Document
 
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
__________________________________________________ 
FORM 10-Q
 __________________________________________________
ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2017
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Commission file number 001-34057
__________________________________________________
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AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
__________________________________________________
Delaware
 
26-1701984
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
 
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
2 Bethesda Metro Center, 12th Floor
Bethesda, Maryland 20814
(Address of principal executive offices)
(301) 968-9315
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 __________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter earlier period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate 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  ý    No  ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definition of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer
ý
 
Accelerated filer
¨
 
 
 
 
 
Non-accelerated filer
¨
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)
Smaller Reporting Company
¨
 
 
 
 
 
Emerging growth company
¨
 
 
 
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    Yes  ¨    No  ý  
The number of shares of the issuer's common stock, $0.01 par value, outstanding as of October 31, 2017 was 391,295,870.
 




AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


1



PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in millions, except per share data)

 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Assets:
 
 
 
Agency securities, at fair value (including pledged securities of $47,997 and $43,943, respectively)
$
51,638

 
$
45,393

Agency securities transferred to consolidated variable interest entities, at fair value (pledged securities)
700

 
818

Credit risk transfer securities, at fair value
717

 
164

Non-Agency securities, at fair value (including pledged securities of $0 and $90, respectively)
36

 
124

U.S. Treasury securities, at fair value (including pledged securities of $0 and $173, respectively)

 
182

REIT equity securities, at fair value
4

 

Cash and cash equivalents
1,098

 
1,208

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
294

 
74

Derivative assets, at fair value
183

 
355

Receivable for securities sold (including pledged securities of $149 and $21, respectively)
521

 
21

Receivable under reverse repurchase agreements
9,226

 
7,716

Goodwill and other intangible assets, net
552

 
554

Other assets
521

 
271

Total assets
$
65,490

 
$
56,880

Liabilities:
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
$
45,505

 
$
37,858

Federal Home Loan Bank advances

 
3,037

Debt of consolidated variable interest entities, at fair value
380

 
460

Payable for securities purchased
1,373

 

Derivative liabilities, at fair value
62

 
256

Dividends payable
77

 
66

Obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value
9,119

 
7,636

Accounts payable and other liabilities
183

 
211

Total liabilities
56,699

 
49,524

Stockholders' equity:
 
 
 
8.000% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (aggregate liquidation preference of $0 and $173, respectively)

 
167

7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (aggregate liquidation preference of $175)
169

 
169

7.000% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (aggregate liquidation preference of $325 and $0, respectively)
315

 

Common stock - $0.01 par value; 600 shares authorized; 391.3 and 331.0 shares issued and outstanding, respectively
4

 
3

Additional paid-in capital
11,172

 
9,932

Retained deficit
(2,729
)
 
(2,518
)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(140
)
 
(397
)
Total stockholders' equity
8,791

 
7,356

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
$
65,490

 
$
56,880

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

2



AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(Unaudited)
(in millions, except per share data)

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Interest income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
$
318

 
$
315

 
$
907

 
$
928

Interest expense
140

 
96

 
350

 
296

Net interest income
178

 
219

 
557

 
632

Other gain (loss), net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gain (loss) on sale of investment securities, net
22

 
61

 
(47
)
 
114

Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities measured at fair value through net income, net
(31
)
 
(6
)
 
(6
)
 
5

Gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net
131

 
248

 
(78
)
 
(1,063
)
Management fee income
3

 
4

 
10

 
4

Total other gain (loss), net:
125

 
307

 
(121
)
 
(940
)
Expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fee expense

 

 

 
52

Compensation and benefits
10

 
9

 
30

 
9

Other operating expenses
7

 
6

 
20

 
27

Total operating expenses
17

 
15

 
50

 
88

Net income (loss)
286

 
511

 
386

 
(396
)
Dividend on preferred stock
9

 
7

 
23

 
21

Issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock
6

 

 
6

 

Net income (loss) available (attributable) to common stockholders
$
271

 
$
504

 
$
357

 
$
(417
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
286

 
$
511

 
$
386

 
$
(396
)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities, net
90

 
(97
)
 
257

 
1,038

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net

 
7

 

 
38

Other comprehensive income (loss)
90

 
(90
)
 
257

 
1,076

Comprehensive income
376

 
421

 
643

 
680

Dividend on preferred stock
9

 
7

 
23

 
21

Issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock
6

 

 
6

 

Comprehensive income available to common stockholders
$
361

 
$
414

 
$
614

 
$
659

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
364.7

 
331.0

 
347.5

 
332.1

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
364.9

 
331.0

 
347.6

 
332.1

Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted
$
0.74

 
$
1.52

 
$
1.03

 
$
(1.26
)
Dividends declared per common share
$
0.54

 
$
0.56

 
$
1.62

 
$
1.76

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

3


AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
(Unaudited)
(in millions)

 
8.000% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
7.000% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
 
Additional
Paid-in
Capital
 
Retained
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
 
Total
 
 
 
 
Shares
 
Amount
 
Balance, December 31, 2015
$
167

 
$
169

 
$

 
337.5

 
$
3

 
$
10,048

 
$
(2,350
)
 
$
(66
)
 
$
7,971

Net loss

 

 

 

 

 

 
(396
)
 

 
(396
)
Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 


Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
1,038

 
1,038

Unrealized gain on derivative instruments, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
38

 
38

Repurchase of common stock

 

 

 
(6.5
)
 

 
(116
)
 

 

 
(116
)
Preferred dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 
(21
)
 


 
(21
)
Common dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 
(583
)
 

 
(583
)
Balance, September 30, 2016
$
167

 
$
169

 
$

 
331.0

 
$
3

 
$
9,932

 
$
(3,350
)
 
$
1,010

 
$
7,931

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, December 31, 2016
$
167

 
$
169

 
$

 
331.0

 
$
3

 
$
9,932

 
$
(2,518
)
 
$
(397
)
 
$
7,356

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 
386

 

 
386

Other comprehensive income:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Unrealized gain on available-for-sale securities, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
257

 
257

Stock-based compensation

 

 

 

 

 
3

 

 

 
3

Issuance of preferred stock

 

 
315

 

 

 

 

 

 
315

Redemption of preferred stock
(167
)
 

 

 

 

 

 
(6
)
 

 
(173
)
Issuance of common stock

 

 

 
60.3

 
1

 
1,237

 

 

 
1,238

Preferred dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 
(23
)
 

 
(23
)
Common dividends declared

 

 

 

 

 

 
(568
)
 

 
(568
)
Balance, September 30, 2017
$

 
$
169

 
$
315

 
391.3

 
$
4

 
$
11,172

 
$
(2,729
)
 
$
(140
)
 
$
8,791

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.



4



AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in millions) 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
Operating activities:
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
$
386

 
$
(396
)
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
 
 
 
Amortization of premiums and discounts on mortgage-backed securities, net
282

 
394

Amortization of accumulated other comprehensive loss on interest rate swaps de-designated as qualifying hedges

 
38

Amortization of intangible assets
3

 
1

Stock-based compensation
3

 
1

(Gain) loss on sale of investment securities, net
47

 
(114
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on investment securities measured at fair value through net income, net
6

 
(5
)
Loss on derivative instruments and other securities, net
78

 
1,063

Decrease in other assets
99

 
37

Increase in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities
31

 
10

Net cash provided by operating activities
935

 
1,029

Investing activities:
 
 
 
Purchases of Agency mortgage-backed securities
(23,823
)
 
(17,275
)
Purchases of credit risk transfer and non-Agency securities
(881
)
 
(36
)
Proceeds from sale of Agency mortgage-backed securities
13,390

 
17,032

Proceeds from sale of credit risk transfer and non-Agency securities
437

 

Principal collections on Agency mortgage-backed securities
5,076

 
5,984

Principal collections on credit risk transfer and non-Agency securities
4

 
13

Payments on U.S. Treasury securities
(10,618
)
 
(2,178
)
Proceeds from U.S. Treasury securities
11,682

 
5,741

Net payments on reverse repurchase agreements
(1,456
)
 
(3,728
)
Net proceeds from (payments on) derivative instruments
38

 
(892
)
Purchases of REIT equity securities
(4
)
 

Proceeds from sale of REIT equity securities

 
39

Purchase of AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC, net of cash acquired

 
(555
)
(Increase) decrease in restricted cash pledged for derivative instruments
(239
)
 
577

Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities
(6,394
)
 
4,722

Financing activities:
 
 
 
Proceeds from repurchase arrangements
294,885

 
195,992

Payments on repurchase agreements
(287,238
)
 
(200,078
)
Proceeds from Federal Home Loan Bank advances

 
2,098

Payments on Federal Home Loan Bank advances
(3,037
)
 
(2,814
)
Payments on debt of consolidated variable interest entities
(80
)
 
(100
)
Net proceeds from preferred stock issuance
315

 

Payment for preferred stock redemption
(173
)
 

Net proceeds from common stock issuances
1,238

 

Payments for common stock repurchases

 
(116
)
Cash dividends paid
(580
)
 
(612
)
Decrease in restricted cash pledged for repurchase agreements
19

 
23

Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
5,349

 
(5,607
)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
(110
)
 
144

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
1,208

 
1,110

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
1,098

 
$
1,254

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.

5



AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
Note 1. Unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements
The unaudited interim consolidated financial statements of AGNC Investment Corp. (referred throughout this report as the "Company," "we," "us" and "our") are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Our unaudited interim consolidated financial statements include the accounts of all of our wholly-owned subsidiaries and variable interest entities for which we are the primary beneficiary. Significant intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring accruals, necessary for the fair presentation of financial statements for the interim period have been included. The current period’s results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results that ultimately may be achieved for the year.

Note 2. Organization
We were organized in Delaware on January 7, 2008 and commenced operations on May 20, 2008 following the completion of our initial public offering. Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "AGNC."
We operate so as to qualify to be taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"). As a REIT, we are required to distribute annually 90% of our taxable income. As long as we continue to qualify as a REIT, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal or state corporate taxes on our taxable income to the extent that we distribute our annual taxable income to our stockholders on a timely basis. It is our intention to distribute 100% of our taxable income, after application of available tax attributes, within the limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code, which may extend into the subsequent tax year.
We earn income primarily from investing in residential mortgage-backed securities for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise or a U.S. Government agency ("Agency RMBS") on a leveraged basis. We may also invest in other types of mortgage and mortgage-related securities, such as credit risk transfer ("CRT") securities and non-Agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities ("non-Agency RMBS" and "CMBS," respectively), where repayment of principal and interest is not guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored enterprise or U.S. Government agency.
Our principal objective is to provide our stockholders with attractive risk-adjusted returns through a combination of monthly dividends and net book value accretion. We generate income from the interest earned on our investment assets, net of associated borrowing and hedging activities, and net realized gains and losses on our investments and hedging activities. We fund our investments primarily through borrowings structured as repurchase agreements.
Prior to July 1, 2016, we were externally managed by AGNC Management, LLC (our "Manager"). On July 1, 2016, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding membership interests of AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC ("AMM"), the parent company of our Manager, from American Capital Asset Management, LLC ("ACAM"), a wholly owned portfolio company of American Capital, Ltd. ("ACAS"). AMM is also the parent company of MTGE Management, LLC, the external manager of MTGE Investment Corp. ("MTGE") (NASDAQ: MTGE). Following the closing of the acquisition of AMM, we became internally managed and are no longer affiliated with ACAS.

Note 3. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
Investment Securities
The Agency RMBS in which we invest consist of residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") guaranteed by the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae"), Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac") or the Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae") (collectively referred to as "GSEs").
CRT securities are risk sharing instruments issued by the GSEs, and similarly structured transactions issued by third party market participants, that transfer a portion of the risk associated with credit losses within pools of conventional residential mortgage

6



loans from the GSEs and/or third parties to private investors. Unlike Agency RMBS, full repayment of the original principal balance of CRT securities is not guaranteed by a GSE or other government agency; rather, "credit risk transfer" is achieved by writing down the outstanding principal balance of the CRT securities if credit losses on a related pool of loans exceed certain thresholds. By reducing the amount that they are obligated to repay to holders of CRT securities, the GSEs and/or other third parties are able to offset credit losses on the related loans.
Non-Agency RMBS and CMBS (together, "Non-Agency MBS") are backed by residential and commercial mortgage loans, respectively, packaged and securitized by a private institution, such as a commercial bank. Non-Agency MBS typically benefit from credit enhancements derived from structural elements, such as subordination, overcollateralization or insurance, but nonetheless carry a higher level of credit exposure than Agency RMBS.
Mortgage-related securities may also include investments in the common stock of other publicly traded mortgage REITs, including MTGE, which invest in Agency and non-Agency securities and/or other real estate related assets. As of September 30, 2017, our investments in REIT equity securities consisted solely of MTGE common stock.
Accounting Standards Codification ("ASC") Topic 320, Investments—Debt and Equity Securities, requires that at the time of purchase, we designate a security as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading, depending on our ability and intent to hold such security to maturity. Alternatively, we may elect the fair value option of accounting for such securities pursuant to ASC Topic 825, Financial Instruments. All of our securities are reported at fair value as they have either been designated as available-for-sale or trading or we have elected the fair value option of accounting. Unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as available-for-sale are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) ("OCI"). Unrealized gains and losses on securities classified as trading or for which we elected the fair value option are reported in net income through other gain (loss) during the period in which they occur. Upon the sale of a security designated as available-for-sale, we determine the cost of the security and the amount of unrealized gains or losses to reclassify out of accumulated OCI into earnings based on the specific identification method.
Prior to fiscal year 2017, we primarily designated our investment securities as available-for-sale. On January 1, 2017, we began electing the fair value option of accounting for all investment securities acquired after fiscal year 2016. In our view, this election simplifies the accounting for investment securities and more appropriately reflects the results of our operations for a particular reporting period, as the fair value changes for these assets are presented in a manner consistent with the presentation and timing of the fair value changes of our hedging instruments. We are not permitted to change the designation of securities acquired prior to January 1, 2017; accordingly, such securities will continue to be classified as available-for-sale securities until such time as we receive full repayment of principal or we dispose of the security.
We estimate the fair value of our investment securities based on a market approach using "Level 2" inputs from third-party pricing services and non-binding dealer quotes derived from common market pricing methods. Such methods incorporate, but are not limited to, reported trades and executable bid and asked prices for similar securities, benchmark interest rate curves, such as the spread to the U.S. Treasury rate and interest rate swap curves, convexity, duration and the underlying characteristics of the particular security, including coupon, periodic and life caps, rate reset period, issuer, additional credit support and expected life of the security. Refer to Note 8 for further discussion of fair value measurements.
We evaluate our investments designated as available-for-sale for other-than-temporary impairment ("OTTI") on at least a quarterly basis. The determination of whether a security is other-than-temporarily impaired may involve judgments and assumptions based on subjective and objective factors. When a security is impaired, an OTTI is considered to have occurred if any one of the following three conditions exists as of the financial reporting date: (i) we intend to sell the security (that is, a decision has been made to sell the security), (ii) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security before recovery of its amortized cost basis or (iii) we do not expect to recover the security's amortized cost basis, even if we do not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that we will be required to sell the security. A general allowance for unidentified impairments in a portfolio of securities is not permitted.
Interest Income
Interest income is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount of the investment securities and their contractual terms. Premiums or discounts associated with the purchase of Agency RMBS and non-Agency MBS of high credit quality are amortized or accreted into interest income, respectively, over the projected lives of the securities, including contractual payments and estimated prepayments using the effective interest method in accordance with ASC Subtopic 310-20, Receivables—Nonrefundable Fees and Other Costs.
We estimate long-term prepayment speeds of our mortgage securities using a third-party service and market data. Actual and anticipated prepayment experience is reviewed quarterly and effective yields are recalculated when differences arise between (i) our previous estimate of future prepayments and (ii) the actual prepayments to date plus our current estimate of future

7



prepayments. If the actual and estimated future prepayment experience differs from our prior estimate of prepayments, we are required to record an adjustment in the current period to the amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts for the cumulative difference in the effective yield through the reporting date.

At the time we purchase CRT securities and non-Agency MBS that are not of high credit quality, we determine an effective yield based on our estimate of the timing and amount of future cash flows and our cost basis. Our initial cash flow estimates for these investments are based on our observations of current information and events and include assumptions related to interest rates, prepayment rates and the impact of default and severity rates on the timing and amount of credit losses. On at least a quarterly basis, we review the estimated cash flows and make appropriate adjustments, based on inputs and analysis received from external sources, internal models, and our judgment regarding such inputs and other factors. Any resulting changes in effective yield are recognized prospectively based on the current amortized cost of the investment as adjusted for credit impairment, if any.
Repurchase Agreements 
We finance the acquisition of securities for our investment portfolio primarily through repurchase transactions under master repurchase agreements. Pursuant to ASC Topic 860, Transfers and Servicing ("ASC 860"), we account for repurchase transactions as collateralized financing transactions, which are carried at their contractual amounts (cost), plus accrued interest. Our repurchase agreements typically have maturities of less than one year, but may extend up to five years or more. Interest rates on our repurchase agreements generally correspond to one, three or six month LIBOR plus or minus a fixed spread. The fair value of our repurchase agreements is assumed to equal cost as the interest rates are considered to be at market.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements and Obligation to Return Securities Borrowed under Reverse Repurchase Agreements
We borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities through reverse repurchase transactions under our master repurchase agreements (see Derivative Instruments below). We account for these as securities borrowing transactions and recognize an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on the balance sheet based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date. Our reverse repurchase agreements typically have maturities of 30 days or less. The fair value of our reverse repurchase agreements is assumed to equal cost as the interest rates are generally reset daily.
Derivative Instruments
We use a variety of derivative instruments to hedge a portion of our exposure to market risks, including interest rate, prepayment, extension and liquidity risks. The objective of our risk management strategy is to reduce fluctuations in net book value over a range of interest rate scenarios. In particular, we attempt to mitigate the risk of the cost of our variable rate liabilities increasing during a period of rising interest rates. The primary instruments that we use are interest rate swaps, options to enter into interest rate swaps ("swaptions"), U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts. We also use forward contracts in the Agency RMBS "to-be-announced" market ("TBA") to invest in and finance Agency securities as well as to periodically reduce our exposure to Agency RMBS.
We account for derivative instruments in accordance with ASC Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging ("ASC 815"). ASC 815 requires an entity to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets and to measure those instruments at fair value.
Our derivative agreements generally contain provisions that allow for netting or setting off derivative assets and liabilities with the counterparty; however, we report related assets and liabilities on a gross basis in our consolidated balance sheets. Derivative instruments in a gain position are reported as derivative assets at fair value and derivative instruments in a loss position are reported as derivative liabilities at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets. Changes in fair value of derivative instruments and periodic settlements related to our derivative instruments are recorded in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Cash receipts and payments related to derivative instruments are classified in our consolidated statements of cash flows according to the underlying nature or purpose of the derivative transaction, generally in the investing section.
The use of derivative instruments creates exposure to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized if the counterparties to these instruments fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. Our derivative agreements require that we post or receive collateral to mitigate such risk. We also attempt to minimize our risk of loss by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings, monitoring positions with individual counterparties and adjusting posted collateral as required.

8



Discontinuation of hedge accounting for interest rate swap agreements
Prior to fiscal year 2011, we entered into interest rate swap agreements typically with the intention of qualifying for hedge accounting under ASC 815. However, during fiscal year 2011, we elected to discontinue hedge accounting for our interest rate swaps. Upon discontinuation of hedge accounting, the net deferred loss related to our de-designated interest rate swaps remained in accumulated OCI and was reclassified from accumulated OCI into interest expense on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of each interest rate swap through December 2016.
Interest rate swap agreements
We use interest rate swaps to hedge the variable cash flows associated with our borrowings made under repurchase agreements. Under our interest rate swap agreements, we typically pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate based on one, three or six-month LIBOR ("payer swaps") with terms up to 20 years. Our swap agreements are privately negotiated in the over−the−counter ("OTC") market.
Swap agreements entered into after May 2013 are centrally cleared through a registered commodities exchange. We value centrally cleared interest rate swaps using the daily settlement price, or fair value, determined by the clearing exchange based on a pricing model that references observable market inputs, including LIBOR, swap rates and the forward yield curve. Our centrally cleared swaps require that we post an "initial margin" amount determined by the clearing exchange, which is generally intended to be set at a level sufficient to protect the exchange from the interest rate swap's maximum estimated single-day price movement. We also exchange "variation margin" based upon daily changes in fair value, as measured by the exchange. As a result of amendments to rules governing certain central clearing activities, which took effect January 3, 2017, the exchange of variation margin is a settlement of the interest rate swap, as opposed to pledged collateral. Accordingly, beginning in the first quarter of 2017 and in subsequent periods, we account for the receipt or payment of variation margin as a direct reduction to the carrying value of the interest rate swap asset or liability. Variation margin pledged / (received) was previously reported in restricted cash and cash equivalents / (other liabilities) in our consolidated balance sheet.
We value non-centrally cleared swaps using a combination of third-party valuations obtained from pricing services and the swap counterparty. The third-party valuations are model-driven using observable inputs, including LIBOR, swap rates and the forward yield curve. We also consider both our own and our counterparties' nonperformance risk in estimating the fair value of our interest rate swaps. In considering the effect of nonperformance risk, we assess the impact of netting and credit enhancements, such as collateral postings and guarantees, and have concluded that our own and our counterparty risk is not significant to the overall valuation of these agreements.
Interest rate swaptions
We purchase interest rate swaptions to help mitigate the potential impact of larger, more rapid changes in interest rates on the performance of our investment portfolio. Interest rate swaptions provide us the option to enter into an interest rate swap agreement for a predetermined notional amount, stated term and pay and receive interest rates in the future. Our swaption agreements typically provide us the option to enter into a pay-fixed rate interest rate swap ("payer swaptions"). We may also enter into swaption agreements that provide us the option to enter into a receive-fixed interest rate swap ("receiver swaptions").
Our interest rate swaption agreements are privately negotiated in the OTC market and are not subject to central clearing. The premium paid for interest rate swaptions is reported as an asset in our consolidated balance sheets. We estimate the fair value of interest rate swaptions using a combination of inputs from counterparty and third-party pricing models based on the fair value of the future interest rate swap that we have the option to enter into as well as the remaining length of time that we have to exercise the option, adjusted for non-performance risk, if any. The difference between the premium paid and the fair value of the swaption is reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. If a swaption expires unexercised, the realized loss on the swaption would be equal to the premium paid. If we sell or exercise a swaption, the realized gain or loss on the swaption would be equal to the difference between the cash or the fair value of the underlying interest rate swap received and the premium paid.
TBA securities
A TBA security is a forward contract for the purchase or sale of Agency RMBS at a predetermined price, face amount, issuer, coupon and stated maturity on an agreed-upon future date. The specific Agency RMBS to be delivered into the contract are not known until shortly before the settlement date. We may choose, prior to settlement, to move the settlement of these securities out to a later date by entering into an offsetting TBA position, net settling the offsetting positions for cash, and simultaneously purchasing or selling a similar TBA contract for a later settlement date (together referred to as a "dollar roll transaction"). The Agency securities purchased or sold for a forward settlement date are typically priced at a discount to equivalent securities settling in the current month. This difference, or "price drop," is the economic equivalent to interest income on the underlying Agency securities, less

9



an implied funding cost, over the forward settlement period (referred to as "dollar roll income"). Consequently, forward purchases of Agency securities and dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing.
We account for TBA contracts as derivative instruments since either the TBA contracts do not settle in the shortest period of time possible or we cannot assert that it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the TBA contract that we will physically settle the TBA contract on the settlement date. We account for TBA dollar roll transactions as a series of derivative transactions. Gains, losses and dollar roll income associated with our TBA contracts are recognized in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. We estimate the fair value of TBA securities based on similar methods used to value our Agency RMBS securities.
U.S. Treasury securities
We purchase and sell short U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts to help mitigate the potential impact of changes in interest rates on the performance of our portfolio. We borrow securities to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities under reverse repurchase agreements. We account for these as securities borrowing transactions and recognize an obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date. Gains and losses associated with purchases and short sales of U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts are recognized in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Loss Contingencies
We evaluate the existence of any pending or threatened litigation or other potential claims against the Company in accordance with ASC Topic 450, Contingencies, which requires that we assess the likelihood and range of potential outcomes of any such matters. We are the defendant in two stockholder derivative lawsuits alleging that certain of our current and former directors and officers breached fiduciary duties and wasted corporate assets in connection with past renewals of the management agreement with our former external Manager and the internalization of our management, which occurred on July 1, 2016. Although the outcomes of these cases cannot be predicted with certainty, we do not believe that these cases have merit or will result in a material liability, and, as of September 30, 2017, we did not accrue a loss contingency related to these matters.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
We consider the applicability and impact of all Accounting Standards Updates (“ASUs”) issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. ASUs not listed below were determined to be either not applicable, are not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements when adopted, or did not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements upon adoption.
ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606): ASU 2014-09 is a comprehensive revenue recognition standard that supersedes virtually all existing revenue guidance under U.S. GAAP. The standard’s core principle is that an entity will recognize revenue when it transfers promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. Revenue recognition with respect to financial instruments is not within the scope of ASU 2014-09 and our review of each of our revenue streams indicates that it will not have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements. ASU 2014-09 is effective on January 1, 2018.
ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments - Credit Losses (Topic 326): ASU 2016-13 changes the impairment model for most financial assets and certain other instruments. Allowances for credit losses on available-for-sale debt securities will be recognized, rather than direct reductions in the amortized cost of the investments. The new model also requires the estimation of lifetime expected credit losses and corresponding recognition of allowance for losses on trade and other receivables, held-to-maturity debt securities, loans, and other instruments held at amortized cost. The ASU requires certain recurring disclosures and is effective for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2019, with early adoption permitted for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2018. ASU 2016-13 is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.
ASU 2016-18, Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230) - Restricted Cash: ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents, and amounts generally described as restricted cash or restricted cash equivalents. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash and restricted cash equivalents should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 will be effective on January 1, 2018 and is not expected to have a significant impact on our consolidated financial statements.


10



Note 4. Investment Securities
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our investment portfolio consisted of $53.1 billion and $46.5 billion of investment securities, at fair value, respectively, and $19.4 billion and $11.2 billion of TBA securities, at fair value, respectively. Our TBA position is reported at its net carrying value of $(24) million and $(147) million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, in derivative assets / (liabilities) on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The net carrying value of our TBA position represents the difference between the fair value of the underlying Agency security in the TBA contract and the cost basis or the forward price to be paid or received for the underlying Agency security.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our investment securities had a net unamortized premium balance of $2.4 billion and $2.1 billion, respectively, including interest and principal-only securities.
The following tables summarize our investment securities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, excluding TBA securities, (dollars in millions). Note 6 contains details of our TBA securities as of each of these respective dates.
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Investment Securities
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
Agency RMBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed rate
 
$
51,275

 
$
51,104

 
$
45,145

 
$
44,736

Adjustable rate
 
304

 
311

 
371

 
379

CMO
 
669

 
677

 
796

 
801

Interest-only and principal-only strips
 
225

 
246

 
268

 
295

Total Agency RMBS
 
52,473

 
52,338

 
46,580

 
46,211

Non-Agency RMBS
 
8

 
7

 
102

 
101

CMBS
 
28

 
29

 
23

 
23

CRT securities
 
697

 
717

 
161

 
164

Total investment securities
 
$
53,206

 
$
53,091

 
$
46,866

 
$
46,499

 
 
September 30, 2017
 
 
Agency RMBS
 
Non-Agency
 
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
Fannie Mae
 
Freddie Mac
 
Ginnie
Mae
 
RMBS
 
CMBS
 
CRT
 
Total
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Par value
 
$
25,724

 
$
8,244

 
$
36

 
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$
34,011

Unamortized discount
 
(26
)
 
(3
)
 

 

 

 

 
(29
)
Unamortized premium
 
1,183

 
447

 

 

 

 

 
1,630

Amortized cost
 
26,881

 
8,688

 
36

 
7

 

 

 
35,612

Gross unrealized gains
 
174

 
41

 
1

 

 

 

 
216

Gross unrealized losses
 
(244
)
 
(112
)
 

 

 

 

 
(356
)
Total available-for-sale securities, at fair value
 
26,811

 
8,617

 
37

 
7

 

 

 
35,472

Securities remeasured at fair value through earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Par value
 
11,260

 
4,826

 

 

 
29

 
669

 
16,784

Unamortized discount
 
(36
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(37
)
Unamortized premium
 
580

 
239

 

 

 

 
28

 
847

Amortized cost
 
11,804

 
5,065

 

 

 
28

 
697

 
17,594

Gross unrealized gains
 
37

 
7

 

 

 
1

 
21

 
66

Gross unrealized losses
 
(26
)
 
(14
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
 
(41
)
Total securities remeasured at fair value through earnings
 
11,815

 
5,058

 

 

 
29

 
717

 
17,619

Total securities, at fair value
 
$
38,626

 
$
13,675

 
$
37

 
$
7

 
$
29

 
$
717

 
$
53,091

Weighted average coupon as of September 30, 2017
 
3.65
%
 
3.68
%
 
2.78
%
 
2.50
%
 
6.55
%
 
5.10
%
 
3.67
%
Weighted average yield as of September 30, 2017 1
 
2.82
%
 
2.81
%
 
2.01
%
 
3.03
%
 
7.31
%
 
4.61
%
 
2.85
%
 ________________________
1.
Incorporates a weighted average future constant prepayment rate assumption of 9% based on forward rates as of September 30, 2017.


11



 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Agency RMBS
 
Non-Agency
 
 
 
 
Investment Securities
 
Fannie 
Mae
 
Freddie Mac
 
Ginnie 
Mae
 
RMBS
 
CMBS
 
CRT
 
Total
Available-for-sale securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Par value
 
$
34,244

 
$
10,008

 
$
44

 
$
101

 
$

 
$

 
$
44,397

Unamortized discount
 
(43
)
 
(3
)
 

 

 

 

 
(46
)
Unamortized premium
 
1,518

 
544

 

 
1

 

 

 
2,063

Amortized cost
 
35,719

 
10,549

 
44

 
102

 

 

 
46,414

Gross unrealized gains
 
176

 
48

 
1

 

 

 

 
225

Gross unrealized losses
 
(442
)
 
(179
)
 

 
(1
)
 

 

 
(622
)
Total available-for-sale securities, at fair value
 
35,453

 
10,418

 
45

 
101

 

 

 
46,017

Securities remeasured at fair value through earnings:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Par value
 
171

 

 

 

 
24

 
157

 
352

Unamortized discount
 
(35
)
 

 

 

 
(1
)
 

 
(36
)
Unamortized premium
 
118

 
14

 

 

 

 
4

 
136

Amortized cost
 
254

 
14

 

 

 
23

 
161

 
452

Gross unrealized gains
 
28

 
3

 

 

 

 
3

 
34

Gross unrealized losses
 
(3
)
 
(1
)
 

 

 

 

 
(4
)
Total securities remeasured at fair value through earnings
 
279

 
16

 

 

 
23

 
164

 
482

Total securities, at fair value
 
$
35,732

 
$
10,434

 
$
45

 
$
101

 
$
23

 
$
164

 
$
46,499

Weighted average coupon as of December 31, 2016
 
3.59
%
 
3.67
%
 
2.75
%
 
3.42
%
 
6.55
%
 
5.25
%
 
3.61
%
Weighted average yield as of December 31, 2016 1
 
2.77
%
 
2.72
%
 
2.00
%
 
3.27
%
 
7.54
%
 
6.28
%
 
2.77
%
 ________________________
1.
Incorporates a weighted average future constant prepayment rate assumption of 8% based on forward rates as of December 31, 2016.

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our investments in CRT and non-Agency securities had the following credit ratings:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
CRT and Non-Agency Security Credit Ratings 1
 
CRT
 
RMBS
 
CMBS
 
CRT
 
RMBS
 
CMBS
AAA
 
$

 
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$
99

 
$

BBB
 

 

 
29

 

 

 
23

BB
 
65

 

 

 

 

 

B
 
633

 

 

 
164

 
2

 

Not Rated
 
19

 

 

 

 

 

Total
 
$
717

 
$
7

 
$
29

 
$
164

 
$
101

 
$
23

 ________________________
1.
Represents the lowest of Standard and Poor's ("S&P"), Moody's and Fitch credit ratings, stated in terms of the S&P equivalent rating as of each date.

Our CRT securities reference the performance of loans underlying Agency RMBS issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which were subject to their underwriting standards. As of September 30, 2017, our CRT securities had floating rate coupons ranging from 3.7% to 7.6%, referenced to loans originated between 2012 and 2017 with weighted average coupons ranging from 3.6% to 4.3%. As of December 31, 2016, our CRT securities had floating rate coupons ranging from 4.6% to 7.1%, referenced to loans originated between 2015 and 2016 with weighted average coupons ranging from 4.0% to 4.2%.

The actual maturities of our investment securities are generally shorter than their stated contractual maturities. Actual maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic contractual principal payments and principal prepayments. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted average expected constant prepayment rate ("CPR") over the remaining life of our aggregate investment portfolio was 9% and 8%, respectively. Our estimates differ materially for different types of securities and thus individual holdings have a wide range of projected CPRs. The following table summarizes our investments as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 according to their estimated weighted average life classification (dollars in millions):

12




 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Estimated Weighted Average Life of Investment Securities
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
 
Fair Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Weighted
Average
Coupon
 
Weighted
Average
Yield
≥ 1 year and ≤ 3 years
 
$
2,518

 
$
2,481

 
3.89%
 
2.66%
 
$
419

 
$
416

 
4.33%
 
2.27%
> 3 years and ≤ 5 years
 
8,763

 
8,704

 
3.35%
 
2.44%
 
13,601

 
13,509

 
3.38%
 
2.44%
> 5 years and ≤10 years
 
40,234

 
40,453

 
3.75%
 
2.94%
 
30,513

 
30,979

 
3.74%
 
2.89%
> 10 years
 
1,576

 
1,568

 
3.36%
 
3.07%
 
1,966

 
1,962

 
3.17%
 
3.27%
Total
 
$
53,091

 
$
53,206

 
3.68%
 
2.85%
 
$
46,499

 
$
46,866

 
3.61%
 
2.77%

The following table presents the gross unrealized loss and fair values of securities classified as available-for-sale by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in millions):

 
 
Unrealized Loss Position For
 
 
Less than 12 Months
 
12 Months or More
 
Total
Securities Classified as Available-for-Sale
 
Estimated Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Estimated
Fair Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
 
Estimated Fair
Value
 
Unrealized
Loss
September 30, 2017
 
$
19,663

 
$
(291
)
 
$
1,972

 
$
(65
)
 
$
21,635

 
$
(356
)
December 31, 2016
 
$
28,397

 
$
(554
)
 
$
1,719

 
$
(68
)
 
$
30,116

 
$
(622
)

We did not recognize any OTTI charges on our investment securities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016. As of the end of each respective reporting period, a decision had not been made to sell any of our securities in an unrealized loss position and we did not believe it was more likely than not that we would be required to sell such securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis. The unrealized losses on our securities were not due to credit losses given the GSE guarantees, but rather were due to changes in interest rates and prepayment expectations. However, as we continue to actively manage our portfolio, we may recognize additional realized losses on our investment securities upon selecting specific securities to sell.

13



Gains and Losses on Sale of Investment Securities
The following table is a summary of our net gain (loss) from the sale of investment securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 by investment classification of accounting (in millions).
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Investment Securities
 
Available-for-Sale
Securities 2
Fair Value Option Securities
Total
 
Available-for-Sale
Securities 2
Fair Value Option Securities
Total
Investment securities sold, at cost
 
$
(3
)
$
(6,016
)
$
(6,019
)
 
$
(6,123
)
$

$
(6,123
)
Proceeds from investment securities sold 1
 
2

6,039

6,041

 
6,184


6,184

Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities
 
$
(1
)
$
23

$
22

 
$
61

$

$
61

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gain on sale of investment securities
 
$

$
28

$
28

 
$
62

$

$
62

Gross loss on sale of investment securities
 
(1
)
(5
)
(6
)
 
(1
)

(1
)
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities
 
$
(1
)
$
23

$
22

 
$
61

$

$
61

 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
Investment Securities
 
Available-for-Sale
Securities 2
Fair Value Option Securities
Total
 
Available-for-Sale
Securities 2
Fair Value Option Securities
Total
Investment securities sold, at cost
 
$
(5,738
)
$
(8,636
)
$
(14,374
)
 
$
(17,146
)
$

$
(17,146
)
Proceeds from investment securities sold 1
 
5,649

8,678

14,327

 
17,260


17,260

Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities
 
$
(89
)
$
42

$
(47
)
 
$
114

$

$
114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gain on sale of investment securities
 
$
6

$
48

$
54

 
$
122

$

$
122

Gross loss on sale of investment securities
 
(95
)
(6
)
(101
)
 
(8
)

(8
)
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities
 
$
(89
)
$
42

$
(47
)
 
$
114

$

$
114

  ________________________
1.
Proceeds include cash received during the period, plus receivable for investment securities sold during the period as of period end.
2.
See Note 10 for a summary of changes in accumulated OCI.  
Securitizations and Variable Interest Entities
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we held investments in CMO trusts, which are variable interest entities ("VIEs"). We have consolidated certain of these CMO trusts in our consolidated financial statements where we have determined we are the primary beneficiary of the trusts. All of our CMO securities are backed by fixed or adjustable-rate Agency RMBS. Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac guarantees the payment of interest and principal and acts as the trustee and administrator of their respective securitization trusts. Accordingly, we are not required to provide the beneficial interest holders of the CMO securities any financial or other support. Our maximum exposure to loss related to our involvement with CMO trusts is the fair value of the CMO securities and interest and principal-only securities held by us, less principal amounts guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
In connection with our consolidated CMO trusts, we recognized Agency securities with a total fair value and approximate unpaid principal balance of $0.7 billion as of September 30, 2017 and $0.8 billion as of December 31, 2016 and debt with a total fair value and approximate unpaid principal balance of $0.4 billion as of September 30, 2017 and $0.5 billion as of December 31, 2016 in our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. We re-measure our consolidated debt at fair value through earnings in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Our involvement with the consolidated trusts is limited to the Agency securities transferred by us upon the formation of the trusts and the CMO securities subsequently held by us. There are no arrangements that could require us to provide financial support to the trusts.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the fair value of our CMO securities and interest and principal-only securities was $0.9 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively, excluding the consolidated CMO trusts discussed above, or $1.2 billion and $1.5 billion, respectively, including the net asset value of our consolidated CMO trusts. Our maximum exposure to loss related to our CMO securities and interest and principal-only securities, including our consolidated CMO trusts, was $149 million and $182 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.


14



Note 5. Repurchase Agreements and Other Secured Borrowings
We pledge certain of our securities as collateral under our borrowing agreements with financial institutions. Interest rates on our borrowings are generally based on LIBOR plus or minus a margin and amounts available to be borrowed are dependent upon the fair value of the securities pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates, type of security and liquidity conditions within the banking, mortgage finance and real estate industries. If the fair value of our pledged securities declines, lenders will typically require us to post additional collateral or pay down borrowings to re-establish agreed upon collateral requirements, referred to as "margin calls." Similarly, if the fair value of our pledged securities increases, lenders may release collateral back to us. As of September 30, 2017, we had met all margin call requirements. For additional information regarding our pledged assets, please refer to Note 7.
Repurchase Agreements
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had $45.5 billion and $37.9 billion, respectively, of repurchase agreements outstanding. The terms and conditions of our repurchase agreements are typically negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. Our repurchase agreements with original maturities greater than 90 days have floating interest rates based on an index plus or minus a fixed spread. Substantially all of our repurchase agreements were used to fund purchases of Agency securities ("Agency repo"). The remainder of our repurchase agreements were used to fund temporary holdings of U.S. Treasury securities ("U.S. Treasury repo").
The following table summarizes our borrowings under repurchase agreements by their remaining maturities as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (dollars in millions):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Remaining Maturity
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
 
Weighted
Average Days
to Maturity
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
Weighted
Average
Interest
Rate
 
Weighted
Average Days
to Maturity
Agency repo:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
≤ 1 month
 
$
21,943

 
1.31
%
 
13

 
$
17,481

 
0.90
 %
 
11

> 1 to ≤ 3 months
 
12,443

 
1.27
%
 
59

 
10,011

 
0.93
 %
 
55

> 3 to ≤ 6 months
 
4,640

 
1.34
%
 
137

 
2,030

 
1.02
 %
 
136

> 6 to ≤ 9 months
 
791

 
1.60
%
 
211

 
1,270

 
0.98
 %
 
214

> 9 to ≤ 12 months
 
1,111

 
1.53
%
 
319

 
1,566

 
1.08
 %
 
299

> 12 to ≤ 24 months
 
1,552

 
1.69
%
 
522

 
1,203

 
1.28
 %
 
538

> 24 to ≤ 36 months
 
2,100

 
1.75
%
 
851

 
1,300

 
1.36
 %
 
865

> 36 to ≤ 48 months
 
925

 
1.77
%
 
1,194

 
2,200

 
1.32
 %
 
1,168

> 48 to < 60 months
 

 

 

 
625

 
1.38
 %
 
1,506

Total Agency repo
 
45,505

 
1.36
%
 
129

 
37,686

 
0.98
 %
 
187

U.S. Treasury repo:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
> 1 day to ≤ 1 month
 

 

 

 
172

 
(0.30
)%
 
17

Total
 
$
45,505

 
1.36
%
 
129

 
$
37,858

 
0.98
 %
 
186

As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, $1.6 billion and $150 million, respectively, of our Agency repurchase agreements matured overnight and none of our repurchase agreements were due on demand.
Federal Home Loan Bank Advances
As of December 31, 2016, we had $3.0 billion of outstanding secured Federal Home Loan Bank ("FHLB") advances, with a weighted average borrowing rate of 0.73%. Our FHLB advances matured in February 2017, coinciding with the termination of our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary's FHLB membership in February 2017 pursuant to the Federal Housing Finance Agency's ("FHFA") final rule on FHLB membership released in January 2016. As a result, we had no outstanding secured FHLB advances as of September 30, 2017.

15



Debt of Consolidated Variable Interest Entities
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, debt of consolidated VIEs, at fair value, was $380 million and $460 million, respectively, and had a weighted average interest rate of LIBOR plus 41 and 36 basis points, respectively, and a principal balance of $372 million and $452 million, respectively. The actual maturities of our debt of consolidated VIEs are generally shorter than the stated contractual maturities. The actual maturities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying Agency RMBS securitizing the debt of our consolidated VIEs and periodic principal prepayments of such underlying securities. The estimated weighted average life of the debt of our consolidated VIEs as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 was 5.5 years and 5.8 years, respectively.

Note 6. Derivative and Other Hedging Instruments
We hedge a portion of our interest rate risk by entering into interest rate swaps, interest rate swaptions and U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts, primarily through short sales. We may also utilize TBA securities, options and other types of derivative instruments to hedge a portion of our risk. For additional information regarding our derivative instruments and our overall risk management strategy, please refer to the discussion of derivative and other hedging instruments in Note 3.
Derivative and Other Hedging Instrument Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value
The table below summarizes fair value information about our derivative and other hedging instrument assets/(liabilities) as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in millions):
Derivative and Other Hedging Instruments
 
Balance Sheet Location
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Interest rate swaps
 
Derivative assets, at fair value
 
$
67

 
$
321

Swaptions
 
Derivative assets, at fair value
 
64

 
22

TBA securities
 
Derivative assets, at fair value
 
23

 
4

U.S. Treasury futures - short
 
Derivative assets, at fair value
 
29

 
8

Total derivative assets, at fair value
 
 
 
$
183

 
$
355

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
Derivative liabilities, at fair value
 
$
(15
)
 
$
(105
)
TBA securities
 
Derivative liabilities, at fair value
 
(47
)
 
(151
)
Total derivative liabilities, at fair value
 
 
 
$
(62
)
 
$
(256
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury securities - long
 
U.S. Treasury securities, at fair value
 
$

 
$
182

U.S. Treasury securities - short
 
Obligation to return securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements, at fair value
 
(9,119
)
 
(7,636
)
Total U.S. Treasury securities, net at fair value
 
 
 
$
(9,119
)
 
$
(7,454
)

The following tables summarize certain characteristics of our derivative and other hedging instruments outstanding as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (dollars in millions):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Payer Interest Rate Swaps
 
Notional
Amount
1
 
Average
Fixed Pay 
Rate 2
 
Average
Receive
Rate
 
Average
Maturity
(Years)
 
Notional
Amount
1
 
Average
Fixed Pay 
Rate 2
 
Average
Receive
Rate
 
Average
Maturity
(Years)
≤ 3 years
 
$
19,975

 
1.27%
 
1.31%
 
1.4
 
$
19,775

 
1.16%
 
0.92%
 
1.5
> 3 to ≤ 5 years
 
7,975

 
1.78%
 
1.31%
 
4.1
 
7,450

 
1.62%
 
0.91%
 
4.0
> 5 to ≤ 7 years
 
3,500

 
1.92%
 
1.31%
 
5.7
 
4,725

 
1.89%
 
0.91%
 
5.9
> 7 to ≤ 10 years
 
7,225

 
2.08%
 
1.31%
 
8.8
 
3,325

 
1.90%
 
0.91%
 
9.2
> 10 years
 
3,475

 
2.47%
 
1.31%
 
13.1
 
1,900

 
2.64%
 
0.91%
 
13.8
Total
 
$
42,150

 
1.66%
 
1.31%
 
4.5
 
$
37,175

 
1.48%
 
0.92%
 
3.9
   ________________________
1.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, notional amount includes forward starting swaps of $3.4 billion and $0.6 billion, respectively, with an average forward start date of 0.4 and 1.2 years, respectively, and an average maturity of 7.1 and 10.7 years, respectively.
2.
Average fixed pay rate includes forward starting swaps. Excluding forward starting swaps, the average fixed pay rate was 1.61% and 1.46% as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.

16



Payer Swaptions
 
Option
 
Underlying Payer Swap
Years to Expiration
 
Cost
 
Fair
Value
 
Average
Months to
Expiration
 
Notional
Amount
 
Average Fixed Pay
Rate
 
Average
Receive
Rate
(LIBOR)
 
Average
Term
(Years)
September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
≤ 1 year
 
$
105

 
$
34

 
5
 
$
3,850

 
2.80%
 
3M
 
9.3
> 1 year ≤ 2 years
 
13

 
10

 
21
 
450

 
2.72%
 
3M
 
10.0
> 2 year ≤ 3 years
 
23

 
20

 
32
 
650

 
2.80%
 
3M
 
10.0
Total
 
$
141

 
$
64

 
10
 
$
4,950

 
2.79%
 
3M
 
9.4
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total ≤ 1 year
 
$
52

 
$
22

 
6
 
$
1,200

 
3.06%
 
3M
 
8.3
U.S. Treasury Securities
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Maturity
 
Face Amount Net Long / (Short)
 
Cost Basis
 
Net
Fair Value
 
Face Amount Net Long / (Short)
 
Cost Basis
 
Net
Fair Value
5 years
 
$
(230
)
 
$
(229
)
 
$
(228
)
 
$
(400
)
 
$
(404
)
 
$
(392
)
7 years
 
(5,344
)
 
(5,320
)
 
(5,302
)
 
(3,056
)
 
(3,041
)
 
(2,930
)
10 years
 
(3,680
)
 
(3,638
)
 
(3,589
)
 
(4,416
)
 
(4,236
)
 
(4,132
)
Total U.S. Treasury securities, net
 
$
(9,254
)
 
$
(9,187
)
 
$
(9,119
)
 
$
(7,872
)
 
$
(7,681
)
 
$
(7,454
)
 U.S. Treasury Futures
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Maturity
 
Notional 
Amount - Long (Short) 1
 
Cost
Basis 2
 
Market
Value 3
 
Net Carrying Value 4
 
Notional 
Amount - Long (Short) 1
 
Cost
Basis 2
 
Market
Value 3
 
Net Carrying Value 4
5 years
 
$
(730
)
 
$
(863
)
 
$
(858
)
 
$
5

 
$
(730
)
 
$
(862
)
 
$
(859
)
 
$
3

10 years
 
(2,180
)
 
(2,755
)
 
(2,731
)
 
24

 
(1,080
)
 
(1,347
)
 
(1,342
)
 
5

Total U.S. Treasury futures
 
$
(2,910
)
 
$
(3,618
)
 
$
(3,589
)
 
$
29

 
$
(1,810
)
 
$
(2,209
)
 
$
(2,201
)
 
$
8

_____________________
1.
Notional amount represents the par value (or principal balance) of the underlying U.S. Treasury security.
2.
Cost basis represents the forward price to be paid/(received) for the underlying U.S. Treasury security.
3.
Market value represents the current market value of the U.S. Treasury futures as of period-end.
4.
Net carrying value represents the difference between the fair value and the cost basis of the U.S. Treasury futures as of period-end and is reported in derivative assets/(liabilities), at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets.

17



 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
TBA Securities by Coupon
 
Notional 
Amount - Long (Short) 1
 
Cost
Basis 2
 
Market
Value 3
 
Net Carrying Value 4
 
Notional 
Amount - Long (Short) 1
 
Cost
Basis 2
 
Market
Value 3
 
Net Carrying Value 4
15-Year TBA securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.5%
 
$
1,508

 
$
1,520

 
$
1,515

 
$
(5
)
 
$
1,853

 
$
1,870

 
$
1,856

 
$
(14
)
3.0%
 
2,930

 
3,016

 
3,010

 
(6
)
 
292

 
302

 
300

 
(2
)
3.5%
 
20

 
20

 
21

 
1

 
15

 
16

 
16

 

Total 15-Year TBA securities
 
4,458

 
4,556

 
4,546

 
(10
)
 
2,160

 
2,188

 
2,172

 
(16
)
30-Year TBA securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.0%
 
4,317

 
4,359

 
4,329

 
(30
)
 
3,027

 
3,114

 
3,007

 
(107
)
3.5%
 
4,511

 
4,630

 
4,646

 
16

 
1,209

 
1,251

 
1,236

 
(15
)
4.0%
 
5,362

 
5,641

 
5,642

 
1

 
4,530

 
4,769

 
4,760

 
(9
)
4.5%
 
230

 
247

 
246

 
(1
)
 
(10
)
 
(10
)
 
(10
)
 

Total 30-Year TBA securities, net
 
14,420

 
14,877

 
14,863

 
(14
)
 
8,756

 
9,124

 
8,993

 
(131
)
Total TBA securities, net
 
$
18,878

 
$
19,433

 
$
19,409

 
$
(24
)
 
$
10,916

 
$
11,312

 
$
11,165

 
$
(147
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
TBA Securities by Issuer
 
Notional 
Amount - Long (Short) 1
 
Cost
Basis 2
 
Market
Value 3
 
Net Carrying Value 4
 
Notional 
Amount - Long (Short) 1
 
Cost
Basis 2
 
Market
Value 3
 
Net Carrying Value 4
Fannie Mae
 
$
17,170

 
$
17,684

 
$
17,661

 
$
(23
)
 
$
9,881

 
$
10,251

 
$
10,118

 
$
(133
)
Freddie Mac
 
1,708

 
1,749

 
1,748

 
(1
)
 
1,035

 
1,060

 
1,047

 
(13
)
Ginnie Mae
 

 

 

 

 

 
1

 

 
(1
)
Total TBA securities, net
 
$
18,878

 
$
19,433

 
$
19,409

 
$
(24
)
 
$
10,916

 
$
11,312

 
$
11,165

 
$
(147
)
_____________________
1.
Notional amount represents the par value (or principal balance) of the underlying Agency security.
2.
Cost basis represents the forward price to be paid/(received) for the underlying Agency security.
3.
Market value represents the current market value of the TBA contract (or of the underlying Agency security) as of period-end.
4.
Net carrying value represents the difference between the market value and the cost basis of the TBA contract as of period-end and is reported in derivative assets/(liabilities), at fair value in our consolidated balance sheets.

18



Gain (Loss) From Derivative Instruments and Other Securities, Net
The following table summarizes changes in our derivative and other hedge portfolio and their effect on our consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):

Derivative and Other Hedging Instruments
 
Beginning
Notional Amount
 
Additions
 
Settlement, Termination,
Expiration or
Exercise
 
Ending
Notional Amount
 
 
Gain/(Loss)
on Derivative Instruments and Other Securities, Net 1
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TBA securities, net
 
$
16,867

 
92,803

 
(90,792
)
 
$
18,878

 
 
$
158

Interest rate swaps
 
$
40,000

 
3,550

 
(1,400
)
 
$
42,150

 
 
15

Payer swaptions
 
$
4,950

 

 

 
$
4,950

 
 
(22
)
U.S. Treasury securities - short position
 
$
(7,358
)
 
(5,105
)
 
3,209

 
$
(9,254
)
 
 
(19
)
U.S. Treasury futures contracts - short position
 
$
(2,910
)
 
(2,910
)
 
2,910

 
$
(2,910
)
 
 
(1
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
131

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Three months ended September 30, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TBA securities, net
 
$
6,756

 
37,881

 
(29,756
)
 
$
14,881

 
 
$
67

Interest rate swaps
 
$
35,125

 
2,400

 
(3,375
)
 
$
34,150

 
 
153

Payer swaptions
 
$
1,050

 

 
(350
)
 
$
700

 
 
(1
)
U.S. Treasury securities - short position
 
$
(2,930
)
 
(2,696
)
 
270

 
$
(5,356
)
 
 
14

U.S. Treasury securities - long position
 
$
62

 
90

 
(107
)
 
$
45

 
 
1

U.S. Treasury futures contracts - short position
 
$
(1,960
)
 
(1,960
)
 
1,960

 
$
(1,960
)
 
 
15

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
249

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2017:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TBA securities, net
 
$
10,916

 
185,205

 
(177,243
)
 
$
18,878

 
 
$
360

Interest rate swaps
 
$
37,175

 
10,575

 
(5,600
)
 
$
42,150

 
 
(157
)
Payer swaptions
 
$
1,200

 
3,750

 

 
$
4,950

 
 
(46
)
U.S. Treasury securities - short position
 
$
(8,061
)
 
(11,595
)
 
10,402

 
$
(9,254
)
 
 
(207
)
U.S. Treasury securities - long position
 
$
189

 
304

 
(493
)
 
$

 
 
1

U.S. Treasury futures contracts - short position
 
$
(1,810
)
 
(8,430
)
 
7,330

 
$
(2,910
)
 
 
(29
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(78
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended September 30, 2016:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TBA securities, net
 
$
7,295

 
75,906

 
(68,320
)
 
$
14,881

 
 
$
391

Interest rate swaps
 
$
40,525

 
5,950

 
(12,325
)
 
$
34,150

 
 
(1,208
)
Payer swaptions
 
$
2,150

 

 
(1,450
)
 
$
700

 
 
(12
)
U.S. Treasury securities - short position
 
$
(1,714
)
 
(5,329
)
 
1,687

 
$
(5,356
)
 
 
(142
)
U.S. Treasury securities - long position
 
$
25

 
495

 
(475
)
 
$
45

 
 
7

U.S. Treasury futures contracts - short position
 
$
(1,860
)
 
(5,880
)
 
5,780

 
$
(1,960
)
 
 
(106
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
$
(1,070
)
______________________
1.
Amounts above exclude other miscellaneous gains and losses recognized in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income.

Note 7. Pledged Assets
Our funding agreements require us to fully collateralize our obligations under the agreements based upon our counterparties' collateral requirements and their determination of the fair value of the securities pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates, credit quality and liquidity conditions within the investment banking, mortgage finance and real estate

19



industries. Our derivative contracts similarly require us to fully collateralize our obligations under such agreements, which will vary over time based on similar factors as well as our counterparties' determination of the value of the derivative contract. We are typically required to post initial margin upon execution of derivative transactions, such as under our interest rate swap agreements and TBA contracts, and subsequently post or receive variation margin based on daily fluctuations in fair value. Our prime brokerage agreements, pursuant to which we receive custody and settlement services, and the clearing organizations utilized by our wholly-owned captive broker-dealer subsidiary, Bethesda Securities, LLC, also require that we post minimum daily clearing deposits. If we breach our collateral requirements, we will be required to fully settle our obligations under the agreements, which could include a forced liquidation of our pledged collateral.
Our counterparties also apply a "haircut" to our pledged collateral, which means our collateral is valued at slightly less than market value and limits the amount we can borrow against our securities. This haircut reflects the underlying risk of the specific collateral and protects our counterparty against a change in its value. Our agreements do not specify the haircut; rather haircuts are determined on an individual transaction basis. Consequently, our funding agreements and derivative contracts expose us to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized in the event that our counterparties fail to perform their obligations under such agreements. We minimize this risk by limiting our counterparties to major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings or to registered clearinghouses and U.S. government agencies, and we monitor our positions with individual counterparties. In the event of a default by a counterparty, we may have difficulty obtaining our assets pledged as collateral to such counterparty and may not receive payments provided for under the terms of our derivative agreements. In the case of centrally cleared instruments, we could be exposed to credit risk if the central clearing agency or a clearing member defaults on its respective obligation to perform under the contract. However, we believe that the risk is minimal due to the clearing exchanges' initial and daily mark to market margin requirements and clearinghouse guarantee funds and other resources that are available in the event of a clearing member default.
Our International Swaps and Derivatives Association ("ISDA") Master Agreements contain a cross default provision under which a default under certain of our other indebtedness in excess of certain thresholds causes an event of default under the ISDA Master Agreement. Threshold amounts vary by lender. Following an event of default, we could be required to settle our obligations under the agreements. Additionally, under certain of our ISDA Master Agreements, we could be required to settle our obligations under the agreements if we fail to maintain certain minimum stockholders' equity thresholds or our REIT status or if we fail to comply with limits on our leverage up to certain specified levels. As of September 30, 2017, the fair value of additional collateral that could be required to be posted as a result of the credit-risk-related contingent features being triggered was not material to our financial statements.
As of September 30, 2017, our amount at risk with any counterparty related to our repurchase agreements was less than 5% of our stockholders' equity. As of December 31, 2016, our maximum amount at risk with any counterparty related to our repurchase agreements was 5.5%, of our stockholders' equity and our maximum amount at risk with any counterparty related to our interest rate swap and swaption agreements, excluding centrally cleared swaps, was less than 1% of our stockholders' equity. The following table summarizes certain characteristics of our repurchase agreements outstanding with counterparties representing amounts at risk greater than or equal to 5% of our stockholders' equity as of December 31, 2016 (dollars in millions).
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Amount Outstanding
 
Net Counterparty Exposure 1
 
Percent of Stockholders' Equity
 
Weighted Average Months to Maturity
J.P. Morgan Securities, LLC
 
$
4,875

 
$
405

 
5.5
%
 
34

______________________
1.
Represents the net carrying value of securities pledged under repurchase agreements, including accrued interest plus any cash or assets on deposit to secure the repurchase obligation, less the amount of the repurchase liability, including accrued interest.


20



Assets Pledged to Counterparties
The following tables summarize our assets pledged as collateral under our funding, derivative and prime broker agreements by type, including securities pledged related to securities sold but not yet settled, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in millions):
 
 
September 30, 2017
Assets Pledged to Counterparties
 
Repurchase Agreements 1
 
Debt of Consolidated VIEs
 
Derivative Agreements
 
Prime Broker Agreements 2
 
Total
Agency RMBS - fair value
 
$
47,462

 
$
700

 
$
256

 
$
618

 
$
49,036

U.S. Treasury securities - fair value 3
 
102

 

 
71

 

 
173

Accrued interest on pledged securities
 
136

 
2

 
1

 
2

 
141

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
41

 

 
247

 
6

 
294

Total
 
$
47,741

 
$
702

 
$
575

 
$
626

 
$
49,644

 
 
December 31, 2016
Assets Pledged to Counterparties
 
Repurchase Agreements and FHLB Advances 1
 
Debt of Consolidated VIEs
 
Derivative Agreements
 
Prime Broker Agreements 2
 
Total
Agency RMBS - fair value
 
$
43,005

 
$
818

 
$
275

 
$
865

 
$
44,963

Non-Agency RMBS - fair value
 
90

 

 

 

 
90

U.S. Treasury securities - fair value
 
173

 

 

 

 
173

Accrued interest on pledged securities
 
122

 
3

 
1

 
2

 
128

Restricted cash and cash equivalents
 
60

 

 
14
 

 
74

Total
 
$
43,450

 
$
821

 
$
290

 
$
867

 
$
45,428

______________________
1.
Includes $190 million and $181 million of retained interests in our consolidated VIEs pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
2.
Includes margin for TBAs cleared through prime broker and other clearing deposits.
3.
Includes securities received as collateral from counterparties that were repledged as collateral to counterparties.
As of December 31, 2016, we held $126 million of membership and activity-based stock in the FHLB of Des Moines, which was redeemed in February 2017 with the termination of our captive insurance subsidiary's FHLB membership such that we held no such stock as of September 30, 2017. FHLB stock is reported at cost, which equals par value, in other assets on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
The cash and cash equivalents and Agency securities pledged as collateral under our derivative agreements are included in restricted cash and cash equivalents and Agency securities, at fair value, respectively, on our consolidated balance sheets.
The following table summarizes our securities pledged as collateral under our repurchase agreements and FHLB advances by the remaining maturity of our borrowings, including securities pledged related to sold but not yet settled securities, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in millions). For the corresponding borrowings associated with the following amounts and the interest rates thereon, refer to Note 5.

21



 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Securities Pledged by Remaining Maturity of Repurchase Agreements and FHLB Advances
 
Fair Value of Pledged Securities
 
Amortized
Cost of Pledged Securities
 
Accrued
Interest on
Pledged
Securities
 
Fair Value of Pledged Securities
 
Amortized
Cost of Pledged Securities
 
Accrued
Interest on
Pledged
Securities
RMBS:1,2
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  ≤ 30 days
 
$
22,638

 
$
22,674

 
$
65

 
$
19,681

 
$
19,863

 
$
56

  > 30 and ≤ 60 days
 
6,013

 
6,040

 
17

 
8,103

 
8,158

 
23

  > 60 and ≤ 90 days
 
7,038

 
7,047

 
20

 
4,034

 
4,070

 
11

  > 90 days
 
11,773

 
11,816

 
34

 
11,278

 
11,380

 
32

Total RMBS
 
47,462

 
47,577

 
136

 
43,096

 
43,471

 
122

U.S. Treasury securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
  > 1 day ≤ 30 days
 

 

 

 
173

 
173

 

Total
 
$
47,462

 
$
47,577

 
$
136

 
$
43,269

 
$
43,644

 
$
122

______________________
1.
Includes $190 million and $181 million of retained interests in our consolidated VIEs pledged as collateral under repurchase agreements as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
2.
September 30, 2017 amounts exclude $102 million of U.S. Treasury securities received as collateral from counterparties that were repledged as collateral to counterparties under repurchase agreements.
The table above excludes Agency securities transferred to our consolidated VIEs. Securities transferred to our consolidated VIEs can only be used to settle the obligations of each respective VIE. However, we may pledge our retained interests in our consolidated VIEs as collateral under our repurchase agreements and derivative contracts. Please refer to Notes 4 and 5 for additional information regarding our consolidated VIEs.
Assets Pledged from Counterparties
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we had assets pledged to us from counterparties as collateral under our reverse repurchase, repurchase and derivative agreements summarized in the tables below (in millions).
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Assets Pledged to AGNC
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements 1
 
Derivative Agreements
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
Total
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
 
Derivative Agreements
 
Repurchase Agreements
 
Total
Agency RMBS - fair value
 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$

 
$
14

 
$
14

U.S. Treasury securities - fair value
 
9,128

 

 

 
9,128

 
7,636

 

 

 
7,636

Cash
 

 
39

 

 
39

 

 
107

 

 
107

Total
 
$
9,128

 
$
39

 
$

 
$
9,167

 
$
7,636

 
$
107

 
$
14

 
$
7,757

U.S Treasury securities received as collateral under our reverse repurchase agreements that we use to cover short sales of U.S. Treasury securities are accounted for as securities borrowing transactions. We recognize a corresponding obligation to return the borrowed securities at fair value on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets based on the value of the underlying borrowed securities as of the reporting date.
Cash collateral received is recognized in cash and cash equivalents with a corresponding amount recognized in accounts payable and other accrued liabilities on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
Certain of our repurchase agreements and derivative transactions are governed by underlying agreements that generally provide for a right of setoff under master netting arrangements (or similar agreements), including in the event of default or in the event of bankruptcy of either party to the transactions. We present our assets and liabilities subject to such arrangements on a gross basis in our consolidated balance sheets. The following tables present information about our assets and liabilities that are subject to master netting arrangements and can potentially be offset on our consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in millions):

22



 
 
Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Assets
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Assets
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amounts of Assets Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset
 in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amount
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Instruments
 
Collateral Received 2
 
September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap and swaption agreements, at fair value 1
 
$
131

 
$

 
$
131

 
$
(11
)
 
$
(39
)
 
$
81

TBA securities, at fair value
 
23

 

 
23

 
(23
)
 

 

Receivable under reverse repurchase agreements
 
9,226

 

 
9,226

 
(8,403
)
 
(823
)
 

Total
 
$
9,380

 
$

 
$
9,380

 
$
(8,437
)
 
$
(862
)
 
$
81

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap and swaption agreements, at fair value 1
 
$
342

 
$

 
$
342

 
$
(80
)
 
$
(49
)
 
$
213

TBA securities, at fair value
 
4

 

 
4

 
(4
)
 

 

Receivable under reverse repurchase agreements
 
7,716

 

 
7,716

 
(6,963
)
 
(753
)
 

Total
 
$
8,062

 
$

 
$
8,062

 
$
(7,047
)
 
$
(802
)
 
$
213


 
 
Offsetting of Financial and Derivative Liabilities
 
 
Gross Amounts of Recognized Liabilities
 
Gross Amounts Offset in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Gross Amounts Not Offset
 in the
Consolidated Balance Sheets
 
Net Amount
 
 
 
 
 
Financial Instruments
 
Collateral Pledged 2
 
September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements, at fair value 1
 
$
15

 
$

 
$
15

 
$
(11
)
 
$
(4
)
 
$

TBA securities, at fair value
 
47

 

 
47

 
(23
)
 
(24
)
 

Repurchase agreements
 
45,505

 

 
45,505

 
(8,403
)
 
(37,102
)
 

Total
 
$
45,567

 
$

 
$
45,567

 
$
(8,437
)
 
$
(37,130
)
 
$

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swap agreements, at fair value 1
 
$
105

 
$

 
$
105

 
$
(80
)
 
$
(25
)
 
$

TBA securities, at fair value
 
151

 

 
151

 
(4
)
 
(147
)
 

Repurchase agreements and FHLB advances
 
40,895

 

 
40,895

 
(6,963
)
 
(33,932
)
 

Total
 
$
41,151

 
$

 
$
41,151

 
$
(7,047
)
 
$
(34,104
)
 
$

_______________________
1.
Reported under derivative assets / liabilities, at fair value in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Refer to Note 6 for a reconciliation of derivative assets / liabilities, at fair value to their sub-components.
2.
Includes cash and securities pledged / received as collateral, at fair value. Amounts presented are limited to collateral pledged sufficient to reduce the net amount to zero for individual counterparties, as applicable.


23



Note 8. Fair Value Measurements
We determine the fair value of our investment securities and debt of consolidated VIEs based upon fair value estimates obtained from multiple third party pricing services and dealers.  In determining fair value, third party pricing sources use various valuation approaches, including market and income approaches.  Factors used by third party sources in estimating the fair value of an instrument may include observable inputs such as coupons, primary and secondary mortgage rates, pricing information, credit data, volatility statistics, and other market data that are current as of the measurement date. The availability of observable inputs can vary by instrument and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including the type of instrument, whether the instrument is new and not yet established in the marketplace and other characteristics particular to the instrument.  Third party pricing sources may also use certain unobservable inputs, such as assumptions of future levels of prepayment, defaults and foreclosures, especially when estimating fair values for securities with lower levels of recent trading activity. We make inquiries of third party pricing sources to understand the significant inputs and assumptions they used to determine their prices. For information regarding valuation of our derivative instruments, please refer to the discussion of derivative and other hedging instruments in Note 3
We review third party fair value estimates and perform procedures to validate their reasonableness, including an analysis of the range of estimates for each position, comparison to recent trade activity for similar securities, and for consistency with market conditions observed as of the measurement date. While we do not adjust prices we obtain from third party pricing sources, we will exclude third party prices for securities from our estimation of fair value if we determine (based on our validation procedures and our market knowledge and expertise) that the price is significantly different from what observable market data would indicate and we cannot obtain an understanding from the third party source as to the significant inputs used to determine the price.  
The validation procedures described above also influence our determination of the appropriate fair value measurement classification.  We utilize a three-level valuation hierarchy for disclosure of fair value measurement. The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date. A financial instrument's categorization within the hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. There were no transfers between valuation hierarchy levels during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017. The three levels of valuation hierarchy are defined as follows:
Level 1 Inputs —Quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical unrestricted assets and liabilities in active markets that are accessible at the measurement date.
Level 2 Inputs —Quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.
Level 3 Inputs —Instruments with primarily unobservable market data that cannot be corroborated.

24



The following table provides a summary of our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in millions):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency securities
 
$

 
$
51,638

 
$

 
$

 
$
45,393

 
$

Agency securities transferred to consolidated VIEs
 

 
700

 

 

 
818

 

Credit risk transfer securities
 

 
717

 

 

 
164

 

Non-Agency securities
 

 
36

 

 

 
124

 

U.S. Treasury securities
 

 

 

 
182

 

 

REIT equity securities
 
4

 

 

 

 

 

Interest rate swaps
 

 
67

 

 

 
321

 

Swaptions
 

 
64

 

 

 
22

 

TBA securities
 

 
23

 

 

 
4

 

U.S. Treasury futures
 
29

 

 

 
8

 

 

Total
 
$
33

 
$
53,245

 
$

 
$
190

 
$
46,846

 
$

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Debt of consolidated VIEs
 
$

 
$
380

 
$

 
$

 
$
460

 
$

Obligation to return U.S. Treasury securities borrowed under reverse repurchase agreements
 
9,119

 

 

 
7,636

 

 

Interest rate swaps
 

 
15

 

 

 
105

 

TBA securities
 

 
47

 

 

 
151

 

Total
 
$
9,119


$
442


$

 
$
7,636

 
$
716

 
$

We elected the option to account for debt of consolidated VIEs at fair value with changes in fair value reflected in earnings during the period in which they occur, because we believe this election more appropriately reflects our financial position as both the consolidated Agency securities and consolidated debt are presented in a consistent manner, at fair value, on our consolidated balance sheets. We estimate the fair value of the consolidated debt based on the difference between the fair value of the RMBS transferred to consolidated VIEs and the fair value of our retained interests, each of which is based on valuations obtained from third-party pricing services and non-binding dealer quotes derived from common market pricing methods using "Level 2" inputs, and are more observable than using inputs to estimate the fair value of the consolidated debt on a stand-alone basis.
Excluded from the table above are financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash and cash equivalents, receivables, payables and borrowings under repurchase agreements and FHLB advances, which are presented in our consolidated financial statements at cost. The cost basis of these instruments is determined to approximate fair value due to their short duration or, in the case of longer-term repo, due to floating rates of interest based on an index plus or minus a fixed spread which is consistent with fixed spreads demanded in the market. We estimate the fair value of these instruments using "Level 1" or "Level 2" inputs.

Note 9. Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share

Basic net income (loss) per common share includes no dilution and is computed by dividing net income or (loss) applicable to common stock by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the respective period. Diluted earnings per common share includes the impact of dilutive potential common shares outstanding during the period using the treasury stock method. Dilutive potential common shares outstanding include unvested restricted stock units and performance share units granted under our long-term incentive program to employees and non-employee Board of Directors. The following table presents the computations of basic and diluted income (loss) per common share for the periods indicated (shares and dollars in millions):

25



 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
 
364.7

 
331.0

 
347.5

 
332.1

Unvested restricted stock units and performance share units
 
0.2

 

 
0.1

 

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
 
364.9

 
331.0
 
347.6

 
332.1
Net income (loss) available (attributable) to common stockholders
 
$
271

 
$
504

 
$
357

 
$
(417
)
Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.74

 
$
1.52

 
$
1.03

 
$
(1.26
)

Note 10. Stockholders' Equity  
Preferred Stock
Pursuant to our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, we are authorized to designate and issue up to 10.0 million shares of preferred stock in one or more classes or series. As of September 30, 2017, 6.9 million shares were designated as 8.000% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series A Preferred Stock"), 8,050 shares were designated as 7.750% Series B Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series B Preferred Stock") and 13,800 shares were designated as 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock ("Series C Preferred Stock"). The Series B Preferred Stock is represented by Series B depositary shares of 1/1000 interest in a share of Series B Preferred Stock, and the Series C Preferred Stock is represented by Series C depositary shares of 1/1000 interest in a share of Series C Preferred Stock. As of December 31, 2016, we had 6.9 million shares of Series A Preferred Stock and 7,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock (representing 7.0 million depositary shares) outstanding. In August 2017, we issued 13,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock in a public offering of 13.0 million Series C depositary shares at a price of $25 per depositary share for net proceeds of $315 million, after deducting underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses. In September 2017, we redeemed all of our issued and outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock for $173 million (or $25 per share liquidation preference), plus accrued and unpaid dividends, and, in October of 2017, we filed a Certificate of Elimination of our Series A Preferred Stock with the Secretary of State of the State of Delaware, which eliminated the designation of Series A Preferred Stock from our amended and restated certificate of incorporation. As of September 30, 2017, we had 7,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock (represented by 7.0 million Series B depositary shares) and 13,000 shares of Series C Preferred Stock (represented by 13.0 million Series C depositary shares) outstanding and 9,980,000 of authorized but unissued shares of preferred stock.
Prior to the September 2017 redemption, holders of Series A Preferred Stock were entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 8.000% per annum of their $25.00 per share liquidation preference. Holders of depository shares underlying our Series B Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 7.750% per annum of their $25.00 per depositary share liquidation preference. Holders of depositary shares underlying our Series C Preferred Stock are entitled to receive cumulative cash dividends at a rate of 7.00% per annum up to, and including, October 14, 2022 and thereafter at a floating rate equal to three-month LIBOR plus a spread of 5.111% per annum of their $25.00 per depositary share liquidation preference. Dividends are payable quarterly in arrears on the 15th day of each January, April, July and October. As of September 30, 2017, we had declared all required quarterly dividends on our preferred stock.
Our preferred stock ranks senior to our common stock with respect to the payment of dividends and the distribution of assets upon a voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company. Our preferred stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and ranks on parity with each other. Under certain circumstances upon a change of control, our preferred stock is convertible to shares of our common stock. Holders of our preferred stock and depository shares underlying our preferred stock have no voting rights, except under limited conditions. Beginning on May 8, 2019 and October 15, 2022, depository shares underlying our Series B and C Preferred Stock, respectively, will be redeemable at $25.00 per depositary share, plus accumulated and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) exclusively at our option. We may redeem shares of our preferred stock prior to our optional redemption date under certain circumstances intended to preserve our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.
Common Stock Offerings
In September 2017, we completed a public offering in which 28.2 million shares of our common stock were sold to the underwriters for proceeds of $577 million, or $20.47 per common share, net of estimated offering costs. In May 2017, we completed a public offering in which 24.5 million shares of our common stock were sold to the underwriters for proceeds of $503 million, or $20.51 per common share, net of offering costs.

26



At-the-Market Offering Program
In February 2017, we entered into agreements with sales agents to publicly offer and sell shares of our common stock in privately negotiated and/or at-the-market transactions from time-to-time up to an aggregate amount of $750 million of shares of our common stock. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we sold 7.6 million shares of our common stock under the sales agreements for proceeds of $159 million, or $20.96 per common share, net of estimated offering costs. As of September 30, 2017, $589 million of shares of our common stock remain available for issuance under this program.
Common Stock Repurchase Program
In October 2012, our Board of Directors adopted a program that provided for stock repurchases, which, as amended, authorized repurchases of our common stock up to $2 billion through December 31, 2016. In October 2016, our Board of Directors terminated the existing stock repurchase program and replaced it with a new stock repurchase authorization. Under the new stock repurchase program we are authorized to repurchase up to $1 billion of our outstanding shares of common stock through December 31, 2017.
During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we repurchased 6.5 million shares of our common stock at an average repurchase price of $17.89, including expenses, totaling $116 million. We did not repurchase shares of our common stock during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. As of September 30, 2017, the total remaining amount authorized for repurchases of our common stock was $1 billion.
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
The following table summarizes changes to accumulated OCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
 
Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Available-for-Sale MBS
 
Net Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Swaps
 
Total Accumulated
OCI
Balance
Balance as of June 30, 2017
 
$
(211
)
 
$

 
$
(211
)
OCI before reclassifications
 
70

 

 
70

Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI
 
1

 

 
1

Balance as of September 30, 2017
 
$
(140
)
 
$

 
$
(140
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of June 30, 2016
 
$
1,108

 
$
(8
)
 
$
1,100

OCI before reclassifications
 
(36
)
 

 
(36
)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI
 
(61
)
 
7

 
(54
)
Balance as of September 30, 2016
 
$
1,011

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,010

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2016
 
$
(397
)
 
$

 
$
(397
)
OCI before reclassifications
 
168

 

 
168

Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI
 
89

 

 
89

Balance as of September 30, 2017
 
$
(140
)
 
$

 
$
(140
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance as of December 31, 2015
 
$
(27
)
 
$
(39
)
 
$
(66
)
OCI before reclassifications
 
1,152

 

 
1,152

Amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI
 
(114
)
 
38

 
(76
)
Balance as of September 30, 2016
 
$
1,011

 
$
(1
)
 
$
1,010


27



The following table summarizes reclassifications out of accumulated OCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Line Item in the Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income
Where Net Income is Presented
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated OCI
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Gain) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI for available-for-sale MBS upon realization
 
$
1

 
$
(61
)
 
Realized gain (loss) on sale of investment securities, net
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps previously designated as hedges under GAAP, net
 

 
7

 
Interest expense
     Total reclassifications
 
$
1

 
$
(54
)
 
 
 
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
Line Item in the Consolidated
Statements of Comprehensive Income
Where Net Income is Presented
Amounts Reclassified from Accumulated OCI
 
2017
 
2016
 
(Gain) loss amounts reclassified from accumulated OCI for available-for-sale MBS upon realization
 
$
89

 
$
(114
)
 
Realized gain (loss) on sale of investment securities, net
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps previously designated as hedges under GAAP, net
 

 
38

 
Interest expense
     Total reclassifications
 
$
89

 
$
(76
)
 
 

Note 11. Subsequent Events
On October 12, 2017, our Board of Directors declared a monthly dividend of $0.18 per common share, payable on November 9, 2017 to common stockholders of record as of October 31, 2017.


28



Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations ("MD&A") is designed to provide a reader of AGNC Investment Corp.'s consolidated financial statements with a narrative from the perspective of management, and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for quarterly period ended September 30, 2017. Our MD&A is presented in six sections:
Executive Overview
Financial Condition
Results of Operations
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Forward-Looking Statements
EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW
AGNC Investment Corp. ("AGNC," the "Company," "we," "us" and "our") is an internally managed Real Estate Investment Trust ("REIT") that was organized on January 7, 2008 and commenced operations on May 20, 2008 following the completion of our initial public offering. Our common stock is traded on The NASDAQ Global Select Market ("NASDAQ") under the symbol "AGNC."
We operate so as to qualify to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code"). As such, we are required to distribute annually 90% of our taxable income. As long as we qualify as a REIT, we will generally not be subject to U.S. federal or state corporate taxes on our taxable income to the extent that we distribute all of our taxable income to our stockholders in a timely manner. It is our intention to distribute 100% of our taxable income, after application of available tax attributes, within the limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code, which may extend into the subsequent tax year.
We earn income primarily from investing in Agency residential mortgage-backed securities ("Agency RMBS") on a leveraged basis. These investments consist of residential mortgage pass-through securities and collateralized mortgage obligations ("CMOs") for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a government-sponsored enterprise, such as the Federal National Mortgage Association ("Fannie Mae") and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation ("Freddie Mac"), or by a U.S. Government agency, such as the Government National Mortgage Association ("Ginnie Mae") (collectively referred to as "GSEs"). We may also invest in other types of mortgage and mortgage-related securities, such as credit risk transfer ("CRT") securities and non-Agency residential and commercial mortgage-backed securities ("non-Agency RMBS" and "CMBS," respectively), where repayment of principal and interest is not guaranteed by a GSE or U.S. Government agency.
Our principal objective is to provide our stockholders with attractive risk-adjusted returns through a combination of monthly dividends and net book value (also referred to as "net asset value" or "NAV") accretion. We generate income from the interest earned on our investment assets, net of associated borrowing and hedging activities, and net realized gains and losses on our investments and hedging activities. We fund our investments primarily through borrowings structured as repurchase agreements ("repo").
Prior to July 1, 2016, we were externally managed by AGNC Management, LLC (our "Manager"). On July 1, 2016, we completed the acquisition of all of the outstanding membership interests of AGNC Mortgage Management, LLC ("AMM"), the parent company of our Manager, from American Capital Asset Management, LLC, a wholly owned portfolio company of American Capital, Ltd. ("ACAS"). AMM is also the parent company of MTGE Management, LLC, the external manager of MTGE Investment Corp. ("MTGE") (NASDAQ: MTGE). Following the closing of the acquisition of AMM, we became internally managed and are no longer affiliated with ACAS.

Our Investment Strategy
Our investment strategy is designed to:
generate attractive risk-adjusted returns for our stockholders comprised of monthly dividend distributions and NAV accretion;
manage an investment portfolio consisting primarily of Agency securities;
invest a subset of the portfolio in mortgage credit risk oriented assets;
capitalize on discrepancies in the relative valuations in the Agency and non-Agency securities market;
manage financing, interest rate, prepayment, extension and credit risks;

29



continue to qualify as a REIT; and
remain exempt from the requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "Investment Company Act").
The size and composition of our investment portfolio depends on investment strategies we implement, the availability of investment capital and overall market conditions, including the availability of attractively priced investments and suitable financing to appropriately leverage our investment portfolio. Market conditions are influenced by, among other things, current levels and expectations for future levels of interest rates, mortgage prepayments, market liquidity, housing prices, unemployment rates, general economic conditions, government participation in the mortgage market and evolving regulations that impact mortgage related activities.
Our Risk Management Strategy
We use a variety of strategies to reduce our exposure to market risks, including interest rate, prepayment, extension, liquidity and credit risks. Our investment strategies incorporate our assessment of these risks, the cost of the hedging transactions and our intention to qualify as a REIT. Our hedging strategies are generally not designed to protect our net asset value from "spread risk" (also referred to as "basis risk"), which is the risk that the yield differential between our investments and our hedges fluctuates. In addition, while we use interest rate swaps and other supplemental hedges to attempt to protect our net asset value against moves in interest rates, we may not hedge certain interest rate, prepayment, extension or other market risks if we believe that bearing such risks enhances our return profile, or if the hedging transaction would negatively impact our REIT status.
The risk management actions we take may lower our earnings and dividends in the short term to further our objective of maintaining attractive levels of earnings and dividends over the long term. In addition, some of our hedges are intended to provide protection against larger rate moves and as a result may be relatively ineffective for smaller changes in interest rates. There can also be no certainty that our projections of our exposures to interest rates, prepayment, extension or other risks will be accurate or that our hedging activities will be effective and, therefore, actual results could differ materially. Furthermore, since our hedging strategies are generally not designed to protect our net book value from spread risk, wider spreads between the market yield on our investment securities and benchmark interests underlying our interest rate hedges will typically cause our net book value to decline and can occur independent of changes in benchmark interest rates. For further discussion of our market risks and risk management strategy, please refer to "Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk" under Item 3 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Trends and Recent Market Impacts
The fixed income markets were relatively stable throughout the first three quarters of 2017 as interest rate volatility remained extremely low. In this environment, investors continued to favor higher risk assets, as evidenced by the strong performance of U.S. equities and the tightening in spreads associated with a wide range of credit-sensitive fixed income assets. In contrast, the spread between Agency RMBS and other hedge instruments such as U.S. Treasuries and swaps widened throughout much of the period until the Federal Reserve (the "Fed") announced on September 20, 2017 that, commencing in October 2017, it will begin to taper its reinvestment of proceeds from its bond portfolio. Following the Fed's announcement, Agency RMBS spreads tightened meaningfully, outperforming interest rate hedges, benefiting our net asset value and confirming our thesis that the Agency RMBS market had already priced in much of the reduced Fed support.
The strong performance of Agency RMBS, combined with the accretive impact of common equity raises, increased our tangible net book value to $19.78 per common share as of September 30, 2017, from $19.25 per common share as of June 30, 2017, an increase of 2.8% for the quarter. Year-to-date, through September 30, 2017, our tangible net book value improved 1.4%, from $19.50 per common share as of December 31, 2016. Including $1.62 of dividends paid per common share, the economic return on our tangible common equity was 9.7% for the first three quarters of the year.
The yield curve flattened during the first three quarters of 2017, as the Fed continued to gradually increase short term interest rates by raising the federal funds rate by 50 basis points. Over the same period, the 10-year yield on the U.S. Treasury declined by 10 basis points, causing the yield curve to flatten and contributing to a modest compression of our net interest margin. Inclusive of our TBA position and excluding "catch-up" premium amortization cost due to changes in our constant prepayment rate forecasts, the net interest margin between our assets and our cost of funds decreased to 1.41% during the third quarter of 2017, from 1.45% during the fourth quarter of 2016.
The funding landscape for Agency RMBS has remained favorable throughout the year in terms of relative interest rate levels and funding capacity. Our aggregate cost-of-funds, which includes the implied funding cost on our TBA position and the cost on our interest rate swaps, increased 31 basis points to 1.46% as of September 30, 2017, from 1.15% as of December 31, 2016. The average rate on our repurchase agreements increased 38 basis points to 1.36% as of September 30, 2017, from 0.98% as of December 31, 2016, while implied funding costs in the TBA dollar roll market remained favorable at 15 to 25 basis points below comparable

30



repo rates. Favorable implied funding levels and stable prepayment expectations led us to maintain a sizable TBA position throughout much of the period. Our cost of funds also benefited from a 39 basis point increase in the average receive rate on our pay-fixed receive-variable interest rate swaps over the first three quarters of the year, which was partly offset by higher costs associated with an increase in our swap portfolio in conjunction with our larger asset balance and an increase in the average maturity of our swap portfolio to 4.5 years as of September 30, 2017, from 3.9 years as of December 31, 2016. In addition, we achieved a greater diversity of funding and benefited from more favorable terms than traditional levels by shifting a larger portion our repo funding and TBA clearing through our captive broker-dealer subsidiary, Bethesda Securities, LLC, or "BES”. As of September 30, 2017, our repo funding transacted through BES totaled 30%, up significantly from 12% as of December 31, 2016.
As of September 30, 2017, our "at risk" leverage was 8.0x our tangible equity, up from 7.7x as of December 31, 2016. Additional Agency RMBS spread widening and ongoing favorable funding dynamics, could provide attractive investment opportunities and serve as a catalyst for us to further increase leverage.
As of September 30, 2017, our interest rate hedges equaled 92% of our funding liabilities and net TBA position, up slightly from 90% as of December 31, 2016. We believe operating at this level provides us a significant amount of protection against net asset value fluctuations due to interest rate changes. Our net "duration gap," which is a measure of the risk due to mismatches that can occur between the interest rate sensitivity of our assets and liabilities, inclusive of hedges, was 0.4 years as of September 30, 2017, down from 1.3 years as of December 31, 2016. The reduction in our net duration gap is a result of our larger hedge position and the overall decline in interest rates during the first three quarters of the year.
Market Information
The following table summarizes interest rates and prices of generic fixed rate Agency RMBS as of each date presented below:
Interest Rate/Security Price 1
 
Sept. 30, 2016
 
Dec. 31, 2016
 
Mar. 31, 2017
 
June 30, 2017
 
Sept. 30, 2017
 
Sept. 30, 2017
vs
June 30, 2017
 
Sept. 30, 2017
vs
Dec. 31, 2016
LIBOR:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1-Month
 
0.53%
 
0.77%
 
0.98%
 
1.22%
 
1.23%
 
+0.01

bps
 
+0.46

bps
3-Month
 
0.85%
 
1.00%
 
1.15%
 
1.30%
 
1.33%
 
+0.03

bps
 
+0.33

bps
6-Month
 
1.24%
 
1.31%
 
1.42%
 
1.45%
 
1.51%
 
+0.06

bps
 
+0.20

bps
U.S. Treasury Security Rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2-Year U.S. Treasury
 
0.76%
 
1.20%
 
1.26%
 
1.38%
 
1.48%
 
+0.10

bps
 
+0.28

bps
3-Year U.S. Treasury
 
0.87%
 
1.46%
 
1.50%
 
1.55%
 
1.61%
 
+0.06

bps
 
+0.15

bps
5-Year U.S. Treasury
 
1.15%
 
1.92%
 
1.93%
 
1.89%
 
1.93%
 
+0.04

bps
 
+0.01

bps
10-Year U.S. Treasury
 
1.61%
 
2.43%
 
2.39%
 
2.30%
 
2.33%
 
+0.03

bps
 
-0.10

bps
30-Year U.S. Treasury
 
2.33%
 
3.05%
 
3.02%
 
2.84%
 
2.86%
 
+0.02

bps
 
-0.19

bps
Interest Rate Swap Rate:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2-Year Swap
 
1.01%
 
1.46%
 
1.62%
 
1.61%
 
1.73%
 
+0.12

bps
 
+0.27

bps
3-Year Swap
 
1.07%
 
1.68%
 
1.81%
 
1.74%
 
1.84%
 
+0.10

bps
 
+0.16

bps
5-Year Swap
 
1.18%
 
1.96%
 
2.06%
 
1.95%
 
2.00%
 
+0.05

bps
 
+0.04

bps
10-Year Swap
 
1.46%
 
2.32%
 
2.39%
 
2.27%
 
2.28%
 
+0.01

bps
 
-0.04

bps
30-Year Swap
 
1.78%
 
2.57%
 
2.65%
 
2.53%
 
2.52%
 
-0.01

bps
 
-0.05

bps
30-Year Fixed Rate Agency Price:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.0%
 
$103.95
 
$99.38
 
$99.15
 
$99.88
 
$100.33
 
+$0.45
 
+$0.95
3.5%
 
$105.53
 
$102.50
 
$102.29
 
$102.70
 
$103.09
 
+$0.39
 
+$0.59
4.0%
 
$107.41
 
$105.13
 
$104.90
 
$105.12
 
$105.27
 
+$0.15
 
+$0.14
4.5%
 
$109.52
 
$107.51
 
$107.24
 
$107.27
 
$107.33
 
+$0.06
 
-$0.18
15-Year Fixed Rate Agency Price:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.5%
 
$103.56
 
$100.20
 
$100.03
 
$100.53
 
$100.69
 
+$0.16
 
+$0.49
3.0%
 
$104.99
 
$102.62
 
$102.51
 
$102.64
 
$102.75
 
+$0.11
 
+$0.13
3.5%
 
$105.41
 
$104.17
 
$104.06
 
$104.06
 
$104.14
 
+$0.08
 
-$0.03
4.0%
 
$103.73
 
$102.69
 
$103.29
 
$103.44
 
$103.13
 
-$0.31
 
+$0.44
_______________________
1.
Price information is for generic instruments only and is not reflective of our specific portfolio holdings. Price information is as of 3:00 p.m. (EST) on such date and can vary by source. Prices and interest rates in the table above were obtained from Barclays. LIBOR rates were obtained from Bloomberg.


31



FINANCIAL CONDITION
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our investment portfolio consisted of $53.1 billion and $46.5 billion of investment securities, at fair value, respectively, and $19.4 billion and $11.2 billion of TBA securities, at fair value, respectively. The following table is a summary of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (dollars in millions):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Investment Portfolio (Includes TBAs) 1
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Average Coupon
 
%
 
Amortized Cost
 
Fair Value
 
Average Coupon
 
%
Fixed rate Agency RMBS and TBA securities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ≤ 15-year:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ≤ 15-year RMBS
 
$
9,920

 
$
9,987

 
3.32
%
 
14
%
 
$
12,794

 
$
12,867

 
3.26
%
 
22
%
15-year TBA securities
 
4,556

 
4,546

 
2.83
%
 
6
%
 
2,188

 
2,172

 
2.57
%
 
4
%
Total ≤ 15-year
 
14,476

 
14,533

 
3.17
%
 
20
%
 
14,982

 
15,039

 
3.16
%
 
26
%
20-year RMBS
 
700

 
720

 
3.48
%
 
1
%
 
801

 
817

 
3.49
%
 
1
%
30-year:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
30-year RMBS
 
40,655

 
40,397

 
3.67
%
 
56
%
 
31,553

 
31,052

 
3.63
%
 
54
%
30-year TBA securities
 
14,878

 
14,863

 
3.55
%
 
20
%
 
9,124

 
8,993

 
3.58
%
 
16
%
Total 30-year
 
55,533

 
55,260

 
3.64
%
 
76
%
 
40,677

 
40,045

 
3.62
%
 
70
%
Total fixed rate Agency RMBS and TBA securities
 
70,709

 
70,513

 
3.54
%
 
97
%
 
56,460

 
55,901

 
3.49
%
 
97
%
Adjustable rate Agency RMBS
 
304

 
311

 
2.94
%
 
1
%
 
371

 
379

 
2.96
%
 
1
%
CMO Agency RMBS:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CMO
 
669

 
677

 
3.43
%
 
1
%
 
796

 
801

 
3.41
%
 
2
%
Interest-only strips
 
107

 
123

 
4.64
%
 
%
 
132

 
151

 
5.03
%
 
%
Principal-only strips
 
117

 
123

 
%
 
%
 
136

 
144

 
%
 
%
Total CMO Agency RMBS
 
893

 
923

 
3.70
%
 
1
%
 
1,064

 
1,096

 
3.89
%
 
2
%
Total Agency RMBS and TBA securities
 
71,906

 
71,747

 
3.54
%
 
99
%
 
57,895

 
57,376

 
3.50
%
 
100
%
Non-Agency RMBS
 
8

 
7

 
2.50
%
 
%
 
102

 
101

 
3.42
%
 
%
CMBS
 
28

 
29

 
6.55
%
 
%
 
23

 
23

 
6.55
%
 
%
CRT
 
697

 
717

 
5.10
%
 
1
%
 
161

 
164

 
5.25
%
 
%
Total investment portfolio
 
$
72,639

 
$
72,500

 
3.56
%
 
100
%
 
$
58,181

 
$
57,664

 
3.51
%
 
100
%
_______________________
1.
TBA securities are presented net of long and short positions. For further details of our TBA securities refer to Note 6 of the accompanying consolidated financial statements.
TBA securities are recognized as derivative instruments in our accompanying consolidated financial statements and our TBA dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing. As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our TBA positions had a net carrying value of $(24) million and $(147) million, respectively, reported in derivative assets /(liabilities) on our accompanying consolidated balance sheets. The net carrying value represents the difference between the fair value of the underlying Agency security in the TBA contract and the contract price to be paid or received for the underlying Agency security.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, the weighted average yield on our investment securities (excluding TBA securities) was 2.85% and 2.77%, respectively.

32



The following tables summarize certain characteristics of our fixed rate Agency RMBS portfolio, inclusive of TBAs, as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (dollars in millions):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
 
Includes Net TBA Position
 
Excludes Net TBA Position
Fixed Rate Agency RMBS and TBA Securities
 
Par Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
% Lower Loan Balance & HARP 1,2
 
Amortized
Cost Basis
 
Weighted Average
 
Projected Life
CPR 4
 
WAC 3
 
Yield 4
 
Age (Months)
Fixed rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ≤ 15-year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
2.5%
 
$
3,261

 
$
3,294

 
$
3,289

 
31%
 
101.2%
 
2.98%
 
2.13%
 
60
 
9%
3.0%
 
5,550

 
5,708

 
5,706

 
36%
 
102.8%
 
3.49%
 
2.18%
 
59
 
10%
3.5%
 
2,858

 
2,952

 
2,989

 
89%
 
103.3%
 
3.95%
 
2.49%
 
69
 
11%
4.0%
 
2,191

 
2,277

 
2,302

 
89%
 
103.9%
 
4.40%
 
2.68%
 
81
 
12%
4.5%
 
231

 
241

 
243

 
98%
 
104.4%
 
4.87%
 
3.02%
 
85
 
12%
≥ 5.0%
 
3

 
4

 
4

 
20%
 
103.2%
 
6.64%
 
4.64%
 
121
 
14%
Total ≤ 15-year
 
14,094

 
14,476

 
14,533

 
55%
 
103.0%
 
3.78%
 
2.40%
 
68
 
11%
20-year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ≤ 3.0%
 
202

 
201

 
207

 
31%
 
99.4%
 
3.55%
 
3.10%
 
52
 
9%
3.5%
 
382

 
386

 
398

 
75%
 
102.1%
 
4.05%
 
3.00%
 
55
 
11%
4.0%
 
48

 
50

 
51

 
51%
 
104.2%
 
4.55%
 
2.95%
 
73
 
12%
4.5%
 
57

 
61

 
62

 
99%
 
106.5%
 
4.89%
 
2.95%
 
82
 
11%
≥ 5.0%
 
2

 
2

 
2

 
—%
 
106.0%
 
5.93%
 
3.33%
 
113
 
17%
Total 20-year:
 
691

 
700

 
720

 
62%
 
101.8%
 
4.02%
 
3.02%
 
58
 
11%
30-year:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3.0%
 
7,671

 
7,720

 
7,709

 
1%
 
100.2%
 
3.58%
 
2.96%
 
40
 
6%
3.5%
 
24,566

 
25,626

 
25,431

 
51%
 
104.7%
 
4.04%
 
2.84%
 
32
 
7%
4.0%
 
19,322

 
20,553

 
20,466

 
49%
 
106.8%
 
4.49%
 
2.94%
 
33
 
9%
4.5%
 
1,317

 
1,415

 
1,431

 
71%
 
107.4%
 
4.97%
 
3.24%
 
76
 
9%
5.0%
 
102

 
109

 
112

 
65%
 
106.6%
 
5.45%
 
3.70%
 
113
 
11%
≥ 5.5%
 
100

 
110

 
111

 
36%
 
109.8%
 
6.19%
 
3.35%
 
131
 
14%
Total 30-year
 
53,078

 
55,533

 
55,260

 
44%
 
105.2%
 
4.20%
 
2.90%
 
35
 
8%
Total fixed rate
 
$
67,863

 
$
70,709

 
$
70,513

 
47%
 
104.7%
 
4.12%
 
2.80%
 
41
 
8%
_______________________
1.
Lower loan balance securities represent pools backed by an original loan balance of ≤ $150,000. Our lower loan balance securities had a weighted average original loan balance of $97,000 and $106,000 for 15-year and 30-year securities, respectively, as of September 30, 2017.
2.
HARP securities are defined as pools backed by 100% refinance loans with LTV ≥ 80%. Our HARP securities had a weighted average LTV of 114% and 136% for 15-year and 30-year securities, respectively, as of September 30, 2017.
3.
WAC represents the weighted average coupon of the underlying collateral.
4.
Portfolio yield incorporates a projected life CPR assumption based on forward rate assumptions as of September 30, 2017.



33



 
 
December 31, 2016
 
 
Includes Net TBA Position
 
Excludes Net TBA Position
Fixed Rate Agency RMBS and TBA Securities
 
Par Value
 
Amortized
Cost
 
Fair Value
 
% Lower Loan Balance & HARP 1,2
 
Amortized
Cost Basis
 
Weighted Average
 
Projected Life
CPR 4
 
WAC 3
 
Yield 4
 
Age (Months)
Fixed rate
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ≤ 15-year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ≤ 2.5%
 
$
4,877

 
$
4,945

 
$
4,912

 
26%
 
101.7%
 
2.96%
 
2.05%
 
50
 
9%
3.0%
 
3,460

 
3,561

 
3,561

 
73%
 
102.9%
 
3.50%
 
2.20%
 
55
 
9%
3.5%
 
3,294

 
3,408

 
3,450

 
90%
 
103.4%
 
3.95%
 
2.50%
 
63
 
10%
4.0%
 
2,655

 
2,766

 
2,810

 
89%
 
104.2%
 
4.40%
 
2.69%
 
72
 
11%
4.5%
 
285

 
298

 
302

 
98%
 
104.6%
 
4.87%
 
3.03%
 
76
 
11%
≥ 5.0%
 
4

 
4

 
4

 
22%
 
103.3%
 
6.63%
 
4.65%
 
112
 
13%
Total ≤ 15-year
 
14,575

 
14,982

 
15,039

 
65%
 
103.1%
 
3.72%
 
2.37%
 
60
 
10%
20-year
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ≤ 3.0%
 
225

 
223

 
228

 
31%
 
99.4%
 
3.55%
 
3.10%
 
43
 
8%
3.5%
 
436

 
445

 
454

 
75%
 
102.2%
 
4.06%
 
3.01%
 
46
 
10%
4.0%
 
54

 
57

 
58

 
50%
 
104.4%
 
4.54%
 
2.97%
 
64
 
10%
4.5%
 
68

 
73

 
74

 
99%
 
106.7%
 
4.90%
 
2.99%
 
73
 
11%
≥ 5.0%
 
3

 
3

 
3

 
—%
 
106.3%
 
5.94%
 
3.33%
 
104
 
17%
Total 20-year:
 
786

 
801

 
817

 
63%
 
101.9%
 
4.03%
 
3.03%
 
49
 
10%
30-year:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 ≤ 3.0%
 
7,390

 
7,482

 
7,357

 
2%
 
100.1%
 
3.57%
 
2.97%
 
26
 
6%
3.5%
 
16,365

 
17,227

 
16,849

 
72%
 
105.4%
 
4.07%
 
2.75%
 
38
 
7%
4.0%
 
13,464

 
14,368

 
14,224

 
61%
 
107.4%
 
4.51%
 
2.92%
 
45
 
7%
4.5%
 
1,246

 
1,341

 
1,352

 
87%
 
107.6%
 
4.97%
 
3.30%
 
67
 
8%
5.0%
 
119

 
127

 
130

 
65%
 
106.8%
 
5.45%
 
3.73%
 
104
 
10%
≥ 5.5%
 
120

 
132

 
133

 
38%
 
110.0%
 
6.20%
 
3.40%
 
122
 
14%
Total 30-year
 
38,704

 
40,677

 
40,045

 
56%
 
105.4%
 
4.19%
 
2.86%
 
40
 
7%
Total fixed rate
 
$
54,065

 
$
56,460

 
$
55,901

 
58%
 
104.6%
 
4.05%
 
2.73%
 
46
 
8%
_______________
1.
Lower loan balance securities represent pools backed by an original loan balance of ≤ $150,000. Our lower loan balance securities had a weighted average original loan balance of $97,000 and $100,000 for 15-year and 30-year securities, respectively, as of December 31, 2016.
2.
HARP securities are defined as pools backed by 100% refinance loans with LTVs ≥ 80%. Our HARP securities had a weighted average LTV of 113% and 135% for 15-year and 30-year securities, respectively, as of December 31, 2016.
3.
WAC represents the weighted average coupon of the underlying collateral.
4.
Portfolio yield incorporates a projected life CPR assumption based on forward rate assumptions as of December 31, 2016.
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our investments in CRT and non-Agency securities had the following credit ratings:
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
CRT and Non-Agency Security Credit Ratings 1
 
CRT
 
RMBS
 
CMBS
 
CRT
 
RMBS
 
CMBS
AAA
 
$

 
$
7

 
$

 
$

 
$
99

 
$

BBB
 

 

 
29

 

 

 
23

BB
 
65

 

 

 

 

 

B
 
633

 

 

 
164

 
2

 

Not Rated
 
19

 

 

 

 

 

Total
 
$
717

 
$
7

 
$
29

 
$
164

 
$
101

 
$
23

 ________________________
1.
Represents the lowest of Standard and Poor's ("S&P"), Moody's and Fitch credit ratings, stated in terms of the S&P equivalent rating as of each date.

Our CRT securities reference the performance of loans underlying Agency RMBS issued by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, which were subject to their underwriting standards. As of September 30, 2017, our CRT securities had floating rate coupons ranging from 3.7% to 7.6%, referenced to loans originated between 2012 and 2017 with weighted average coupons ranging from 3.6% to 4.3%. As of December 31, 2016, our CRT securities had floating rate coupons ranging from 4.6% to 7.1%, referenced to loans originated between 2015 and 2016 with weighted average coupons ranging from 4.0% to 4.2%.

34



RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the results presented in accordance with GAAP, our results of operations discussed below include certain non-GAAP financial information, including "adjusted net interest expense," "net spread and dollar roll income," "net spread and dollar roll income, excluding 'catch-up' premium amortization," "estimated taxable income" and the related per common share measures and certain financial metrics derived from such non-GAAP information, such as "cost of funds" and "net interest rate spread."

"Adjusted net interest expense" is measured as interest expense (GAAP measure) adjusted to include interest rate swap periodic costs. "Net spread and dollar roll income" is measured as (i) net interest income (GAAP measure) adjusted to include interest rate swap periodic costs, TBA dollar roll income, management fee income and dividends on REIT equity securities (referred to as "adjusted net interest and dollar roll income") less (ii) total operating expenses (GAAP measure) adjusted to exclude non-recurring transaction costs (referred to as "adjusted operating expenses"). "Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding 'catch-up' premium amortization," further excludes retrospective "catch-up" adjustments to premium amortization cost or benefit due to changes in projected CPR estimates.

By providing such measures, in addition to the related GAAP measures, we believe we give greater transparency into the information used by our management in its financial and operational decision-making. We also believe it is important for users of our financial information to consider information related to our current financial performance without the effects of certain measures that are not necessarily indicative of our current investment portfolio performance and operations.

Specifically, in the case of "adjusted net interest and dollar roll income," we believe the inclusion of TBA dollar roll income is meaningful as TBAs, which are accounted for under GAAP as derivative instruments with gains and losses recognized in other gain (loss) in our consolidated statement of comprehensive income, are economically equivalent to holding and financing generic Agency RMBS using short-term repurchase agreements. Similarly, we believe that the inclusion of periodic interest rate swap settlements in such measure and in "adjusted net interest expense" is meaningful as interest rate swaps are the primary instrument we use to economically hedge against fluctuations in our borrowing costs and it is more indicative of our total cost of funds than interest expense alone. In the case of "net spread and dollar roll income, excluding 'catch-up' premium amortization," we believe the exclusion of "catch-up" adjustments to premium amortization cost or benefit is meaningful as it excludes the cumulative effect from prior reporting periods due to current changes in future prepayment expectations and, therefore, exclusion of such cost or benefit is more indicative of the current earnings potential of our investment portfolio. We also believe the exclusion of issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock reported as a reduction to net income available to common stockholders under GAAP and transactions costs associated with our acquisition of AMM reported in general, administrative and other expense under GAAP is meaningful as they represent non-recurring transaction costs and are not representative of our ongoing operating costs. In the case of estimated taxable income, we believe it is meaningful information because it directly relates to the amount of dividends we are required to distribute in order to maintain our REIT qualification status.

However, because such measures are incomplete measures of our financial performance and involve differences from results computed in accordance with GAAP, they should be considered as supplementary to, and not as a substitute for, results computed in accordance with GAAP. In addition, because not all companies use identical calculations, our presentation of such non-GAAP measures may not be comparable to other similarly-titled measures of other companies. Furthermore, estimated taxable income can include certain information that is subject to potential adjustments up to the time of filing our income tax returns, which occurs after the end of our fiscal year.
Item 6. Selected Financial Data

The following selected financial data is derived from our interim consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto. The tables below present our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 and our condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income and key statistics for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions, except per share amounts):
 


35



($ in millions, except per share amounts)
 
 
 
 
Balance Sheet Data
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Investment securities, at fair value
 
$
53,091

 
$
46,499

Total assets
 
$
65,490

 
$
56,880

Repurchase agreements, Federal Home Loan Bank advances and other debt
 
$
45,885

 
$
41,355

Total liabilities
 
$
56,699

 
$
49,524

Total stockholders' equity
 
$
8,791

 
$
7,356

Net asset value per common share 1
 
$
21.19

 
$
21.17

Tangible net asset value per common share 2
 
$
19.78

 
$
19.50

 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Statement of Comprehensive Income Data
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Interest income
 
$
318

 
$
315

 
$
907

 
$
928

Interest expense
 
140

 
96

 
350

 
296

Net interest income
 
178

 
219

 
557

 
632

Other gain (loss), net
 
125

 
307

 
(121
)
 
(940
)
Operating expenses
 
17

 
15

 
50

 
88

Net income (loss)
 
286

 
511

 
386

 
(396
)
Dividend on preferred stock
 
9

 
7

 
23

 
21

Issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock
 
6

 

 
6

 

Net income (loss) available (attributable) to common stockholders
 
$
271

 
$
504

 
$
357

 
$
(417
)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
286

 
$
511

 
$
386

 
$
(396
)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
 
90

 
(90
)
 
257

 
1,076

Comprehensive income
 
376

 
421

 
643

 
680

Dividend on preferred stock
 
9

 
7

 
23

 
21

Issuance costs of redeemed preferred stock
 
6

 

 
6

 

Comprehensive income available to common stockholders
 
$
361

 
$
414

 
$
614

 
$
659

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
 
364.7

 
331.0

 
347.5

 
332.1

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
 
364.9

 
331.0

 
347.6

 
332.1

Net income (loss) per common share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.74

 
$
1.52

 
$
1.03

 
$
(1.26
)
Comprehensive income per common share - basic and diluted
 
$
0.99

 
$
1.25

 
$
1.77

 
$
1.98

Dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.54

 
$
0.56

 
$
1.62

 
$
1.76

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

36



 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Other Data (unaudited) *
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Average investment securities - at par
 
$44,672
 
$46,372
 
$42,959
 
$48,201
Average investment securities - at cost
 
$46,808
 
$48,548
 
$44,977
 
$50,388
Average net TBA portfolio - at cost
 
$18,616
 
$10,748
 
$16,355
 
$9,050
Average total assets - at fair value
 
$58,848
 
$57,088
 
$55,902
 
$57,361
Average mortgage borrowings outstanding 3
 
$41,406
 
$44,401
 
$39,859
 
$45,753
Average stockholders' equity 4
 
$8,134
 
$7,803
 
$7,695
 
$7,785
Average coupon 5
 
3.72
 %
 
3.65
 %
 
3.69
 %
 
3.64
 %
Average asset yield 6
 
2.72
 %
 
2.60
 %
 
2.69
 %
 
2.46
 %
Average cost of funds 7
 
(1.59
)%
 
(1.32
)%
 
(1.53
)%
 
(1.47
)%
Average net interest rate spread
 
1.13
 %
 
1.28
 %
 
1.16
 %
 
0.99
 %
Average net interest rate spread, including TBA dollar roll income 8
 
1.34
 %
 
1.42
 %
 
1.43
 %
 
1.18
 %
Average coupon (as of period end)
 
3.67
 %
 
3.64
 %
 
3.67
 %
 
3.64
 %
Average asset yield (as of period end)
 
2.85
 %
 
2.68
 %
 
2.85
 %
 
2.68
 %
Average cost of funds (as of period end) 9
 
(1.61
)%
 
(1.30
)%
 
(1.61
)%
 
(1.30
)%
Average net interest rate spread (as of period end)
 
1.24
 %
 
1.38
 %
 
1.24
 %
 
1.38
 %
Economic return on common equity - unannualized 10
 
4.5
 %
 
5.6
 %
 
7.7
 %
 
9.2
 %
Economic return on tangible common equity - unannualized 11
 
5.6
 %
 
N/A

 
9.7
 %
 
N/A

Average "at risk" leverage 12
 
7.4:1

 
7.1:1

 
7.3:1

 
7.1:1

Average tangible net book value "at risk" leverage 14
 
7.9:1

 
7.6:1

 
7.9:1

 
7.3:1

"At risk" leverage (as of period end) 13
 
7.6:1

 
7.2:1

 
7.6:1

 
7.2:1

Tangible net book value "at risk" leverage (as of period end) 14
 
8.0:1

 
7.7:1

 
8.0:1

 
7.7:1

Expenses % of average total assets
 
0.12
 %
 
0.10
 %
 
0.12
 %
 
0.20
 %
Expenses % of average assets, including average net TBA position
 
0.09
 %
 
0.09
 %
 
0.09
 %
 
0.18
 %
Expenses % of average stockholders' equity
 
0.84
 %
 
0.76
 %
 
0.87
 %
 
1.51
 %
_______________________
* Except as noted below, average numbers for each period are weighted based on days on our books and records. All percentages are annualized, unless otherwise noted.
N/A - Not applicable

1.
Net asset value per common share is calculated as our total stockholders' equity, less our preferred stock liquidation preference, divided by our number of common shares outstanding as of period end.
2.
Tangible net asset value per common share excludes goodwill and other intangible assets, net.
3.
Average mortgage borrowings include repurchase agreements used to fund Agency securities ("Agency repo"), FHLB advances and debt of consolidated VIEs. Amount excludes U.S. Treasury repo agreements and TBA contracts.
4.
Average stockholders' equity calculated as our average month-ended stockholders' equity during the period.
5.
Average coupon for the period was calculated by dividing our total coupon (or cash) interest income on investment securities by our average investment securities held at par.
6.
Average asset yield for the period was calculated by dividing our total cash interest income on investment securities, adjusted for amortization of premiums and discounts, by our average amortized cost of investment securities held.
7.
Average cost of funds includes mortgage borrowings and interest rate swap periodic costs. Amount excludes interest rate swap termination fees, forward starting swaps and costs associated with other supplemental hedges, such as interest rate swaptions and U.S. Treasury positions. Average cost of funds for the period was calculated by dividing our total cost of funds by our average mortgage borrowings outstanding for the period.
8.
TBA dollar roll income/(loss) is net of short TBAs used for hedging purposes and is recognized in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net.
9.
Average cost of funds as of period end includes mortgage borrowings outstanding and interest rate swap hedges. Amount excludes costs associated with other supplemental hedges such as swaptions, U.S. Treasuries and TBA positions.
10.
Economic return on common equity represents the sum of the change in our net asset value per common share and our dividends declared on common stock during the period over our beginning net asset value per common share.
11.
Economic return on tangible common equity represents the sum of the change in our tangible net asset value per common share and our dividends declared on common stock during the period over our beginning tangible net asset value per common share.
12.
Average "at risk" leverage is calculated by dividing the sum of our daily weighted average mortgage borrowings and net TBA position (at cost) outstanding for the period by the sum of our average stockholders' equity less our average investment in REIT equity securities for the period. Leverage excludes U.S. Treasury repurchase agreements.
13.
"At risk" leverage as of period end is calculated by dividing the sum of our mortgage borrowings outstanding, our receivable/payable for unsettled investment securities and our net TBA position outstanding as of period end (at cost) by the sum of our total stockholders' equity less the fair value of investments in REIT equity securities at period end. Leverage excludes U.S. Treasury repurchase agreements.
14.
Tangible net book value "at risk" leverage includes the components of "at risk" leverage, with stockholders' equity adjusted to exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net.

37



Interest Income and Asset Yield
The following table summarizes our interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
 
Amount
 
Yield
Cash/coupon interest income
$
415

 
3.72
 %
 
$
425

 
3.65
 %
 
$
1,189

 
3.69
 %
 
$
1,322

 
3.64
 %
Net premium amortization
(97
)
 
(1.00
)%
 
(110
)
 
(1.05
)%
 
(282
)
 
(1.00
)%
 
(394
)
 
(1.18
)%
Interest income
$
318

 
2.72
 %
 
$
315

 
2.60
 %
 
$
907

 
2.69
 %
 
$
928

 
2.46
 %
Weighted average actual portfolio CPR for securities held during the period
12.1
%
 
 
 
14.3
%
 
 
 
11.2
%
 
 
 
11.7
%
 
 
Weighted average projected CPR for the remaining life of securities held as of period end
8.5
%
 
 
 
10.6
%
 
 
 
8.5
%
 
 
 
10.6
%
 
 
Average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate as of period end 1
3.83
%
 
 
 
3.42
%
 
 
 
3.83
%
 
 
 
3.42
%
 
 
10-year U.S. Treasury rate as of period end
2.33
%
 
 
 
1.61
%
 
 
 
2.33
%
 
 
 
1.61
%
 
 
 _______________________
1.
Source: Freddie Mac Primary Fixed Mortgage Rate Mortgage Market Survey
The principal elements impacting our interest income are the size of our average investment portfolio and the yield on our investments. The following is a summary of the estimated impact of each of these elements on the increase / (decrease) in interest income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 compared to the prior year period (in millions):
Impact of Changes in the Principal Elements Impacting Interest Income
Periods ended September 30, 2017 vs. September 30, 2016
 
 
 
Due to Change in Average
 
Total Increase /
(Decrease)
 
Portfolio
Size
 
Asset
Yield
Three months ended
$
3

 
$
(11
)
 
$
14

Nine months ended
$
(21
)
 
$
(100
)
 
$
79


The size of our average investment portfolio decreased in par value relative to the prior year period by 4% and 11% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, due to a relative shift of our investment portfolio to TBA contracts recognized as derivative assets / (liabilities) on our consolidated financial statements, which was partly offset by an overall increase in our investment portfolio as a function of new equity issuances during 2017.
Our average asset yield increased to 2.72% and 2.69% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 2.60% and 2.46%, respectively, for the prior year period. Our average asset yield includes "catch-up" premium amortization cost due to changes in CPR forecasts of $12 million and $34 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to $8 million and $95 million, respectively, for the prior year period. Excluding "catch-up" premium amortization cost, our average asset yield increased to 2.82% and 2.79% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 2.66% and 2.70%, respectively, for the prior year period, largely due to the combination of changes in asset composition and higher yields on new asset purchases.
Leverage  
Our primary measure of leverage is our tangible net book value "at risk" leverage ratio. Tangible net book value "at risk" leverage is measured as the sum of our mortgage borrowings (consisting of repurchase agreements used to fund our investment securities ("Agency repo"), debt of consolidated VIEs and FHLB advances), net TBA position (at cost) and our net receivable /payable for unsettled investment securities divided by the sum of our total stockholders' equity adjusted to exclude goodwill and other intangible assets related to our acquisition of AMM on July 1, 2016.
We include our net TBA position in our measure of leverage because a forward contract to acquire Agency RMBS in the TBA market carries similar risks to Agency RMBS purchased in the cash market and funded with on-balance sheet liabilities. Similarly, a TBA contract for the forward sale of Agency securities has substantially the same effect as selling the underlying Agency RMBS and reducing our on-balance sheet funding commitments. (Refer to Liquidity and Capital Resources for further discussion of TBA securities and dollar roll transactions). Repurchase agreements used to fund short-term investments in U.S.

38



Treasury securities ("U.S. Treasury repo") are excluded from our measure of leverage due to the temporary and highly liquid nature of these investments.
Our tangible net book value "at risk" leverage was 8.0x and 7.7x as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. The table below presents our average and quarter-end mortgage borrowings, net TBA position and leverage ratios for the periods listed below (dollars in millions):
 
 
Mortgage Borrowings 1
 
Net TBA Position
Long/(Short)
2 
 
Average Tangible Net Book Value
"At Risk" Leverage during the Period 3
 
Average
"At Risk" Leverage during the Period
4
 
Tangible Net Book Value "At Risk" Leverage
as of
Period End 3
 
"At Risk" Leverage
as of
Period End
5
Quarter Ended
 
Average Daily
Amount
 
Maximum
Daily Amount
 
Ending
Amount
 
Average Daily
Amount
 
Ending
Amount
 
September 30, 2017
 
$
41,406

 
$
47,442

 
$
45,885

 
$
18,616

 
$
19,433

 
7.9:1
 
7.4:1
 
8.0:1
 
7.6:1
June 30, 2017
 
$
38,945

 
$
40,112

 
$
39,463

 
$
16,931

 
$
17,283

 
8.0:1
 
7.4:1
 
8.1:1
 
7.5:1
March 31, 2017
 
$
39,203

 
$
41,221

 
$
39,809

 
$
13,460

 
$
14,377

 
7.8:1
 
7.2:1
 
8.0:1
 
7.4:1
December 31, 2016
 
$
41,031

 
$
42,157

 
$
41,183

 
$
14,141

 
$
11,312

 
7.8:1
 
7.3:1
 
7.7:1
 
7.1:1
September 30, 2016
 
$
44,401

 
$
46,555

 
$
41,154

 
$
10,748

 
$
15,540

 
7.6:1
 
7.1:1
 
7.7:1
 
7.2:1
June 30, 2016
 
$
46,948

 
$
48,875

 
$
45,502

 
$
8,238

 
$
6,975

 
N/A
 
7.2:1
 
N/A
 
7.2:1
March 31, 2016
 
$
45,926

 
$
49,767

 
$
48,875

 
$
8,144

 
$
5,983

 
N/A
 
7.0:1
 
N/A
 
7.3:1
_______________________
1.
Mortgage borrowings includes Agency repo, FHLB advances and debt of consolidated VIEs. Amounts exclude U.S. Treasury repo agreements.
2.
Daily average and ending net TBA position outstanding measured at cost.
3.
Tangible net book value "at risk" leverage includes the components of "at risk" leverage with stockholders' equity adjusted to exclude goodwill and other intangible assets, net.
4.
Average "at risk" leverage during the period was calculated by dividing the sum of our daily weighted average mortgage borrowings and net TBA position (at cost) outstanding during the period by the sum of our average month-ended stockholders' equity less our average investment in REIT equity securities for the period.
5.
"At risk" leverage as of period end is calculated by dividing the sum of our mortgage borrowings outstanding, our receivable/payable for unsettled investment securities and our net TBA dollar roll position outstanding as of period end (at cost) by the sum of our total stockholders' equity less the fair value of investments in REIT equity securities at period end. Leverage excludes U.S. Treasury repurchase agreements.
Interest Expense and Cost of Funds 
Our interest expense is comprised of interest expense on Agency repo agreements and other mortgage borrowings. During 2016, interest expense also includes the reclassification of accumulated OCI into interest expense related to previously de-designated interest rate swaps.
Our "adjusted net interest expense," also referred to as our "cost of funds" when stated as a percentage of our mortgage borrowings outstanding, includes periodic interest costs on our interest rate swaps reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income. Our cost of funds does not include swap termination fees paid or received, forward starting swaps or the impact of other supplemental hedges, such as swaptions and U.S. Treasury positions. Our cost of funds also does not include the implied financing cost of our net TBA dollar roll position, although it includes interest rate swap hedge costs related to our TBA dollar roll funded assets.
Our average cost of funds was 1.59% and 1.53% of our average mortgage borrowings for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 1.32% and 1.47% for the prior year period, respectively. The table below presents a reconciliation of our interest expense (the most comparable GAAP financial measure) to our adjusted net interest expense and cost of funds (non-GAAP financial measures) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):


39



 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Adjusted Net Interest Expense and Cost of Funds
 
Amount
 
% 1
 
Amount
 
% 1
 
Amount
 
% 1
 
Amount
 
% 1
Interest expense:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense on mortgage borrowings
 
$
140

 
1.34
%
 
$
89

 
0.80
%
 
$
350

 
1.17
%
 
$
258

 
0.75
%
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps previously designated as hedges under GAAP, net
 

 
%
 
7

 
0.06
%
 

 
%
 
38

 
0.11
%
Total interest expense
 
140

 
1.34
%
 
96

 
0.86
%
 
350

 
1.17
%
 
296

 
0.86
%
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net
 
26

 
0.25
%
 
51

 
0.47
%
 
106

 
0.36
%
 
209

 
0.60
%
Total adjusted net interest expense and cost of funds
 
$
166

 
1.59
%
 
$
147

 
1.32
%
 
$
456

 
1.53
%
 
$
505

 
1.47
%
 _______________________
1.
Percent of our average mortgage borrowings outstanding for the period annualized.

The principal elements impacting our adjusted net interest expense are the size of our average mortgage borrowings and interest rate swap portfolio (excluding forward starting swaps) outstanding during the period, the average interest rate on our borrowings and the average net interest rate paid/received on our interest rate swaps. The following is a summary of the estimated impact of these elements on our adjusted net interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to the prior year period (in millions):
Impact of Changes in the Principal Elements of Adjusted Net Interest Expense
Periods ended September 30, 2017 vs. September 30, 2016
 
 
 
Due to Change in Average
 
Total Increase / (Decrease)
 
Borrowing / Swap Balance
 
Borrowing / Swap Rate
Three months ended:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense on mortgage borrowings
$
51

 
$
(6
)
 
$
57

Periodic interest rate swap costs
(32
)
 
11

 
(43
)
Total change in adjusted net interest expense
$
19

 
$
5

 
$
14

 
 
 
 
 
 
Nine months ended:
 
 
 
 
 
Interest expense on mortgage borrowings
$
92

 
$
(33
)
 
$
125

Periodic interest rate swap costs
(141
)
 
22

 
(163
)
Total change in adjusted net interest expense
$
(49
)
 
$
(11
)
 
$
(38
)

The average interest rate on our mortgage borrowings increased for the current year periods largely due to increases in the federal funds rate, which were partly offset by the benefit of shifting a larger portion of our total Agency repo funding through our captive broker-dealer subsidiary. The size of our total average borrowings outstanding decreased compared to the prior year periods due to the relative shift from Agency RMBS to TBA holdings, which was partly offset by a larger asset base as a function of new equity issuances during 2017 and modestly higher leverage. The decrease in our periodic swap cost was primarily due to an increase in the floating rate received on our pay-fixed receive-floating interest rate swaps. The size of our interest rate swap portfolio increased relative to our mortgage borrowings as a function of our larger TBA dollar roll position.

40




The table below presents a summary of our average mortgage borrowings and our average interest rates swaps outstanding, excluding forward starting swaps, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Average Ratio of Interest Rate Swaps Outstanding (Excluding Forward Starting Swaps) to Mortgage Borrowings Outstanding
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Average mortgage borrowings
 
$
41,406

 
$
44,401

 
$
39,859

 
$
45,753

Average notional amount of interest rate swaps (excluding forward starting swaps)
 
$
38,013

 
$
31,839

 
$
36,785

 
$
33,790

Average ratio of interest rate swaps to mortgage borrowings
 
92
 %
 
72
 %
 
92
 %
 
74
 %
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Average pay rate
 
1.56
 %
 
1.45
 %
 
1.52
 %
 
1.60
 %
Average receive rate
 
(1.29
)%
 
(0.73
)%
 
(1.13
)%
 
(0.63
)%
Average net pay/(receive) rate
 
0.27
 %
 
0.72
 %
 
0.39
 %
 
0.97
 %
 
For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we had an average forward starting swap balance of $2.2 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively, compared to $4.4 billion and $5.8 billion, respectively, for the prior year period. Forward starting interest rate swaps do not impact our adjusted net interest expense and cost of funds until they commence accruing net interest settlements on their forward start dates. Including forward starting swaps and our net TBA position, our average ratio of interest rate swaps outstanding to our average mortgage borrowings and net TBA position (at cost) was 67% and 69% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 66% and 72%, respectively, for the prior year period.
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
Average Ratio of Interest Rate Swaps Outstanding (Including Forward Starting Swaps) to Mortgage Borrowings and Net TBA Position
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Average mortgage borrowings
 
$
41,406

 
$
44,401

 
$
39,859

 
$
45,753

Average net TBA position - at cost
 
18,616

 
10,748

 
16,355

 
9,050

Total average mortgage borrowings and net TBA position
 
$
60,022

 
$
55,149

 
$
56,214

 
$
54,803

Average notional amount of interest rate swaps (including forward starting swaps)
 
$
40,166

 
$
36,270

 
$
38,524

 
$
39,575

Average ratio of interest rate swaps to mortgage borrowings and net TBA position
 
67
%
 
66
%
 
69
%
 
72
%

41



Net Spread and Dollar Roll Income
The table below presents a reconciliation of our net interest income (the most comparable GAAP financial measure) to our net spread and dollar roll income and to our net spread and dollar roll income, excluding estimated "catch-up" premium amortization cost, (non-GAAP financial measures) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions):
 
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net interest income
 
$
178

 
$
219

 
$
557

 
$
632

Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps, net 1
 
(26
)
 
(51
)
 
(106
)
 
(209
)
TBA dollar roll income 1
 
87

 
54

 
251

 
148

Management fee income
 
3

 
4

 
10

 
4

Dividend from REIT equity securities 1
 

 

 

 
2

Adjusted net interest and dollar roll income
 
242

 
226

 
712

 
577

Operating expenses:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Total operating expenses
 
17

 
15

 
50

 
88

Non-recurring transaction costs
 

 

 

 
(9
)
Adjusted operating expenses
 
17

 
15

 
50

 
79

Net spread and dollar roll income
 
225

 
211

 
662

 
498

Dividend on preferred stock
 
9

 
7

 
23

 
21

Net spread and dollar roll income available to common stockholders
 
216

 
204

 
639

 
477

Estimated "catch-up" premium amortization cost due to change in CPR forecast
 
12

 
8

 
34

 
95

Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization, available to common stockholders
 
$
228

 
$
212

 
$
673

 
$
572

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
 
364.7

 
331.0

 
347.5

 
332.1

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
 
364.9

 
331.0

 
347.6

 
332.1

Net spread and dollar roll income per common share - basic
 
$
0.59

 
$
0.62

 
$
1.84

 
$
1.44

Net spread and dollar roll income per common share -diluted
 
$
0.59

 
$
0.62

 
$
1.84

 
$
1.44

Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization, per common share - basic
 
$
0.63

 
$
0.64

 
$
1.94

 
$
1.72

Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization, per common share - diluted
 
$
0.62

 
$
0.64

 
$
1.94

 
$
1.72

_______________________
1.
Reported in gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net in our consolidated statements of comprehensive income
Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization adjustments, for the three months ended September 30, 2017 was $0.62 per common share, or a decline of $0.02 per common share from the prior year period. The decline was largely due to higher funding costs and a modest compression of our net interest rate spread and dollar roll margin (i.e. the difference between the average yield on our assets and our average cost of funds inclusive of TBAs), excluding "catch-up" premium amortization adjustments.
Net spread and dollar roll income, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization adjustments, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 was $1.94 per common share, compared to $1.72 per common share for the prior year period. The increase relative to the prior year period was largely due to the combination of lower operating costs as a function of our management internalization on July 1, 2016 and a higher relative net interest rate spread and dollar roll margin during much of the current year period.
Our average net interest rate spread and dollar roll margin, excluding "catch-up" premium amortization cost, was 1.41% and 1.50% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 1.47% and 1.39%, respectively, for the prior year period. Including "catch-up" premium amortization adjustments, our net interest rate spread and dollar roll margin was 1.34% and 1.43% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, compared to 1.42% and 1.18%, respectively, for the prior year period.
Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investment Securities, Net
The following table is a summary of our net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions): 

42



 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Investment securities sold, at cost
$
(6,019
)
 
$
(6,123
)
 
$
(14,374
)
 
$
(17,146
)
Proceeds from sale 1
6,041

 
6,184

 
14,327

 
17,260

Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities
$
22

 
$
61

 
$
(47
)
 
$
114

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Gross gain on sale of investment securities
$
28

 
$
62

 
$
54

 
$
122

Gross loss on sale of investment securities
(6
)
 
(1
)
 
(101
)
 
(8
)
Net gain (loss) on sale of investment securities
$
22

 
$
61

 
$
(47
)
 
$
114

 _______________________
1.
Proceeds include cash received during the period, plus receivable for investment securities sold during the period as of period end.
Gain (Loss) on Derivative Instruments and Other Securities, Net  
The following table is a summary of our gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (in millions):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Periodic interest costs of interest rate swaps, net
$
(26
)
 
$
(51
)
 
$
(106
)
 
$
(209
)
Realized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TBA securities - dollar roll income, net
87

 
54

 
251

 
148

TBA securities - mark-to-market net gain (loss)
84

 
63

 
(14
)
 
210

Payer swaptions

 
(10
)
 

 
(30
)
U.S. Treasury securities - long position

 
1

 
1

 
7

U.S. Treasury securities - short position
(31
)
 
(11
)
 
(47
)
 
(64
)
U.S. Treasury futures - short position
(22
)
 
(43
)
 
(49
)
 
(102
)
Interest rate swaps - termination fees and variation margin settlements, net
49

 
(299
)
 
156

 
(865
)
REIT equity securities

 
(1
)
 

 
(1
)
Other

 
(1
)
 
2

 
7

Total realized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net
167

 
(247
)
 
300

 
(690
)
Unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
TBA securities - mark-to-market net gain (loss)
(13
)
 
(50
)
 
123

 
33

Interest rate swaps
(8
)
 
503

 
(207
)
 
(134
)
Payer swaptions
(22
)
 
9

 
(46
)
 
18

U.S. Treasury securities - short position
12

 
25

 
(160
)
 
(78
)
U.S. Treasury futures - short position
21

 
58

 
20

 
(4
)
Debt of consolidated VIEs

 
(2
)
 
(1
)
 
(8
)
REIT equity securities

 
2

 

 
9

Other

 
1

 
(1
)
 

Total unrealized gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net
(10
)
 
546

 
(272
)
 
(164
)
Total gain (loss) on derivative instruments and other securities, net
$
131

 
$
248

 
$
(78
)
 
$
(1,063
)
For further details regarding our use of derivative instruments and related activity refer to Notes 3 and 6 of our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.
Operating Expenses
Prior to our acquisition of AMM and related management internalization on July 1, 2016, we paid our Manager a management fee payable monthly in arrears in an amount equal to one-twelfth of 1.25% of our month-end stockholders' equity, as defined in our management agreement. Following our management internalization, we no longer incur a management fee, but we incur expenses associated with an internally managed organization, including compensation expense previously borne by our Manager. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred compensation and benefits expense of $10 million and $30 million, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, prior to our internalization, we incurred management fees of $52 million and, subsequent to our internalization, compensation and benefits expense of $9 million.

43



For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we incurred other operating expenses of $7 million and $20 million, respectively, compared to $6 million and $27 million, respectively, for the prior year period. Excluding non-recurring acquisition costs, we incurred other operating expenses of $6 million and $18 million, respectively, for the prior year period. Other operating expenses primarily consist of prime broker fees; clearing, settlement and regulatory fees incurred by BES; information technology costs; accounting, legal and Board of Director fees; amortization of intangible assets associated with our acquisition of AMM; and other general overhead expenses.
Our total annualized operating expense as a percentage of our average stockholders' equity was 0.84% and 0.87% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, compared to 0.76% and 1.51%, respectively, for the prior year period. Excluding non-recurring acquisition costs, our total operating expense as a percentage of our stockholders' equity was 1.35% for the prior year nine month period.
Estimated Taxable Income 
For the three months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we had estimated taxable income available to common stockholders of $42 million and $63 million (or $0.12 and $0.19 per common share), respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, we had estimated taxable income available to common stockholders of $118 million and $210 million (or $0.34 and $0.63 per common share), respectively. Income as determined under GAAP differs from income as determined under tax rules because of both temporary and permanent differences in income and expense recognition. The primary differences are (i) unrealized gains and losses on derivative instruments and other securities marked-to-market in current income for GAAP purposes, but excluded from taxable income until realized or settled, (ii) timing differences, both temporary and potentially permanent, in the recognition of certain realized gains and losses and (iii) temporary differences related to the amortization of premiums and discounts on investments. Furthermore, our estimated taxable income is subject to potential adjustments up to the time of filing our appropriate tax returns, which occurs after the end of our fiscal year. The following is a reconciliation of our GAAP net income to our estimated taxable income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (dollars in millions, except per share amounts):
 
Three Months Ended September 30,
 
Nine Months Ended September 30,
 
2017
 
2016
 
2017
 
2016
Net income (loss)
$
286

 
$
511

 
$
386

 
$
(396
)
Estimated book to tax differences:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Premium amortization, net
(3
)
 
(15
)
 
(2
)
 
60

Realized gain/loss, net
(112
)
 
249

 
(392
)
 
733

Net capital loss/(utilization of net capital loss carryforward)
(159
)
 
(127
)
 
(115
)
 
(325
)
Unrealized gain/loss, net
41

 
(540
)
 
278

 
158

Other
(2
)
 
(8
)
 
(14
)
 
1

Total book to tax differences
(235
)
 
(441
)
 
(245
)
 
627

Estimated REIT taxable income
51

 
70

 
141

 
231

Dividend on preferred stock
9

 
7

 
23

 
21

Estimated REIT taxable income available to common stockholders
$
42

 
$
63

 
$
118

 
$
210

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic
364.7

 
331.0

 
347.5

 
332.1

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted
364.9

 
331.0

 
347.6

 
332.1

Estimated REIT taxable income per common share - basic and diluted
$
0.12

 
$
0.19

 
$
0.34

 
$
0.63

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Beginning cumulative non-deductible net capital loss
$
496

 
$
486

 
$
452

 
$
684

Net capital loss / (utilization of net capital loss carryforward)
(159
)
 
(127
)
 
(115
)
 
(325
)
Ending cumulative non-deductible net capital loss
$
337

 
$
359

 
$
337

 
$
359

Ending cumulative non-deductible net capital loss per ending common share
$
0.86

 
$
1.08

 
$
0.86

 
$
1.08

As of September 30, 2017, we had $0.3 billion (or $0.86 per common share) of net capital loss carryforwards, which expire at the end of fiscal year 2018.

44



Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Other comprehensive income (loss) primarily consists of unrealized gains and (losses) recognized due to the impact of fluctuations in long-term interest rates on the market value of our Agency RMBS designated as "available-for-sale" securities, net of reversals of prior period unrealized amounts upon realization. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we had other comprehensive income (loss) of $90 million and $257 million, respectively, compared to $(90) million and $1.1 billion for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.


45



LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Our primary sources of funds are borrowings under master repurchase agreements, asset sales, receipts of monthly principal and interest payments on our investment portfolio and equity offerings. We also enter into TBA contracts as a means of acquiring or disposing of Agency securities and utilize TBA dollar roll transactions to finance Agency RMBS purchases. Because the level of our borrowings can be adjusted on a daily basis, the level of cash and cash equivalents carried on our balance sheet is significantly less important than the potential liquidity available under our borrowing arrangements. Our leverage will vary periodically depending on market conditions and our assessment of risks and returns. We generally would expect our leverage to be within six to eleven times the amount of our tangible stockholders' equity. However, under certain market conditions, we may operate at leverage levels outside of this range for extended periods of time.
We currently believe that we have sufficient liquidity and capital resources available for the acquisition of additional investments, repayments on borrowings, maintenance of any margin requirements and the payment of cash dividends as required for our continued qualification as a REIT. We currently expect to distribute 100% of our taxable income so that we are not subject to U.S. federal and state corporate income taxes. Our REIT distribution requirement of at least 90% of our taxable income limits our ability to retain earnings and thereby replenish or increase capital from operations.
Debt Capital
As of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, our mortgage borrowings and net TBA position consisted of the following ($ in millions):
 
 
September 30, 2017
 
December 31, 2016
Mortgage Funding
 
Amount
 
%
 
Amount
 
%
Repurchase agreements used to fund Agency RMBS 1
 
$
45,505

 
69
%
 
$
37,686

 
71
%
Debt of consolidated variable interest entities, at fair value
 
380

 
1
%
 
460

 
1
%
FHLB advances
 

 
%
 
3,037

 
6
%
Total mortgage borrowings
 
45,885

 
70
%
 
41,183

 
78
%
Net TBA position, at cost
 
19,433

 
30
%
 
11,312

 
22
%
Total mortgage funding
 
$
65,318

 
100
%
 
$
52,495

 
100
%
______________________
1. Excludes repurchase agreements used to fund U.S. Treasury securities of $0 million and $172 million as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively.
Our tangible net book value "at risk" leverage was 8.0x and 7.7x as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, measured as the sum of our total mortgage borrowings, net TBA position (at cost) and net payable / (receivable) for unsettled investment securities divided by the sum of our total stockholders' equity adjusted to exclude goodwill and other intangible assets.
Repurchase Agreements
As part of our investment strategy, we borrow against our investment portfolio pursuant to master repurchase agreements. We expect that the majority of our borrowings under such master repurchase agreements will have maturities ranging up to one year, but we may have longer-term borrowings ranging up to five years or longer. Borrowings under our master repurchase agreements with maturities greater than 90 days typically have floating rates of interest based on LIBOR plus or minus a fixed spread.
As of September 30, 2017, we had $45.5 billion of repurchase agreements outstanding used to fund acquisitions of investment securities with a weighted average cost of funds of 1.36% and a weighted average remaining days-to-maturity of 129 days, compared $37.7 billion, 0.98% and 187 days, respectively, as of December 31, 2016.
To limit our counterparty exposure, we diversify our funding across multiple counterparties and by counterparty region. As of September 30, 2017, we had master repurchase agreements with 41 financial institutions located throughout North America, Europe and Asia, including counterparties accessed through our wholly-owned captive broker-dealer subsidiary, Bethesda Securities. Bethesda Securities has direct access to bilateral and triparty funding, including the General Collateral Finance Repo service offered by the Fixed Income Clearing Corporation, or "FICC," which provides us greater depth and diversity of funding at favorable terms relative to traditional bilateral repurchase agreement funding. As of September 30, 2017, $13.8 billion of our repurchase agreement funding was accessed through Bethesda Securities.


46



The table below includes a summary of our Agency RMBS repurchase agreement funding by number of repo counterparties and counterparty region as of September 30, 2017. For further details regarding our borrowings under repurchase agreements as of September 30, 2017, please refer to Notes 5 and 7 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q.
 
 
September 30, 2017
Counter-Party Region
 
Number of Counter-Parties
 
Percent of Agency RMBS Repurchase Agreement Funding
North America:
 
 
 
 
FICC
 
1
 
28%
Other
 
21
 
44%
Total North America
 
22
 
72%
Europe
 
14
 
18%
Asia
 
5
 
10%
Total
 
41
 
100%
Amounts available to be borrowed under our repurchase agreements are dependent upon lender collateral requirements and the lender's determination of the fair value of the securities pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates, credit quality and liquidity conditions within the investment banking, mortgage finance and real estate industries. In addition, our counterparties apply a "haircut" to our pledged collateral, which means our collateral is valued at slightly less than market value. This haircut reflects the underlying risk of the specific collateral and protects our counterparty against a change in its value, but conversely subjects us to counterparty credit risk and limits the amount we can borrow against our investment securities. Our master repurchase agreements do not specify the haircut; rather haircuts are determined on an individual repurchase transaction basis. Throughout the nine months ended September 30, 2017, haircuts on our pledged collateral remained stable and, as of September 30, 2017, our weighted average haircut was approximately 4.5% of the value of our collateral, inclusive of collateral funded through Bethesda Securities. As of September 30, 2017, our maximum amount at risk (or the amount or our repurchase liabilities in excess of the value of collateral pledged) with any counterparty related to our repurchase agreements was less than 5% of our tangible stockholders' equity, and our top five repo counterparties represented less than 12% of our tangible stockholders' equity.
We may be required to pledge additional assets to our counterparties in the event the estimated fair value of the existing collateral pledged under our agreements declines and our counterparties demand additional collateral (a "margin call"), which may take the form of additional securities or cash. Specifically, margin calls would result from a decline in the fair value of our investment securities securing our repurchase agreements as well as due to prepayments on the mortgages securing such securities. Similarly, if the estimated fair value of our investment securities increases due to changes in interest rates or other factors, counterparties may release collateral back to us. Our repurchase agreements generally provide that the valuations of securities securing our repurchase agreements are to be obtained from a generally recognized source agreed to by the parties. In certain circumstances, however, our lenders have the sole discretion to determine the value of pledged collateral. In such instances, our lenders are required to act in good faith in making determinations of value. Our repurchase agreements generally provide that in the event of a margin call, we must provide additional securities or cash on the same business day that a margin call is made if the lender provides us notice prior to the margin notice deadline on such day.
As of September 30, 2017, we had met all of our margin requirements and we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $1.1 billion and unpledged securities of approximately $3.6 billion, including securities pledged to us and unpledged interests in our consolidated VIEs, available to meet margin calls on our repurchase agreements and other funding liabilities, derivative instruments and for other corporate purposes.
Although we believe we will have adequate sources of liquidity available to us through repurchase agreement financing to execute our business strategy, there can be no assurances that repurchase agreement financing will be available to us upon the maturity of our current repurchase agreements to allow us to renew or replace our repurchase agreement financing on favorable terms or at all. If our repurchase agreement lenders default on their obligations to resell the underlying collateral back to us at the end of the term, we could incur a loss equal to the difference between the value of the collateral and the cash we originally received.
To help manage the adverse impact of interest rate changes on the value of our investment portfolio as well as our cash flows, we utilize an interest rate risk management strategy under which we use derivative financial instruments. In particular, we attempt to mitigate the risk of the cost of our variable rate liabilities increasing at a faster rate than the earnings of our long-term fixed rate assets during a period of rising interest rates. The primary derivative instruments that we use are interest rate swaps, interest rate

47



swaptions, U.S. Treasury securities, U.S. Treasury futures contracts and TBA securities. Please refer to Notes 3 and 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q for further details regarding our use of derivative instruments.
Our derivative agreements typically require that we pledge / receive collateral in a similar manner as we are required to under our repurchase agreements. Our counterparties, or the central clearing agency, typically have the sole discretion to determine the value of the derivative instruments and the value of the collateral securing such instruments. In the event of a margin call, we must provide additional collateral generally on the same or next business day. We minimize counterparty credit risk associated with our derivative instruments by limiting our counterparties to central clearing exchanges and major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings and by monitoring positions with individual counterparties. Excluding centrally cleared derivative instruments, as of September 30, 2017, our amount at risk with any counterparty related to our interest rate swap and swaption agreements was less than 1% of our stockholders' equity. In the case of centrally cleared derivative instruments, we could be exposed to credit risk if the central clearing agency or a clearing member defaults on its respective obligation to perform under the contract. However, we believe that the risk is minimal due to the exchanges' initial and daily mark to market margin requirements and clearinghouse guarantee funds and other resources that are available in the event of a clearing member default.
TBA Dollar Roll Transactions
TBA dollar roll transactions represent a form of off-balance sheet financing accounted for as derivative instruments and we may use them as a means of leveraging (or deleveraging) our investment portfolio through the use of long (or short) TBA contracts (see Notes 3 and 6 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q).
Under certain market conditions, it may be uneconomical for us to roll our TBA contracts into future months and we may need to take or make physical delivery of the underlying securities. If we were required to take physical delivery to settle a long TBA contract, we would have to fund our total purchase commitment with cash or other financing sources and our liquidity position could be negatively impacted. As of September 30, 2017, we had a net long TBA position with a total market value and a total cost basis of $19.4 billion and a net carrying value of $(24) million recognized in derivative assets/(liabilities), at fair value, on our Consolidated Balance Sheets in this Form 10-Q.
Our TBA dollar roll contracts are also subject to margin requirements governed by the Mortgage-Backed Securities Division ("MBSD") of the FICC and by our prime brokerage agreements, which may establish margin levels in excess of the MBSD. Such provisions require that we establish an initial margin based on the notional value of the TBA contract, which is subject to increase if the estimated fair value of our TBA contract or the estimated fair value of our pledged collateral declines. The MBSD has the sole discretion to determine the value of our TBA contracts and of the pledged collateral securing such contracts. In the event of a margin call, we must generally provide additional collateral on the same business day.
Settlement of our TBA obligations by taking delivery of the underlying securities as well as satisfying margin requirements could negatively impact our liquidity position. However, since we do not use TBA dollar roll transactions as our primary source of financing, we believe that we will have adequate sources of liquidity to meet such obligations.

Federal Home Loan Bank Advances

In February 2017, our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary's membership to the FHLB of Des Moines was terminated pursuant to the FHFA's final rule on changes to regulations concerning FHLB membership criteria released in January 2016. All of our outstanding FHLB advances were repaid prior to termination.
Bethesda Securities Regulatory Capital Requirements
Bethesda Securities is subject to regulations of the securities business that include but are not limited to trade practices, capital structure, recordkeeping and conduct of directors, officers and employees.  As a self-clearing registered broker-dealer, Bethesda Securities is required to maintain minimum net regulatory capital as defined by SEC Rule 15c3-1 (the "Rule"). As of September 30, 2017, the minimum net capital required was $0.3 million and Bethesda Securities had excess net capital of $204.0 million. Regulatory capital in excess of the minimum required by the Rule is held to meet levels required by clearing organizations, the clearing bank and other repo counterparties.
Asset Sales and TBA Eligible Securities
We maintain a portfolio of highly liquid mortgage-backed securities. We may sell our Agency securities through the TBA market by delivering them into TBA contracts, subject to "good delivery" provisions promulgated by the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association ("SIFMA"). We may alternatively sell Agency securities that have more unique attributes on a specified basis when such securities trade at a premium over generic TBA securities or if the securities are not otherwise eligible for TBA delivery. Since the TBA market is the second most liquid market (after the U.S. Treasury market), maintaining a significant

48



level of Agency securities eligible for TBA delivery enhances our liquidity profile and provides price support for our TBA eligible securities at or above generic TBA prices. As of September 30, 2017, approximately 90% of our fixed rate Agency RMBS portfolio was eligible for TBA delivery.
Equity Capital
In September 2017, we completed a public offering in which 28.2 million shares of our common stock were sold to the underwriters for proceeds of $577 million, or $20.47 per common share, net of estimated offering costs. In May 2017, we completed a public offering in which 24.5 million shares of our common stock were sold to the underwriters for proceeds of $503 million, or $20.51 per common share, net of offering costs. We are also authorized by our Board of Directors to publicly offer and sell shares of our common stock in privately negotiated and/or at-the-market transactions from time-to-time up to an aggregate amount of $750 million of shares of our common stock, subject to U.S. Federal securities laws. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, we sold 7.6 million shares of our common stock under the sales agreements for proceeds of $159 million, or $20.96 per common share, net of estimated offering costs. As of September 30, 2017, $589 million of shares of our common stock remain available for issuance under this program.
In August 2017, we issued 13,000 shares of 7.00% Series C Fixed-to-Floating Rate Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock in a public offering of 13.0 million Series C depositary shares at a price of $25 per depositary share for net proceeds of $315 million, after deducting estimated offering expenses. In September 2017, we redeemed all of our issued and outstanding shares of 8.000% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock for $173 million (or $25 per share liquidation preference), plus accrued and unpaid dividends.
To the extent we raise additional equity capital we may use cash proceeds from such transactions to purchase additional investment securities, to make scheduled payments of principal and interest on our funding liabilities and for other general corporate purposes.  There can be no assurance, however, that we will be able to raise additional equity capital at any particular time or on any particular terms. Furthermore, when the trading price of our common stock is significantly less than our estimate of our current tangible net asset value per common share, among other conditions, we may repurchase shares of our common stock, subject to the provisions of our stock repurchase program (see Note 10 to our Consolidated Financial Statements in this Form 10-Q).

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

As of September 30, 2017, we did not maintain any relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial partnerships, such as entities often referred to as structured finance, or special purpose or variable interest entities, established for the purpose of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes. Furthermore, as of September 30, 2017, we had not guaranteed any obligations of unconsolidated entities or entered into any commitment or intent to provide funding to any such entities.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This document contains "forward-looking statements" (within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that inherently involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results and liquidity can differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements because of changes in the level and composition of our investments and other factors. These factors may include, but are not limited to, changes in general economic conditions, the availability of suitable investments from both an investment return and regulatory perspective, the availability of new investment capital, fluctuations in interest rates and levels of mortgage prepayments, deterioration in credit quality and ratings, the effectiveness of risk management strategies, the impact of leverage, liquidity of secondary markets and credit markets, increases in costs and other general competitive factors.


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Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Market risk is the exposure to loss resulting from changes in market factors such as interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates, commodity prices and equity prices. The primary market risks that we are exposed to are interest rate, prepayment, spread, liquidity, extension and credit risk.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate risk 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 can also affect the rate of prepayments of our securities and the value of the mortgage securities that constitute our investment portfolio, which affects our net income and ability to realize gains from the sale of these assets and impacts our ability and the amount that we can borrow against these securities.
We utilize a variety of strategies to limit the effects of changes in interest rates on our operations. The principal instruments that we use are interest rate swaps, swaptions, U.S. Treasury securities and U.S. Treasury futures contracts. We also use forward contracts in the Agency RMBS TBA market to invest in and finance Agency securities as well as to periodically reduce our exposure to Agency RMBS. Derivative instruments may expose us to certain risks, including the risk that losses on a hedge position will reduce the funds available for payments to holders of our common stock and that the losses may exceed the amount we invested in the instruments.
Our profitability and the value of our investment portfolio (including derivatives used for hedging purposes) may be adversely affected during any period as a result of changing interest rates including changes in the forward yield curve.
Primary measures of an instrument's price sensitivity to interest rate fluctuations are its duration and convexity. Duration measures the estimated percentage change in market value of our mortgage assets or our hedge portfolio that would be caused by a parallel change in short and long-term interest rates. The duration of our investment portfolio changes with interest rates and tends to increase when interest rates rise and decrease when interest rates fall. This "negative convexity" generally increases the interest rate exposure of our investment portfolio in excess of what is measured by duration alone.
We estimate the duration and convexity of our portfolio using both a third-party risk management system and market data. We review the duration estimates from the third-party model and may make adjustments based on our judgment. These adjustments are intended to better reflect the unique characteristics and market trading conventions associated with certain types of securities.
The table below quantifies the estimated changes in (i) net interest income (including periodic interest costs on our interest rate swaps); (ii) the fair value of our investment portfolio (including derivatives and other securities used for hedging purposes); and (iii) our tangible net asset value as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 should interest rates go up or down by 50 and 100 basis points, assuming instantaneous parallel shifts in the yield curve and including the impact of both duration and convexity.
All changes in income and value in the table below are measured as percentage changes from the base interest rate scenario. The base interest rate scenario assumes interest rates and prepayment projections as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016. We apply a floor of 0% for the down rate scenarios on our interest bearing liabilities and the variable leg of our interest rate swaps, such that any hypothetical interest rate decrease would have a limited positive impact on our funding costs beyond a certain level.
Actual results could differ materially from estimates, especially in the current market environment. To the extent that these estimates or other assumptions do not hold true, which is likely in a period of high price volatility, actual results will likely differ materially from projections. Moreover, if different models were employed in the analysis, materially different projections could result. Lastly, while the table below reflects the estimated impact of interest rate changes on a static portfolio, we actively manage our portfolio and we continuously make adjustments to the size and composition of our asset and hedge portfolio.  

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Interest Rate Sensitivity 1
 
 
Percentage Change in Projected
Change in Interest Rate
 
Net Interest Income 2
 
Portfolio Market
 Value 3,4
 
Tangible Net Asset
Value 3,5
As of September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
-100 Basis Points
 
-10.4%
 
-0.5%
 
-5.1%
-50 Basis Points
 
-3.4%
 
0.0%
 
-0.1%
+50 Basis Points
 
+1.9%
 
-0.4%
 
-3.7%
+100 Basis Points
 
+2.0%
 
-1.1%
 
-9.8%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
 
 
-100 Basis Points
 
-9.7%
 
+0.6%
 
+4.9%
-50 Basis Points
 
-1.8%
 
+0.5%
 
+4.4%
+50 Basis Points
 
+4.1%
 
-0.8%
 
-6.9%
+100 Basis Points
 
+6.2%
 
-1.7%
 
-15.3%
________________
1.
Interest rate sensitivity is derived from models that are dependent on inputs and assumptions provided by third parties, assumes there are no changes in mortgage spreads and assumes a static portfolio. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
2.
Represents the estimated dollar change in net interest income expressed as a percent of net interest income based on asset yields and cost of funds as of such date. It includes the effect of periodic interest costs on our interest rate swaps, but excludes costs associated with our forward starting swaps and other supplemental hedges, such as swaptions and U.S. Treasury securities. Amounts also exclude costs associated with our TBA position and TBA dollar roll income/loss, which are accounted for as derivative instruments in accordance with GAAP. Base case scenario assumes interest rates and forecasted CPR of 9% and 8% as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively. As of September 30, 2017, rate shock scenarios assume a forecasted CPR of 12%, 10%, 7% and 7% for the -100, -50, +50 and +100 basis points scenarios, respectively. As of December 31, 2016, rate shock scenarios assume a forecasted CPR of 10%, 9%, 7% and 7% for such scenarios, respectively. Estimated dollar change in net interest income does not include the impact of retroactive "catch-up" premium amortization adjustments due to changes in our forecasted CPR. Down rate scenarios assume a floor of 0% for anticipated interest rates.
3.
Includes the effect of derivatives and other securities used for hedging purposes.
4.
Estimated dollar change in investment portfolio value expressed as a percent of the total fair value of our investment portfolio as of such date.
5.
Estimated dollar change in portfolio value expressed as a percent of tangible stockholders' equity, net of the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock liquidation preference, as of such date.
Prepayment Risk
Because residential borrowers have the option to prepay their mortgage loans at par at any time, we face the risk that we will experience a return of principal on our investments faster than anticipated. Various factors affect the rate at which mortgage prepayments occur, including changes in the level of and directional trends in housing prices, interest rates, general economic conditions, loan age and size, loan-to-value ratio, the location of the property and social and demographic conditions. Additionally, changes to GSE underwriting practices or other governmental programs could also significantly impact prepayment rates or expectations. Also, the pace at which the loans underlying our securities become seriously delinquent or are modified and the timing of GSE repurchases of such loans from our securities can materially impact the rate of prepayments. Generally, prepayments on residential mortgage-backed securities increase during periods of falling mortgage interest rates and decrease during periods of rising mortgage interest rates. However, this may not always be the case.
We may reinvest principal repayments at a yield that is lower or higher than the yield on the repaid investment, thus affecting our net interest income by altering the average yield on our assets. We also amortize or accrete premiums and discounts associated with the purchase of mortgage securities into interest income over the projected lives of the securities, including contractual payments and estimated prepayments using the effective interest method. Our policy for estimating prepayment speeds for calculating the effective yield is to evaluate published prepayment data for similar securities, market consensus and current market conditions. If the actual prepayment experienced differs from our estimate of prepayments, we will be required to make an adjustment to the amortization or accretion of premiums and discounts that would have an impact on future income.
Spread Risk
When the market spread between the yield on our investment securities and benchmark interest rates widens, our net book value could decline if the value of our investment securities fall by more than the offsetting fair value increases on our hedging instruments tied to the underlying benchmark interest rates. We refer to this as "spread risk" or "basis risk." The spread risk associated with our mortgage assets and the resulting fluctuations in fair value of these securities can occur independent of changes in benchmark interest rates and may relate to other factors impacting the mortgage and fixed income markets, such as actual or

51



anticipated monetary policy actions by the Federal Reserve, market liquidity, or changes in required rates of return on different assets. Consequently, while we use interest rate swaps and other supplemental hedges to attempt to protect against moves in interest rates, such instruments typically will not protect our net book value against spread risk.
The table below quantifies the estimated changes in the fair value of our investment portfolio (including derivatives and other securities used for hedging purposes) and in our tangible net asset value as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 should spreads widen or tighten by 10 and 25 basis points. The estimated impact of changes in spreads is in addition to our interest rate shock sensitivity included in the interest rate shock table above. The table below assumes a spread duration of 5.3 and 5.4 years as of September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively, based on interest rates and prices as of such dates. However, our portfolio's sensitivity of mortgage spread changes will vary with changes in interest rates and in the size and composition of our investment portfolio. Therefore, actual results could differ materially from our estimates.
Spread Sensitivity 1
 
 
Percentage Change in Projected
Change in MBS Spread
 
Portfolio
Market
Value 2,3
 
Tangible Net Asset
Value 2,4
As of September 30, 2017
 
 
 
 
-25 Basis Points
 
+1.3%
 
+12.3%
-10 Basis Points
 
+0.5%
 
+4.9%
+10 Basis Points
 
-0.5%
 
-4.9%
+25 Basis Points
 
-1.3%
 
-12.3%
 
 
 
 
 
As of December 31, 2016
 
 
 
 
-25 Basis Points
 
+1.3%
 
+12.0%
-10 Basis Points
 
+0.5%
 
+4.8%
+10 Basis Points
 
-0.5%
 
-4.8%
+25 Basis Points
 
-1.3%
 
-12.0%
________________
1.
Spread sensitivity is derived from models that are dependent on inputs and assumptions provided by third parties, assumes there are no changes in interest rates and assumes a static portfolio. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates.
2.
Includes the effect of derivatives and other securities used for hedging purposes.
3.
Estimated dollar change in investment portfolio value expressed as a percent of the total fair value of our investment portfolio as of such date.
4.
Estimated dollar change in portfolio value expressed as a percent of tangible stockholders' equity, net of the Series A and Series B Preferred Stock liquidation preference, as of such date.
Liquidity Risk
The primary liquidity risk for us arises from financing long-term assets with shorter-term borrowings through repurchase agreements and other short-term funding agreements.  As of September 30, 2017, we had unrestricted cash and cash equivalents of $1.1 billion and unpledged securities of approximately $3.6 billion, including securities pledged to us and unpledged interests in our consolidated VIEs, available to meet margin calls on our funding liabilities and derivative contracts and for other corporate purposes.  However, should the value of our collateral or the value of our derivative instruments suddenly decrease, margin calls relating to our funding liabilities and derivative agreements could increase, causing an adverse change in our liquidity position. Furthermore, there is no assurance that we will always be able to renew (or roll) our short-term funding liabilities. In addition, our counterparties have the option to increase our haircuts (margin requirements) on the assets we pledge against our funding liabilities, thereby reducing the amount that can be borrowed against an asset even if they agree to renew or roll such funding liabilities. Significantly higher haircuts can reduce our ability to leverage our portfolio or even force us to sell assets, especially if correlated with asset price declines or faster prepayment rates on our assets.
In addition, we often utilize TBA dollar roll transactions as a means of investing in and financing Agency RMBS. Under certain economic conditions it may be uneconomical to roll our TBA dollar roll transactions prior to the settlement date and we could have to take physical delivery of the underlying securities and settle our obligations for cash, which could negatively impact our liquidity position, result in defaults or force us to sell assets under adverse conditions.
Extension Risk
The projected weighted-average life and estimated duration, or interest rate sensitivity, of our investments is based on our assumptions regarding the rate at which the borrowers will prepay the underlying mortgage loans. In general, we use interest rate

52



swaps and swaptions to help manage our funding cost on our investments in the event that interest rates rise.  These swaps (or swaptions) allow us to reduce our funding exposure on the notional amount of the swap for a specified period of time by establishing a fixed rate to pay in exchange for receiving a floating rate that generally tracks our financing costs under our funding liabilities.
However, if prepayment rates decrease in a rising interest rate environment, the average life or duration of our fixed rate assets generally extends. This could have a negative impact on our results from operations, as our interest rate swap maturities are fixed and will, therefore, cover a smaller percentage of our funding exposure on our mortgage assets to the extent that their average lives increase due to slower prepayments. This situation may also cause the market value of our fixed rate securities to decline by more than otherwise would be the case while most of our hedging instruments would not receive any incremental offsetting gains.  In extreme situations, we may be forced to sell assets to maintain adequate liquidity, which could cause us to incur realized losses.
Credit Risk
We are exposed to credit risk related to our CRT and non-Agency investments, certain derivative transactions, and our collateral held by funding and derivative counterparties. We accept credit exposure at levels we deem prudent as an integral part of our investment and hedging strategy. We seek to manage this risk through prudent asset selection, pre-acquisition due diligence, post-acquisition performance monitoring, sale of assets where we have identified negative credit trends and the use of various types of credit enhancements. We may also use non-recourse financing, which limits our exposure to credit losses to the specific securities subject to the non-recourse financing. Our overall management of credit exposure may also include the use of credit default swaps or other financial derivatives that we believe are appropriate. Additionally, we may vary the percentage mix of our investments or our duration gap, when we believe credit performance is inversely correlated with changes in interest rates, in an effort to actively adjust our credit exposure and to improve the risk/return profile of our investment portfolio.
Our credit risk related to certain derivative transactions is largely mitigated through daily adjustments to collateral pledged based on changes in market value and we limit our counterparties to major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings. There is no guarantee that our efforts to manage credit risk will be successful and we could suffer losses if credit performance is worse than our expectations or if economic conditions worsen.

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Item 4. Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act") reports is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure based on the definition of "disclosure controls and procedures" as promulgated under the Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder. In designing and evaluating the disclosure controls and procedures, management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving the desired control objectives, and management necessarily was required to apply its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures.
We, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2017. Based on the foregoing, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There have been no changes in our "internal control over financial reporting" (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

PART II.

Item 1. Legal Proceedings  
Neither we, nor any of our consolidated subsidiaries, are currently subject to any material litigation nor, to our knowledge, is any litigation threatened against us or any consolidated subsidiary, in each case, that is expected to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or operations. See also "Loss Contingencies" in Note 3 to our Consolidated Financial Statements included in this Form 10-Q.

Item 1A. Risk Factors
 There have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
None.
Item 3. Defaults upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.

Item 5. Other Information
 
None.

Item 6.     Exhibits and Financial Statement Schedules
(a)    Exhibit Index

54



Exhibit No.
Description
 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 

 
 
31.1

 
 
31.2

 
 
32

 
 
101.INS**

XBRL Instance Document
 
 
101.SCH**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
 
 
101.CAL**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.LAB**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document
 
 
101.PRE**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
 
 
101.DEF**

XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
______________________

55



*    Previously filed
**
This exhibit is being furnished rather than filed, and shall not be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing, in accordance with Item 601 of Regulation S-K

(b)
Exhibits
    
See the exhibits filed herewith.
 
(c)
Additional financial statement schedules
 
None.

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SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
 
AGNC INVESTMENT CORP.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
By:
/s/    GARY KAIN
 
 
 
 
Gary Kain
Chief Executive Officer, President and
Chief Investment Officer (Principal Executive Officer)
Date:
November 3, 2017
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
/s/    PETER FEDERICO
 
 
 
 
Peter Federico
Chief Financial Officer and
Executive Vice President (Principal Financial Officer)
Date:
November 3, 2017
 
 
 




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