Blackstone Mortgage Trust(US:BXMT)2026-02-11 15:02Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For Q4 2025, the company reported GAAP net income of $0.24 per share, while distributable earnings were -$2.07 per share, with distributable earnings prior to charge-offs at $0.51 per share, marking an increase of over 20% from Q1 [4][20] - The book value ended the year at $20.75 per share, which includes $0.47 per share of accumulated depreciation and amortization [23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The loan portfolio is now 99% performing, with $575 million of impaired loans resolved during the quarter, reducing the impaired loan balance to just under $90 million [5][14] - The investment portfolio stands at $20 billion, up from $19.5 billion last quarter, with the loan portfolio at $18 billion and net lease assets now representing 5% of the portfolio, up from 0 at the beginning of 2025 [13][14] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The real estate credit market is highly liquid, with CMBS issuance accelerating to its highest level since the GFC, up 40% year-over-year [6] - New loan requests in January were up 50% from the prior year, indicating increased enthusiasm from investors to transact [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company has strategically broadened its scope to target complementary investment channels, focusing on multifamily and industrial loans, which accounted for nearly 85% of the $7 billion in investments closed in 2025 [5] - The company aims to maximize long-term shareholder value while remaining patient and disciplined in its approach [9] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strong investment and asset management results achieved in 2025 and sees a ripe environment for bank consolidation, which may bring additional opportunities [18][19] - The company anticipates cash flows from owned real estate to decline in Q1 but expects consistent positive distributable earnings over time as assets are exited and capital is redeployed [22] Other Important Information - The company executed over $5 billion of corporate and securitized debt transactions in the past 12 months, reducing the weighted average borrowing spread by nearly 90 basis points year-over-year [8][9] - The company has been active in share repurchases, with approximately $140 million since the program's inception in July 2024 [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Thoughts on supporting the value of loans in the portfolio - Management is exploring all opportunities to maximize shareholder value and feels good about the stock's direction given the performance in 2025 [29][30] Question: Views on the REO portfolio and specific assets - Management sees improved fundamentals and investor demand in key markets like New York and is strategically considering exits for several assets [33][35] Question: Investment in the Blackstone BREDS Fund - The fund will focus on high-quality core-plus real estate in the U.S. and Canada, with no fees for the fund commitment [39][40] Question: Future portfolio outlook and focus areas - The company intends to diversify its portfolio while maintaining its core lending strategy, with a focus on risk-adjusted returns [41][42] Question: Multifamily lending opportunities - The company views multifamily as a structurally undersupplied market and is actively lending in this space [46] Question: Initial general reserve on new loans - The current general reserve is a good proxy for the majority of the portfolio, and as the portfolio grows or shrinks, this will be a reference point [53]