Farmer Mac CEO Bradford T. Nordholm to Retire; Zachary N. Carpenter Named President and COO, Set to Succeed as CEO
Leadership Transition at Farmer Mac: Bradford T. Nordholm, CEO of Farmer Mac, will retire on March 31, 2027, with Zachary N. Carpenter appointed as President and Chief Operating Officer and set to succeed Nordholm as CEO.
Company Growth and Mission: Under Nordholm's leadership, Farmer Mac doubled its annual earnings and expanded its business volume to over $30 billion, focusing on enhancing financial accessibility for rural America through diversified loan portfolios and strategic partnerships.
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First Sabrepoint Capital Acquires Stake in Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation
- New Investment Disclosure: On February 13, 2026, First Sabrepoint Capital Management LP disclosed a new position in Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AGM) by acquiring 44,500 shares valued at $7.81 million, representing 3.01% of its reportable assets under management.
- Holding Overview: Following the filing, First Sabrepoint's top holdings include TPB at $43.36 million (17.8% of AUM), FCFS at $31.08 million (12.8% of AUM), and LAUR at $16.84 million (6.9% of AUM), indicating a diversified investment strategy in agricultural finance.
- Company Financial Performance: As of February 12, 2026, AGM shares were priced at $179.14, down 7.85% over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500 by 20.75 percentage points; however, the company reported a business volume of $31.1 billion in Q3, with net interest income rising 13% year-over-year.
- Market Outlook Analysis: Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation continues to expand in the secondary market for agricultural and rural infrastructure loans, maintaining a strong balance sheet with $1.7 billion in core capital and a Tier 1 ratio of 13.9%, suggesting a potential entry point for investors despite recent underperformance.
Top Small-Cap Stocks with Highest Dividend Safety Grades
- Dividend Safety Ratings: Acadian Asset Management (AAMI) leads the list with an A+ dividend safety grade, demonstrating its strong ability to maintain dividends amid uncertain market conditions, appealing to income-seeking investors.
- Diverse Industries: The list includes firms from asset management, real estate services, and various REITs, with all ten companies achieving an A+ rating, indicating robust financial stability and dividend-paying capacity across sectors.
- Rating Criteria: The dividend safety grade evaluates multiple financial factors beyond just current yield to assess a company's ability to sustain dividends through varying market conditions, with grades ranging from A+ to F, where B- and above is considered a Buy.
- Market Impact: As the safety of dividends in small-cap stocks gains attention, investors may increasingly favor these highly rated stocks, potentially driving up their prices and enhancing overall market confidence.
Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund Rated 3.33 as Small-Cap Financial Stocks Struggle
- Rating Overview: Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) holds a Quant Rating of 3.33, indicating a relatively stable hold rating amidst pressure on small-cap financial stocks, reflecting market caution in this sector.
- Close Contenders: Trinity Capital Inc. (TRIN) and Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation (OCSL) follow with ratings of 3.16 and 3.10, respectively, both rated hold, suggesting a conservative outlook from investors that may impact their financing capabilities.
- Overall Performance: MidWestOne Financial Group (MOFG) and MidCap Financial Investment Corporation (MFIC) also received hold ratings of 3.03 and 3.01, indicating a general weakness in earnings revisions among small-cap financial stocks, potentially prompting investors to reassess their portfolios.
- Market Risks: The overall low ratings for small-cap financial stocks, with Community Trust Bancorp (CTBI) and Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AGM) rated sell at 2.46 and 2.25, respectively, reflect concerns about these companies' profitability and growth prospects, which may lead to capital outflows.
Evaluating Farmer Mac (AGM) Valuation Following Recent Decline and Robust Long-Term Shareholder Returns
Recent Stock Performance: Federal Agricultural Mortgage (AGM) has seen a 3% decline over the past week, despite a 7% increase over the last month, indicating a potential reset point for long-term investors.
Valuation Insights: AGM's current share price of $177.07 is below the analyst target of $226, suggesting it may be undervalued, although a discounted cash flow model estimates a fair value closer to $135.90, indicating downside risk.
Growth Opportunities: The company is expanding into renewable energy, broadband, and infrastructure finance, which could drive revenue and earnings growth, but faces risks from shifting policy support and rising credit losses.
Investment Strategy: Investors are encouraged to explore undervalued stocks based on cash flows and consider high-conviction candidates for their portfolios, while also being aware that the analysis provided is not financial advice.
Daily Upgrade Report for Validea's James P. O'Shaughnessy Strategy - December 12, 2025
Validea's Investment Strategy: Validea's Growth/Value Investor model, based on James P. O'Shaughnessy's strategy, evaluates large-cap value and growth stocks, focusing on persistent earnings growth and strong relative strength.
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp (AGM) Rating: AGM, a small-cap value stock in the Consumer Financial Services industry, received a rating upgrade from 50% to 100% due to strong fundamentals and valuation, indicating significant interest from the investment strategy.
Company Overview: Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation is a federally chartered corporation that supports rural America by providing liquidity to agricultural and infrastructure businesses through various segments, including Farm & Ranch and Corporate AgFinance.
James P. O'Shaughnessy's Influence: O'Shaughnessy, a notable investment guru, challenged traditional investment beliefs with his research and is the Chief Investment Officer of O'Shaughnessy Asset Management, which focuses on quantitative strategies that have historically outperformed the market.
Upcoming Ex-Dividend Dates for Federal Agricultural Mortgage, T. Rowe Price Group, and Community Trust Bancorp
Upcoming Ex-Dividend Dates: On 12/15/25, Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp (AGM), T. Rowe Price Group Inc (TROW), and Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. (CTBI) will trade ex-dividend, with respective dividends of $1.50, $1.27, and $0.53 scheduled for payment on 12/31/25, 12/30/25, and 1/2/26.
Expected Price Adjustments: Following the ex-dividend date, AGM shares are expected to open 0.81% lower, TROW by 1.23% lower, and CTBI by 0.89% lower, based on their recent stock prices.
Dividend Yield Estimates: The estimated annualized yields for the upcoming dividends are 3.26% for AGM, 4.91% for TROW, and 3.57% for CTBI, indicating potential stability in their dividend payments.
Current Trading Performance: As of Thursday trading, AGM shares are up 1.8%, TROW shares are down 1.7%, and CTBI shares are up 2.8%.
First Sabrepoint Capital Acquires Stake in Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation
- New Investment Disclosure: On February 13, 2026, First Sabrepoint Capital Management LP disclosed a new position in Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AGM) by acquiring 44,500 shares valued at $7.81 million, representing 3.01% of its reportable assets under management.
- Holding Overview: Following the filing, First Sabrepoint's top holdings include TPB at $43.36 million (17.8% of AUM), FCFS at $31.08 million (12.8% of AUM), and LAUR at $16.84 million (6.9% of AUM), indicating a diversified investment strategy in agricultural finance.
- Company Financial Performance: As of February 12, 2026, AGM shares were priced at $179.14, down 7.85% over the past year and underperforming the S&P 500 by 20.75 percentage points; however, the company reported a business volume of $31.1 billion in Q3, with net interest income rising 13% year-over-year.
- Market Outlook Analysis: Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation continues to expand in the secondary market for agricultural and rural infrastructure loans, maintaining a strong balance sheet with $1.7 billion in core capital and a Tier 1 ratio of 13.9%, suggesting a potential entry point for investors despite recent underperformance.
Top Small-Cap Stocks with Highest Dividend Safety Grades
- Dividend Safety Ratings: Acadian Asset Management (AAMI) leads the list with an A+ dividend safety grade, demonstrating its strong ability to maintain dividends amid uncertain market conditions, appealing to income-seeking investors.
- Diverse Industries: The list includes firms from asset management, real estate services, and various REITs, with all ten companies achieving an A+ rating, indicating robust financial stability and dividend-paying capacity across sectors.
- Rating Criteria: The dividend safety grade evaluates multiple financial factors beyond just current yield to assess a company's ability to sustain dividends through varying market conditions, with grades ranging from A+ to F, where B- and above is considered a Buy.
- Market Impact: As the safety of dividends in small-cap stocks gains attention, investors may increasingly favor these highly rated stocks, potentially driving up their prices and enhancing overall market confidence.
Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund Rated 3.33 as Small-Cap Financial Stocks Struggle
- Rating Overview: Morgan Stanley Direct Lending Fund (MSDL) holds a Quant Rating of 3.33, indicating a relatively stable hold rating amidst pressure on small-cap financial stocks, reflecting market caution in this sector.
- Close Contenders: Trinity Capital Inc. (TRIN) and Oaktree Specialty Lending Corporation (OCSL) follow with ratings of 3.16 and 3.10, respectively, both rated hold, suggesting a conservative outlook from investors that may impact their financing capabilities.
- Overall Performance: MidWestOne Financial Group (MOFG) and MidCap Financial Investment Corporation (MFIC) also received hold ratings of 3.03 and 3.01, indicating a general weakness in earnings revisions among small-cap financial stocks, potentially prompting investors to reassess their portfolios.
- Market Risks: The overall low ratings for small-cap financial stocks, with Community Trust Bancorp (CTBI) and Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation (AGM) rated sell at 2.46 and 2.25, respectively, reflect concerns about these companies' profitability and growth prospects, which may lead to capital outflows.
Evaluating Farmer Mac (AGM) Valuation Following Recent Decline and Robust Long-Term Shareholder Returns
Recent Stock Performance: Federal Agricultural Mortgage (AGM) has seen a 3% decline over the past week, despite a 7% increase over the last month, indicating a potential reset point for long-term investors.
Valuation Insights: AGM's current share price of $177.07 is below the analyst target of $226, suggesting it may be undervalued, although a discounted cash flow model estimates a fair value closer to $135.90, indicating downside risk.
Growth Opportunities: The company is expanding into renewable energy, broadband, and infrastructure finance, which could drive revenue and earnings growth, but faces risks from shifting policy support and rising credit losses.
Investment Strategy: Investors are encouraged to explore undervalued stocks based on cash flows and consider high-conviction candidates for their portfolios, while also being aware that the analysis provided is not financial advice.
Daily Upgrade Report for Validea's James P. O'Shaughnessy Strategy - December 12, 2025
Validea's Investment Strategy: Validea's Growth/Value Investor model, based on James P. O'Shaughnessy's strategy, evaluates large-cap value and growth stocks, focusing on persistent earnings growth and strong relative strength.
Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp (AGM) Rating: AGM, a small-cap value stock in the Consumer Financial Services industry, received a rating upgrade from 50% to 100% due to strong fundamentals and valuation, indicating significant interest from the investment strategy.
Company Overview: Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corporation is a federally chartered corporation that supports rural America by providing liquidity to agricultural and infrastructure businesses through various segments, including Farm & Ranch and Corporate AgFinance.
James P. O'Shaughnessy's Influence: O'Shaughnessy, a notable investment guru, challenged traditional investment beliefs with his research and is the Chief Investment Officer of O'Shaughnessy Asset Management, which focuses on quantitative strategies that have historically outperformed the market.
Upcoming Ex-Dividend Dates for Federal Agricultural Mortgage, T. Rowe Price Group, and Community Trust Bancorp
Upcoming Ex-Dividend Dates: On 12/15/25, Federal Agricultural Mortgage Corp (AGM), T. Rowe Price Group Inc (TROW), and Community Trust Bancorp, Inc. (CTBI) will trade ex-dividend, with respective dividends of $1.50, $1.27, and $0.53 scheduled for payment on 12/31/25, 12/30/25, and 1/2/26.
Expected Price Adjustments: Following the ex-dividend date, AGM shares are expected to open 0.81% lower, TROW by 1.23% lower, and CTBI by 0.89% lower, based on their recent stock prices.
Dividend Yield Estimates: The estimated annualized yields for the upcoming dividends are 3.26% for AGM, 4.91% for TROW, and 3.57% for CTBI, indicating potential stability in their dividend payments.
Current Trading Performance: As of Thursday trading, AGM shares are up 1.8%, TROW shares are down 1.7%, and CTBI shares are up 2.8%.
