Chimera Investment(US:CIM)2025-05-08 13:32Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Earnings available for distribution improved by 11% and book value increased by 7.4% with an economic return of 9.2% for the quarter [6][13] - GAAP net income for the first quarter was $145.9 million or $1.77 per share, while economic net interest income was $72.3 million [13][14] - The yield on average interest-earning assets was 5.9% and the average cost of funds was 4.4%, resulting in a net interest spread of 1.5% [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Third-party loans under management by Palisades Advisory Services increased by 43% year over year, reaching nearly $24 billion [7] - The company managed a total of nearly $37 billion in assets, including on-balance sheet assets and those managed for others [7] - The company executed impactful balance sheet moves, including cash-out refinancing that unlocked $187 million [8][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - National home price growth was 3.9% year over year, with varying performance across regions [21] - Existing home sales declined to a 4 million unit annualized pace, marking the slowest first quarter since 2009 [21] - Delinquency rates remained stable at 8.9%, with prepayments decreasing to 5.5% [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to build a hybrid mortgage REIT that is resilient and diversified, focusing on diversifying the portfolio and growing recurring fee income [11][30] - The strategy includes adding Agency RMBS assets and evaluating MSR opportunities to generate attractive returns [29][30] - The company is focused on disciplined risk management and thoughtful portfolio construction [30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that despite market volatility, the company is holding steady and expects to continue growing third-party loans under management [10] - The outlook for the third-party business remains positive, with expectations for growth depending on the mortgage market [42] - Management expressed caution regarding capital deployment due to ongoing macroeconomic uncertainty [29] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with $697 million in total cash and unencumbered assets [14] - The company refinanced two structured repo lines, extending maturities and lowering costs, which released an additional $100 million in cash [26][55] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on book value performance - Management indicated that book value was down about 40 basis points as of the beginning of the second quarter [33] Question: Timing for deploying freed-up investment capital - Approximately 33% to 40% of the $187 million has been deployed, with a focus on building liquidity [35][36] Question: Outlook for third-party business growth - Management is bullish on growth potential, depending on the mortgage market and new client acquisitions [42] Question: Sensitivity to higher delinquency rates - Management noted that delinquencies in the RPL portfolio are stable and not a major concern, while monitoring trends in non-QM portfolios [60][63] Question: Details on new loan facilities and advance rates - Management did not disclose specific advance rates but confirmed that the facilities are structured repo facilities with banking relationships [64][66]