PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust(PMT) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q1 2025, the company reported a net loss to common shareholders of $1 million, translating to a diluted earnings per share of negative $0.01, primarily due to fair value declines from interest rate volatility and credit spread widening [2][10] - The book value per share as of March 31 was $15.43, a modest decrease from December 31 [2] - The run rate return potential for PMT is currently averaging $0.35 per share, down from $0.37 in the prior quarter [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Credit Sensitive Strategies contributed $1 million to pretax income, while losses from organically created CRT investments were $5 million [10] - The interest rate sensitive strategies incurred a pretax loss of $5 million, with fair value declines on MSR investments amounting to $56 million [10] - PMT's Correspondent Production segment generated $10 million in income, down from the prior quarter [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total correspondent loan acquisition volume was $23 billion in Q1, down 18% from the previous quarter [12] - PMT retained 21% of total conventional correspondent production in Q1, an increase from 19% in the fourth quarter [12] - Current third-party estimates for industry originations in 2025 average $2 trillion, indicating growth in overall volumes [2] Company Strategy and Development Direction - PMT aims to leverage its relationship with PFSI to capitalize on unique investment opportunities, focusing on credit-sensitive strategies while maintaining a consistent securitization cadence [4][7] - The company plans to continue closing approximately one securitization of non-owner occupied loans per month and one jumbo loan securitization per quarter starting in Q2 [7] - PMT's strategy includes a focus on maintaining a stable dividend while navigating the current volatile market environment [36] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in PMT's ability to navigate the challenging mortgage market, citing strong risk management practices and a diversified investment portfolio [3][9] - The company anticipates continued low delinquency rates due to the overall credit strength of consumers and substantial home equity accumulation [7][8] - Management noted that the current economic environment has led to credit spread widening, but they expect the yield curve to normalize over time, which could improve returns on interest rate-sensitive strategies [36][38] Other Important Information - PMT completed three securitizations of investor loans totaling $1 billion in unpaid principal balance during the first quarter [6] - The fair value of PMT's MSR asset at the end of the quarter was $3.8 billion, slightly down from December 31 [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes in book value and expected ROE since quarter end - Management indicated that book value has decreased by about 2% to 3% due to interest rate volatility and credit spread widening, but remains contained [17][18] Question: Expectation of acquiring a larger percentage of loans from PFSI - Management stated that PMT's acquisition strategy focuses on where capital can be most advantageously deployed, with no expectation of increasing the proportion of loans retained in the second half of the year [22] Question: Outlook on capital allocation and investment strategies - Management expressed satisfaction with current capital allocation, emphasizing the importance of growing credit-sensitive strategies while maintaining correspondent activity [28][30] Question: Visibility on volumes from correspondent loans - Management expects increased correspondent activity starting at the end of April, with the market centered on a $2 trillion origination market [31][32] Question: Outlook for the dividend amidst lower run rate earnings - Management expects the dividend to remain stable despite fluctuations in run rate, emphasizing the importance of dividend stability [36] Question: Return expectations on new loan securitizations - Management noted that return targets on subordinate bonds have increased due to credit spread widening, with expected returns in the mid-teens [41][42]