American Capital Agency Corp. (AGNC) will have to cut its dividend at some point in a few quarters if its operating results are similar to the 3Q 2010 it just reported.
Recap: AGNC reported earnings of $1.69 per share during third quarter 2010, compared to $1.82 in the year-earlier quarter. Excluding non-recurring items, recurring net income for the reported quarter was $1.11 per share.
Its current dividend is $1.40 per share. That equates to a 126% dividend payout ratio (1.40 divided by 1.11). Dividend payout ratios above 100% can't go on forever. The company only has $115.3 million in cash and cash equivalents to pay for the gap between its dividend and its recurrent earnings. It could sell some of its agency security holdings like it did this quarter, but you should count on this tactic to earn money everytime.
The whole banking system is a house of fractional-reserve cards. Stay away from it.
Be seeing you!
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