Ladder Capital(LADR) - 2024 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q4 2024, Ladder generated distributable earnings of $33.6 million or$0.27 per share, achieving a return on equity of 8.9% [5][20] - For the full year 2024, distributable earnings totaled $153.9 million, delivering a 9.9$2.2 billion in liquidity, including $1.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents, representing approximately 27$1.6 billion with a weighted average yield of 9.3% and minimal future funding commitments of only $35 million [12] - In Q4, Ladder originated six loans totaling$129 million, primarily focusing on multifamily and industrial properties [14] - The real estate portfolio generated $13.2 million in net rental income during Q4 and$56.3 million for the full year 2024 [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Ladder's loan portfolio paid down significantly, with $1.7 billion in proceeds from loan payoffs across 61 loan positions in 2024, marking the highest annual payoffs in the company's history [13] - The securities portfolio totaled$1.1 billion with a weighted average unlevered yield of 6%, primarily comprised of AAA-rated securities [17][30] Company Strategy and Development Direction - Ladder aims to enhance its capital structure and is focused on becoming an investment-grade company, which is expected to strengthen its market position and lower funding costs [11][26] - The company plans to deploy its substantial liquidity prudently as transaction volumes rebound and commercial real estate markets stabilize [19][43] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for 2025, anticipating opportunities in a recovering market while maintaining a disciplined approach to risk and growth [19][43] - The management noted that the current economic environment presents challenges but also opportunities for strategic investments [37][41] Other Important Information - Ladder's adjusted leverage remained modest at 1.4 times, with 77% of its asset base unencumbered [11] - The company repurchased 26 million in principal value of its 2025 bonds in Q4 2024 [25][34] Q&A Session Summary Question: Opportunities in CMBS conduit business - Management sees potential to increase CMBS conduit originations as regional banks pull back, creating opportunities for Ladder [46][47] Question: CECL reserve levels - Management plans to maintain the current CECL reserve level, indicating it is adequate to cover potential losses in the loan portfolio [49][51] Question: Impact of tightening yields on origination pipeline - Management acknowledges tightening credit spreads but emphasizes that interest rates remain high, affecting the types of properties they are willing to lend on [55][56] Question: Growth of loan book in 2025 - Management is optimistic about growing the loan book by 1 billion in 2025, targeting an unlevered return of around 8.5% [72][82] Question: Strategic partnerships in agency servicing - Management is open to exploring partnerships in agency servicing but currently has no discussions underway [98][104]