Interest Rates are the Prime Drivers of Returns on mREITs, Especially 2x Leveraged ETNs based on mREITs
The greatest risk associated with 2x-leveraged mREIT-based ETNs is interest rate risk. Higher long-term rates are a two-edged sword for leveraged mREITs like AGNC Investment Corp. (AGNC). Higher long-term rates reduce the value of their mortgage portfolio and thus the book value of the shares. The other side of the two-edged sword is that higher long-term rates and lower prices of mortgage securities provide an opportunity for mREITs to reinvest the monthly principal payments they receive