Eagle Point Credit Co Inc.(ECC) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated a GAAP return on common equity of negative 14.6% during 2025, which is slightly better than the market-wide assessment by Nomura Research, which estimated a median CLO equity return of negative 15% for the same year [5][6] - As of December 31, the company's NAV was $5.70 per share, down from $7.00 per share on September 30 [6] - The fourth quarter of 2025 saw a net investment income (NII) less realized losses of -$0.26 per share, compared to -$0.16 per share in the third quarter [6][17] - The company recorded a GAAP net loss attributable to common stock of $110 million, or $0.84 per share for the fourth quarter, compared to a GAAP net income of $0.12 per share in the prior quarter [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed 10 resets and 3 refinancings of its CLOs in the fourth quarter alone, and participated in 34 resets and 27 refinancings throughout 2025 [8][9] - Recurring cash flows from the portfolio increased to $80 million, or $0.61 per share, up from $77 million or $0.59 per share in the prior quarter [6] - The non-CLO portion of the investment portfolio was approximately 26% at year-end, reflecting a strategic shift towards credit assets beyond CLO equity [9][10] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The S&P UBS Leveraged Loan Index posted a 1.2% return for the fourth quarter and a 5.9% return for the full year 2025 [21] - Total loan repayments reached $294 billion, or approximately 19% of the market in 2025, resulting in a twelve-month trailing prepayment rate of 21% [21] - The trailing twelve-month default rate decreased from 1.5% in September to 1.2% as of December 31, remaining below the long-term average of 2.6% [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on increasing exposure to credit assets beyond CLO equity, with a strategic initiative to maximize total return for shareholders [10][11] - A new joint venture was launched to invest in regulatory capital relief transactions, indicating a diversification strategy [12] - The company plans to retain more capital for investments with attractive risk-adjusted returns, aiming for a stable or growing NAV over time [16] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that while defaults remain below long-term averages, spread compression in the loan market and negative sentiment towards credit have impacted financial performance [4] - The company anticipates attractive opportunities for capital deployment in both CLO equity and other credit asset classes in 2026 [16] - Management expressed a cautious outlook on credit quality, expecting trends to mirror those of 2025, with continued spread compression [46] Other Important Information - The company announced a $100 million common stock repurchase program to buy stock in the open market if it trades at a material discount to NAV [15] - The company redeemed its 8% Series F Term Preferred Stock, which was its highest cost of financing, and proactively repurchased $9 million of other securities at discounts [12][13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Impact of captive CLO equity funds on fee structures - Management acknowledged that CLOs without internal management fees could outperform those with fees, but noted that spread compression affects all funds [30][32] Question: Outlook for resets and refinances in 2026 - Management indicated that predicting the exact number of resets and refinances is challenging, but they have a robust calendar of investments planned [63][64] Question: Dividend policy and potential for supplemental distributions - Management stated that while the new dividend policy is conservative, there is potential for supplemental distributions in the future if conditions allow [84]