Chimera Investment Corporation, a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT), has been navigating the dynamic mortgage credit landscape with strategic precision. Established in 2007, Chimera has evolved into a diversified investment platform, combining its expertise in residential mortgage assets with a burgeoning third-party investment management and advisory business.
Business Overview
Chimera Investment Corporation was incorporated in Maryland on June 1, 2007, and began trading on the NYSE in November of the same year. The company elected to be taxed as a REIT, a structure that allows it to avoid corporate-level taxation as long as it distributes at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders. Chimera is an internally managed REIT primarily engaged in investing in a diversified portfolio of mortgage assets for itself and unrelated third parties through its investment management and advisory services.
In its early years, Chimera focused on acquiring and securitizing pools of residential mortgage loans, particularly reperforming loans and non-qualified mortgages (Non-QMs). The company utilized securitization as a key financing strategy, retaining the subordinate classes of securities from these transactions, which exposed Chimera to the first-loss position. While this strategy allowed Chimera to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns, it also subjected the company to significant credit risk.
As the company evolved, it expanded its investment strategies to include Agency RMBS, business purpose loans, and other real estate-related assets. This diversification helped mitigate some of the risks inherent in Chimera's core residential mortgage loan strategy. Additionally, Chimera began providing investment management and advisory services to third-party clients, leveraging its expertise in residential mortgage credit.
Throughout its history, Chimera has demonstrated resilience in the face of challenging market conditions. The company successfully navigated the 2008 financial crisis and subsequent periods of heightened market volatility, margin calls, and other disruptions in the mortgage, housing, and related sectors. Chimera's management team has shown skill in managing the company's balance sheet, leveraging, and hedging strategies to protect the business during turbulent times.
In December 2024, Chimera made a transformative move by acquiring The Palisades Group, a U.S.-based alternative asset manager specializing in residential real estate credit. This strategic acquisition marked Chimera's foray into the third-party investment management and advisory services arena. Through this transaction, Chimera gained a seasoned team of professionals led by Jack Macdowell, Jr., a veteran in the mortgage credit and structured products space, who became Chimera's Chief Investment Officer.
Financial Performance
Full Year 2024 Results
For the full year 2024, Chimera reported GAAP net income of $90.3 million, or $1.10 per diluted common share. This was a significant improvement from the previous year's GAAP net loss of $126.1 million, or $0.68 per diluted common share. The company's Earnings Available for Distribution (EAD), a non-GAAP metric, stood at $121 million, or $1.48 per diluted common share, for the full year 2024, compared to $119.3 million, or $1.53 per diluted common share, in 2023. Chimera's economic return on GAAP book value for the full year 2024 was 4.4%, which includes $1.42 of dividends declared.
Fourth Quarter 2024 Performance
During the fourth quarter of 2024, Chimera recorded a GAAP net loss of $168.3 million, or $2.07 per diluted common share, primarily due to the impact of rising interest rates on the fair value of its investment portfolio. However, on an EAD basis, the company generated $30.4 million, or $0.37 per diluted common share, in the fourth quarter.
For the most recent quarter, Chimera reported revenue of $191.5 million and a net loss of $146.5 million, representing a year-over-year decrease in both revenue and net income.
Financials and Liquidity
Chimera's balance sheet remained well-capitalized, with a GAAP leverage ratio of 4.0x and a recourse leverage ratio of 1.2x as of December 31, 2024. The company held $610 million in total cash and unencumbered assets, providing ample liquidity to navigate market volatility and pursue strategic opportunities.
In 2024, Chimera increased its quarterly dividend by 12%, demonstrating confidence in its financial position and commitment to shareholder returns.
Portfolio Composition and Diversification
Current Portfolio Allocation
As of December 31, 2024, Chimera's investment portfolio was primarily composed of residential mortgage loans (88%), non-agency RMBS (8%), and agency RMBS (4%). The company's seasoned re-performing loan portfolio, which makes up the vast majority of its GAAP assets, had an average loan balance of $99,000 and a weighted-average loan-to-value ratio of 40%.
Residential Mortgage Loans
Chimera's Loans held for investment portfolio primarily comprises seasoned residential mortgage loans not guaranteed as to repayment of principal or interest. As of December 31, 2024, the total amortized cost of this portfolio was $11.40 billion, with a total unpaid principal balance of $11.70 billion. The portfolio includes qualified mortgages (QMs), non-qualified mortgages (Non-QMs), and reperforming residential mortgage loans.
The loan portfolio consists of both adjustable-rate and fixed-rate residential mortgage loans, with a weighted average maturity of 20.40 years and a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of 78.40%. The weighted average FICO score of the borrowers was 667. The portfolio had significant concentrations in California (15.50%), Florida (8.80%), New York (8.70%), Pennsylvania (4.30%), and New Jersey (4.30%).
These loans are carried at fair value, with changes reflected in earnings. As of December 31, 2024, the fair value of residential mortgage loans 90 days or more past due was $595.00 million.
Non-Agency RMBS
Chimera's Non-Agency RMBS portfolio had a fair value of $1.06 billion as of December 31, 2024, with an amortized cost of $1.55 billion. This portfolio comprises senior (60.83% fair value), subordinated (57.99% fair value), and interest-only (2.77% fair value) securities. The weighted average coupons for these securities were 5.70%, 4.50%, and 0.70%, respectively, while the weighted average yields were 17.60%, 8.00%, and 6.60%, respectively.
The company had recorded an allowance for credit losses of $28.40 million on its Non-Agency RMBS portfolio based on its analysis of expected future cash flows and the credit quality of the underlying collateral.
Agency RMBS and CMBS
As of December 31, 2024, the fair value of Chimera's Agency RMBS, including CMOs and interest-only securities, was $519.22 million. The company's Agency CMBS portfolio, including project loans and interest-only securities, had a fair value of $40.78 million.
Strategic Diversification Initiatives
Recognizing the need for a more diversified and resilient portfolio, Chimera has been actively pursuing strategic initiatives to enhance its asset allocation. The company has increased its focus on agency RMBS, which now account for 4% of the portfolio, up from 1% a year earlier. Chimera has also been exploring opportunities in mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), which it believes can serve as a natural hedge to its loan portfolio and help offset book value volatility associated with interest rate movements.
Furthermore, the acquisition of Palisades has enabled Chimera to expand its third-party investment management and advisory services, providing access to a broader range of residential credit products and diversifying its revenue streams beyond the traditional mortgage investment business.
Hedging and Risk Management
Chimera has implemented a comprehensive risk management framework to mitigate its exposure to interest rate and credit risks. The company utilizes a variety of hedging instruments, including interest rate swaps, swaptions, and U.S. Treasury futures, to manage the interest rate sensitivity of its floating-rate liabilities.
As of December 31, 2024, Chimera had $1.5 billion in active interest rate swaps with a weighted average pay fixed rate of 3.56%, effectively locking in a fixed rate on approximately 69% of its floating-rate liabilities. Additionally, the company had $1.3 billion, or 48% of its secured recourse funding, in non-mark-to-market or limited mark-to-market facilities, further reducing its exposure to margin calls and liquidity risks.
Chimera's credit risk management strategy focuses on careful underwriting, diversification, and active portfolio monitoring. The company's seasoned re-performing loan portfolio has demonstrated stable credit performance, with serious delinquencies holding steady at 9.1% as of the fourth quarter of 2024.
Outlook and Opportunities
As Chimera looks ahead, the company is focused on enhancing the durability and diversification of its investment portfolio. The agency RMBS allocation is expected to provide balance and liquidity, while the potential expansion into mortgage servicing rights is aimed at stabilizing book value volatility.
For 2025, Chimera expects to continue diversifying its portfolio, increasing liquidity, and growing its fee-based income revenue stream. The company plans to grow its agency RMBS portfolio, which they believe will provide diversification, more stable dividends, and a source of liquidity. Chimera also intends to look for opportunities to acquire mortgage servicing rights (MSRs), which they believe will help hedge their loan portfolio and provide a diverse source of income.
The integration of Palisades has opened new avenues for Chimera, allowing the company to leverage its combined expertise and infrastructure to provide third-party investment management and advisory services. This fee-based business model is expected to generate a more stable and recurring revenue stream, complementing the company's traditional mortgage investment activities.
Chimera expects the source of funds for portfolio diversification and growth initiatives to come from their existing portfolio as they return to their re-lever strategy. The company plans to call their outstanding securitizations and re-securitize the loans in the next couple of months. Additionally, Chimera will look for opportunities to raise capital in the capital markets.
Chimera's management team remains vigilant in navigating the evolving market landscape, with a keen eye on identifying opportunities that can strengthen its position as a leading player in the residential mortgage credit space. The company's disciplined approach to portfolio management, risk mitigation, and strategic diversification positions it well to navigate the challenges and capitalize on the opportunities that lie ahead.
Risks and Considerations
Despite Chimera's efforts to diversify its revenue streams and fortify its mortgage credit portfolio, the company remains exposed to several risks inherent to the REIT and mortgage investment industries. These include, but are not limited to:
1. Interest rate risk: Fluctuations in interest rates can significantly impact the fair value of Chimera's investment portfolio and the cost of its financing, affecting the company's profitability and book value.
2. Credit risk: The performance of Chimera's residential mortgage loans and RMBS investments is subject to the risk of borrower defaults and loss severities, which could adversely impact the company's financial results.
3. Regulatory and compliance risks: Chimera's operations are subject to extensive regulation, and any changes in the regulatory environment could have a material effect on the company's business activities and financial performance.
4. Competition: Chimera operates in a highly competitive market, vying for investment opportunities and third-party asset management mandates, which could put pressure on the company's margins and growth prospects.
5. Integration risks: The successful integration of Palisades and the effective execution of Chimera's diversification strategy will be crucial to realizing the anticipated benefits of the acquisition.
Investors should carefully consider these risks and monitor Chimera's progress in navigating the dynamic mortgage credit landscape and executing its growth initiatives.
Conclusion
Chimera Investment Corporation has demonstrated its resilience and adaptability in the face of a challenging market environment. By diversifying its revenue streams, fortifying its mortgage credit portfolio, and leveraging its expanded capabilities through the Palisades acquisition, Chimera is positioning itself for long-term success. As the company navigates the evolving industry landscape, investors will closely follow its ability to generate stable and growing returns, while effectively managing the inherent risks in the REIT and mortgage investment sectors.