Which High-Yield Financial Stock Is the Safer Buy: Annaly Capital Management or Starwood Property Trust?

Annaly Capital Management and Starwood Property Trust are two mortgage REITs offering double-digit yields (12.5% and 11.6% respectively). Annaly is deemed the safer income play due to its growing earnings that support recent dividend increases, while Starwood, despite never cutting its dividend in 17 years, currently has distributable earnings below its dividend payout. However, Starwood expects improved coverage from its Fundamental Income Properties acquisition.