Eagle Point Income Co Inc.(EIC) - 2025 Q4 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In 2025, the company generated a GAAP return on equity of negative 0.7% and a total return on common stock of negative 15.2%, with cash distributions of $1.98 per share, representing 15% of the average stock price during the year [5][9] - The fourth quarter net investment income was $0.03 per share, down from $0.39 per share in the prior quarter, primarily due to a decline in SOFR and continued tightening in loan spreads [8][19] - The company's NAV decreased to $13.31 per share as of December 31, down from $14.21 per share at the end of September [9][21] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Paydowns within the CLO debt portfolio totaled $147 million during 2025, with early repayments contributing to realized capital gains of $0.12 per share [6][7] - The company participated in 10 resets and 6 refinancings across its CLO equity portfolio, resulting in average CLO debt cost savings of 46 basis points [7] - Recurring cash flows for the fourth quarter totaled $19 million, or $0.79 per share, representing an 18% increase quarter-over-quarter [9] 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 entirety of 2025, with the trailing twelve-month default rate decreasing from 1.5% to 1.2% [15][16] - CLO new issuance rose to $55 billion in the fourth quarter, totaling $209 billion for 2025, surpassing the previous year's record [16] - The company's portfolio's default exposure was 32 basis points as of December 31 [15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company actively managed its portfolio to seek opportunities across CLO debt and equity, as well as other asset classes beyond CLOs, reflecting a flexible investment strategy [4][10] - The company plans to continue repurchasing shares when trading at material discounts to NAV, viewing this as an attractive use of capital [12][23] - The management believes the current market environment presents compelling opportunities for patient, well-capitalized investors [23] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that the CLO market faced challenging conditions in 2025, with factors such as reduced SOFR levels and loan spread compression impacting performance [4] - Looking ahead, management expressed confidence in healthy underlying borrower fundamentals and a disciplined approach to capital allocation [5][23] - The company anticipates a robust pipeline of refinancings and resets, which could help lower liability costs in the CLO equity portfolio [23] Other Important Information - The company completed the full redemption of its 7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock and announced plans to redeem the 8% Series C Term Preferred Stock [11] - As of January month-end, the company had $85 million of cash and revolver capacity available for investment [22] Q&A Session Summary Question: Follow-up on realized losses due to underperforming managers - Management indicated that underperforming managers had credit issues and loan spread compression, leading to a rotation into better-performing CLOs and other asset classes [26][27] Question: Source of funds for redeeming Series C Term Preferred Stock - Management confirmed that the redemption would be funded through a combination of the new revolver and cash on hand, along with proceeds from CLO debt repayments [29] Question: Expectation of balance sheet investment portfolio shrinkage - Management clarified that while redeeming preferred stock, they would continue to opportunistically buy back stock and maintain a leverage ratio within the target range [35] Question: Focus on alternative credit assets - Management stated that investments in non-CLO asset classes are being made across the Eagle Point platform, with dedicated teams focusing on these opportunities [37]