
Agency RMBS using short-term repurchase agreements. Similarly, we believe that the inclusion of periodic interest rate swap
settlements in such measure and in "economic interest expense" is meaningful as interest rate swaps are the primary instrument
we use to economically hedge against fluctuations in our borrowing costs and it is more indicative of our total cost of funds than
interest expense alone. In the case of "economic interest income" and "net spread and dollar roll income, excluding 'catch-up'
premium amortization," we believe the exclusion of "catch-up" adjustments to premium amortization cost or benefit is meaningful
as it excludes the cumulative effect from prior reporting periods due to current changes in future prepayment expectations and,
therefore, exclusion of such cost or benefit is more indicative of the current earnings potential of our investment portfolio. We
also believe the exclusion of issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock reported as a reduction to net income available to common
stockholders under GAAP and transactions costs associated with our acquisition of AMM reported in general, administrative and
other expense under GAAP is meaningful as they represent non-recurring transaction costs and are not representative of our
ongoing operating costs. In the case of estimated taxable income, we believe it is meaningful information because it directly
relates to the amount of dividends we are required to distribute to maintain our REIT qualification status.
However, because such measures are incomplete measures of our financial performance and involve differences from results
computed in accordance with GAAP, they should be considered as supplementary to, and not as a substitute for, results computed
in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of such non-GAAP
measures may not be comparable to other similarly-titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, estimated taxable income
can include certain information that is subject to potential adjustments up to the time of filing our income tax returns, which occurs
after the end of our fiscal year.
36
FISCAL YEAR 2017 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR 2016
Economic Interest Income and Asset Yields
The following table summarizes our economic interest income (a non-GAAP measure) for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 (dollars
in millions), which includes the combination of interest income (a GAAP measure) on our holdings reported as investment securities
on our consolidated balance sheets, adjusted to exclude estimated "catch-up" amortization adjustments due to changes in our CPR
forecast, and implied interest income on our TBA securities:
Fiscal Year 2017
Fiscal Year 2016
Amount
Yield
Amount
Yield
Interest income:
Cash/coupon interest income.................................................................................................. $
1,671
3.70 % $
1,721
Net premium amortization......................................................................................................
Interest income (GAAP measure) .............................................................................................
Estimated "catch-up" premium amortization cost due to change in CPR forecast .................
Interest income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization cost..........................................
TBA dollar roll income - implied interest income 1,2 .............................................................
Economic interest income, excluding "catch-up" amortization (non-GAAP measure)............ $
(378)
1,293
37
1,330
493
1,823
(0.97)%
2.73 %
0.08 %
2.81 %
2.92 %
2.84 % $
Weighted average actual portfolio CPR for investment securities held during the period .......
10.9%
Weighted average projected CPR for the remaining life of investment securities held as of
period end..................................................................................................................................
Average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate as of period end 3....................................................
10-year U.S. Treasury rate as of period end..............................................................................
8.4%
3.99%
2.41%
________________________________
(400)
1,321
10
1,331
264
1,595
12.3%
8.0%
4.32%
2.43%
3.64 %
(0.96)%
2.68 %
0.02 %
2.70 %
2.56 %
2.68 %
1.
2.
3.
Reported in gain (loss) on derivatives instruments and other securities, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
TBA implied asset yield is derived from the Company's executed TBA roll levels and TBA delivery assumptions sourced from Barclays Bank, PLC,'s
"Barclays Live" research application for the associated weighted average coupon, weighted average maturity, and 1-month projected CPR. Amount
is gross of TBA implied funding cost.
Source: Freddie Mac Primary Fixed Mortgage Rate Mortgage Market Survey
The principal elements impacting our economic interest income are the size of our average investment portfolio and the
yield on our securities. The following is a summary of the estimated impact of each of these elements on our economic interest
income for fiscal year 2017, compared to the prior year period (in millions):
Impact of Changes in the Principal Elements Impacting Economic Interest Income
Fiscal Year 2017 vs. 2016
Due to Change in Average
Total Increase /
(Decrease)
Portfolio
Size
Asset
Yield
Interest Income (GAAP measure)...................................................................................... $
(28) $
(52) $
Estimated "catch-up" premium amortization cost due to change in CPR forecast............
Interest income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization cost...................................
TBA dollar roll income - implied interest income .............................................................
Economic interest income, excluding "catch-up" amortization (non-GAAP measure)..... $
27
(1)
229
228
$
—
(52)
167
115
$
24
27
51
62
113
The size of our average investment portfolio increased 8% (at cost) from the prior year period, consisting of a 4% decrease
in holdings reported as investment securities and a 63% increase in TBA assets reported as derivative assets/(liabilities) on our
consolidated balance sheets. The overall increase in our investment portfolio was primarily a function of new equity issuances
during 2017. The increase in our average asset yield on our investment portfolio to 2.84% for fiscal year 2017, from 2.68% for
the prior year period, was largely due to changes in asset composition as we increased our holdings of 30-year fixed rate securities
relative to shorter duration assets.
37
Leverage
Our primary measure of leverage is our tangible net book value "at risk" leverage ratio. Tangible net book value "at risk"
leverage is measured as the sum of our Agency repurchase agreements and other debt used to fund our investment securities and
our net TBA position (at cost) (together referred to as "mortgage borrowings") and our net receivable/payable for unsettled
investment securities divided by the sum of our total stockholders' equity adjusted to exclude goodwill and other intangible assets
related to our acquisition of AMM on July 1, 2016.
We include our net TBA position in our measure of leverage because a forward contract to acquire Agency RMBS in the
TBA market carries similar risks to Agency RMBS purchased in the cash market and funded with on-balance sheet liabilities.
Similarly, a TBA contract for the forward sale of Agency securities has substantially the same effect as selling the underlying
Agency RMBS and reducing our on-balance sheet funding commitments. (Refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources for further
discussion of TBA securities and dollar roll transactions). Repurchase agreements used to fund short-term investments in U.S.
Treasury securities ("U.S. Treasury repo") are excluded from our measure of leverage due to the temporary and highly liquid
nature of these investments.
Our tangible net book value "at risk" leverage was 8.1x and 7.7x as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. The table
below presents a summary of our leverage ratios for the periods listed (dollars in millions):
Agency Repurchase Agreements and
Other Debt 1
Net TBA Position
Long/(Short) 2
Average
Daily
Amount
Maximum
Daily
Amount
Ending
Amount
Average
Daily
Amount
Ending
Amount
Average
Tangible
Net Book
Value
"At Risk"
Leverage
during the
Period 3
Tangible
Net Book
Value "At
Risk"
Leverage
as of
Period
End 3
Average
"At Risk"
Leverage
during the
Period 4
"At Risk"
Leverage
as of
Period
End 5
Quarter Ended
December 31, 2017 ...........................
$ 48,122
$ 51,322
$ 50,653
$ 18,355
$ 15,739
September 30, 2017 ..........................
$ 41,406
$ 47,442
$ 45,885
$ 18,616
$ 19,433
June 30, 2017 ....................................
$ 38,945
$ 40,112
$ 39,463
$ 16,931
$ 17,283
March 31, 2017 .................................
$ 39,203
$ 41,221
$ 39,809
$ 13,460
$ 14,377
December 31, 2016 ...........................
$ 41,031
$ 42,157
$ 41,183
$ 14,141
$ 11,312
September 30, 2016 ..........................
$ 44,401
$ 46,555
$ 41,154
$ 10,748
$ 15,540
June 30, 2016 ....................................
$ 46,948
$ 48,875
$ 45,502
March 31, 2016 .................................
$ 45,926
$ 49,767
$ 48,875
$
$
8,238
8,144
$
$
6,975
5,983
8.1:1
7.9:1
8.0:1
7.8:1
7.8:1
7.6:1
N/A
N/A
7.6:1
7.4:1
7.4:1
7.2:1
7.3:1
7.1:1
7.2:1
7.0:1
8.1:1
8.0:1
8.1:1
8.0:1
7.7:1
7.7:1
N/A
N/A
7.6:1
7.6:1
7.5:1
7.4:1
7.1:1
7.2:1
7.2:1
7.3:1
________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Other debt includes FHLB advances and debt of consolidated VIEs. Amounts exclude U.S. Treasury repo agreements.
Daily average and ending net TBA position outstanding measured at cost.
Tangible net book value "at risk" leverage includes the components of "at risk" leverage with stockholders' equity adjusted to exclude goodwill and
other intangible assets, net.
Average "at risk" leverage during the period was calculated by dividing the sum of our daily weighted average mortgage borrowings outstanding during
the period by the sum of our average month-ended stockholders' equity less our average investment in REIT equity securities for the period.
"At risk" leverage as of period end is calculated by dividing the sum of our mortgage borrowings outstanding and our receivable/payable for unsettled
investment securities as of period end (at cost) by the sum of our total stockholders' equity less the fair value of investments in REIT equity securities
at period end. Leverage excludes U.S. Treasury repo agreements.
38
Economic Interest Expense and Aggregate Cost of Funds
The following table summarizes our economic interest expense and aggregate cost of funds (non-GAAP measures) for fiscal
years 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions), which includes the combination of interest expense on Agency repurchase agreements
and other debt (GAAP measure), implied interest expense on our TBA securities and periodic interest rate swap costs:
Economic Interest Expense and Aggregate Cost of Funds 1
Interest expense:
Fiscal Year 2017
Fiscal Year 2016
Amount
Cost of
Funds
Amount
Cost of
Funds
Repurchase agreements and other debt interest expense .......................................................
$
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps previously designated as hedges under
GAAP, net ..............................................................................................................................
Interest expense (GAAP measure).............................................................................................
TBA dollar roll income - implied interest expense 2..............................................................
Economic interest expense - before interest rate swap costs......................................................
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps reported in gain (loss) on derivative
instruments and other securities, net 3....................................................................................
Total economic interest expense (non-GAAP measure).............................................................
$
524
—
524
164
688
127
815
________________________________
1.25% $
—%
1.25%
0.97%
1.17%
0.22%
1.39% $
355
39
394
48
442
255
697
0.79%
0.09%
0.80%
0.47%
0.73%
0.54%
1.27%
1.
2.
3.
Amounts exclude interest rate swap termination fees and variation margin settlements paid or received, forward starting swaps or the impact of
other supplemental hedges, such as swaptions and U.S. Treasury positions.
Reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. TBA implied
interest expense is derived from the Company's executed TBA roll levels and TBA delivery assumptions sourced from Barclays Bank, PLC,'s
"Barclays Live" research application for the associated weighted average coupon, weighted average maturity, and 1-month projected CPR. Amount
is gross of TBA implied interest income.
Interest rate swap cost of funds measured as a percent of average mortgage borrowings outstanding for the period.
The principal elements impacting our economic interest expense are (i) the size of our average mortgage borrowings and
interest rate swap portfolio outstanding during the period, (ii) the average interest rate on our mortgage borrowings and (iii) the
average net interest rate paid/received on our interest rate swaps. The following is a summary of the estimated impact of these
elements on our economic interest expense for fiscal year 2017, compared to the prior year period (in millions):
Impact of Changes in the Principal Elements of Economic Interest Expense
Fiscal Year 2017 vs. 2016
Due to Change in Average
Total Increase /
(Decrease)
Borrowing /
Swap Balance
Borrowing /
Swap Rate
Repurchase agreements and other debt interest expense
.................................................................................................................................................
TBA dollar roll income - implied interest expense
$
Periodic interest rate swap costs .............................................................................................
169
116
(167)
Total change in economic interest expense............................................................................. $
118
$
$
(21) $
30
33
42
$
190
86
(200)
76
The average interest rate on our mortgage borrowings increased for fiscal year 2017 largely due to increases in the Federal
funds rate, which were partly offset by the benefit of shifting a larger portion of our total Agency repo funding through our captive
broker-dealer subsidiary, BES, and a larger relative portion of our overall mortgage funding into TBA dollar roll positions, which
had a lower implied funding cost than traditional repo funding. The decrease in our periodic swap costs was due to an increase
in the floating rate received on our pay-fixed receive-floating interest rate swaps, partly offset by a larger interest rate swap balance
relative to our total mortgage borrowings.
39
The table below presents a summary of the ratio of our average interest rates swaps outstanding, excluding forward starting
swaps, to our average mortgage borrowings for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):
Average Ratio of Interest Rate Swaps (Excluding Forward Starting Swaps) to Mortgage Borrowings
Outstanding
Average Agency repo and other debt outstanding ............................................................................................................
Average net TBA portfolio outstanding - at cost ..............................................................................................................
Average mortgage borrowings outstanding ......................................................................................................................
Average notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding (excluding forward starting swaps)...................................
Fiscal Year
2017
2016
$
$
$
$
41,942
16,859
58,801
37,331
$
$
$
$
44,566
10,329
54,895
33,541
Ratio of average interest rate swaps to mortgage borrowings outstanding ......................................................................
63 %
61 %
Average interest rate swap pay-fixed rate (excluding forward starting swaps) ................................................................
Average interest rate swap receive-floating rate ...............................................................................................................
Average interest rate swap net pay/(receive) rate .............................................................................................................
1.55 %
(1.21)%
0.34 %
1.56 %
(0.69)%
0.87 %
For fiscal years 2017 and 2016, we had an average forward starting swap balance of $2.4 billion and $4.8 billion, respectively.
Forward starting interest rate swaps do not impact our economic interest expense and aggregate cost of funds until they commence
accruing net interest settlements on their forward start dates. Including forward starting swaps, our average ratio of interest rate
swaps outstanding to our average mortgage borrowings for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 was 68% and 70%, respectively.
Net Interest Margin
The following table presents a summary of our net interest margin, including the impact of TBA dollar roll income and
interest rate swap costs and excluding "catch-up" premium amortization for fiscal years 2017 and 2016:
Investment and TBA securities - average asset yield, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization
Investment and TBA securities - average aggregate cost of funds
Investment and TBA securities - average net interest margin, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization
Fiscal Year
2017
2016
2.84 %
(1.39)%
1.45 %
2.68 %
(1.27)%
1.41 %
40
Net Spread and Dollar Roll Income
The following table presents a summary of our net spread and dollar roll income, excluding estimated "catch-up" premium
amortization, per diluted common share (a non-GAAP financial measure) and a reconciliation to our net interest income (the most
comparable GAAP financial measure) for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):
Net interest income (GAAP measure) ..........................................................................................................................................
TBA dollar roll income, net 1.....................................................................................................................................................
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps, net 1 ....................................................................................................................
Dividend income from REIT equity securities 1........................................................................................................................
$
Adjusted net interest and dollar roll income .................................................................................................................................
Other operating income (expense):
Management fee income ............................................................................................................................................................
Operating expenses ....................................................................................................................................................................
Non-recurring transaction costs .................................................................................................................................................
Adjusted operating income (expense), net....................................................................................................................................
Net spread and dollar roll income.................................................................................................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock.......................................................................................................................................................
Net spread and dollar roll income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP measure) .....................................................
Estimated "catch-up" premium amortization cost due to change in CPR forecast....................................................................
Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization, available to common stockholders (non-
GAAP measure) ............................................................................................................................................................................
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic ...............................................................................................
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted ............................................................................................
Net spread and dollar roll income per common share - basic.......................................................................................................
Net spread and dollar roll income per common share - diluted....................................................................................................
Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization, per common share - basic .............................
Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization, per common share - diluted ..........................
$
$
$
$
$
Fiscal Year
2017
2016
$
769
329
(127)
1
972
13
(70)
—
(57)
915
32
883
37
920
$
358.6
358.7
2.46
2.46
2.57
2.56
$
$
$
$
927
216
(255)
2
890
8
(105)
9
(88)
802
28
774
10
784
331.9
331.9
2.33
2.33
2.36
2.36
________________________________
1.
Reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income
Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization adjustments, for fiscal year 2017 increased
$0.20 per diluted common share, or 8%, to $2.56 per diluted common share, compared to $2.36 per diluted common share for the
prior year period. The increase was largely due to a larger asset base as a function of new equity issuances during 2017 and lower
net operating expenses following our management internalization on July 1, 2016.
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investment Securities, Net
The following table is a summary of our net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 (in
millions):
Fiscal Year
2017
2016
Investment securities sold, at cost .................................................................................................. $
(19,237) $
(17,907)
Sale proceeds..................................................................................................................................
19,174
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities ............................................................................. $
(63) $
Gross gain on sale of investment securities.................................................................................... $
64
$
Gross loss on sale of investment securities ....................................................................................
(127)
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities ............................................................................. $
(63) $
18,016
109
123
(14)
109
41
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments and Other Securities, Net
The following table is a summary of our gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net for fiscal years 2017
and 2016 (in millions):
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps, net.......................................................................... $
(127) $
(255)
Fiscal Year
2017
2016
Realized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net:
TBA securities - dollar roll income, net ...................................................................................
TBA securities - mark-to-market net loss.................................................................................
Payer swaptions........................................................................................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - long position ...................................................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - short position...................................................................................
U.S. Treasury futures - short position.......................................................................................
Interest rate swaps - termination fees and variation margin settlements, net...........................
REIT equity securities ..............................................................................................................
Other.........................................................................................................................................
Total realized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net ..............................
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net:
TBA securities - mark-to-market net gain (loss) ......................................................................
Interest rate swaps ....................................................................................................................
Payer swaptions........................................................................................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - short position...................................................................................
U.S. Treasury futures - short position.......................................................................................
Debt of consolidated VIEs........................................................................................................
REIT equity securities ..............................................................................................................
Other.........................................................................................................................................
329
(150)
(13)
1
(68)
(9)
378
1
3
472
151
(184)
(53)
(73)
9
(2)
—
—
Total unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net ..........................
(152)
Total gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net ............................................ $
193
$
216
(114)
(30)
7
(85)
(12)
(1,145)
—
8
(1,155)
(161)
1,003
27
219
7
(3)
9
(1)
1,100
(310)
For further details regarding our use of derivative instruments and related activity refer to Notes 2 and 5 of our Consolidated
Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Operating Expenses
The following table includes a summary of our operating expenses for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):
Management fee expense ............................................ $
— $
Fiscal Year
2017
2016
Compensation and benefits .........................................
Other operating expenses ............................................
Total operating expenses ............................................. $
42
28
70
52
19
34
$
105
Prior to our acquisition of AMM and related management internalization on July 1, 2016, we paid our Manager a management
fee payable monthly in arrears in an amount equal to one-twelfth of 1.25% of our month-end stockholders' equity, as defined in
our management agreement. Following our management internalization, we no longer incur a management fee, but we incur
expenses associated with an internally managed organization, including compensation expense previously borne by our Manager.
Compensation and benefits expense consist of base salary, bonus, stock-based and other long-term incentive compensation
and benefits expense for our employees. Other operating expenses primarily consist of prime broker fees; clearing, settlement
and regulatory fees incurred by BES; information technology costs; accounting, legal and Board of Director fees; amortization of
intangible assets associated with our acquisition of AMM; and other general overhead expenses. For fiscal year 2016, other
operating expenses also included $9 million of non-recurring transaction costs associated with our acquisition of AMM.
42
Our total annualized operating expense as a percentage of our average stockholders' equity was 0.88% for fiscal year 2017,
compared to 1.36% for fiscal year 2016. Our total annualized operating expense, net of management fee income from MTGE,
was 0.72% of our average stockholders' equity for fiscal year 2017, which includes 0.04% of non-cash amortization expense
associated with intangible assets acquired from our acquisition of AMM. This compares to 1.26%, including 0.14% of non-
recurring acquisition costs and non-cash amortization expense associated with our acquisition of AMM, for fiscal year 2016.
Estimated Taxable Income
For fiscal years 2017 and 2016, we had estimated taxable income available to common stockholders of $191 million and
$260 million (or $0.53 and $0.78 per diluted common share), respectively. Income as determined under GAAP differs from income
as determined under tax rules because of both temporary and permanent differences in income and expense recognition. The
primary differences are (i) unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments and other securities marked-to-market in current
income for GAAP purposes, but excluded from taxable income until realized or settled, (ii) timing differences, both temporary
and potentially permanent, in the recognition of certain realized gains and losses and (iii) temporary differences related to the
amortization of premiums and discounts on investments. Furthermore, our estimated taxable income is subject to potential
adjustments up to the time of filing our appropriate tax returns, which occurs after the end of our fiscal year. The following is a
reconciliation of our GAAP net income to our estimated taxable income for fiscal years 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions, except
per share amounts):
Net income ................................................................................................................................... $
771
$
623
Fiscal Year
2017
2016
Estimated book to tax differences:
Premium amortization, net........................................................................................................
Realized gain/loss, net ..............................................................................................................
Net capital loss/(utilization of net capital loss carryforward)...................................................
Unrealized gain/loss, net...........................................................................................................
Other .........................................................................................................................................
Total book to tax differences ...............................................................................................
Estimated REIT taxable income ..................................................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock......................................................................................................
(9)
(654)
(95)
223
(13)
(548)
223
32
Estimated REIT taxable income available to common stockholders........................................... $
191
$
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic ..............................................
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted ...........................................
Estimated REIT taxable income per common share - basic and diluted ..................................... $
Beginning cumulative non-deductible net capital loss ................................................................ $
Net capital loss / (utilization of net capital loss carryforward)....................................................
Ending cumulative non-deductible net capital loss 1 ................................................................... $
Ending cumulative non-deductible net capital loss per ending common share ........................... $
________________________________
1.
Remaining net capital loss carryforward as of December 31, 2017 expires at the end of fiscal year 2018.
358.6
358.7
0.53
452
(95)
357
0.91
$
$
$
$
(46)
1,034
(232)
(1,094)
3
(335)
288
28
260
331.9
331.9
0.78
684
(232)
452
1.37
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had distributed all our estimated taxable income for fiscal years 2017 and 2016,
respectively. Accordingly, we do not expect to incur an income tax or excise tax liability on our 2017 taxable income, nor did we
incur such liabilities on our 2016 taxable income.
43
The following table summarizes dividends declared during fiscal years 2017 and 2016:
Quarter Ended
December 31, 2017 ...............................................
September 30, 2017...............................................
June 30, 2017 ........................................................
March 31, 2017 .....................................................
Total ......................................................................
December 31, 2016 ...............................................
September 30, 2016...............................................
June 30, 2016 ........................................................
March 31, 2016 .....................................................
Total ......................................................................
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Dividends Declared per Share
Series C
Preferred Stock
(Per Depositary
Share)
Series B
Preferred Stock
(Per Depositary
Share)
Series A
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
— $
0.33300
0.50000
0.50000
1.33300
0.50000
0.50000
0.50000
0.50000
2.00000
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.484375
0.484375
0.484375
0.484375
1.937500
0.484375
0.484375
0.484375
0.484375
1.937500
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.43750
0.25764
$
$
— $
— $
0.69514
$
0.484375
0.484375
0.484375
0.484375
1.937500
$
$
$
$
$
0.54
0.54
0.54
0.54
2.16
0.54
0.56
0.60
0.60
2.30
Other comprehensive income (loss) primarily consists of unrealized gains and (losses) recognized due to the impact of
fluctuations in long-term interest rates on the market value of our Agency RMBS designated as available-for-sale securities, net
of reversals of prior period unrealized amounts upon realization. For fiscal years 2017 and 2016, we had other comprehensive
income (loss) of $52 million and $(331) million, respectively.
44
FISCAL YEAR 2016 COMPARED TO FISCAL YEAR 2015:
Economic Interest Income and Asset Yields
The following table summarizes our economic interest income (a non-GAAP measure) for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 (dollars
in millions):
Interest income:
Fiscal Year 2016
Fiscal Year 2015
Amount
Yield
Amount
Yield
Cash/coupon interest income.................................................................................................. $
1,721
3.64 % $
1,874
Net premium amortization......................................................................................................
Interest income (GAAP measure) .............................................................................................
Estimated "catch-up" premium amortization cost due to change in CPR forecast.................
Interest income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization cost..........................................
TBA dollar roll income - implied interest income 1,2 .............................................................
Economic interest income, excluding "catch-up" amortization (non-GAAP measure)............ $
(400)
1,321
10
1,331
264
1,595
(0.96)%
2.68 %
0.02 %
2.70 %
2.56 %
2.68 % $
Weighted average actual portfolio CPR for investment securities held during the period .......
12.3%
Weighted average projected CPR for the remaining life of investment securities held as of
period end..................................................................................................................................
Average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate as of period end 3....................................................
10-year U.S. Treasury rate as of period end..............................................................................
8.0%
4.32%
2.43%
________________________________
(408)
1,466
1
1,467
246
1,713
10.4%
8.4%
4.01%
2.27%
3.62 %
(0.91)%
2.71 %
0.01 %
2.72 %
3.26 %
2.78 %
1.
2.
3.
Reported in gain (loss) on derivatives instruments and other securities, net in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
TBA implied asset yield is derived from the Company's executed TBA roll levels and TBA delivery assumptions sourced from Barclays Bank, PLC,'s
"Barclays Live" research application for the associated weighted average coupon, weighted average maturity, and 1-month projected CPR. Amount
is gross of TBA implied funding cost.
Source: Freddie Mac Primary Fixed Mortgage Rate Mortgage Market Survey
The following is a summary of the estimated impact of the principal elements impacting our economic interest income on
the decrease in interest income from fiscal year 2015 to 2016 (in millions):
Impact of Changes in the Principal Elements Impacting Interest Income
Fiscal Year 2016 vs. 2015
Due to Change in Average
Total Increase /
(Decrease)
Portfolio
Size
Asset
Yield
Interest Income (GAAP measure).................................................................................... $
(145) $
(129) $
Estimated "catch-up" premium amortization cost due to change in CPR forecast..........
Interest income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization cost.................................
TBA dollar roll income - implied interest income ...........................................................
9
(136)
18
—
(129)
91
Economic interest income, excluding "catch-up" amortization (non-GAAP measure)... $
(118) $
(38) $
(16)
9
(7)
(73)
(80)
The size of our average investment portfolio decreased 3% (at cost) during fiscal year 2016, compared to the prior year
period, consisting of a 9% decrease in holdings reported as investment securities and a 37% increase in TBA assets reported as
derivative assets/(liabilities) on our consolidated balance sheets. The overall decrease in our investment portfolio was primarily
a function of share repurchases during fiscal years 2016 and 2015. The decrease in our average asset yield on our investment
portfolio to 2.68% for fiscal year 2016, from 2.78% for the prior year period, was largely due to changes in portfolio composition.
45
Leverage
Our total "at risk" leverage was 7.1x and 6.8x our stockholders' equity as of December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our
tangible net book value "at risk" leverage was 7.7x our tangible stockholders' equity as of December 31, 2016. The table below
presents a summary of our leverage ratios for the periods listed (dollars in millions):
Agency Repurchase Agreements and
Other Debt 1
Net TBA Position
Long/(Short) 2
Average
Daily
Amount
Maximum
Daily
Amount
Ending
Amount
Average
Daily
Amount
Ending
Amount
Average
Total
"At Risk"
Leverage
during the
Period 3
Tangible Net
Book Value
Average
Total
"At Risk"
Leverage
during the
Period 4
"At Risk"
Leverage
as of
Period
End 5
Tangible
Net Book
Value "At
Risk"
Leverage
as of
Period
End 4
Quarter Ended
December 31, 2016 ...........................
$ 41,031
$ 42,157
$ 41,183
$ 14,141
$ 11,312
September 30, 2016 ..........................
$ 44,401
$ 46,555
$ 41,154
$ 10,748
$ 15,540
June 30, 2016 ....................................
$ 46,948
$ 48,875
$ 45,502
March 31, 2016 .................................
$ 45,926
$ 49,767
$ 48,875
December 31, 2015 ...........................
$ 47,018
$ 50,078
$ 46,077
September 30, 2015 ..........................
$ 43,308
$ 46,049
$ 44,683
June 30, 2015 ....................................
$ 50,410
$ 55,097
$ 45,860
March 31, 2015 .................................
$ 53,963
$ 58,217
$ 55,056
$
$
$
$
$
$
8,238
8,144
7,796
9,434
5,973
6,957
$
$
$
$
$
$
6,975
5,983
7,430
7,265
7,104
4,815
7.3:1
7.1:1
7.2:1
7.0:1
6.8:1
6.2:1
6.2:1
6.5:1
7.8:1
7.6:1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
7.1:1
7.2:1
7.2:1
7.3:1
6.8:1
6.8:1
6.1:1
6.4:1
7.7:1
7.7:1
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
N/A
________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Other debt includes FHLB advances and debt of consolidated VIEs. Amounts exclude U.S. Treasury repo agreements.
Daily average and ending net TBA position outstanding measured at cost.
Tangible net book value "at risk" leverage includes the components of "at risk" leverage with stockholders' equity adjusted to exclude goodwill and
other intangible assets, net.
Average "at risk" leverage during the period was calculated by dividing the sum of our daily weighted average mortgage borrowings outstanding during
the period by the sum of our average month-ended stockholders' equity less our average investment in REIT equity securities for the period.
"At risk" leverage as of period end is calculated by dividing the sum of our mortgage borrowings outstanding and our receivable/payable for unsettled
investment securities as of period end (at cost) by the sum of our total stockholders' equity less the fair value of investments in REIT equity securities
at period end. Leverage excludes U.S. Treasury repo agreements.
Economic Interest Expense and Aggregate Cost of Funds
The following table summarizes our economic interest expense and aggregate cost of funds (non-GAAP measures) for fiscal
years 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions), which includes the combination of interest expense on Agency repurchase agreements
and other debt (GAAP measure), implied interest expense on our TBA securities and periodic interest rate swap costs:
Economic Interest Expense and Aggregate Cost of Funds 1
Interest expense:
Fiscal Year 2016
% 1
Amount
Fiscal Year 2015
% 1
Amount
Repurchase agreements and other debt interest expense........................................................
$
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps previously designated as hedges under
GAAP, net...............................................................................................................................
Interest expense (GAAP measure) .............................................................................................
TBA dollar roll income - implied interest expense 2 ..............................................................
Economic interest expense - before interest rate swap costs ......................................................
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps reported in gain (loss) on derivative
instruments and other securities, net 3 ....................................................................................
Total economic interest expense (non-GAAP measure) .............................................................
$
355
39
394
48
442
255
697
________________________________
0.79% $
0.09%
0.80%
0.47%
0.73%
0.54%
1.27% $
229
101
330
9
339
393
732
0.47%
0.21%
0.47%
0.12%
0.42%
0.88%
1.30%
1.
2.
3.
Amounts exclude interest rate swap termination fees and variation margin settlements paid or received, forward starting swaps or the impact of
other supplemental hedges, such as swaptions and U.S. Treasury positions.
Reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. TBA implied
interest expense is derived from the Company's executed TBA roll levels and TBA delivery assumptions sourced from Barclays Bank, PLC,'s
"Barclays Live" research application for the associated weighted average coupon, weighted average maturity, and 1-month projected CPR. Amount
is gross of TBA implied interest income.
Interest rate swap cost of funds measured as a percent of average mortgage borrowings outstanding for the period.
46
The following is a summary of the estimated impact of the principal elements impacting our economic interest expense for
fiscal year 2016, compared to the prior year period (in millions):
Impact of Changes in the Principal Elements of Economic Interest Expense
Fiscal Year 2016 vs. 2015
Due to Change in Average
Total Increase /
(Decrease)
Borrowing /
Swap Balance
Borrowing /
Swap Rate
Repurchase agreements and other debt interest expense
.................................................................................................................................................
TBA dollar roll income - implied interest expense
$
Periodic interest rate swap costs .............................................................................................
126
$
(21) $
39
(200)
3
(23)
Total change in economic interest expense............................................................................. $
(35) $
(41) $
147
36
(177)
6
The table below presents a summary of the ratio of our average interest rates swaps outstanding, excluding forward starting
swaps, to our average mortgage borrowings for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions):
Average Ratio of Interest Rate Swaps (Excluding Forward Starting Swaps) to Mortgage Borrowings
Outstanding
Average Agency repo and other debt outstanding...................................................................................................
Average net TBA portfolio outstanding - at cost.....................................................................................................
Average mortgage borrowings outstanding.............................................................................................................
Average notional amount of interest rate swaps outstanding (excluding forward starting swaps) .........................
2016
2015
$
$
$
$
44,566
10,329
54,895
33,541
$
$
$
$
48,641
7,547
56,188
35,220
Ratio of average interest rate swaps to mortgage borrowings outstanding .............................................................
61 %
63 %
Fiscal Year
Average interest rate swap pay-fixed rate (excluding forward starting swaps).......................................................
Average interest rate swap receive-floating rate .....................................................................................................
Average interest rate swap net pay/(receive) rate....................................................................................................
1.56 %
(0.69)%
0.87 %
1.68 %
(0.28)%
1.40 %
For fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we had an average forward starting swap balance of $4.8 billion and $10.2 billion, respectively.
Including forward starting swaps, our average ratio of interest rate swaps outstanding to our average mortgage borrowings for
fiscal years 2016 and 2015 was 70% and 81%, respectively.
Net Interest Margin
The following table presents a summary of our net interest margin, including the impact of TBA dollar roll income and
interest rate swap costs and excluding "catch-up" premium amortization for fiscal years 2016 and 2015:
Investment and TBA securities - average asset yield, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization
Investment and TBA securities - average aggregate cost of funds
Investment and TBA securities - average net interest margin, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization
Fiscal Year
2016
2015
2.68 %
(1.27)%
1.41 %
2.78 %
(1.30)%
1.48 %
47
Net Spread and Dollar Roll Income
The following table presents a summary of our net spread and dollar roll income, excluding estimated "catch-up" premium
amortization, per common share (a non-GAAP financial measure) and a reconciliation to our net interest income (the most
comparable GAAP financial measure) for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions):
Net interest income .....................................................................................................................................
TBA dollar roll income, net 1...................................................................................................................
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps, net 1 ..................................................................................
Dividend income from REIT equity securities 1......................................................................................
$
Adjusted net interest and dollar roll income ...............................................................................................
Other operating income (expense):
Management fee income ..........................................................................................................................
Operating expenses ..................................................................................................................................
Non-recurring transaction costs ...............................................................................................................
Adjusted operating (income) expense, net..................................................................................................
Net spread and dollar roll income...............................................................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock.....................................................................................................................
Net spread and dollar roll income available to common stockholders (non-GAAP measure) ...................
Estimated "catch-up" premium amortization cost due to change in CPR forecast..................................
Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization, available to common
stockholders (non-GAAP measure) ............................................................................................................
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted ..........................................
Net spread and dollar roll income per common share - basic and diluted..................................................
Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization, per common share -
basic and diluted .........................................................................................................................................
Fiscal Year
2016
2015
927
216
(255)
2
890
8
(105)
9
(88)
802
28
774
10
$
1,136
237
(393)
6
986
—
(139)
—
(139)
847
28
819
1
$
$
$
784
$
820
331.9
2.33
2.36
$
$
348.6
2.35
2.35
________________________________
1.
Reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income
Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization adjustments, for fiscal year 2016 was largely
unchanged at $2.36 per common share compared to $2.35 per common share for the prior year period, as the decline in our net
interest margin, inclusive of TBAs and periodic interest rate swap costs, was offset by higher "at risk" leverage and lower operating
costs as a function of our management internalization on July 1, 2016.
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investment Securities, Net
The following table is a summary of our net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 (in
millions):
Fiscal Year
2016
2015
Investment securities sold, at cost.......................................... $
(17,907) $
(27,578)
Sale proceeds .........................................................................
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities..................... $
Gross gain on sale of investment securities ........................... $
Gross loss on sale of investment securities............................
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities..................... $
18,016
109
123
(14)
109
$
$
$
27,555
(23)
98
(121)
(23)
48
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments and Other Securities, Net
The following table is a summary of our gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net for fiscal years 2016
and 2015 (in millions):
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps, net .......................................................... $
(255) $
(393)
Fiscal Year
2016
2015
Realized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net:
TBA securities - dollar roll income, net .................................................................
TBA securities - mark-to-market net gain (loss) ....................................................
Payer swaptions ......................................................................................................
Receiver swaptions .................................................................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - long position..................................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - short position.................................................................
U.S. Treasury futures - short position.....................................................................
216
(114)
(30)
—
7
(85)
(12)
Interest rate swap termination fees .........................................................................
(1,145)
REIT equity securities ............................................................................................
Other .......................................................................................................................
—
8
Total realized loss on derivative instruments and other securities, net .........................
(1,155)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net:
TBA securities - mark-to-market net loss...............................................................
Interest rate swaps ..................................................................................................
Payer swaptions ......................................................................................................
Receiver swaptions .................................................................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - long position..................................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - short position.................................................................
U.S. Treasury futures - short position.....................................................................
Debt of consolidated VIEs......................................................................................
REIT equity securities ............................................................................................
Other .......................................................................................................................
(161)
1,003
27
—
—
219
7
(3)
9
(1)
Total unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net...........
1,100
Total loss on derivative instruments and other securities, net ....................................... $
(310) $
237
246
(77)
15
(33)
(72)
(21)
(327)
4
1
(27)
(178)
(212)
42
(11)
(5)
4
9
16
(9)
—
(344)
(764)
For further details regarding our use of derivative instruments and related activity refer to Notes 2 and 5 of our Consolidated
Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
Operating Expenses
The following table includes a summary of our operating expenses for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions):
Fiscal Year
2016
2015
Management fee expense ............................................
Compensation and benefits .........................................
Other operating expenses ............................................
52
19
34
Total operating expenses ............................................. $
105
$
116
—
23
139
Compensation and benefits expense primarily consisted of base salary, bonus and benefits expense for our employees incurred
following our management internalization on July 1, 2016. Other operating expenses primarily consisted of prime broker fees,
information technology costs, accounting fees, legal fees, Board of Director fees, insurance expense and general overhead expenses.
For fiscal year 2016, other operating expenses included $9 million of non-recurring transaction costs associated with our acquisition
of AMM. Our total annualized operating expense as a percentage of our average stockholders' equity was 1.36% and 1.58% for
fiscal years 2016 and 2015, respectively. Our total annualized operating expense, net of management fee income from MTGE,
49
was 1.26%, including 0.14% of non-recurring acquisition costs and non-cash amortization expense associated with our acquisition
of AMM, for fiscal year 2016.
Dividends and Income Taxes
For fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we had estimated taxable income available to common stockholders of $260 million and
$431 million (or $0.78 and $1.24 per common share), respectively. The following is a reconciliation of our GAAP net income to
our estimated taxable income for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 (dollars in millions, except per share amounts):
Fiscal Year
2016
2015
Net income (loss) .............................................................................................................. $
623
$
215
Estimated book to tax differences:
Premium amortization, net.............................................................................................
Realized gain/loss, net ...................................................................................................
Net capital loss/(utilization of net capital loss carryforward)........................................
Unrealized gain/loss, net................................................................................................
Other ..............................................................................................................................
Total book to tax differences ....................................................................................
Estimated REIT taxable income .......................................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock...........................................................................................
Estimated REIT taxable income available to common stockholders................................ $
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic and diluted ................
Estimated REIT taxable income per common share - basic and diluted .......................... $
Beginning cumulative non-deductible net capital loss ..................................................... $
Utilization of net capital loss carryforward ......................................................................
Ending cumulative non-deductible net capital loss .......................................................... $
Ending cumulative non-deductible net capital loss per ending common share ................ $
(46)
1,034
(232)
(1,094)
3
(335)
288
28
260
331.9
0.78
684
(232)
452
1.37
$
$
$
$
$
(32)
14
(77)
339
—
244
459
28
431
348.6
1.24
761
(77)
684
2.03
For fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we distributed all our taxable income within the limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue
Code. Accordingly, did not incur an income tax or excise tax liability on our 2016 or 2015 taxable income.
The following table summarizes dividends declared on our preferred and common stock during fiscal years 2016 and 2015:
Quarter Ended
December 31, 2016 ...............................................
September 30, 2016...............................................
June 30, 2016 ........................................................
March 31, 2016 .....................................................
Total ......................................................................
December 31, 2015 ...............................................
September 30, 2015...............................................
June 30, 2015 ........................................................
March 31, 2015 .....................................................
Total ......................................................................
Dividends Declared per Share
Series B
Preferred Stock
(Per Depositary
Share)
Series A
Preferred Stock
Common Stock
0.50000
0.50000
0.50000
0.50000
2.00000
0.50000
0.50000
0.50000
0.50000
2.00000
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.484375
0.484375
0.484375
0.484375
1.937500
0.484375
0.484375
0.484375
0.484375
1.937500
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
0.54
0.56
0.60
0.60
2.30
0.60
0.60
0.62
0.66
2.48
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
50
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table summarizes the components of our other comprehensive loss for fiscal years 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net:
Unrealized loss, net............................................................................................................................................... $
(261) $
(620)
Reversal of prior period unrealized (gain) loss, net, upon realization..................................................................
Unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities, net:..............................................................................................
(109)
(370)
Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps previously designated as cash flow hedges:
Reversal of prior period unrealized loss on interest rate swaps, net, upon reclassification to interest expense...
39
Total other comprehensive loss............................................................................................................................... $
(331) $
23
(597)
101
(496)
Fiscal Year
2016
2015
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary sources of funds are borrowings under master repurchase agreements, asset sales, receipts of monthly principal
and interest payments on our investment portfolio and equity offerings. We may also enter into TBA contracts to acquire or dispose
of Agency RMBS and TBA dollar roll transactions to finance Agency RMBS purchases. Because the level of our borrowings can
be adjusted daily, the level of cash and cash equivalents carried on our balance sheet is significantly less important than the potential
liquidity available under our borrowing arrangements. Our leverage will vary periodically depending on market conditions and
our assessment of risks and returns. We generally would expect our leverage to be within six to twelve times the amount of our
tangible stockholders' equity. However, under certain market conditions, we may operate at leverage levels outside of this range
for extended periods of time.
We currently believe that we have sufficient liquidity and capital resources available for the acquisition of additional
investments, repayments on borrowings, maintenance of any margin requirements and the payment of cash dividends as required
for our continued qualification as a REIT. We currently expect to distribute 100% of our taxable income so that we are not subject
to U.S. Federal and state corporate income taxes. Our REIT distribution requirement of at least 90% of our taxable income limits
our ability to retain earnings and thereby replenish or increase capital from operations.
Debt Capital
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our mortgage borrowings consisted of the following ($ in millions):
Mortgage Borrowings
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Amount
%
Amount
%
Repurchase agreements used to fund Agency RMBS 1 ..............................................
$
50,296
75% $
37,686
Debt of consolidated variable interest entities, at fair value.......................................
FHLB advances...........................................................................................................
Total debt ....................................................................................................................
Net TBA position, at cost............................................................................................
Total mortgage borrowings .........................................................................................
$
357
—
50,653
15,739
66,392
1%
—%
76%
24%
100% $
460
3,037
41,183
11,312
52,495
71%
1%
6%
78%
22%
100%
________________________________
1. Excludes repurchase agreements used to fund U.S. Treasury securities of $0 million and $172 million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Our tangible net book value "at risk" leverage was 8.1x and 7.7x as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, measured
as the sum of our total mortgage borrowings, net payable / (receivable) for unsettled investment securities divided by the sum of
our total stockholders' equity adjusted to exclude goodwill and other intangible assets and investments in REIT securities.
Repurchase Agreements
As part of our investment strategy, we borrow against our investment portfolio pursuant to master repurchase agreements.
We expect that the majority of our borrowings under repurchase agreements will have maturities ranging up to one year, but may
have terms ranging up to five years or longer. Borrowings with maturities greater than one year typically have floating rates of
interest based on LIBOR plus or minus a fixed spread.
51
As of December 31, 2017, we had $50.3 billion of repurchase agreements outstanding used to fund acquisitions of investment
securities with a weighted average cost of funds of 1.57% and a weighted average remaining days-to-maturity of 116 days, compared
$37.7 billion, 0.98% and 187 days, respectively, as of December 31, 2016.
To limit our counterparty exposure, we diversify our funding across multiple counterparties and by counterparty region. As
of December 31, 2017, we had master repurchase agreements with 43 financial institutions located throughout North America,
Europe and Asia, including counterparties accessed through our wholly-owned captive broker-dealer subsidiary, BES. BES has
direct access to bilateral and triparty funding, including the General Collateral Finance Repo service offered by the Fixed Income
Clearing Corporation, or "FICC," which provides us greater depth and diversity of funding at favorable terms relative to traditional
bilateral repurchase agreement funding. As of December 31, 2017, $16.6 billion of our repurchase agreement funding was sourced
through BES.
The table below includes a summary of our Agency RMBS repurchase agreement funding by number of repo counterparties
and counterparty region as of December 31, 2017. For further details regarding our borrowings under repurchase agreements as
of December 31, 2017, please refer to Notes 4 and 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K.
December 31, 2017
Percent of
Agency RMBS
Repurchase
Agreement
Funding
Number of
Counter-Parties
1
23
24
14
5
43
30%
46%
76%
15%
9%
100%
Counter-Party Region
North America:
FICC...................................................
Other ..................................................
Total North America .............................
Europe ...................................................
Asia .......................................................
Total
Amounts available to be borrowed under our repurchase agreements are dependent upon lender collateral requirements and
the lender's determination of the fair value of the securities pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates,
credit quality and liquidity conditions within the investment banking, mortgage finance and real estate industries. In addition, our
counterparties apply a "haircut" to our pledged collateral, which means our collateral is valued at slightly less than market value.
This haircut reflects the underlying risk of the specific collateral and protects our counterparty against a change in its value, but
conversely subjects us to counterparty credit risk and limits the amount we can borrow against our investment securities. Our
master repurchase agreements do not specify the haircut; rather haircuts are determined on an individual repurchase transaction
basis. Throughout fiscal year 2017, haircuts on our pledged collateral remained stable and, as of December 31, 2017, our weighted
average haircut was approximately 4.3% of the value of our collateral, inclusive of collateral funded through BES. As of
December 31, 2017, our maximum amount at risk (or the amount of our repurchase liabilities in excess of the value of collateral
pledged) with any counterparty related to our repurchase agreements was less than 5% of our tangible stockholders' equity, and
our top five repo counterparties represented less than 14% of our tangible stockholders' equity.
We may be required to pledge additional assets to our counterparties in the event the estimated fair value of the existing
collateral pledged under our agreements declines and our counterparties demand additional collateral (a "margin call"), which may
take the form of additional securities or cash. Specifically, margin calls would result from a decline in the fair value of our
investment securities securing our repurchase agreements as well as due to prepayments on the mortgages securing such securities.
Similarly, if the estimated fair value of our investment securities increases due to changes in interest rates or other factors,
counterparties may release collateral back to us. Our repurchase agreements generally provide that the valuations of securities
securing our repurchase agreements are to be obtained from a generally recognized source agreed to by the parties. In certain
circumstances, however, our lenders have the sole discretion to determine the value of pledged collateral. In such instances, our
lenders are required to act in good faith in making determinations of value. Our repurchase agreements generally provide that in
the event of a margin call, we must provide additional securities or cash on the same business day that a margin call is made if the
lender provides us notice prior to the margin notice deadline on such day.
As of December 31, 2017, we had met all of our margin requirements and we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents
of $1.0 billion and unpledged securities of approximately $3.6 billion, including securities pledged to us and unpledged interests
in our consolidated VIEs, available to meet margin calls on our repurchase agreements and other funding liabilities, derivative
instruments and for other corporate purposes.
52
Although we believe we will have adequate sources of liquidity available to us through repurchase agreement financing to
execute our business strategy, there can be no assurances that repurchase agreement financing will be available to us upon the
maturity of our current repurchase agreements to allow us to renew or replace our repurchase agreement financing on favorable
terms or at all. If our repurchase agreement lenders default on their obligations to resell the underlying collateral back to us at the
end of the term, we could incur a loss equal to the difference between the value of the collateral and the cash we originally received.
To help manage the adverse impact of interest rate changes on the value of our investment portfolio as well as our cash flows,
we utilize an interest rate risk management strategy under which we use derivative financial instruments. In particular, we attempt
to mitigate the risk of the cost of our variable rate liabilities increasing at a faster rate than the earnings of our long-term fixed rate
assets during a period of rising interest rates. The primary derivative instruments that we use are interest rate swaps, interest rate
swaptions, U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts. Please refer to Notes 2 and 5 to our Consolidated Financial
Statements in this Form 10-K for further details regarding our use of derivative instruments.
As with repurchase agreements, our derivative agreements typically require that we pledge/receive collateral to/from our
counterparties. Our counterparties, or the central clearing agency, typically have the sole discretion to determine the value of the
derivative instruments and the value of the collateral securing such instruments. In the event of a margin call, we must provide
additional collateral generally on the same or next business day. We minimize counterparty credit risk associated with our derivative
instruments by limiting our counterparties to central clearing exchanges and major financial institutions with acceptable credit
ratings and by monitoring positions with individual counterparties. Excluding centrally cleared derivative instruments, as of
December 31, 2017, our amount at risk with any counterparty related to our interest rate swap and swaption agreements was less
than 1% of our stockholders' equity. In the case of centrally cleared derivative instruments, we could be exposed to credit risk if
the central clearing agency or a clearing member defaults on its respective obligation to perform under the contract. However, we
believe that the risk is minimal due to the exchanges' initial and daily mark to market margin requirements and clearinghouse
guarantee funds and other resources that are available in the event of a clearing member default.
TBA Dollar Roll Transactions
TBA dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing accounted for as derivative instruments. We
may also use TBAs to leverage (or deleverage) our investment portfolio using long (or short) TBA contracts (see Notes 2 and 5
to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-K additional details on of our TBA transactions).
Under certain market conditions, it may be uneconomical for us to roll our TBA contracts into future months and we may
need to take or make physical delivery of the underlying securities. If we were required to take physical delivery to settle a long
TBA contract, we would have to fund our total purchase commitment with cash or other financing sources and our liquidity position
could be negatively impacted. As of December 31, 2017, we had a net long TBA position with a total market value and a total
cost basis of $15.7 billion and a net carrying value of $3 million recognized in derivative assets/(liabilities), at fair value, on our
Consolidated Balance Sheets in this Form 10-K.
Our TBA dollar roll contracts are also subject to margin requirements governed by the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division
("MBSD") of the FICC and by our prime brokerage agreements, which may establish margin levels in excess of the MBSD. Such
provisions require that we establish an initial margin based on the notional value of the TBA contract, which is subject to increase
if the estimated fair value of our TBA contract or the estimated fair value of our pledged collateral declines. The MBSD has the
sole discretion to determine the value of our TBA contracts and of the pledged collateral securing such contracts. In the event of
a margin call, we must generally provide additional collateral on the same business day.
Settlement of our TBA obligations by taking delivery of the underlying securities as well as satisfying margin requirements
could negatively impact our liquidity position. However, since we do not use TBA dollar roll transactions as our primary source
of financing, we believe that we will have adequate sources of liquidity to meet such obligations.
Bethesda Securities Regulatory Capital Requirements
BES is subject to regulations of the securities business that include but are not limited to trade practices, capital structure,
recordkeeping and conduct of directors, officers and employees. As a self-clearing registered broker-dealer, BES is required to
maintain minimum net regulatory capital as defined by SEC Rule 15c3-1 (the "Rule"). As of December 31, 2017, the minimum
net capital required was $0.3 million and BES had excess net capital of $258.8 million. Regulatory capital in excess of the minimum
required by the Rule is held to meet levels required by clearing organizations, the clearing bank and other repo counterparties.
Asset Sales and TBA Eligible Securities
We maintain a portfolio of highly liquid mortgage-backed securities. We may sell our Agency securities through the TBA
market by delivering them into TBA contracts, subject to "good delivery" provisions promulgated by the SIFMA. We may
53
alternatively sell Agency securities that have more unique attributes on a specified basis when such securities trade at a premium
over generic TBA securities or if the securities are not otherwise eligible for TBA delivery. Since the TBA market is the second
most liquid market (after the U.S. Treasury market), maintaining a significant level of Agency securities eligible for TBA delivery
enhances our liquidity profile and provides price support for our TBA eligible securities at or above generic TBA prices. As of
December 31, 2017, approximately 90% of our fixed rate Agency RMBS portfolio was eligible for TBA delivery.
Equity Capital
To the extent we raise additional equity capital we may use cash proceeds from such transactions to purchase additional
investment securities, make scheduled payments of principal and interest on our funding liabilities and/or for other general corporate
purposes. There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to raise additional equity capital at any particular time or on
any particular terms. Furthermore, when the trading price of our common stock is significantly less than our estimate of our current
tangible net book value per common share, among other conditions, we may repurchase shares of our common stock, subject to
the provisions of a stock repurchase program in effect at such time.
OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS
As of December 31, 2017, we did not maintain relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as
entities often referred to as structured finance, or special purpose or variable interest entities, established to facilitate off-balance
sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Additionally, as of December 31, 2017, we had not guaranteed
obligations of unconsolidated entities or entered into a commitment or intent to provide funding to such entities.
AGGREGATE CONTRACTUAL OBLIGATIONS
The following table summarizes the effect on our liquidity and cash flows from contractual obligations for repurchase
agreements and related interest expense (in millions):
Fiscal Year
2018
2019
2020
2021
2022
Total
Repurchase agreements ........................................................................................
$ 45,771
$
1,700
$
2,200
$
625
$
— $ 50,296
Interest expense 1..................................................................................................
191
61
20
1
—
273
Total......................................................................................................................
$ 45,962
$
1,761
$
2,220
$
626
$
— $ 50,569
________________________________
1.
Interest expense is calculated based on the weighted average interest rates on our repurchase agreements as of December 31, 2017.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains forward looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. These forward looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs and assumptions of our management as of
the date of this Annual Report on Form 10-K and involve risks and uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Our
actual performance could differ materially from those projected or anticipated in any forward looking statements due to a variety
of factors, including, without limitation, changes in interest rates, the yield curve or prepayment rates; the availability and terms
of financing; changes in the market value of our assets; the effectiveness of our risk mitigation strategies; conditions in the market
for Agency and other mortgage securities; or legislative or regulatory changes that affect our status as a REIT or our exemption
from the Investment Company Act of 1940 or that affect the GSE’s or secondary mortgage market in which we participate. A
discussion of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from any of our forward looking statements is included
in this document under Item 1A. Risk Factors. We caution readers not to place undue reliance on our forward looking statements.
54
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in market factors such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange
rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The primary market risks that we are exposed to are interest rate, prepayment, spread,
liquidity, extension and credit risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including fiscal and monetary policies and domestic and international
economic and political considerations, as well as other factors beyond our control. We are subject to interest rate risk in connection
with our assets and related financing obligations. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we engage in a variety of
interest rate management techniques to mitigate the influence of interest rate changes on our net interest income and fluctuations
of our net asset value.
We seek to hedge interest rate risk with respect to both the fixed income nature of our assets and short-term, variable rate
nature of our financing. In hedging interest rates with respect to our fixed income assets, we attempt to reduce the risk of losses
on the value of our investments that may result from changes in interest rates in the broader markets. In utilizing interest rate
hedges with respect to our financing, we attempt to improve risk-adjusted returns and, where possible, to obtain a favorable spread
between the yield on our assets and the cost of our financing. The principal instruments that we use to hedge our interest rate risk
are interest rate swaps, swaptions, U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts.
Our operating results depend in large part on differences between the income earned on our assets and our cost of borrowing
and hedging activities. The costs associated with our borrowings are generally based on prevailing market interest rates. During
a period of rising interest rates, our borrowing costs generally will increase while the yields earned on our existing portfolio of
leveraged fixed-rate assets will largely remain static. This can result in a decline in our net interest margin. The severity of any
such decline would depend on our asset, liability and hedge composition at the time, as well as the magnitude and duration of the
interest rate increase.
Changes in the level of interest rates can also affect the rate of mortgage prepayments and the value of our assets. Our
hedging techniques are highly complex and are partly based on assumed levels of prepayments of our assets. If prepayments are
slower or faster than assumed, the maturity our investments will also differ from our expectations, which could reduce the
effectiveness of our hedging strategies and may cause losses on such transactions and adversely affect our cash flow.
Primary measures of an instrument's price sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations are its duration and convexity. Duration
measures the estimated percentage change in market value of our assets or our hedge portfolio that would be caused by a parallel
change in short and long-term interest rates. The duration of our assets changes with interest rates and tends to increase when
interest rates rise and decrease when interest rates fall. This "negative convexity" generally increases the interest rate exposure
of our investment portfolio in excess of what is measured by duration alone.
We estimate the duration and convexity of our assets using both a third-party risk management system and market data. We
review the duration estimates from the third-party model and may make adjustments based on our judgment to better reflect any
unique characteristics and market trading conventions associated with certain types of securities.
The table below quantifies the estimated changes in (i) net interest income (including periodic interest costs on our interest
rate swaps); (ii) the fair value of our investment portfolio (including derivatives and other securities used for hedging purposes);
and (iii) our tangible net book value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 should interest rates go up or down by 50 and 100 basis
points, assuming instantaneous parallel shifts in the yield curve and including the impact of both duration and convexity.
All changes in income and value in the table below are measured as percentage changes from the base interest rate scenario.
The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates and prepayment projections as of December 31, 2017 and 2016. We apply
a floor of 0% for the down rate scenarios on our interest-bearing liabilities and the variable leg of our interest rate swaps, such
that any hypothetical interest rate decrease would have a limited positive impact on our funding costs beyond a certain level.
To the extent that these estimates or other assumptions do not hold true, which is likely in a period of high volatility, actual
results could differ materially from our projections. Moreover, if different models were employed in the analysis, materially
different projections could result. Lastly, while the table below reflects the estimated impact of interest rate changes on a static
portfolio, we actively manage our portfolio and we continuously adjust the size and composition of our asset and hedge portfolio.
55
Interest Rate Sensitivity 1
Percentage Change in Projected
Net Interest
Income 2
Portfolio
Market
Value 3,4
Tangible Net
Asset
Value 3,5
Change in Interest Rate
As of December 31, 2017
-100 Basis Points ............................................
-10.4%
-50 Basis Points ..............................................
+50 Basis Points..............................................
+100 Basis Points............................................
As of December 31, 2016
-100 Basis Points ............................................
-50 Basis Points ..............................................
+50 Basis Points..............................................
+100 Basis Points............................................
-3.9%
+0.4%
+0.2%
-9.7%
-1.8%
+4.1%
+6.2%
-1.0%
-0.2%
-0.2%
-0.7%
+0.6%
+0.5%
-0.8%
-1.7%
-9.1%
-1.9%
-2.0%
-6.6%
+4.9%
+4.4%
-6.9%
-15.3%
________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Interest rate sensitivity is derived from models that are dependent on inputs and assumptions provided by third parties, assumes there are no changes
in mortgage spreads and assumes a static portfolio. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Represents the estimated dollar change in net interest income expressed as a percent of net interest income based on asset yields and cost of funds as
of such date. It includes the effect of periodic interest costs on our interest rate swaps, but excludes costs associated with our forward starting swaps
and other supplemental hedges, such as swaptions and U.S. Treasury securities. Amounts also exclude costs associated with our TBA position and
TBA dollar roll income/loss, which are accounted for as derivative instruments in accordance with GAAP. Base case scenario assumes interest rates
and forecasted CPR of 8.4% and 8.0% as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of December 31, 2017, rate shock scenarios assume a
forecasted CPR of 13%, 10%, 7% and 7% for the -100, -50, +50 and +100 basis points scenarios, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, rate shock
scenarios assume a forecasted CPR of 10%, 9%, 7% and 7% for such scenarios, respectively. Estimated dollar change in net interest income does not
include the impact of retroactive "catch-up" premium amortization adjustments due to changes in our forecasted CPR. Down rate scenarios assume a
floor of 0% for anticipated interest rates.
Includes the effect of derivatives and other securities used for hedging purposes.
Estimated dollar change in investment portfolio value expressed as a percent of the total fair value of our investment portfolio as of such date.
Estimated dollar change in portfolio value expressed as a percent of tangible stockholders' equity, net of the aggregate preferred stock liquidation
preference, as of such date.
Prepayment Risk
Prepayment risk is the risk that our assets will be repaid at a faster rate than anticipated. Interest rates and numerous other
factors affect the rate of prepayments, including housing prices, general economic conditions, loan age, size and loan-to-value
ratios, and the pace of GSE buyouts of delinquent loans underlying our securities among other factors. Generally, prepayments
increase during periods of falling mortgage interest rates and decrease during periods of rising mortgage interest rates. However,
this may not always be the case.
If our assets prepay at a faster rate than anticipated, we may be unable to reinvest the repayments at acceptable yields. If
the proceeds are reinvested at lower yields than our existing assets, our net interest income would be negatively impacted. We
also amortize or accrete premiums and discounts we pay or receive at purchase relative to the stated principal of our assets into
interest income over their projected lives using the effective interest method. If the actual and estimated future prepayment
experience differs from our prior estimates, we are required to record an adjustment to interest income for the impact of the
cumulative difference in the effective yield.
Extension Risk
Similar to prepayment risk, extension risk is the risk that our assets will be repaid at a slower rate than anticipated. Extension
risk generally increases when interest rates rise. In this scenario, we may have to finance our investments at potentially higher
costs without the ability to reinvest principal into higher yielding securities because borrowers prepay their mortgages at a slower
pace than originally expected, adversely impacting our net interest margin, and thus our net interest income.
Spread Risk
Spread risk is the risk that the market spread between the yield on our assets and the yield on benchmark interest rates, such
as U.S. Treasury rates and interest rate swap rates, may vary. The inherent spread risk associated with our investment securities
and the resulting fluctuations in fair value of these securities can occur independent of interest rates and may relate to other factors
impacting the mortgage and fixed income markets, such as actual or anticipated monetary policy actions by the Fed, liquidity, or
56
changes in required rates of return on different assets. Our strategies are generally not specifically designed to protect against
spread risk, thus while we use interest rate swaps and other hedges to attempt to protect against moves in interest rates, our hedges
will typically not protect our net book value against spread risk and our tangible net book value could decline if spreads widen.
The table below quantifies the estimated changes in the fair value of our assets, net of hedges, and our tangible net book
value as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 should spreads widen or tighten by 10 and 25 basis points. The estimated impact of
changes in spreads is in addition to our interest rate shock sensitivity included in the interest rate shock table above. The table
below assumes a spread duration of 5.3 and 5.4 years as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, based on interest rates and
prices as of such dates. However, our portfolio's sensitivity of mortgage spread changes will vary with changes in interest rates
and in the size and composition of our portfolio. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from our estimates.
Spread Sensitivity 1
Change in MBS Spread
As of December 31, 2017
-25 Basis Points ........................................
-10 Basis Points ........................................
+10 Basis Points........................................
+25 Basis Points........................................
As of December 31, 2016
-25 Basis Points ........................................
-10 Basis Points ........................................
+10 Basis Points........................................
+25 Basis Points........................................
Percentage Change in Projected
Portfolio
Market
Value 2,3
Tangible Net
Asset
Value 2,4
+1.3%
+0.5%
-0.5%
-1.3%
+1.3%
+0.5%
-0.5%
-1.3%
+12.6%
+5.0%
-5.0%
-12.6%
+12.0%
+4.8%
-4.8%
-12.0%
________________________________
1.
2.
3.
4.
Spread sensitivity is derived from models that are dependent on inputs and assumptions provided by third parties, assumes there are no changes in
interest rates and assumes a static portfolio. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
Includes the effect of derivatives and other securities used for hedging purposes.
Estimated dollar change in investment portfolio value expressed as a percent of the total fair value of our investment portfolio as of such date.
Estimated dollar change in portfolio value expressed as a percent of tangible stockholders' equity, net of the aggregate preferred stock liquidation
preference, as of such date.
Liquidity Risk
Our liquidity risk principally arises from financing long-term fixed rate assets with shorter-term, variable rate borrowings.
As of December 31, 2017, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $1.0 billion and unpledged securities of approximately
$3.6 billion available to meet margin calls on our funding liabilities and derivative contracts and for other corporate purposes.
However, should the value of our collateral or the value of our derivative instruments suddenly decrease, margin calls relating to
our funding liabilities and derivative agreements could increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. Furthermore,
there is no assurance that we will always be able to renew (or roll) our short-term funding liabilities. In addition, our counterparties
have the option to increase our haircuts (margin requirements) on the assets we pledge against our funding liabilities, thereby
reducing the amount that can be borrowed against an asset even if they agree to renew or roll our funding liabilities. Significantly
higher haircuts can reduce our ability to leverage our portfolio or even force us to sell assets, especially if correlated with asset
price declines or faster prepayment rates on our assets.
In addition, we often utilize TBA dollar roll transactions to invest in and finance Agency RMBS. Under certain conditions
it may be uneconomical to roll our TBA dollar roll transactions beyond the next settlement date and we could have to take physical
delivery of the underlying securities and settle our obligations for cash, which could negatively impact our liquidity position, result
in defaults or force us to sell assets under adverse conditions.
Credit Risk
Credit risk is the risk that we may not receive full repayment of principal, interest or other remuneration related credit
sensitive instruments. Investments in CRT and non-Agency securities expose us to credit risk. We are also exposed to credit risk
in the event our derivative counterparties do not perform under the terms of our derivative agreements or in the event our repurchase
agreement counterparties default on their obligations to resell the underlying collateral back to us at the end of the repo term.
57
We accept credit exposure related to our CRT and non-Agency securities at levels we deem to be prudent within the context
of our overall investment strategy. We attempt to manage this risk through prudent asset selection, pre-acquisition due diligence,
post-acquisition performance monitoring, and sale of assets where we identify negative credit trends. We may also manage credit
risk with credit default swaps or other financial derivatives that we believe are appropriate. Additionally, we may vary the mix
of our Agency and credit sensitive assets or our duration gap, when we believe credit performance is inversely correlated with
changes in interest rates, to adjust our credit exposure and/or improve the return profile of our assets. Our credit risk related to
derivative and repo transactions is largely mitigated by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions with acceptable
credit ratings and monitoring concentration levels with any one counterparty. We also monitor and adjust the amount of collateral
pledged based on changes in market value.
There is no guarantee that our efforts to manage credit risk will be successful and we could suffer losses if credit performance
is worse than our expectations or our counterparties default on their obligations. As of December 31, 2017, our amount at risk
with any counterparty related to our repurchase agreements was less than 5% of our tangible stockholders' equity and our maximum
amount at risk with any counterparty related to our interest rate swap and swaption agreements, excluding centrally cleared swaps,
was less than 1% of our stockholders' equity.
58
Item 8. Financial Statements
Our management is responsible for the accompanying consolidated financial statements and the related financial information.
The financial statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States and
necessarily include certain amounts that are based on estimates and informed judgments. Our management also prepared the related
financial information included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and is responsible for its accuracy and consistency with the
consolidated financial statements.
The consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 and fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 have been
audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, who conducted their audit in accordance with
the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). The independent registered public accounting
firm's responsibility is to express an opinion on these consolidated financial statements based on their audit. For further information
refer to the Ernst & Young LLP audit opinion included in this Item 8 of our Annual Report.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting as defined
in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Our internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide
reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of consolidated financial statements for
external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Our internal control over financial reporting
includes those policies and procedures that (i) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly
reflect the transactions and dispositions of our assets; (ii) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary
to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and
expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of our management and Board of Directors; and (iii) provide
reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of our assets that
could have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because
of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, utilizing
the criteria set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO) in its Internal Control-
Integrated Framework (2013 framework). Based on this assessment and those criteria, management determined that our internal
control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2017. The effectiveness of our internal control over financial
reporting as of December 31, 2017 has been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm,
as stated in their attestation report included in this Form 10-K.
59
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of AGNC Investment Corp.
We have audited AGNC Investment Corp.’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria
established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway
Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, AGNC Investment Corp. maintained, in all material respects,
effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of AGNC Investment Corp. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related
consolidated statements of comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period
ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes, and our report dated February 26, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
AGNC Investment Corp.’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for
its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report
on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the company’s internal control over
financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be
independent with respect to AGNC Investment Corp. in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules
and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the
audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material
respects.
Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness
exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing
such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for
our opinion.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability
of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted
accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain
to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets
of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial
statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are
being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable
assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that
could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also,
projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate
because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Tysons, Virginia
February 26, 2018
60
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
The Board of Directors and Stockholders of AGNC Investment Corp.
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of AGNC Investment Corp. as of December 31, 2017 and 2016,
and the related consolidated statements of comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”).
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of AGNC
Investment Corp. at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years
in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States)
(PCAOB), AGNC Investment Corp.'s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established
in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission
(2013 framework) and our report dated February 26, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
Basis for Opinion
These financial statements are the responsibility of AGNC Investment Corp.'s management. Our responsibility is to express an
opinion on these financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are
required to be independent with respect to AGNC Investment Corp. in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the
applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States).
Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements
are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of
material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those
risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our
opinion.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
We have served as AGNC Investment Corp.’s auditor since 2008.
Tysons, Virginia
February 26, 2018
61
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except per share data)
Assets:
Agency securities, at fair value (including pledged securities of $53,055 and $43,943, respectively) $
55,506
$
45,393
December 31,
2017
2016
Agency securities transferred to consolidated variable interest entities, at fair value (pledged
securities) ..............................................................................................................................................
Credit risk transfer securities, at fair value ...........................................................................................
Non-Agency securities, at fair value (including pledged securities of $0 and $90, respectively)........
U.S. Treasury securities, at fair value (including pledged securities of $0 and $173, respectively) ....
REIT equity securities, at fair value......................................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents.....................................................................................................................
Restricted cash and cash equivalents ....................................................................................................
Derivative assets, at fair value ..............................................................................................................
Receivable for securities sold (pledged securities) ...............................................................................
Receivable under reverse repurchase agreements.................................................................................
Goodwill and other intangible assets, net .............................................................................................
Other assets ...........................................................................................................................................
662
876
36
—
29
1,046
317
205
—
10,961
551
187
Total assets .................................................................................................................................... $
70,376
Liabilities:
Repurchase agreements......................................................................................................................... $
Debt of consolidated variable interest entities, at fair value .................................................................
Federal Home Loan Bank advances......................................................................................................
Payable for securities purchased ...........................................................................................................
Derivative liabilities, at fair value.........................................................................................................
Dividends payable.................................................................................................................................
Obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value .............
Accounts payable and other liabilities ..................................................................................................
Total liabilities...............................................................................................................................
Stockholders' equity:
8.000% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (aggregate liquidation preference of $0
and $173, respectively) .........................................................................................................................
7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (aggregate liquidation preference of
$175) .....................................................................................................................................................
7.000% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (aggregate
liquidation preference of $325 and $0, respectively)............................................................................
Common stock - $0.01 par value; 600.0 shares authorized; 391.3 and 331.0 shares issued and
outstanding, respectively
Additional paid-in capital......................................................................................................................
Retained deficit .....................................................................................................................................
Accumulated other comprehensive loss................................................................................................
Total stockholders' equity..............................................................................................................
50,296
357
—
95
28
80
10,467
299
61,622
—
169
315
4
11,173
(2,562)
(345)
8,754
$
$
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity....................................................................................... $
70,376
$
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
818
164
124
182
—
1,208
74
355
21
7,716
554
271
56,880
37,858
460
3,037
—
256
66
7,636
211
49,524
167
169
—
3
9,932
(2,518)
(397)
7,356
56,880
62
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in millions, except per share data)
Interest income:
Interest income................................................................................................................. $
Interest expense................................................................................................................
Net interest income ...................................................................................................
Other gain (loss), net:
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities, net..............................................................
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities measured at fair value through net
income, net.......................................................................................................................
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net .......................................
Management fee income ..................................................................................................
Total other gain (loss), net: .......................................................................................
Expenses:
Management fee expense.................................................................................................
Compensation and benefits ..............................................................................................
Other operating expenses.................................................................................................
Total operating expenses...........................................................................................
Net income .............................................................................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock.............................................................................................
Issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock.....................................................................
Net income available to common stockholders................................................................... $
Net income ............................................................................................................................. $
Other comprehensive income (loss):....................................................................................
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net .............................................
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net................................................................
Other comprehensive income (loss) .........................................................................
Comprehensive income (loss) ...............................................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock.............................................................................................
Issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock.....................................................................
Comprehensive income (loss) available (attributable) to common stockholders ............ $
For the year ended December 31,
2017
2016
2015
1,293
$
1,321
$
1,466
524
769
(63)
(71)
193
13
72
—
42
28
70
771
32
6
733
771
52
—
52
823
32
6
785
$
$
$
394
927
109
(6)
(310)
8
(199)
52
19
34
105
623
28
—
595
623
(370)
39
(331)
292
28
—
264
$
$
$
330
1,136
(23)
5
(764)
—
(782)
116
—
23
139
215
28
—
187
215
(597)
101
(496)
(281)
28
—
(309)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic...................................
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
Net income per common share - basic and diluted ............................................................ $
358.6
358.7
331.9
331.9
348.6
348.6
2.04
$
1.79
$
0.54
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
63
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(in millions)
8.000%
Series A
Cumulative
Redeemable
Preferred
Stock
7.750%
Series B
Cumulative
Redeemable
Preferred
Stock
7.000%
Series C
Fixed-to-
Floating
Rate
Cumulative
Redeemable
Preferred
Stock
Common Stock
Shares
Amount
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
Retained
Deficit
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total
Balance, December 31, 2014................ $
167
$
169
$
Net Income ........................................
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized loss on available-for-
sale securities, net .........................
Unrealized gain on derivative
instruments, net .............................
Repurchase of common stock............
Preferred dividends declared .............
Common dividends declared .............
Balance, December 31, 2015................
Net income ........................................
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized loss on available-for-
sale securities, net .........................
Unrealized gain on derivative
instruments, net .............................
Repurchase of common stock............
Preferred dividends declared .............
Common dividends declared .............
Balance, December 31, 2016................
Net income ........................................
Other comprehensive income:
Unrealized gain on available-for-
sale securities, net .........................
Stock-based compensation ................
Issuance of preferred stock................
—
—
—
—
—
—
167
—
—
—
—
—
—
167
—
—
—
—
Redemption of preferred stock ..........
(167)
Issuance of common stock ................
Preferred dividends declared .............
Common dividends declared .............
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
169
—
—
—
—
—
—
169
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
315
—
—
—
—
352.8
$
—
—
—
(15.3)
—
—
337.5
—
—
—
(6.5)
—
—
331.0
—
—
—
—
—
60.3
—
—
4
—
—
—
(1)
—
—
3
—
—
—
—
—
—
3
—
—
—
—
—
1
—
—
$
10,332
$
(1,674) $
—
—
—
(284)
—
—
215
—
—
—
(28)
(863)
10,048
(2,350)
—
—
—
(116)
—
—
623
—
—
—
(28)
(763)
9,932
(2,518)
—
—
4
—
—
1,237
—
—
771
—
—
—
(6)
—
(32)
(777)
430
$
9,428
—
215
(597)
(597)
101
—
—
—
(66)
—
101
(285)
(28)
(863)
7,971
623
(370)
(370)
39
—
—
(397)
—
52
—
—
—
—
—
—
39
(116)
(28)
(763)
7,356
771
52
4
315
(173)
1,238
(32)
(777)
Balance, December 31, 2017................ $
— $
169
$
315
391.3
$
4
$
11,173
$
(2,562) $
(345)
$
8,754
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
64
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in millions)
Operating activities:
Net income ............................................................................................................................................................................. $
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
771
$
623
$
215
For the year ended December 31,
2017
2016
2015
Amortization of premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities, net ............................................................
Amortization of accumulated other comprehensive loss on interest rate swaps de-designated as qualifying hedges .
Amortization of intangible assets..................................................................................................................................
Stock-based compensation............................................................................................................................................
(Gain) loss on sale of investment securities, net...........................................................................................................
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities measured at fair value through net income, net ................................
(Gain) loss on derivative instruments and other securities, net ....................................................................................
(Increase) decrease in other assets ................................................................................................................................
Increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities ...........................................................................................
Net cash provided by operating activities..............................................................................................................................
Investing activities:
Purchases of Agency mortgage-backed securities ........................................................................................................
Purchases of credit risk transfer and non-Agency securities ........................................................................................
Proceeds from sale of Agency mortgage-backed securities..........................................................................................
Proceeds from sale of credit risk transfer and non-Agency securities..........................................................................
Principal collections on Agency mortgage-backed securities.......................................................................................
Principal collections on credit risk transfer and non-Agency securities.......................................................................
Payments on U.S. Treasury securities...........................................................................................................................
Proceeds from U.S. Treasury securities ........................................................................................................................
Net proceeds from (payments on) reverse repurchase agreements...............................................................................
Net proceeds from (payments on) derivative instruments ............................................................................................
Purchases of REIT equity securities .............................................................................................................................
Proceeds from sale of REIT equity securities...............................................................................................................
Purchase of AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC, net of cash acquired......................................................................
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash pledged for derivative instruments....................................................................
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities ...............................................................................................................
Financing activities:
378
—
3
4
63
71
(193)
82
81
400
39
2
1
(109)
6
310
34
46
408
101
—
—
23
(5)
764
(83)
5
1,260
1,352
1,428
(35,920)
(20,836)
(32,770)
(1,074)
18,701
494
6,869
5
(229)
(116)
18,030
27,794
—
8,114
23
—
7,920
2
(11,756)
(4,483)
(49,724)
14,557
(3,162)
253
(28)
—
—
(267)
(11,328)
10,393
(6,003)
(1,292)
—
39
(555)
1,244
4,445
48,354
3,505
(328)
(11)
35
—
(568)
4,093
483,516
217,538
380,580
Proceeds from repurchase arrangements ......................................................................................................................
Payments on repurchase agreements ............................................................................................................................
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances .....................................................................................................
Payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances........................................................................................................
Payments on debt of consolidated variable interest entities .........................................................................................
Net proceeds from preferred stock issuance .................................................................................................................
Payment for preferred stock redemption.......................................................................................................................
Net proceeds from common stock issuances ................................................................................................................
Payments for common stock repurchases .....................................................................................................................
Cash dividends paid ......................................................................................................................................................
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash pledged for derivative instruments....................................................................
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities...............................................................................................................
Net change in cash and cash equivalents ...............................................................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period .................................................................................................................
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period ........................................................................................................................... $
(471,078)
—
(3,037)
(104)
315
(173)
1,238
—
(795)
24
9,906
(162)
1,208
1,046
(221,434)
(389,122)
2,098
(2,814)
(135)
12,957
(9,204)
(155)
—
—
—
(116)
(799)
(37)
(5,699)
98
1,110
1,208
$
—
—
—
(285)
(902)
—
(6,131)
(610)
1,720
1,110
$
Supplemental disclosure to cash flow information:
Interest paid............................................................................................................................................................................ $
Taxes paid .............................................................................................................................................................................. $
474
$
332
$
— $
— $
215
1
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
65
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Note 1. Organization
We were organized in Delaware on January 7, 2008 and commenced operations on May 20, 2008 following the completion
of our initial public offering. Our common stock is traded on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol "AGNC."
We operate to qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"). As a REIT, we are required to distribute annually 90% of our taxable income. So long
as we continue to qualify as a REIT, we will generally not be subject to U.S. Federal or state corporate taxes on our taxable income
to the extent that we distribute our annual taxable income to our stockholders on a timely basis. It is our intention to distribute
100% of our taxable income, after application of available tax attributes, within the limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue
Code, which may extend into the subsequent tax year.
We earn income primarily from investing in residential mortgage-backed securities for which the principal and interest
payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise or a U.S. Government agency ("Agency RMBS") on a
leveraged basis. We may also invest in other types of mortgage and mortgage-related securities, such as credit risk transfer ("CRT")
securities and non-Agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities ("non-Agency RMBS" and "CMBS,"
respectively), where repayment of principal and interest is not guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise or U.S.
Government agency.
Our principal objective is to provide our stockholders with attractive risk-adjusted returns through a combination of monthly
dividends and tangible net book value accretion. We generate income from the interest earned on our investment assets, net of
associated borrowing and hedging activities, and net realized gains and losses on our investments and hedging activities. We fund
our investments primarily through borrowings structured as repurchase agreements.
Prior to July 1, 2016, we were externally managed by AGNC Management, LLC (our "Manager"). On July 1, 2016, we
completed the acquisition of all the outstanding membership interests of AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC ("AMM"), the parent
company of our Manager, from American Capital Asset Management, LLC, a wholly owned portfolio company of American
Capital, Ltd. AMM is also the parent company of MTGE Management, LLC, the external manager of MTGE Investment Corp.
("MTGE") (Nasdaq: MTGE). Following the closing of the acquisition of AMM, we became internally managed and the external
manager of MTGE.
Note 2. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation and Consolidation
Our consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United
States ("GAAP"). Our consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all subsidiaries and variable interest entities for
which we are the primary beneficiary. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial
statements and revenues and expenses during the period reported. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Earnings per Share
Basic earnings per share ("EPS") is computed by dividing net income (loss) available (attributable) to common stockholders
by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS assumes the conversion, exercise
or issuance of all potential common stock equivalents unless the effect is to reduce a loss or increase the income per share.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 220, Comprehensive Income, divides comprehensive income into net
income and other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI"), which includes unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as
available-for-sale and unrealized gains and losses on derivative financial instruments that are designated and qualify for cash flow
hedge accounting under ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815"). During fiscal year 2011, we discontinued
designating our derivative financial instruments, principally interest rate swaps, as cash flow hedges. For further information
regarding our discontinuation of cash flow hedge accounting, see Derivatives Instruments below and Note 5.
66
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents consist of unrestricted demand deposits and highly liquid investments with original maturities of
three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents
Restricted cash and cash equivalents includes cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral for clearing and executing
trades, repurchase agreements and other borrowings, and interest rate swaps and other derivative instruments. Restricted cash and
cash equivalents are carried at cost, which approximates fair value.
Investment Securities
The Agency RMBS in which we invest consist of residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage
obligations ("CMOs") guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage
Corporation ("Freddie Mac," and together with Fannie Mae, the "GSEs") or the Government National Mortgage Association
("Ginnie Mae").
CRT securities are risk sharing instruments issued by the GSEs, and similarly structured transactions issued by third-party
market participants, that transfer a portion of the risk associated with credit losses within pools of conventional residential mortgage
loans from the GSEs and/or third parties to private investors. Unlike Agency RMBS, full repayment of the original principal
balance of CRT securities is not guaranteed by a GSE or U.S. Government agency; rather, "credit risk transfer" is achieved by
writing down the outstanding principal balance of the CRT securities if credit losses on a related pool of loans exceed certain
thresholds. By reducing the amount that they are obligated to repay to holders of CRT securities, the GSEs and/or other third
parties offset credit losses on the related loans.
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS (together, "Non-Agency MBS") are backed by residential and commercial mortgage loans,
respectively, packaged and securitized by a private institution, such as a commercial bank. Non-Agency MBS typically benefit
from credit enhancements derived from structural elements, such as subordination, overcollateralization or insurance, but
nonetheless carry a higher level of credit exposure than Agency RMBS.
Mortgage-related securities may also include investments in the common stock of other publicly traded mortgage REITs,
including MTGE, that primarily invest in Agency securities, non-Agency securities, other mortgage related instruments and/or
real estate on a leveraged basis. As of December 31, 2017, our investments in REIT equity securities consisted solely of MTGE
common stock.
Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities, requires that at the time
of purchase, we designate a security as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading, depending on our ability and intent to hold
such security to maturity. Alternatively, we may elect the fair value option of accounting for such securities pursuant to ASC Topic
825, Financial Instruments. All of our securities are reported at fair value as they have either been designated as available-for-
sale or trading or we have elected the fair value option of accounting. Unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as
available-for-sale are reported in accumulated OCI. Unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as trading or for which
we elected the fair value option are reported in net income through other gain (loss) during the period in which they occur. Upon
the sale of a security designated as available-for-sale, we determine the cost of the security and the amount of unrealized gains or
losses to reclassify out of accumulated OCI into earnings based on the specific identification method.
Prior to fiscal year 2017, we primarily designated our investment securities as available-for-sale. On January 1, 2017, we
began electing the fair value option of accounting for all investment securities acquired after fiscal year 2016. In our view, this
election simplifies the accounting for investment securities and more appropriately reflects the results of our operations for a
particular reporting period, as the fair value changes for these assets are presented in a manner consistent with the presentation
and timing of the fair value changes of our hedging instruments. We are not permitted to change the designation of securities
acquired prior to January 1, 2017; accordingly, such securities will continue to be classified as available-for-sale securities until
we receive full repayment of principal or we dispose of the security.
We estimate the fair value of our investment securities based on a market approach using "Level 2" inputs from third-party
pricing services and non-binding dealer quotes derived from common market pricing methods. Such methods incorporate, but
are not limited to, reported trades and executable bid and asked prices for similar securities, benchmark interest rate curves, such
as the spread to the U.S. Treasury rate and interest rate swap curves, convexity, duration and the underlying characteristics of the
security, including coupon, periodic and life caps, rate reset period, issuer, additional credit support and expected life of the security.
Refer to Note 7 for further discussion of fair value measurements.
67
We evaluate our investments designated as available-for-sale for other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") on at least a
quarterly basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired may involve judgments and assumptions
based on subjective and objective factors. When a security is impaired, an OTTI is considered to have occurred if any one of the
following three conditions exists as of the financial reporting date: (i) we intend to sell the security (that is, a decision has been
made to sell the security), (ii) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized
cost basis or (iii) we do not expect to recover the security's amortized cost basis, even if we do not intend to sell the security and
it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security. A general allowance for unidentified impairments in a
portfolio of securities is not permitted. If either of the first two conditions exists as of the financial reporting date, the entire amount
of the impairment loss, if any, is recognized in earnings as a realized loss and the cost basis of the security is adjusted to its fair
value. If the third condition exists, the OTTI is separated into (i) the amount relating to credit loss (the "credit component") and
(ii) the amount relating to all other factors (the "non-credit components"). Only the credit component is recognized in earnings,
with the non-credit components recognized in OCI. We did not recognize OTTI charges on our investment securities for fiscal
years 2017, 2016 or 2015.
Interest Income
Interest income is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount of the investment securities and their contractual terms.
Premiums or discounts associated with the purchase of Agency RMBS and non-Agency MBS of high credit quality are amortized
or accreted into interest income, respectively, over the projected lives of the securities, including contractual payments and estimated
prepayments using the effective interest method in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-20, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and
Other Costs.
We estimate long-term prepayment speeds of our mortgage securities using a third-party service and market data. The third-
party service provider estimates prepayment speeds using models that incorporate the forward yield curve, current mortgage rates,
mortgage rates of the outstanding loans, age and size of the outstanding loans, loan-to-value ratios, interest rate volatility and other
factors. We review the prepayment speeds estimated by the third-party service and compare the results to market consensus
prepayment speeds, if available. We also consider historical prepayment speeds and current market conditions to validate the
reasonableness of the third-party estimates and, based on our judgment, we may adjust the estimates. We review our actual and
anticipated prepayment experience on at least a quarterly basis and effective yields are recalculated when differences arise between
(i) our previously estimated future prepayments and (ii) actual prepayments to date and our current estimated future prepayments.
If the actual and estimated future prepayment experience differs from our prior estimate of prepayments, we are required to record
an adjustment in the current period to the amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts for the cumulative difference in
the effective yield through the reporting date.
At the time we purchase CRT securities and non-Agency MBS that are not of high credit quality, we determine an effective
yield based on our estimate of the timing and amount of future cash flows and our cost basis. Our initial cash flow estimates for
these investments are based on our observations of current information and events and include assumptions related to interest rates,
prepayment rates and the impact of default and severity rates on the timing and amount of credit losses. On at least a quarterly
basis, we review the estimated cash flows and make appropriate adjustments, based on inputs and analysis received from external
sources, internal models, and our judgment regarding such inputs and other factors. Any resulting changes in effective yield are
recognized prospectively based on the current amortized cost of the investment as adjusted for credit impairment, if any.
Repurchase Agreements
We finance the acquisition of securities for our investment portfolio primarily through repurchase transactions under master
repurchase agreements. Pursuant to ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing ("ASC 860"), we account for repurchase transactions
as collateralized financing transactions, which are carried at their contractual amounts (cost), plus accrued interest. Our repurchase
agreements typically have maturities of less than one year, but may extend up to five years or more. Interest rates on our repurchase
agreements generally correspond to one or three-month LIBOR plus or minus a fixed spread. The fair value of our repurchase
agreements is assumed to equal cost as the interest rates are considered to be at market.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Obligation to Return Securities Borrowed under Reverse Repurchase Agreements
We borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities through reverse repurchase transactions under our master
repurchase agreements (see Derivative Instruments below). We account for these as securities borrowing transactions and recognize
an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on the balance sheet based on the value of the underlying borrowed
securities as of the reporting date. Our reverse repurchase agreements typically have maturities of 30 days or less. The fair value
of our reverse repurchase agreements is assumed to equal cost as the interest rates are generally reset daily.
68
Derivative Instruments
We use a variety of derivative instruments to hedge a portion of our exposure to market risks, including interest rate,
prepayment, extension and liquidity risks. The objective of our risk management strategy is to reduce fluctuations in net book
value over a range of interest rate scenarios. In particular, we attempt to mitigate the risk of the cost of our variable rate liabilities
increasing during a period of rising interest rates. The primary instruments that we use are interest rate swaps, options to enter
into interest rate swaps ("swaptions"), U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts. We also use forward contracts
in the Agency RMBS "to-be-announced" market ("TBA") to invest in and finance Agency securities as well as to periodically
reduce our exposure to Agency RMBS.
We account for derivative instruments in accordance with ASC 815. ASC 815 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives
as either assets or liabilities in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and to measure those instruments at fair value.
Our derivative agreements generally contain provisions that allow for netting or setting off derivative assets and liabilities
with the counterparty; however, we report related assets and liabilities on a gross basis in our consolidated balance sheets. Derivative
instruments in a gain position are reported as derivative assets at fair value and derivative instruments in a loss position are reported
as derivative liabilities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments and periodic
settlements related to our derivative instruments are recorded in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in
our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Cash receipts and payments related to derivative instruments are classified
in our consolidated statements of cash flows according to the underlying nature or purpose of the derivative transaction, generally
in the investing section.
The use of derivative instruments creates exposure to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized if the
counterparties to these instruments fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. Our derivative agreements require that
we post or receive collateral to mitigate such risk. We also attempt to minimize our risk of loss by limiting our counterparties to
major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings, monitoring positions with individual counterparties and adjusting posted
collateral as required.
Interest rate swap agreements
We use interest rate swaps to hedge the variable cash flows associated with our borrowings made under repurchase agreements.
Under our interest rate swap agreements, we typically pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate based on one or three-month
LIBOR ("payer swaps") with terms up to 20 years. Our swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over−the−counter ("OTC")
market.
Swap agreements entered into after May 2013 are centrally cleared through a registered commodities exchange. We value
centrally cleared interest rate swaps using the daily settlement price, or fair value, determined by the clearing exchange based on
a pricing model that references observable market inputs, including LIBOR, swap rates and the forward yield curve. Our centrally
cleared swaps require that we post an "initial margin" amount determined by the clearing exchange, which is generally intended
to be set at a level sufficient to protect the exchange from the interest rate swap's maximum estimated single-day price movement.
We also exchange "variation margin" based upon daily changes in fair value, as measured by the exchange. As a result of amendments
to rules governing certain central clearing activities, which took effect January 3, 2017, the exchange of variation margin is a
settlement of the interest rate swap, as opposed to pledged collateral. Accordingly, beginning 2017, we account for the receipt or
payment of variation margin as a direct reduction to the carrying value of the interest rate swap asset or liability. Variation margin
pledged / (received) was previously reported in restricted cash and cash equivalents / (other liabilities) in our consolidated balance
sheet.
We value non-centrally cleared swaps using a combination of third-party valuations obtained from pricing services and the
swap counterparty. The third-party valuations are model-driven using observable inputs, including LIBOR, swap rates and the
forward yield curve. We also consider both our own and our counterparties' nonperformance risk in estimating the fair value of
our interest rate swaps. In considering the effect of nonperformance risk, we assess the impact of netting and credit enhancements,
such as collateral postings and guarantees, and have concluded that our own and our counterparty risk is not significant to the
overall valuation of these agreements.
Prior to fiscal year 2011, we entered into interest rate swap agreements typically with the intention of qualifying for hedge
accounting under ASC 815. However, during fiscal year 2011, we elected to discontinue hedge accounting for our interest rate
swaps. Upon discontinuation of hedge accounting, the net deferred loss related to our de-designated interest rate swaps remained
in accumulated OCI and was reclassified from accumulated OCI into interest expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining
term of each interest rate swap through December 2016.
69
Interest rate swaptions
We purchase interest rate swaptions to help mitigate the potential impact of larger, more rapid changes in interest rates on
the performance of our investment portfolio. Interest rate swaptions provide us the option to enter into an interest rate swap
agreement for a predetermined notional amount, stated term and pay and receive interest rates in the future. Our swaption agreements
typically provide us the option to enter into a pay-fixed rate interest rate swap ("payer swaptions"). We may also enter into swaption
agreements that provide us the option to enter into a receive-fixed interest rate swap ("receiver swaptions").
Our interest rate swaption agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market and are not subject to central clearing.
The premium paid for interest rate swaptions is reported as an asset in our consolidated balance sheets. We estimate the fair value
of interest rate swaptions using a combination of inputs from counterparty and third-party pricing models based on the fair value
of the future interest rate swap that we have the option to enter into as well as the remaining length of time that we have to exercise
the option, adjusted for non-performance risk, if any. The difference between the premium paid and the fair value of the swaption
is reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive
income. If a swaption expires unexercised, the realized loss on the swaption would be equal to the premium paid. If we sell or
exercise a swaption, the realized gain or loss on the swaption would be equal to the difference between the cash or the fair value
of the underlying interest rate swap received and the premium paid.
TBA securities
A TBA security is a forward contract for the purchase or sale of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer,
coupon and stated maturity on an agreed-upon future date. The specific Agency RMBS to be delivered into the contract are not
known until shortly before the settlement date. We may choose, prior to settlement, to move the settlement of these securities out
to a later date by entering into an offsetting TBA position, net settling the offsetting positions for cash, and simultaneously purchasing
or selling a similar TBA contract for a later settlement date (together referred to as a "dollar roll transaction"). The Agency securities
purchased or sold for a forward settlement date are typically priced at a discount to equivalent securities settling in the current
month. This difference, or "price drop," is the economic equivalent to interest income on the underlying Agency securities, less
an implied funding cost, over the forward settlement period (referred to as "dollar roll income"). Consequently, forward purchases
of Agency securities and dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing.
We account for TBA contracts as derivative instruments since either the TBA contracts do not settle in the shortest period
of time possible or we cannot assert that it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the TBA contract that we will
physically settle the TBA contract on the settlement date. We account for TBA dollar roll transactions as a series of derivative
transactions. Gains, losses and dollar roll income associated with our TBA contracts are recognized in gain (loss) on derivative
instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. We estimate the fair value of TBA
securities based on similar methods used to value our Agency RMBS securities.
U.S. Treasury securities
We purchase and sell short U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts to help mitigate the potential impact
of changes in interest rates on the performance of our portfolio. We borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities
under reverse repurchase agreements. We account for these as securities borrowing transactions and recognize an obligation to
return the borrowed securities at fair value on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets based on the value of the underlying
borrowed securities as of the reporting date. Gains and losses associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities
and U.S. Treasury futures contracts are recognized in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our
consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Variable Interest Entities
ASC Topic 810, Consolidation ("ASC 810"), requires an enterprise to consolidate a variable interest entity ("VIE") if it is
deemed the primary beneficiary of the VIE. Further, ASC 810 requires a qualitative assessment to determine the primary beneficiary
of a VIE and ongoing assessments of whether an enterprise is the primary beneficiary of a VIE as well as additional disclosures
for entities that have variable interests in VIEs.
We have entered into transactions involving CMO trusts, which are VIEs. We will consolidate a CMO trust if we are the
CMO trust's primary beneficiary; that is, if we have a variable interest that provides us with a controlling financial interest in the
CMO trust. An entity is deemed to have a controlling financial interest if the entity has the power to direct the activities of a VIE
that most significantly impact the VIE's economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of or right to receive benefits
from the VIE that could potentially be significant to the VIE. As part of the qualitative assessment in determining if we have a
controlling financial interest, we evaluate whether we control the selection of financial assets transferred to the CMO trust. For
each of our consolidated CMO trusts we controlled the selection of the Agency RMBS transferred from our investment portfolio
70
to an investment bank in exchange for cash proceeds and at the same time entered into a commitment with the investment bank
to purchase to-be-issued securities collateralized by the Agency RMBS transferred, which resulted in our consolidation of the
CMO trusts.
Agency RMBS transferred to consolidated VIEs are reported on our consolidated balance sheets in Agency securities
transferred to consolidated VIEs, at fair value and can only be used to settle the obligations of each respective VIE. We elected
the option to account for the consolidated debt at fair value, with changes in fair value reflected in earnings during the period in
which they occur, because we believe this election more appropriately reflects our financial position as both the consolidated assets
and consolidated debt are presented in a consistent manner on our consolidated balance sheets.
We estimate the fair value of the consolidated debt based on the fair value of the Agency RMBS transferred to consolidated
VIEs, less the fair value of our retained interests, which are measured on a market approach using "Level 2" inputs from third-
party pricing services and dealer quotes. The fair value of the Agency RMBS transferred to the consolidated VIEs and the fair
value of our retained interests are based on more observable inputs than inputs used to independently determine the value of our
consolidated debt.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Stock-Based Compensation
We measure and recognize compensation expense for all stock-based payment awards made to employees and independent
directors based on their fair values. Stock-based awards issued under our equity incentive plan include time-based and performance-
based restricted stock unit ("RSU") awards. An RSU award is an agreement to issue an equivalent number of shares of our common
stock, plus any equivalent shares for dividends declared on our common stock, at the time the award vests, or later if distribution
of such shares has been deferred beyond the vesting date. Time-based RSU awards vest over a specified service period. Performance-
based RSU awards vest over a specified service period subject to achieving long-term performance criteria.
We value RSU awards based on the fair value of our common stock on the date of grant. Compensation expense is recognized
over each award’s respective service period. In the case of performance awards, we estimate the probability that the performance
criteria will be achieved, and recognize expense only for those awards expected to vest. We reevaluate our estimates each reporting
period and recognize a cumulative effect adjustment to expense if our estimates change from the prior period. We do not estimate
forfeiture rates; rather, we adjust for forfeitures in the periods in which they occur.
Shares underlying RSUs are issued on the vesting dates, or later if distribution of such shares has been deferred beyond the
vesting date, net of any minimum statutory tax withholdings to be paid by us on behalf of our employees. As a result, the actual
number of shares issued will be fewer than the actual number of RSUs outstanding. When RSUs vest, we record a liability for
withholding amounts to be paid by us as a reduction to additional paid-in capital.
Other Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Other long-term incentive compensation granted to employees consists of dollar denominated awards granted under our
AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC Performance Incentive Plan-MTGE ("MTGE Incentive Plan"), which vest over a specified
service period. The awards are cash funded by us and used to purchase shares of MTGE common stock on the open market, or
we may alternatively contribute an equivalent number of shares of MTGE common stock from our investment holdings based on
the closing price of a share of MTGE common stock on the grant date. The shares acquired or contributed by us are held in a trust
during the requisite service period or longer, if distribution of such shares has been deferred beyond the vesting date. Awards
granted under the MTGE Incentive Plan are intended to help facilitate the alignment of compensation for our personnel who are
involved in the management of MTGE with MTGE’s actual performance.
We initially value MTGE Incentive Plan awards based on the dollar denominated value of the awards and subsequently
remeasure the value of outstanding awards as of each reporting date based on the fair value of MTGE common stock held in the
trust, including accrued dividend reinvestments. Compensation expense is recognized over each award’s requisite service period,
with the impact of changes in the fair value of MTGE common stock and dividend reinvestments recognized as a cumulative
adjustment to compensation expense, and we record a liability on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets for our obligation
to deliver shares of MTGE common stock on the vesting date, or subsequent distribution date if deferred beyond the vesting date.
We report the fair value of MTGE common stock held in the trust in other assets on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets, Net
Goodwill is the cost of an acquisition in excess of the fair value of identified assets acquired and liabilities assumed and is
recognized as an asset on our consolidated balance sheets. Acquired intangible assets that do not meet the criteria for recognition
as a separate asset are included in goodwill. Goodwill is not subject to amortization but must be tested for impairment at least
71
annually. Intangible assets meeting the criteria for recognition as separate assets are recorded at their respective fair market values
at the date of acquisition. Intangible assets with an estimated useful life are amortized over their expected useful life. As of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had $526 million of goodwill and $25 million and $28 million, respectively, of other intangible
assets, net of accumulated amortization, reported in goodwill and other intangible assets, net in our accompanying consolidated
balance sheets related to our acquisition of AMM on July 1, 2016. Other intangible assets have a remaining weighted average
amortization period of 8.5 years as of December 31, 2017.
A large majority our goodwill is associated with our pre-existing management agreement with AMM that did not qualify
for separate recognition. We test goodwill for impairment on an annual basis and at interim periods when events or circumstances
may make it more likely than not that an impairment has occurred. If a qualitative analysis indicates that there may be an impairment,
a quantitative analysis is performed. The quantitative analysis requires that we compare the carrying value of the identified reporting
unit comprising the goodwill to its fair value. If the carrying value of the reporting unit is greater than its fair value, an impairment
charge is recognized to the extent the carrying amount of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value. We did not recognize a goodwill
impairment charge during fiscal years 2017 or 2016.
Loss Contingencies
We evaluate the existence of any pending or threatened litigation or other potential claims against the Company in accordance
with ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, which requires that we assess the likelihood and range of potential outcomes of any such
matters. We are the defendant in three stockholder derivative lawsuits alleging that certain of our current and former directors and
officers breached fiduciary duties and wasted corporate assets relating to past renewals of the management agreement with our
former external Manager and the internalization of our management, which occurred on July 1, 2016. Although the outcomes of
these cases cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that these cases have merit or will result in a material liability,
and, as of December 31, 2017, we did not accrue a loss contingency related to these matters.
Income Taxes
We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code and the corresponding provisions of
state law, commencing with our initial tax year ended December 31, 2008. To continue to qualify as a REIT, we must annually
distribute, in a timely manner to our stockholders, at least 90% of our taxable ordinary income, amongst other conditions. A REIT
is generally not subject to U.S. Federal and state corporate income tax on its earnings to the extent that it distributes all its annual
taxable income to its stockholders and so long as certain asset, income and stock ownership tests are met. We operate in a manner
to allow us to be taxed as a REIT.
During December of 2017, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act ("TCJA") was signed into law. The TCJA includes sweeping changes
to the U.S. tax system starting in fiscal year 2018, including a reduction of the maximum Federal corporate tax rate to 21% from
35% and a lower effective pass-through business income tax rate through the creation of a new deduction for individuals, estates,
and trusts of 20 percent of their combined qualified business income amount and REIT ordinary dividend distributions received.
Since we typically distribute all our annual taxable income and, as such, do not pay corporate income taxes, we do not expect the
TCJA to have a significant impact now or in the future on our consolidated financial statements.
We evaluate uncertain income tax positions, if any, in accordance with ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes ("ASC 740").
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
We consider the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates ("ASUs") issued by the Financial Accounting
Standards Board. ASUs not listed below were determined to be either not applicable, are not expected to have a significant impact
on our consolidated financial statements when adopted, or did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements
upon adoption.
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive revenue recognition
standard that supersedes virtually all existing revenue guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard’s core principle is that an entity
will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to
which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. Revenue recognition with respect to financial
instruments is not within the scope of ASU 2014-09 and our review of each of our revenue streams indicates that it will not have
a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. ASU 2014-09 is effective on January 1, 2018.
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): ASU 2016-13 changes the impairment model for most
financial assets and certain other instruments. Allowances for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities will be recognized,
rather than direct reductions in the amortized cost of the investments. The new model also requires the estimation of lifetime
expected credit losses and corresponding recognition of allowance for losses on trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt
72
securities, loans, and other instruments held at amortized cost. The ASU requires certain recurring disclosures and is effective for
annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2019, with early adoption
permitted for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2018. ASU
2016-13 is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash: ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows
explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or
restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be
included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the
statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 will be effective on January 1, 2018 and is not expected to have a significant impact on our
consolidated financial statements.
Note 3. Investment Securities
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our investment portfolio consisted of $57.1 billion and $46.5 billion of investment
securities, at fair value, respectively, and $15.7 billion and $11.2 billion of TBA securities, at fair value, respectively. Our TBA
position is reported at its net carrying value of $3 million and $(147) million as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, in
derivative assets / (liabilities) on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The net carrying value of our TBA position
represents the difference between the fair value of the underlying Agency security in the TBA contract and the cost basis or the
forward price to be paid or received for the underlying Agency security.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our investment securities had a net unamortized premium balance of $2.7 billion and
$2.1 billion, respectively, including interest and principal-only securities.
The following tables summarize our investment securities as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, excluding TBA securities,
(dollars in millions). Details of our TBA securities as of each of the respective dates are included in Note 5.
Investment Securities
Agency RMBS:
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
Amortized
Cost
Fair Value
Fixed rate ...........................................................................................................
$
55,477
$
55,026
$
45,145
$
44,736
Adjustable rate ...................................................................................................
CMO ..................................................................................................................
Interest-only and principal-only strips ...............................................................
278
629
213
283
631
228
371
796
268
379
801
295
Total Agency RMBS .............................................................................................
56,597
56,168
46,580
46,211
Non-Agency RMBS..............................................................................................
CMBS ...................................................................................................................
CRT securities .......................................................................................................
7
28
834
7
29
876
102
23
161
101
23
164
Total investment securities....................................................................................
$
57,466
$
57,080
$
46,866
$
46,499
73
Investment Securities
Available-for-sale securities:
Agency RMBS
Non-Agency
December 31, 2017
Fannie
Mae
Freddie
Mac
Ginnie
Mae
RMBS
CMBS
CRT
Total
Par value..................................................................................
$
24,200
$
8,219
$
Unamortized discount .............................................................
Unamortized premium ............................................................
Amortized cost ........................................................................
Gross unrealized gains ............................................................
Gross unrealized losses ...........................................................
Total available-for-sale securities, at fair value
Securities remeasured at fair value through earnings:
(25)
1,119
25,294
98
(325)
25,067
Par value..................................................................................
13,558
Unamortized discount .............................................................
Unamortized premium ............................................................
(34)
711
Amortized cost ........................................................................
14,235
Gross unrealized gains ............................................................
Gross unrealized losses ...........................................................
26
(70)
(3)
447
8,663
22
(141)
8,544
7,956
—
415
8,371
2
(42)
Total securities remeasured at fair value through earnings ..........
14,191
8,331
Total securities, at fair value ........................................................
$
39,258
$
16,875
$
34
—
—
34
1
—
35
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
35
$
$
7
—
—
7
—
—
7
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
7
$
— $
— $
32,460
—
—
—
—
—
—
29
(1)
—
28
1
—
29
29
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
801
—
33
834
42
—
876
876
(28)
1,566
33,998
121
(466)
33,653
22,344
(35)
1,159
23,468
71
(112)
23,427
$
57,080
$
Weighted average coupon as of December 31, 2017 ...................
Weighted average yield as of December 31, 2017 1.....................
3.67%
2.84%
3.73%
2.87%
2.84%
2.02%
2.50%
3.08%
6.55%
7.30%
5.26%
5.19%
3.71%
2.89%
________________________________
1.
Incorporates a weighted average future constant prepayment rate assumption of 8% based on forward rates as of December 31, 2017.
Investment Securities
Available-for-sale securities:
Agency RMBS
Non-Agency
December 31, 2016
Fannie
Mae
Freddie
Mac
Ginnie
Mae
RMBS
CMBS
CRT
Total
Par value..................................................................................
$
34,244
$
10,008
$
Unamortized discount .............................................................
Unamortized premium ............................................................
Amortized cost .......................................................................
Gross unrealized gains ............................................................
Gross unrealized losses ...........................................................
(43)
1,518
35,719
176
(442)
(3)
544
10,549
48
(179)
Total available-for-sale securities, at fair value............................
35,453
10,418
Securities remeasured at fair value through earnings:
Par value.................................................................................
Unamortized discount ............................................................
Unamortized premium ...........................................................
Amortized cost .......................................................................
Gross unrealized gains ...........................................................
Gross unrealized losses ..........................................................
Total securities remeasured at fair value through earnings ..........
171
(35)
118
254
28
(3)
279
—
—
14
14
3
(1)
16
Total securities, at fair value ........................................................
$
35,732
$
10,434
$
44
—
—
44
1
—
45
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
45
$
101
$
— $
— $
44,397
—
1
102
—
(1)
101
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
$
101
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
24
(1)
—
23
—
—
23
23
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
157
—
4
161
3
—
164
164
(46)
2,063
46,414
225
(622)
46,017
352
(36)
136
452
34
(4)
482
$
46,499
Weighted average coupon as of December 31, 2016 ...................
Weighted average yield as of December 31, 2016 1.....................
3.59%
2.77%
3.67%
2.72%
2.75%
2.00%
3.42%
3.27%
6.55%
7.54%
5.25%
6.28%
3.61%
2.77%
________________________________
1.
Incorporates a weighted average future constant prepayment rate assumption of 8% based on forward rates as of December 31, 2016.
74
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, our investments in CRT and non-Agency securities had the following credit ratings:
CRT and Non-Agency Security Credit Ratings 1
CRT
RMBS
CMBS
CRT
RMBS
CMBS
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
AAA..................................................................................
$
— $
BBB ..................................................................................
BB .....................................................................................
B........................................................................................
Not Rated ..........................................................................
20
136
691
29
Total ..................................................................................
$
876
$
________________________________
7
—
—
—
—
7
$
$
— $
— $
29
—
—
—
29
—
—
164
—
$
99
—
—
2
—
—
23
—
—
—
23
$
164
$
101
$
1.
Represents the lowest of Standard and Poor's ("S&P"), Moody's and Fitch credit ratings, stated in terms of the S&P equivalent rating as of each date.
Our CRT securities reference the performance of loans underlying Agency RMBS issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac,
which were subject to their underwriting standards. As of December 31, 2017, our CRT securities had floating rate coupons
ranging from 3.9% to 8.5%, referenced to loans originated between 2012 and 2017 with weighted average coupons ranging from
3.6% to 4.4%. As of 2016, our CRT securities had floating rate coupons ranging from 4.6% to 7.1%, referenced to loans originated
between 2015 and 2016 with weighted average coupons ranging from 4.0% to 4.2%.
The actual maturities of our investment securities are generally shorter than their stated contractual maturities. Actual
maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic contractual principal payments and principal
prepayments. As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the weighted average expected constant prepayment rate ("CPR") over the
remaining life of our aggregate investment portfolio was 8.4% and 8.0%, respectively. Our estimates can differ materially for
different securities and thus our individual holdings have a wide range of projected CPRs. The following table summarizes our
investments as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 according to their estimated weighted average life classification (dollars in millions):
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Estimated Weighted Average Life
of Investment Securities
Fair Value
Amortized
Cost
Weighted
Average
Coupon
Weighted
Average
Yield
≥ 1 year and ≤ 3 years
$
2,712
$
> 3 years and ≤ 5 years.......................
> 5 years and ≤10 years
> 10 years ...........................................
7,499
45,977
892
2,693
7,518
46,398
857
Total....................................................
$
57,080
$
57,466
3.90%
3.31%
3.75%
4.87%
3.71%
2.67%
2.39%
2.95%
4.74%
2.89%
Fair Value
Amortized
Cost
$
419
$
416
13,601
30,513
1,966
13,509
30,979
1,962
$
46,499
$
46,866
Weighted
Average
Coupon
Weighted
Average
Yield
4.33%
3.38%
3.74%
3.17%
3.61%
2.27%
2.44%
2.89%
3.27%
2.77%
The following table presents the gross unrealized loss and fair values of securities classified as available-for-sale by length
of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
Securities Classified as Available-for-Sale
Unrealized Loss Position For
Less than 12 Months
12 Months or More
Total
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Loss
Fair Value
Unrealized
Loss
Fair
Value
Unrealized
Loss
December 31, 2017..........................................................
December 31, 2016..........................................................
$
$
3,582
28,397
$
$
(15) $
20,577
(554) $
1,719
$
$
(451) $
24,159
(68) $
30,116
$
$
(466)
(622)
We did not recognize OTTI charges on our investment securities for fiscal years 2017 and 2016. As of the end of each
respective reporting period, a decision had not been made to sell any of our securities in an unrealized loss position and we did
not believe it was more likely than not that we would be required to sell such securities before recovery of their amortized cost
basis. The unrealized losses on our securities were not due to credit losses given the GSE or U.S. Government agency guarantees,
but rather were due to changes in interest rates and prepayment expectations. However, as we continue to actively manage our
portfolio, we may recognize additional realized losses on our investment securities upon selecting specific securities to sell.
75
Gains and Losses on Sale of Investment Securities
The following table is a summary of our net gain (loss) from the sale of investment securities for fiscal years 2017 and 2016
by investment classification of accounting (in millions).
Investment Securities
Investment securities sold, at cost ..............................................
Proceeds from investment securities sold 1 ................................
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities .........................
Gross gain on sale of investment securities................................
Gross loss on sale of investment securities ................................
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities .........................
________________________________
Fiscal Year 2017
Fiscal Year 2016
Available-for-
Sale
Securities 2
Fair Value
Option
Securities
Available-for-
Sale
Securities 2
Fair Value
Option
Securities
Total
Total
$
$
$
$
(6,324) $
(12,913) $
(19,237) $
(17,907) $
— $
(17,907)
6,241
12,933
19,174
18,016
(83) $
20 $
(63) $
109 $
16 $
(99)
(83) $
48 $
(28)
20 $
64
$
(127)
(63) $
123 $
(14)
109 $
—
— $
— $
—
— $
18,016
109
123
(14)
109
1.
2.
Proceeds include cash received during the period, plus receivable for investment securities sold during the period as of period end.
See Note 9 for a summary of changes in accumulated OCI.
Securitizations and Variable Interest Entities
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we held investments in CMO trusts, which are VIEs. We have consolidated certain of
these CMO trusts in our consolidated financial statements where we have determined we are the primary beneficiary of the trusts.
All of our CMO securities are backed by fixed or adjustable-rate Agency RMBS. Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guarantees the
payment of interest and principal and acts as the trustee and administrator of their respective securitization trusts. Accordingly,
we are not required to provide the beneficial interest holders of the CMO securities any financial or other support. Our maximum
exposure to loss related to our involvement with CMO trusts is the fair value of the CMO securities and interest and principal-
only securities held by us, less principal amounts guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
In connection with our consolidated CMO trusts, we recognized Agency securities with a total fair value and approximate
unpaid principal balance of $0.7 billion and $0.8 billion as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively, and debt with a total
fair value and approximate unpaid principal balance of $0.4 billion and $0.5 billion, respectively, in our accompanying consolidated
balance sheets. We re-measure our consolidated debt at fair value through earnings in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and
other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Our involvement with the consolidated trusts is
limited to the Agency securities transferred by us upon the formation of the trusts and the CMO securities subsequently held by
us. There are no arrangements that could require us to provide financial support to the trusts.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, the fair value of our CMO securities and interest and principal-only securities was $0.9
billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, excluding the consolidated CMO trusts discussed above, or $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion,
respectively, including the net asset value of our consolidated CMO trusts. Our maximum exposure to loss related to our CMO
securities and interest and principal-only securities, including our consolidated CMO trusts, was $124 million and $182 million
as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Note 4. Repurchase Agreements and Other Secured Borrowings
We pledge certain of our securities as collateral under our borrowing agreements with financial institutions. Interest rates
on our borrowings are generally based on LIBOR plus or minus a margin and amounts available to be borrowed are dependent
upon the fair value of the securities pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates, type of security and
liquidity conditions within the banking, mortgage finance and real estate industries. If the fair value of our pledged securities
declines, lenders will typically require us to post additional collateral or pay down borrowings to re-establish agreed upon collateral
requirements, referred to as "margin calls." Similarly, if the fair value of our pledged securities increases, lenders may release
collateral back to us. As of December 31, 2017, we had met all margin call requirements. For additional information regarding
our pledged assets, please refer to Note 6.
Repurchase Agreements
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had $50.3 billion and $37.9 billion, respectively, of repurchase agreements
outstanding. The terms and conditions of our repurchase agreements are typically negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis.
Our repurchase agreements with original maturities greater than one year have floating interest rates based on an index plus or
minus a fixed spread. Substantially all of our repurchase agreements were used to fund purchases of Agency securities ("Agency
repo"). The remainder of our repurchase agreements were used to fund temporary holdings of U.S. Treasury securities ("U.S.
76
Treasury repo"). The following table summarizes our borrowings under repurchase agreements by their remaining maturities as
of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
Weighted
Average Days
to Maturity
Remaining Maturity
Agency repo:
Repurchase
Agreements
Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
Weighted
Average Days
to Maturity
≤ 1 month.................................
$
> 1 to ≤ 3 months.....................
> 3 to ≤ 6 months.....................
> 6 to ≤ 9 months.....................
> 9 to ≤ 12 months...................
> 12 to ≤ 24 months.................
> 24 to ≤ 36 months.................
> 36 to ≤ 48 months.................
> 48 to < 60 months.................
19,771
16,150
7,287
2,361
202
1,700
2,200
625
—
Total Agency repo..............
50,296
U.S. Treasury repo:
> 1 day to ≤ 1 month ...............
—
Total...........................................
$
50,296
1.59%
1.50%
1.50%
1.66%
1.64%
1.84%
1.80%
1.90%
—
1.57%
—
1.57%
11
50
130
225
297
468
803
1,141
—
116
—
116
Repurchase
Agreements
$
17,481
10,011
2,030
1,270
1,566
1,203
1,300
2,200
625
37,686
0.90 %
0.93 %
1.02 %
0.98 %
1.08 %
1.28 %
1.36 %
1.32 %
1.38 %
0.98 %
172
$
37,858
(0.30)%
0.98 %
11
55
136
214
299
538
865
1,168
1,506
187
17
186
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, $5.3 billion and $150 million, respectively, of our Agency repurchase agreements
matured overnight and none of our repurchase agreements were due on demand.
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
As of December 31, 2016, we had $3.0 billion of outstanding secured Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances, with
a weighted average borrowing rate of 0.73%. Our FHLB advances matured in February 2017, coinciding with the termination of
our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary's FHLB membership in February 2017 pursuant to the Federal Housing Finance
Agency's ("FHFA") final rule on FHLB membership released in January 2016. As a result, we had no outstanding secured FHLB
advances as of December 31, 2017.
Debt of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, debt of consolidated VIEs, at fair value, was $357 million and $460 million, respectively,
and had a weighted average interest rate of LIBOR plus 37 and 36 basis points, respectively, and a principal balance of $349
million and $452 million, respectively. The actual maturities of our debt of consolidated VIEs are generally shorter than the stated
contractual maturities. The actual maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying Agency RMBS securitizing
the debt of our consolidated VIEs and periodic principal prepayments of such underlying securities. The estimated weighted
average life of the debt of our consolidated VIEs as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 was 5.7 years and 5.8 years, respectively.
Note 5. Derivative and Other Hedging Instruments
We hedge a portion of our interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swaps, interest rate swaptions and U.S. Treasury
securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts, primarily through short sales. We may also utilize TBA securities, options and other
types of derivative instruments to hedge a portion of our risk. For additional information regarding our derivative instruments and
our overall risk management strategy, please refer to the discussion of derivative and other hedging instruments in Note 2.
77
Derivative and Other Hedging Instrument Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value
The table below summarizes fair value information about our derivative and other hedging instrument assets/(liabilities) as
of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
Derivative and Other Hedging Instruments
Balance Sheet Location
2017
2016
Interest rate swaps ........................................................ Derivative assets, at fair value .................................
$
Swaptions ..................................................................... Derivative assets, at fair value .................................
TBA securities.............................................................. Derivative assets, at fair value .................................
U.S. Treasury futures - short ........................................ Derivative assets, at fair value .................................
Total derivative assets, at fair value .........................
Interest rate swaps ........................................................ Derivative liabilities, at fair value............................
TBA securities.............................................................. Derivative liabilities, at fair value............................
Total derivative liabilities, at fair value....................
U.S. Treasury securities - long ..................................... U.S. Treasury securities, at fair value ......................
U.S. Treasury securities - short ....................................
Total U.S. Treasury securities, net at fair value .......
Obligation to return securities borrowed under
reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value............
$
$
$
$
$
$
81
75
30
19
205
$
(1) $
(27)
(28) $
321
22
4
8
355
(105)
(151)
(256)
— $
182
(10,467)
(10,467) $
(7,636)
(7,454)
The following tables summarize certain characteristics of our derivative and other hedging instruments outstanding as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Interest Rate Swaps
Notional
Amount 1
Average
Fixed Pay
Rate 2
Average
Receive
Rate
Average
Maturity
(Years)
≤ 3 years................................
$
21,025
> 3 to ≤ 5 years .....................
> 5 to ≤ 7 years .....................
> 7 to ≤ 10 years ...................
> 10 years .............................
Total ......................................
________________________________
1.40%
1.82%
2.02%
2.10%
2.49%
6,825
5,775
6,650
3,425
$
43,700
1.74%
1.46%
1.43%
1.44%
1.42%
1.45%
1.44%
1.5
4.1
5.9
9.1
12.9
4.5
Notional
Amount 1
$
19,775
7,450
4,725
3,325
1,900
$
37,175
Average
Fixed Pay
Rate 2
Average
Receive
Rate
Average
Maturity
(Years)
1.16%
1.62%
1.89%
1.90%
2.64%
1.48%
0.92%
0.91%
0.91%
0.91%
0.91%
0.92%
1.5
4.0
5.9
9.2
13.8
3.9
1.
2.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, notional amount includes forward starting swaps of $4.6 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively, with an average
forward start date of 0.3 and 1.2 years, respectively.
Average fixed pay rate includes forward starting swaps. Excluding forward starting swaps, the average fixed pay rate was 1.68% and 1.46% as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Swaptions
Option
Underlying Payer Swap
Current Option Expiration Date
Cost Basis
Fair Value
December 31, 2017
≤ 1 year
> 1 year ≤ 2 years............................................
> 2 year ≤ 3 years............................................
Total ................................................................
December 31, 2016
Total ≤ 1 year ..................................................
________________________________
$
$
$
118
$
23
18
159
52
$
$
46
16
13
75
22
78
Average
Months to
Current
Option
Expiration
Date 1
Notional
Amount
Average
Fixed Pay
Rate
Average
Receive
Rate
(LIBOR)
Average
Term
(Years)
7
18
30
10
6
$
$
$
5,100
1,050
500
6,650
2.71%
2.71%
2.78%
2.72%
1,200
3.06%
3M
3M
3M
3M
3M
8.8
8.7
10.0
8.9
8.3
1.
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, ≤ 1 year notional amount includes $700 million of Bermudan swaptions where the options may be exercised on
predetermined dates up to their final exercise date, which is six months prior to the underlying swaps' maturity date.
U.S. Treasury Securities
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Maturity
Face Amount
Net Long /
(Short)
Cost Basis
Fair Value
Face Amount
Net Long /
(Short)
Cost Basis
Fair Value
5 years .....................................................
$
(288)
$
(286)
$
(283) $
(400)
$
(404)
$
7 years .....................................................
10 years ...................................................
(6,131)
(4,280)
(6,106)
(4,230)
(6,029)
(4,155)
(3,056)
(4,416)
(3,041)
(4,236)
Total U.S. Treasury securities, net ..........
$
(10,699)
$
(10,622)
$
(10,467) $
(7,872)
$
(7,681)
$
(392)
(2,930)
(4,132)
(7,454)
U.S. Treasury Futures
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Maturity
Notional
Amount - Long
(Short)
Cost
Basis
Fair
Value
Net
Carrying
Value 1
Notional
Amount - Long
(Short)
Cost
Basis
Fair
Value
Net
Carrying
Value 1
5 years ............................................
10 years ..........................................
Total U.S. Treasury futures ............
________________________________
$
$
(730) $
(852) $
(848) $
4
$
(730) $
(862) $
(859) $
(2,180)
(2,718)
(2,703)
(2,910) $
(3,570) $
(3,551) $
15
19
(1,080)
(1,347)
(1,342)
$
(1,810) $
(2,209) $
(2,201) $
3
5
8
1.
Net carrying value represents the difference between the fair market value and the cost basis (or the forward price to be paid/(received) for the underlying
U.S. Treasury security) of the U.S. Treasury futures contract as of period-end and is reported in derivative assets/(liabilities), at fair value in our
consolidated balance sheets.
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Notional
Amount - Long
(Short)
Cost
Basis
Fair
Value
Net
Carrying
Value 1
Notional
Amount - Long
(Short)
Cost
Basis
Fair
Value
Net
Carrying
Value 1
TBA Securities by Coupon
15-Year TBA securities:
2.5%..........................................
$
1,373
$
1,372
$
1,370
$
3.0%..........................................
3.5%..........................................
Total 15-Year TBA securities
30-Year TBA securities:
3.0%..........................................
3.5%..........................................
4.0%..........................................
3,161
414
4,948
4,317
3,932
2,338
3,225
428
5,025
4,303
4,027
2,449
3,217
428
5,015
4,312
4,034
2,446
4.5%..........................................
(61)
(65)
(65)
Total 30-Year TBA securities, net
10,526
10,714
10,727
Total TBA securities, net...............
$
15,474
$ 15,739
$ 15,742
$
________________________________
(2)
(8)
—
(10)
9
7
(3)
—
13
3
$
1,853
$
1,870
$
1,856
$
292
15
2,160
3,027
1,209
4,530
(10)
8,756
302
16
2,188
3,114
1,251
4,769
(10)
9,124
300
16
2,172
3,007
1,236
4,760
(10)
8,993
$
10,916
$
11,312
$
11,165
$
(14)
(2)
—
(16)
(107)
(15)
(9)
—
(131)
(147)
1.
Net carrying value represents the difference between the fair market value and the cost basis (or the forward price to be paid/(received) for the underlying
Agency security) of the TBA contract as of period-end and is reported in derivative assets/(liabilities), at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets.
79
Gain (Loss) From Derivative Instruments and Other Securities, Net
The following table summarizes changes in our derivative and other hedge portfolio and their effect on our consolidated
statements of comprehensive income for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
Derivative and Other Hedging Instruments
Fiscal Year 2017:
TBA securities, net ............................................................
Interest rate swaps .............................................................
Payer swaptions .................................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - short position............................
U.S. Treasury securities - long position.............................
U.S. Treasury futures contracts - short position ................
Fiscal Year 2016:
TBA securities, net ............................................................
Interest rate swaps .............................................................
Payer swaptions .................................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - short position............................
U.S. Treasury securities - long position.............................
U.S. Treasury futures contracts - short position ................
Fiscal Year 2015:
TBA securities, net ............................................................
Interest rate swaps .............................................................
Payer swaptions .................................................................
Receiver Swaptions ...........................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - short position............................
U.S. Treasury securities - long position.............................
U.S. Treasury futures contracts - short position
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Beginning
Notional
Amount
Additions
Settlement,
Termination,
Expiration or
Exercise
Ending
Notional
Amount
Gain/(Loss)
on Derivative
Instruments
and Other
Securities, Net 1
10,916
37,175
1,200
(8,061)
189
(1,810)
7,295
40,525
2,150
(1,714)
25
(1,860)
14,412
43,700
6,800
(4,250)
(5,392)
2,411
(730)
237,601
(233,043) $
14,825
6,450
(8,300) $
(1,000) $
15,474
43,700
6,650
(14,030)
11,392
$
(10,699)
404
(593) $
—
(11,340)
10,240
$
(2,910)
116,439
15,650
500
(9,884)
961
(7,840)
(112,818) $
(19,000) $
(1,450) $
10,916
37,175
1,200
3,537
$
(8,061)
(797) $
189
7,890
$
(1,810)
119,922
(127,039) $
4,950
1,500
—
(12,503)
33,525
(4,480)
(8,125) $
(6,150) $
4,250
16,181
$
$
(35,911) $
7,295
40,525
2,150
—
(1,714)
25
3,350
$
(1,860)
$
$
$
$
$
330
67
(66)
(141)
1
—
191
(59)
(397)
(3)
134
7
(5)
(323)
305
(932)
(35)
4
(68)
(38)
(12)
________________________________
1.
Amounts above exclude other miscellaneous gains and losses recognized in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our
consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
$
(776)
Note 6. Pledged Assets
Our funding agreements require us to fully collateralize our obligations under the agreements based upon our counterparties'
collateral requirements and their determination of the fair value of the securities pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with
changes in interest rates, credit quality and liquidity conditions within the investment banking, mortgage finance and real estate
industries. Our derivative contracts similarly require us to fully collateralize our obligations under such agreements, which will
vary over time based on similar factors as well as our counterparties' determination of the value of the derivative contract. We are
typically required to post initial margin upon execution of derivative transactions, such as under our interest rate swap agreements
and TBA contracts, and subsequently post or receive variation margin based on daily fluctuations in fair value. Our prime brokerage
agreements, pursuant to which we receive custody and settlement services, and the clearing organizations utilized by our wholly-
owned captive broker-dealer subsidiary, Bethesda Securities, LLC, also require that we post minimum daily clearing deposits. If
we breach our collateral requirements, we will be required to fully settle our obligations under the agreements, which could include
a forced liquidation of our pledged collateral.
Our counterparties also apply a "haircut" to our pledged collateral, which means our collateral is valued at slightly less than
market value and limits the amount we can borrow against our securities. This haircut reflects the underlying risk of the specific
collateral and protects our counterparty against a change in its value. Our agreements do not specify the haircut; rather haircuts
are determined on an individual transaction basis. Consequently, our funding agreements and derivative contracts expose us to
80
credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized if our counterparties fail to perform their obligations under such
agreements. We minimize this risk by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings or
to registered clearinghouses and U.S. government agencies, and we monitor our positions with individual counterparties. In the
event of a default by a counterparty, we may have difficulty obtaining our assets pledged as collateral to such counterparty and
may not receive payments provided for under the terms of our derivative agreements. In the case of centrally cleared instruments,
we could be exposed to credit risk if the central clearing agency or a clearing member defaults on its respective obligation to
perform under the contract. However, we believe that the risk is minimal due to the clearing exchanges' initial and daily mark to
market margin requirements, clearinghouse guarantee funds and other resources that are available in the event of a clearing member
default.
Our International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") Master Agreements contain a cross default provision under
which a default under the terms of certain of our other indebtedness in excess of certain thresholds causes an event of default under
the ISDA Master Agreement. Threshold amounts vary by lender. Following an event of default, we could be required to settle
our obligations under the agreements. Additionally, under certain of our ISDA Master Agreements, we could be required to settle
our obligations under the agreements if we fail to maintain certain minimum stockholders' equity thresholds or our REIT status
or if we fail to comply with limits on our leverage up to certain specified levels. As of December 31, 2017, the fair value of
additional collateral that could be required to be posted as a result of the credit-risk-related contingent features being triggered
was not material to our financial statements.
As of December 31, 2017, our amount at risk with any counterparty related to our repurchase agreements was less than 5%
of our tangible stockholders' equity and our maximum amount at risk with any counterparty related to our interest rate swap and
swaption agreements, excluding centrally cleared swaps, was less than 1% of our stockholders' equity.
Assets Pledged to Counterparties
The following tables summarize our assets pledged as collateral under our funding, derivative and prime broker agreements
by type, including securities pledged related to securities sold but not yet settled, as of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
Assets Pledged to Counterparties
Agency RMBS - fair value ....................................................
U.S. Treasury securities - fair value 3 ....................................
$
Accrued interest on pledged securities ..................................
Restricted cash and cash equivalents .....................................
December 31, 2017
Repurchase
Agreements 1
Debt of
Consolidated
VIEs
Derivative
Agreements
Prime Broker
Agreements 2
Total
52,497
$
662
$
221
$
519
$
53,899
113
153
35
—
2
—
72
1
281
575
—
2
1
185
158
317
$
522
$
54,559
Total...................................................................................
$
52,798
$
664
$
December 31, 2016
Assets Pledged to Counterparties
Repurchase
Agreements and
FHLB Advances 1
Debt of
Consolidated
VIEs
Derivative
Agreements
Prime Broker
Agreements 2
Total
Agency RMBS - fair value ....................................................
$
43,005
$
818
$
275
$
865
$
44,963
Non-Agency RMBS - fair value ............................................
U.S. Treasury securities - fair value.......................................
Accrued interest on pledged securities ..................................
Restricted cash and cash equivalents .....................................
90
173
122
60
—
—
3
—
—
—
1
14
—
—
2
—
90
173
128
74
Total...................................................................................
$
43,450
$
821
$
290
$
867
$
45,428
________________________________
1.
2.
3.
Includes $182 million and $181 million of retained interests in our consolidated VIEs pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
Includes margin for TBAs cleared through prime brokers and other clearing deposits.
Includes repledged securities received as collateral from counterparties.
As of December 31, 2016, we held $126 million of membership and activity-based stock in the FHLB of Des Moines, which
was redeemed in February 2017 with the termination of our captive insurance subsidiary's FHLB membership such that we held
no such stock as of December 31, 2017. FHLB stock is reported at cost, which equals par value, in other assets on our accompanying
consolidated balance sheets.
81
The cash and cash equivalents and Agency securities pledged as collateral under our derivative agreements are included in
restricted cash and cash equivalents and Agency securities, at fair value, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes our securities pledged as collateral under our repurchase agreements and FHLB advances
by the remaining maturity of our borrowings, including securities pledged related to sold but not yet settled securities, as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions). For the corresponding borrowings associated with the following amounts and the
interest rates thereon, refer to Note 4.
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Fair Value of
Pledged
Securities
Amortized
Cost of
Pledged
Securities
Accrued
Interest on
Pledged
Securities
Fair Value of
Pledged
Securities
Amortized
Cost of
Pledged
Securities
Accrued
Interest on
Pledged
Securities
Securities Pledged by Remaining Maturity of
Repurchase Agreements and FHLB Advances
RMBS:1,2
≤ 30 days............................................................
> 30 and ≤ 60 days.............................................
> 60 and ≤ 90 days.............................................
> 90 days............................................................
Total RMBS .................................................
U.S. Treasury securities: ......................................
$
20,162
$
20,313
$
12,950
4,000
15,385
52,497
13,061
4,013
15,512
52,899
59
38
11
45
153
—
$
19,681
$
19,863
$
8,103
4,034
11,278
43,096
8,158
4,070
11,380
43,471
173
173
56
23
11
32
122
—
122
> 1 day ≤ 30 days...............................................
—
—
Total .....................................................................
________________________________
$
52,497
$
52,899
$
153
$
43,269
$
43,644
$
1.
2.
Includes $182 million and $181 million of retained interests in our consolidated VIEs pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements as of
December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.
December 31, 2017 amounts exclude $113 million of repledged U.S. Treasury securities received as collateral from counterparties.
The table above excludes Agency securities transferred to our consolidated VIEs. Securities transferred to our consolidated
VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of each respective VIE. However, we may pledge our retained interests in our
consolidated VIEs as collateral under our repurchase agreements and derivative contracts. Please refer to Notes 3 and 4 for
additional information regarding our consolidated VIEs.
Assets Pledged from Counterparties
As of December 31, 2017 and 2016, we had assets pledged to us from counterparties as collateral under our reverse repurchase,
repurchase and derivative agreements summarized in the tables below (in millions).
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Assets Pledged to AGNC
Reverse
Repurchase
Agreements 1
Derivative
Agreements
Repurchase
Agreements
Total
Reverse
Repurchase
Agreements
Derivative
Agreements
Repurchase
Agreements
Total
Agency RMBS - fair value.......
$
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
— $
14
$
14
U.S. Treasury securities - fair
value.....................................
Cash ..........................................
10,853
—
Total
$
10,853
$
—
82
82
—
—
10,853
82
7,636
—
$
— $
10,935
$
7,636
$
—
107
107
$
—
—
14
7,636
107
$
7,757
U.S Treasury securities received as collateral under our reverse repurchase agreements that we use to cover short sales of
U.S. Treasury securities are accounted for as securities borrowing transactions. We recognize a corresponding obligation to return
the borrowed securities at fair value on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets based on the value of the underlying
borrowed securities as of the reporting date.
Cash collateral received is recognized in cash and cash equivalents with a corresponding amount recognized in accounts
payable and other accrued liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
Certain of our repurchase agreements and derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally
provide for a right of setoff under master netting arrangements (or similar agreements), including in the event of default or in the
event of bankruptcy of either party to the transactions. We present our assets and liabilities subject to such arrangements on a
gross basis in our consolidated balance sheets. The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities that are
82
subject to master netting arrangements and can potentially be offset on our consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2017
and 2016 (in millions):
Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Consolidated
Balance
Sheets
Net Amounts
of Assets
Presented in
the
Consolidated
Balance
Sheets
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Assets
Gross Amounts Not Offset
in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Received 2
Net Amount
December 31, 2017
Interest rate swap and swaption agreements, at fair
value 1
TBA securities, at fair value
Receivable under reverse repurchase agreements
$
156
$
— $
156
$
(1) $
(82) $
30
10,961
—
—
30
10,961
(22)
(9,682)
—
(1,279)
Total
$
11,147
$
— $
11,147
$
(9,705) $
(1,361) $
December 31, 2016
Interest rate swap and swaption agreements, at fair
value 1
TBA securities, at fair value
Receivable under reverse repurchase agreements
Total
$
$
342
$
— $
342
$
(80) $
(49) $
4
7,716
—
—
4
7,716
(4)
(6,963)
—
(753)
8,062
$
— $
8,062
$
(7,047) $
(802) $
73
8
—
81
213
—
—
213
Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Liabilities
Gross
Amounts
Offset in the
Consolidated
Balance
Sheets
Net Amounts
of Liabilities
Presented in
the
Consolidated
Balance
Sheets
Gross
Amounts of
Recognized
Liabilities
Gross Amounts Not Offset
in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Financial
Instruments
Collateral
Pledged 2
Net Amount
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
December 31, 2017
Interest rate swap agreements, at fair value 1
$
TBA securities, at fair value
Repurchase agreements
Total
December 31, 2016
$
1
27
50,296
— $
—
—
$
1
27
50,296
(1) $
(22)
(9,682)
— $
(5)
(40,614)
$
50,324
$
— $
50,324
$
(9,705) $
(40,619) $
Interest rate swap agreements, at fair value 1
$
TBA securities, at fair value
$
105
151
Repurchase agreements and FHLB advances
40,895
— $
—
—
105
151
40,895
$
(80) $
(25) $
(4)
(6,963)
(147)
(33,932)
Total
________________________________
$
41,151
$
— $
41,151
$
(7,047) $
(34,104) $
1.
2.
Reported under derivative assets / liabilities, at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 5 for a reconciliation of
derivative assets / liabilities, at fair value to their sub-components.
Includes cash and securities pledged / received as collateral, at fair value. Amounts presented are limited to collateral pledged sufficient to reduce
the net amount to zero for individual counterparties, as applicable.
Note 7. Fair Value Measurements
We determine the fair value of our investment securities and debt of consolidated VIEs based upon fair value estimates
obtained from multiple third-party pricing services and dealers. In determining fair value, third-party pricing sources use various
valuation approaches, including market and income approaches. Factors used by third-party sources in estimating the fair value
of an instrument may include observable inputs such as coupons, primary and secondary mortgage rates, pricing information,
credit data, volatility statistics, and other market data that are current as of the measurement date. The availability of observable
inputs can vary by instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including the type of instrument, whether the instrument
is new and not yet established in the marketplace and other characteristics particular to the instrument. Third-party pricing sources
may also use certain unobservable inputs, such as assumptions of future levels of prepayment, defaults and foreclosures, especially
when estimating fair values for securities with lower levels of recent trading activity. We make inquiries of third-party pricing
83
sources to understand the significant inputs and assumptions they used to determine their prices. For information regarding
valuation of our derivative instruments, please refer to the discussion of derivative and other hedging instruments in Note 2.
We review third-party fair value estimates and perform procedures to validate their reasonableness, including an analysis
of the range of estimates for each position, comparison to recent trade activity for similar securities, and for consistency with
market conditions observed as of the measurement date. While we do not adjust prices we obtain from third-party pricing sources,
we will exclude third-party prices for securities from our estimation of fair value if we determine (based on our validation procedures
and our market knowledge and expertise) that the price is significantly different from what observable market data would indicate
and we cannot obtain an understanding from the third-party source as to the significant inputs used to determine the price.
The validation procedures described above also influence our determination of the appropriate fair value measurement
classification. We utilize a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurement. The valuation hierarchy is
based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument's
categorization within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There
were no transfers between valuation hierarchy levels during fiscal years 2017 and 2016. The three levels of valuation hierarchy
are defined as follows:
•
•
•
Level 1 Inputs —Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical unrestricted assets and liabilities in active markets that are
accessible at the measurement date.
Level 2 Inputs —Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar
instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant
value drivers are observable.
Level 3 Inputs —Instruments with primarily unobservable market data that cannot be corroborated.
The following table provides a summary of our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as
of December 31, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
December 31, 2017
December 31, 2016
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Assets:
Agency securities ......................................................................
$
— $
55,506
$
— $
— $
45,393
$
Agency securities transferred to consolidated VIEs .................
Credit risk transfer securities ....................................................
Non-Agency securities..............................................................
U.S. Treasury securities ............................................................
REIT equity securities...............................................................
Interest rate swaps.....................................................................
Swaptions..................................................................................
TBA securities...........................................................................
U.S. Treasury futures ................................................................
Total...............................................................................................
$
Liabilities:
—
—
—
—
29
—
—
—
19
48
662
876
36
—
—
81
75
30
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
182
—
—
—
—
8
818
164
124
—
—
321
22
4
—
$
57,266
$
— $
190
$
46,846
$
Debt of consolidated VIEs ........................................................
$
— $
357
$
— $
— $
460
$
Obligation to return U.S. Treasury securities borrowed under
reverse repurchase agreements .................................................
Interest rate swaps.....................................................................
TBA securities...........................................................................
10,467
—
—
—
1
27
—
—
—
7,636
—
—
—
105
151
Total...............................................................................................
$
10,467
$
385
$
— $
7,636
$
716
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
—
We elected the option to account for debt of consolidated VIEs at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in earnings
during the period in which they occur, because we believe this election more appropriately reflects our financial position as both
the consolidated Agency securities and consolidated debt are presented in a consistent manner, at fair value, on our consolidated
balance sheets. We estimate the fair value of the consolidated debt based on the difference between (i) the fair value of the RMBS
transferred to consolidated VIEs and (ii) the fair value of our retained interests, each of which is based on valuations obtained
84
from third-party pricing services and non-binding dealer quotes derived from common market pricing methods using "Level 2"
inputs, which are more observable than using inputs to estimate the fair value of the consolidated debt on a stand-alone basis.
Excluded from the table above are financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash
equivalents, receivables, payables and borrowings under repurchase agreements and FHLB advances, which are presented in our
consolidated financial statements at cost. The cost basis of these instruments is determined to approximate fair value due to their
short duration or, in the case of longer-term repo, due to floating rates of interest based on an index plus or minus a fixed spread
which is consistent with fixed spreads demanded in the market. We estimate the fair value of these instruments using "Level 1"
or "Level 2" inputs.
Note 8. Net Income Per Common Share
Basic net income per common share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income applicable to common
stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the respective period. Diluted earnings per common
share includes the impact of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method.
Dilutive potential common shares outstanding include unvested restricted stock units and performance share units granted under
our long-term incentive program to employees and non-employee Board of Directors. The following table presents the computations
of basic and diluted net income per common share for the periods indicated (shares and dollars in millions):
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic .................................................................
Unvested restricted stock units and performance share units .........................................................................
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted ..............................................................
Net income available to common stockholders ..............................................................................................
Net income per common share - basic and diluted .........................................................................................
Fiscal Year
2017
2016
2015
358.6
0.1
358.7
733
2.04
$
$
331.9
—
331.9
$
$
595
1.79
$
$
348.6
—
348.6
187
0.54
Note 9. Stockholders' Equity
Preferred Stock
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we are authorized to designate and issue up to 10.0 million
shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series. As of December 31, 2016, 6.9 million shares were designated as 8.000%
Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock") and 8,050 shares were designated as 7.750% Series
B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock"). The Series B Preferred Stock is represented by Series
B depositary shares of 1/1000 interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2016, we had 6.9 million shares
of Series A Preferred Stock and 7,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock (representing 7.0 million depositary shares) outstanding.
During fiscal year 2017, we designated 13,800 shares as 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred
Stock ("Series C Preferred Stock"), represented by Series C depositary shares of 1/1000 interest in each share of Series C Preferred
Stock. In August 2017, we issued 13,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock in a public offering of 13.0 million Series C depositary
shares at a price of $25 per depositary share for net proceeds of $315 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated
offering expenses. In September 2017, we redeemed all of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock for $173
million (or $25 per share liquidation preference), plus accrued and unpaid dividends, and, in October of 2017, we filed a Certificate
of Elimination of our Series A Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which eliminated the designation
of Series A Preferred Stock from our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. As of December 31, 2017, we had 7,000
shares of Series B Preferred Stock (represented by 7.0 million Series B depositary shares) and 13,000 shares of Series C Preferred
Stock (represented by 13.0 million Series C depositary shares) outstanding and 9,980,000 of authorized but unissued shares of
preferred stock.
Prior to the September 2017 redemption, holders of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends
at a rate of 8.000% per annum of their $25.00 per share liquidation preference. Holders of depository shares underlying our Series
B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 7.750% per annum of their $25.00 per depositary
share liquidation preference. Holders of depositary shares underlying our Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative
cash dividends at a rate of 7.00% per annum up to, and including, October 14, 2022 and thereafter at a floating rate equal to three-
month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.111% per annum of their $25.00 per depositary share liquidation preference. Dividends are
payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of each January, April, July and October. As of December 31, 2017, we had declared
all required quarterly dividends on our preferred stock.
85
Our preferred stock ranks senior to our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets
upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. Our preferred stock has no stated maturity,
is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and ranks on parity with each other. Under certain circumstances
upon a change of control, our preferred stock is convertible to shares of our common stock. Holders of our preferred stock and
depository shares underlying our preferred stock have no voting rights, except under limited conditions. Beginning on May 8,
2019 and October 15, 2022, depository shares underlying our Series B and Series C Preferred Stock, respectively, will be redeemable
at $25.00 per depositary share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) exclusively at our option. We
may redeem shares of our preferred stock prior to our optional redemption date under certain circumstances intended to preserve
our qualification as a REIT for Federal income tax purposes.
Common Stock Offerings
In May 2017, we completed a public offering in which 24.5 million shares of our common stock were sold to the underwriters
for proceeds of $503 million, or $20.51 per common share, net of offering costs. In September 2017, we completed a public
offering in which 28.2 million shares of our common stock were sold to the underwriters for proceeds of $577 million, or $20.47
per common share, net of estimated offering costs.
At-the-Market Offering Program
In February 2017, we entered into agreements with sales agents to publicly offer and sell shares of our common stock in
privately negotiated and/or at-the-market transactions from time-to-time up to an aggregate amount of $750 million of shares of
our common stock. During fiscal year 2017, we sold 7.6 million shares of our common stock under the sales agreements for
proceeds of $159 million, or $20.96 per common share, net of estimated offering costs. As of December 31, 2017, $589 million
of shares of our common stock remain available for issuance under this program.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
In October 2016, our Board of Directors terminated our existing stock repurchase program and replaced it with a new stock
repurchase authorization. Under the new stock repurchase program we were authorized to repurchase up to $1 billion of our
outstanding shares of common stock through December 31, 2017. During fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we repurchased 6.5 million
and 15.3 million shares, respectively, of our common stock at an average repurchase price of $17.89 and $18.58 per share,
respectively, including expenses, totaling $116 million and $285 million, respectively. We did not repurchase shares of our common
stock during fiscal year 2017.
Distributions to Stockholders
The following table summarizes cash dividends declared for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions, except per share
amounts):
8.000 % Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
Fiscal year 2017............................................................................................................................
Fiscal year 2016............................................................................................................................
Fiscal year 2015............................................................................................................................
7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (Per Depositary Share)
Fiscal year 2017............................................................................................................................
Fiscal year 2016............................................................................................................................
Fiscal year 2015............................................................................................................................
7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (Per
Depositary Share)
Fiscal year 2017............................................................................................................................
Common Stock
Fiscal year 2017............................................................................................................................
Fiscal year 2016............................................................................................................................
Fiscal year 2015............................................................................................................................
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
Dividends
Declared
Dividends
Declared Per
Share
9
14
14
14
14
14
9
777
763
863
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
1.333000
2.000000
2.000000
1.937500
1.937500
1.937500
0.695140
2.160000
2.300000
2.480000
86
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table summarizes changes to accumulated OCI for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in millions):
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Net Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Available-for-
Sale MBS
Net
Unrealized
Gain (Loss) on
Swaps
Total
Accumulated
OCI
Balance
Balance as of December 31, 2014 ...................................................................................
$
570
$
(140) $
OCI before reclassifications ..........................................................................................
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI ...............................................................
(620)
23
—
101
Balance as of December 31, 2015 ...................................................................................
$
(27) $
(39) $
OCI before reclassifications ..........................................................................................
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI ...............................................................
(261)
(109)
—
39
Balance as of December 31, 2016 ...................................................................................
$
(397) $
— $
OCI before reclassifications ..........................................................................................
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI ...............................................................
(31)
83
—
—
Balance as of December 31, 2017 ...................................................................................
$
(345) $
— $
430
(620)
124
(66)
(261)
(70)
(397)
(31)
83
(345)
The following table summarizes reclassifications out of accumulated OCI for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015 (in
millions):
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated OCI
2017
2016
2015
Fiscal Year
Line Item in the Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income
Where Net Income is Presented
(Gain) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI
for available-for-sale MBS upon realization .......................
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps previously
designated as hedges under GAAP, net...............................
Total reclassifications .....................................................
$
Note 10. Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Stock-Based Incentive Plans
$
83
$
(109) $
23
Realized gain (loss) on sale of
investment securities, net
—
83
39
$
(70) $
101
124
Interest expense
In accordance with the terms and conditions of our 2016 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan (the "2016 Equity Plan"),
which was adopted by our stockholders on December 9, 2016, we may grant equity-based compensation in the form of stock
options, stock appreciation rights, restricted shares, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units, dividend
equivalents and certain other awards denominated or payable in, or otherwise based on, shares of our common stock, plus cash
incentive awards, for the purpose of providing our non-employee directors, officers and other employees incentives and rewards
for service or performance. The 2016 Equity Plan authorizes a total of 10 million shares our common stock that may be used to
satisfy awards under the plan, subject to the share counting rules set forth within the plan. The Compensation Committee of our
Board of Directors determines awards to be granted under our 2016 Equity Plan and the terms of such awards, including vesting
schedules. Prior to establishing our 2016 Equity Plan, we granted equity-based awards to independent directors per the terms of
our AGNC Equity Incentive Plan for Independent Directors (the "Director Plan"). The Director Plan was terminated in December
of 2016 and replaced by our 2016 Equity Plan. Outstanding awards under the Director Plan continued in effect in accordance
with their terms.
During fiscal years 2017 and 2016, we granted time-based RSU awards to employees with a grant date fair value of $5
million and $2 million, respectively, which vest annually over a three-year period. We granted time-based RSU awards to
independent directors during fiscal year 2017 of $500,000 under our 2016 Equity Plan and during fiscal years 2016 and 2015 of
$625,000 and $625,000, respectively, under our prior Director Plan, which vest at the end of a 13-month period.
87
The following table summarizes time-based RSU transactions under our 2016 Equity Plan for fiscal years 2017 and 2016.
2016 Equity Incentive Plan
Time-Based
RSUs
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value 1
Weighted
Average Vest
Date Fair
Value
Unvested balance as of December 31, 2015 ....................................................................
— $
Granted............................................................................................................................
Accrued RSU dividend equivalents................................................................................
Unvested balance as of December 31, 2016 ....................................................................
Granted............................................................................................................................
Accrued RSU dividend equivalents................................................................................
Vested..............................................................................................................................
Forfeitures.......................................................................................................................
Unvested balance as of December 31, 2017 ....................................................................
________________________________
1.
Accrued RSU dividend equivalents have a weighted average grant date fair value of $0.
101,407
968
102,375
238,203
32,498
$
$
$
$
$
(37,602) $
(246) $
335,228
$
— $
17.89
$
— $
17.72
19.52
$
$
— $
16.08
18.29
17.46
$
$
$
—
—
—
—
—
—
20.42
—
—
The following table summarizes restricted stock and RSU transactions under the Director Plan for fiscal years 2017, 2016
and 2015:
Shares of
Restricted
Stock
Time-Based
RSUs
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value 1
Weighted
Average Vest
Date Fair
Value
Director Plan
Unvested balance as of December 31, 2014 2 ......................................
Granted................................................................................................
Accrued RSU dividend equivalents....................................................
Vested..................................................................................................
Unvested balance as of December 31, 2015 ........................................
Granted................................................................................................
Accrued RSU dividend equivalents....................................................
14,000
—
—
(9,000)
5,000
—
—
Vested..................................................................................................
(5,000)
Unvested balance as of December 31, 2016 ........................................
Accrued RSU dividend equivalents....................................................
Vested..................................................................................................
Unvested balance as of December 31, 2017 ........................................
________________________________
—
—
—
—
18,239
28,880
3,319
$
$
$
(19,007) $
31,431
33,015
3,527
$
$
$
(46,538) $
21,435
1,032
$
$
25.11
21.64
$
$
— $
23.17
21.44
18.93
$
$
$
— $
20.00
17.49
$
$
— $
(22,467) $
16.69
$
— $
— $
—
—
—
21.03
—
—
—
18.99
—
—
20.15
—
1.
2.
Accrued RSU dividend equivalents have a weighted average grant date fair value of $0.
Consist of restricted stock awards granted to independent directors prior to fiscal year 2015, which had a grant date fair value equal to the closing
price of our common stock on the grant date and vested annually over three years.
During fiscal year 2017, we granted performance-based RSU awards to employees under our 2016 Equity Plan, which vest
at the end of a three-year period provided that specified performance criteria are met. The performance criteria are based on a
formula tied to our achievement of long-term economic returns consisting of the change in tangible net book value and dividends
paid per common share on an absolute basis and relative to a select group of our peers. The fair value of the performance-based
RSU awards as of the grant date was $5 million assuming the target levels of performance is achieved, but the actual value will
vary within a range of 0% to 200% of target based on actual performance achieved relative to the targets. The following table
summarizes performance-based RSU awards under our 2016 Equity Plan for fiscal year 2017. No performance-based awards
were issued during fiscal year 2016.
88
2016 Equity Incentive Plan
Unvested balance as of December 31, 2016
Granted......................................................................................................................
Accrued RSU dividend equivalents ..........................................................................
Vested ........................................................................................................................
Performance-
Based RSUs
at Target
Performance
Level
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value 1
— $
250,609
22,767
$
$
— $
—
19.39
—
—
Unvested balance as of December 31, 2017...............................................................
273,376
$
17.78
_______________________
1.
Accrued RSU dividend equivalents have a weighted average grant date fair value of $0.
As of December 31, 2017, 9.1 million shares remained available for awards under the 2016 Equity Plan. For purposes of
determining the total number of shares available for awards under the 2016 Equity Plan, available shares are reduced by (i) shares
issued for vested RSU awards, net of units withheld to cover minimum statutory tax withholding requirements paid by us in cash
on behalf of the employee and (ii) outstanding unvested awards, (iii) outstanding previously vested awards, if distribution of such
awards has been deferred beyond the vesting date, and (iv) accrued dividend equivalent units on outstanding awards through
December 31, 2017. Unvested performance-based awards assume the maximum payout under the terms of the award. As of
December 31, 2017, there were no outstanding previously vested awards.
During fiscal years 2017 and 2016, we recognized compensation expense of $3.1 million and $28 thousand, respectively,
for stock-based awards to employees. During fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015, we recognized other operating expense of $455,000,
$731,000 and $704,000, respectively, for stock-based awards to independent directors. As of December 31, 2017, we had
unrecognized expense related to stock-based awards of approximately $8 million, which is expected to be recognized over a
weighted average period of 1.9 years.
Other Long-Term Incentive Compensation
During fiscal year 2017, we granted long-term incentive compensation awards under our MTGE Incentive Plan of $2 million,
which was used to purchase shares of MTGE common stock on the open market. The awards vests annually over a three-year
period. During fiscal year 2017, we recognized accrued compensation expense of $1 million associated with MTGE Incentive
Plan awards. As of December 31, 2017, we had unrecognized compensation expense of $2 million associated with such awards,
measured at fair value based on the closing stock price of MTGE common stock.
Note 11. Income Taxes
As of December 31, 2017, we have distributed all of our estimated taxable income for fiscal year 2017. Accordingly, we
do not expect to incur an income tax liability on our 2017 taxable income. For fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we distributed all of
our taxable income within the time limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code. Accordingly, we did not incur an income tax
liability on our taxable income for such periods.
Based on our analysis of any potential uncertain income tax positions, we concluded that we do not have any uncertain tax
positions that meet the recognition or measurement criteria of ASC 740 as of December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015. Our tax returns
for tax years 2014 and forward are open to examination by the IRS. If we incur income tax related interest and penalties, our
policy is to classify them as a component of provision for income taxes.
Note 12. Management Agreement and Related Party Transactions
Prior to our acquisition of AMM on July 1, 2016, we were externally managed. We paid our Manager a management fee
payable monthly in arrears in an amount equal to one-twelfth of 1.25% of our month-end stockholders' equity, adjusted to exclude
the effect of any unrealized gains or losses included in either retained earnings or accumulated OCI, each as computed in accordance
with GAAP. For fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we incurred management fees of $52 million and $116 million, respectively. Following
our management internalization, we no longer incur management fees, but we incur expenses associated with an internally managed
organization, including compensation expense previously borne by our Manager.
Pursuant to our management agreement, we were also obligated to reimburse our Manager for its expenses incurred directly
related to our operations. For fiscal years 2016 and 2015, we recorded expense reimbursements to our Manager of $3 million and
$8 million, respectively.
89
During fiscal year 2017 and 2016, following our acquisition of AMM, we earned management fees of $13 million and $8
million from our management of MTGE.
Note 13. Quarterly Results (Unaudited)
The following is a presentation of the quarterly results of operations and comprehensive income for fiscal years 2017 and
2016 (in millions, except per share data).
Quarter Ended
March 31,
2017
June 30,
2017
September 30,
2017
December 31,
2017
Interest income:
Interest income ............................................................................. $
Interest expense ............................................................................
Net interest income ...............................................................
296
$
98
198
Other gain (loss):
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities, net ..........................
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities measured at fair
value through net income, net ......................................................
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net....
Management fee income ..............................................................
Total other gain (loss), net.....................................................
Expenses:
Compensation and benefits ..........................................................
Other operating expenses .............................................................
Total expenses .......................................................................
Net income .......................................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock .........................................................
Issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock .................................
Net income available to common shareholders ............................ $
Net income ....................................................................................... $
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities measured at fair
value through other comprehensive income (loss), net................
Comprehensive Income ..................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock .........................................................
Issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock .................................
Comprehensive income available to common shareholders........ $
(84)
16
(40)
3
(105)
10
7
17
76
7
—
69
76
46
122
7
—
115
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -
basic.............................................................................................
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -
diluted .........................................................................................
Net income per common share - basic and diluted ...................... $
Comprehensive income per common share - basic and diluted.. $
Dividends declared per common share ......................................... $
331.0
331.1
0.21
0.35
0.54
$
$
$
$
$
$
293
112
181
15
9
(169)
4
(141)
10
6
16
24
7
—
17
24
121
145
7
—
138
346.4
346.5
0.05
0.40
0.54
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
318
140
178
22
(31)
131
3
125
10
7
17
286
9
6
271
286
90
376
9
6
361
364.7
364.9
0.74
0.99
0.54
$
$
$
$
$
$
$
386
174
212
(16)
(65)
271
3
193
12
8
20
385
9
—
376
385
(205)
180
9
—
171
391.3
391.5
0.96
0.44
0.54
90
Quarter Ended
March 31,
2016
June 30,
2016
September 30,
2016
December 31,
2016
$
315
$
Interest income:
Interest income ............................................................................. $
Interest expense ............................................................................
Net interest income ...............................................................
295
$
99
196
Other gain (loss):
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities, net ..........................
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities measured at fair
value through net income, net ......................................................
Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net....
Management fee income ..............................................................
Total other gain (loss), net.....................................................
Expenses:
Management fee expense .............................................................
Compensation and benefits ..........................................................
Other operating expenses .............................................................
Total expenses .......................................................................
Net income (loss)..............................................................................
Dividend on preferred stock .........................................................
(2)
11
(944)
—
(935)
27
—
6
33
(772)
7
318
101
217
55
—
(367)
—
(312)
25
—
15
40
(135)
7
Net income (loss) available (attributable) to common
shareholders..................................................................................... $
(779) $
(142) $
Net income (loss).............................................................................. $
Other comprehensive income (loss):..............................................
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net..........
Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net ............................
Other comprehensive income (loss)......................................
Comprehensive income (loss) .........................................................
Dividend on preferred stock .........................................................
Comprehensive income (loss) available (attributable) to
common shareholders................................................................ $
(772) $
(135) $
765
19
784
12
7
370
12
382
247
7
96
219
61
(6)
248
4
307
—
9
6
15
511
7
504
511
(97)
7
(90)
421
7
$
$
393
98
295
(5)
(11)
753
4
741
—
10
7
17
1,019
7
1,012
1,019
(1,408)
1
(1,407)
(388)
7
5
$
240
$
414
$
(395)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding -
basic and diluted ........................................................................
Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted............. $
Comprehensive income (loss) per common share - basic and
diluted............................................................................................... $
Dividends declared per common share ......................................... $
334.4
(2.33) $
331.0
(0.43) $
0.01
0.60
$
$
0.73
0.60
$
$
331.0
1.52
1.25
0.56
$
$
$
331.0
3.06
(1.19)
0.54
Note 14. Subsequent Events
On January 11, 2018 and February 13, 2018, our Board of Directors declared a monthly dividend of $0.18 per common
share, payable on February 8, 2018 and March 8, 2018, respectively, to common stockholders of record as of January 31, 2018
and February 28, 2018, respectively.
91
Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure
None.
Item 9A. Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported
within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to
our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions
regarding required disclosure based on the definition of "disclosure controls and procedures" as promulgated under the Exchange
Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management
recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance
of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-
benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
We, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation
of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2017. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and
Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Management's Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Management Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting is included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and
Supplementary Data."
Attestation Report of Registered Public Accounting Firm
The attestation report of our registered public accounting firm is included in "Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary
Data."
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our "internal control over financial reporting" (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange
Act) that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our
internal control over financial reporting.
Item 9B. Other Information
Additional U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations
The following summary of certain U.S. Federal income tax considerations supplements the discussion set forth under the
heading "U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations" in our prospectus dated June 26, 2015, filed as part of our registration statement
on Form S-3ASR (No. 333-205307), and any supplements thereto, and is subject to the qualifications set forth therein. Capitalized
terms used but not defined herein have the meanings set forth in such prospectus. The following summary is for general information
only and is not tax advice. This discussion does not purport to deal with all aspects of taxation that may be relevant to particular
holders of our common stock in light of their personal investment or tax circumstances.
EACH PROSPECTIVE HOLDER IS ADVISED TO CONSULT HIS, HER OR ITS TAX ADVISOR REGARDING THE
SPECIFIC U.S. FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL, AND FOREIGN INCOME AND OTHER TAX CONSEQUENCES TO HIM, HER
OR IT OF ACQUIRING, HOLDING, EXCHANGING, OR OTHERWISE DISPOSING OF OUR COMMON SHARES AND
OF OUR ELECTION TO BE TAXED AS A REIT, AND OF POTENTIAL CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
The recently enacted TCJA significantly changed the U.S. Federal income tax laws applicable to businesses and their owners,
including REITs and their stockholders. Among other amendments, the TCJA effected the following changes (generally effective
for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2017, unless otherwise indicated):
•
For taxable years that begin after December 31, 2017, and before January 1, 2026: (i) the U.S. Federal income tax
brackets generally applicable to ordinary income of individuals, trusts and estates have been modified (with the rates
generally reduced), and (ii) stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates are generally entitled to a deduction
equal to 20% of the aggregate amount of ordinary income dividends received from a REIT (not including dividends
that are eligible for the reduced rates applicable to "qualified dividend income" or treated as capital gain dividends),
subject to certain limitations.
92
•
•
•
•
•
The U.S. Federal income tax rate applicable to corporations has been reduced to 21% (from the previous maximum
rate of 35%), and the alternative minimum tax has been repealed for corporations. These changes would generally
reduce the amount of income taxes payable by our TRS, as well as by us to the extent we would otherwise be subject
to regular corporate-level U.S. Federal income tax (for example, if we were to become subject to tax as a result of
distributing less than 100% of our taxable income or recognizing built-in gains in assets acquired from C corporations).
In addition, the maximum withholding rate on distributions by us to non-U.S. stockholders that are attributable to
gain from the disposition of a U.S. real property interest is reduced from 35% to 21%.
There are new limitations on the deductibility of interest expense and net operating losses, which may affect the
deductibility of interest paid or accrued by, or net operating losses generated by, us or our TRS or other subsidiaries.
A U.S. tax-exempt stockholder that is subject to tax on its unrelated business taxable income (‘‘UBTI’’) will be
required to segregate its taxable income and loss for each unrelated trade or business activity for purposes of
determining its UBTI.
New rules have been enacted that in some circumstances may accelerate the recognition of certain income items.
Significant changes have been enacted to the international tax rules, which, among other consequences, could affect
the amount, timing, or character of income we recognize with respect to any foreign entity in or through which we
may invest.
Technical corrections or other amendments to the TCJA or administrative guidance interpreting the TCJA may be forthcoming
at any time. We cannot predict the long-term effect of the TCJA or any future law changes on REITs or their stockholders. You
are urged to consult your tax advisor regarding the effects of the TCJA on your investment in our common shares.
93
Item 10. Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance
PART III
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information provided in our Proxy Statement
for our 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders (the "2018 Proxy Statement") under the headings "PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS", "EXECUTIVE OFFICERS", "BOARD AND GOVERNANCE MATTERS", and "SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE."
Item 11. Executive Compensation
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information provided in the 2018 Proxy
Statement under the headings "PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS", "EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION",
"COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS", "REPORT OF THE COMPENSATION AND CORPORATE
GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE", and "COMPENSATION AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE COMMITTEE
INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION."
Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information provided in the 2018 Proxy
Statement under the heading "SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT AND CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS."
Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information provided in the 2018 Proxy
Statement under the headings "CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS WITH RELATED PERSONS" and "PROPOSAL 1: ELECTION
OF DIRECTORS."
Item 14. Principal Accounting Fees and Services
Information in response to this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the information provided in the 2018 Proxy
Statement under the heading "PROPOSAL 4: RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC
ACCOUNTANT."
94
PART IV
Item 15.
Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)
List of documents filed as part of this report:
(1)
The following financial statements are filed herewith:
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2017 and 2016
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal years 2017, 2016 and 2015
(2) The following exhibits are filed herewith or incorporated herein by reference
Exhibit No.
Description
*3.1 AGNC Investment Corp. Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (File No. 001-34057), filed
November 7, 2016.
*3.2 AGNC Investment Corp. Third Amended and Restated Bylaws, as amended, incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 3.2 of Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2016 (File No. 001-34057), filed November 7,
2016.
*3.3 Certificate of Designations of 7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated herein
by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of Form 8-A (File No. 001-34057), filed May 7, 2014.
*3.4 Certificate of Designations of 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.5 of Form 8-A (File No. 001-34057), filed August 18, 2017.
*3.5 Certificate of Elimination of 8.000% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 8-K (File No 001-34057), filed October 26, 2017.
*4.1 Instruments defining the rights of holders of securities: See Article IV of our Amended and Restated Certificate
of Incorporation, as amended, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of Form 10-Q for the quarter
ended September 30, 2016 (File No. 001-34057) filed November 7, 2016.
*4.2 Instruments defining the rights of holders of securities: See Article VI of our Third Amended and Restated
Bylaws, as amended, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.2 of Form 10-Q for the quarter ended
September 30, 2016 (File No. 001-34057) filed November 7, 2016.
*4.3 Form of Certificate for Common Stock, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.3 of Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2016 (File No. 001-34057), filed November 7, 2016.
*4.4 Specimen 7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-A (File No. 001-34057), filed May 7, 2014.
*4.5 Specimen 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock Certificate,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of Form 8-A (File No. 001-34057), filed August 18, 2017.
*4.6 Deposit Agreement relating to 7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, dated May 8, 2014,
among American Capital Agency Corp., Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., jointly
as depositary, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed May 8,
2014.
*4.7 Form of Depositary Receipt representing 1/1,000th of a share of 7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable
Preferred Stock (included as part of Exhibit 4.6), incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A of Exhibit 4.2 of
Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed May 8, 2014.
*4.8 Deposit Agreement relating to 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock,
dated August 22, 2017, among AGNC Investment Corp., Computershare Inc. and Computershare Trust
Company, N.A., jointly as depositary, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of Form 8-K (File No.
001-34057) filed August 22, 2017.
*4.9 Form of Depositary Receipt representing 1/1,000th of a share of 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate
Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (included as part of Exhibit 4.8), incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit A of Exhibit 4.2 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057) filed August 22, 2017.
95
†*10.1 Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, by and between AGNC
Mortgage Management, LLC and Gary Kain, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K
(File No. 001-34057), filed November 4, 2016.
†*10.2 Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, by and between AGNC
Mortgage Management, LLC and Peter J. Federico, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Form 8-
K (File No. 001-34057), filed November 4, 2016.
†*10.3 Third Amended and Restated Employment Agreement, dated November 1, 2016, by and between AGNC
Mortgage Management, LLC and Christopher J. Kuehl, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of
Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed November 4, 2016.
†*10.4 Letter Agreement, dated as of December 1, 2015, as amended on July 1, 2016 and December 18, 2017, by and
between AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC and Bernice Bell, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed December 18, 2017.
†*10.5 Retention Bonus Grant Letter, dated July 1, 2016, by and between American Capital Mortgage Management,
LLC and Bernice E. Bell, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.5 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057),
filed July 8, 2016.
†*10.6 Retention Bonus Grant Letter, dated July 1, 2016, by and between American Capital Mortgage Management,
LLC and Aaron Pas, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 of Form 10-Q (File No. 001-34057), filed
May 8, 2017.
†*10.7 Letter agreement, dated February 23, 2017, by and between AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC and Kenneth
L. Pollack, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.2 of Form 10-Q (File No. 001-34057), filed May 8,
2017.
†*10.8 Employment Agreement, dated December 18, 2017, by and between Kenneth Pollack and AGNC Mortgage
Management, LLC, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.3 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed
December 18, 2017.
†*10.9 AGNC Investment Corp. 2016 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.7 of Form 10-K (File No. 001-34057), filed February 27, 2017.
†*10.10 Form of AGNC Investment Corp. 2016 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit
Agreement for Section 16 Officers with Employment Contracts, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.8 of Form 10-K (File No. 001-34057), filed February 27, 2017.
†*10.11 Form of AGNC Investment Corp. 2016 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Performance-Based Restricted
Stock Unit Agreement for Section 16 Officers with Employment Contracts, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.9 of Form 10-K (File No. 001-34057), filed February 27, 2017.
†*10.12 Form of AGNC Investment Corp. 2016 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit
Agreement for Section 16 Officers without Employment Contracts, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit
10.10 of Form 10-K (File No. 001-34057), filed February 27, 2017.
†*10.13 Form of AGNC Investment Corp. 2016 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Performance-Based Restricted
Stock Unit Agreement for Section 16 Officers without Employment Contracts, incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 10.11 of Form 10-K (File No. 001-34057), filed February 27, 2017.
†10.14 Form of AGNC Investment Corp. 2016 Equity and Incentive Compensation Plan Restricted Stock Unit
Agreement for Non-Employee Directors, filed herewith.
†*10.15 AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC Performance Incentive Plan - MTGE, incorporated herein by reference to
Exhibit 10.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed January 27, 2017.
†*10.16 Form of Memorandum and Acceptance Agreement for Incentive Awards under the AGNC Mortgage
Management, LLC Performance Incentive Plan - MTGE for Section 16 Officers with Employment Contracts,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.13 of Form 10-K (File No. 001-34057), filed February 27, 2017.
†*10.17 Form of Memorandum and Acceptance Agreement for Incentive Awards under the AGNC Mortgage
Management, LLC Performance Incentive Plan - MTGE for Section 16 Officers without Employment
Contracts, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.14 of Form 10-K (File No. 001-34057), filed
February 27, 2017.
*10.18 Underwriting Agreement, dated May 2, 2017, among AGNC Investment Corp., J.P. Morgan Securities LLC,
Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC and Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC as
representatives of the several underwriters listed on Schedule I attached thereto, incorporated herein by
reference to Exhibit 1.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed May 5, 2017.
96
*10.19 Underwriting Agreement, dated September 12, 2017, among AGNC Investment Corp., Credit Suisse Securities
(USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, UBS Securities LLC and Wells Fargo
Securities, LLC as representatives of the several underwriters listed on Schedule I attached thereto,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed September 15, 2017.
*10.20 Sales Agreement between AGNC Investment Corp. and Cantor Fitzgerald & Co., dated February 1, 2017,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.1 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed February 1, 2017.
*10.21 Sales Agreement between AGNC Investment Corp. and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, dated February 1, 2017,
incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1.2 of Form 8-K (File No. 001-34057), filed February 1, 2017.
12.1 Computation of ratio of earnings to fixed charges and ration of earnings to combined fixed charges and
preferred stock dividends, filed herewith.
14 AGNC Investment Corp. Code of Ethics and Conduct, adopted July 20, 2017, incorporated herein by reference
to Exhibit 14 of Form 10-Q (File No. 001-34057), filed August 3, 2017.
21 Subsidiaries of the Company and jurisdiction of incorporation:
1) AGNC TRS, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
2) Old Georgetown Insurance Co. LLC, a Missouri limited liability company
3) Bethesda Securities, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
4) AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company
23 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, filed herewith
24 Powers of Attorney of directors, filed herewith.
31.1 Certification of CEO Pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2 Certification of CFO Pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32 Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
101.INS** XBRL Instance Document
101.SCH** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.LAB** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
101.PRE** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
101.DEF** XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
________________________________
Previously filed
*
This exhibit is being furnished rather than filed, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing, in
**
accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K
Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement
†
(b)
Exhibits
See the exhibits filed herewith.
(c) Additional financial statement schedules
None.
97
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly
caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
SIGNATURES
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
By:
/s/ GARY KAIN
Gary Kain
Chief Executive Officer, President and
Chief Investment Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date: February 26, 2018
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following
persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
Name
/s/ GARY KAIN
Gary Kain
/s/ PETER FEDERICO
Peter Federico
/s/ BERNICE E. BELL
Bernice E. Bell
*
Morris A. Davis
*
Larry K. Harvey
*
Prue B. Larocca
*
Paul E. Mullings
*By:
/s/ KENNETH L. POLLACK
Kenneth L. Pollack
Attorney-in-fact
Title
Chief Executive Officer, President
and Chief Investment Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
Date
February 26, 2018
Chief Financial Officer and
Executive Vice President
(Principal Financial Officer)
February 26, 2018
Senior Vice President and Chief
Accounting Officer (Principal
Accounting Officer)
February 26, 2018
February 26, 2018
February 26, 2018
February 26, 2018
February 26, 2018
Director
Director
Director
Director
98
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
(cid:40)(cid:59)(cid:40)(cid:38)(cid:56)(cid:55)(cid:918)(cid:57)(cid:40)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:41)(cid:41)(cid:918)(cid:38)(cid:40)(cid:53)(cid:54)
Morris A. Davis, Ph.D.
Professor of Finance and
Paul V. Profeta Chair of Real Estate
at Rutgers Business School
Larry K. Harvey
(cid:41)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:85)
of Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc.
(cid:41)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:85)
of Playa Hotels & Resorts N.V.
Gary D. Kain
(cid:38)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)
(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:918)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:85)
Prue B. Larocca
Retired Investment Banking Executive
Paul E. Mullings
Managing Director, The Collingwood Group
CORPORATE INFORMATION
AUDITORS
Ernst & Young LLP, Tysons, VA
LEGAL COUNSEL
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP,
New York, NY
STOCK EXCHANGE LISTING
AGNC Investment Corp. common stock trades
on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the
symbol AGNC. AGNC Investment Corp. Series
B preferred stock trades on The Nasdaq Global
Select Market under the symbol AGNCB. AGNC
Investment Corp. Series C preferred stock trades
on The Nasdaq Global Select Market under the
symbol AGNCN.
Transfer Agent and Registrar
Computershare Investor Services
P.O. Box 505000
Louisville, KY 40233-5000
(800) 733-5001
www.computershare.com/investor
Gary D. Kain
(cid:38)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:40)(cid:91)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:88)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:15)(cid:3)(cid:51)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:71)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)
(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:918)(cid:81)(cid:89)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:87)(cid:80)(cid:72)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:85)
Peter J. Federico
Executive Vice President and
(cid:38)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:85)
Christopher J. Kuehl
Executive Vice President
Bernice E. Bell
Senior Vice President and
(cid:38)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:36)(cid:70)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:81)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:74)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:85)
Aaron J. Pas
Senior Vice President
Kenneth L. Pollack
Senior Vice President, General Counsel,
(cid:38)(cid:75)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:73)(cid:3)(cid:38)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:50)(cid:605)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:87)(cid:68)(cid:85)(cid:92)
FINANCIAL PUBLICATIONS
Stockholders may receive a copy of our 2017
Annual Report on Form 10-K and our quarterly
(cid:85)(cid:72)(cid:83)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:87)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:3)(cid:41)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:3)(cid:20)(cid:19)(cid:16)(cid:52)(cid:3)(cid:564)(cid:79)(cid:72)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:90)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:3)(cid:87)(cid:75)(cid:72)(cid:3)(cid:54)(cid:72)(cid:70)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:76)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)
Exchange Commission by writing to:
AGNC Investment Corp.
Investor Relations
2 Bethesda Metro Center
12th Floor
Bethesda, MD 20814
INVESTOR INQUIRIES
Stockholders, securities analysts, portfolio
managers and others seeking information about
(cid:82)(cid:88)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:69)(cid:88)(cid:86)(cid:76)(cid:81)(cid:72)(cid:86)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:68)(cid:87)(cid:76)(cid:82)(cid:81)(cid:86)(cid:3)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:71)(cid:3)(cid:564)(cid:81)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:76)(cid:68)(cid:79)(cid:3)(cid:83)(cid:72)(cid:85)(cid:73)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:80)(cid:68)(cid:81)(cid:70)(cid:72)(cid:3)
are invited to contact Investor Relations at:
(cid:11)(cid:22)(cid:19)(cid:20)(cid:12)(cid:98)(cid:28)(cid:25)(cid:27)(cid:16)(cid:28)(cid:22)(cid:19)(cid:19)(cid:3)(cid:82)(cid:85)(cid:3)(cid:918)(cid:53)(cid:35)(cid:36)(cid:42)(cid:49)(cid:38)(cid:17)(cid:70)(cid:82)(cid:80)(cid:17)
2 Bethesda Metro Center | 12th Floor | Bethesda, MD 20814
Phone: (301) 968-9315 | Fax: (301) 968-9301 | Email: IR@AGNC.com
AGNC.COM | NASDAQ: AGNC
002CSN8D28