PRESS RELEASE DATED JULY 28, 2005
Published on July 28, 2005
MFA MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS, INC. 350 Park Avenue New York, New York 10022 |
PRESS RELEASE | FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE | ||
July 28, 2005 | NEW YORK METRO | ||
CONTACT: | MFA Investor Relations | NYSE: MFA | |
800-892-7547 | |||
www.mfa-reit.com |
MFA
Mortgage Investments, Inc.
Announces
Second Quarter 2005 Earnings Per Common Share of $0.12
MFA
Mortgage Investments, Inc. (NYSE:MFA) today reported net income of $12.2 million,
or $0.12 per share of common stock, for the second quarter ended June 30, 2005. On
July 1, 2005, MFA announced its second quarter dividend of $0.125 per share of
common stock. The dividend will be paid on July 29, 2005 to stockholders of
record as of July 12, 2005.
Stewart
Zimmerman, MFAs Chairman of the Board, Chief Executive Officer and
President, said, In line with our previous guidance, recent and anticipated
increases in the fed funds rate are expected to increase the cost of MFAs
liabilities at a more rapid pace than the yield on its assets, leading to a further
narrowing of spreads in the second half of 2005. We anticipate that spreads
should rebound after this cycle of fed funds rate increases ends. In addition,
due to the flattening yield curve and the availability of lower monthly
payment interest-only mortgages, MFAs prepayment rates are expected to remain
at elevated levels in the third quarter further impacting already narrowed
spreads.
Mr.
Zimmerman continued, MFA continues to focus on high quality, higher coupon
hybrid and adjustable-rate MBS assets. MFA does not purchase fixed-rate assets
and typically utilizes less leverage than comparable companies. At June 30, 2005,
approximately 99% of MFAs assets consisted of MBS issued or guaranteed by
an agency of the U.S. government or a federally chartered corporation, other MBS
rated AAA by Standard & Poors Corporation, MBS-related
receivables and cash. In addition, over 99% of the MBS in MFAs portfolio are
adjustable-rate and hybrids, which have an initial fixed interest rate for a
specified period of time and, thereafter, generally reset annually. The average
coupon on MFAs adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS was 4.51% as of June 30,
2005. Approximately 73% of the MBS in MFAs portfolio have interest rates
which contractually reprice over the next 36 months. We believe that avoiding
significant holdings of fixed rate MBS reduces our exposure to interest rate risk.
Mr.
Zimmerman added, We were pleased to announce that in June and July of 2005
Adjustable Rate MBS Trust (TSX:ADJ.UN), a newly-formed Canadian investment trust
(the Fund), completed its initial public offering of 5,360,000 trust
units in Canada, raising CDN$134 million. The Fund will obtain exposure to the
performance of a portfolio, primarily consisting of adjustable-rate and hybrid
MBS, managed by MFA Spartan II, LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of MFA. We continue
to explore complimentary business strategies and initiatives including the
expansion of and/or acquisitions to our asset management platform.
During
the second quarter of 2005, the gross yield on MFAs interest-earning assets
was approximately 4.47%, while the net yield on interest-earning assets was
reduced to 3.45%, primarily due to the cost of premium amortization on MFAs
MBS portfolio. The portfolio spread, which is the difference between MFAs
interest-earning asset portfolio net yield of 3.45% and its 2.96% cost of funds,
was 0.49% for the second quarter of 2005. MFAs assets are primarily indexed
to one-year Treasury rates and one-year LIBOR and, in the current low interest
rate environment, MFAs return on average common equity for the second quarter
of 2005 was 6.62%. As of June 30, 2005, book value per share of common stock was
$7.60. The book value has since been reduced by the $0.125 dividend declared on
July 1, 2005 and by a decrease in the value of MFAs portfolio due to
rising interest rates in the month of July to date.
MFA
primarily invests in adjustable-rate and hybrid MBS (collectively, ARM-MBS).
Due to the fact that MFAs assets have interest rates that generally reset
annually after their initial fixed terms, the coupon received on these assets
will adjust over time as interest rates change. In addition, ARM-MBS are
expected to prepay over time at a higher rate than fixed-rate MBS. We believe that
homeowners with adjustable-rate and hybrid mortgages are generally self-selected
borrowers with shorter time horizons who are expected to exhibit more rapid
housing turnover levels. In addition, we believe that prepayments on ARM-MBS
accelerate significantly as the coupon reset date approaches. The prepayment speed
on MFAs MBS portfolio averaged 29.1% Constant Prepayment Rate (CPR)
during the second quarter of 2005.
MFA
takes into account both coupon resets and expected prepayments when measuring
sensitivity of its ARM-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 ARM-MBS portfolio; and (b) the months remaining on
its repurchase agreements applying the same projected prepayment rate and
including the impact of interest rate swap agreements. Assuming prepayments
were 25% CPR, the weighted average time to repricing or assumed prepayment for MFAs
ARM-MBS portfolio, as of June 30, 2005, was approximately 17.1 months and the
average term remaining on its repurchase agreements, including the impact of
interest rate swaps, was approximately 7.1 months, resulting in a Repricing Gap of
approximately 10.0 months.
MFA
finances the acquisition of its MBS primarily through borrowing in the form of
repurchase agreements. At June 30, 2005, MFAs debt-to-equity ratio was
approximately 8.8x while its assets-to-equity ratio was approximately 9.9x.
MFA
seeks to generate income from investment on a leveraged basis in high-quality
ARM-MBS and other assets. At June 30, 2005, MFAs assets totaled
approximately $7.1 billion.
Stockholders
interested in participating in MFAs 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 established for the Plan at
http://www.melloninvestor.com or visit MFAs website at
http://www.mfa-reit.com.
The
Company will hold a conference call on Thursday, July 28, 2005 at 10:00 AM (New
York City time), to discuss its second quarter 2005 financial results. The
number to dial in order to listen to the conference call is (866) 804-3546 in the
U.S. and Canada. International callers must dial (703) 639-1327. The replay
will be available through Thursday, August 4, 2005, at 11:59 PM and can be accessed
by dialing (800) 475-6701 in the U.S. and Canada or (320) 365-3844 internationally
and entering access code: 791095. The conference call will be webcast over the
internet and can be accessed at http://www.mfa-reit.com on our Investor Relations
page or http://www.ccbn.com. To listen to the call, go to the website at least 15
minutes before the call to register, 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 MFAs
MBS; changes in the prepayment rates on the mortgage loans securing MFAs
MBS; MFAs ability to use borrowings to finance its assets; changes in
government regulations affecting MFAs business; MFAs 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 reports that MFA files from time to time with
the SEC, could cause MFAs 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.
MFA
MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) | June
30, 2005 |
December
31, 2004 |
||||||
|
|
|||||||
(Unaudited) | ||||||||
Assets: | ||||||||
Mortgage-backed securities | $ | 6,965,861 | $ | 6,777,574 | ||||
Cash and cash equivalents | 91,982 | 68,341 | ||||||
Accrued interest receivable | 27,864 | 26,428 | ||||||
Interest rate cap agreements | 1,144 | 1,245 | ||||||
Swap agreements | 1,878 | 321 | ||||||
Real estate investments | 29,724 | 30,017 | ||||||
Goodwill | 7,189 | 7,189 | ||||||
Receivable under Discount Waiver, Direct Stock Purchase and | ||||||||
Dividend Reinvestment Plan | | 985 | ||||||
Prepaid and other assets | 1,866 | 1,584 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
$ | 7,127,508 | $ | 6,913,684 | |||||
|
|
|||||||
Liabilities: | ||||||||
Repurchase agreements | $ | 6,323,743 | $ | 6,113,032 | ||||
Accrued interest payable | 54,609 | 28,351 | ||||||
Mortgages payable on real estate | 22,652 | 22,686 | ||||||
Dividends payable | | 18,170 | ||||||
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | 4,761 | 2,611 | ||||||
|
|
|||||||
6,405,765 | 6,184,850 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
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, 2005 and December 31, 2004 ($96,000 aggregate liquidation | ||||||||
preference) | 38 | 38 | ||||||
Common stock, $.01 par value; 370,000 shares authorized; | ||||||||
82,385 and 82,017 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2005 | ||||||||
and December 31, 2004, respectively | 824 | 820 | ||||||
Additional paid-in capital | 783,652 | 780,406 | ||||||
Accumulated deficit | (5,325 | ) | (17,330 | ) | ||||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss | (57,446 | ) | (35,100 | ) | ||||
|
|
|||||||
721,743 | 728,834 | |||||||
|
|
|||||||
$ | 7,127,508 | $ | 6,913,684 | |||||
|
|
MFA MORTGAGE
INVESTMENTS, INC.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
Three
Months Ended June 30, |
Six
Months Ended June 30, |
|||||||||||||
|
|
|||||||||||||
2005 | 2004 | 2005 | 2004 | |||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
(In Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts) | (Unaudited) | |||||||||||||
Interest Income: | ||||||||||||||
MBS income | $ | 60,752 | $ | 38,678 | $ | 121,694 | $ | 78,744 | ||||||
Interest income on cash investments | 390 | 171 | 687 | 338 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Interest Income | 61,142 | 38,849 | 122,381 | 79,082 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Interest Expense | 46,508 | 18,952 | 86,274 | 35,093 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Interest Income | 14,634 | 19,897 | 36,107 | 43,989 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Other Income: | ||||||||||||||
Revenue from operations of real estate | 1,017 | 1,035 | 2,050 | 2,037 | ||||||||||
Miscellaneous other income | 20 | 12 | 32 | 174 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Other Income | 1,037 | 1,047 | 2,082 | 2,211 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Operating and Other Expense: | ||||||||||||||
Compensation and benefits | 1,498 | 1,352 | 3,053 | 2,819 | ||||||||||
Real estate operating expense | 674 | 708 | 1,373 | 1,417 | ||||||||||
Mortgage interest on real estate | 413 | 421 | 837 | 847 | ||||||||||
Other general and administrative expense | 927 | 763 | 1,886 | 1,512 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Total Operating and Other Expense | 3,512 | 3,244 | 7,149 | 6,595 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Income | $ | 12,159 | $ | 17,700 | $ | 31,040 | $ | 39,605 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Less: Preferred Stock Dividends | 2,040 | 756 | 4,080 | 756 | ||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Net Income Available to Common Stockholders | $ | 10,119 | $ | 16,944 | $ | 26,960 | $ | 38,849 | ||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||
Earnings Per Share of Common Stock: | ||||||||||||||
Earnings per share basic | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.54 | ||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding basic | 82,385 | 76,214 | 82,315 | 72,562 | ||||||||||
Earnings per share diluted | $ | 0.12 | $ | 0.22 | $ | 0.33 | $ | 0.53 | ||||||
Weighted average shares outstanding diluted | 82,418 | 76,260 | 82,352 | 72,625 |