Redwood Trust Inc (RWT) Q1 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Earnings Recovery and ...

GuruFocus.com
01 May
  • GAAP Earnings: $14.4 million or $0.10 per share, compared to a loss of $8.4 million or negative $0.07 per share in the fourth quarter.
  • Book Value Per Share: Ended the quarter at $8.39, a decline from $8.46 in the fourth quarter.
  • Economic Return: Positive 1.3% for the first quarter.
  • Earnings Available for Distribution (EAD): $19.8 million or $0.14 per share, up from $18.4 million or $0.13 per share in the fourth quarter.
  • Sequoia Net Income: $28.5 million, representing a 28% ROE for the quarter.
  • Lock Volume: Increased 73% quarter-over-quarter, reaching $4 million.
  • CoreVest Net Income: $1.3 million or $2.9 million excluding amortization of acquisition-related intangibles, resulting in a 20% ROE for the quarter.
  • Redwood Investments Net Income: $22.9 million in the first quarter, up from $2.8 million in Q4.
  • Unrestricted Cash: $260 million, up from $245 million at year end.
  • Recourse Leverage: 2.5 times, compared to 2.4 times in the fourth quarter.
  • Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with RWT.

Release Date: April 30, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Redwood Trust Inc (NYSE:RWT) reported a sequential improvement in GAAP earnings, achieving $14.4 million or $0.10 per share, compared to a loss in the previous quarter.
  • The company experienced a 73% increase in lock volume quarter-over-quarter, reaching $4 billion, the highest level since 2021.
  • Net income from Sequoia was $28.5 million, representing a 28% return on equity (ROE) for the quarter, up from 23% in the previous quarter.
  • Redwood Trust Inc (NYSE:RWT) ended the quarter with unrestricted cash of $260 million, up from $245 million at year-end, indicating strong liquidity.
  • The company is actively pursuing strategic partnerships and capital allocation towards operating platforms, aiming for a 9% to 12% annualized EAD return on equity by year-end 2025.

Negative Points

  • Book value per share declined slightly from $8.46 in the fourth quarter to $8.39, despite a positive economic return of 1.3% for the first quarter.
  • Delinquency rates increased due to credit migration on select vintage multifamily bridge loan exposures, which the company is actively resolving.
  • The company faces challenges from market volatility and heightened recession risks, impacting its strategic planning and financial performance.
  • Approximately one-third of Redwood Trust Inc (NYSE:RWT)'s $2.9 million of recourse debt is marginable, exposing the company to potential market fluctuations.
  • The company is dealing with pressure in its legacy bridge book, which continues to affect its overall financial performance.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Can you explain how Redwood Trust managed its portfolio during the volatile market conditions in April, and how this affected the book value? A: Christopher Abate, CEO, explained that Redwood Trust navigated the volatility by actively managing its pipeline and turning capital quickly. The company engaged in numerous Sequoia transactions and bulk loan sales, which helped maintain the book value. Despite high volatility, Redwood's strategic positioning and experience from past market conditions, like COVID, contributed to effective management.

Q: How have Sequoia spreads fared, and what impact does this have on revenue margins? A: Christopher Abate noted that while April was volatile, spreads have since normalized. The company remains confident in achieving margins within or above the long-term range of 75 to 100 basis points, supported by strong business growth and first-quarter performance.

Q: How does Redwood Trust manage liquidity and execution risk with large volumes, such as the $4 billion locked in a quarter? A: Dashiell Robinson, President, emphasized the importance of speed and risk turnover. Half of the pipeline at quarter-end was sold or securitized shortly after, demonstrating efficient risk management. The company benefits from strong distribution and market knowledge, allowing it to clear risks effectively even in volatile conditions.

Q: What is the risk associated with the $1.9 billion bulk purchases of seasoned loans, and how are they managed? A: Christopher Abate explained that these closed pools from banks are now a significant market for Redwood. The company ensures that resources, hedging, and distribution are in place to manage these purchases effectively, often selling them to banks or through securitization.

Q: Can you elaborate on the bridge loans' risk and how Redwood Trust is addressing delinquencies? A: Dashiell Robinson stated that the $1.60 per share risk is specific to older multifamily bridge loans. The company focuses on the highest net present value resolutions, which may involve working with sponsors or selling notes. Delinquencies rose due to strategic decisions to pursue alternative resolutions, but the company remains proactive in managing these risks.

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

This article first appeared on GuruFocus.

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