Form: 8-K

Current report filing

August 2, 2007

 

 

                            MFA                         
MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS, INC.
350 Park Avenue
New York, New York 10022
 

 

 

 

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

August 2, 2007

NEW YORK METRO

 

CONTACT:

MFA Investor Relations

NYSE: MFA

800-892-7547

 

www.mfa-reit.com

 

MFA Mortgage Investments, Inc.

Announces Second Quarter 2007 Financial Results

 

MFA Mortgage Investments, Inc. (NYSE:MFA) today reported earnings available to common stockholders of $8.1 million, or $0.10 per share of common stock, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2007. On July 2, 2007, MFA announced its second quarter dividend of $0.09 per share of common stock. The dividend was paid on July 31, 2007 to stockholders of record as of July 13, 2007.

 

Stewart Zimmerman, MFA’s Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and President, said, “In light of continuing concerns regarding the residential mortgage and housing market, we are pleased with our strategy of investing in high-quality assets and our second quarter 2007 financial results. At June 30, 2007, 99% of our assets were agency MBS, other AAA-rated MBS, MBS-receivables and cash. We continue to predominately invest in high quality assets as we remain concerned about negative housing price trends and increasing mortgage default rates.”

 

Mr. Zimmerman continued, “The prolonged period of monetary tightening increased the target federal funds rate from 1.00% to 5.25%. With one month LIBOR rates at approximately 5.30% and the ten-year treasury rate at approximately 4.80%, the yield curve relevant to the mortgage market continues to be inverted. Despite this, we have been able to increase our common stock dividend in each of the last three quarters. Historically, the yield curve has predominately had a positive slope and we believe that this period of yield curve inversion will not continue over the long term. When we again have a more normal yield curve, with short-term rates lower than long-term rates, we foresee a return to higher spreads for MFA.”

 

“Based on Federal Reserve statements and publicly released minutes, it is their view that core inflation has improved modestly though a sustained moderation in inflation has yet to be

 

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demonstrated. In addition, the Federal Reserve has stated that high level of resource utilization has the potential to sustain inflationary pressures. We share this view and remain concerned that overall inflation measures, including food and energy prices, have continuously exceeded core inflation which excludes these items. Considering the weaker housing market and the recent moderate GDP growth rate, but with inflation risks still the predominant concern, future Federal Reserve actions remain dependent on future incoming data.”

 

In the second quarter of 2007, MFA was able to identify attractive investment opportunities to replace its MBS prepayments and to grow the portfolio. MFA’s MBS portfolio increased to $6.99 billion as of June 30, 2007. MFA’s leverage as measured by debt-to-equity was 9.1:1 as of June 30, 2007 compared with 8.3:1 as of March 31, 2007.

 

MFA’s primary focus is high quality, higher coupon hybrid and adjustable-rate MBS assets. The MBS in MFA’s portfolio are primarily adjustable-rate or hybrids, which have an initial fixed interest rate for a specified period of time and, thereafter, generally reset annually. The average coupon on MFA’s MBS portfolio was 6.08% as of June 30, 2007. Assuming a 25% Constant Prepayment Rate (“CPR”), approximately 40% of the MBS in MFA’s portfolio are expected to prepay or have their interest rates reset within the next 12 months, with a total of 93% expected to reset or prepay during the next 60 months.

 

MFA takes into account both coupon resets and expected prepayments when measuring the sensitivity of its MBS portfolio to changing interest rates. In measuring its assets-to-borrowing repricing gap (the “Repricing Gap”), MFA measures the difference between: (a) the weighted average months until coupon adjustment or projected prepayment on its MBS portfolio; and (b) the months remaining on its repurchase agreements including the impact of interest rate swap agreements. Assuming a 25% CPR, the weighted average time to repricing or assumed prepayment for MFA’s MBS portfolio, as of June 30, 2007, was approximately 25.3 months and the average term remaining on its repurchase agreements, including the impact of interest rate swaps, was approximately 17.8 months, resulting in a Repricing Gap of approximately 7.4 months. The prepayment speed on MFA’s MBS portfolio averaged 22.5% CPR during the second quarter of 2007.

 

During the second quarter of 2007, the gross yield on MFA’s interest-earning assets was approximately 6.09%, while the net yield on interest-earning assets was 5.39%, primarily reflecting the cost of premium amortization on MFA’s MBS portfolio. The portfolio spread, which is the difference between MFA’s interest-earning asset portfolio net yield of 5.39% and its 5.19% cost of funds, was 0.20% for the second quarter of 2007. MFA’s costs for compensation and benefits and other general and administrative expense were $2.7 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2007. As of June 30, 2007, MFA’s book value per share of common stock was $7.33.

 

Stockholders interested in participating in MFA’s Discount Waiver, Direct Stock Purchase and Dividend Reinvestment Plan (the “Plan”) or receiving a Plan prospectus may do so by contacting Mellon Investor Services, the Plan administrator, at 1-866-249-2610 (toll free). For more information about the Plan, interested stockholders may also go to the website

 

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established for the Plan at http://www.melloninvestor.com or visit MFA’s website at http://www.mfa-reit.com. 

 

MFA will hold a conference call on Thursday, August 2, 2007, at 10:00 a.m. (New York City time) to discuss its second quarter 2007 financial results. The number to dial in order to listen to the conference call is (800) 762-4717 in the U.S. and Canada. International callers must dial (480) 629-9025. The replay will be available through Thursday, August 9, 2007, at 11:59 p.m., and can be accessed by dialing (800) 475-6701 in the U.S. and Canada or (320) 365-3844 internationally and entering access code: 882413. The conference call will also be webcast over the internet and can be accessed at http://www.mfa-reit.com through the appropriate link on MFA’s Investor Relations page or, alternatively, at http://www.ccbn.com. To listen to the call over the internet, go to the applicable website at least 15 minutes before the call to register and to download and install any needed audio software.

 

When used in this press release or other written or oral communications, statements which are not historical in nature, including those containing words such as “anticipate,” “estimate,” “should,” “expect,” “believe,” “intend” and similar expressions, are intended to identify “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and, as such, may involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and assumptions. These forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those relating to: changes in interest rates and the market value of MFA’s MBS; changes in the prepayment rates on the mortgage loans securing MFA’s MBS; MFA’s ability to use borrowings to finance its assets; changes in government regulations affecting MFA’s business; MFA’s ability to maintain its qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes; and risks associated with investing in real estate assets, including changes in business conditions and the general economy. These and other risks, uncertainties and factors, including those described in the annual, quarterly and current reports that MFA files with the SEC, could cause MFA’s actual results to differ materially from those projected in any forward-looking statements it makes. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made and MFA does not undertake, and specifically disclaims, any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of such statements.

 

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MFA MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 

(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
        June 30,
2007

    December 31,
2006

        (Unaudited)    
Assets:
                                     
MBS, at fair value (including pledged MBS of $6,713,606 and
$6,065,021 at June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006, respectively)
              $ 6,994,244          $ 6,340,668   
Income notes
                 1,890             —    
Cash and cash equivalents
                 54,329             47,200   
Accrued interest receivable
                 36,352             33,182   
Interest rate cap agreements, at fair value
                 —              361    
Swap agreements, at fair value
                 15,759             2,412   
Real estate
                 11,693             11,789   
Goodwill
                 7,189             7,189   
Prepaid and other assets
                 1,370             1,166   
Total Assets
              $ 7,122,826          $ 6,443,967   
 
Liabilities:
                                     
Repurchase agreements
              $ 6,379,485          $ 5,722,711   
Accrued interest payable
                 26,311             23,164   
Mortgages payable on real estate
                 9,532             9,606   
Swaps, at fair value
                 735              1,893   
Dividends payable
                 —              4,899   
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
                 2,460             3,136   
Total Liabilities
                 6,418,523             5,765,409   
 
Stockholders’ Equity:
                                     
Preferred stock, $.01 par value; series A 8.50% cumulative redeemable;
5,000 shares authorized; 3,840 shares issued and
outstanding at June 30, 2007 and December 31, 2006 ($96,000
aggregate liquidation preference)
                 38              38    
 
Common stock, $.01 par value; 370,000 shares authorized;
82,937 and 80,695 issued and outstanding at June 30, 2007 and
December 31, 2006, respectively
                 829              807    
Additional paid-in capital, in excess of par
                 793,308             776,743   
Accumulated deficit
                 (59,249 )            (68,637 )  
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
                 (30,623 )            (30,393 )  
Total Stockholders’ Equity
                 704,303             678,558   
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
              $ 7,122,826          $ 6,443,967   

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MFA MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS, INC.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

        Three Months Ended
June 30,
    Six Months Ended
June 30,
   
        2007
    2006
    2007
    2006
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
        (Unaudited)    
 
Interest Income:
                                                                   
MBS income
              $ 90,341          $ 45,645          $ 174,682          $ 98,974   
Interest income on short-term cash investments
                 634              540              1,082             1,206   
Interest income on income notes
                 51              —              57              —    
Interest Income
                 91,026             46,185             175,821             100,180   
Interest Expense
                 78,348             38,818             150,608             81,603   
Net Interest Income
                 12,678             7,367             25,213             18,577   
 
Other Income:
                                                                   
Net loss on sale of MBS
                 (116 )            (24,746 )            (113 )            (23,149 )  
Revenue from operations of real estate
                 413              388              826              770    
Gain on termination of Swap
                 176              —              176              —    
Miscellaneous other income, net
                 109              205              224              444    
Other Income (Loss)
                 582              (24,153 )            1,113             (21,935 )  
 
Operating and Other Expense:
                                                                   
Compensation and benefits
                 1,409             1,530             3,021             3,088   
Mortgage interest and real estate operating expense
                 429              400              849              818    
Other general and administrative expense
                 1,244             961              2,428             2,078   
Operating and Other Expense
                 3,082             2,891             6,298             5,984   
 
Income (Loss) from Continuing Operations
                 10,178             (19,677 )            20,028             (9,342 )  
 
Discontinued Operations:
                                                                   
Loss from discontinued operations, net
                 —              (56 )            —              (133 )  
Mortgage prepayment penalty
                 —              —              —              (135 )  
Gain on sale of real estate, net of tax
                 —              —              —              4,840   
Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations
                 —              (56 )            —              4,572   
 
Income (Loss) Before Preferred Stock Dividends
                 10,178             (19,733 )            20,028             (4,770 )  
Less: Preferred Stock Dividends
                 2,040             2,040             4,080             4,080   
Net Income (Loss) Available to Common Stockholders
              $ 8,138          $ (21,773 )         $ 15,948          $ (8,850 )  
 
Earnings (Loss) Per Share of Common Stock:
                                                                      
Income (loss) from continuing operations — basic and diluted
              $ 0.10          $ (0.27 )         $ 0.20          $ (0.17 )  
Income from discontinued operations — basic and diluted
                 —              —              —              0.06   
Earnings (loss) per share — basic and diluted
              $ 0.10          $ (0.27 )         $ 0.20          $ (0.11 )  
 

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