Group 1 - Redwood Trust Inc (NYSE: RWT) has a business model that allows it to achieve high returns while minimizing balance sheet risks [1] - The stock is currently trading at 0.7 times price-to-book (P/B) ratio, indicating potential undervaluation [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a positive economic return of 2.6% for the quarter, consisting of a $0.34 dividend and a modest $0.11 decline in book value to $8.81 [7][22] - The estimated book value per common share as of April 30 is between $7.74 and $8.06, reflecting a decline in April due to market volatility [8][21] - The leverage ratio was reduced from 7.1x to the mid-6s during the quarter, indicating a cautious approach in response to market conditions [21][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The agency RMBS portfolio increased by 9.5% quarter over quarter, with investments focused on higher coupon securities [17] - The company rotated its allocations from lower coupons to higher coupons, capitalizing on attractive valuations [18] - Agency CMBS exposure remained at approximately 15% of the total investment portfolio, with new purchases yielding low double-digit ROEs [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - U.S. Treasury yields declined by 20 to 40 basis points across the yield curve during the first quarter, driven by concerns over economic growth [10][11] - The Fed funds futures market is now pricing in deeper cuts, with expectations for the target rate to be reduced three to four times in 2025 [12] - Agency mortgages underperformed treasuries in April due to increased interest rate volatility and market sell-offs [21][23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on higher coupon Agency RMBS, anticipating improved demand as interest rate volatility declines [18][23] - The strategy includes increasing allocations to specified pools with predictable prepayment characteristics, particularly in a slowing economic environment [18] - The company is cautious about agency mortgages in the near term but maintains a favorable long-term outlook due to expected improvements in investor demand [8][23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed concerns about tightening financial conditions and the potential impact of U.S. trade policies on economic growth [5][6] - The outlook remains cautious due to elevated interest rate volatility and policy uncertainty, but there is optimism for a steeper yield curve and improved demand in the long term [23] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining liquidity to navigate potential market stress while capitalizing on investment opportunities as conditions improve [23] Other Important Information - The company noted that prepayment speeds remained low due to limited purchase and refinancing activity, but a decline in mortgage rates is expected to increase prepayment speeds in the coming months [6][7] - The funding market for the company's assets has been stable, with repo spreads remaining attractive [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Discussion on leverage management during volatile periods - Management indicated that leverage was reduced by about 0.5 turns in April due to increased uncertainty regarding monetary and fiscal policy [26][28] Question: Comments on returns and spreads - Management noted that levered ROEs are in the low 20s on higher coupons, indicating attractive spreads [30] Question: Changes to the hedge portfolio - The hedge ratio was increased in response to uncertainty about near-term monetary policy, maintaining a mix of swaps and treasuries [34] Question: Impact of portfolio size on dividend levels - Management confirmed that the recent dividend reduction is still comfortably covered by current earnings [36] Question: Opportunity set in agency compared to previous peaks - Management expressed that the current opportunity in mortgages is attractive, but there is caution due to potential inflation and its impact on monetary policy [40][41] Question: Relative value of loan balance pools - Management discussed the rotation from low loan balance pools to more credit-constrained pools, driven by economic uncertainty and pricing dynamics [42][44] Question: Forward rate outlook and hedge portfolio development - Management emphasized a conservative approach to hedging and leverage, given the uncertainty in interest rate cuts [50][52] Question: Opportunities in commercial credit - Management stated that they are currently not looking to add credit exposure and have sold remaining credit investments, focusing solely on agency assets [61][62]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a GAAP net loss applicable to common stockholders of $9.3 million or $0.29 per diluted share for Q1 2025 [6][16] - Book value per common share decreased to $3.58 from $3.82 at the end of Q4 2024 [7][17] - NAV declined approximately $7.5 million or 3.2% relative to December 31 [7] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The MSR portfolio had an unpaid principal balance (UPB) of $17 billion and a market value of approximately $227 million, representing about 44% of equity capital [10] - The RMBS portfolio accounted for approximately 39% of equity capital, with a weighted average three-month CPR of 5.8% [10][12] - EAD attributable to common stockholders was $5.4 million or $0.17 per share, benefiting from dollar roll income [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Interest rates ended the quarter at 4.25%, approximately 30 basis points lower quarter over quarter [5] - Prepayment speeds for the MSR portfolio averaged approximately 4.1%, down modestly from the previous quarter [11] - RMBS portfolio's net interest spread was 3.55%, higher than the prior quarter [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to deploy capital into Agency RMBS and select MSRs while maintaining strong liquidity and prudent leverage [8] - The management is closely monitoring the macro environment and tariff situation to stress the portfolio for various scenarios [8] - The company aims to improve its expense ratio and capital structure over time by managing operating expenses [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed that rates will continue to be highly reactive to global political agendas and domestic economic data [6] - The uncertainty in the market has led the company to position its portfolio more neutrally to withstand daily volatility [6] - Future EAD is expected to trend lower due to the maturation of a significant hedge that previously contributed to EAD [16][53] Other Important Information - The company completed its first full quarter as an integrated, internally managed mortgage REIT [7] - Operating expenses for the quarter were $3.8 million, reflecting a decline due to the elimination of the management fee [17] - The Board declared a dividend of $0.15 per common share for Q1 2025, paid in cash on April 30 [18] Q&A Session Summary Question: What would it take for the company to allocate more to the RMBS portfolio? - Management indicated that all reinvestment income has been directed towards MBS, and significant changes would require selling a portion of the MSR [20][24] Question: Is there any movement in GSE reform affecting capital allocation? - Management stated it is too early to tell, and the market has not fully priced in the potential changes regarding GSE reform [25][29] Question: Can you provide a book value update for Q2? - The company reported a NAV down about 3.7% in April, leading to a 7% book value per share before any dividends [36] Question: How much of the EAD in Q1 was due to the roll-off of expenses associated with internalization? - Approximately $0.02 of EAD in Q1 was attributed to internalization and G&A savings [51] Question: What are the general thoughts on MSR pricing and supply post the Rocket Cooper deal? - Management noted that volumes have been lower and there have not been substantial changes in pricing dynamics in the market [50] Question: Are there opportunities in spec pools within the builder buy-down space? - Management has seen builder buy-downs but has not focused on them for the portfolio, preferring to keep pay-ups modest [44]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The book value at December 31 was $14.47 per common share, down from $14.93 on September 30, resulting in a flat quarterly economic return [6][17] - The company incurred a comprehensive loss of $1.6 million or $0.03 per weighted average common share in Q4 [18] - Net interest expense decreased by $7.4 million in Q4 due to lower RMBS borrowing balances [18] - The economic return for the full year of 2024 was 7.0 percent [17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Net servicing income was $168 million, slightly down from Q3 due to lower float income [19] - The servicing assets showed a gain of $82.5 million in Q4 after a loss of $133.4 million in Q3 [20] - The weighted average note rate in the MSR portfolio was 3.46%, with mortgage rates around 7% [11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The 10-year treasury yield increased by 79 basis points to finish at 4.57% [7] - The 2-year treasury yield increased by 60 basis points to 4.24% [7] - The overall prepayment rates for 30-year agency RMBS rose to 6.9% CPR, reflecting a lagged effect from lower rates in Q3 [30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a hedged MSR-centric strategy to generate stable cash flows [14] - A direct-to-consumer origination platform was launched to maintain the servicing portfolio through recapture of underlying mortgage loans [11] - The company aims to expand its second lien loan offerings to borrowers [13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expects mortgage rates to remain above 6% in the intermediate term, which may keep housing activity muted [9] - The company believes that its MSR portfolio will benefit from the success of servicing and originations [11] - Management expressed optimism about the stability of returns and the potential for attractive levered returns in 2025 and beyond [35] Other Important Information - The company serviced $212 billion UPB of MSR across 861,000 loans, with $58 billion UPB serviced for third-party clients [10] - The economic debt to equity ratio decreased slightly to 6.5 times [26] - The MSR portfolio was valued at $202 billion UPB at December 31, reflecting a slight increase in price multiple to 5.9 times [31][32] Q&A Session Summary Question: How has the book performed so far in the quarter? - Management indicated that total return is estimated to be up between 1.5% to 2% as of the previous night [38] Question: How does the lower leverage level impact earnings power? - Management stated that overall debt to economic ratio is just one measure and that the mix of assets supports stable returns [39][40] Question: What is the outlook for Agency MBS spreads this year? - Management expressed a positive outlook for mortgage spreads, noting a more controlled response since November [46][49] Question: Any thoughts on potential GSE reform? - Management indicated they do not have more information than the market regarding GSE reform and its implications [54] Question: Can you discuss the differences between EAD and static return range? - Management explained that the static return is a mark-to-market basis, while EAD reflects the purchase price and can create timing distortions [60][62] Question: Are there new financing counterparties for the MSR portfolio? - Management noted that the depth of the market for MSR financing continues to grow with new entrants [70][71] Question: How have costs changed in response to rate cuts? - Management stated that financing costs have decreased as the Fed has cut rates, impacting both MSR and RMBS sides [73]