Redwood Trust Reports Second Quarter 2019 Financial Results

MILL VALLEY, Calif., Aug. 1, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Redwood Trust, Inc. (NYSE:RWT), a leading innovator in housing credit investing, today reported its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2019.

Redwood Trust Logo (PRNewsfoto/Redwood Trust, Inc.)

Key Financial Results

  • GAAP net income was $31 million, or $0.30 per diluted common share
  • Non-GAAP core earnings(1) were $43 million, or $0.39 per diluted common share
  • Book value per common share was $16.01 at June 30, 2019
  • Economic return on book value(2) of 1.9% for the second quarter of 2019
  • Recourse debt-to-equity leverage ratio(3) of 3.1x at June 30, 2019
  • Paid a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.30 per common share

Business Highlights

  • Purchased $1.6 billion of jumbo loans, up 59% from the first quarter of 2019
  • Closed one Sequoia securitization totaling $0.4 billion and sold $0.8 billion of whole loans
  • 5 Arches business originated $175 million of business purpose mortgage loans, our first full quarter of integrated results
  • Deployed $136 million of capital into new investments in Q2, and deployed over $100 million in July
  • Generated $243 million of capital through portfolio optimization activities

"During the second quarter we demonstrated the strength and agility of our business model by delivering solid earnings on strong mortgage banking results and continuing our portfolio optimization activities. While the rate environment had varying impacts on our business, we continued to make good progress on our strategic initiatives to scale our platform and implement operational efficiencies," said Chris Abate, Chief Executive Officer of Redwood Trust.

Abate continued, "We also dedicated a considerable amount of time with key policymakers in Washington advocating for reforms that will promote a leveling of the playing field between the public and private housing finance sectors, particularly through non-qualified mortgage (non-QM) loans. We received positive feedback and were further encouraged by last week's coinciding announcements by the CFPB and FHFA confirming their intention for the QM Patch to expire. The elimination of the QM Patch has been our largest near-term policy initiative and would remove a massive competitive advantage afforded to the GSEs over the private sector for non-QM mortgages - mortgages that should be subject to well-reasoned ability-to-repay regulations and risk retention requirements regardless of who acquires them. This proposed change represents a major opportunity for policymakers to enable real competition from the private sector that should result in a big win for consumers and taxpayers, alike."

Abate concluded, "We are entering the second half of the year with a healthy balance sheet, disciplined cost management and a portfolio built on strong credit performance aimed at driving higher returns. While we will continue to be responsive to near-term market conditions, we are focused on the long game and are optimistic about the transformational opportunities we see for our firm."

(1)

A reconciliation of GAAP net income to non-GAAP core earnings and a reconciliation of GAAP earnings per diluted share to non-GAAP core earnings per diluted share, along with additional information about Redwood's core earnings measure, is included in the tables that follow.

(2)

Economic return on book value is based on the periodic change in GAAP book value per common share plus dividends declared per common share during the period.

(3)

Recourse debt excludes $7.2 billion of consolidated securitization debt (ABS issued and servicer advance financing) that is non-recourse to Redwood.

Second Quarter 2019 Redwood Review Available Online

A further discussion of Redwood's business, financial results, core earnings and taxable income, as well as a discussion of management's 2019 outlook, is included in the second quarter 2019 Redwood Review, which is available on the Company's website at www.redwoodtrust.com.

REDWOOD TRUST, INC.














Financial Performance


Three Months Ended

($ in millions, except per share data)


6/30/2019


3/31/2019


6/30/2018








GAAP net income


$

31



$

54



$

33


GAAP net income per diluted common share


$

0.30



$

0.49



$

0.38









Non-GAAP core earnings


$

43



$

38



$

37


Non-GAAP core earnings per diluted common share


$

0.39



$

0.36



$

0.42









REIT taxable income (estimated)


$

25



$

29



$

27


REIT taxable income per share (estimated)


$

0.25



$

0.30



$

0.35









GAAP book value per share


$

16.01



$

16.00



$

16.23


Dividends per common share


$

0.30



$

0.30



$

0.30


Economic return on book value


1.9

%


2.6

%


2.5

%

Recourse debt-to-equity leverage ratio (1)


3.1x



2.9x



3.4x









Capital deployment


$

136



$

163



$

186


Jumbo loans purchased


$

1,562



$

1,022



$

1,952


Jumbo loans securitized or sold


$

1,252



$

833



$

1,408




(1)

Recourse debt excludes $7.2 billion, $5.9 billion, and $1.9 billion of consolidated securitization debt (ABS issued and servicer advance financing) that is non-recourse to Redwood at June 30, 2019, March 31, 2019, and June 30, 2018, respectively.

Conference Call and Webcast

Redwood will host an earnings call today, August 1, 2019, at 2:00 p.m. Pacific Time / 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time to discuss its second quarter 2019 financial results. The number to dial in order to listen to the conference call is 1-877-423-9813 in the U.S. and Canada. International callers must dial 1-201-689-8573. Callers should reference call ID #13692155. A replay of the call will be available through midnight on August 15, 2019, and can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 in the U.S. and Canada or 1-412-317-6671 internationally and entering access code #13692155.

The live conference call will also be webcast in listen-only mode in the Newsroom section of Redwood's website under "Events." To listen to the webcast, please go to Redwood's website at least 15 minutes prior to the call to register and download and install any needed audio software. An audio replay of the call will also be available on Redwood's website following the call. Redwood plans to file its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q with the Securities and Exchange Commission by Friday, August 9, 2019, and also make it available on Redwood's website.

About Redwood Trust

Redwood Trust, Inc. (NYSE: RWT) is a specialty finance company focused on making credit-sensitive investments in residential mortgages and related assets and engaging in mortgage banking activities. Our goal is to provide attractive returns to shareholders through a stable and growing stream of earnings and dividends, as well as through capital appreciation. Redwood Trust was established in 1994, is internally managed, and structured as a real estate investment trust ("REIT") for tax purposes. For more information about Redwood, please visit our website at www.redwoodtrust.com.

Forward-Looking Statements:  This press release and the related conference call contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, including statements related to estimates of 2019 REIT taxable income and the expected timing for the filing of Redwood's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Redwood's actual results may differ from Redwood's beliefs, expectations, estimates, and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements are not historical in nature and can be identified by words such as "anticipate," "estimate," "will," "should," "expect," "believe," "intend," "seek," "plan" and similar expressions or their negative forms, or by references to strategy, plans, or intentions. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K under the caption "Risk Factors." Other risks, uncertainties, and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected may be described from time to time in reports we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including reports on Forms 10-Q and 8-K. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

REDWOOD TRUST, INC.












Consolidated Income Statements (1)


Three Months Ended

($ in millions, except share and per share data)


6/30/19


3/31/19


12/31/18


9/30/18


6/30/18












Interest income


$

149



$

131



$

120



$

99



$

83


Interest expense


(116)



(99)



(85)



(64)



(48)


Net interest income


32



32



35



35



35


Non-interest income











Mortgage banking activities, net


19



12



11



11



11


Investment fair value changes, net


3



20



(39)



10



1


Other income, net


2



4



4



3



3


Realized gains, net


3



11



6



7



5


Total non-interest income (loss), net


28



47



(18)



32



20


Operating expenses


(26)



(23)



(19)



(21)



(19)


(Provision for) benefit from income taxes


(2)



(1)



1



(5)



(3)


Net income (loss)


$

31



$

54



$

(1)



$

41



$

33













Weighted average diluted shares (thousands) (2)


130,697



126,278



83,217



114,683



100,432


Diluted earnings (loss) per common share


$

0.30



$

0.49



$

(0.02)



$

0.42



$

0.38


Regular dividends declared per common share


$

0.30



$

0.30



$

0.30



$

0.30



$

0.30














(1)

Certain totals may not foot due to rounding.



(2)

In the periods presented above, excluding the fourth quarter of 2018, weighted average diluted shares included shares from the assumed conversion of our convertible and/or exchangeable debt in accordance with GAAP diluted EPS provisions. Actual shares outstanding at June 30, 2019, March 31, 2019, December 31, 2018, September 30, 2018, and June 30, 2018 were 97,715, 96,866, 84,884, 82,930, and 75,743, respectively.

 


REDWOOD TRUST, INC.






Consolidated Income Statements (1)


Six Months Ended June 30,

($ in millions, except share and per share data)


2019


2018






Interest income


$

280



$

160


Interest expense


(215)



(90)


Net interest income


64



70


Non-interest income





Mortgage banking activities, net


31



37


Investment fair value changes, net


23



2


Other income, net


6



5


Realized gains, net


14



14


Total non-interest income


74



59


Operating expenses


(49)



(42)


Provision for income taxes


(3)



(7)


Net income


$

86



$

80







Weighted average diluted shares (thousands)


128,499



104,291


Diluted earnings per common share


$

0.78



$

0.88


Regular dividends declared per common share


$

0.60



$

0.58








(1)

Certain totals may not foot due to rounding.

 

REDWOOD TRUST, INC.













Reconciliation of GAAP Net Income to 

Non-GAAP Core Earnings (1) (2)

Three Months Ended

($ in millions, except per share data)

6/30/19


3/31/19


6/30/18







GAAP net income

$

31



$

54



$

33


Adjustments:






Eliminate mark-to-market changes on long-term investments and associated derivatives (3)

(2)



(16)



(3)


Include cumulative gain on long-term investments sold, net (4)

13



1



7


Eliminate purchase accounting adjustments (5)

2



(2)




Income taxes associated with core earnings adjustments (6)

(2)



(1)




Total adjustments

12



(16)



5


Non-GAAP core earnings

$

43



$

38



$

37








GAAP net income per diluted common share

$

0.30



$

0.49



$

0.38


Non-GAAP core earnings per diluted common share (7)

$

0.39



$

0.36



$

0.42









(1)

Certain totals may not foot due to rounding.


(2)

Core earnings is a non-GAAP measure of Redwood's earnings and results of operations. Specifically, management has defined core earnings as: GAAP net income adjusted to (i) eliminate the impact of quarterly mark-to-market changes on the fair value of long-term investments (and associated derivatives) related to changes in benchmark interest rates and credit spreads, (ii) include the cumulative net gains or losses on long-term investments accounted for as trading securities under GAAP that were sold during the period presented, net of any gains or losses from derivatives associated with the investments sold, (iii) exclude certain items related to Redwood's acquisition of 5 Arches (as described in footnote 5 below) and (iv) include the hypothetical income taxes associated with core earnings adjustments.

 

Management utilizes this core earnings measure internally as one way of analyzing Redwood's performance over multiple periods, as it believes it provides useful comparative results absent the impact of certain quarterly mark-to-market changes and other items that management believes are not reflective of core results. Core earnings should not be utilized in isolation, nor should it be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income or other measurements of results of operations computed in accordance with GAAP. A further discussion of core earnings is included in the second quarter 2019 Redwood Review.


(3)

Adjustments eliminate the mark-to-market changes on the fair value of loans held-for-investment, trading securities, other investments, and associated derivatives that are primarily related to changes in benchmark interest rates and credit spreads.


(4)

Adjustment includes the cumulative net gains or losses on long-term investments accounted for as trading securities under GAAP that were sold during the period presented, net of any realized gains or losses from derivatives associated with the investments sold. Cumulative gains and losses are calculated by multiplying the difference between the sales price and original purchase price by the face value of the securities sold.


(5)

Beginning with the first quarter of 2019, core earnings excludes several items related to the acquisition of 5 Arches. These items include the exclusion of a one-time gain associated with the re-measurement of our initial minority investment and purchase option in 5 Arches, as well as ongoing adjustments to exclude amortization of intangible assets and, beginning in the second quarter of 2019, changes in fair value of the contingent consideration liability related to the remaining purchase consideration for the platform. Additional information regarding this adjustment is included in the Appendix to the second quarter 2019 Redwood Review.


(6)

We apply estimated effective tax rates to core earnings adjustments occurring within Redwood's taxable REIT subsidiaries to estimate the hypothetical income tax expense or benefit associated with those adjustments.


(7)

Additional information on the calculation of non-GAAP core diluted EPS can be found in Table 2 in the Financial Tables section of the Redwood Reviews for the respective quarters presented.

 

REDWOOD TRUST, INC.














Consolidated Balance Sheets (1)












($ in millions, except share and per share data)


6/30/19


3/31/19


12/31/18


9/30/18


6/30/18














Residential loans


$

7,283



$

7,274



$

7,255



$

5,922



$

5,491



Business purpose loans


251



161



141



116





Multifamily loans


3,750



2,176



2,145



942





Real estate securities


1,477



1,543



1,452



1,470



1,454



Other investments


372



414



439



114



117



Cash and cash equivalents


218



201



176



174



185



Other assets


500



424



330



402



266



Total assets


$

13,852



$

12,193



$

11,937



$

9,140



$

7,513















Short-term debt


$

2,463



$

2,163



$

2,400



$

1,424



$

1,426



Other liabilities


338



270



206



176



157



Asset-backed securities issued


6,913



5,638



5,410



3,407



1,930



Long-term debt, net


2,573



2,573



2,572



2,771



2,770



Total liabilities


12,288



10,643



10,589



7,778



6,284















Stockholders' equity


1,564



1,550



1,349



1,361



1,229















Total liabilities and equity


$

13,852



$

12,193



$

11,937



$

9,140



$

7,513















Shares outstanding at period end (thousands)


97,715



96,866



84,884



82,930



75,743



GAAP book value per share


$

16.01



$

16.00



$

15.89



$

16.42



$

16.23
















(1)

Certain totals may not foot due to rounding.

 

CONTACTS

Lisa M. Hartman

SVP, Head of Investor Relations

Phone: 866-269-4976

Email: [email protected]

 

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SOURCE Redwood Trust, Inc.