American Capital Agency Corp. (AGNC): Today's Featured Real Estate Winner

Editor's Note: Any reference to TheStreet Ratings and its underlying recommendation does not reflect the opinion of TheStreet, Inc. or any of its contributors including Jim Cramer or Stephanie Link.

American Capital Agency ( AGNC) pushed the Real Estate industry higher today making it today's featured real estate winner. The industry as a whole closed the day up 0.4%. By the end of trading, American Capital Agency rose $0.52 (2.7%) to $19.80 on average volume. Throughout the day, 8,152,733 shares of American Capital Agency exchanged hands as compared to its average daily volume of 7,226,100 shares. The stock ranged in a price between $19.12-$19.85 after having opened the day at $19.18 as compared to the previous trading day's close of $19.28. Other companies within the Real Estate industry that increased today were: Gaming and Leisure Properties ( GLPI), up 9.0%, China Housing & Land Development ( CHLN), up 5.3%, American Realty Investors ( ARL), up 4.4% and Desarrolladora Homex SAB de CV ADR ( HXM), up 4.1%.

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American Capital Agency Corp. operates as a real estate investment trust (REIT). American Capital Agency has a market cap of $7.3 billion and is part of the financial sector. The company has a P/E ratio of 3.2, below the S&P 500 P/E ratio of 17.7. Shares are down 33.3% year to date as of the close of trading on Friday. Currently there are 3 analysts that rate American Capital Agency a buy, 1 analyst rates it a sell, and 9 rate it a hold.

TheStreet Ratings rates American Capital Agency as a hold. The company's strengths can be seen in multiple areas, such as its notable return on equity, reasonable valuation levels and expanding profit margins. However, as a counter to these strengths, we also find weaknesses including feeble growth in the company's earnings per share, unimpressive growth in net income and weak operating cash flow.

You can view the full American Capital Agency Ratings Report.

On the negative front, Vestin Realty Mortgage II ( VRTB), down 5.0%, Stag Industrial ( STAG), down 3.2%, Rouse Properties ( RSE), down 3.1% and Forest City ( FCE.A), down 2.9% , were all laggards within the real estate industry with BRE Properties ( BRE) being today's real estate industry laggard.

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For investors not wanting singular stock exposure, ETFs may be of interest. Investors who are bullish on the real estate industry could consider iShares Dow Jones US Real Estate ( IYR) while those bearish on the real estate industry could consider ProShares Short Real Estate Fund ( REK).