Annual Statements Open main menu

ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT INC - Quarter Report: 2011 March (Form 10-Q)

a6713400.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

[X]             QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED:  MARCH 31, 2011

OR

[  ]             TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _______________ TO _________________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:  1-13447

ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
 
MARYLAND
22-3479661
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
1211 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, SUITE 2902
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
(Address of principal executive offices)

10036
 (Zip Code)

(212) 696-0100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all documents and reports required 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    X     No___

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes _X_ No __

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of “accelerated filer and large accelerated filer” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer þ     Accelerated filer      Non-accelerated filer      Smaller reporting company 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes      No  þ

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock, as of the last practicable date:
 
Class
Outstanding at May 6, 2011
Common Stock, $.01 par value
813,263,525
 
 

 
 
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
FORM 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I
 
  PAGE
 
   
 
   
 
1
   
 
2
   
3
   
4
   
5
   
21
   
37
   
38
   
 
   
39
   
39
   
39
   
40
   
41
 
 
 

 
 
PART I
Part I
Item 1.  Financial Statements

ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
 (dollars in thousands, except per share and per share amounts)
   
March 31, 2011
(Unaudited)
   
December 31, 2010(1)
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 357,012     $ 282,626  
U.S. Treasury Securities, at fair value (including pledged assets of
$1,040,443 and $660,823, respectively)
    1,088,657       1,100,447  
Reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value
    1,348,069       1,006,163  
Securities borrowed, at fair value
    368,714       216,676  
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, at fair value (including pledged assets
of $83,045,860 and $67,787,023, respectively)
    93,644,409       78,440,330  
Agency debentures, at fair value (including pledged assets of $332,323
and $1,068,869, respectively)
    414,660       1,108,261  
Corporate debt
    21,224       21,683  
Investments with affiliates
    303,713       252,863  
Receivable for Investment Securities sold
    320,465       151,460  
Accrued interest and dividends receivable
    391,356       345,250  
Receivable from Prime Broker
    3,272       3,272  
Receivable for advisory and service fees
    16,631       16,172  
Intangible for customer relationships, net
    8,990       9,290  
Goodwill
    42,030       42,030  
Interest rate swaps, at fair value
    8,879       2,561  
Other derivative contracts, at fair value
    1,539       2,607  
Other assets
    87,988       24,899  
Total assets
  $ 98,427,608     $ 83,026,590  
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
U.S. Treasury Securities sold, not yet purchased, at fair value
  $ 788,898     $ 909,462  
Repurchase agreements
    79,983,914       65,533,537  
Securities loaned, at fair value
    359,852       217,841  
Payable for Investments Securities purchased
    2,476,409       4,575,026  
Payable for Investments purchased with affiliate
    57,500       -  
Convertible Senior Notes
    600,000       600,000  
Accrued interest payable
    113,101       115,766  
Dividends payable
    498,697       404,220  
Interest rate swaps, at fair value
    577,150       754,439  
Other derivative contracts, at fair value
    -       2,446  
Accounts payable and other liabilities
    79,087       8,921  
Total liabilities
    85,534,608       73,121,658  
                 
6.00% Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock:
4,600,000 shares authorized, 1,650,047 and 1,652,047 shares issued and
outstanding, respectively
      39,983         40,032  
                 
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
7.875% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock: 7,412,500
authorized, issued and outstanding
    177,088       177,088  
Common stock, par value $.01 per share, 987,987,500 authorized,
804,350,532 and 631,594,205 issued and outstanding, respectively
    8,044       6,316  
Additional paid-in capital
    12,119,817       9,175,245  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,009,528       1,164,642  
Accumulated deficit
    (461,460 )     (658,391 )
Total stockholders’ equity
    12,853,017       9,864,900  
                 
Total liabilities, Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock and
stockholders’ equity
  $ 98,427,608     $ 83,026,590  
 
(1)  Derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at December 31, 2010.
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
1

 
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
 (dollars in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
   
For the Quarter
 Ended March 31,
2011
   
For the Quarter
 Ended March 31,
2010
 
Interest income
           
Investment securities
  $ 837,880     $ 653,935  
Securities loaned
    1,343       454  
U.S. Treasury Securities
    4,825       -  
Total interest income
    844,048       654,389  
Interest expense
               
Repurchase agreements
    102,602       92,089  
Interest rate swaps
    206,148       180,838  
Convertible Senior Notes
    6,767       3,195  
Securities borrowed
    1,101       387  
U.S. Treasury Securities sold, not yet purchased
    4,986       -  
Total interest expense
    321,604       276,509  
                 
Net interest income
    522,444       377,880  
 
Other income (loss):
               
Investment advisory and service fees
    17,207       12,546  
Gains on sales of Mortgage-Backed Securities and agency debentures
    27,185       46,962  
Dividend income from available-for-sale equity securities
    6,297       7,964  
Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps
    169,308       (116,732 )
Net gains on trading securities
    18,812       -  
Income from underwriting
    2,904       -  
Total other income (loss)
    241,713       (49,260 )
                 
Expenses:
               
Distribution fees
    -       360  
General and administrative expenses
    51,827       40,021  
Total expenses
    51,827       40,381  
                 
Income before income taxes and income from equity method investment in affiliate
    712,330       288,239  
                 
Income taxes
    (13,575 )     (7,314 )
                 
Income from equity method investment in affiliate
    1,140       140  
                 
Net income
    699,895       281,065  
                 
Dividends on preferred stock
    4,267       4,625  
                 
Net income available to common shareholders
    695,628       276,440  
                 
Net income available per share to common shareholders:
               
Basic
  $ 0.92     $ 0.50  
Diluted
  $ 0.89     $ 0.49  
                 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
         
Basic
    752,413,605       554,995,092  
Diluted
    790,993,841       575,859,564  
                 
Net income
  $ 699,895     $ 281,065  
Other comprehensive loss:
               
Unrealized (losses) gains on available-for-sale securities
    (142,227 )     7,416  
Unrealized gains on interest rate swaps
    14,298       36,081  
Reclassification adjustment for net gains included in net income
    (27,185 )     (46,962 )
Other comprehensive loss
    (155,114 )     (3,465 )
Comprehensive income
  $ 544,781     $ 277,600  
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
               
 
 
2

 
 
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)

   
 
Preferred
Stock
   
 
Common
Stock
Par Value
   
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
Accumulated
Deficit
   
 
 
 
Total
 
BALANCE, DECEMBER  31, 2009
  $ 177,088     $ 5,531     $ 7,817,454     $ 1,891,317     $ (336,964 )   $ 9,554,426  
                                                 
  Net income
    -       -       -       -       281,065       281,065  
  Other comprehensive loss
    -       -       -       (3,465 )     -       (3,465
  Exercise of stock options
    -       1       1,057       -       -       1,058  
  Stock option expense and long-term compensation expense
    -       -       1,171       -       -       1,171  
  Conversion of Series B cumulative preferred stock
    -       -       16       -       -       16  
  Net proceeds from direct purchase and dividend reinvestment
    -       65       115,453       -       -       115,518  
  Preferred Series A dividends declared  $0.4925 per share
    -       -       -       -       (3,648 )     (3,648 )
  Preferred Series B dividends declared $0.375 per share
    -       -       -       -       (977 )     (977 )
  Common dividends declared, $0.65 per share
    -       -       -       -       (363,778 )     (363,778 )
                                                 
BALANCE, MARCH 31, 2010
  $ 177,088     $ 5,597     $ 7,935,151     $ 1,887,852     $ (424,302 )   $ 9,581,386  
                                                 
   
 
Preferred
Stock
   
 
Common
Stock
Par Value
   
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
   
 
 
Accumulated
Deficit
   
 
 
 
Total
 
BALANCE, DECEMBER 31, 2010
  $ 177,088     $ 6,316     $ 9,175,245     $ 1,164,642     $ (658,391 )   $ 9,864,900  
                                                 
  Net income
    -       -       -       -       699,895       699,895  
  Other comprehensive loss
    -       -       -       (155,114 )     -       (155,114 )
  Exercise of stock options
    -       2       2,435       -       -       2,437  
  Stock option expense and long-term compensation expense
    -       -       1,262       -       -       1,262  
  Conversion of Series B cumulative preferred stock
    -       -       48       -       -       48  
  Net proceeds from direct purchase and dividend reinvestment
    -       1       1,141       -       -       1,142  
  Follow-on offering net proceeds
    -       1,725       2,939,686       -       -       2,941,411  
  Preferred Series A dividends declared  $0.4925 per share
    -       -       -       -       (3,648 )     (3,648 )
  Preferred Series B dividends declared $0.375 per share
    -       -       -       -       (619 )     (619 )
  Common dividends declared, $0.62 per share
    -       -       -       -       (498,697 )     (498,697 )
                                                 
BALANCE, MARCH 31, 2011
  $ 177,088     $ 8,044     $ 12,119,817     $ 1,009,528     $ (461,460 )   $ 12,853,017  
                                                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
                                 
 
 
3

 
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 (dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
   
For the Quarter Ended
March 31, 2011
   
For the Quarter Ended
March 31, 2010
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
           
Net income
  $ 699,895     $ 281,065  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
    Amortization of Mortgage Backed Securities premiums and discounts, net
    174,743       164,007  
    Amortization of intangibles
    366       407  
    Amortization on deferred expenses
    900       450  
    Gains on sales of Mortgage-Backed Securities and Agency debentures
    (27,185 )     (46,962 )
    Stock option and long-term compensation expense
    1,262       1,171  
    Unrealized (gains) losses on interest rate swaps
    (169,308 )     116,732  
    Net gains on trading securities
    (18,812 )     -  
    Gain on investment with affiliate, equity method
    (98 )     (140 )
    Proceeds from repurchase agreements from Broker Dealer
    302,730,166       250,140,649  
    Payments on repurchase agreements from Broker Dealer
    (297,961,656 )     (248,827,060 )
    Proceeds from reverse repo to Broker Dealer
    56,147,084       2,727,269  
    Payments on reverse repo to Broker Dealer
    (56,488,990 )     (2,764,682 )
    Proceeds from securities borrowed
    993,039       476,309  
    Payments on securities borrowed
    (1,145,077 )     (507,364 )
    Proceeds from securities loaned
    1,175,210       559,552  
    Payments on securities loaned
    (1,033,199 )     (528,232 )
    Payments on U.S. Treasury Securities
    (8,198,723 )     -  
    Proceeds from U.S. Treasury Securities
    8,123,321       -  
    Net payments on derivatives
    (971 )     -  
    Increase in other assets
    (64,055 )     (33,915 )
    (Increase) decrease in accrued interest and dividend receivable
    (48,671 )     1,746  
    (Increase) decrease in advisory and service fees receivable
    (459 )     851  
    Decrease in interest payable
    (2,665 )     (1,115 )
    Increase in accounts payable and other liabilities
    70,166       60,286  
         Net cash provided by operating activities
    4,956,283       1,821,024  
Cash flows from investing activities:
               
  Payments on purchases of Mortgage-Backed Securities and agency debentures
    (26,657,476 )     (8,995,583 )
  Proceeds from sales of Mortgage-Backed Securities and agency debentures
    3,397,846       1,974,280  
  Principal payments on Mortgage-Backed Securities
    5,549,651       6,190,795  
  Proceeds from Agency debentures called
    594,246       -  
  Proceeds from other derivative securities
    14,998       -  
  Principal payments on corporate debt
    468       -  
  Payments on reverse repurchase agreements
    -       (4,032,426 )
  Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements
    -       4,291,430  
       Net cash used in investing activities
    (17,100,267 )     (571,504 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
               
  Proceeds from repurchase agreements
    65,447,646       57,522,092  
  Principal payments on repurchase agreements
    (55,765,779 )     (59,649,330 )
  Issuance of Convertible Senior Notes
    -       582,000  
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    2,437       1,058  
  Net proceeds from follow-on offerings
    2,941,411       -  
  Proceeds from direct purchases and dividend reinvestments
    1,142       115,518  
  Dividends paid
    (408,487 )     (419,471 )
       Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
    12,218,370       (1,848,133 )
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
    74,386       (598,613 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    282,626       1,504,568  
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  357,012     $ 905,955  
 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
               
  Interest paid, including interest rate swaps
  $ 324,269     $ 277,624  
  Taxes paid
  $ 22,401     $ 5,232  
                 
Noncash investing activities:
               
  Receivable for Investment securities sold
  $ 320,465     $ 359,636  
  Payable for Investments Securities purchased
    2,476,409     $ 7,498,712  
  Payable for Investments purchased with affiliate
  $ 57,500       -  
  Net change in unrealized loss on available-for-sale securities and interest
     rate swaps, net of reclassification adjustment
  $ (155,114 )   $ (3,465 )
                 
Noncash financing activities:
               
  Dividends declared, not yet paid
  $ 498,697     $ 363,785  
  Conversion of Series B cumulative preferred stock
  $ 48     $ 16  
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
4

 
 
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
 (Unaudited)

ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (“Annaly” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Maryland on November 25, 1996.  The Company commenced its operations of purchasing and managing an investment portfolio of mortgage-backed securities on February 18, 1997, upon receipt of the net proceeds from the private placement of equity capital, and completed its initial public offering on October 14, 1997.  The Company is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Fixed Income Discount Advisory Company (“FIDAC”) is a registered investment advisor and is a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company.  On June 27, 2006, the Company made a majority equity investment in an affiliated investment fund (the “Fund”), which is now wholly owned by the Company. During the third quarter of 2008, the Company formed RCap Securities, Inc. (“RCap”).  RCap was granted membership in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) on January 26, 2009, and operates as a broker-dealer.  RCap is a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company.  On October 31, 2008, the Company acquired Merganser Capital Management, Inc. (“Merganser”).  Merganser is a registered investment advisor and is a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company. In 2010, the Company established Shannon Funding LLC (“Shannon”), which provides warehouse financing to residential mortgage originators in the United States.  In 2010, the Company also established Charlesfort Capital Management LLC (“Charlesfort”), which engages in corporate middle market lending transactions.

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies follows:
 
Basis of Presentation - The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10, Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements.  Accordingly, they may not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America ("GAAP").
 
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, FIDAC, Merganser, RCap, Shannon, Charlesfort and the Fund.  All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.

Prior year amounts for interest expense on interest rate swaps were reclassified from interest expense to conform to the current year presentation on the Consolidated Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income. Additionally, prior year amounts for Proceeds from sale of agency debentures and Payments on purchases of agency debentures were reclassified to Proceeds from sales of Mortgage-Backed Securities and agency debentures and Payments on purchases of Mortgage-Backed Securities and agency debentures, respectively, on the Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows.

Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and cash held in money market funds on an overnight basis.
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements - The Company may invest its daily available cash balances via reverse repurchase agreements to provide additional yield on its assets.  These investments will typically be recorded as short term investments and will generally mature daily.  Reverse repurchase agreements are recorded at cost and are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities pledged by the counterparty to the agreement.  Reverse repurchase agreements entered into by RCap are part of the subsidiary’s daily matched book trading activity.  These reverse repurchase agreements are recorded on trade date at the contract amount, are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities and generally mature within 90 days.  Margin calls are made by RCap as appropriate based on the daily valuation of the underlying collateral versus the contract price.  RCap generates income from the spread between what is earned on the reverse repurchase agreements and what is paid on the matched repurchase agreements.  Cash flows related to RCap’s matched book activity are included in cash flows from operating activities. Reverse repurchase agreements entered into by the Company are included in cash flows from investing activities.
 
 
5

 
 

Securities borrowed and loaned transactions – RCap records securities borrowed and loaned transactions at the fair value. Securities borrowed transactions require RCap to provide the counterparty with collateral in the form of cash or other securities. RCap receives collateral in the form of cash or other securities for securities loaned transactions. For these transactions, the fees received or paid by RCap are recorded as interest income or expense. On a daily basis, market value changes of securities borrowed or loaned against may require counterparties to deposit additional collateral or RCap to return collateral pledged, when appropriate.

U.S. Treasury Securities - During the second quarter 2010, RCap commenced trading U.S. Treasury securities for its proprietary portfolio, which consists of long and short positions on U.S. Treasury bills, notes, and bonds. U.S. Treasury securities are classified as trading investments and are recorded on trade date at cost. Changes in fair value are reflected in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. U.S. Treasury bills trade at a discount to par with the difference between proceeds received upon maturity and purchase price recognized as interest income in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Interest income on U.S. Treasury notes and bonds is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount of those investments and their contractual terms.  Premiums and discounts associated with the purchase of the U.S. Treasury notes and bonds are amortized into interest income over the projected lives of the securities using the interest method.

Mortgage-Backed Securities and Agency Debentures – The Company invests primarily in mortgage pass-through certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations and other mortgage-backed securities representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans, and certificates guaranteed by Ginnie Mae , Freddie Mac or Fannie Mae (collectively, “Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities”).  The Company also invests in Agency debentures issued by Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae.
 
Investment Securities –Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, Agency debentures, and corporate debt are referred to herein as “Investment Securities.”  The Company classifies its Investment Securities as either trading investments, available-for-sale investments or held-to-maturity investments.  Although the Company generally intends to hold most of its Investment Securities until maturity, it may, from time to time, sell any of its Investment Securities as part of its overall management of its portfolio.  Investment Securities classified as available-for-sale are reported at estimated fair value, based on fair values obtained and compared to independent sources, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.  Investment Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date.  Realized gains and losses on sales of Investment Securities are determined using the specific identification method.

The Company’s investment in Chimera Investment Corporation (“Chimera”) is accounted for as available-for-sale equity securities.  The Company’s investment in CreXus Investment Corp. (“CreXus”) is accounted for under the equity method.

Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation.  The Company determines if it (1) has the intent to sell the Investment Securities, (2) is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the securities before recovery, or (3) does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the Investment Securities.  Further, the security is analyzed for credit loss (the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis).  The credit loss, if any, will then be recognized in the consolidated statement of operations, while the balance of losses related to other factors will be recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”).  There was no other-than-temporary impairment for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
 
The estimated fair value of available-for-sale debt and equity securities, U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Treasury securities sold, not yet purchased, receivable from prime broker, interest rate swaps, and futures and options contracts is equal to their carrying value presented in the consolidated statements of financial condition.  Cash and cash equivalents, reverse repurchase agreements, securities borrowed, receivable for Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities sold, accrued interest and dividends receivable, receivable for advisory and service fees, repurchase agreements with maturities shorter than one year, payable for investments purchased, securities loaned, dividends payable, accounts payable and other liabilities, and accrued interest payable, generally approximates fair value at March 31, 2011 due to the short term nature of these financial instruments.  The estimated fair value of long term structured repurchase agreements is reflected in Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements.  The estimated fair value of Convertible Senior Notes is reflected in Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements.
 
 
6

 
 
Interest income is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount of the Investment Securities and their contractual terms.  Premiums and discounts associated with the purchase of the Investment Securities are amortized into interest income over the projected lives of the securities using the interest method.  The Company’s policy for estimating prepayment speeds for calculating the effective yield is to evaluate historical performance, consensus prepayment speeds, and current market conditions.  Dividend income on available-for-sale equity securities is recorded on declaration date on an accrual basis.

Derivative Financial Instruments/Hedging Activity - Prior to the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company designated interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges, whereby the swaps were recorded at fair value on the statements of financial condition as assets and liabilities with any changes in fair value recorded in OCI.  In a cash flow hedge, a swap would exactly match the pricing date of the relevant repurchase agreement.  Through the end of the third quarter of 2008 the Company continued to be able to effectively match the swaps with the repurchase agreements, therefore entering into effective hedge transactions.  However, due to the volatility of the credit markets, it was no longer practical to match the pricing dates of both the swaps and the repurchase agreements.
 
As a result, the Company voluntarily discontinued hedge accounting after the third quarter of 2008 through a combination of de-designating previously defined hedge relationships and not designating new contracts as cash flow hedges.  The de-designation of cash flow hedges requires that the net derivative gain or loss related to the discontinued cash flow hedge continue to be reported in accumulated OCI, unless it is probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter.  The Company continues to hold repurchase agreements in excess of swap contracts and has no indication that interest payments on the hedged repurchase agreements are in jeopardy of discontinuing.  Therefore, the deferred losses related to these derivatives that have been de-designated will not be recognized immediately and will remain in OCI. These losses are reclassified into earnings during the contractual terms of the swap agreements starting as of October 1, 2008.  Changes in the unrealized gains or losses on the interest rate swaps subsequent to September 30, 2008 are reflected in the Company’s statements of operations. 

RCap enters into U.S Treasury, Eurodollar, and federal funds futures and options contracts for speculative or hedging purposes. RCap maintains a margin account which is settled daily with futures and options commission merchants. Changes in the unrealized gains or losses on the futures and options contracts are reflected in the Company’s statements of operations.

Credit Risk – The Company has limited its exposure to credit losses on its portfolio of Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities by only purchasing securities issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae and Agency debentures issued by the FHLB, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.  The payment of principal and interest on the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities are guaranteed by those respective agencies, and the payment of principal and interest on the Ginnie Mae Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.  Principal and interest on Agency debentures are guaranteed by the agency issuing the debenture.  Substantially all of the Company’s Investment Securities have an actual or implied “AAA” rating.  The Company faces credit risk on the portions of its portfolio which are not Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities and Agency debentures.

Market Risk - Weakness in the mortgage market may adversely affect the performance and market value of the Company’s investments.  This could negatively impact the Company’s net book value.  Furthermore, if many of the Company’s lenders are unwilling or unable to provide additional financing, the Company could be forced to sell its Investment Securities at an inopportune time when prices are depressed. The Company does not anticipate having difficulty converting its assets to cash or extending financing terms due to the fact that its Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities and Agency debentures have an actual or implied “AAA” rating and principal payment is guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or Ginnie Mae.
 
Repurchase Agreements - The Company finances the acquisition of its Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities and Agency debentures through the use of repurchase agreements.  Repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements.   Reverse repurchase agreements and repurchase agreements with the same counterparty and the same maturity are presented net in the statements of financial condition when the terms of the agreements permit netting.
 
 
7

 
 
Convertible Senior Notes – The Company records the notes at their contractual amounts, including accrued interest.  The Company has analyzed whether the embedded conversion option should be bifurcated and has determined that bifurcation is not necessary.
 
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock - The Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (the “Series B Preferred Stock”) contains fundamental change provisions that allow the holder to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock for cash if certain events occur.  As redemption under these provisions is not solely within the Company’s control, the Company has classified the Series B Preferred Stock as temporary equity in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.  The Company has analyzed whether the embedded conversion option should be bifurcated and has determined that bifurcation is not necessary.
 
Income Taxes - The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT and intends to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), with respect thereto.  Accordingly, the Company will not be subjected to federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to shareholders and as long as certain asset, income and stock ownership tests are met.  The Company and certain  of its subsidiaries, FIDAC, Merganser and RCap, have made separate joint elections to treat these subsidiaries as taxable REIT subsidiaries.  As such, each of the taxable REIT subsidiaries are taxable as a domestic C corporation and subject to federal, state, and local income taxes based upon its taxable income.

The provisions of Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 740, Income Taxes, clarify the accounting for uncertainty in income taxes recognized in financial statements and prescribe a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for tax positions taken or expected to be taken on a tax return. FASB ASC 740 also requires that interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits be recognized in financial statements. The Company does not have any unrecognized tax benefits that would affect its financial position.  Thus, no accruals for penalties and interest were necessary as of March 31, 2011.
 
Use of Estimates - The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  All assets classified as trading or available-for-sale and interest rate swaps are reported at their estimated fair value, based on market prices.  The Company’s policy is to obtain fair values from one or more independent sources.  Fair values from independent sources are compared to internal prices for reasonableness.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Goodwill and Intangible Assets - The Company’s acquisitions of FIDAC and Merganser were accounted for using the purchase method.  Under the purchase method, net assets and results of operations of acquired companies are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. In addition, the costs of FIDAC and Merganser were allocated to the assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired was recognized as goodwill.  Goodwill and intangible assets are periodically (but not less frequently than annually) reviewed for potential impairment.  Intangible assets with an estimated useful life are expected to amortize over a 10.2 year weighted average time period.  During the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, there were no impairment losses.  
 
Stock Based Compensation - The Company is required to measure and recognize in the consolidated financial statements the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions.  The compensation cost is reassessed based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued.
 
The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (that is, over the requisite service period of the last separately vesting portion of the award).  The Company estimated fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model.
 
 
8

 
 
A Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements Follows:

Assets

Receivables (ASC 310)

In July 2010, FASB released ASU 2010-20, which provides greater transparency and addresses disclosures about the credit quality of financing receivables and the allowance for credit losses.  The purpose of this update is to provide greater transparency regarding the allowance for credit losses and the credit quality of financing receivables as well as to assist in the assessment of credit risk exposures and evaluation of the adequacy of allowances for credit losses.  Additional disclosures must be provided on a disaggregated basis.  The update defines two levels of disaggregation – portfolio segment and class of financing receivable.  Additionally, the update requires disclosure of credit quality indicators, past due information and modifications of financing receivables.   The update is not applicable to mortgage banking activities (loans originated or purchased for resale to investors); derivative instruments such as debt securities;  a transferor’s interest in securitization transactions accounted for as sales under ASC 860; and purchased beneficial interests in securitized financial assets.  This update was effective for the Company for interim or annual periods ending on or after December 15, 2010.  This update had no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Broad Transactions

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820)

In January 2010, FASB issued guidance (ASU 2010-06) which increased disclosure regarding the fair value of assets.  The key provisions of this guidance include the requirement to disclose separately the amounts of significant transfers in and out of Level 1 and Level 2 including a description of the reason for the transfers.  Previously this was only required of transfers between Level 2 and Level 3 assets.  Further, reporting entities are required to provide fair value measurement disclosures for each class of assets and liabilities; a class is potentially a subset of the assets or liabilities within a line item in the statement of financial position.  Additionally, disclosures about the valuation techniques and inputs used to measure fair value for both recurring and nonrecurring fair value measurements are required for either Level 2 or Level 3 assets.  This portion of the guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2010. The guidance also requires disclosure on any Level 3 assets presents information about purchases, sales, issuances and settlements.  In other words, Level 3 assets are presented on a gross basis rather than as one net number.  This last portion of the guidance was effective for the Company January 1, 2011.  As this guidance solely relates to disclosures, adoption of this guidance had no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Subsequent Events (ASC 855)
 
ASC 855 provides general standards governing accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. 
 
In February 2010, FASB issued ASU 2010-09 as an amendment to ASC 855.  This update eliminates the requirement to provide a specific date through which subsequent events were evaluated.  This update was issued to alleviate potential conflicts between ASC 855 and SEC reporting requirements.  The update was effective upon issuance and had no material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
Transfers and Servicing (ASC 860)

In April 2011, FASB issued ASU 2011-03 regarding repurchase agreements.  In a typical repurchase agreement transaction, an entity transfers financial assets to a counterparty in exchange for cash with an agreement for the counterparty to return the same or equivalent financial assets for a fixed price in the future.  Previous to this update, one of the factors in determining whether sale treatment could be used was whether the transferor maintained effective control of the transferred assets and in order to do so, the transferor must have the ability to repurchase such assets. Based on this update, the Board concluded that the assessment of effective control should focus on a transferor’s contractual rights and obligations with respect to transferred financial assets, rather than whether the transferor has the practical ability to perform in accordance with those rights or obligations.  Therefore, this update removes the transferor’s ability criterion from consideration of effective control.  This update is effective for the first interim or annual period beginning on or after December 15, 2011.  As the Company records repurchase agreements as secured borrowings and not sales, this update will have no effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
 
 
9

 
 
MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
 
The following tables present the Company’s available-for-sale Mortgage-Backed Securities portfolio as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 which were carried at their fair value:

 
 
March 31, 2011
 
 
Freddie Mac
   
 
Fannie Mae
   
 
Ginnie Mae
   
Total Agency
Mortgage-Backed
Securities
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Mortgage-Backed
                       
Securities, gross
  $ 24,841,332     $ 63,995,911     $ 933,685     $ 89,770,928  
Unamortized discount
    (13,481 )     (17,900 )     (403 )     (31,784 )
Unamortized premium
    630,435       2,269,137       32,462       2,932,034  
Amortized cost
    25,458,286       66,247,148       965,744       92,671,178  
                                 
Gross unrealized gains
    538,694       1,155,997       30,322       1,725,013  
Gross unrealized losses
    (147,971 )     (599,647 )     (4,164 )     (751,782 )
                                 
Estimated fair value
  $ 25,849,009     $ 66,803,498     $ 991,902     $ 93,644,409  
                                 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized
Gain
   
Gross Unrealized
Loss
   
Estimated Fair
Value
 
       
Adjustable rate
  $ 10,449,351     $ 358,251     $ (13,352 )   $ 10,794,250  
                                 
Fixed rate
    82,221,827       1,366,762       (738,430 )     82,850,159  
                                 
Total
  $ 92,671,178     $ 1,725,013     $ (751,782 )   $ 93,644,409  

 
 
December 31, 2010
 
 
Freddie Mac
   
 
Fannie Mae
   
 
Ginnie Mae
   
Total Agency
Mortgage-Backed
Securities
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Mortgage-Backed
                       
Securities, gross
  $ 19,846,543     $ 54,341,140     $ 824,029     $ 75,011,712  
Unamortized discount
    (14,651 )     (18,329 )     (403 )     (33,383 )
Unamortized premium
    517,507       1,795,116       26,200       2,338,823  
Amortized cost
    20,349,399       56,117,927       849,826       77,317,152  
                                 
Gross unrealized gains
    463,471       1,211,324       29,408       1,704,203  
Gross unrealized losses
    (140,027 )     (438,918 )     (2,080 )     (581,025 )
                                 
Estimated fair value
  $ 20,672,843     $ 56,890,333     $ 877,154     $ 78,440,330  
                                 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized
Gain
   
Gross Unrealized
Loss
   
Estimated Fair
Value
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Adjustable rate
  $ 10,954,627     $ 257,822     $ (75,440 )   $ 11,137,009  
                                 
Fixed rate
    66,362,525       1,446,381       (505,585 )     67,303,321  
                                 
Total
  $ 77,317,152     $ 1,704,203     $ (581,025 )   $ 78,440,330  
 
 
10

 
 
Actual maturities of Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities because actual maturities of Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal, and prepayments of principal.  The following table summarizes the Company’s Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities on March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 according to their estimated weighted-average life classifications:
 
   
March 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized Cost
 
Weighted-Average Life
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Less than one year
  $ 858,543     $ 850,274     $ 915,398     $ 901,824  
Greater than one year and less than five years
    66,646,319       65,137,843       59,732,123       58,321,570  
Greater than or equal to five years
    26,139,547       26,683,061       17,792,809       18,093,758  
                                 
Total
  $ 93,644,409     $ 92,671,178     $ 78,440,330     $ 77,317,152  

The weighted-average lives of the Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 in the table above are based upon data provided through subscription-based financial information services, assuming constant principal prepayment rates to the reset date of each security.  The prepayment model considers current yield, forward yield, steepness of the yield curve, current mortgage rates, mortgage rate of the outstanding loans, loan age, margin and volatility.  The actual weighted average lives of the Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities could be longer or shorter than estimated.

The following table presents the gross unrealized losses, and estimated fair value of the Company’s Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.
 
   
Unrealized Loss Position For:
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
                                     
March 31, 2011
  $ 42,331,688     $ (747,653 )   $ 153,837     $ (4,129 )   $ 42,485,525     $ (751,782 )
                                                 
December 31, 2010
  $ 28,608,996     $ (577,096 )   $ 166,481     $ (3,929 )   $ 28,775,477     $ (581,025 )

The decline in value of these securities is solely due to market conditions and not the quality of the assets.  Substantially all of the Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities are “AAA” rated or carry an implied “AAA” rating.  The investments are not considered other-than-temporarily impaired because the Company currently has the ability and intent to hold the investments to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or beyond the cost of the investments or we are not required to sell for regulatory or other reasons.  Also, the Company is guaranteed payment of the principal amount of the securities by the government agency which created them.
 
During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company sold $3.3 billion of Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, resulting in a realized gain of $20.9 million.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company sold $1.6 billion of Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, resulting in a realized gain of $47.0 million.
 
AGENCY DEBENTURES
 
At March 31, 2011, the Company owned Agency debentures with a carrying value of $414.7 million, including an unrealized loss of $3.0 million.
 
For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company sold or had called $821.8.0 million, of Agency debentures, resulting in realized gains of $6.3 million.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2010, there were no Agency debentures sold or called.
 
 
11

 
 
INVESTMENT WITH AFFILIATE, AVAILABLE FOR SALE EQUITY SECURITIES
 
All of the available-for-sale equity securities are shares of Chimera and are reported at fair value.  Chimera is externally managed by FIDAC pursuant to a management agreement.  The Company owned approximately 45.0 million shares of Chimera at a fair value of approximately $178.1 million at March 31, 2011 and approximately 45.0 million shares of Chimera at a fair value of approximately $184.9 million at December 31, 2010.  At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the investment in Chimera had an unrealized gain of $39.3 million and $46.0 million, respectively.
 
INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE, EQUITY METHOD
 
At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company owned approximately 13% and 25%, respectively, of CreXus and accounts for its investment using the equity method.  CreXus is externally managed by FIDAC pursuant to a management agreement.  On March 29, 2011, the Company acquired an additional 5.0 million shares of CreXus, which settled on April 1, 2011.  The quoted fair value of the Company’s investment in CreXus was $108.8 million at March 31, 2011 and $59.3 million at December 31, 2010.
 
REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
At March 31, 2011, RCap had outstanding reverse repurchase agreements with non-affiliates of $1.3 billion. At December 31, 2010, RCap had outstanding reverse repurchase agreements with non-affiliates of $1.0 billion.

The Company reports cash flows on reverse repurchase agreements as investment activities in the Statements of Cash Flows.  The Company reports cash flows on reverse repurchase agreements related to RCap as operating activities in the Statements of Cash Flows.
 
RECEIVABLE FROM PRIME BROKER
 
The net assets of the Fund owned by the Company are subject to English bankruptcy law, which governs the administration of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (in administration) (“LBIE”), as well as the law of New York, which governs the contractual documents.  The Company invested approximately $45.0 million in the Fund and has redeemed approximately $56.0 million.  The current assets of the Fund still remain at LBIE and affiliates of LBIE and the ultimate recovery of such amount remains uncertain.  The Company has entered into the Claims Resolution Agreement (the “CRA”) between LBIE and certain eligible offerees effective December 29, 2009 with respect to these assets.
 
Certain of the Company’s assets subject to the CRA are held directly at LBIE and the Company has valued such assets in accordance with the valuation date set forth in the CRA and the pricing information provided to the Company by LBIE.  The valuation date with respect to these assets as set forth in the CRA is September 19, 2008.
 
Certain of the Company’s assets subject to the CRA are not held directly at LBIE and are believed to be held at affiliates of LBIE.  Given the great degree of uncertainty as to the status of the Company’s assets that are not directly held by LBIE and are believed to be held at affiliates of LBIE, the Company has valued such assets at an 80% discount, or $3.3 million.  The value of the net assets that are not directly held by LBIE and are believed to be held at affiliates of LBIE is determined on the basis of the best information available to us from time to time, legal and professional advice obtained for the purpose of determining the rights, and on the basis of a number of assumptions which we believe to be reasonable.
 
The Company can provide no assurance, however, that it will recover all or any portion of any of the net assets of the investment fund following completion of LBIE’s administration (and any subsequent liquidation).  
 
 
12

 
 
FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.  The three levels are defined as follows:
 
Level 1– inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
 
Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
 
Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to overall fair value.
 
Available-for-sale-equity securities are valued based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in an active market.  Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities and interest rate swaps are valued using quoted prices for similar assets and dealer quotes.  The dealer will incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security including coupon, periodic and life caps, rate reset period and expected life of the security.  Management ensures that current market conditions are represented.  Management compares similar market transactions and comparisons to a pricing model.  The Company’s Investment Securities characteristics are as follows:
 
 
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon
on Fixed
Rate
Investments
Weighted
Average
Coupon on
Adjustable
Rate
Investments
 
 
 
Weighted
Average
Yield on
Fixed Rate
Investments
Weighted
Average Yield
on Adjustable
Rate
Investments
 
 
 
Weighted
Average
Lifetime Cap
on Adjustable
Investments
Weighted
Average
 Term to Next
Adjustment on
Adjustable
Rate
Investments
             
At March 31, 2011
4.80%
4.21%
4.19%
3.02%
10.09%
39 months
             
At December 31, 2010
4.92%
4.28%
4.00%
3.04%
10.16%
39 months
 
The classification of assets and liabilities by level remains unchanged at March 31, 2011, when compared to the year ended December 31, 2010.  The Company’s financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis are valued as follows:

   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
At March 31, 2011
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Assets:
                 
  Mortgage-Backed Securities
  $ -     $ 93,644,409       -  
  Agency debentures
    -       414,660       -  
  Available-for-sale-equity securities
    178,132       -       -  
  U.S. Treasury Securities
    1,088,657       -       -  
  Securities borrowed
    -       368,714       -  
  Interest rate swaps
    -       8,879       -  
  Other derivative contracts
    -       1,539       -  
Liabilities:
                       
  Interest Rate swaps
    -       577,150       -  
  U.S. Treasury securities sold, not yet purchased
    788,898       -       -  
  Securities loaned
    -       359,852       -  

 
13

 
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
At December 31, 2010
 
(dollars in thousands)
 
Assets:
                 
  Mortgage-Backed Securities
  $ -     $ 78,440,330     $ -  
  Agency debentures
    -       1,108,261       -  
  Available for sale equity securities
    184,879       -       -  
  U.S. Treasury securities
    1,100,447       -       -  
  Securities borrowed
    -       216,676       -  
  Interest rate swaps
    -       2,561       -  
  Other derivative contracts
    2,607       -       -  
Liabilities:
                       
  Interest rate swaps
    -       754,439       -  
  U.S. Treasury securities sold, not yet purchased
    909,462       -       -  
  Securities loaned
    -       217,841       -  
  Other derivative contracts
    -       2,446       -  
 
REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
The Company had outstanding $80.0 billion and $65.5 billion of repurchase agreements with weighted average borrowing rates of 1.63% and 1.84%, after giving effect to the Company’s interest rate swaps, and weighted average remaining maturities of 120 days and 127 days as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.  Investment Securities and U.S. Treasury Securities pledged as collateral under these repurchase agreements and interest rate swaps had an estimated fair value of $84.4 billion at March 31, 2011 and $69.5 billion at December 31, 2010.

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the repurchase agreements had the following remaining maturities:

   
March 31, 2011
   
December 31, 2010
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
1 day
  $ 11,227,191       -  
2 to 29 days
    21,973,216     $ 32,669,341  
30 to 59 days
    15,136,294       13,767,522  
60 to 89 days
    4,504,540       4,776,597  
90 to 119 days
    12,921,297       6,068,376  
Over 120 days
    14,221,376       8,251,701  
Total
  $ 79,983,914     $ 65,533,537  

The Company did not have an amount at risk greater than 10% of the equity of the Company with any counterparty as of March 31, 2011 or December 31, 2010.

           The Company has entered into structured term repurchase agreements which provide the counterparty with the right to call the balance prior to maturity date.  These repurchase agreements totaled $5.2 billion and the fair value of the option to call was ($256.5 million) at March 31, 2011.  The repurchase agreements totaled $5.9 billion and the fair value of the option to call was ($313.2 million) at December 31, 2010.  Management has determined that the call option is not required to be bifurcated as it is deemed clearly and closely related to the debt instrument, therefore the fair value of the option is not recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

The structured term repurchase agreements are modeled and priced as pay fixed versus receive floating interest rate swaps whereby the fixed receiver has the option to cancel the swap after an initial lockout period. Therefore, the structured term repurchase agreements are priced as a combination of an interest rate swaps with an embedded call options.
 
 
14

 
 
Additionally, as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company has entered into a repurchase agreement with a term of over one year.  The amount of the repurchase agreement is $700 million and $500 million and it has an estimated fair value of $710.7 and $513.3 million as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, respectively.

The Company reports cash flows on repurchase agreements as financing activities in the Statements of Cash Flows.  RCap reports cash flows on repurchase agreements as financing activities in the Statements of Cash Flows.
 
DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
 
In connection with the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy, the Company economically hedges a portion of its interest rate risk by entering into derivative financial instrument contracts.  As of March 31, 2011, such instruments are comprised of interest rate swaps, which in effect modify the cash flows on repurchase agreements.  The use of interest rate swaps 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.  In the event of a default by the counterparty, the Company could have difficulty obtaining its Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities pledged as collateral for swaps.  The Company does not anticipate any defaults by its counterparties.

The purpose of the swaps is to mitigate the risk of rising interest rates that affect the Company’s cost of funds.

The location and fair value of the Company’s interest rate swaps reported in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition as of March 31, 2011 are as follows:
 
 
Location on Statements
of Financial Condition
Notional Amount
Net Estimated Fair
Value/Carrying Value
   
(dollars in thousands)
March 31, 2011
Assets
$1,350,000
$8,879
March 31, 2011
Liabilities
$32,079,350
($577,150)
December 31, 2010
Assets
$200,000
$2,561
December 31, 2010
Liabilities
$26,882,460
($754,439)
 
The effect of the Company’s interest rate swaps on the Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income is as follows:
 
   
Location on Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income
 
   
Interest Expense
   
Unrealized Gains (Losses) on
Interest Rate Swaps
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2011
  $ 206,148     $ 169,308  
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2010
  $ 180,838     $ (116,732)  
 
The weighted average pay rate at March 31, 2011 was 2.92% and the weighted average receive rate was 0.28%.  The weighted average pay rate at March 31, 2010 was 3.66% and the weighted average receive rate was 0.24%.  Without netting the market value of the swaps by dealer at March 31, 2011, the gross unrealized loss on interest rate swaps was $687.2 million, with a notional amount of $24.2 billion, and the gross unrealized gain on interest rate swaps was $119.0 million, with a notional amount of $9.3 billion.  Without netting the market value of the swaps by dealer at December 31, 2010, the gross unrealized loss on interest rate swaps was $820.0 million, with a notional amount of $23.2 billion, and the gross unrealized gain on interest rate swaps was $68.2 million, with a notional amount of $3.9 billion.

In connection with RCap’s proprietary trading activities, it has entered into U.S. Treasury, Eurodollar, and federal funds futures and options contracts for speculative or hedging purposes. RCap invests in futures and options contracts for economic hedging purposes to reduce exposure to changes in yields of its U.S Treasury securities and for speculative purposes to achieve capital appreciation.  The use of futures and options contracts 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.  RCap executes these trades through an independent futures and options broker dealer.
 
 
15

 
 
CONVERTIBLE SENIOR NOTES
 
During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, Company issued $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 4% convertible senior notes due 2015 (“Convertible Senior Notes”) for net proceeds following underwriting expenses of approximately $582.0 million.  Interest on the Convertible Senior Notes is paid semi-annually at a rate of 4% per year and the Convertible Senior Notes will mature on February 15, 2015 unless earlier repurchased or converted.  The Convertible Senior Notes are convertible into shares of Common Stock at an initial conversion rate and conversion rate at March 31, 2011 of 46.6070 and 56.0338 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes, which is equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $21.4560 and $17.8464 per share of Common Stock, respectively, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.  The market value at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was $701.7 million and $699.2 million, respectively, based on closing price
 
PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON STOCK
 
(A)  Common Stock Issuances
 
On January 4, 2011 the Company entered into an agreement pursuant to which it sold 86,250,000 shares of its common stock for net proceeds following expenses of approximately $1.47 billion. This transaction settled on January 7, 2011.  On February 15, 2011 the Company entered into an agreement pursuant to which it sold 86,250,000 shares of its common stock for net proceeds following expenses of approximately $1.47 billion. This transaction settled on February 18, 2011.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, 183,343 options were exercised for an aggregate exercise price of $2.5 million, and 3,876 shares were granted under the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, or Incentive Plan.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, 2,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock were converted into 5,313 shares of common stock, respectively.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company raised $1.1 million by issuing 63,795 shares through the Direct Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Program.

On July 13, 2010 the Company entered into an agreement pursuant to which it sold 60,000,000 shares of its common stock for net proceeds following expenses of approximately $1.0 billion. This transaction settled on July 19, 2010.

(B) Preferred Stock

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had issued and outstanding 7,412,500 shares of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”), with a par value $0.01 per share and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared). The Series A Preferred Stock must be paid a dividend at a rate of 7.875% per year on the $25.00 liquidation preference before the common stock is entitled to receive any dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) exclusively at the Company's option commencing on April 5, 2009 (subject to the Company's right under limited circumstances to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock earlier in order to preserve its qualification as a REIT). The Series A Preferred Stock is senior to the Company's common stock and is on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and distributions, including distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Series A Preferred Stock generally does not have any voting rights, except if the Company fails to pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive). Under such circumstances, the Series A Preferred Stock, together with the Series B Preferred Stock, will be entitled to vote to elect two additional directors to the Board, until all unpaid dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. In addition, certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock cannot be made without the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock. Through March 31, 2011, the Company had declared and paid all required quarterly dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock.
 
 
16

 
 
At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company had issued and outstanding 1,650,047 and 1,652,047, respectively, shares of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”), with a par value $0.01 per share and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared). The Series B Preferred Stock must be paid a dividend at a rate of 6% per year on the $25.00 liquidation preference before the common stock is entitled to receive any dividends.
 
The Series B Preferred Stock is not redeemable. The Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion rate that adjusts from time to time upon the occurrence of certain events, including if the Company distributes to its common shareholders in any calendar quarter cash dividends in excess of $0.11 per share. Initially, the conversion rate was 1.7730 shares of common shares per $25 liquidation preference.   At March 31, 2011, the conversion ratio was 2.7329 shares of common stock per $25 liquidation preference.  Commencing April 5, 2011, the Company has the right in certain circumstances to convert each Series B Preferred Stock into a number of common shares based upon the then prevailing conversion rate. The Series B Preferred Stock is also convertible into common shares at the option of the Series B preferred shareholder at anytime at the then prevailing conversion rate. The Series B Preferred Stock is senior to the Company's common stock and is on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and distributions, including distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Series B Preferred Stock generally does not have any voting rights, except if the Company fails to pay dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive). Under such circumstances, the Series B Preferred Stock, together with the Series A Preferred Stock, will be entitled to vote to elect two additional directors to the Board, until all unpaid dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. In addition, certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock cannot be made without the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and Series A Preferred Stock. Through December 31, 2010, the Company had declared and paid all required quarterly dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, 2,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock were converted into 5,313 shares of common stock.  
 
 (C) Distributions to Shareholders

During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company declared dividends to common shareholders totaling $498.7 million or $0.62 per share, which were paid to shareholders on April 27, 2011.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company declared dividends to Series A Preferred shareholders totaling approximately $3.6 million or $0.4925 per share, and Series B shareholders totaling approximately $619 thousand or $0.375 per share, which were paid to preferred shareholders on March 31, 2011.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company declared dividends to common shareholders totaling $363.8 million or $0.65 per share, which was paid to shareholders on April 29, 2010.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company declared dividends to Series A Preferred shareholders totaling approximately $3.6 million or $0.4925 per share, and Series B shareholders totaling approximately $1.0 million or $0.375 per share, which were paid to preferred shareholders on March 31, 2010.
 
 
17

 
 
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the net income and shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.
             
   
For the Quarters Ended
 
   
March 31, 2011
   
March 31, 2010
 
Net income
  $ 699,895     $ 281,065  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    4,267       4,625  
Net income available to common shareholders, prior to adjustment for
  dilutive potential common shares, if necessary
  $ 695,628     $ 276,440  
Add: Preferred Series B dividends, if Series B shares are dilutive
    619       976  
Add: Interest on Convertible Senior Notes, if Notes are dilutive
    6,000       3,195  
Net income available to common shareholders, as adjusted
  $ 702,247     $ 280,611  
                 
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-basic
    752,414       554,995  
Add:  Effect of dilutive stock options
    451       224  
Add:  Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
    4,509       6,293  
Add:  Convertible Senior Notes
    33,620       14,347  
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-diluted
    790,994       575,859  

Options to purchase 565,000 shares of common stock, were outstanding and considered anti-dilutive as their exercise price exceeded the average stock price for the quarter ended March 31, 2011. Options to purchase 566,000 shares of common stock, were outstanding and considered anti-dilutive as their exercise price exceeded the average stock price for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
 
LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLANS
 
The Company had adopted a long term stock incentive plan for executive officers, key employees and non-employee directors (the “Incentive Plan”).  The Incentive Plan authorized the Compensation Committee of the board of directors to grant awards, including non-qualified options as well as incentive stock options as defined under Section 422 of the Code.  The Incentive Plan authorized the granting of options or other awards for an aggregate of the greater of 500,000 shares or 9.5% of the diluted outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, up to ceiling of 8,932,921 shares.  No further awards will be made under the Incentive Plan, although existing awards will remain effective.  Stock options were issued at the market price on the date of grant, subject to an immediate or four year vesting in four equal installments with a contractual term of 5 or 10 years.  The grant date fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.

On May 27, 2010, at the 2010 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company, the stockholders approved the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.  The 2010 Equity Incentive Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee of the board of directors to grant options, stock appreciation rights, dividend equivalent rights, or other share-based award, including restricted shares up to an aggregate of 25,000,000 shares, subject to adjustments as provided in the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.  On June 28, 2010, the Company granted to each non-management director of the Company options to purchase 1,250 shares of the Company’s common stock under the 2010 Equity Incentive Plan.  The stock options were issued at the current market price on the date of grant and immediately vested with a contractual term of 5 years.  The grant date fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.

 
 
For the Quarter ended
 
   
March 31, 2011
   
March 31, 2010
 
   
Number of
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
   
Number of
Shares
   
Weighted
Average
Exercise Price
 
Options outstanding at the beginning of quarter
    6,891,975     $ 15.20       7,271,503     $ 15.20  
Exercised
    (183,343 )     13.29       (90,247 )     11.72  
Forfeited
    -       -       -       -  
Expired
    -       -       -       -  
Options outstanding at the end of period
    6,708,632     $ 15.38       7,181,256     $ 15.24  
Options exercisable at the end of the period
    3,639,501     $ 16.30       1,769,180     $ 17.23  
 
 
18

 
 
The weighted average remaining contractual term was approximately 6.3 years for stock options outstanding and approximately 5.2 years for stock options exercisable as of March 31, 2011.  As of March 31, 2011, there was approximately $7.6 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation awards.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 1.8 years.

The weighted average remaining contractual term was approximately 7.4 years for stock options outstanding and approximately 4.3 years for stock options exercisable as of March 31, 2010.  As of March 31, 2010, there was approximately $12.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation awards.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 2.7 years.
 
INCOME TAXES
 
As a REIT, the Company is not subject to federal income tax on earnings distributed to its shareholders. Most states recognize REIT status as well. The Company has decided to distribute the majority of its income and retain a portion of the permanent difference between book and taxable income arising from Section 162(m) of the Code pertaining to employee remuneration.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries recorded $4.1 million of income tax expense for income attributable to those subsidiaries, and the portion of earnings retained based on Code Section 162(m) limitations.  During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company recorded $9.5 million of income tax expense for a portion of earnings retained based on Section 162(m) limitations.
 
During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries recorded $1.3 million of income tax expense for income attributable to those subsidiaries, and the portion of earnings retained based on Code Section 162(m) limitations.  During the year ended March 31, 2010, the Company recorded $6.0 million of income tax expense for a portion of earnings retained based on Section 162(m) limitations. 

The Company files tax returns in several U.S jurisdictions, including New York State and New York City. The 2010 tax year remains open to U.S. federal, state and local tax examinations.

The effective tax rates of 54% were calculated based on the Company’s estimated taxable income after dividends paid deduction and differ from the federal statutory rate as a result of state and local taxes and permanent difference pertaining to employee remuneration as discussed above.

The statutory combined federal, state, and city corporate tax rate is 45%.  This amount is applied to the amount of estimated REIT taxable income retained (if any, and only up to 10% of ordinary income as all capital gain income is distributed) and to taxable income earned at the taxable subsidiaries.  Thus, as a REIT, the Company’s effective tax rate is significantly less as it is allowed to deduct dividend distributions.
 
 
19

 
 
LEASE COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
Commitments

The Company has a non-cancelable lease for office space which commenced in May 2002 and expires in December 2015. Additionally, on January 1, 2011 the Company acquired additional office space. Merganser has a non-cancelable lease for office space, which commenced on May 2003 and expires in May 2014.  Merganser subleases a portion of its leased space to a subtenant.  FIDAC has a lease for office space which commenced in October 2010 and expires in February 2016. The Company’s aggregate future minimum lease payments total $10.6 million.   The following table details the lease payments.

Year Ending December
 
Lease Commitment
    Sublease Income     Net Amount
   
(dollars in thousands)
2011 (remaining)
  $ 2,204     $ 127     $ 2,077
2012
    2,939       70       2,869
2013
    2,939       -       2,939
2014
    2,510       -       2,510
2015
    161       -       161
Later years
    27       -       27
    $ 10,780     $ 197     $ 10,583
 
Contingencies

From time to time, the Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and therefore no accrual is required as of March 31, 2011 and 2010.

Merganser’s prior owners may receive additional consideration under the merger agreement.  The Company paid approximately $14.1 million of this earn-out during the fourth quarter of 2010.  The Company cannot currently calculate how much additional consideration will be paid under the earn-out provisions because the payment amount will vary depending upon whether and the extent to which Merganser achieves specific performance goals. The additional earn-out consideration will be paid during 2012, if Merganser meets specific performance goals under the merger agreement. All amounts paid under this provision will be recorded as additional goodwill.
 
INTEREST RATE RISK
 
The primary market risk to the Company is interest rate risk.  Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond the Company’s control.  Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with the interest-bearing liabilities, by affecting the spread between the interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  Changes in the level of interest rates also can affect the value of the interest earning assets and the Company’s ability to realize gains from the sale of these assets.  A decline in the value of the interest earning assets pledged as collateral for borrowings under repurchase agreements could result in the counterparties demanding additional collateral pledges or liquidation of some of the existing collateral to reduce borrowing levels.  Liquidation of collateral at losses could have an adverse accounting impact, as discussed in Note 1.

The Company seeks to manage the extent to which net income changes as a function of changes in interest rates by matching adjustable-rate assets with variable-rate borrowings.  The Company may seek to mitigate the potential impact on net income of periodic and lifetime coupon adjustment restrictions in the portfolio of interest earning assets by entering into interest rate agreements such as interest rate caps and interest rate swaps. As of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, the Company entered into interest rate swaps to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate of interest, with a total notional amount of $33.4 billion and $27.1 billion, respectively.
 
Changes in interest rates may also have an effect on the rate of mortgage principal prepayments and, as a result, prepayments on Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities.  The Company will seek to mitigate the effect of changes in the mortgage principal repayment rate by balancing assets purchased at a premium with assets purchased at a discount.  To date, the aggregate premium exceeds the aggregate discount on the Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities.  As a result, prepayments, which result in the expensing of unamortized premium, will reduce net income compared to what net income would be absent such prepayments.
 
RCAP REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
 
RCap is subject to regulations of the securities business that include but are not limited to trade practices, use and safekeeping of funds and securities, capital structure, recordkeeping, and conduct of directors, officers and employees. 

As a self clearing, registered broker dealer, RCap is subject to the minimum net capital requirements of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”).  As of March 31, 2011 RCap had a minimum net capital requirement of $250,000 and would be required to notify FINRA if capital was to fall below the early warning threshold of $300,000.  RCap consistently operates with capital significantly in excess of its regulatory capital requirements. RCap’s regulatory net capital as defined by SEC Rule 15c3-1, as of March 31, 2011 was $274.7 million with excess net capital of $274.4 million.
 
SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
 
The Company has reviewed subsequent events occurring through the date that these consolidated financial statements were available to be issued, and determined that no subsequent events occurred that would require accrual or additional disclosure.
 
 
20

 
 
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements contained in this quarterly report, and certain statements contained in our future filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC" or the "Commission"), in our press releases or in our other public or shareholder communications may not be based on historical facts and are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Forward-looking statements, which are based on various assumptions, (some of which are beyond our control) may be identified by reference to a future period or periods, or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "may," "will," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "continue," or similar terms or variations on those terms, or the negative of those terms. Actual results could differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, changes in interest rates, changes in the yield curve, changes in prepayment rates, the availability of mortgage-backed securities and other securities for purchase, the availability of financing, and, if available, the terms of any financings, changes in the market value of our assets, changes in business conditions and the general economy, changes in governmental regulations affecting our business, our ability to maintain our classification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, and risks associated with the business of our subsidiaries, including the investment advisory businesses of our subsidiaries, including the removal by their clients of assets they manage, their regulatory requirements, and competition in the investment advisory business, and risks associated with the broker dealer business of our subsidiary. For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We do not undertake and specifically disclaim any obligation, to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.
 
 
21

 
 
All references to “we,” “us,” or “our” mean Annaly Capital Management, Inc. and all entities owned by us, except where it is made clear that the term means only the parent company.  The following defines certain of the commonly used terms in this annual report on Form 10-K:  Agency mortgage-backed securities refers to residential mortgage-backed securities that are issued or guaranteed by a federally chartered corporation, such as Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or an agency of the U.S. Government, such as Ginnie Mae; Investment Securities refers to Agency mortgage-backed securities, Agency debentures, corporate debt securities; and interest earning assets refers to Investment Securities, reverse repurchase agreements, securities borrowed and U.S. Treasury Securities.

Overview

We own, manage, and finance a portfolio of real estate related investments, including mortgage pass-through certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations (or CMOs), Agency callable debentures, and other securities representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans.  Our principal business objective is to generate net income for distribution to our stockholders from the spread between the interest income on our interest-earning assets and the costs of borrowing to finance our acquisition of interest-earning assets and from dividends we receive from our subsidiaries.  Our wholly-owned subsidiaries offer diversified real estate, asset management and other financial services.  FIDAC and Merganser are our wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries that are registered investment advisors that generate advisory and service fee income.  RCap is our wholly-owned broker dealer taxable REIT subsidiary which generates fee income.  We also own an investment fund and subsidiaries engaged in corporate middle market lending transactions and proving warehouse financing to residential mortgage originators.
 
We are primarily engaged in the business of investing, on a leveraged basis, in mortgage pass-through certificates, CMOs and other mortgage-backed securities representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae.  We also invest in Federal Home Loan Bank (or FHLB), Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae debentures.

Under our capital investment policy, at least 75% of our total assets must be comprised of high-quality mortgage-backed securities and short-term investments.  High quality securities means securities that (1) are rated within one of the two highest rating categories by at least one of the nationally recognized rating agencies, (2) are unrated but are guaranteed by the United States government or an agency of the United States government, or (3) are unrated but we determine them to be of comparable quality to high-quality rated mortgage-backed securities.

The remainder of our assets, comprising not more than 25% of our total assets, may consist of other qualified REIT real estate assets which are unrated or rated less than high quality, but which are at least “investment grade” (rated “BBB” or better by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (or S&P) or the equivalent by another nationally recognized rating agency) or, if not rated, we determine them to be of comparable credit quality to an investment which is rated “BBB” or better.  In addition, we may directly or indirectly invest part of this remaining 25% of our assets in other types of securities, including without limitation, unrated debt, equity or derivative securities, to the extent consistent with our REIT qualification requirements.  The derivative securities in which we invest may include securities representing the right to receive interest only or a disproportionately large amount of interest, as well as inverse floaters, which may have imbedded leverage as part of their structural characteristics.

We may acquire Agency mortgage-backed securities backed by single-family residential mortgage loans as well as securities backed by loans on multi-family, commercial or other real estate related properties.  To date, substantially all of the Agency mortgage-backed securities that we have acquired have been backed by single-family residential mortgage loans.

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.  Pursuant to the current federal tax regulations, one of the requirements of maintaining our status as a REIT is that we must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and by excluding any net capital gain) to our stockholders, subject to certain adjustments.
 
 
22

 
 
The results of our operations are affected by various factors, many of which are beyond our control.  Our results of operations primarily depend on, among other things, our net interest income, the market value of our assets and the supply of and demand for such assets.  Our net interest income, which reflects the amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of discounts, varies primarily as a result of changes in interest rates, borrowing costs and prepayment speeds, the behavior of which involves various risks and uncertainties.  Prepayment speeds, as reflected by the Constant Prepayment Rate, or CPR, and interest rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty.  In general, as prepayment speeds on our Agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio increase, related purchase premium amortization increases, thereby reducing the net yield on such assets.  The CPR on our Agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio averaged 17%, and 34% for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010, respectively.  Since changes in interest rates may significantly affect our activities, our operating results depend, in large part, upon our ability to effectively manage interest rate risks and prepayment risks while maintaining our status as a REIT.

           The table below provides quarterly information regarding our average balances, interest income, yield on assets,  interest expense, cost of funds, net interest income and net interest rate spreads for the quarterly periods presented.
 
   
Average
 Interest Earning
Assets (1)
   
Total
Interest
Income
   
Yield on
Average
Interest
Earning
Assets
   
Average
Interest-
Bearing
Liabilities
   
Interest
Expense
   
Average
Cost of
Funds
   
Net
Interest
Income
   
Net
Interest
Rate
Spread
 
   
(ratios for the quarters have been annualized, dollars in thousands)
 
Quarter Ended
  March 31, 2011
  $ 89,190,290     $ 844,048       3.79 %   $ 79,235,324     $ 321,604       1.62 %   $ 522,444       2.17 %
Quarter Ended
  December 31, 2010
  $ 74,749,528     $ 682,087       3.65 %   $ 67,448,046     $ 304,013       1.80 %   $ 378,074       1.85 %
Quarter Ended
  September 30, 2010
  $ 69,242,085     $ 702,976       4.06 %   $ 62,034,137     $ 302,568       1.95 %   $ 400,408       2.11 %
Quarter Ended
  June 30, 2010
  $ 61,952,037     $ 643,682       4.16 %   $ 56,190,308     $ 280,242       2.00 %   $ 363,440       2.16 %
Quarter Ended
  March 31, 2010
  $ 61,983,900     $ 654,389       4.22 %   $ 55,298,875     $ 276,509       2.00 %   $ 377,880       2.22 %
(1) Does not reflect unrealized gains/(losses).

The following table presents the CPR experienced on our Agency mortgage-backed securities portfolio, on an annualized basis, for the quarterly periods presented.

Quarter Ended
CPR
March 31, 2011
17%
December 31, 2010
23%
September 30, 2010
20%
June 30, 2010
32%
March 31, 2010
34%

We believe that the CPR in future periods will depend, in part, on changes in and the level of market interest rates across the yield curve, with higher CPRs expected during periods of declining interest rates and lower CPRs expected during periods of rising interest rates.

We continue to explore alternative business strategies, alternative investments and other strategic initiatives to complement our core business strategy of investing, on a leveraged basis, in high quality Investment Securities.  No assurance, however, can be provided that any such strategic initiative will or will not be implemented in the future.
 
For the purposes of computing ratios relating to equity measures, throughout this report, equity includes Series B preferred stock, which has been treated under GAAP as temporary equity.
 
 
23

 
 
Recent Developments

During the period of market dislocation that began in August 2007, fiscal and monetary policymakers established new liquidity facilities for primary dealers and commercial banks, reduced short-term interest rates, and passed legislation intended to address the challenges of mortgage borrowers and lenders.  In September 2008, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed into the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, their federal regulator, pursuant to its powers under The Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008, a part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.  In addition to FHFA becoming the conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the Treasury and FHFA entered into Preferred Stock Purchase Agreements (PSPAs) between the Treasury and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pursuant to which the Treasury will ensure that each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac maintains a positive net worth.  On December 24, 2009, the Treasury amended the terms of the PSPAs with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to remove the $200 billion per institution limit established under the PSPAs until the end of 2012.  The Treasury also amended the PSPAs with respect to the requirements for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to reduce their portfolios.

In 2010, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae began purchasing seriously delinquent mortgage loans out of securities that they currently guarantee.  The loans which they consider seriously delinquent are those loans that are more than 120 days past due.  The repurchases materially impacted the rate of principal prepayments on our Agency mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac because of higher premium amortization expense, a decline in higher yielding Agency mortgage-backed securities assets and an increase in lower yielding investments.  As of March 31, 2011, we had net purchase premiums of $2.9 billion, or 3% of current par value, on our Agency mortgage-backed securities.  In addition, the U.S. Government, the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, or Federal Reserve, and other governmental and regulatory bodies may take other actions in the future to address the financial crisis and recovery from the crisis.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed into law the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (or the Dodd-Frank Act).  The Dodd-Frank Act provides for new regulations on financial institutions and creates new supervisory and advisory bodies, including the new Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.  The Dodd-Frank Act tasks many agencies with issuing a variety of new regulations, including rules related to mortgage origination and servicing, securitization and derivatives.  Because a significant number of regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act have either not yet been adopted in final form or only recently implemented, it is not possible for us to predict how the Dodd-Frank Act will impact our business.

On February 11, 2011, the U.S Department of the Treasury issued a White Paper titled “Reforming America's Housing Finance Market” that lays out, among other things, proposals to limit or potentially wind down the role that Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac play in the mortgage market.  Any such proposals, if enacted, may have broad adverse implications for the mortgage-backed securities market and our business, operations and financial condition.  We expect such proposals to be the subject of significant discussion and it is not yet possible to determine whether or when such proposals may be enacted, what form any final legislation or policies might take and how proposals, legislation or policies emanating from the White Paper may impact the mortgage-backed securities market and our business, operations and financial condition.  We are evaluating the potential impact of the proposals set forth in the White Paper.
 
Market conditions are evolving on a number of fronts. Regulatory and technical dynamics continue to develop, and monetary policy initiatives, including additional large scale asset purchases by the Federal Reserve, continue to support asset prices and lower yields across a wide range of market sectors, including ours.

Critical Accounting Policies

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based on the amounts reported in our financial statements.  These financial statements are prepared in conformity with GAAP.  In preparing the financial statements, management is required to make various judgments, estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts.  Changes in these estimates and assumptions could have a material effect on our financial statements.  The following is a summary of our policies most affected by management’s judgments, estimates and assumptions.
 
 
24

 
 
Fair Value of Investment Securities:  All assets classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value, based on market prices.  Although we generally intend to hold most of our Investment Securities until maturity, we may, from time to time, sell any of our Investment Securities as part our overall management of our portfolio.  Accordingly, we are required to classify all of our Investment Securities as available-for-sale.  Our policy is to obtain fair values from independent sources.  Fair values from independent sources are compared to internal prices for reasonableness.  Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation.  The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired involves judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors.  Consideration is given to (1) our intent to sell the Investment Securities, (2) whether it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the Investment Securities before recovery, or (3) whether we do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the Investment Securities.  Further, the security is analyzed for credit loss (the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis).  The credit loss, if any, will then be recognized in the statement of earnings, while the balance of impairment related to other factors will be recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”).

Interest Income:  Interest income is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount of the Investment Securities and their contractual terms.  Premiums and discounts associated with the purchase of the Investment Securities are amortized or accreted into interest income over the projected lives of the securities using the interest method.  Our policy for estimating prepayment speeds for calculating the effective yield is to evaluate historical performance, Wall Street consensus prepayment speeds, and current market conditions.  If our estimate of prepayments is incorrect, we may be required to make an adjustment to the amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts that would have an impact on income.

Derivative Financial Instruments/Hedging Activity:   Prior to the fourth quarter of 2008, we designated interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges, whereby the swaps were recorded at fair value on our balance sheet as assets and liabilities with any changes in fair value recorded in OCI.  In a cash flow hedge, a swap would exactly match the pricing date of the relevant repurchase agreement.  Through the end of the third quarter of 2008 we continued to be able to effectively match the swaps with the repurchase agreements therefore entering into effective hedge transactions.  However, due to the volatility of the credit markets, it is no longer practical to match the pricing dates of both the swaps and the repurchase agreements.

As a result, we voluntarily discontinued hedge accounting after the third quarter of 2008 through a combination of de-designating previously defined hedge relationships and not designating new contracts as cash flow hedges.  The de-designation of cash flow hedges requires that the net derivative gain or loss related to the discontinued cash flow hedge should continue to be reported in accumulated OCI, unless it is probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter.  We continue to hold repurchase agreements in excess of swap contracts and have no indication that interest payments on the hedged repurchase agreements are in jeopardy of discontinuing.  Therefore, the deferred losses related to these derivatives that have been de-designated will not be recognized immediately and will remain in OCI.  These losses are reclassified into earnings during the contractual terms of the swap agreements starting as of October 1, 2008.  Changes in the unrealized gains or losses on the interest rate swaps subsequent to September 30, 2008 are reflected in our statement of operations.

 Results of Operations:

Net Income Summary

For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, our net income was $699.9 million or $.92 basic income per average share related to common shareholders, as compared to $281.1 million net income or $0.50 basic net income per average share for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  Net income per average share increased by $0.42 per average share available to common shareholders and total net income increased $418.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  We attribute the increase in net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 from the quarter ended March 31, 2010 to the recording of unrealized gains on interest rate swaps of $169.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, as compared to an unrealized loss related to interest rate swaps of $116.7 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  Net income also increased due to a $144.5 million increase in net interest income. Net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was $522.4 million as compared to $377.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.
 
 
25

 
The table below presents the net income summary for the quarters ended March 31, 2011, and 2010.

Net Income Summary
(dollars in thousands, except for per share data)

   
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2011
   
Quarter Ended
March 31, 2010
 
Interest income:
           
  Investment securities
  $ 837,880     $ 653,935  
  Securities loaned
    1,343       454  
  U.S. Treasury Securities
    4,825       -  
     Total interest income
    844,048       654,389  
                 
Interest expense:
   Repurchase agreements
    102,602       92,089  
   Interest rate swaps
    206,148       180,838  
   Convertible  Senior Notes
    6,767       3,195  
   Securities borrowed
    1,101       387  
   U.S. Treasuries Sold, not yet purchased
    4,986       -  
      Total interest expense
    321,604       276,509  
                 
Net interest income
    522,444       377,880  
                 
Other income (loss):
               
  Investment advisory and service fees
    17,207       12,546  
  Gain on sale of Mortgage-Backed Securities and agency debentures
    27,185       46,962  
  Dividend income from available-for-sale equity securities
    6,297       7,964  
  Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps
    169,308       (116,732 )
  Net gains on trading securities
    18,812       -  
  Income from underwriting
    2,904       -  
     Total other income (loss)
    241,713       (49,260 )
                 
Expenses:
               
  Distribution fees
    -       360  
  General and administrative expenses
    51,827       40,021  
     Total expenses
    51,827       40,381  
                 
Income before income taxes and income from equity method investment in affiliate
    712,330       288,239  
                 
Income taxes
    (13,575 )     (7,314 )
                 
Income from equity method investment in affiliate
    1,140       140  
                 
Net income
    699,895       281,065  
                 
Dividends on preferred stock
    4,267       4,625  
                 
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 695,628     $ 276,440  
                 
Weighted average number of basic common shares outstanding
    752,413,605       554,995,092  
Weighted average number of diluted common shares outstanding
    790,993,841       575,859,564  
                 
Basic net income per average common share
  $ 0.92     $ 0.50  
Diluted net income per average common share
  $ 0.89     $ 0.49  
                 
Average total assets
  $ 90,727,103     $ 71,047,676  
Average equity
  $ 11,398,966     $ 9,631,012  
                 
Return on average total assets
    3.09 %     1.58 %
Return on average equity
    24.56 %     11.67 %
 
26

 
 
Interest Income and Average Earning Asset Yield

We had average interest earning assets of $89.1 billion and $62.0 billion for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, respectively. While our average interest earning assets increased period-over-period by $27.1 million, the yield on our average interest earning assets decreased from 4.22% at March 31, 2010 to 3.79% at March 31, 2011. Additionally, the prepayment speeds decreased to an average of 17% CPR for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 from an average of 34% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The positive impact of the increase in average interest earning assets and decrease in prepayment speeds exceeded the negative impact of the 43 basis point decrease in yield on average interest earning assets, resulting in a $189.7 million increase in interest income.

Interest Expense and the Cost of Funds

Our largest expense is the cost of borrowed funds.  We had average borrowed funds of $79.2 billion and total interest expense of $321.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.  We had average borrowed funds of $55.3 billion and total interest expense, including interest rate swaps,  of $276.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  Our average cost of funds was 1.62% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and 2.00% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. The cost of funds rate decreased by 38 basis points and the average borrowed funds increased by $23.9 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2010. Interest expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 increased by $45.1 million when compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2010, due to the increase in interest-bearing liabilities.  Our average cost of funds was 1.36% above average one-month LIBOR and 1.16% above average six-month LIBOR for the quarter ended March 31, 2011.
 
The table below shows our average borrowed funds and average cost of funds as compared to average one-month and average six-month LIBOR for the quarters ended March 31, 2011, the year ended December 31, 2010 and four quarters in 2010.

Average Cost of Funds
(Quarterly ratios have been annualized, dollars in thousands)
   
Average
Borrowed
Funds
   
Borrowed
Funds at
Period End
   
Interest
Expense
   
Average
Cost of
Funds
   
Average
One-
Month
LIBOR
   
Average
Six-
Month
LIBOR
   
Average
One-Month
LIBOR
Relative to
Average
Six-
Month
LIBOR
   
Average Cost
of Funds
Relative to
Average
One-Month
LIBOR
   
Average
 Cost of
Funds
 Relative to
Average
 Six-Month
LIBOR
 
For the Quarter Ended
   March 31, 2011
  $ 79,235,324     $ 81,732,664     $ 321,604       1.62%       0.26%       0.46%       (0.20%)       1.36%       1.16%  
For the Year Ended
  December 31, 2010
  $ 60,242,842     $ 67,260,840     $ 1,163,332       1.93%       0.27%       0.52%       (0.25%)       1.66%       1.41%  
For the Quarter Ended
   December 31, 2010
  $ 67,448,046     $ 67,260,840     $ 304,013       1.80%       0.26%       0.45%       (0.19%)       1.54%       1.35%  
For the Quarter Ended
  September 30, 2010
  $ 62,034,137     $ 62,583,593     $ 302,568       1.95%       0.29%       0.59%       (0.30%)       1.66%       1.36%  
For the Quarter Ended
  June 30, 2010
  $ 56,190,308     $ 57,255,284     $ 280,242       2.00%       0.32%       0.63%       (0.31%)       1.68%       1.37%  
For the Quarter Ended
  March 31, 2010
  $ 55,298,875     $ 54,444,857     $ 276,509       2.00%       0.23%       0.40%       (0.17%)       1.77%       1.60%  
 
 
27

 
 
Net Interest Income

Our net interest income increased by $144.5 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2010, because of the increase in average interest earning assets.  Our net interest rate spread for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was 2.17%, which was 5 basis points less than the interest rate spread for the quarter ended March 31, 2010 of 2.22%.  This 5 basis point decrease in interest rate spread for first quarter of 2011 over the spread for first quarter of 2010 was the result of the decrease in average yield on average interest earning assets of 43 basis points, which was only partially offset by the decrease in the average cost of funds of 38 basis points.

The table below shows our interest income by average interest earning assets held, total interest income, yield on average interest earning assets, average balance of repurchase agreements, interest expense, average cost of funds, net interest income, and net interest rate spread for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the year ended December 31, 2010 and four quarters in 2010.

Net Interest Income
 (Quarterly ratios have been annualized, dollars in thousands)
 
   
Average
 Interest Earning
Assets
   
Total
Interest
Income
   
Yield on
Average
Interest
Earning Assets
   
Average
Borrowed
Funds
   
Interest
Expense
   
Average
Cost of
Funds
   
Net Interest
Income
   
Net
Interest
Rate
 
For the Quarter Ended
   March 31, 2011
  $ 89,190,290     $ 844,048       3.79%     $ 79,235,324     $ 321,604       1.62%     $ 522,444       2.17%  
For the Year Ended
   December 31, 2010
  $ 66,981,887     $ 2,683,134       4.01%     $ 60,242,842     $ 1,163,332       1.93%     $ 1,519,802       2.08%  
For the Quarter Ended
   December 31, 2010
  $ 74,749,528     $ 682,087       3.65%     $ 67,448,046     $ 304,013       1.80%     $ 378,074       1.85%  
 For the Quarter Ended
   September 30, 2010
  $ 69,242,085     $ 702,976       4.06%     $ 62,034,137     $ 302,568       1.95%     $ 400,408       2.11%  
For the Quarter Ended
   June 30, 2010
  $ 61,952,037     $ 643,682       4.16%     $ 56,190,308     $ 280,242       2.00%     $ 363,440       2.16%  
For the Quarter Ended
   March 31, 2010
  $ 61,983,900     $ 654,389       4.22%     $ 55,298,875     $ 276,509       2.00%     $ 377,880       2.22%  
  
Investment Advisory and Service Fees

FIDAC and Merganser are registered investment advisors specializing in managing fixed income securities.  At March 31, 2011, FIDAC and Merganser had under management approximately $12.5 billion in net assets and $22.5 billion in gross assets, compared to $11.6 billion in net assets and $20.3 billion in gross assets at March 31, 2010. Net investment advisory and service fees for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 totaled $17.2 million and $12.2 million, respectively, net of fees paid to third parties pursuant to distribution service agreements for facilitating and promoting distribution of shares or units to FIDAC’s clients.  Gross assets under management will vary from time to time because of changes in the amount of net assets FIDAC and Merganser manage as well as changes in the amount of leverage used by the various funds and accounts FIDAC manages. 
 
Gains and Losses on Sales of Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities and Agency Debentures

For the quarter ended March 31, 2011, we disposed of Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities and agency debentures with a carrying value of $4.2 billion for an aggregate net gain of $27.2 million.  For the quarter ended March 31, 2010 we disposed of Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities and agency debentures with a carrying value of $1.6 billion for an aggregate net gain of $47.0 million.   We do not expect to sell assets on a frequent basis, but may from time to time sell existing assets to acquire new assets, which our management believes might have higher risk-adjusted returns, or to manage our balance sheet as part of our asset/liability management strategy.
 
 
28

 
 
Dividend Income from Available-For-Sale Equity Securities

Dividend income from our investment in Chimera Investment Corporation (or Chimera) was $6.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to $7.6 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

General and Administrative Expenses

General and administrative, or G&A expenses were $51.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 compared to $40.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. G&A expenses as a percentage of average total assets was 0.23% and 0.23% for the quarters ended March 31, 2011, and 2010, respectively.  The increase in G&A expenses of $11.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 was primarily the result of increased compensation costs as staff increased from 92 at March 31, 2010 to 121 at March 31, 2011.

The table below shows our total G&A expenses as compared to average total assets and average equity for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the year ended December 31, 2010 and four quarters in 2010.

G&A Expenses and Operating Expense Ratios
(ratios for the quarters have been annualized, dollars in thousands)

 
Total G&A Expenses
Total G&A
Expenses/Average Assets
Total G&A
Expenses/Average Equity
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2011
$51,827
0.23%
1.82%
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
$171,487
0.22%
1.76%
For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2010
$46,496
0.22%
1.90%
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2010
$43,430
0.22%
1.80%
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2010
$41,540
0.23%
1.72%
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2010
$40,021
0.23%
1.66%

Net Income and Return on Average Equity

Our net income was $699.9 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and $281.1 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.  Our annualized return on average equity was 24.56% for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, and 11.67% for the quarter ended March 31, 2010. Net income increased by $418.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 as compared to the quarter ended March 31, 2010, primarily due the unrealized gain on interest rate swaps of $169.3 million, and the increase in net interest income of $144.5 million.

The table below shows the components of our return on average equity for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the year ended December 31, 2010 and four quarters in 2010.

Components of Return on Average Equity
(Ratios for the quarters have been annualized)
 
Net Interest
Income/
Average
Equity
Net
Investment
Advisory and
Service
Fees/Average
Equity
Realized and
Unrealized Gains and
Losses
Dividend
income from available-
for-sale
equity
securities
Income
from
Under-
writing
Income
from
Equity
Investment
Method
G&A
Expenses/
Average
Equity
Income
Taxes/
Average
Equity
Return on
Average
Equity
For the Quarter Ended
   March 31, 2011
18.33%
 
0.60%
7.56%
 
0.23%
 
0.10%
 
0.04%
(1.82%)
 
(0.48%)
24.56%
For the Year Ended
  December 31, 2010
15.67%
 
0.59%
(1.44%)
 
0.32%
 
0.02%
 
0.03%
(1.76%)
 
(0.37%)
 
13.06%
For the Quarter Ended
  December 31, 2010
15.47%
 
0.67%
35.58%
 
0.31%
 
0.03%
 
0.04%
(1.90%)
 
(0.33%)
49.87%
For the Quarter Ended
  September 30, 2010
16.57%
0.63%
(15.93%)
0.33%
0.04%
0.04%
(1.80%)
(0.46%)
(0.58%)
For the Quarter Ended
   June 30, 2010
15.03%
0.57%
(22.90%)
0.30%
0.02%
0.04%
(1.72%)
(0.37%)
(9.03%)
For the Quarter Ended
   March 31, 2010
15.69%
 
0.51%
(2.90%)
 
0.33%
 
-
 
-
(1.66%)
 
(0.30%)
11.67%
 
 
29

 
 
Financial Condition

Investment Securities, Available for Sale

Substantially all of our Agency mortgage-backed securities at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 were adjustable-rate or fixed-rate mortgage-backed securities backed by single-family mortgage loans.  Substantially all of the mortgage assets underlying these mortgage-backed securities were secured with a first lien position on the underlying single-family properties.  Substantially all of our mortgage-backed securities were Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae or Ginnie Mae CMOs, which carry an actual or implied “AAA” rating.  All of our Agency debentures are callable and carry an implied “AAA” rating.  We carry all of our Agency mortgage-backed securities and Agency debentures at fair value.  
 
We accrete discount balances as an increase in interest income over the life of discount on interest earning assets and we amortize premium balances as a decrease in interest income over the life of premium on interest earning assets.  At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 we had on our balance sheet a total of $34.2 million and $35.6 million, respectively, of unamortized discount (which is the difference between the remaining principal value and current historical amortized cost of our investment securities acquired at a price below principal value) and a total of $2.9 billion and $2.3  billion, respectively, of unamortized premium (which is the difference between the remaining principal value and the current historical amortized cost of our investment securities acquired at a price above principal value).

We received mortgage principal repayments of $5.6 billion and $6.2 billion for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and March 31, 2010, respectively. The average prepayment speed for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was 17% and 34%, respectively. Given our current portfolio composition, if mortgage principal prepayment rates were to increase over the life of our mortgage-backed securities, all other factors being equal, our net interest income would decrease during the life of these mortgage-backed securities as we would be required to amortize our net premium balance into income over a shorter time period.  Similarly, if mortgage principal prepayment rates were to decrease over the life of our mortgage-backed securities, all other factors being equal, our net interest income would increase during the life of these mortgage-backed securities as we would amortize our net premium balance over a longer time period.

The table below summarizes certain characteristics of our investment securities at March 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, September 30, 2010, June 30, 2010, and March 31, 2010.

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, Agency Debentures and Corporate Debt
 (dollars in thousands)
   
Principal Amount
   
Net
Premium
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Amortized
Cost/Principal
Amount
   
Fair Value
   
Fair
Value/Principal
Amount
   
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
At March 31, 2011
  $ 90,209,946     $ 2,900,102     $ 93,110,048       103.21 %   $ 94,080,293       104.29%       3.96%  
At December 31, 2010
  $ 76,129,522     $ 2,307,839     $ 78,437,361       103.03 %   $ 79,570,274       104.52%       3.88%  
At September 30, 2010
  $ 74,084,239     $ 2,269,697     $ 76,353,936       103.06 %   $ 78,220,512       105.58%       3.93%  
At June 30, 2010
  $ 67,400,316     $ 1,849,585     $ 69,249,901       102.74 %   $ 71,812,829       106.35%       3.69%  
At March 31, 2010
  $ 66,937,615     $ 1,309,423     $ 68,247,038       101.96 %   $ 70,171,875       104.83%       3.87%  

The table below summarizes certain characteristics of our investment securities at March 31, 2011, December 31, 2010, September 30, 2010, June 30, 2010, and March 31, 2010.  The index level for adjustable-rate Agency mortgage-backed securities, Agency debentures and corporate debt is the weighted average rate of the various short-term interest rate indices, which determine the coupon rate.
 
 
30

 
Adjustable-Rate Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, Agency Debentures and Corporate Debt
Characteristics
 (dollars in thousands)
   
Principal Amount
   
Weighted
Average
Coupon
Rate
 
Weighted
Average Term to
Next Adjustment
 
Weighted
Average Lifetime
Cap
   
Weighted
Average Asset
Yield
   
Principal Amount at
Period End as % of
Total Investment
Securities
 
At March 31, 2011
  $ 10,623,084       4.21%  
39 months
    10.09%       3.02%       11.78%  
At December 31, 2010
  $ 11,011,839       4.28%  
39 months
    10.16%       3.04%       14.46%  
At September 30, 2010
  $ 11,658,943       4.33%  
38 months
    10.04%       3.03%       15.74%  
At June 30, 2010
  $ 12,589,813       4.36%  
33 months
    10.00%       3.21%       18.68%  
At March 31, 2010
  $ 15,366,206       4.55%  
32 months
    10.09%       2.92%       22.96%  

Fixed-Rate Rate Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, Agency Debentures and Corporate Debt Characteristics
 (dollars in thousands)
   
Principal
Amount
   
Weighted Average
Coupon Rate
   
Weighted Average
Asset Yield
   
Principal Amount at Period
End as % of Total Investment
Securities
 
At March 31, 2011
  $ 79,586,862       4.80%       4.19%       88.22%  
At December 31, 2010
  $ 65,117,683       4.92%       4.00%       85.54%  
At September 30, 2010
  $ 62,425,285       5.06%       4.10%       84.26%  
At June 30, 2010
  $ 54,810,503       5.35%       4.40%       81.32%  
At March 31, 2010
  $ 51,571,411       5.50%       4.16%       77.04%  

At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we held Investment Securities with coupons linked to various indices.  The following tables detail the portfolio characteristics by index.

Adjustable-Rate Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, Agency Debentures and Corporate Debt by Index
March 31, 2011
   
One-
Month
Libor
   
Six-
Month
Libor
   
Twelve
Month
Libor
   
12-Month
Moving
Average
   
11th
District
Cost of
Funds
   
1-Year
Treasury
Index
   
Monthly
Federal
Cost of
Funds
   
Other
Indexes(1)
 
Weighted Average Term  to Next Adjustment
 
1 mo.
   
 
8 mo.
   
 
49 mo.
   
1 mo.
   
 
7 mo.
   
 
39 mo.
   
 
1 mo.
   
42 mo.
 
Weighted Average Annual  Period Cap
    6.41 %     1.61 %     2.00 %     0.03 %     0.01 %     1.90 %     0.00 %     0.58 %
Weighted Average Lifetime Cap at
  March 31, 2011
    7.03 %     11.08 %     10.16 %     9.47 %     10.56 %     11.07 %     13.43 %     5.94 %
Investment  Principal Value  as Percentage of
 Investment Securities at March 31, 2011
    0.93 %     0.55 %     8.17 %     0.47 %     0.42 %     0.81 %     0.05 %     0.38 %
 
(1)
Combination of indexes that account for less than 0.05% of total investment securities or adjust over time, without a reset index.

Adjustable-Rate Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities, Agency Debentures and Corporate Debt by Index
December 31, 2010
 
   
One-
Month
Libor
   
Six-
Month
Libor
   
Twelve
Month
Libor
   
12-
Month
Moving
Average
   
11th
District
Cost of
Funds
   
1-Year
Treasury
Index
   
Monthly
Federal
Cost of
Funds
   
Other
Indexes(1)
 
Weighted Average Term to Next Adjustment
 
1 mo.
   
10 mo.
   
50 mo.
   
2 mo.
   
7 mo.
   
41 mo.
   
1 mo.
   
39 mo.
 
Weighted Average Annual  Period Cap
    6.41 %     1.60 %     1.99 %     0.03 %     0.01 %     1.91 %     0.00 %     9.32 %
Weighted Average Lifetime Cap at
  December 31, 2010
    7.03 %     11.09 %     10.23 %     9.46 %     10.58 %     11.06 %     13.43 %     15.77 %
Investment  Principal Value  as Percentage of
 Investment Securities at December 31, 2010
    1.28 %     0.69 %     9.97 %     0.59 %     0.52 %     1.06 %     0.06 %     0.29 %
 
(1)
Combination of indexes that account for less than 0.05% of total investment securities.
 
31

 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements

At March 31, 2011, RCap had outstanding reverse repurchase agreements with non-affiliates of $1.3 billion. At December 31, 2010, RCap had outstanding reverse repurchase agreements with non-affiliates of $1.0 billion.

Reverse Repurchase Agreements
(dollars in thousands)
   
Average Daily Reverse
Repurchase Agreements
   
Reverse Repurchase
Agreements
at Period End
 
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2011
  $ 1,494,156     $ 1,348,069  
For the Year Ended December 31, 2010
  $ 900,994     $ 1,006,163  
For the Quarter Ended December 31, 2010
  $ 1,596,494     $ 1,006,163  
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2010
  $ 963,808     $ 757,722  
For the Quarter Ended June 30, 2010
  $ 422,891     $ 308,776  
For the Quarter Ended March 31, 2010
  $ 620,781     $ 532,166  

Receivable from Prime Broker on Equity Investment

The net assets of the investment fund we owned are subject to English bankruptcy law, which governs the administration of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (in administration) (or LBIE), as well as the law of New York, which governs the contractual documents.  We invested approximately $45.0 million in the fund and have redeemed approximately $56.0 million.  The current assets of the fund still remain at LBIE and affiliates of LBIE and the ultimate recovery of such amount remains uncertain.  We have entered into the Claims Resolution Agreement between LBIE and certain eligible offerees effective December 29, 2009 with respect to these assets (or the CRA).

Certain of our assets subject to the CRA are held directly at LBIE and we have valued such assets in accordance with the valuation date set forth in the CRA and the pricing information provided to us by LBIE.  The valuation date with respect to these assets as set forth in the CRA is September 19, 2008.
 
Certain of our assets subject to the CRA are not held directly at LBIE and are believed to be held at affiliates of LBIE.  Given the great degree of uncertainty as to the status of our assets that are not directly held by LBIE and are believed to be held at affiliates of LBIE, we have valued such assets at an 80% discount.  The value of the net assets that are not directly held by LBIE and are believed to be held at affiliates of LBIE is determined on the basis of the best information available to us from time to time, legal and professional advice obtained for the purpose of determining the rights, and on the basis of a number of assumptions which we believe to be reasonable.
 
We can provide no assurance, however, that we will recover all or any portion of any of the net assets of the investment fund following completion of LBIE’s administration (and any subsequent liquidation). 
 
Borrowings
 
As of March 31, 2011 the majority of our debt consisted of borrowings collateralized by a pledge of our Investment Securities.  These borrowings appear on our balance sheet as repurchase agreements.  At March 31, 2011, we had established uncommitted borrowing facilities in this market with 30 lenders in amounts which we believe are in excess of our needs.  All of our Investment Securities are currently accepted as collateral for these borrowings.  However, we limit our borrowings, and thus our potential asset growth, in order to maintain unused borrowing capacity and thus increase the liquidity and strength of our balance sheet. At March 31, 2011, we had established uncommitted borrowing facilities in this market with 30 lenders in amounts which we believe are in excess of our needs.  All of our interest-earning assets are currently accepted as collateral for these borrowings.  As of March 31, 2011 and 2010, the term to maturity of our borrowings ranged from one day to 10 years.  Additionally, we have entered into structured borrowings giving the counterparty the right to call the balance prior to maturity. At March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 the weighted average cost of funds for all of our borrowings was 1.65% and 2.00%, respectively, including the effect of the interest rate swaps and Convertible Senior Notes, and the weighted average maturity was 120 days and 219 days, respectively.
 
32

 
 
During the quarter ended March 31, 2010, we issued $600.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 4% convertible senior notes due 2015 (“Convertible Senior Notes”) for net proceeds following underwriting expenses of approximately $582.0 million.  Interest on the Convertible Senior Notes is paid semi-annually at a rate of 4% per year and the Convertible Senior Notes will mature on February 15, 2015 unless earlier repurchased or converted.  The Convertible Senior Notes are convertible into shares of Common Stock at an initial conversion rate and conversion rate at March 31, 2011 of 46.6070 and 56.0338 shares of Common Stock per $1,000 principal amount of Convertible Senior Notes, which was equivalent to an initial conversion price of approximately $21.4560 and $17.8464 per share of Common Stock, respectively, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances.
 
Liquidity
 
Liquidity, which is our ability to turn non-cash assets into cash, allows us to purchase additional interest earning assets and to pledge additional assets to secure existing borrowings should the value of our pledged assets decline.  Potential immediate sources of liquidity for us include cash balances and unused borrowing capacity.  Unused borrowing capacity will vary over time as the market value of our interest earning assets varies.  Our non-cash assets are largely actual or implied AAA assets, and accordingly, we have not had, nor do we anticipate having, difficulty in converting our assets to cash.  Our balance sheet also generates liquidity on an on-going basis through mortgage principal repayments and net earnings held prior to payment as dividends.  Should our needs ever exceed these on-going sources of liquidity plus the immediate sources of liquidity discussed above, we believe that in most circumstances our interest earning assets could be sold to raise cash.  The maintenance of liquidity is one of the goals of our capital investment policy.  Under this policy, we limit asset growth in order to preserve unused borrowing capacity for liquidity management purposes.
 
We anticipate that, upon repayment of each borrowing under a repurchase agreement, we will use the collateral immediately for borrowing under a new repurchase agreement.  We have not at the present time entered into any commitment agreements under which the lender would be required to enter into new repurchase agreements during a specified period of time, nor do we presently plan to have liquidity facilities with commercial banks.

Under our repurchase agreements, we may be required to pledge additional assets to our repurchase agreement counterparties (i.e., lenders) in the event the estimated fair value of the existing pledged collateral under such agreements declines and such lenders demand additional collateral (a “margin call”), which may take the form of additional securities or cash.  Similarly, if the estimated fair value of interest earning assets increases due to changes in market interest rates of market factors, lenders may release collateral back to us.  Specifically, margin calls result from a decline in the value of our Agency mortgage-backed securities securing our repurchase agreements, prepayments on the mortgages securing such Agency mortgage-backed securities and to changes in the estimated fair value of such Agency mortgage-backed securities generally due to principal reduction of such Agency mortgage-backed securities from scheduled amortization and resulting from changes in market interest rates and other market factors.  Through March 31, 2011, we did not have any margin calls on our repurchase agreements that we were not able to satisfy with either cash or additional pledged collateral.  However, should prepayment speeds on the mortgages underlying our Agency mortgage-backed securities and/or market interest rates suddenly increase, margin calls on our repurchase agreements could result, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position.

The following table summarizes the effect on our liquidity and cash flows from contractual obligations for repurchase agreements, Convertible Senior Notes, interest expense on repurchase agreements and Convertible Senior Notes, the non-cancelable office lease and employment agreements at March 31, 2011.  The table does not include the effect of net interest rate payments under our interest rate swap agreements.  The net swap payments will fluctuate based on monthly changes in the receive rate.
 
 
33

 
 
   
Contractual Obligations
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
       
   
Within One
Year
   
One to Three
Years
   
Three to
Five Years
   
More than
Five Years
   
Total
 
Repurchase agreements
  $ 76,833,583     $ 1,150,331     $ 700,000     $ 1,300,000     $ 79,983,914  
Interest expense on repurchase agreements,
based on rates at March 31, 2011
    204,117       173,820       116,834       69,497       564,268  
Convertible Senior Notes
    -       -       600       -       600  
Interest Expense on Convertible Senior Notes
    24,000       48,000       21,000       -       93,000  
Long-term operating lease obligations
    2,539       5,836       2,209       -       10,584  
Employment contracts
    124,135       17,384       -       -       141,519  
Total
  $ 77,188,374     $ 1,395,371     $ 840,643     $ 1,369,497     $ 80,793,885  
 
Stockholders’ Equity

On January 4, 2011, we announced the sale of 75,000,000 shares of common stock at $17.03 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $1.3 billion before expenses.  In addition, the underwriters exercised the option to purchase up to an additional 11,250,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments for expected gross proceeds of approximately $191.6 million before expenses. These sales were completed on January 7, 2011.  In all, we raised net proceeds of approximately $1.47 billion in this offering.

On February 15, 2011, we announced the sale of 75,000,000 shares of common stock at $17.08 per share for gross proceeds of approximately $1.3 billion before expenses.  In addition, the underwriters exercised the option to purchase up to an additional 11,250,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments for expected gross proceeds of approximately $192.2 million before expenses. These sales were completed on February 18, 2011.  In all, we raised net proceeds of approximately $1.47 billion in this offering.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, 183,343 options were exercised for an aggregate exercise price of $2.5 million, and 3,876 shares were granted under the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, or Incentive Plan.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, 2,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock were converted into 5,313 million shares of common stock, respectively.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company raised $1.1 million by issuing 63,795 shares through the Direct Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Program.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, 363,528 options were exercised under Incentive Plan, for an aggregate exercise price of $4.6 million.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, 953,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock were converted into 2.4 million shares of common stock.

During the year ended December 31, 2010, we raised $278.8 million by issuing 15.7 million shares through the Direct Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Program

Unrealized Gains and Losses
 
With our “available-for-sale” accounting treatment, unrealized fluctuations in market values of assets do not impact our GAAP or taxable income but rather are reflected on our balance sheet by changing the carrying value of the asset and stockholders’ equity under “Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss).”  As a result of the de-designation of interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges during the quarter ended December 31, 2008, unrealized gains and losses in our interest rate swaps impact our GAAP income.
 
 
34

 
 
As a result of this mark-to-market accounting treatment, our book value and book value per share are likely to fluctuate far more than if we used historical amortized cost accounting.  As a result, comparisons with companies that use historical cost accounting for some or all of their balance sheet may not be meaningful.

The table below shows unrealized gains and losses on the Investment Securities and interest rate swaps in our portfolio prior to de-designation.

Unrealized Gains and Losses
 (dollars in thousands)
       
   
March 31,
2011
   
December 31,
2010
   
September 30,
2010
   
June 30,
2010
   
March 31,
2010
 
Unrealized gain
  $ 1,766,810     $ 1,764,182     $ 2,093,945     $ 2,643,907     $ 2,009,923  
Unrealized loss
    (757,282 )     (599,540 )     (216,408 )     (103,707 )     (122,071 )
Net Unrealized (loss) gain
  $ 1,009,528     $ 1,164,642     $ 1,877,537     $ 2,540,200     $ 1,887,852  

Unrealized changes in the estimated net fair value of available-for-sale investments have one direct effect on our potential earnings and dividends: positive changes increase our equity base and allow us to increase our borrowing capacity while negative changes tend to limit borrowing capacity under our capital investment policy.  A very large negative change in the net fair value of our available-for-sale investments securities might impair our liquidity position, requiring us to sell assets with the likely result of realized losses upon sale.

Leverage

Our debt-to-equity ratio at March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010 was 6.3:1 and 6.7:1, respectively.  We generally expect to maintain a ratio of debt-to-equity of between 8:1 and 12:1, although the ratio may vary, as it currently does because of market conditions, from this range from time to time based upon various factors, including our management’s opinion of the level of risk of our assets and liabilities, our liquidity position, our level of unused borrowing capacity and over-collateralization levels required by lenders when we pledge assets to secure borrowings.

Our target debt-to-equity ratio is determined under our capital investment policy.  Should our actual debt-to-equity ratio increase above the target level due to asset acquisition or market value fluctuations in assets, we would cease to acquire new assets.  Our management will, at that time, present a plan to our board of directors to bring us back to our target debt-to-equity ratio; in many circumstances, this would be accomplished over time by the monthly reduction of the balance of our Agency mortgage-backed securities through principal repayments.

Asset/Liability Management and Effect of Changes in Interest Rates

We continually review our asset/liability management strategy with respect to interest rate risk, mortgage prepayment risk, credit risk and the related issues of capital adequacy and liquidity.  Our goal is to provide attractive risk-adjusted stockholder returns while maintaining what we believe is a strong balance sheet.

We seek to manage the extent to which our net income changes as a function of changes in interest rates by matching adjustable-rate assets with variable-rate borrowings.  In addition, we have attempted to mitigate the potential impact on net income of periodic and lifetime coupon adjustment restrictions in our portfolio of Agency mortgage-backed securities and Agency debentures by entering into interest rate swaps.  At March 31, 2011, we had entered into swap agreements with a total notional amount of $33.4 billion.  We agreed to pay a weighted average pay rate of 2.92% and receive a floating rate based on one month LIBOR.  At December 31, 2010, we had entered into swap agreements with a total notional amount of $27.1 billion.  We agreed to pay a weighted average pay rate of 3.21% and receive a floating rate based on one month LIBOR.  We may enter into similar derivative transactions in the future by entering into interest rate collars, caps or floors or purchasing interest only securities.

Changes in interest rates may also affect the rate of mortgage principal prepayments and, as a result, prepayments on mortgage-backed securities.  We seek to mitigate the effect of changes in the mortgage principal repayment rate by balancing assets we purchase at a premium with assets we purchase at a discount.  To date, the aggregate premium exceeds the aggregate discount on our mortgage-backed securities.  As a result, prepayments, which result in the expensing of unamortized premium, will reduce our net income compared to what net income would be absent such prepayments.
 
 
35

 
 
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
 
We do not have any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance or special purpose entities, which would have been established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes.  Further, we have not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities nor do we have any commitment or intent to provide funding to any such entities.  As such, we are not materially exposed to any market, credit, liquidity or financing risk that could arise if we had engaged in such relationships.

Capital Resources

At March 31, 2011, we had no material commitments for capital expenditures.

Inflation

Virtually all of our assets and liabilities are financial in nature.  As a result, interest rates and other factors drive our performance far more than does inflation.  Changes in interest rates do not necessarily correlate with inflation rates or changes in inflation rates.  Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP and our dividends are based upon our net income as calculated for tax purposes; in each case, our activities and balance sheet are measured with reference to historical cost or fair market value without considering inflation.

Other Matters

We calculate that at least 75% of our assets were qualified REIT assets, as defined in the Code for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010.   We also calculate that our revenue qualifies for the 75% source of income test and for the 95% source of income test rules for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and  December 31, 2010.  Consequently, we met the REIT income and asset test. We also met all REIT requirements regarding the ownership of our common stock and the distribution of our net income.  Therefore, as of quarter ended of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we believe that we qualified as a REIT under the Code.

We at all times intend to conduct our business so as not to become regulated as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the Investment Company Act.  If we were to become regulated as an investment company, then our use of leverage would be substantially reduced.  The Investment Company Act exempts entities that are “primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate” (qualifying interests).  Under current interpretation of the staff of the SEC, in order to qualify for this exemption, we must maintain at least 55% of our assets directly in qualifying interests and at least 80% of our assets in qualifying interests plus other real estate related assets.  In addition, unless certain mortgage securities represent all the certificates issued with respect to an underlying pool of mortgages, the mortgage-backed securities may be treated as securities separate from the underlying mortgage loans and, thus, may not be considered qualifying interests for purposes of the 55% requirement.  We calculate that as of March 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, we were in compliance with this requirement.

 
36

 
 
ITEM 3                      QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

MARKET RISK
Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices.  The primary market risk to which we are exposed is interest rate risk, which is highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control.  Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with our interest-bearing liabilities, by affecting the spread between our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  Changes in the level of interest rates also can affect the value of our Agency mortgage-backed securities and our ability to realize gains from the sale of these assets.  We may utilize a variety of financial instruments, including interest rate swaps, caps, floors, inverse floaters and other interest rate exchange contracts, in order to limit the effects of interest rates on our operations.  When we use these types of derivatives to hedge the risk of interest-earning assets or interest-bearing liabilities, we may be subject to certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedge position will reduce the funds available for payments to holders of securities and that the losses may exceed the amount we invested in the instruments.

Our profitability and the value of our portfolio (including interest rate swaps) may be adversely affected during any period as a result of changing interest rates.  The following table quantifies the potential changes in net interest income and portfolio value, should interest rates go up or down 25, 50 and 75 basis points, assuming the yield curves of the rate shocks will be parallel to each other and the current yield curve.  All changes in income and value are measured as percentage changes from the projected net interest income and portfolio value at the base interest rate scenario.  The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates at March 31, 2011 and various estimates regarding prepayment and all activities are made at each level of rate shock.  Actual results could differ significantly from these estimates.

 
 
Change in Interest Rate
 
Projected Percentage Change in
Net Interest Income
Projected Percentage Change in
Portfolio Value, with Effect of
Interest Rate Swaps
     
-75 Basis Points
9.03%
0.56%
-50 Basis Points
5.95%
0.26%
-25 Basis Points
2.79%
(0.14%)
Base Interest Rate
-
-
+25 Basis Points
(2.00%)
(1.15%)
+50 Basis Points
(4.53%)
(1.80%)
+75 Basis Points
(7.32%)
(2.50%)
     
ASSET AND LIABILITY MANAGEMENT
 
Asset and liability management is concerned with the timing and magnitude of the repricing of assets and liabilities.  We attempt to control risks associated with interest rate movements.  Methods for evaluating interest rate risk include an analysis of our interest rate sensitivity "gap," which is the difference  between interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities maturing or repricing within a given time period.  A gap is considered positive when the amount of interest-rate sensitive assets exceeds the amount of interest-rate sensitive liabilities.  A gap is considered negative when the amount of interest-rate sensitive liabilities exceeds interest-rate sensitive assets.  During a period of rising interest rates, a negative gap would tend to adversely affect net interest income, while a positive gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest income.  During a period of falling interest rates, a negative gap would tend to result in an increase in net interest income, while a positive gap would tend to affect net interest income adversely.  Because different types of assets and liabilities with the same or similar maturities may react differently to changes in overall market rates or conditions, changes in interest rates may affect net interest income positively or negatively even if an institution were perfectly matched in each maturity category.
 
 
37

 
The following table sets forth the estimated maturity or repricing of our interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities at March 31, 2011.  The amounts of assets and liabilities shown within a particular period were determined in accordance with the contractual terms of the assets and liabilities, except adjustable-rate loans, and securities are included in the period in which their interest rates are first scheduled to adjust and not in the period in which they mature and does include the effect of the interest rate swaps.  The interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities in the table could vary substantially based on actual prepayment experience.
 
   
Within 3 Months
   
4-12 Months
   
More than 1
Year to
3 Years
   
3 Years and Over
   
Total
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Rate Sensitive Assets:
                             
 Mortgage-Backed Securities and
   Agency debentures (Principal)
  $ 1,561,281     $ 688,462     $ 76,956     $ 87,861,714     $ 90,188,413  
 Cash equivalents
    357,012       -       -       -       357,012  
 Reverse repurchase agreements
    1,348,069       -       -       -       1,348,069  
 Securities borrowed
    368,714       -       -       -       368,714  
 U.S.  Treasury Securities
    1,088,657       -       -       -       1,088,657  
 Corporate debt
    21,533       -       -       -       21,533  
  Total Rate Sensitive Assets
    4,745,266       688,462       76,956       87,861,714       93,372,398  
                                         
Rate Sensitive Liabilities:
                                       
  Repurchase agreements, with the
                                       
    effect of swaps
    33,491,808       13,835,435       10,093,301       22,563,370       79,983,914  
U.S.  Treasury Securities sold, not yet
    purchased
    788,898       -       -       -       788,898  
  Convertible Senior Notes
    -       -       -       600,000       600,000  
  Securities Loaned
    359,852       -       -       -       359,852  
   Total Rate Sensitive Liabilities
    34,640,558       13,835,435       10,093,301       23,163,370       81,732,664  
                                         
Interest rate sensitivity gap
  $ (29,895,292 )   $ (13,146,973 )   $ (10,016,345 )   $ 64,698,344     $ 11,639,738  
                                         
Cumulative rate sensitivity gap
  $ (29,895,292 )   $ (43,042,265 )   $ (53,058,610 )   $ 11,639,738          
                                         
Cumulative interest rate sensitivity gap as a percentage of total rate-sensitive assets
    (32 %)     (46 %)     (57 %)     12 %        

Our analysis of risks is based on management’s experience, estimates, models and assumptions.  These analyses rely on models which utilize estimates of fair value and interest rate sensitivity.  Actual economic conditions or implementation of investment decisions by our management may produce results that differ significantly from the estimates and assumptions used in our models and the projected results shown in the above tables and in this report.  These analyses contain certain forward-looking statements and are subject to the safe harbor statement set forth under the heading, “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements.”
 
ITEM 4     CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
 
Our management, including our Chief Executive Officer (the CEO) and Chief Financial Officer (the CFO), reviewed and evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act) as of the end of the period covered by this annual report.  Based on that review and evaluation, the CEO and CFO have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures, as designed and implemented, (1) were effective in ensuring that information regarding the Company and its subsidiaries is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our CEO and CFO, by our employees, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure and (2) were effective in providing reasonable assurance that information the Company must disclose in its periodic reports under the Securities Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods prescribed by the SEC’s rules and forms.
 
There have been no changes in the Company’s internal controls over financial reporting that occurred during the quarter ended March 31, 2011 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to affect its internal control over financial reporting.
 
 
38

 
 
PART II.         OTHER INFORMATION
 

From time to time, we are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material effect on our consolidated financial statements.


There have been no material changes to the risk factors disclosed in Item 1A – Risk Factors of our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010 (the “Form 10-K”).  The materialization of any risks and uncertainties identified in our Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements contained in this report together with those previously disclosed in the Form 10-K or those that are presently unforeseen could result in significant adverse effects on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.  See Item 2. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.


On March 22, 2011, our Board of Directors (the “Board”) amended and restated our bylaws (the “Restated Bylaws”).  Among other things, the Restated Bylaws changed the procedures by which our stockholders may recommend nominees to our Board.  The Restated Bylaws provide for “advance notice” provisions related to stockholder nominations for election to the Board and other stockholder proposals.  Stockholders must deliver a notice of a nomination or other stockholder proposal not earlier than the 150th day nor later than 5:00 p.m. (EST), on the 120th day prior to the first anniversary of the date of the proxy statement for the preceding year’s annual meeting; provided, however, that if the date of the annual meeting is advanced or delayed by more 30 days from the first anniversary of the date of the preceding year’s annual meeting, notice to be timely must be delivered not earlier than the 150th day prior to the date of such annual meeting and not later than 5:00 p.m., (EST), on the later of the 120th day prior to the date of such annual meeting or the 10th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of such meeting is first made . Stockholders must comply with certain informational and ownership requirements with respect to their nominations or other proposal.  The description of the Restated Bylaws above is not complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of the Restated Bylaws filed as Exhibit 3.1 to our Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference.

 
39

 

Exhibits:

The exhibits required by this item are set forth on the Exhibit Index attached hereto.
3.1
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (Registration No. 333-32913) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 5, 1997).
3.2
Articles of Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration Statement 333-74618) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on June 12, 2002).
3.3   
Articles of Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 of the Registrant's Current Report on Form 8-K (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on August 3, 2006).
3.4
Articles of Amendment of the Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.4 of the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on May 7, 2008).
3.5
Form of Articles Supplementary designating the Registrant’s 7.875% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25.00 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed April 1, 2004).
3.6
Articles Supplementary of the Registrant’s designating an additional 2,750,000 shares of the Company’s 7.875% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, as filed with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation of Maryland on October 15, 2004 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on October 4, 2004).
3.7
Articles Supplementary designating the Registrant’s 6% Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25.00 per share (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 10, 2006).
3.8
Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant, as amended (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Registrant’s  Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on March 22, 2011).
4.1
Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Amendment No. 1 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-11 (Registration No. 333-32913) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 17, 1997).
4.2
Specimen Preferred Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 333-74618) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on December 5, 2001).
4.3
Specimen Series A Preferred Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 of the Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-A filed with the SEC on April 1, 2004).
4.4
Specimen Series B Preferred Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 10, 2006).
31.1
Certification of Michael A.J. Farrell, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Kathryn F. Fagan, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.1
Certification of Michael A.J. Farrell, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, and President of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
32.2
Certification of Kathryn F. Fagan, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of the Registrant, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350 as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
Exhibit 101.INS XBRL
Instance Document*
Exhibit 101.SCH XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Schema Document*
Exhibit 101.CAL XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document*
Exhibit 101.DEF XBRL
Additional Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document Created*
Exhibit 101.LAB XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document*
Exhibit 101.PRE XBRL
Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document*
 
*  Submitted electronically herewith.  Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following documents formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) Consolidated Statements of Financial Condition at March 31, 2011 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2010 (Derived from the audited consolidated statement of financial condition at December 31, 2010); (ii) Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive Income (Unaudited) for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010; (iii) Consolidated Statement of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited) for the quarter ended March 31, 2011; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010; and (v) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited) for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010.  Users of this data are advised pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T that this interactive data file is deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, is deemed not filed for purposes of section 18 of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, and otherwise is not subject to liability under these sections.
 
40

 
SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
 
   
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
     
Dated: May 6, 2011
 
 By: /s/ Michael A.J. Farrell
   
Michael A.J. Farrell
   
(Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer,
   
President and authorized officer of registrant)
     
Dated:    May 6, 2011
 
By: /s/ Kathryn F. Fagan
   
Kathryn F. Fagan
   
(Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and
   
principal financial and chief accounting officer)
 
 
 
41