CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Net interest income:
Interest income		$ 388,143	$ 519,114
Interest expense		147,447	129,420
Net interest income		240,696	389,694
Realized and unrealized gains (losses):
Realized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps	[1],[2]	(147,475)	(158,239)
Realized gains (losses) on termination of interest rate swaps			(226,462)
Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps		(1,031,720)	(466,202)
Subtotal		(1,179,195)	(850,903)
Net gains (losses) on disposal of investments		(1,675)	62,356
Net gains (losses) on trading assets		125,189	(6,906)
Net unrealized gains (losses) on financial instruments measured at fair value through earnings		128	(33,546)
Subtotal		123,642	21,904
Total realized and unrealized gains (losses)		(1,055,553)	(828,999)
Other income (loss):
Investment advisory income			10,464
Dividend income from affiliate			4,318
Other income (loss)		(6,115)	(1,024)
Total other income (loss)		(6,115)	13,758
General and administrative expenses:
Compensation and management fee		36,997	38,629
Other general and administrative expenses		10,948	12,309
Total general and administrative expenses		47,945	50,938
Income (loss) before income taxes		(868,917)	(476,485)
Income taxes		(837)	14
Net income (loss)		(868,080)	(476,499)
Net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(162)	(90)
Net income (loss) attributable to Annaly		(867,918)	(476,409)
Dividends on preferred stock		17,992	17,992
Net income (loss) available (related) to common stockholders		$ (885,910)	$ (494,401)
Net income (loss) per share available (related) to common stockholders:
Basic		$ (0.96)	$ (0.52)
Diluted		$ (0.96)	$ (0.52)
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:
Basic		926,813,588	947,669,831
Diluted		926,813,588	947,669,831
Dividends Declared Per Share of Common Stock		$ 0.30	$ 0.30
Net income (loss)		$ (868,080)	$ (476,499)
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities		1,017,707	631,472
Reclassification adjustment for net (gains) losses included in net income (loss)		255	(62,356)
Other comprehensive income (loss)		1,017,962	569,116
Comprehensive income (loss)		149,882	92,617
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interest		(162)	(90)
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Annaly		150,044	92,707
Dividends on preferred stock		17,992	17,992
Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$ 132,052	$ 74,715

[1] Consists of interest expense on interest rate swaps.

[2] Interest expense related to the Company's interest rate swaps is recorded in Realized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps on the Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss).