Mortgage rates near 20-year highs freeze US home sales at Great Financial Crisis lows

Mortgage rates approaching their highest levels in two decades have caused existing home sales in the US to stall at levels seen during the Great Financial Crisis. Homeowners with low 4% mortgage rates are reluctant to sell, limiting new housing supply and slowing market activity. Government-backed mortgage securities remain low risk, supporting firms like AGNC Investment Corp., which covers its dividends through income from mortgage spreads. This situation highlights the Fed's impact on the housing market and the challenges for buyers and sellers moving forward.

AGNC Investment Corp. offers a striking dividend yield of 16.57%, reflecting its strong income from mortgage spreads. Despite a slight 0.12% dip in price to USD 8.68, the stock remains actively traded on Pluang with a volume of over 23 million shares as of Nov 03, 2026 19:52 WIB. This high yield ties into the news on mortgage rates and the firm's ability to cover dividends amid a challenging housing market.