Item 3. Legal Proceedings
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we are involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the ordinary course of business. As of December 31, 2023, we were not party to any pending material legal proceedings and we are not aware of any contemplated material proceedings by governmental authorities.
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
None.
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ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Item 5. Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters And Issuer Purchases Of Equity Securities
PART II
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Our common stock began trading publicly on October 8, 1997 and is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “NLY.” As of January 31, 2024, we had 500,080,287 shares of common stock issued and outstanding which were held by approxima tely 480,324 beneficial holders. The equity compensation plan information called for by Item 201(d) of Regulation S-K is set forth in Item 12 of Part III of this Form 10-K under the heading “Equity Compensation Plan Information.”
Dividends
We intend to pay quarterly dividends and to distribute to our stockholders all or substantially all of our taxable income in each year (subject to certain adjustments) consistent with the distribution requirements applicable to REITs. This will enable us to qualify for the tax benefits accorded to a REIT under the Code. We have not established a minimum dividend payment level and our ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected by factors beyond our control. In addition, unrealized changes in the estimated fair value of available-for-sale investments may have a direct effect on dividends. All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our REIT status and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time. See also Item 1A. “Risk Factors.” No dividends can be paid on our common stock unless we have paid full cumulative dividends on our preferred stock. From the date of issuance of our preferred stock through December 31, 2023, we have paid full cumulative dividends on our preferred stock.
Share Performance Graph
The following graph and table set forth certain information comparing the yearly percentage change in cumulative total return on our common stock to the cumulative total return of the Standard & Poor’s Composite 500 stock Index or S&P 500 Index, and the Bloomberg Mortgage REIT Index, or BBG REIT index, an industry index of mortgage REITs. The comparison is for the five-year period ended December 31, 2023 and assumes the reinvestment of dividends. The graph and table assume that $100 was invested in our common stock and the two other indices on the last trading day of the initial year shown in the graph. Upon written request we will provide stockholders with a list of the REITs included in the BBG REIT Index.
Five-Year Share Performance
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ANNALY CAPITAL MANAGEMENT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES