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UWM (UWMC) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript
UWM UWM (US:UWMC)2025-05-06 14:00

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q1 2025, the company reported revenue of $613 million and a net loss of $247 million, which included a $388 million reduction in the fair value of the MSR portfolio [12][14] - The adjusted EBITDA for the quarter was $58 million, with a gain margin of 94 basis points [9][12] - Year-over-year production growth was 17%, with total production reaching $32.4 billion [8][12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company closed $10.6 billion in refinance volume, nearly double the amount from Q1 2024 [8][13] - The company has maintained over $20 billion in quarterly purchase volume for eight consecutive quarters, indicating a strong base [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The mortgage brokerage channel's market share increased from approximately 19.7% to nearly 28% since 2022, marking the highest level since February 2008 [4][5] - The company’s Net Promoter Score (NPS) for the quarter was 87.3, reflecting industry-leading service levels [10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company announced a strategic decision to bring servicing in-house, aiming for significant cost savings estimated between $40 million and $100 million annually [6][7] - The focus remains on investing in technology to maintain a competitive edge, with plans to roll out new technological advancements soon [17][18] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the company's ability to navigate a choppy macro environment and emphasized ongoing investments to support growth [11][14] - The company expects Q2 production to be between $38 billion and $45 billion, with hopes to exceed $40 billion [21][47] Other Important Information - The company plans to maintain its dividend of $0.40 per share, consistent with previous years [20] - The company is preparing for UWM Live, an event expected to showcase significant industry changes [20] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timeline for bringing servicing in-house and expected costs - The company expects to start boarding loans in-house by early 2026, with no significant one-time costs anticipated [25][29] Question: Future of ARMs in the market - Management indicated that while ARMs may become more appealing as rates rise, they do not expect a significant shift in consumer preference towards ARMs [30][32] Question: Impact of bringing servicing in-house on MSR disposal - The company plans to be more opportunistic with MSR retention and disposal, potentially holding more MSRs to capture value [36][39] Question: GSE reform and its implications - Management believes that any potential GSE reform is far off and expressed confidence in their ability to adapt to changes in the mortgage market [40][42] Question: Second quarter outlook and embedded assumptions - The company is optimistic about exceeding $40 billion in production, driven by investments and a strong broker channel [46][48] Question: M&A strategy and technology enhancements - The company prefers organic growth over acquisitions, focusing on building technology in-house rather than buying other companies [51][53] Question: Impact of technology changes on expenses - Management expects that while expenses will remain high due to investments, revenue will also increase, leading to a favorable outcome [58][61] Question: Leverage ratios and financial health - Management emphasized that leverage ratios are in a good position and that the focus should be on business dominance rather than specific financial metrics [65][66]