a6090327.htm
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

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

FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED:  SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

OR

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

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM _______________ TO _________________

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER:  1-13447

ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC.
(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)
 
MARYLAND
 
22-3479661
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
 
1211 AVENUE OF THE AMERICAS, SUITE 2902
NEW YORK, NEW YORK
(Address of principal executive offices)
10036
 (Zip Code)
(212) 696-0100
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days:

   Yes x    No o

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

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

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

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

APPLICABLE ONLY TO CORPORATE ISSUERS:
 
Class
 
Outstanding at November 4, 2009
Common Stock, $.01 par value
 
552,778,531
 

 
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FORM 10-Q

TABLE OF CONTENTS

     
       
           Item 1.  Financial Statements:
     
       
    1  
         
               months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008
    2  
         
    3  
         
              and 2008
    4  
         
    6  
         
    22  
         
    42  
         
           Item 4. Controls and Procedures
    43  
         
       
         
           Item 1. Legal Proceedings
    44  
         
           Item 1A. Risk Factors
    44  
         
           Item 6. Exhibits
    45  
         
           SIGNATURES
    47  
 

 
Part I
Item1.  Financial Statements
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND DECEMBER 31, 2008
 (dollars in thousands, except for share data)
 
   
September 30, 2009
(Unaudited)
   
December 31, 2008(1)
 
ASSETS
           
Cash and cash equivalents
  $ 1,723,341     $ 909,353  
Reverse repurchase agreements with affiliates
    226,264       562,119  
Reverse repurchase agreements
    100,000       -  
Mortgage-Backed Securities, at fair value
    66,837,761       55,046,995  
Agency debentures, at fair value
    625,615       598,945  
Available for sale equity securities, at fair value
    171,834       52,795  
Investment in affiliate, equity method
    67,906       -  
Receivable for Mortgage-Backed Securities sold
    -       75,546  
Accrued interest and dividends receivable
    332,861       282,532  
Receivable from Prime Broker
    16,886       16,886  
Receivable for advisory and service fees
    12,807       6,103  
Intangible for customer relationships, net
    10,791       12,380  
Goodwill
    27,917       27,917  
Other assets
    8,695       6,044  
     Total assets
  $ 70,162,678     $ 57,597,615  
                 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
               
Liabilities:
               
  Repurchase agreements
  $ 55,842,840     $ 46,674,885  
  Payable for Investment Securities purchased
    3,644,420       2,062,030  
  Accrued interest payable
    97,693       199,985  
  Dividends payable
    381,411       270,736  
  Accounts payable and other liabilities
    37,991       8,380  
  Interest rate swaps, at fair value
    788,065       1,102,285  
                 
     Total liabilities
    60,792,420       50,318,301  
                 
6.00% Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock:
  4,600,000 shares authorized 2,604,614 and 3,963,525 shares
   issued and outstanding, respectively
      63,114         96,042  
                 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 15)
    -       -  
                 
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
7.875% Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock:
  7,412,500 shares authorized, issued and outstanding
    177,088       177,088  
Common stock: par value $.01 per share; 987,987,500 shares
   authorized, 552,778,531 and 541,475,366 issued and
   outstanding, respectively
      5,528         5,415  
Additional paid-in capital
    7,811,356       7,633,438  
Accumulated other comprehensive income
    1,959,994       252,230  
Accumulated deficit
    (646,822 )     (884,899 )
                 
     Total stockholders’ equity
    9,307,144       7,183,272  
                 
Total liabilities, Series B Cumulative Convertible
 Preferred Stock and stockholders’ equity
  $ 70,162,678     $ 57,597,615  
                 
(1)  Derived from the audited consolidated statement of financial condition at December 31, 2008.
 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
1

 
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(dollars in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)
 
   
For the Quarter
Ended
September 30,
2009
   
For the Quarter
Ended
September 30,
2008
   
For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
2009
   
For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
2008
 
Interest income
  $ 744,523     $ 810,659     $ 2,170,939     $ 2,375,146  
Interest expense
    307,777       458,250       1,008,998       1,438,107  
     Net interest income
    436,746       352,409       1,161,941       937,039  
Other income:
                               
   Investment advisory and service fees
    14,620       7,663       34,117       20,667  
   Gain (loss) on sale of Investment Securities
    591       (1,066 )     7,978       11,181  
   Income from trading securities
    -       7,671       -       11,705  
   Dividend income from available-for-sale equity
      Securities
    5,398       580       9,537       2,101  
   Unrealized (loss) gain on interest rate swaps
    (128,687 )     -       137,065       -  
   Loss on other-than-temporarily impaired
       securities
    -       (31,834 )     -       (31,834 )
     Total other (loss) income
    (108,078 )     (16,986 )     188,697       13,820  
Expenses:
                               
  Distribution fees
    478       299       1,338       1,302  
  General and administrative expenses
    33,344       25,455       93,272       76,665  
     Total expenses
    33,822       25,754       94,610       77,967  
                                 
Income before income taxes and noncontrolling
interest
    294,846       309,669       1,256,028       872,892  
                                 
Income taxes
    9,657       7,538       23,892       19,675  
                                 
Net income
    285,189       302,131       1,232,136       853,217  
                                 
Noncontrolling interest
    -       -       -       58  
                                 
 Net income attributable to controlling interest
    285,189       302,131       1,232,136       853,159  
                                 
Dividends on preferred stock
    4,625       5,335       13,876       16,042  
                                 
Net income available to common shareholders
  $ 280,564     $ 296,796     $ 1,218,260     $ 837,117  
                   
Net income available per share to common
  shareholders-basic
  $ 0.51     $ 0.55     $ 2.24     $ 1.69  
Net income available per share to common
  shareholders-diluted
  $ 0.51     $ 0.54     $ 2.22     $ 1.67  
                   
Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding-basic
    547,611,480       538,706,131       544,970,392       495,583,506  
Weighted average number of common shares
  outstanding-diluted
    553,376,285       547,882,488       550,913,871       504,609,331  
                                 
Net income attributable to controlling interest
  $ 285,189     $ 302,131     $ 1,232,136     $ 853,159  
Other comprehensive income (loss):
                               
  Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale
    securities
    542,396       (200,513 )     1,538,587       (511,958 )
  Unrealized gain on interest rate swaps
    56,055       16,740       177,155       13,838  
  Reclassification adjustment for net gains (losses)
     included in net income
    (591 )     1,066       (7,978 )     (11,181 )
  Other comprehensive income (loss)
    597,860       (182,707 )     1,707,764       (509,301 )
Comprehensive income attributable to
  controlling interest
  $ 883,049     $ 119,424     $ 2,939,900     $ 343,858  
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
2

 
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
 (dollars in thousands, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
 
   
 
Preferred
Stock
   
Common
Stock
Par Value
   
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
   
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income
   
Accumulated Deficit
   
 
 
Total
 
BALANCE, DECEMBER  31, 2008
  $ 177,088     $ 5,415     $ 7,633,438     $ 252,230     $ (884,899 )   $ 7,183,272  
                                                 
  Net income attributable to controlling interest
    -       -       -       -       1,232,136       1,232,136  
  Other comprehensive income
    -       -       -       1,707,764       -       1,707,764  
  Exercise of stock options and stock grants
    -       1       1,042       -       -       1,043  
  Stock option expense and long-term compensation expense
    -       -       2,871       -       -       2,871  
  Conversion of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
    -       28       32,900       -       -       32,928  
  Net proceeds from direct purchase and dividend reinvestment
    -       84       141,105       -       -       141,189  
  Preferred Series A dividends declared,  $1.4766 per share
    -       -       -       -       (10,945 )     (10,945 )
  Preferred Series B dividends declared, $1.125 per share
    -       -       -       -       (2,931 )     (2,931 )
  Common dividends declared, $1.79 per share
    -       -       -       -       (980,183 )     (980,183 )
                                                 
BALANCE, SEPTEMBER 30, 2009
  $ 177,088     $ 5,528     $ 7,811,356     $ 1,959,994     $ (646,822 )   $ 9,307,144  
                                                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
 
3

 
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(dollars in thousands)
(Unaudited)
 
   
For the Quarter
Ended
September 30,
2009
   
For the Quarter Ended
September 30,
2008
   
For the Nine
Months Ended
September 30,
2009
   
For the Nine 
Months Ended 
September 30,
2008
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
                       
Net income
  $ 285,189     $ 302,131     $ 1,232,136     $ 853,217  
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by
operating activities:
                               
    Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest
    -       -       -       (58 )
    Amortization of Mortgage-Backed Securities premiums and
     discounts, net
    75,072       18,709       174,502       72,836  
    Amortization of intangibles
    407       878       1,909       3,116  
    Amortization of trading securities premiums and discounts
    -       -       -       (3 )
    (Gain) loss on sale of Investment Securities
    (591 )     1,066       (7,978 )     (11,181 )
    Stock option and long-term compensation expense
    938       846       2,871       1,685  
    Unrealized gain (loss) on interest rate swaps
    128,687       -       (137,065 )     -  
    Equity in investment with affiliate
    11       -       11       -  
    Net realized gain on trading investments
    -       (5,448 )     -       (12,579 )
    Unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on trading investments
    -       (1,784 )     -       2,994  
    Loss on other-than-temporarily impaired securities
    -       31,834       -       31,834  
    (Increase) decrease in accrued interest and dividends receivable
    (25,357 )     2,689       (47,542 )     (29,661 )
    (Increase) decrease  in other assets
    (3,455 )     614       (2,972 )     1,941  
    Purchase of trading securities
    -       (1,033 )     -       (13,049 )
    Proceeds from sale of trading securities
    -       21,061       -       30,986  
    Purchase of trading securities sold, not yet purchased
    -       (16,258 )     -       (22,290 )
    Proceeds from securities sold, not yet purchased
    -       6,927       -       21,483  
    Decrease (increase) in advisory and service fees receivable
    (2,768 )     1,122       (6,704 )     17  
    (Decrease) increase in interest payable
    (4,968 )     13,746       (102,291 )     (89,247 )
    Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other  liabilities
    (2,124 )     (10,240 )     29,609       (10,303 )
    Proceeds from repurchase agreements from broker dealer
    172,113,103       -       199,146,573       -  
    Payments on repurchase agreements from broker dealer
    (167,933,399 )     -       (191,536,573 )     -  
    Proceeds from reverse repo from broker dealer
    1,402,637       -       1,992,414       -  
    Payment on reverse repo from broker dealer
    (1,528,392 )     -       (2,165,602 )     -  
         Net cash provided by operating activities
    4,504,990       366,860       8,573,298       831,738  
Cash flows from investing activities:
                               
  Purchase of Mortgage-Backed Securities
    (8,805,661 )     (4,056,829 )     (20,472,665 )     (21,312,583 )
  Proceeds from sale of Investment Securities
    605,911       3,160,959       1,635,844       8,819,213  
  Principal payments of Mortgage-Backed Securities
    4,016,331       1,761,680       10,031,023       7,091,400  
  Agency debentures called
    -       -       602,000       (500,000 )
  Purchase of agency debentures
    -               (623,361 )        
  Proceeds from reverse repurchase agreements
    5,040,667       -       6,052,222       -  
  Payments on reverse repurchase agreements
    (5,070,260 )     (569,693 )     (5,643,179 )     (619,657 )
  Purchase of available-for-sale equity securities from affiliate
    -       -       (90,078 )     -  
  Purchase of equity securities
    (67,917 )     -       (67,917 )     -  
       Net cash used in investing activities
    (4,280,929 )     296,117       (8,576,111 )     (6,521,627 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
                               
  Proceeds from repurchase agreements
    80,062,824       115,322,213       262,419,462       338,648,447  
  Principal payments on repurchase agreements
    (79,726,618 )     (116,086,118 )     (260,861,509 )     (333,619,249 )
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options
    320       910       1,043       2,740  
  Proceeds from direct purchase and dividend reinvestment
    141,189       22,628       141,189       93,675  
  Net proceeds from follow-on offerings
    -       -       -       2,147,549  
  Net proceeds from ATM programs
    -       -       -       71,832  
  Noncontrolling interest
    -       -       -       (1,573 )
  Dividends paid
    (331,233 )     (301,533 )     (883,384 )     (673,678 )
       Net cash provided by financing activities
    146,482       (1,041,900 )     816,801       6,669,743  
Net increase (decrease)  in cash and cash equivalents
    370,543       (378,923 )     813,988       979,854  
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    1,352,798       1,462,737       909,353       103,960  
                                 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
  $ 1,723,341     $ 1,083,814     $ 1,723,341     $ 1,083,814  
                                 
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
                               
  Interest paid
  $ 312,746     $ 444,504     $ 1,111,290     $ 1,527,353  
  Taxes paid
  $ 9,616     $ 8,963     $ 29,264     $ 18,303  
Noncash financing activities:
                               
  Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale
     securities and interest rate swaps, net of reclassification
     adjustment
  $ 597,860     $ (182,707 )   $ 1,707,764     $ (509,301 )
  Dividends declared, not yet paid
  $ 381,411     $ 296,254     $ 381,411     $ 296,254  
Noncash investing activities:
                               
  Receivable for Investment Securities sold
    -     $ 2,446,342       -     $ 2,446,342  
  Payable for Investment Securities purchased
  $ 3,644,420     $ 839,235     $ 3,644,420     $ 839,235  
                                 
See notes to consolidated financial statements.
                               
 
4

 
ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
FOR THE QUARTERS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2008


1.
ORGANIZATION AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES
 
Annaly Capital Management, Inc. (“Annaly” or the “Company”) was incorporated in Maryland on November 25, 1996.  The Company commenced its operations of purchasing and managing an investment portfolio of mortgage-backed securities on February 18, 1997, upon receipt of the net proceeds from the private placement of equity capital, and completed its initial public offering on October 14, 1997.  The Company is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.  Fixed Income Discount Advisory Company (“FIDAC”) is a registered investment advisor and is a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company.  During the third quarter of 2008, the Company formed RCap Securities, Inc. (“RCap”).  RCap was granted membership in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) on January 26, 2009, and operates as broker-dealer.  RCap is a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company.  On October 31, 2008, the Company acquired Merganser Capital Management, Inc. (“Merganser”).  Merganser is a registered investment advisor and is a wholly owned taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company.

A summary of the Company’s significant accounting policies follows:
 
Basis of Presentation - The accompanying unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared in conformity with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10, Rule 10-01 of Regulation S-X for interim financial statements.  Accordingly, they may not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”).
 
The consolidated interim financial statements are unaudited; however, in the opinion of the Company's management, all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring accruals, necessary for a fair statement of the financial positions, results of operations, and cash flows have been included. These unaudited consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. The nature of the Company's business is such that the results of any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for a full year. The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company, FIDAC, Merganser, RCap and an affiliated investment fund (the “Fund”).  The Fund is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company whose assets are subject to the administration of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (“LBIE”) under English bankruptcy law.
 
Cash and Cash Equivalents - Cash and cash equivalents include cash on hand and cash held in money market funds on an overnight basis.
 
Reverse Repurchase Agreements - The Company may invest its daily available cash balances via reverse repurchase agreements to provide additional yield on its assets.  These investments will typically be recorded as short term investments and will generally mature daily.  Reverse repurchase agreements are recorded at cost and are collateralized by mortgage-backed securities pledged by the counterparty to the agreement.  Reverse repurchase agreements entered into by RCap are part of the subsidiary’s daily matched book trading activity.  These reverse repurchase agreements are recorded on trade date at the contract amount, are collateralized by mortgage backed securities and generally mature within 90 days.  Margin calls are made by RCap as appropriate based on the daily valuation of the underlying collateral versus the contract price.  RCap generates income from the spread between what is earned on the reverse repurchase agreements and what is paid on the matched repurchase agreements.   Cash flows related to RCap’s matched book activity are included in cash flows from operating activity.
 
Mortgage-Backed Securities and Agency Debentures - The Company invests primarily in mortgage pass-through certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations and other mortgage-backed securities representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans, and certificates guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), and the Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”)  (collectively, “Mortgage-Backed Securities”).   The Company also invests in agency debentures issued by Federal Home Loan Banks (“FHLBs”), Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae. The Mortgage-Backed Securities and agency debentures are collectively referred to herein as “Investment Securities.”
 
5

 
The Company is required to classify its Investment Securities as either trading investments, available-for-sale investments or held-to-maturity investments.  Although the Company generally intends to hold most of its Investment Securities until maturity, it may, from time to time, sell any of its Investment Securities as part of its overall management of its portfolio.  Accordingly, the Company classifies all of its Investment Securities as available-for-sale.  All assets classified as available-for-sale are reported at estimated fair value, based on market prices from independent sources, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders’ equity.  The Company’s investment in Chimera Investment Corporation (“Chimera”) is accounted for as available-for-sale equity securities.  The Company’s investment in CreXus Investment Corp. (“CreXus”) is accounted for under the equity method.
 
Management evaluates securities for other-than-temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis, and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation.  The Company determines if it (1) has the intent to sell the Investment Securities, (2) is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the securities before recovery, or (3) does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the Investment Securities.  Further, the security is analyzed for credit loss (the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis).  The credit loss, if any, will then be recognized in the statement of earnings, while the balance of impairment related to other factors will be recognized in other comprehensive income (“OCI”). For the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, the Company did not have unrealized losses on Investment Securities that were deemed other than temporary.
 
The estimated fair value of Investment Securities, available-for-sale equity securities, trading securities, trading securities sold, not yet purchased, receivable from prime broker and interest rate swaps is equal to their carrying value presented in the consolidated statements of financial condition.  Cash and cash equivalents, reverse repurchase agreements, accrued interest and dividends receivable, receivable for securities sold, receivable for advisory and service fees, repurchase agreements with maturities shorter than one year, payable for Investment Securities purchased, dividends payable, accounts payable and other liabilities, and accrued interest payable, generally approximates fair value at September 30, 2009 due to the short term nature of these financial instruments.  The estimated fair value of long term structured repurchase agreements is reflected in the Note 9 to the financial statements.
 
Interest income is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount of the Investment Securities and their contractual terms.  Premiums and discounts associated with the purchase of the Investment Securities are amortized into interest income over the projected lives of the securities using the interest method.  The Company’s policy for estimating prepayment speeds for calculating the effective yield is to evaluate historical performance, consensus prepayment speeds, and current market conditions.
 
Investment Securities transactions are recorded on the trade date.  Purchases of newly-issued securities are recorded when all significant uncertainties regarding the characteristics of the securities are removed, generally shortly before settlement date.  Realized gains and losses on sales of Investment Securities are determined on the specific identification method.
 
Derivative Financial Instruments/Hedging Activity - Prior to the fourth quarter of 2008, the Company designated interest rate swaps as cash flow hedges, whereby the swaps were recorded at fair value on the balance sheet as assets and liabilities with any changes in fair value recorded in OCI.  In a cash flow hedge, a swap would exactly match the pricing date of the relevant repurchase agreement.  Through the end of the third quarter of 2008 the Company continued to be able to effectively match the swaps with the repurchase agreements therefore entering into effective hedge transactions.  However, due to the volatility of the credit markets, it was no longer practical to match the pricing dates of both the swaps and the repurchase agreements.
 
As a result, the Company voluntarily discontinued hedge accounting after the third quarter of 2008 through a combination of de-designating previously defined hedge relationships and not designating new contracts as cash flow hedges.  The de-designation of cash flow hedges requires that the net derivative gain or loss related to the discontinued cash flow hedge should continue to be reported in accumulated OCI, unless it is probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur by the end of the originally specified time period or within an additional two-month period of time thereafter.  The Company continues to hold repurchase agreements in excess of swap contracts and has no indication that interest payments on the hedged repurchase agreements are in jeopardy of discontinuing.  Therefore, the deferred losses related to these derivatives that have been de-designated will not be recognized immediately and will remain in OCI. These losses are reclassified into earnings during the contractual terms of the swap agreements starting as of October 1, 2008.  Changes in the unrealized gains or losses on the interest rate swaps subsequent to September 30, 2008 are reflected in the Company’s statement of operations.
 
6

 
Credit Risk – The Company has limited its exposure to credit losses on its portfolio of Investment Securities by only purchasing securities issued by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or Ginnie Mae and agency debentures issued by the FHLB, Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae.  The payment of principal and interest on the Freddie Mac, and Fannie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities are guaranteed by those respective agencies, and the payment of principal and interest on the Ginnie Mae Mortgage-Backed Securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government.  Principal and interest on agency debentures are guaranteed by the agency issuing the debenture.  All of the Company’s Investment Securities have an actual or implied “AAA” rating.  The Company faces credit risk on the portions of its portfolio which are not Investment Securities.
 
Market Risk - The current weakness in the broader mortgage market could adversely affect one or more of the Company’s lenders and could cause one or more of the Company’s lenders to be unwilling or unable to provide additional financing.  This could potentially increase the Company’s financing costs and reduce liquidity.  If one or more major market participants fails, it could negatively impact the marketability of all fixed income securities, including agency mortgage backed securities.  This could negatively impact the value of the securities in the Company’s portfolio, thus reducing its net book value.  Furthermore, if many of the Company’s lenders are unwilling or unable to provide additional financing, the Company could be forced to sell its Investment Securities at an inopportune time when prices are depressed.  Even with the current situation in the mortgage sector, the Company does not anticipate having difficulty converting its assets to cash or extending financing terms due to the fact that its Investment Securities have an actual or implied “AAA” rating and principal payment is guaranteed by Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae, or Ginnie Mae.
 
Repurchase Agreements - The Company finances the acquisition of its Investment Securities through the use of repurchase agreements. Repurchase agreements are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts, including accrued interest, as specified in the respective agreements.   Repurchase agreements entered into by RCap are matched with reverse repurchase agreements and are recorded on trade date with the duration of such repurchase agreements mirroring those of the matched reverse repurchase agreements.  The repurchase agreements are recorded at the contract amount and margin calls are filled by RCap as required based on any deficiencies in collateral versus the contract price. RCap generates income from the spread between what is earned on the reverse repurchase agreements and what is paid on the repurchase agreements.  Intercompany transactions are eliminated in the statement of financial condition, statement of operations, and statement of cash flows.  Cash flows related to RCap’s repurchase agreements are included in cash flows from operating activity.
 
Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock - The Series B Preferred Stock contains fundamental change provisions that allow the holder to redeem the Series B Preferred Stock for cash if certain events occur.  As redemption under these provisions is not solely within the Company’s control, the Company has classified the Series B Preferred Stock as temporary equity in the accompanying consolidated statements of financial condition.  The Company has analyzed whether the embedded conversion option should be bifurcated and has determined that bifurcation is not necessary.
 
Income Taxes - The Company has elected to be taxed as a REIT and intends to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), with respect thereto.  Accordingly, the Company will not be subjected to federal income tax to the extent of its distributions to shareholders and as long as certain asset, income and stock ownership tests are met.  The Company and each of its subsidiaries, FIDAC, Merganser, and RCap, have made separate joint elections to treat each subsidiary as a taxable REIT subsidiary of the Company.  As such, each of the taxable REIT subsidiaries is taxable as a domestic C corporation and subject to federal, state, and local income taxes based upon its taxable income.
 
Use of Estimates - The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
 
7

 
Goodwill and Intangible assets - The Company’s acquisitions of FIDAC and Merganser were accounted for using the purchase method. Under the purchase method, net assets and results of operations of acquired companies are included in the consolidated financial statements from the date of acquisition. In addition, the costs of FIDAC and Merganser were allocated to the assets acquired, including identifiable intangible assets, and the liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values at the date of acquisition. The excess of purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired was recognized as goodwill.  Goodwill and intangible assets are periodically (but not less frequently than annually) reviewed for potential impairment.  Intangible assets with an estimated useful life are expected to amortize over a 10.6 year weighted average time period.  During the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, there were no impairment losses.
 
Stock Based Compensation - The Company is required to measure and recognize in the consolidated financial statements the compensation cost relating to share-based payment transactions.  The compensation cost should be reassessed based on the fair value of the equity instruments issued.
 
The Company recognizes compensation expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the entire award (that is, over the requisite service period of the last separately vesting portion of the award).  The Company estimated fair value using the Black-Scholes valuation model.

A Summary of Recent Accounting Pronouncements Follows:

General Principles

Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (ASC 105)

In June 2009, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued The Accounting Standards Codification and the Hierarchy of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (Codification) which revises the framework for selecting the accounting principles to be used in the preparation of financial statements that are presented in conformity with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (“GAAP”).  The objective of the Codification is to establish the FASB Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) as the source of authoritative accounting principles recognized by the FASB.  Codification is effective for the Company for this September 30, 2009 Form 10-Q.  In adopting the Codification, all non-grandfathered, non-SEC accounting literature not included in the Codification is superseded and deemed non-authoritative.  Codification requires any references within the Company’s consolidated financial statements be modified from FASB issues to ASC.  However, in accordance with the FASB Accounting Standards Codification Notice to Constituents (v 2.0), the Company will not reference specific sections of the ASC but will use broad topic references.
 
The Company’s recent accounting pronouncements section has been reformatted to reflect the same organizational structure as the ASC.  Broad topic references will be updated with pending content as they are released.

Assets

Investments in Debt and Equity Securities (ASC 320)
 
New guidance was provided to make impairment guidance more operational and to improve the presentation and disclosure of other-than-temporary impairments (“OTTI”) on debt and equity securities in financial statements.  This guidance was also the result of the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) mark-to-market study mandated under the Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (“EESA”).  The SEC’s recommendation was to “evaluate the need for modifications (or the elimination) of current OTTI guidance to provide for a more uniform system of impairment testing standards for financial instruments.”  The guidance revises the OTTI evaluation methodology.  Previously the analytical focus was on whether the company had the “intent and ability to retain its investment in the debt security for a period of time sufficient to allow for any anticipated recovery in fair value”.   Now the focus is on whether the company (1) has the intent to sell the Investment Securities, (2) is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the Investment Securities before recovery, or (3) does not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the Investment Securities.    Further, the security is analyzed for credit loss, (the difference between the present value of cash flows expected to be collected and the amortized cost basis).  The credit loss, if any, will then be recognized in the statement of operations, while the balance of impairment related to other factors will be recognized in OCI.  This guidance became effective for all of the Company’s interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009 and the Company decided to early adopt.  For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company did not have unrealized losses in Investment Securities that were deemed other-than-temporary.
 
8


Broad Transactions

Business Combinations (ASC 805)
 
This guidance establishes principles and requirements for recognizing and measuring identifiable assets and goodwill acquired, liabilities assumed and any noncontrolling interest in a business combination at their fair value at acquisition date. ASC 805 alters the treatment of acquisition-related costs, business combinations achieved in stages (referred to as a step acquisition), the treatment of gains from a bargain purchase, the recognition of contingencies in business combinations, the treatment of in-process research and development in a business combination as well as the treatment of recognizable deferred tax benefits. ASC 805 is effective for business combinations closed in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2008 and is applicable to business acquisitions completed after January 1, 2009.  The Company did not make any business acquisitions during the quarter ended September 30, 2009. The adoption of ASC 805 did not have a material impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Consolidation (ASC 810)
 
On January 1, 2009, FASB amended the guidance concerning noncontrolling interests in consolidated financial statements, which requires the Company to make certain changes to the presentation of its financial statements. This guidance requires the Company to classify noncontrolling interests (previously referred to as “minority interest”) as part of consolidated net income and to include the accumulated amount of noncontrolling interests as part of stockholders’ equity. Similarly, in its presentation of stockholders’ equity, the Company distinguishes between equity amounts attributable to controlling interest and amounts attributable to the noncontrolling interests – previously classified as minority interest outside of stockholders’ equity. In addition to these financial reporting changes, this guidance provides for significant changes in accounting related to noncontrolling interests; specifically, increases and decreases in its controlling financial interests in consolidated subsidiaries will be reported in equity similar to treasury stock transactions. If a change in ownership of a consolidated subsidiary results in loss of control and deconsolidation, any retained ownership interests are re-measured with the gain or loss reported in net earnings.
 
Effective January 1, 2010, the consolidation standards will be amended. The amendment was intended to improve an organizations variable interest entity reporting. It will require an analysis to determine whether an entity has a controlling financial interest in a variable interest entity. The analysis will be used to identify the primary beneficiary of a variable interest entity. The holder of the variable interest will be defined as the primary beneficiary if it has both the power to influence the entitys significant economic activities and the obligation to absorb significant losses or receive significant benefits. The Company is evaluating the effect of the amendments on the financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging (ASC 815)
 
Effective January 1, 2009 and adopted by the Company prospectively, the FASB issued additional guidance attempting  to improve the transparency of financial reporting by mandating the provision of additional information about how derivative and hedging activities affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance and cash flows.  This guidance changed the disclosure requirements for derivative instruments and hedging activities by requiring enhanced disclosure about (1) how and why an entity uses derivative instruments, (2) how derivative instruments and related hedged items are accounted for, and (3) how derivative instruments and related hedged items affect an entity’s financial position, financial performance, and cash flows.  To adhere to this guidance, qualitative disclosures about objectives and strategies for using derivatives, quantitative disclosures about fair value amounts, gains and losses on derivative instruments, and disclosures about credit-risk-related contingent features in derivative agreements must be made.  This disclosure framework is intended to better convey the purpose of derivative use in terms of the risks that an entity is intending to manage.  The effect of the adoption of this guidance was an increase in footnote disclosures is discussed in Note 10.

Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (ASC 820)
 
In response to the deterioration of the credit markets, FASB issued guidance clarifying how Fair Value Measurements should be applied when valuing securities in markets that are not active. The guidance provides an illustrative example, utilizing management’s internal cash flow and discount rate assumptions when relevant observable data do not exist.  It further clarifies how observable market information and market quotes should be considered when measuring fair value in an inactive market.   It reaffirms the notion of fair value as an exit price as of the measurement date and that fair value analysis is a transactional process and should not be broadly applied to a group of assets.  The guidance was effective upon issuance including prior periods for which financial statements had not been issued.  The implementation of this guidance did not have a material effect on the fair value of the Company’s assets as the Company continued using the methodologies used in previous quarters to value assets as defined under the original Fair Value standards.
 
9

 
In October 2008 the EESA was signed into law.  Section 133 of the EESA mandated that the SEC conduct a study on mark-to-market accounting standards.  The SEC provided its study to the U.S. Congress on December 30, 2008.  Part of the recommendations within the study indicated that “fair value requirements should be improved through development of application and best practices guidance for determining fair value in illiquid or inactive markets”.  As a result of this study and the recommendations therein, on April 9, 2009, the FASB issued additional guidance for determining fair value when the volume and level of activity for the asset or liability have significantly decreased when compared with normal market activity for the asset or liability (or similar assets or liabilities).  The guidance gives specific factors to evaluate if there has been a decrease in normal market activity and if so, provides a methodology to analyze transactions or quoted prices and make necessary adjustments to fair value.  The objective is to determine the point within a range of fair value estimates that is most representative of fair value under current market conditions.  This guidance became effective for the Company’s interim and annual reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009.  The adoption does not have a major impact on the manner in which the Company estimates fair value, nor does it have any impact on our financial statement disclosures.
 
In August 2009, FASB provided further guidance regarding the fair value measurement of liabilities.  The guidance states that a quoted price for the identical liability when traded as an asset in an active market is a Level 1 fair value measurement.  If the value must be adjusted for factors specific to the liability, then the adjustment to the quoted price of the asset shall render the fair value measurement of the liability a lower level measurement.  This guidance has no material effect on the fair valuation of the Company’s liabilities.

Financial Instruments (ASC 820-10-50)
 
On April 9, 2009, the FASB issued guidance which requires disclosures about fair value of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as in annual financial statements.  The effective date of this guidance is for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009 with early adoption permitted for periods ending after March 15, 2009.  The adoption did not have any impact on financial reporting as all financial instruments are currently reported at fair value in both interim and annual periods.

Subsequent Events (ASC 855)
 
ASC 855 provides general standards governing accounting for and disclosure of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before the financial statements are issued or are available to be issued.  ASC 855 also provides guidance on the period after the balance sheet date during which management of a reporting entity should evaluate events or transactions that may occur for potential recognition or disclosure in the financial statements, the circumstances under which an entity should recognize events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date in its financial statements and the disclosures that an entity should make about events or transactions occurring after the balance sheet date. The Company adopted effective June 30, 2009, and adoption had no impact on the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The Company evaluated subsequent events through November 4, 2009.

Transfers and Servicing (ASC 860-10-50)

In February 2008 FASB issued guidance addressing whether transactions where assets purchased from a particular counterparty and financed through a repurchase agreement with the same counterparty can be considered and accounted for as separate transactions, or are required to be considered “linked” transactions and may be considered derivatives.  This guidance requires purchases and subsequent financing through repurchase agreements be considered linked transactions unless all of the following conditions apply:  (1) the initial purchase and the use of repurchase agreements to finance the purchase are not contractually contingent upon each other; (2) the repurchase financing entered into between the parties provides full  recourse to the transferee and the repurchase price is fixed; (3) the financial assets are readily obtainable in the market; and (4) the financial instrument and the repurchase agreement are not coterminous.  This guidance was effective for the Company on January 1, 2009 and the implementation did not have a material effect on the financial statements of the Company.  The accounting standards governing the transfer and servicing of financial assets were amended in June 2009 effective beginning January 1, 2010.  The Company is currently assessing the effect the new standard will have on the financial statements.
 
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2.           MORTGAGE-BACKED SECURITIES
 
The following tables present the Company’s available-for-sale Mortgage-Backed Securities portfolio as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 which were carried at their fair value:
 
 
 
September 30, 2009
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
   
Federal National Mortgage
Association
   
Government National Mortgage Association
   
Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Mortgage-Backed
                       
 Securities, gross
  $ 19,862,026     $ 42,822,517     $ 944,463     $ 63,629,006  
Unamortized discount
    (21,414 )     (29,753 )     (29 )     (51,196 )
Unamortized premium
    272,910       881,744       23,656       1,178,310  
Amortized cost
    20,113,522       43,674,508       968,090       64,756,120  
                                 
Gross unrealized gains
    737,486       1,356,794       29,386       2,123,666  
Gross unrealized losses
    (15,688 )     (26,287 )     (50 )     (42,025 )
                                 
Estimated fair value
  $ 20,835,320     $ 45,005,015     $ 997,426     $ 66,837,761  
   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized Gain
   
Gross Unrealized Loss
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Adjustable rate
  $ 18,746,780     $ 589,585     $ (39,789 )   $ 19,296,576  
                                 
Fixed rate
    46,009,340       1,534,081       (2,236 )     47,541,185  
                                 
Total
  $ 64,756,120     $ 2,123,666     $ (42,025 )   $ 66,837,761  

 
 
December 31, 2008
 
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation
   
Federal National Mortgage Association
   
Government National Mortgage Association
   
Total Mortgage-Backed Securities
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Mortgage-Backed
                       
 Securities, gross
  $ 19,898,430     $ 32,749,123     $ 1,259,118     $ 53,906,671  
Unamortized discount
    (26,733 )     (36,647 )     (787 )     (64,167 )
Unamortized premium
    212,354       381,433       25,694       619,481  
Amortized cost
    20,084,051       33,093,909       1,284,025       54,461,985  
                                 
Gross unrealized gains
    297,366       468,824       14,606       780,796  
Gross unrealized losses
    (71,195 )     (123,443 )     (1,148 )     (195,786 )
                                 
Estimated fair value
  $ 20,310,222     $ 33,439,290     $ 1,297,483     $ 55,046,995  
                                 
   
Amortized Cost
   
Gross Unrealized Gain
   
Gross Unrealized Loss
   
Estimated Fair Value
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Adjustable rate
  $ 19,509,017     $ 287,249     $ (178,599 )   $ 19,617,667  
                                 
Fixed rate
    34,952,968       493,547       (17,187 )     35,429,328  
                                 
Total
  $ 54,461,985     $ 780,796     $ (195,786 )   $ 55,046,995  

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Actual maturities of Mortgage-Backed Securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities because actual maturities of Mortgage-Backed Securities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal, and prepayments of principal.  The following table summarizes the Company’s Mortgage-Backed Securities on September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, according to their estimated weighted-average life classifications:
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
Weighted-Average Life
 
Fair Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized
Cost
 
    (dollars in thousands)  
Less than one year
  $ 1,746,725     $ 1,744,718     $ 4,147,646     $ 4,181,282  
Greater than one year and less than five years
    56,633,038       54,859,994       37,494,312       37,102,706  
Greater than or equal to five years
    8,457,998       8,151,408       13,405,037       13,177,997  
                                 
Total
  $ 66,837,761     $ 64,756,120     $ 55,046,995     $ 54,461,985  

        The weighted-average lives of the Mortgage-Backed Securities at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 in the table above are based upon data provided through subscription-based financial information services, assuming constant principal prepayment rates to the reset date of each security.  The prepayment model considers current yield, forward yield, steepness of the yield curve, current mortgage rates, mortgage rate of the outstanding loans, loan age, margin and volatility.  The actual weighted average lives of the Mortgage-Backed Securities could be longer or shorter than estimated.
 
The following table presents the gross unrealized losses, and estimated fair value of the Company’s Mortgage-Backed Securities by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
 
   
Unrealized Loss Position For:
(dollars in thousands)
 
   
Less than 12 Months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
   
Estimated
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Estimated Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
September 30, 2009
  $ 765,877     $ (2,331 )   $ 3,172,043     $ (39,694 )   $ 3,937,920     $ (42,025 )
                                                 
December 31, 2008
  $ 4,631,897     $ (65,790 )   $ 4,267,448     $ (129,996 )   $ 8,899,345     $ (195,786 )
 
The decline in value of these securities is solely due to market conditions and not the quality of the assets.  All of the Mortgage-Backed Securities are “AAA” rated or carry an implied “AAA” rating.  At September 30, 2009, the Company does not consider these investments to be other-than-temporarily impaired because the Company currently does not have the intent to sell the Investment Securities and more likely than not, the Company will not be required to sell the Investment Securities before recovery of their amortized cost basis, which may be maturity.  Also, the Company is guaranteed payment of the principal amount of the securities by the government agency which created them.
 
The adjustable rate Mortgage-Backed Securities are limited by periodic caps (generally interest rate adjustments are limited to no more than 1% every nine months) and lifetime caps.  The weighted average lifetime cap was 10.1% at September 30, 2009 and 10.0% at December 31, 2008.
 
During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company sold $194.3 million and $1.6 billion of Mortgage-Backed Securities, resulting in a realized gain of $591,000 and $8.0 million, respectively.  During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company sold $2.1 billion and $6.2 billion of Mortgage-Backed Securities, resulting in a realized gain of $2.8 million and $12.2 million, respectively.
 
12


3.           AGENCY DEBENTURES
 
At September 30, 2009, the Company owned agency debentures with a carrying value of $625.6 million, including an unrealized gain of $2.2 million.  At December 31, 2008, the Company owned agency debentures with a carrying value of $598.9 million including an unrealized loss of $2.8 million.

4.           AVAILABLE FOR SALE EQUITY SECURITIES
 
All of the available-for-sale equity securities are shares of Chimera and are reported at fair value.  The Company owned approximately 45.0 million shares of Chimera at a fair value of approximately $171.8 million at September 30, 2009 and approximately 15.3 million shares of Chimera at fair value of approximately $52.8 million at December 31, 2008.  At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the investment in Chimera had an unrealized gain of $33.0 million and $4.0 million, respectively.  Chimera is externally managed by FIDAC pursuant to a management agreement. The quoted market value of the Companys investment in CreXus was $64.2 million at September 30, 2009.

5.           INVESTMENT IN AFFILIATE, EQUITY METHOD
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company acquired 4,527,778 shares of CreXus Investment Corp. (“CreXus”) common stock at a price of $15.00 per share.  The Company owns 25% of CreXus and accounts for its investment using the equity method.  CreXus is externally managed by FIDAC pursuant to a management agreement. The quoted market value of the Company's investment in CreXus was $64.2 million at September 30, 2009.

6.           REVERSE REPURCHASE AGREEMENT
 
At September 30, 2009, and December 31, 2008, the Company had lent $153.1 million and $562.1 million, respectively, to Chimera in a weekly reverse repurchase agreement.  This amount is included in the principal amount which approximates fair value in the Company’s Statement of Financial Condition.  The interest rate at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was at the rate of 1.74% and 1.43%, respectively.  The collateral for this loan is mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $216.9 million and $680.8 million at September 30, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively.
 
At September 30, 2009, RCap, in its ordinary course of business, financed though matched reverse repurchase agreements, at market rates, $73.2 million for a fund that is managed by FIDAC pursuant to a management agreement.  At September 30, 2009, RCap had an outstanding reverse repurchase agreement with a non-affiliate of $100.0 million.
 
7.           RECEIVABLE FROM PRIME BROKER
 
The net assets of the investment fund owned by the Company are subject to English bankruptcy law, which governs the administration of Lehman Brothers International (Europe) (“LBIE”), as well as the law of New York, which governs the contractual documents.  Until the Company’s contractual documents with LBIE are terminated, the value of the assets and liabilities in its account with LBIE will continue to fluctuate based on market movements.  The Company does not intend to terminate these contractual documents until LBIE's administrators have clarified the consequences of doing so. The Company has not received notice from LBIE's administrators that LBIE has terminated the documents.  LBIE’s administrators have advised the Company that they can provide no additional information about the account at this time.  As a result, the Company has recorded a receivable from LBIE based on the fair value of its account with LBIE as of September 15, 2008 of $16.9 million, which is the date of the last statement it received from LBIE on the account’s assets and liabilities.  The Company can provide no assurance, however, that it will recover all or any portion of these assets following completion of LBIE's administration (and any subsequent liquidation).   Based on the information known at September 30, 2009, a loss was not determined to be probable.  If additional information indicates otherwise and it is determined that the loss is probable, the estimated loss will be reflected in the statement of operations.
 
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8.           FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
 
The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability as of the measurement date.  The three levels are defined as follow:
 
Level 1– inputs to the valuation methodology are quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets and liabilities in active markets.
 
Level 2 – inputs to the valuation methodology include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
 
Level 3 – inputs to the valuation methodology are unobservable and significant to overall fair value.
 
Available for sale equity securities are valued based on quoted prices (unadjusted) in an active market.  Mortgage-Backed Securities and interest rate swaps are valued using quoted prices for similar assets and dealer quotes.  The dealer will incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security including coupon, periodic and life caps, rate reset period and expected life of the security.  Management ensures that current market conditions are represented.  Management compares similar market transactions and comparisons to a pricing model.  The Company’s financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value on a recurring basis are valued as follows:
 
 
   
Level 1
   
Level 2
   
Level 3
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
Assets:
                 
  Mortgage-Backed Securities
    -     $ 66,837,761       -  
  Agency debentures
    -       625,615       -  
  Available for sale equity securities
  $ 171,834       -       -  
                         
Liabilities:
                       
  Interest rate swaps
    -     $ 788,065       -  
 
The classification of assets and liabilities by level remains unchanged at September 30, 2009, when compared to the previous quarter.

9.           REPURCHASE AGREEMENTS
 
The Company had outstanding $55.8 billion and $46.7 billion of repurchase agreements with weighted average borrowing rates of 2.15% and 4.08%, after giving effect to the Company’s interest rate swaps, and weighted average remaining maturities of 165 days and 238 days as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.  Investment Securities pledged as collateral under these repurchase agreements and interest rate swaps had an estimated fair value of $60.1 billion at September 30, 2009 and $51.8 billion at December 31, 2008.
 
At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the repurchase agreements had the following remaining maturities:
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
December 31, 2008
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
1 day
  $ 6,010,000     $ -  
2 to 29 days
    34,990,475       32,025,186  
30 to 59 days
    6,312,213       5,205,352  
60 to 89 days
    372,280       209,673  
90 to 119 days
    -       254,674  
Over 120 days
    8,157,872       8,980,000  
Total
  $ 55,842,840     $ 46,674,885  
 
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The Company did not have an amount at risk greater than 10% of the equity of the Company with any counterparty as of September 30, 2009 or December 31, 2008.
 
The Company has entered into long-term repurchase agreements which provide the counterparty with the right to call the balance prior to maturity date.  These repurchase agreements totaled $7.7 billion and the fair value of the option to call was ($412.8 million) at September 30, 2009.  These repurchase agreements totaled $8.1 billion and the fair value of the option to call was ($574.3 million) at December 31, 2008.  Management has determined that the call option is not required to be bifurcated as it is deemed clearly and closely related to the debt instrument, therefore the fair value of the option is not recorded in the consolidated financial statements.

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

10.       INTEREST RATE SWAPS
 
In connection with the Company’s interest rate risk management strategy, the Company hedges a portion of its interest rate risk by entering into derivative financial instrument contracts. As of September 30, 2009, such instruments are comprised of interest rate swaps, which in effect modify the cash flows on repurchase agreements. The use of interest rate swaps creates exposure to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized if the counterparties to these instruments fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. In the event of a default by the counterparty, the Company could have difficulty obtaining its Mortgage-Backed Securities pledged as collateral for swaps.  The Company does not anticipate any defaults by its counterparties.
 
The Company’s swaps are used to lock in the fixed rate related to a portion of its current and anticipated future 30-day term repurchase agreements.
 
The location and fair value of derivative instruments reported in the Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as of September 30, 2009 are as follows:
 
 
 
Location on Statement
of Financial Condition
 
Notional Amount
(dollars in thousands)
   
Net Estimated Fair
Value/Carrying Value
(dollars in thousands)
 
               
September 30, 2009
Liabilities
  $ 20,641,750     $ 788,065  

The effect of derivatives on the Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income is as follows:
 
   
Location on Statement of Operations and Comprehensive Income
 
   
Interest Expense
   
Unrealized Loss on Interest
Rate Swaps
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
For the Quarter Ended September 30, 2009
  $ 183,124     $ (128,687 )
 
The weighted average pay rate at September 30, 2009 was 3.98% and the weighted average receive rate was 0.28%.

11.
PREFERRED STOCK AND COMMON STOCK

(A)  Common Stock Issuances
 
During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, 33,450 and 97,712 options were exercised under the Long-Term Stock Incentive Plan, or Incentive Plan, for an aggregate exercise price of $320,000 and $1.0 million.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, 7,550 shares of restricted stock were issued under the Incentive Plan.  During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, 200 and 1.4 million shares of Series B Preferred Stock were converted into 438 and 2.8 million shares of common stock, respectively.
 
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During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company raised $141.2 million by issuing 8.4 million shares, through the Direct Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Program.
 
During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, 102,625 and 289,842 options were exercised under the Incentive Plan for an aggregate exercise price of $910,000 and $2.7 million respectively.
 
On May 13, 2008 the Company entered into an underwriting agreement pursuant to which it sold 69,000,000 shares of its common stock for net proceeds following underwriting expenses of approximately $1.1 billion. This transaction settled on May 19, 2008.
 
On January 23, 2008 the Company entered into an underwriting agreement pursuant to which it sold 58,650,000 shares of its common stock for net proceeds following underwriting expenses of approximately $1.1 billion. This transaction settled on January 29, 2008.
 
During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company raised $22.6 million and $93.7 million by issuing 1.5 and 5.8 million shares, respectively, through the Direct Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Program.
 
During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, 102,625 and 289,842 options were exercised under the Incentive Plan for an aggregate exercise price of $910,000 and $2.7 million, respectively.
 
On August 3, 2006, the Company entered into an ATM Equity Offering(sm) Sales Agreement with Merrill Lynch & Co. and Merrill Lynch, Pierce, Fenner & Smith Incorporated, relating to the sale of shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time through Merrill Lynch. Sales of the shares, if any, are made by means of ordinary brokers' transaction on the New York Stock Exchange. During the quarter and nine month ended September 30, 2009, the Company did not issue shares pursuant to this program.  During the year ended December 31, 2008, 588,000 shares of the Company’s common stock were issued pursuant to this program, totaling $11.5 million in net proceeds.
 
On August 3, 2006, the Company entered into an ATM Equity Sales Agreement with UBS Securities LLC, relating to the sale of shares of the Company’s common stock from time to time through UBS Securities. Sales of the shares, if any, will be made by means of ordinary brokers' transaction on the New York Stock Exchange. During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company did not issue shares pursuant to this program.  During the year ended December 31, 2008, 3.8 million shares of the Company’s common stock were issued pursuant to this program, totaling $60.3 million in net proceeds.
 
(B) Preferred Stock
 
At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had issued and outstanding 7,412,500 shares of Series A Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock (“Series A Preferred Stock”), with a par value $0.01 per share and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared). The Series A Preferred Stock must be paid a dividend at a rate of 7.875% per year on the $25.00 liquidation preference before the common stock is entitled to receive any dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared) exclusively at the Company's option commencing on April 5, 2009 (subject to the Company's right under limited circumstances to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock earlier in order to preserve its qualification as a REIT). The Series A Preferred Stock is senior to the Company's common stock and is on parity with the Series B Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and distributions, including distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Series A Preferred Stock generally does not have any voting rights, except if the Company fails to pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive). Under such circumstances, the Series A Preferred Stock, together with the Series B Preferred Stock, will be entitled to vote to elect two additional directors to the Board, until all unpaid dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. In addition, certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock cannot be made without the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock and Series B Preferred Stock. Through September 30, 2009, the Company had declared and paid all required quarterly dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock.
 
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At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had issued and outstanding 2,604,614 and 3,963,525 shares, respectively, of Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock (“Series B Preferred Stock”), with a par value $0.01 per share and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends (whether or not declared). The Series B Preferred Stock must be paid a dividend at a rate of 6% per year on the $25.00 liquidation preference before the common stock is entitled to receive any dividends.  The Series B Preferred Stock is not redeemable. The Series B Preferred Stock is convertible into shares of common stock at a conversion rate that adjusts from time to time upon the occurrence of certain events, including if the Company distributes to its common shareholders in any calendar quarter cash dividends in excess of $0.11 per share. Initially, the conversion rate was 1.7730 shares of common shares per $25 liquidation preference.   At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the conversion ratio was 2.2640 and 2.0650 shares of common stock, respectively, per $25 liquidation preference.  Commencing April 5, 2011, the Company has the right in certain circumstances to convert each Series B Preferred Stock into a number of common shares based upon the then prevailing conversion rate. The Series B Preferred Stock is also convertible into common shares at the option of the Series B preferred shareholder at anytime at the then prevailing conversion rate. The Series B Preferred Stock is senior to the Company's common stock and is on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock with respect to dividends and distributions, including distributions upon liquidation, dissolution or winding up. The Series B Preferred Stock generally does not have any voting rights, except if the Company fails to pay dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for six or more quarterly periods (whether or not consecutive). Under such circumstances, the Series B Preferred Stock, together with the Series A Preferred Stock, will be entitled to vote to elect two additional directors to the Board, until all unpaid dividends have been paid or declared and set apart for payment. In addition, certain material and adverse changes to the terms of the Series B Preferred Stock cannot be made without the affirmative vote of holders of at least two-thirds of the outstanding shares of Series B Preferred Stock and Series A Preferred Stock. Through September 30, 2009, the Company had declared and paid all required quarterly dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock.  During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, 200 and 1.4 million shares of Series B Preferred Stock were converted into 438 and 2.8 million shares of common stock, respectively.  During the year ended December 31, 2008, 636,475 shares of series B Preferred Stock were converted into 1.3 million shares of common stock.
 
(C) Distributions to Shareholders
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company declared dividends to common shareholders totaling $381.4 million or $0.69 per share, which were paid to shareholders on October 29, 2009.  During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company declared dividends to common shareholders totaling $980.2 million, or $1.79 per share.  During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company declared dividends to Series A Preferred shareholders totaling approximately $3.6 million or $0.492188 per share and $10.9 million or $1.476564 per share, respectively, and Series B shareholders totaling approximately $977,000 or $0.375 per share and $2.9 million or $1.125 per share, respectively.

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12.           NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
 
The following table presents a reconciliation of the net income and shares used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share for the quarters and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008.
 
   
For the Quarters Ended
September 30,
   
For the Nine Months
Ended September 30,
 
   
2009
   
2008
   
2009
   
2008
 
Net income attributable to controlling interest
  $ 285,189     $ 302,131     $ 1,232,136     $ 853,159  
Less: Preferred stock dividends
    4,625       5,335       13,876       16,042  
Net income available to common shareholders, prior to
adjustment for  Series B dividends, if necessary
  $ 280,564     $ 296,796     $ 1,218,260     $ 837,117  
Add: Preferred Series B dividends, if Series B shares are
dilutive
    977       1,686       2,930       5,097  
Net income available to common shareholders, as
adjusted
  $ 281,541     $ 298,482     $ 1,221,190     $ 842,214  
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-
basic
    547,611       538,706       544,970       495,584  
Add:  Effect of dilutive stock options and
                               
Series B Cumulative Convertible Preferred Stock
    5,765       9,176       5,944       9,025  
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-
diluted
    553,376       547,882       550,914       504,609  
 
Options to purchase 1.1 million and 4.5 million shares of common stock were outstanding and considered anti-dilutive as their exercise price exceeded the average stock price for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, respectively.  Options to purchase 4.5 million and 1.8 million shares of common stock were outstanding and considered anti-dilutive as their exercise price exceeded the average stock price for the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, respectively.

13.         LONG-TERM STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN
 
The Company has adopted a long term stock incentive plan for executive officers, key employees and non-employee directors (the “Incentive Plan”).  The Incentive Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee of the board of directors to grant awards, including non-qualified options as well as incentive stock options as defined under Section 422 of the Code.  The Incentive Plan authorizes the granting of options or other awards for an aggregate of the greater of 500,000 shares or 9.5% of the diluted outstanding shares of the Company’s common stock, up to a ceiling of 8,932,921 shares.  Stock options are issued at the current market price on the date of grant, subject to an immediate or four year vesting in four equal installments with a contractual term of 5 or 10 years.  The grant date fair value is calculated using the Black-Scholes option valuation model.
 
   
For the Nine Months Ended
 
   
September 30, 2009
   
September 30, 2008
 
   
 
Number of
Shares
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
   
 
Number of
Shares
   
Weighted Average Exercise Price
 
Options outstanding at the beginning of period
    5,180,164     $ 15.87       3,437,267     $ 15.23  
Granted
    2,537,000       13.26       2,043,700       16.02  
Exercised
    (97,712 )     10.67       (289,842 )     9.45  
Forfeited
    (10,000 )     15.61       (2,550 )     15.84  
Expired
    (11,250 )     17.32       (5,010 )     20.70  
Options outstanding at the end of period
    7,598,202     $ 15.06       5,183,565     $ 15.86  
Options exercisable at the end of period
    2,196,377     $ 16.23       2,123,365     $ 16.35  
 
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The weighted average remaining contractual term was approximately 7.8 years for stock options outstanding and approximately 5.1 years for stock options exercisable as of September 30, 2009.  As of September 30, 2009, there was approximately $14.4 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation awards.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.2 years.
 
The weighted average remaining contractual term was approximately 7.8 years for stock options outstanding and approximately 5.9 years for stock options exercisable as of September 30, 2008.  As of September 30, 2008, there was approximately $10.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to nonvested share-based compensation awards.  That cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of 3.8 years.
 
During the nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company granted 7,550 shares of restricted common stock to certain of its employees.  As of September 30, 2009, 5,663 of these restricted shares were unvested and subject to forfeiture.  During the year ended December 31, 2008, the Company granted 7,000 shares of restricted common stock to certain of its employees.  As of September 30, 2009, 3,400 of these restricted shares were unvested and subject to forfeiture.
 
14.        INCOME TAXES
 
As a REIT, the Company is not subject to federal income tax on earnings distributed to its shareholders. Most states recognize REIT status as well. The Company has decided to distribute the majority of its income and retain a portion of the permanent difference between book and taxable income arising from Section 162(m) of the Code pertaining to employee remuneration.
 
During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiaries recorded $3.3 million and $5.4 million of income tax expense for income attributable to those subsidiaries, and the portion of earnings retained based on Code Section 162(m) limitations.  During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2009, the Company recorded $6.4 million and $18.5 million of income tax expense for a portion of earnings retained based on Section 162(m) limitations.
 
During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, FIDAC, a taxable REIT subsidiary, recorded $1.7 and $3.3 million, respectively, of income tax expense for income and for the portion of earnings retained based on Code Section 162(m) limitations.  During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2008, the Company recorded $5.8 million and $16.4 million, respectively, of income tax expense for a portion of earnings retained based on Section 162(m) limitations.
 
The Company’s effective tax rate was 53% for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively using the Companys taxable income.  These rates differed from the federal statutory rate as a result of state and local taxes and permanent difference pertaining to employee remuneration as discussed above.  The amount is applied to the amount of estimated REIT taxable income retained (if any, and only up to 10% of ordinary income as all capital gain income is distributed) and to taxable income earned at the taxable subsidiaries.  Thus, as a REIT, the Company’s effective tax rate is significantly less as it is allowed to deduct dividend distributions.
 
In general, common stock cash dividends declared by the Company will be considered ordinary income to stockholders for income tax purposes. From time to time, a portion of the Companys dividends may be characterized as capital gains or return of capital. During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, all of the income distributed in the form of dividends was characterized as ordinary income.
 
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15.           LEASE COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
 
The Company has a non-cancelable lease for office space, which commenced in May 2002 and was to expire in December 2009. The Company amended this lease to increase the amount of space it leases and extended it to December 2015.  Merganser has a non-cancelable lease for office space, which commenced on May 2003 and expires in May 2014.  The Company’s aggregate future minimum lease payments total $10.7 million.   The following table details the lease payments, net of sub-lease receipts.
 
                   
Year Ending December
 
Lease Commitment
   
Sublease Income
   
Net Amount
 
   
(dollars in thousands)
 
2009 (remaining)
  $ 584     $ 100     $ 484  
2010
    2,049       56       1,993  
2011
    2,120       -       2,120  
2012
    2,130       -       2,130  
2013
    2,170       -       2,170  
Thereafter
    1,677       -       1,677  
    $ 10,730     $ 156     $ 10,574  
 
From time to time, the Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, the ultimate disposition of these matters will not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and therefore no accrual is required as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008.
 
Merganser’s prior owners may receive additional consideration as an earn-out during 2012 if Merganser meets specific performance goals under the merger agreement.  The Company cannot currently calculate how much consideration will be paid under the earn-out provisions because the payment amount will vary depending upon whether and the extent to which Merganser achieves specific performance goals.  Any amounts paid under this provision will be recorded as additional goodwill.
 
16.     INTEREST RATE RISK
 
The primary market risk to the Company is interest rate risk.  Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond the Company’s control.  Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on interest-earning assets and the interest expense incurred in connection with the interest-bearing liabilities, by affecting the spread between the interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities.  Changes in the level of interest rates also can affect the value of the Investment Securities and the Company’s ability to realize gains from the sale of these assets.  A decline in the value of the Investment Securities pledged as collateral for borrowings under repurchase agreements could result in the counterparties demanding additional collateral pledges or liquidation of some of the existing collateral to reduce borrowing levels.  Liquidation of collateral at losses could have an adverse accounting impact, as discussed in Note 1.
 
The Company seeks to manage the extent to which net income changes as a function of changes in interest rates by matching adjustable-rate assets with variable-rate borrowings.  The Company may seek to mitigate the potential impact on net income of periodic and lifetime coupon adjustment restrictions in the portfolio of Investment Securities by entering into interest rate agreements such as interest rate caps and interest rate swaps. As of September 30, 2009, the Company had entered into interest rate swaps to pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate of interest, with a total notional amount of $20.6 billion.
 
Changes in interest rates may also have an effect on the rate of mortgage principal prepayments and, as a result, prepayments on Mortgage-Backed Securities.  The Company will seek to mitigate the effect of changes in the mortgage principal repayment rate by balancing assets purchased at a premium with assets purchased at a discount.  To date, the aggregate premium exceeds the aggregate discount on the Mortgage-Backed Securities.  As a result, prepayments, which result in the expensing of unamortized premium, will reduce net income compared to what net income would be absent such prepayments.
 
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17.           RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS
 
During the quarter ended September 30, 2009, the Company acquired 4,527,778 shares of CreXus common stock at a price of $15.00 per share.  The Company owns 25% of CreXus and accounts for its investment using the equity method.  CreXus is externally managed by FIDAC pursuant to a management agreement.
 
At September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, the Company had lent $153.1 million and $562.1 million, respectively, to Chimera pursuant to a reverse repurchase agreement.  This amount is included at the principal amount which approximates fair value in the Company’s Statement of Financial Condition.  The agreement is callable by the Company on a weekly basis.  The interest rate at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 was at the market rate of 1.74% and 1.43%, respectively.  The collateral for this loan is mortgage-backed securities with a fair value of $216.9 million and $680.8 million at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively.
 
At September 30, 2009, the Company had $7.1 billion of repurchase agreements outstanding with RCap.  The weighted average interest rate is 0.47% and the terms are one to two months.  These agreements are collateralized by agency mortgage backed securities, with an estimated market value of $7.4 billion.
 
At September 30, 2009, RCap, in its ordinary course of business, financed through matched repurchase agreements, at market rates, $73.2 million for a fund that is managed by FIDAC.
 
21


MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

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

Overview
 
We are a REIT that owns and manages a portfolio of principally mortgage-backed securities. Our principal business objective is to generate net income for distribution to our stockholders from the spread between the interest income on our investment securities and the costs of borrowing to finance our acquisition of investment securities and from dividends we receive from our taxable REIT subsidiaries.  FIDAC and Merganser are our wholly-owned taxable REIT subsidiaries that are registered investment advisors that generate advisory and service fee income.  RCap is our wholly-owned broker dealer taxable REIT subsidiary which generates fee income.
 
We are primarily engaged in the business of investing, on a leveraged basis, in mortgage pass-through certificates, collateralized mortgage obligations and other mortgage-backed securities representing interests in or obligations backed by pools of mortgage loans issued or guaranteed by Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (“Freddie Mac”), Federal National Mortgage Association (“Fannie Mae”) and the Government National Mortgage Association (“Ginnie Mae”) (collectively, “Mortgage-Backed Securities”).  We also invest in Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”), Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae debentures. The Mortgage-Backed Securities and agency debentures are collectively referred to herein as “Investment Securities.”
 
Under our capital investment policy, at least 75% of our total assets must be comprised of high-quality mortgage-backed securities and short-term investments.  High quality securities means securities that (1) are rated within one of the two highest rating categories by at least one of the nationally recognized rating agencies, (2) are unrated but are guaranteed by the United States government or an agency of the United States government, or (3) are unrated but we determine them to be of comparable quality to rated high-quality mortgage-backed securities.
 
The remainder of our assets, comprising not more than 25% of our total assets, may consist of other qualified REIT real estate assets which are unrated or rated less than high quality, but which are at least “investment grade” (rated “BBB” or better by Standard & Poor’s Corporation (“S&P”) or the equivalent by another nationally recognized rating agency) or, if not rated, we determine them to be of comparable credit quality to an investment which is rated “BBB” or better.  In addition, we may directly or indirectly invest part of this remaining 25% of our assets in other types of securities, including without limitation, unrated debt, equity or derivative securities, to the extent consistent with our REIT qualification requirements.  The derivative securities in which we invest may include securities representing the right to receive interest only or a disproportionately large amount of interest, as well as inverse floaters, which may have imbedded leverage as part of their structural characteristics.
 
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We may acquire Mortgage-Backed Securities backed by single-family residential mortgage loans as well as securities backed by loans on multi-family, commercial or other real estate related properties.  To date, all of the Mortgage-Backed Securities that we have acquired have been backed by single-family residential mortgage loans.
 
We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. Pursuant to the current federal tax regulations, one of the requirements of maintaining our status as a REIT is that we must distribute at least 90% of our REIT taxable income (determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and by excluding any net capital gain) to our stockholders, subject to certain adjustments.
 
The results of our operations are affected by various factors, many of which are beyond our control.  Our results of operations primarily depend on, among other things, our net interest income, the market value of our assets and the supply of and demand for such assets. Our net interest income, which reflects the amortization of purchase premiums and accretion of discounts, varies primarily as a result of changes in interest rates, borrowing costs and prepayment speeds, the behavior of which involves various risks and uncertainties. Prepayment speeds, as reflected by the Constant Prepayment Rate, or CPR, and interest rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. In general, as prepayment speeds on our Mortgage-Backed Securities portfolio increase, related purchase premium amortization increases, thereby reducing the net yield on such assets.  The CPR on our Mortgage-Backed Securities portfolio averaged 21% and 11% for the quarters ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively.  Since changes in interest rates may significantly affect our activities, our operating results depend, in large part, upon our ability to effectively manage interest rate risks and prepayment risks while maintaining our status as a REIT.
 
The table below provides quarterly information regarding our average balances, interest income, yield on assets, average repurchase agreement balances, interest expense, cost of funds, net interest income and net interest rate spreads for the quarterly periods presented.
 

 
     
Average
Investment
Securities
Held (1)
     
Total
Interest
Income
     
Yield on Average Investment Securities
     
Average
Balance of  Repurchase Agreements
     
Interest Expense
     
Average Cost of Funds
     
Net Interest Income
     
Net Interest Rate Spread
 
       (ratios for the quarters have been annualized, dollars in thousands)  
Quarter Ended
September30, 2009
  $ 60,905,025     $ 744,523       4.89%     $ 54,914,435     $ 307,777       2.24 %   $ 436,746       2.65 %
Quarter Ended
  June 30, 2009
  $ 56,420,189     $ 710,401       5.04%     $ 50,114,663     $ 322,596       2.57 %   $ 387,805       2.47 %
Quarter Ended
  March 31, 2009
  $ 54,763,268     $ 716,015       5.23%     $ 48,497,444     $ 378,625       3.12 %   $ 337,390       2.11 %
Quarter Ended
  December 31, 2008
  $ 53,838,665     $ 740,282       5.50%     $ 47,581,332     $ 450,805       3.79 %   $ 289,477       1.71 %
Quarter Ended
  September 30, 2008
  $ 57,694,277     $ 810,659       5.62%     $ 51,740,645     $ 458,250       3.54 %   $ 352,409       2.08 %
Quarter Ended
  June 30, 2008
  $ 56,197,550     $ 773,359       5.50%     $ 50,359,825     $ 442,251       3.51 %   $ 331,108       1.99 %
Quarter Ended
 March 31, 2008
  $ 56,119,584     $ 791,128       5.64%     $ 51,399,101     $ 537,606       4.18 %   $ 253,522       1.46 %
(1) Does not reflect unrealized gains/(losses).
 
The following table presents the CPR experienced on our Mortgage-Backed Securities portfolio, on an annualized basis, for the quarterly periods presented.

Quarter Ended
 
CPR
 
September 30, 2009
    21 %
June 30, 2009
    19 %
March 31, 2009
    16 %
December 31, 2008
    10 %
September 30, 2008
    11 %

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We believe that the CPR in future periods will depend, in part, on changes in and the level of market interest rates across the yield curve, with higher CPRs expected during periods of declining interest rates and lower CPRs expected during periods of rising interest rates.
 
We continue to explore alternative business strategies, alternative investments and other strategic initiatives to complement our core business strategy of investing, on a leveraged basis, in high quality Investment Securities. No assurance, however, can be provided that any such strategic initiative will or will not be implemented in the future.
 
For the purposes of computing ratios relating to equity measures, throughout this report, equity includes Series B preferred stock, which has been treated under GAAP as temporary equity.  In the Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations, net income attributable to controlling interest is referred to as net income.

Recent Developments
 
The liquidity crisis which commenced in August 2007 continues through the third quarter of 2009.  During this period of market dislocation, fiscal and monetary policymakers have established new liquidity facilities for primary dealers and commercial banks, reduced short-term interest rates, and passed legislation that is intended to address the challenges of mortgage borrowers and lenders. This legislation, the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008, seeks to forestall home foreclosures for distressed borrowers and assist communities with foreclosure problems. Although these aggressive steps are intended to protect and support the US housing and mortgage market, we continue to operate under very difficult market conditions.
 
Subsequent to June 30, 2008, there were increased market concerns about Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae’s ability to withstand future credit losses associated with securities held in their investment portfolios, and on which they provide guarantees, without the direct support of the U.S. Government.  In September 2008 Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac were placed into the conservatorship of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, their federal regulator, pursuant to its powers under The Federal Housing Finance Regulatory Reform Act of 2008, a part of the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008.  As the conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the FHFA controls and directs the operations of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and may (1) take over the assets of and operate Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac with all the powers of the shareholders, the directors, and the officers of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and conduct all business of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; (2) collect all obligations and money due to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; (3) perform all functions of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac which are consistent with the conservator’s appointment; (4) preserve and conserve the assets and property of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac; and (5) contract for assistance in fulfilling any function, activity, action or duty of the conservator.
 
In addition to FHFA becoming the conservator of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, (i) the U.S. Department of Treasury, or Treasury, and FHFA have entered into preferred stock purchase agreements between the U.S. Department of Treasury and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac pursuant to which the U.S. Department of Treasury will ensure that each of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac maintains a positive net worth; (ii) the U.S. Department of Treasury has established a new secured lending credit facility which will be available to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, and the FHLBs, which is intended to serve as a liquidity backstop, which will be available until December 2009; and (iii) the U.S. Department of Treasury has initiated a temporary program to purchase mortgage-backed securities issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Given the highly fluid and evolving nature of these events, it is unclear how our business will be impacted.  Based upon the further activity of the U.S. government or market response to developments at Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, our business could be adversely impacted.