Ellington Financial Inc. Reports Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Ellington Financial (NYSE: EFC) reported strong Q4 2024 financial results with net income of $22.4 million ($0.25 per share). The company achieved Adjusted Distributable Earnings of $40.6 million ($0.45 per share), exceeding the quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share.

Key performance metrics include:

• Book value per share: $13.52
• Dividend yield: 11.7%
• Recourse debt-to-equity ratio: 1.8:1
• Cash and unencumbered assets: $812.2 million

The investment portfolio grew significantly, with closed-end second/HELOC mortgage, proprietary reverse mortgage, and commercial mortgage loan portfolios increasing by 39%. The company completed four securitization transactions and improved loan financing terms. Longbridge segment contributed $26.8 million to net income, while the credit strategy generated $29.3 million, offset by a $4.0 million loss in the Agency strategy.

Positive

• Adjusted Distributable Earnings of $0.45 per share exceeded quarterly dividend of $0.39
• 39% growth in key loan portfolios
• Successful completion of four securitization transactions
• Strong Longbridge performance with $26.8M contribution
• Improved loan financing terms with new counterparties
• High dividend yield of 11.7%

Negative

• Agency strategy loss of $4.0 million
• Net losses on non-QM loans and retained tranches
• Decline in credit performance of commercial mortgage and consumer loans
• 25% decrease in Agency RMBS portfolio
• 15% sequential decrease in Longbridge portfolio

Insights

Financial Analyst

Ellington Financial delivered strong Q4 2024 results with Adjusted Distributable Earnings of $40.6 million ($0.45 per share), a 12.5% sequential increase that comfortably covered their $0.39 quarterly dividend. This performance demonstrates the company's successful execution of its diversified mortgage finance strategy.

The company's vertical integration model is paying dividends, with Longbridge (their reverse mortgage platform) contributing $26.8 million to earnings while their credit strategy added $29.3 million. These gains were partially offset by a $4.0 million loss in their Agency portfolio, which struggled amid interest rate volatility.

EFC's strategic expansion of proprietary loan origination is creating a sustainable competitive advantage. During Q4, they grew their closed-end second/HELOC, proprietary reverse, and commercial mortgage loan portfolios by 39%, while simultaneously executing four securitizations that converted recourse debt to non-recourse financing. This dual approach of growth and securitization allows EFC to:

• Generate immediate gains on securitizations
• Secure non-mark-to-market term financing
• Retain the highest-yielding tranches for enhanced returns

The company's balance sheet optimization continued with improved financing terms across existing facilities, two new counterparty relationships, and the redemption of higher-cost Series E Preferred Stock. These moves helped increase the net interest margin on their credit portfolio to 3.02% from 2.64% quarter-over-quarter.

With book value at $13.52 per share, $192.4 million in cash, and $619.8 million in unencumbered assets, EFC maintains significant financial flexibility while offering an attractive 11.7% dividend yield based on current prices.

Mortgage Finance Specialist

Ellington Financial's Q4 results demonstrate the significant advantages of their hybrid investment-origination model in the current mortgage finance landscape. The company's $0.45 per share in Adjusted Distributable Earnings represents a 15.4% coverage cushion above their $0.39 dividend, providing a margin of safety for income-focused investors.

The standout performance of Longbridge (contributing $26.8 million to earnings) showcases the strategic value of vertical integration in the reverse mortgage space. By controlling origination through maturity, EFC captures multiple revenue streams:

• Origination gains from improved margins and volumes
• Servicing income through retained MSRs
• Securitization profits from structuring expertise
• Investment yields from retained tranches

The company's securitization program represents sophisticated balance sheet management rather than simple financing. By completing four securitizations in Q4, EFC effectively transformed short-term, mark-to-market financing into long-term, non-recourse funding while simultaneously generating immediate gains and creating higher-yielding retained investments.

The 39% growth in proprietary loan portfolios is particularly significant as these assets typically offer higher yields than agency-eligible loans. Meanwhile, the substantial improvement in net interest margin (rising to 3.02% from 2.64% in the credit portfolio) directly enhances profitability and reflects successful liability management.

While the Agency portfolio faced headwinds from rate volatility, this segment now represents just 8% of the total investment portfolio, demonstrating EFC's strategic shift toward higher-yielding credit investments and proprietary origination channels where they maintain competitive advantages.

With book value at $13.52 and strong liquidity ($812.2 million combined in cash and unencumbered assets), EFC maintains significant financial flexibility while trading at a slight discount to book value.

OLD GREENWICH, Conn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Ellington Financial Inc. (NYSE: EFC) ("we") today reported financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024.

Highlights

• Net income attributable to common stockholders of $22.4 million, or $0.25 per common share.¹
  • $25.3 million, or $0.28 per common share, from the investment portfolio.
    • $29.3 million, or $0.32 per common share, from the credit strategy.
    • $(4.0) million, or $(0.04) per common share, from the Agency strategy.
  • $26.8 million, or $0.30 per common share, from Longbridge.
• Adjusted Distributable Earnings² of $40.6 million, or $0.45 per common share.
• Book value per common share as of December 31, 2024 of $13.52, including the effects of dividends of $0.39 per common share for the quarter.
• Dividend yield of 11.7% based on the February 26, 2025 closing stock price of $13.33 per share, and monthly dividend of $0.13 per common share declared on February 10, 2025.
• Recourse debt-to-equity ratio³ of 1.8:1 as of December 31, 2024. Including all recourse and non-recourse borrowings, which primarily consist of securitization-related liabilities, debt-to-equity ratio of 8.8:1⁴.
• Cash and cash equivalents of $192.4 million as of December 31, 2024, in addition to other unencumbered assets of $619.8 million.
• Redeemed Series E Preferred Stock on December 13, 2024.

Fourth Quarter 2024 Results

"Our results for the fourth quarter highlight excellent performance from our loan originator affiliates, including our reverse mortgage loan platform Longbridge Financial, as well as securitization-related gains," said Laurence Penn, Chief Executive Officer and President. "Supported by another quarter of strong performance at Longbridge, our adjusted distributable earnings increased by another $0.05 per share sequentially to $0.45, again covering our $0.39 of dividends for the quarter.

"On the asset side of the balance sheet, we grew our closed-end second/HELOC mortgage, proprietary reverse mortgage, and commercial mortgage loan portfolios by a combined 39% during the quarter, excluding the impact of securitizations. This growth continues to reflect the expansion of our proprietary loan origination businesses, where we closed on yet another mortgage originator investment in the fourth quarter, which as usual included an agreement to provide us with forward flow.

"Meanwhile, we strengthened the liability side of our balance sheet in three key ways. First, we capitalized on favorable market conditions by completing four securitization transactions across three different product lines. With each of these securitizations, we generated gains, we secured non-market-to-market term financing on the underlying assets, and we retained the highest-yielding tranches for our investment portfolio. Second, we capitalized on increased competition in the loan financing markets, both negotiating improved terms on several existing loan financing facilities and adding facilities with two new counterparties. And third, we refinanced some of our outstanding higher-cost debt and preferred stock with lower-cost debt, which were immediately accretive to earnings.

"We are committed to building on these achievements throughout 2025, including maintaining the securitization momentum we have built across multiple business lines, and further expanding our asset sourcing channels and sources of financing to drive additional portfolio and earnings growth."

Financial Results

Investment Portfolio Segment

The investment portfolio segment generated net income attributable to common stockholders of $25.3 million in the fourth quarter, consisting of $29.3 million from the credit strategy and $(4.0) million from the Agency strategy.

Credit Performance

The total adjusted long credit portfolio⁵ increased by 5% to $3.42 billion as of December 31, 2024, compared to $3.26 billion as of September 30, 2024. This growth was driven primarily by net purchases of closed-end second lien loans, HELOCs, commercial mortgage bridge loans and non-Agency RMBS.

A portion of the increase was offset by smaller residential transition loan and non-QM loan portfolios, driven by paydowns, and the impact of three securitizations (two of non-QM loans and one of closed-end second lien loans) that we completed during the quarter.

Key Highlights⁶:

• Overall positive performance driven by higher net interest income and net gains from non-Agency RMBS, HELOCs, Forward MSR-related investments, and ABS.
• Net gains on our equity investments in loan originators, driven by strong origination volumes and gain-on-sale margins.
• Net losses on non-QM loans and retained tranches, commercial mortgage loans, and consumer loans, in each case driven by a decline in credit performance, and negative operating income on REO workouts.

During the quarter, the net interest margin⁷ on our credit portfolio increased to 3.02% from 2.64%, driven by a lower overall cost of funds. We continued to benefit from positive carry on our interest rate swap hedges, where we overall receive a higher floating rate and pay a lower fixed rate.

Agency Performance

The long Agency RMBS portfolio decreased by 25% quarter over quarter to $296.7 million as of December 31, 2024, driven primarily by net sales.

Key Highlights⁶:

• Rising interest rates and intra-quarter volatility drove underperformance of Agency RMBS relative to hedging instruments.
• Net losses on Agency RMBS exceeded hedging-related gains, delivering negative results in the Agency strategy.
• Pay-ups on specified pools decreased slightly to 0.67% as of December 31, 2024, from 0.68% as of September 30, 2024.

The net interest margin⁷ on our Agency portfolio (excluding the Catch-up Amortization Adjustment) increased to 2.22% as of December 31, 2024 from 2.03% as of September 30, 2024.

Longbridge Segment

The Longbridge segment reported a net gain to common stockholders of $26.8 million for the fourth quarter. The Longbridge portfolio (excluding non-retained tranches of consolidated securitization trusts) decreased by 15% sequentially to $420.2 million as of December 31, 2024, as the impact of a proprietary reverse mortgage securitization completed during the quarter exceeded the impact of new originations in that sector.

Key Highlights⁶:

• Positive contribution from originations, driven by higher volumes and improved origination margins in HECM, and net gains related to a securitization in proprietary reverse.
• Net gain on the HMBS MSR Equivalent, driven by tighter HMBS yield spreads.
• Net gains on interest rate hedges.

Corporate/Other Summary

Results for the quarter also reflect a net unrealized loss on our unsecured borrowings, driven by tighter credit spreads and shorter duration, as well as net losses on the fixed receiver interest rate swaps used for hedging fixed payments on long-term debt and preferred equity, due to rising interest rates.

________________________
¹ Includes $(29.8) million of preferred dividends accrued and certain corporate/other income and expense items not attributed to either the investment portfolio or Longbridge segments.
² Adjusted Distributable Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measure. See "Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Distributable Earnings" below for an explanation regarding the calculation of Adjusted Distributable Earnings.
³ Excludes U.S. Treasury securities and repo borrowings at certain unconsolidated entities that are recourse to us. Including such borrowings, our debt-to-equity ratio, adjusted for unsettled purchases and sales, based on total recourse borrowings was 2.0:1 as of December 31, 2024.
⁴ Excludes U.S. Treasury securities and repo borrowings at certain unconsolidated entities.
⁵ Excludes non-retained tranches of consolidated securitization trusts. The adjusted long credit portfolio also includes the proceeds from financings related to the MSRs underlying our Forward MSR-related investments. Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value are presented on our Consolidated Balance Sheet net of such financings; as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, such borrowings were $93.5 million and $13.5 million, respectively.
⁶ Sector level results include associated financing costs and hedging gains/losses where applicable.
⁷ Net interest margin represents the weighted average asset yield less the weighted average secured financing cost of funds on such assets. It also includes the effect of actual and accrued periodic payments on interest rate swaps used to hedge the assets.

Credit Portfolio⁽¹⁾

The following table summarizes our credit portfolio holdings as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:

		December 31, 2024						September 30, 2024(2)
($ in thousands)		Fair Value			%			Fair Value			%
Dollar denominated:
CLOs		$	61,085		1.3	%		$	67,963		1.4	%
CMBS			39,206		0.8	%			38,937		0.8	%
Commercial mortgage loans(3)(4)			470,142		10.0	%			392,073		8.3	%
Consumer loans and ABS backed by consumer loans(5)			87,249		1.9	%			88,805		1.9	%
Corporate debt and equity and corporate loans			27,598		0.6	%			31,650		0.7	%
Debt and equity investments in loan origination-related entities(6)			61,619		1.3	%			42,376		0.9	%
Forward MSR-related investments			77,848		1.7	%			149,831		3.2	%
Home equity line of credit and closed-end second lien loans and retained RMBS(5)(7)			432,861		9.2	%			186,050		4.0	%
Non-Agency RMBS			166,587		3.6	%			155,423		3.3	%
Non-QM loans and retained RMBS(3)(5)(7)			2,007,670		43.0	%			2,165,375		46.1	%
Other investments(8)(9)			61,508		1.3	%			49,651		1.1	%
Residential transition loans and other residential mortgage loans(3)			1,127,770		24.1	%			1,248,001		26.6	%
Non-Dollar denominated:
CLOs			6,333		0.1	%			6,956		0.1	%
Corporate debt and equity			181		—	%			206		—	%
RMBS(10)			14,394		0.3	%			17,480		0.4	%
Other residential mortgage loans			39,168		0.8	%			55,167		1.2	%
Total long credit portfolio		$	4,681,219		100.0	%		$	4,695,944		100.0	%
Adjustments:
Less: Non-retained tranches of consolidated securitization trusts			1,353,055						1,445,466
Plus: Financing underlying Forward MSR-related investments(11)			93,500						13,500
Total adjusted long credit portfolio		$	3,421,664					$	3,263,978

(1)		This information does not include U.S. Treasury securities, securities sold short, or financial derivatives.
(2)		Conformed to current period presentation.
(3)		Includes related REO. In accordance with U.S. GAAP, REO is not considered a financial instrument and as a result is included at the lower of cost or fair value.
(4)		Also includes equity investments in unconsolidated entities holding commercial mortgage loans and REO.
(5)		Also includes equity investments in securitization-related vehicles.
(6)		Also includes corporate loans made to certain loan origination entities in which we hold an equity investment.
(7)		Retained RMBS represents RMBS issued by non-consolidated Ellington-sponsored loan securitization trusts, and interests in entities holding such RMBS.
(8)		Also includes equity investment in Ellington affiliate.
(9)		Includes equity investment in an unconsolidated entity which purchases certain other loans for eventual securitization.
(10)		Includes an equity investment in an unconsolidated entity holding European RMBS.
(11)		We participate in the economic returns of a portfolio of forward MSRs under various agreements with a licensed mortgage servicer holding such MSRs. Under such agreements, we can direct the servicer to finance the MSRs and distribute the proceeds of such financings to us. Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value are presented on our Consolidated Balance sheet net of any such financings; as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, such borrowings were $93.5 million and $13.5 million, respectively.

Agency RMBS Portfolio

The following table⁽¹⁾ summarizes our Agency RMBS portfolio holdings as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:

		December 31, 2024						September 30, 2024
($ in thousands)		Fair Value			%			Fair Value			%
Long Agency RMBS:
Fixed rate		$	250,376		84.4	%		$	346,341		87.8	%
Reverse mortgages			33,124		11.2	%			33,723		8.5	%
IOs			13,217		4.4	%			14,579		3.7	%
Total long Agency RMBS		$	296,717		100.0	%		$	394,643		100.0	%

(1)

This information does not include U.S. Treasury securities, securities sold short, or financial derivatives.

Longbridge Portfolio

Longbridge originates reverse mortgage loans, including home equity conversion mortgage loans, or "HECMs," which are insured by the FHA and which are eligible for inclusion in GNMA-guaranteed HECM-backed MBS, or "HMBS." Upon securitization, the HECMs remain on our balance sheet under GAAP, and Longbridge retains the mortgage servicing rights associated with the HMBS, or the "HMBS MSR Equivalent." Longbridge also originates "proprietary reverse mortgage loans," which are not insured by the FHA, and Longbridge has typically retained the associated MSRs. We have securitized some of the proprietary reverse mortgage loans originated by Longbridge, and we have retained certain of the securitization tranches in compliance with credit risk retention rules. The following table summarizes loan-related assets⁽¹⁾ in the Longbridge segment as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:

		December 31, 2024				September 30, 2024
		(In thousands)
HMBS assets(2)		$	9,245,834			$	8,890,459
Less: HMBS liabilities			(9,150,883	)			(8,790,589	)
HMBS MSR Equivalent			94,951				99,870
Unsecuritized HECM loans(3)			140,709				127,625
Proprietary reverse mortgage loans(4)			728,959				597,093
Reverse MSRs			29,766				28,877
Unsecuritized REO			2,323				2,372
Total			996,708				855,837
Less: Non-retained tranches of consolidated securitization trusts			576,474				361,596
Total, excluding non-retained tranches of consolidated securitization trusts		$	420,234			$	494,241

(1)		This information does not include financial derivatives or loan commitments.
(2)		Includes HECM loans, related REO, and claims or other receivables.
(3)		As of December 31, 2024, includes $7.8 million of active HECM buyout loans, $11.1 million of inactive HECM buyout loans, and $5.0 million of other inactive HECM loans. As of September 30, 2024, includes $8.2 million of active HECM buyout loans, $10.6 million of inactive HECM buyout loans, and $4.2 million of other inactive HECM loans.
(4)		As of December 31, 2024, includes $606.8 million of securitized proprietary reverse mortgage loans and $15.0 million of cash held in a securitization reserve fund. As of September 30, 2024, includes $390.6 million of securitized proprietary reverse mortgage loans and $9.0 million of cash held in a securitization reserve fund.

The following table summarizes Longbridge's origination volumes by channel for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:

($ In thousands)		December 31, 2024								September 30, 2024
Channel		Units		New Loan Origination Volume(1)			% of New Loan Origination Volume			Units		New Loan Origination Volume(1)			% of New Loan Origination Volume
Retail		613		$	104,917		25	%		459		$	83,080		23	%
Wholesale and correspondent		1,626			314,987		75	%		1,391			271,660		77	%
Total		2,239		$	419,904		100	%		1,850		$	354,740		100	%

(1)

Represents initial borrowed amounts on reverse mortgage loans.

Financing

Key Highlights:

• Recourse Debt-to-Equity ratio³ (adjusted for unsettled trades): 1.8:1 as of both December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, as credit portfolio growth was roughly offset by a smaller Agency portfolio and the impact of several securitizations completed during the quarter, which converted certain recourse borrowings to non-recourse borrowings.
• Overall Debt-to-Equity ratio⁴ (adjusted for unsettled trades): Increased to 8.8:1 from 8.3:1 during the quarter, reflecting an increase in borrowings from consolidated proprietary reverse mortgage loan securitizations.

The following table summarizes our outstanding borrowings and debt-to-equity ratios as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024:

		December 31, 2024					September 30, 2024
		Outstanding Borrowings(1)			Debt-to-Equity Ratio(2)		Outstanding Borrowings(1)			Debt-to-Equity Ratio(2)
		(In thousands)					(In thousands)
Recourse borrowings(3)(4)		$	3,135,021		2.0:1		$	3,224,630		2.0:1
Non-recourse borrowings(4)			11,085,192		7.0:1			10,604,344		6.5:1
Total Borrowings		$	14,220,213		8.9:1		$	13,828,974		8.5:1
Total Equity		$	1,590,822				$	1,625,649
Recourse borrowings excluding U.S. Treasury securities, adjusted for unsettled purchases and sales					1.8:1					1.8:1
Total borrowings excluding U.S. Treasury securities, adjusted for unsettled purchases and sales					8.8:1					8.3:1

(1)		Includes borrowings under repurchase agreements, other secured borrowings, other secured borrowings, at fair value, and unsecured debt, at par.
(2)		Recourse and overall debt-to-equity ratios are computed by dividing outstanding recourse and overall borrowings, respectively, by total equity. Debt-to-equity ratios do not account for liabilities other than debt financings.
(3)		Excludes repo borrowings at certain unconsolidated entities that are recourse to us. Including such borrowings, our debt-to-equity ratio based on total recourse borrowings is 2.1:1 and 2.1:1 as of December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, respectively.
(4)		All of our non-recourse borrowings are secured by collateral. In the event of default under a non-recourse borrowing, the lender has a claim against the collateral but not any of the other assets held by us or our consolidated subsidiaries. In the event of default under a recourse borrowing, the lender's claim is not limited to the collateral (if any).

Operating Results

The following table summarizes our operating results by strategy for the three-month period ended December 31, 2024:

		Investment Portfolio												Longbridge				Corporate/Other				Total				Per Share
(In thousands except per share amounts)		Credit				Agency				Investment Portfolio Subtotal
Interest income and other income(1)		$	82,813			$	3,293			$	86,106			$	20,176			$	1,732			$	108,014			$	1.18
Interest expense			(43,508	)			(3,474	)			(46,982	)			(11,616	)			(4,557	)			(63,155	)			(0.69	)
Realized gain (loss), net			3,088				(2,504	)			584				(45	)			—				539				0.01
Unrealized gain (loss), net			(21,322	)			(8,463	)			(29,785	)			10,938				(3,784	)			(22,631	)			(0.25	)
Net change from reverse mortgage loans and HMBS obligations			—				—				—				20,080				—				20,080				0.22
Earnings in unconsolidated entities			10,895				—				10,895				—				—				10,895				0.12
Interest rate hedges and other activity, net(2)			11,062				7,142				18,204				22,554				(4,683	)			36,075				0.39
Credit hedges and other activities, net(3)			(6,671	)			—				(6,671	)			(297	)			—				(6,968	)			(0.08	)
Income tax (expense) benefit			—				—				—				—				(397	)			(397	)			—
Investment related expenses			(4,758	)			—				(4,758	)			(12,279	)			—				(17,037	)			(0.19	)
Other expenses			(1,929	)			—				(1,929	)			(22,679	)			(10,149	)			(34,757	)			(0.38	)
Net income (loss)			29,670				(4,006	)			25,664				26,832				(21,838	)			30,658				0.33
Dividends on preferred stock(4)			—				—				—				—				(7,720	)			(7,720	)			(0.08	)
Net (income) loss attributable to non-participating non-controlling interests			(327	)			—				(327	)			—				(4	)			(331	)			—
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and participating non-controlling interests			29,343				(4,006	)			25,337				26,832				(29,562	)			22,607				0.25
Net (income) loss attributable to participating non-controlling interests			—				—				—				—				(215	)			(215	)			—
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	29,343			$	(4,006	)		$	25,337			$	26,832			$	(29,777	)		$	22,392			$	0.25
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders per share of common stock		$	0.32			$	(0.04	)		$	0.28			$	0.30			$	(0.33	)		$	0.25
Weighted average shares of common stock and convertible units(5) outstanding																							91,533
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding																							90,663

(1)		Other income primarily consists of rental income on real estate owned, loan origination fees, and servicing income.
(2)		Includes U.S. Treasury securities, if applicable.
(3)		Other activities include certain equity and other trading strategies and related hedges, and net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency.
(4)		Includes $0.3 million loss on redemption of preferred stock, equal to the difference between the carrying amount and the liquidation preference.
(5)		Convertible units include Operating Partnership units attributable to participating non-controlling interests.

The following table summarizes our operating results by strategy for the three-month period ended September 30, 2024⁽¹⁾:

		Investment Portfolio												Longbridge				Corporate/Other				Total				Per Share
(In thousands except per share amounts)		Credit				Agency				Investment Portfolio Subtotal
Interest income and other income(2)		$	81,758			$	5,418			$	87,176			$	16,470			$	1,523			$	105,169			$	1.20
Interest expense			(46,905	)			(5,132	)			(52,037	)			(12,318	)			(4,491	)			(68,846	)			(0.78	)
Realized gain (loss), net			(11,499	)			(2,172	)			(13,671	)			(19	)			—				(13,690	)			(0.16	)
Unrealized gain (loss), net			25,377				17,981				43,358				20,484				(9,059	)			54,783				0.62
Net change from reverse mortgage loans and HMBS obligations			—				—				—				24,717				—				24,717				0.28
Earnings in unconsolidated entities			7,281				—				7,281				—				—				7,281				0.08
Interest rate hedges and other activity, net(3)			(8,561	)			(11,294	)			(19,855	)			(17,252	)			5,247				(31,860	)			(0.36	)
Credit hedges and other activities, net(4)			(2,573	)			—				(2,573	)			(722	)			—				(3,295	)			(0.04	)
Income tax (expense) benefit			—				—				—				—				(12	)			(12	)			—
Investment related expenses			(4,146	)			—				(4,146	)			(11,539	)			—				(15,685	)			(0.18	)
Other expenses			(1,418	)			—				(1,418	)			(22,272	)			(11,549	)			(35,239	)			(0.40	)
Net income (loss)			39,314				4,801				44,115				(2,451	)			(18,341	)			23,323				0.26
Dividends on preferred stock			—				—				—				—				(6,833	)			(6,833	)			(0.07	)
Net (income) loss attributable to non-participating non-controlling interests			(116	)			—				(116	)			(39	)			(4	)			(159	)			—
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders and participating non-controlling interests			39,198				4,801				43,999				(2,490	)			(25,178	)			16,331				0.19
Net (income) loss attributable to participating non-controlling interests			—				—				—				—				(156	)			(156	)			—
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders		$	39,198			$	4,801			$	43,999			$	(2,490	)		$	(25,334	)		$	16,175			$	0.19
Net income (loss) attributable to common stockholders per share of common stock		$	0.45			$	0.06			$	0.51			$	(0.03	)		$	(0.29	)		$	0.19
Weighted average shares of common stock and convertible units(5) outstanding																							88,039
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding																							87,198

(1)		Conformed to current period presentation.
(2)		Other income primarily consists of rental income on real estate owned, loan origination fees, and servicing income.
(3)		Includes U.S. Treasury securities, if applicable.
(4)		Other activities include certain equity and other trading strategies and related hedges, and net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency.
(5)		Convertible units include Operating Partnership units attributable to participating non-controlling interests.

About Ellington Financial

Ellington Financial invests in a diverse array of financial assets, including residential and commercial mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities, reverse mortgage loans, mortgage servicing rights and related investments, consumer loans, asset-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations, non-mortgage and mortgage-related derivatives, debt and equity investments in loan origination companies, and other strategic investments. Ellington Financial is externally managed and advised by Ellington Financial Management LLC, an affiliate of Ellington Management Group, L.L.C.

Conference Call

We will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, February 28, 2025, to discuss our financial results for the quarter ended December 31, 2024. To participate in the event by telephone, please dial (800) 445-7795 at least 10 minutes prior to the start time and reference the conference ID EFCQ424. International callers should dial (785) 424-1699 and reference the same conference ID. The conference call will also be webcast live over the Internet and can be accessed via the "For Investors" section of our web site at www.ellingtonfinancial.com. To listen to the live webcast, please visit www.ellingtonfinancial.com at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download, and install necessary audio software. In connection with the release of these financial results, we also posted an investor presentation, that will accompany the conference call, on our website at www.ellingtonfinancial.com under "For Investors—Presentations."

A dial-in replay of the conference call will be available on Friday, February 28, 2025, at approximately 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time through Friday, March 7, 2025 at approximately 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. To access this replay, please dial (800) 839-4514. International callers should dial (402) 220-2680. A replay of the conference call will also be archived on our web site at www.ellingtonfinancial.com.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ from our 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 "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "continue," "intend," "should," "would," "could," "goal," "objective," "will," "may," "seek" or similar expressions or their negative forms, or by references to strategy, plans, or intentions. Forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future operations, business strategies, performance, financial condition, liquidity and prospects, taking into account information currently available to us. These beliefs, assumptions, and expectations are subject to risks and uncertainties and can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity, results of operations and strategies may vary materially from those expressed or implied in our forward-looking statements. The following factors are examples of those that could cause actual results to vary from our forward-looking statements: changes in interest rates and the market value of our investments, market volatility, changes in mortgage default rates and prepayment rates, our ability to borrow to finance our assets, changes in government regulations affecting our business, our ability to maintain our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940, our ability to maintain our qualification as a real estate investment trust, or "REIT," and other changes in market conditions and economic trends, such as changes to fiscal or monetary policy, heightened inflation, slower growth or recession, and currency fluctuations. Furthermore, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, those described under Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K, which can be accessed through our website at www.ellingtonfinancial.com or at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). 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 SEC, including reports on Forms 10-Q, 10-K 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.

ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)
	Three-Month Period Ended								Year Ended
	December 31, 2024				September 30, 2024				December 31, 2024
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
NET INTEREST INCOME
Interest income	$	106,743			$	107,281			$	416,015
Interest expense		(68,613	)			(73,654	)			(279,606	)
Total net interest income		38,130				33,627				136,409
Other Income (Loss)
Realized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net		1,436				(12,243	)			(50,983	)
Realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net		15,580				(41,564	)			(16,193	)
Realized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net		(1,879	)			(397	)			(5,525	)
Unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net		(63,310	)			126,908				109,442
Unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net		18,316				356				56,939
Unrealized gains (losses) on real estate owned, net		1,199				(769	)			632
Unrealized gains (losses) on other secured borrowings, at fair value, net		34,357				(56,179	)			(35,861	)
Unrealized gains (losses) on unsecured borrowings, at fair value		(3,784	)			(9,059	)			(9,147	)
Net change from HECM reverse mortgage loans, at fair value		126,262				158,554				637,019
Net change related to HMBS obligations, at fair value		(106,182	)			(133,837	)			(545,673	)
Other, net		11,847				1,581				28,588
Total other income (loss)		33,842				33,351				169,238
EXPENSES
Base management fee to affiliate, net of rebates		5,888				6,031				23,460
Investment related expenses:
Servicing expense		6,375				6,334				24,180
Debt issuance costs related to Other secured borrowings, at fair value		2,210				1,991				7,314
Other		8,470				7,360				25,570
Professional fees		3,176				2,667				11,250
Compensation and benefits		18,748				18,987				68,731
Other expenses		6,945				7,554				28,871
Total expenses		51,812				50,924				189,376
Net Income (Loss) before Income Tax Expense (Benefit) and Earnings from Investments in Unconsolidated Entities		20,160				16,054				116,271
Income tax expense (benefit)		397				12				612
Earnings (losses) from investments in unconsolidated entities		10,895				7,281				32,445
Net Income (Loss)		30,658				23,323				148,104
Net Income (Loss) attributable to non-controlling interests		546				315				2,243
Dividends on preferred stock		7,385				6,833				27,697
(Gain) loss on redemption of preferred stock		335				—				335
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Common Stockholders	$	22,392			$	16,175			$	117,829
Net Income (Loss) per Common Share:
Basic and Diluted	$	0.25			$	0.19			$	1.36
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding		90,663				87,198				86,855
Weighted average shares of common stock and convertible units outstanding		91,533				88,039				87,692

ELLINGTON FINANCIAL INC. CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (UNAUDITED)
	As of
(In thousands, except share and per share amounts)	December 31, 2024				September 30, 2024				December 31, 2023(1)
ASSETS
Cash and cash equivalents	$	192,387			$	217,725			$	228,927
Restricted cash		16,561				10,578				1,618
Securities, at fair value		962,254				1,063,774				1,518,377
Loans, at fair value		13,999,572				13,519,786				12,306,636
Loan commitments, at fair value		6,692				5,955				2,584
Forward MSR-related investments, at fair value		77,848				149,831				163,336
Mortgage servicing rights, at fair value		29,766				28,877				29,580
Investments in unconsolidated entities, at fair value		220,078				188,475				116,414
Real estate owned		46,661				29,690				22,085
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value		184,395				149,679				143,996
Reverse repurchase agreements		336,743				331,630				173,145
Due from brokers		22,186				16,048				51,884
Investment related receivables		189,081				208,861				480,249
Other assets		32,804				32,381				77,099
Total Assets	$	16,317,028			$	15,953,290			$	15,315,930
LIABILITIES
Securities sold short, at fair value	$	293,574			$	304,918			$	154,303
Repurchase agreements		2,584,040				2,642,052				2,967,437
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value		71,024				49,243				61,776
Due to brokers		55,429				55,529				62,442
Investment related payables		22,714				25,178				37,403
Other secured borrowings		253,300				284,897				245,827
Other secured borrowings, at fair value		1,934,309				1,813,755				1,424,668
HMBS-related obligations, at fair value		9,150,883				8,790,589				8,423,235
Unsecured borrowings, at fair value		281,912				278,128				272,765
Base management fee payable to affiliate		5,888				6,031				5,660
Dividend payable		16,611				15,892				11,528
Interest payable		17,956				21,045				22,933
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		38,566				40,384				90,341
Total Liabilities		14,726,206				14,327,641				13,780,318
EQUITY
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized; 13,800,089, 14,757,222 and 14,757,222 shares issued and outstanding, and $345,002, $368,931 and $368,931 aggregate liquidation preference, respectively		331,958				355,551				355,551
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 300,000,000, 300,000,000, and 200,000,000 shares authorized, respectively; 90,678,492, 90,661,736 and 83,000,488 shares issued and outstanding, respectively(2)		91				91				83
Additional paid-in-capital		1,613,540				1,613,740				1,514,797
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)		(375,113	)			(362,146	)			(353,360	)
Total Stockholders' Equity		1,570,476				1,607,236				1,517,071
Non-controlling interests		20,346				18,413				18,541
Total Equity		1,590,822				1,625,649				1,535,612
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY	$	16,317,028			$	15,953,290			$	15,315,930
SUPPLEMENTAL PER SHARE INFORMATION:
Book Value Per Common Share (3)	$	13.52			$	13.66			$	13.83

(1)		Derived from audited financial statements as of December 31, 2023.
(2)		Common shares issued and outstanding at December 31, 2024 includes 16,756 shares of restricted common stock issued for the exchange of LTIP Units to restricted shares during the three-month period ended December 31, 2024.
(3)		Based on total stockholders' equity less the aggregate liquidation preference of our preferred stock outstanding.

Reconciliation of Net Income (Loss) to Adjusted Distributable Earnings

We calculate Adjusted Distributable Earnings as U.S. GAAP net income (loss) as adjusted for: (i) realized and unrealized gain (loss) on securities and loans, REO, mortgage servicing rights, financial derivatives (excluding periodic settlements on interest rate swaps), any borrowings carried at fair value, and foreign currency transactions; (ii) incentive fee to affiliate; (iii) Catch-up Amortization Adjustment (as defined below); (iv) non-cash equity compensation expense; (v) provision for income taxes; (vi) certain non-capitalized transaction costs; and (vii) other income or loss items that are of a non-recurring nature. For certain investments in unconsolidated entities, we include the relevant components of net operating income in Adjusted Distributable Earnings. The Catch-up Amortization Adjustment is a quarterly adjustment to premium amortization or discount accretion triggered by changes in actual and projected prepayments on our Agency RMBS (accompanied by a corresponding offsetting adjustment to realized and unrealized gains and losses). The adjustment is calculated as of the beginning of each quarter based on our then-current assumptions about cashflows and prepayments, and can vary significantly from quarter to quarter. Non-capitalized transaction costs include expenses, generally professional fees, incurred in connection with the acquisition of an investment or issuance of long-term debt. We also include in Adjusted Distributable Earnings, for all loans that we originate through Longbridge, any realized and unrealized gains (losses) on such loans up to the point of loan sale or securitization, net of sale or securitization costs.

Adjusted Distributable Earnings is a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure. We believe that the presentation of Adjusted Distributable Earnings provides information useful to investors, because: (i) we believe that it is a useful indicator of both current and projected long-term financial performance, in that it excludes the impact of certain current-period earnings components that we believe are less useful in forecasting long-term performance and dividend-paying ability; (ii) we use it to evaluate the effective net yield provided by our investment portfolio, after the effects of financial leverage and by Longbridge, to reflect the earnings from its reverse mortgage origination and servicing operations; and (iii) we believe that presenting Adjusted Distributable Earnings assists investors in measuring and evaluating our operating performance, and comparing our operating performance to that of our residential mortgage REIT and mortgage originator peers. Please note, however, that: (I) our calculation of Adjusted Distributable Earnings may differ from the calculation of similarly titled non-GAAP financial measures by our peers, with the result that these non-GAAP financial measures might not be directly comparable; and (II) Adjusted Distributable Earnings excludes certain items that may impact the amount of cash that is actually available for distribution.

In addition, because Adjusted Distributable Earnings is an incomplete measure of our financial results and differs from net income (loss) computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP, it should be considered supplementary to, and not as a substitute for, net income (loss) computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP.

Furthermore, Adjusted Distributable Earnings is different from REIT taxable income. As a result, the determination of whether we have met the requirement to distribute at least 90% of our annual REIT taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) to our stockholders, in order to maintain our qualification as a REIT, is not based on whether we distributed 90% of our Adjusted Distributable Earnings.

In setting our dividends, our Board of Directors considers our earnings, liquidity, financial condition, REIT distribution requirements, and financial covenants, along with other factors that the Board of Directors may deem relevant from time to time.

The following table reconciles, for the three-month periods ended December 31, 2024 and September 30, 2024, our Adjusted Distributable Earnings to the line on our Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations entitled Net Income (Loss), which we believe is the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP measure:

		Three-Month Period Ended
		December 31, 2024																September 30, 2024
(In thousands, except per share amounts)		Investment Portfolio				Longbridge				Corporate/Other				Total				Investment Portfolio				Longbridge				Corporate/Other				Total
Net Income (Loss)		$	25,664			$	26,832			$	(21,838	)		$	30,658			$	44,115			$	(2,451	)		$	(18,341	)		$	23,323
Income tax expense (benefit)			—				—				397				397				—				—				12				12
Net income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)			25,664				26,832				(21,441	)			31,055				44,115				(2,451	)			(18,329	)			23,335
Adjustments:
Realized (gains) losses, net(1)			(11,876	)			—				(9	)			(11,885	)			63,515				—				(1	)			63,514
Unrealized (gains) losses, net(2)			37,029				4,543				7,679				49,251				(57,575	)			52				2,429				(55,094	)
Unrealized (gains) losses on reverse MSRs, net of hedging (gains) losses(3)			—				(14,906	)			—				(14,906	)			—				11,728				—				11,728
Negative (positive) component of interest income represented by Catch-up Amortization Adjustment			471				—				—				471				(498	)			—				—				(498	)
Adjustment related to consolidated proprietary reverse mortgage loan securitizations(4)			—				(2,627	)			—				(2,627	)			—				(2,007	)			—				(2,007	)
Non-capitalized transaction costs and other expense adjustments(5)			2,186				1,127				261				3,574				2,353				2,846				219				5,418
(Earnings) losses from investments in unconsolidated entities			(10,895	)			—				—				(10,895	)			(7,281	)			—				—				(7,281	)
Adjusted distributable earnings from investments in unconsolidated entities(6)			4,865				—				—				4,865				2,769				—				—				2,769
Total Adjusted Distributable Earnings		$	47,444			$	14,969			$	(13,510	)		$	48,903			$	47,398			$	10,168			$	(15,682	)		$	41,884
Dividends on preferred stock			—				—				7,385				7,385				—				—				6,833				6,833
Adjusted Distributable Earnings attributable to non-controlling interests			506				—				390				896				205				43				332				580
Adjusted Distributable Earnings Attributable to Common Stockholders		$	46,938			$	14,969			$	(21,285	)		$	40,622			$	47,193			$	10,125			$	(22,847	)		$	34,471
Adjusted Distributable Earnings Attributable to Common Stockholders, per share		$	0.52			$	0.17			$	(0.24	)		$	0.45			$	0.54			$	0.12			$	(0.26	)		$	0.40

(1)		Includes realized (gains) losses on securities and loans, REO, financial derivatives (excluding periodic settlements on interest rate swaps), and foreign currency transactions which are components of Other Income (Loss) on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
(2)		Includes unrealized (gains) losses on securities and loans, REO, financial derivatives (excluding periodic settlements on interest rate swaps), borrowings carried at fair value, MSR-related investments, and foreign currency translations which are components of Other Income (Loss) on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
(3)		Represents net change in fair value of the HMBS MSR Equivalent and Reverse MSRs attributable to changes in market conditions and model assumptions. This adjustment also includes net (gains) losses on certain hedging instruments (including interest rate swaps, futures, and short U.S. Treasury securities), which are components of realized and/or unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, net, realized and/or unrealized gains (losses) on securities and loans, net, interest income, and interest expense on the Condensed Consolidated Statement of Operations.
(4)		Represents the effect of replacing mortgage loan interest income (net of securitization debt expense) with interest income of the retained tranches.
(5)		For the three-month period ended December 31, 2024, includes $2.9 million of non-capitalized transaction costs, $0.5 million of non-cash equity compensation and depreciation expense, and $0.2 million of various other expenses. For the three-month period ended September 30, 2024, includes $2.2 million of non-capitalized transaction costs, $2.1 million of one-time compensation expense related to the cancellation of employee stock options, $0.5 million of non-cash equity compensation and depreciation expense, and $0.6 million of various other expenses.
(6)		Includes net interest income and operating expenses for certain investments in unconsolidated entities.

 

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Investors:

Ellington Financial

Investor Relations

(203) 409-3575

info@ellingtonfinancial.com

or

Media:

Amanda Shpiner/Grace Cartwright

Gasthalter & Co.

for Ellington Financial

(212) 257-4170

ellington@gasthalter.com

Source: Ellington Financial Inc.

FAQ

What was EFC's earnings per share in Q4 2024?

EFC reported net income of $0.25 per common share and Adjusted Distributable Earnings of $0.45 per share in Q4 2024.

How much did EFC pay in dividends for Q4 2024?

EFC paid dividends of $0.39 per common share for Q4 2024, with a monthly dividend of $0.13 declared on February 10, 2025.

What was EFC's book value per share as of December 31, 2024?

EFC's book value per common share was $13.52 as of December 31, 2024.

How did EFC's loan portfolio perform in Q4 2024?

EFC grew its closed-end second/HELOC mortgage, proprietary reverse mortgage, and commercial mortgage loan portfolios by 39% during Q4 2024.

What was the performance of EFC's Longbridge segment in Q4 2024?

Longbridge segment contributed $26.8 million to net income, driven by higher volumes and improved origination margins in HECM.