AGNC Investment Corp Series C

AGNCN

Market cap $306M

U.S. equity markets climbed to fresh record highs in the Christmas-shortened trading week, buoyed by surprisingly solid GDP data, positive holiday spending trends, and a pullback in global interest rates. The delayed GDP report released this week showed a modest reacceleration in U.S. economic growth in the third-quarter to the strongest pace in two years alongside a cooler-than-expected inflation reading. Precious metals stole the show. Gold, silver, and platinum extended a historic rally fueled by a combination of easing rates, central-bank buying, end-market demand, and investor appetite for hard assets.

U.S. equity markets posted mixed performance as surprisingly cool inflation data and soft employment data were tempered by a hawkish pushback from Fed officials and skeptics clinging to inflation fears. The critical CPI report showed inflation easing to four-year lows, a heavily criticized report that may, ironically, be the most accurate inflation reading in several years due to collection limitations. The report "zeroed out" shelter inflation due to incomplete collection, combined with an antiquated and lagged sampling methodology, effectively "correcting" its data by removing the most persistent source of distortion.

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U.S. equity markets posted mixed performance after an unusually divided Federal Reserve delivered a third-straight rate cut, but signaled a likely "pause" in the easing cycle. Perhaps the last rate cut under the "Powell Fed," the FOMC voted 9-3 to lower the federal funds rate to 3.75%, with two votes to keep rates unchanged. Markets saw hawkish undertones in the updated Economic Projections and commentary from Chair Powell, which emphasized lingering uncertainty around the inflation outlook and lack of conviction in softening labor markets.

AGNC Investment is expanding its portfolio amid a favorable market for mREITs, holding true to its focus on 30-year agency MBS. The common shares have had a stellar 2025, with an elevated 28% tangible book premium making investments in preferred shares of AGNC highly desirable. Against this backdrop, the odds of a call in the Series C preferred shares are quite elevated in 2026, warranting a downgrade to a Hold rating.

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U.S. equity markets climbed to the cusp of fresh record-highs as another soft slate of employment data and modest PCE inflation data helped solidify the case for another rate cut. ADP provided the most evident signs of cooling labor markets, posting job losses in three of the past six months and a cooldown in wage growth to four-year lows. The PCE report showed corresponding disinflation in discretionary services categories, offsetting modest upward pressures on goods prices, resulting in the first monthly deceleration in core inflation since April.

U.S. equity markets staged a broad rally in the holiday-shortened week, while benchmark interest rates dipped to the cusp of multi-year lows, as investors leaned into December rate cut expectations. Reports that Kevin Hassett- a close Trump ally- has emerged as the frontrunner to succeed Fed Chair Powell in 2026 further sharpened expectations for a more explicitly dovish policy approach. The "Hasset trade" revived appetite for long-duration and rate-sensitive equity sectors, as investors priced in a lower terminal-rate environment and a steeper path of 2026 policy accommodation.

U.S. equity markets dipped in a volatile week, while benchmark interest rates pulled back from one-month highs, as renewed anxiety over stretched AI-driven valuations collided with mounting monetary policy uncertainty. Public commentary from Fed officials revealed an unusually fractured committee, with a divide that was deepened further by a mixed slate of employment data via the long-delayed September payrolls report. Payrolls data showed that the U.S. economy added 119k jobs in September- better than estimates- but prior months were revised lower and the unemployment rate rose to four-year highs.

Rose's Income Garden portfolio allocates 25% to finance, with a focus on high-yield preferred shares and closed-end funds. DFP and NPFD are highlighted as attractive CEFs, both trading at discounts to NAV and offering rising or stable monthly distributions above 6%. Six preferred shares, including AGNCN, DLNG.PR.A, NLY.PR.F, RITM.PR.D/E, and SEAL.PR.B, are recommended for their high yields and careful attention to call dates.