Dividend growth matters more than yield. Annaly Capital Management (NLY 0.71%) was one of the first real estate investment trusts (REITs) I ever purchased. The sole reason I bought shares was its alluring dividend yield. It was in the high single digits at the time. I remember thinking that the stock price doesn't have to rise very much in order to earn an attractive return. Unfortunately, the stock never gained any value in all my years of owning it. Instead, it steadily eroded as the mortgage REIT issued ...