PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust Reports Third Quarter 2018 Results

WESTLAKE VILLAGE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust (NYSE: PMT) today reported net income attributable to common shareholders of $40.3 million, or $0.62 per common share on a diluted basis for the third quarter of 2018, on net investment income of $108.5 million. PMT previously announced a cash dividend for the third quarter of 2018 of $0.47 per common share of beneficial interest, which was declared on September 25, 2018, and paid on October 30, 2018.

“Our results this quarter reflect strong performance in our Credit Sensitive and Interest Rate Sensitive Strategies, and improved results from Correspondent Production”

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Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

Financial results:

• Net income attributable to common shareholders of $40.3 million, up from $30.2 million in the prior quarter
• Diluted earnings per common share of $0.62, up 31 percent from the prior quarter
• Book value per common share of $20.48 at September 30, 2018, up from $20.27 at June 30, 2018
• Annualized return on average common equity of 13 percent, up from 10 percent for the prior quarter¹

Investment and operating highlights:

• Continued investment in GSE credit risk transfer (CRT) and mortgage servicing rights (MSRs) resulting from PMT’s mortgage acquisitions
  • Correspondent production from nonaffiliates related to conventional conforming loans totaled $7.5 billion in unpaid principal balance (UPB), up 39 percent from the prior quarter
  • Loan acquisitions from PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFSI) totaled $0.9 billion in UPB, up 41 percent from the prior quarter
  • Loans eligible for CRT investments totaled $6.8 billion, resulting in a firm commitment to purchase $237 million of CRT securities
  • New MSR investments totaled $96 million

Notable activity after quarter end:

• Entered into four agreements to sell approximately $300 million in UPB of performing and nonperforming loans from the distressed portfolio ²

“Our results this quarter reflect strong performance in our Credit Sensitive and Interest Rate Sensitive Strategies, and improved results from Correspondent Production,” said President and CEO David Spector. “The seasonal purchase market and our unique execution capabilities drove quarter-over-quarter volume increases in our Correspondent Production channel, with purchase mortgages representing 87 percent of our production, and accelerated growth in our organic investment strategies of CRT and MSRs. Those factors, combined with a continued strong credit environment, provided solid returns across each of our business segments. While third quarter results were adversely impacted by losses on the distressed loan portfolio, after quarter end we agreed to sell over $300 million in UPB of distressed loans, which should diminish their impact on earnings going forward. Overall, we are very pleased with this quarter’s results and the ability of PMT’s unique investment strategies to deliver attractive returns in the future.”

The following table presents the contributions of PMT’s segments, consisting of Correspondent Production, Credit Sensitive Strategies, Interest Rate Sensitive Strategies and Corporate:

Credit Sensitive Strategies Segment

The Credit Sensitive Strategies segment primarily includes results from CRT, distressed mortgage loans and non-Agency subordinated bonds. Pretax income for the segment was $33.1 million on revenues of $40.0 million, compared to pretax income of $32.7 million on revenues of $37.4 million in the prior quarter.

Net gain on investments was $26.3 million, a decrease of 23 percent from the prior quarter.

Net gain on CRT investments was $29.5 million, compared to $38.5 million in the prior quarter driven by a reduced earnings contribution from market-driven value changes, partially offset by the growth in CRT investments.

PMT’s distressed mortgage loan portfolio generated realized and unrealized losses totaling $3.1 million, compared to $4.7 million of losses in the prior quarter.

The schedule below summarizes the (losses) gains on distressed mortgage loans:

Fair value gains on performing loans in the distressed portfolio were $0.9 million while fair value losses on nonperforming loans were $2.0 million. Performing loans benefitted from improved reperformance during the quarter. Nonperforming loan losses resulted from the adverse valuation impact of higher projected costs of liquidation and protecting PMT’s lien interest (e.g., taxes, insurance, maintenance and legal fees). The nonperforming loan portfolio also incurred losses on sales of deeply delinquent loans.

The Credit Sensitive Strategies segment includes net gain on mortgage loans acquired for sale of $12.3 million, up from $4.4 million in the prior quarter, which represents the recognition of the fair value of firm commitments to acquire CRT securities under the new REMIC structure. The quarter-over-quarter increase was driven by three months of loan deliveries into the new structure this quarter, compared to one month in the prior quarter.

Net interest expense for the segment totaled $0.1 million, compared to $0.7 million in the prior quarter. Interest income totaled $8.7 million, a 1 percent decrease from the prior quarter, driven by a decrease in interest income from deposits securing CRT agreements, partially offset by an increase in capitalized interest from higher loan modification activity. Interest expense totaled $8.8 million, down 7 percent from the prior quarter, driven by lower financing costs related to the ongoing reduction of the distressed loan portfolio and real estate acquired upon settlement of loans (REO).

Other investment income was $1.5 million, compared to a loss of $0.4 million in the prior quarter driven by improved results from REO due to the ongoing distressed portfolio reductions. At quarter end, PMT’s inventory of REO properties totaled $95.6 million, down from $109.3 million at June 30, 2018.

Segment expenses were $6.9 million, a 46 percent increase from the prior quarter driven by higher professional services expense and activity fees paid to PFSI related to the settlement of a bulk distressed loan sale.

Interest Rate Sensitive Strategies Segment

The Interest Rate Sensitive Strategies segment includes results from investments in MSRs, excess servicing spread (ESS), Agency mortgage-backed securities (MBS), and non-Agency senior MBS and interest rate hedges. Pretax income for the segment was $24.1 million on revenues of $33.2 million, compared to pretax income of $16.4 million on revenues of $24.4 million in the prior quarter. The segment includes investments that typically have offsetting exposures to changes in interest rates. For example, in a period with increasing interest rates, MSRs and ESS typically gain in value whereas Agency MBS typically decline in value.

The results in the Interest Rate Sensitive Strategies segment consist of net gains and losses on investments, net interest income and net loan servicing fees, as well as associated expenses.

Net loss on investments for the segment totaled $16.6 million, primarily consisting of $18.9 million of losses on MBS, partially offset by $1.7 million in gains on ESS and $0.7 million in gains on hedging derivatives.

Net interest income for the segment was $5.5 million compared to $5.3 million in the prior quarter. Interest income totaled $30.6 million, a 20 percent increase from the prior quarter, primarily driven by growth in the MBS portfolio and placement fees on custodial deposits. Interest expense totaled $25.1 million, a 25 percent increase from the prior quarter primarily driven by higher interest rates and increased financing costs driven by the growth in investments.

Net mortgage loan servicing fees were $44.4 million, up from $27.6 million in the prior quarter. Net mortgage loan servicing fees included $49.9 million in servicing fees and $3.1 million in ancillary and other fees, reduced by $30.1 million in realization of MSR cashflows. Net mortgage loan servicing fees also included a $33.1 million increase in the value of MSRs, $12.1 million of related hedging losses and $0.6 million of MSR recapture income. PMT’s hedging activities are intended to manage the Company’s net exposure across all interest rate-sensitive strategies, which include MSRs, ESS and MBS.

The following schedule details net mortgage loan servicing fees:

Before January 1, 2018, PMT carried the majority of its MSRs at the lower of amortized cost or fair value. Beginning January 1, 2018 and prospectively, the Company accounts for all MSRs at fair value.

MSR valuation gains were primarily driven by higher mortgage rates, resulting in expectations for lower prepayment activity in the future. ESS valuation gains also benefitted from higher mortgage rates and include recapture income of $0.5 million from PFSI for prepayment activity during the quarter. When prepayment of a loan underlying PMT’s ESS results from refinancing by PFSI, PMT generally benefits from recapture income.

Segment expenses were $9.1 million, a 15 percent increase from the prior quarter, primarily driven by higher servicing expenses on a growing MSR portfolio.

Correspondent Production Segment

PMT acquires newly originated mortgage loans from correspondent sellers and typically sells or securitizes the loans, resulting in current-period income and ongoing investments in MSRs and CRT related to a portion of its production. PMT’s Correspondent Production segment generated pretax income of $6.0 million, up from $4.5 million in the prior quarter.

Through its correspondent production activities, PMT acquired $16.5 billion in UPB of loans and issued interest rate lock commitments totaling $17.7 billion in the third quarter, compared to $15.0 billion and $16.2 billion, respectively, in the prior quarter. Of the correspondent acquisitions, conventional conforming acquisitions from nonaffiliates totaled $7.5 billion and government-insured or guaranteed acquisitions totaled $9.0 billion, compared to $5.4 billion and $9.5 billion, respectively, in the prior quarter.

Segment revenues were $34.7 million, a 66 percent increase from the prior quarter. Segment revenues included a net gain on mortgage loans of $12.5 million, other income of $12.4 million, which primarily consists of volume-based origination fees, and net interest income of $9.8 million. Net gain on mortgage loans acquired for sale in the quarter increased 165 percent from the prior quarter, driven by PMT’s unique execution capabilities and improved market conditions during the quarter. Net interest income increased 34 percent from the prior quarter, primarily driven by volume growth and the recognition of incentives, which the Company is currently entitled to receive under one of its master repurchase agreements to finance mortgage loans that satisfy certain consumer relief characteristics. These incentives totaled $5.0 million, a 43 percent increase form the prior quarter. The master repurchase agreement is subject to a rolling six-month term through August 2019, unless terminated earlier at the option of the lender.

Segment expenses were $28.7 million, up 75 percent from the prior quarter, resulting from an $11.7 million increase in fulfillment fee expenses driven by the increase in conventional correspondent production volume and a higher weighted average fulfillment fee rate. The weighted average fulfillment fee rate in the third quarter was 35 basis points, up from 27 basis points in the prior quarter, reflecting lower discretionary reductions by PFSI to facilitate successful loan acquisitions by PMT.

Corporate Segment

The Corporate segment includes interest income from cash and short-term investments, management fees, and corporate expenses.

Segment revenues were $611,000, up from $349,000 in the prior quarter.

Management fees were $6.5 million, up 13 percent from the prior quarter primarily driven by $683,000 of incentive fees in the third quarter based on PMT’s performance.

Other segment expenses were $5.6 million, down from $5.9 million in the prior quarter.

Taxes

PMT recorded income tax expense of $5.1 million compared to $5.9 million of expense in the prior quarter.

***

“PMT’s unique investment strategies and capabilities to organically create attractive investments sourced from its loan production business are delivering strong returns,” said Executive Chairman Stanford L. Kurland. “Our correspondent business has delivered profitable volume growth this year, driving increased capital deployment into attractive CRT and MSR investments. Our new REMIC structure for CRT investments allows a greater percentage of loans to be eligible for CRT, further accelerating growth of this opportunity. Looking forward, we see tremendous opportunity in the mortgage market as we focus on product expansion in the prime non-Agency and HELOC markets to continue driving investment opportunities beyond CRT and MSRs while leveraging our mortgage market expertise and risk management capabilities.”

Management’s slide presentation will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.pennymac-REIT.com beginning at 1:30 p.m. (Pacific Daylight Time) on Thursday, November 1, 2018.

¹ Annualized return on average common equity is calculated based on annualized quarterly net income attributable to common shareholders as a percentage of monthly average common equity during the period.

² These transactions are subject to continuing due diligence and customary closing conditions. There can be no assurance regarding the size of these transactions or that these transactions will be completed at all.

About PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust

PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust is a mortgage real estate investment trust (REIT) that invests primarily in residential mortgage loans and mortgage-related assets. PMT is externally managed by PNMAC Capital Management, LLC, a controlled subsidiary of PennyMac Financial Services, Inc. (NYSE: PFSI). Additional information about PennyMac Mortgage Investment Trust is available at www.PennyMac-REIT.com.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, regarding management’s beliefs, estimates, projections and assumptions with respect to, among other things, the Company’s financial results, future operations, business plans and investment strategies, as well as industry and market conditions, all of which are subject to change. Words like “believe,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “promise,” “plan,” and other expressions or words of similar meanings, as well as future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” or “may” are generally intended to identify forward-looking statements. Actual results and operations for any future period may vary materially from those projected herein and from past results discussed herein. Factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from historical results or those anticipated include, but are not limited to: changes in our investment objectives or investment or operational strategies, including any new lines of business or new products and services that may subject us to additional risks; volatility in our industry, the debt or equity markets, the general economy or the real estate finance and real estate markets specifically; events or circumstances which undermine confidence in the financial markets or otherwise have a broad impact on financial markets; changes in general business, economic, market, employment and political conditions, or in consumer confidence and spending habits from those expected; declines in real estate or significant changes in U.S. housing prices or activity in the U.S. housing market; the availability of, and level of competition for, attractive risk-adjusted investment opportunities in mortgage loans and mortgage-related assets that satisfy our investment objectives; the inherent difficulty in winning bids to acquire mortgage loans, and our success in doing so; the concentration of credit risks to which we are exposed; the degree and nature of our competition; the availability, terms and deployment of short-term and long-term capital; the adequacy of our cash reserves and working capital; our ability to maintain the desired relationship between our financing and the interest rates and maturities of our assets; the timing and amount of cash flows, if any, from our investments; unanticipated increases or volatility in financing and other costs, including a rise in interest rates; the performance, financial condition and liquidity of borrowers; incomplete or inaccurate information or documentation provided by customers or counterparties, or adverse changes in the financial condition of our customers and counterparties; changes in the number of investor repurchases or indemnifications and our ability to obtain indemnification or demand repurchase from our correspondent sellers; increased rates of delinquency, default and/or decreased recovery rates on our investments; increased prepayments of the mortgages and other loans underlying our mortgage-backed securities or relating to our mortgage servicing rights, excess servicing spread and other investments; our exposure to market risk and declines in credit quality and credit spreads; the degree to which our hedging strategies may or may not protect us from interest rate volatility; the effect of the accuracy of or changes in the estimates we make about uncertainties, contingencies and asset and liability valuations when measuring and reporting upon our financial condition and results of operations; changes in regulations or the occurrence of other events that impact the business, operation or prospects of government sponsored enterprises; changes in government support of homeownership; changes in governmental regulations, accounting treatment, tax rates and similar matters; our ability to mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents; our exposure to risks of loss with real estate investments resulting from adverse weather conditions and man-made or natural disasters; our ability to satisfy complex rules in order to qualify as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes; our ability to make distributions to our shareholders in the future; and our organizational structure and certain requirements in our charter documents. You should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statement and should consider all of the uncertainties and risks described above, as well as those more fully discussed in reports and other documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements or any other information contained herein, and the statements made in this press release are current as of the date of this release only.

¹ Mortgage loan servicing fees expense includes both special servicing for PMT’s distressed portfolio and subservicing for its mortgage servicing rights