Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. Reports First Quarter 2024 Financial Results and Post Quarter-End Update

Rhea-AI Summary

Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. (NYSE: GPMT) reported its financial results for Q1 2024, addressing challenges in the commercial real estate sector due to high interest rates and low liquidity. The company increased CECL reserves to manage uncertainties, maintained low leverage, and high liquidity. The quarter saw a GAAP Net Loss of $(77.7) million, Distributable Earnings of $1.3 million, book value per share of $11.14, and dividends declared. The company funded $17.5 million in loan commitments, realized $35.5 million in loan repayments, and ended the quarter with $155 million in unrestricted cash. Post-quarter, they funded $3 million in loans and received $13 million in paydowns.

Positive

• Low leverage, high liquidity, and strong asset management position the company well to resolve impaired loans in the future.

• Book value per common share was $11.14 as of March 31, 2024.

• The company funded $17.5 million in prior loan commitments and realized $35.5 million in total UPB in loan repayments, principal paydowns, and amortization.

Negative

• The GAAP Net Loss for Q1 2024 was $(77.7) million, or $(1.53) per basic share, inclusive of a provision for credit losses.

• The company recognized a Distributable Earnings of $1.3 million, or $0.03 per basic share.

• Total CECL reserve at quarter-end was $212.7 million, or 7.5% of total portfolio commitments.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The recent financial results from Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. report a substantial GAAP net loss of $(77.7) million, or $(1.53) per basic share, primarily driven by a significant provision for credit losses amounting to $(75.6) million, or $(1.49) per basic share. This sizable provision indicates a highly cautious stance toward potential credit risk in their loan portfolio, largely attributed to the ongoing challenges within the commercial real estate sector. The company's proactive increase in CECL reserves suggests a strategic approach to asset management in the light of heightened market volatility. Despite these losses, the firm still generated Distributable Earnings of $1.3 million, showing some capability to maintain operational revenues. Granite Point's emphasis on low leverage—at a ratio of 2.3x—and their maintenance of over $155 million in unrestricted cash signifies a fortified balance sheet that could offer resilience against future uncertainties. Additionally, the reporting of a book value per common share of $11.14 is a critical metric for investors as it aids in assessing the company's net asset value against market capitalization. From a shareholder perspective, the payment of dividends, although relatively small at $0.15 per common share, reflects a commitment to returning value to investors even amidst financial turbulence. Overall, Granite Point's financial situation presents a mixed picture that balances fundamental strengths with significant credit loss provisions reflective of an uncertain real estate climate.

Real Estate Market Analyst

Diving deeper into the commercial real estate market trends, which directly impact Granite Point's portfolio, we see that the company's preparedness to navigate a sector affected by prolonged high interest rates is a prudent move. Real estate transaction volume typically ebbs and flows with capital market liquidity and currently, market indicators point to a cautious investment climate. Historically low transaction volumes could translate to lower origination fees and potential decreases in new loan generation for trusts like Granite Point. The company's strategic emphasis on floating rate loans, which comprise 98% of their portfolio, positions them to potentially benefit from interest rate hikes, but this could also increase the payment burden on borrowers, potentially leading to an uptick in default risks. The weighted average loan portfolio risk rating of 3.0 suggests a moderate credit quality, which coupled with a 63.5% weighted average stabilized LTV, shows disciplined risk management. For retail investors, the interplay between these risk measures and the overall yield of 7.7% on the loan portfolio offers a glimpse into both the risk and return profile of the company's loan assets.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. (NYSE: GPMT) ("GPMT," "Granite Point" or the "Company") today announced its financial results for the quarter ending March 31, 2024, and provided an update on its activities subsequent to quarter-end. A presentation containing first quarter 2024 financial results can be viewed at www.gpmtreit.com.

“Our first quarter earnings were primarily affected by the factors continuing to impact the commercial real estate sector, including prolonged high interest rates, historically low transaction volume and suppressed market liquidity,” said Jack Taylor, President and Chief Executive Officer of Granite Point. “We increased our CECL reserves in the first quarter mainly reflecting the influence of the elevated uncertainty and shifting trends in the real estate market on the performance of select assets. Benefiting from the deep experience of our team managing real estate portfolios through multiple business cycles, we have maintained a strong focus on proactive liquidity and asset management, working collaboratively with our borrowers. Our low leverage, elevated liquidity and the amount of loan loss reserves position us well to resolve many of our impaired loans in the coming quarters, while balancing timing and maximizing economic outcomes, and will also allow us to redeploy inefficient capital into new earning assets to improve our run-rate profitability over time.”

First Quarter 2024 Activity

• Recognized GAAP Net (Loss)⁽¹⁾ of $(77.7) million, or $(1.53) per basic share, inclusive of a $(75.6) million, or $(1.49) per basic share, provision for credit losses.
• Generated Distributable Earnings⁽²⁾ of $1.3 million, or $0.03 per basic share.
• Book value per common share was $11.14 as of March 31, 2024, inclusive of $(4.17) per common share of total CECL reserve.
• Declared and paid a cash dividend of $0.15 per common share and a cash dividend of $0.4375 per share of its Series A preferred stock.
• Funded $17.5 million in prior loan commitments and upsizes.
• Realized $35.5 million of total UPB in loan repayments, principal paydowns and amortization.
• Carried at quarter-end a 98% floating rate loan portfolio with $2.8 billion in total commitments comprised of over 99% senior loans. As of March 31, 2024, portfolio weighted average stabilized LTV was 63.5%⁽³⁾ and a realized loan portfolio yield was 7.7%⁽⁴⁾.
• Weighted average loan portfolio risk rating was 3.0 at March 31, 2024.
• Total CECL reserve at quarter-end was $212.7 million, or 7.5% of total portfolio commitments.
• Ended the quarter with over $155 million in unrestricted cash and a total leverage ratio⁽⁵⁾ of 2.3x.

Post Quarter-End Update

• So far in Q2 2024, funded about $3 million on existing loan commitments.
• Received about $13 million in loan paydowns.
• As of May 3rd, carried approximately $130 million in unrestricted cash.

(1)		Represents Net (Loss) Income Attributable to Common Stockholders.
(2)		Please see page 5 for Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings before realized losses definition and a reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP financial information.
(3)		Stabilized loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is calculated as the fully funded loan amount (plus any financing that is pari passu with or senior to such loan), including all contractually provided for future fundings, divided by the as stabilized value (as determined in conformance with USPAP) set forth in the original appraisal. As stabilized value may be based on certain assumptions, such as future construction completion, projected re-tenanting, payment of tenant improvement or leasing commissions allowances or free or abated rent periods, or increased tenant occupancy.
(4)		Yield includes net origination fees and exit fees, but does not include future fundings, and is expressed as a monthly equivalent yield. Portfolio yield includes nonaccrual loans.
(5)		Borrowings outstanding on repurchase facilities, non-mtm repurchase facility, secured credit facility and CLO’s, less cash, divided by total stockholders’ equity.

Conference Call

Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. will host a conference call on May 8, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. ET to discuss first quarter 2024 financial results and related information. To participate in the teleconference, please call toll-free (877) 407-8031, (or (201) 689-8031 for international callers), approximately 10 minutes prior to the above start time, and ask to be joined into the Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. call. You may also listen to the teleconference live via the Internet at www.gpmtreit.com, in the Investor Relations section under the News & Events link. For those unable to attend, a telephone playback will be available beginning May 8, 2024, at 12:00 p.m. ET through May 15, 2024, at 12:00 a.m. ET. The playback can be accessed by calling (877) 660-6853 (or (201) 612-7415 for international callers) and providing the Access Code 13745852. The call will also be archived on the Company’s website in the Investor Relations section under the News & Events link.

About Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc.

Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. is a Maryland corporation focused on directly originating, investing in and managing senior floating rate commercial mortgage loans and other debt and debt-like commercial real estate investments. Granite Point is headquartered in New York, NY. Additional information is available at www.gpmtreit.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains, or incorporates by reference, not only historical information, but also forward-looking statements within the meaning 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, projections and illustrations 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,” “target,” “believe,” “outlook,” “potential,” “continue,” “intend,” “seek,” “plan,” “goals,” “future,” “likely,” “may” and similar expressions or their negative forms, or by references to strategy, plans or intentions. The illustrative examples herein are forward-looking statements. By their nature, forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, are not statements of historical facts or guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, assumptions or changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict or quantify. Our expectations, beliefs and estimates are expressed in good faith and we believe there is a reasonable basis for them. However, there can be no assurance that management's expectations, beliefs and estimates will prove to be correct or be achieved, and actual results may vary materially from what is expressed in or indicated by the forward-looking statements.

These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, those described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, under the caption “Risk Factors,” and any subsequent Form 10-Q or other filings made with the SEC. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we undertake no obligation to update or revise any such forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

This press release is for informational purposes only and shall not constitute, or form a part of, an offer to sell or buy or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to disclosing financial results calculated in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this press release and the accompanying earnings presentation present non-GAAP financial measures, such as Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings per basic common share, that exclude certain items. Granite Point management believes that these non-GAAP measures enable it to perform meaningful comparisons of past, present and future results of the Company’s core business operations, and uses these measures to gain a comparative understanding of the Company’s operating performance and business trends. The non-GAAP financial measures presented by the Company represent supplemental information to assist investors in analyzing the results of its operations. However, because these measures are not calculated in accordance with GAAP, they should not be considered a substitute for, or superior to, the financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s GAAP financial results and the reconciliations from these results should be carefully evaluated. See the GAAP to non-GAAP reconciliation table on page 5 of this release.

Additional Information

Stockholders of Granite Point and other interested persons may find additional information regarding the Company at the Securities and Exchange Commission’s Internet site at www.sec.gov or by directing requests to: Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc., 3 Bryant Park, 24^th Floor, New York, NY 10036, telephone (212) 364-5500.

GRANITE POINT MORTGAGE TRUST INC. CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (in thousands, except share data)
	March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
ASSETS	(unaudited)
Loans held-for-investment	$	2,702,684			$	2,718,486
Allowance for credit losses		(210,145	)			(134,661	)
Loans held-for-investment, net		2,492,539				2,583,825
Cash and cash equivalents		155,216				188,370
Restricted cash		12,809				10,846
Real estate owned, net		16,365				16,939
Accrued interest receivable		11,366				12,380
Other assets		31,950				34,572
Total Assets	$	2,720,245			$	2,846,932
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Liabilities
Repurchase facilities	$	842,496			$	875,442
Securitized debt obligations		990,617				991,698
Secured credit facility		84,000				84,000
Dividends payable		11,643				14,136
Other liabilities		17,246				22,633
Total Liabilities		1,946,002				1,987,909
Stockholders’ Equity
7.00% Series A cumulative redeemable preferred stock, par value $0.01 per share; 11,500,000 shares authorized, and 8,229,500 and 8,229,500 shares issued and outstanding, respectively; liquidation preference $25.00 per share		82				82
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share; 450,000,000 shares authorized, and 51,034,800 shares and 50,577,841 issued and outstanding, respectively		510				506
Additional paid-in capital		1,199,030				1,198,048
Cumulative earnings		(6,628	)			67,495
Cumulative distributions to stockholders		(418,876	)			(407,233	)
Total Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. Stockholders’ Equity		774,118				858,898
Non-controlling interests		125				125
Total Equity		774,243				859,023
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity	$	2,720,245			$	2,846,932

GRANITE POINT MORTGAGE TRUST INC. CONDENSED AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME (in thousands, except share data)
	Three Months Ended
	March 31,
		2024				2023
Interest income:	(unaudited)
Loans held-for-investment	$	51,965			$	65,291
Cash and cash equivalents		2,090				1,428
Total interest income		54,055				66,719
Interest expense:
Repurchase facilities		20,728				19,772
Secured credit facility		2,689				2,929
Securitized debt obligations		18,115				18,051
Convertible senior notes		—				2,311
Asset-specific financings		—				743
Total interest expense		41,532				43,806
Net interest income		12,523				22,913
Other income (loss):
Revenue from real estate owned operations		1,142				—
Provision for credit losses		(75,552	)			(46,410	)
Gain (loss) on extinguishment		—				238
Total other loss		(74,410	)			(46,172	)
Expenses:
Compensation and benefits		5,987				5,912
Servicing expenses		1,376				1,378
Expenses from real estate owned operations		2,045				—
Other operating expenses		2,829				3,271
Total expenses		12,237				10,561
(Loss) income before income taxes		(74,124	)			(33,820	)
(Benefit from) provision for income taxes		(1	)			9
Net (loss) income		(74,123	)			(33,829	)
Dividends on preferred stock		3,600				3,625
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders	$	(77,723	)		$	(37,454	)
Basic (loss) earnings per weighted average common share	$	(1.53	)		$	(0.72	)
Diluted (loss) earnings per weighted average common share	$	(1.53	)		$	(0.72	)
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.15			$	0.20
Weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding:
Basic		50,744,532				52,308,380
Diluted		50,744,532				52,308,380
Net (loss) income attributable to common stockholders	$	(77,723	)		$	(37,454	)
Comprehensive (loss) income	$	(77,723	)		$	(37,454	)

GRANITE POINT MORTGAGE TRUST INC. RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP FINANCIAL INFORMATION (dollars in thousands, except share data)
	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
	(unaudited)
Reconciliation of GAAP Net (Loss) to Distributable Earnings(1):
GAAP Net (Loss)	$	(77,723	)
Adjustments for non-distributable earnings:
Provision for (benefit from) credit losses		75,552
Non-cash equity compensation		2,171
Depreciation and Amortization on Real Estate Owned		1,302
Distributable Earnings(1)	$	1,302
Basic weighted average shares outstanding		50,744,532
Distributable Earnings(1) per basic common share	$	0.03
(1) Beginning with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and for all subsequent reporting periods ending on or after December 31, 2023, we have elected to present Distributable Earnings, a measure that is not prepared in accordance with GAAP, as a supplemental method of evaluating our operating performance. Distributable Earnings replaces our prior presentation of Core Earnings with no changes to the definition. In order to maintain our status as a REIT, we are required to distribute at least 90% of our taxable income as dividends. Distributable Earnings is intended to overtime serve as a general, though imperfect, proxy for our taxable income. As such, Distributable Earnings is considered a key indicator of our ability to generate sufficient income to pay our common dividends, which is the primary focus of income-oriented investors who comprise a meaningful segment of our stockholder base. We believe providing Distributable Earnings on a supplemental basis to our net income and cash flow from operating activities, as determined in accordance with GAAP, is helpful to stockholders in assessing the overall run-rate operating performance of our business.   For reporting purposes, we define Distributable Earnings as net income attributable to our stockholders, computed in accordance with GAAP, excluding: (i) non-cash equity compensation expenses; (ii) depreciation and amortization; (iii) any unrealized gains (losses) or other similar non-cash items that are included in net income for the applicable reporting period (regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or in net income for such period); and (iv) certain non-cash items and one-time expenses. Distributable Earnings may also be adjusted from time to time for reporting purposes to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain other material non-cash income or expense items approved by a majority of our independent directors. The exclusion of depreciation and amortization from the calculation of Distributable Earnings only applies to debt investments related to real estate to the extent we foreclose upon the property or properties underlying such debt investments.   While Distributable Earnings excludes the impact of the unrealized non-cash current provision for credit losses, we expect to only recognize such potential credit losses in Distributable Earnings if and when such amounts are deemed non-recoverable. This is generally at the time a loan is repaid, or in the case of foreclosure, when the underlying asset is sold, but non-recoverability may also be concluded if, in our determination, it is nearly certain that all amounts due will not be collected. The realized loss amount reflected in Distributable Earnings will equal the difference between the cash received, or expected to be received, and the carrying value of the asset, and is reflective of our economic experience as it relates to the ultimate realization of the loan. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded provision for credit losses of $(75.6) million, which has been excluded from Distributable Earnings, consistent with other unrealized gains (losses) and other non-cash items pursuant to our existing policy for reporting Distributable Earnings referenced above. During the three months ended March 31, 2024, we recorded $(1.3) million in depreciation and amortization on REO and related intangibles, which has been excluded from Distributable Earnings consistent with other unrealized gains (losses) and other non-cash items pursuant to our existing policy for reporting Distributable Earnings referenced above.   Distributable Earnings does not represent net income or cash flow from operating activities and should not be considered as an alternative to GAAP net income, or an indication of our GAAP cash flows from operations, a measure of our liquidity, or an indication of funds available for our cash needs. In addition, our methodology for calculating Distributable Earnings may differ from the methodologies employed by other companies to calculate the same or similar supplemental performance measures, and, accordingly, our reported Distributable Earnings may not be comparable to the Distributable Earnings reported by other companies.   We believe it is useful to our stockholders to present Distributable Earnings before realized losses to reflect our run-rate operating results as (i) our operating results are mainly comprised of net interest income earned on our loan investments net of our operating expenses, which comprise our ongoing operations, (ii) it helps our stockholders in assessing the overall run-rate operating performance of our business, and (iii) it has been a useful reference related to our common dividend as it is one of the factors we and our Board of Directors consider when declaring the dividend. We believe that our stockholders use Distributable Earnings and Distributable Earnings before realized losses, or a comparable supplemental performance measure, to evaluate and compare the performance of our company and our peers.

 

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240507060717/en/

Investors: Chris Petta Investor Relations, Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc., (212) 364-5500, investors@gpmtreit.com

Source: Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc.

FAQ

What was Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc.'s GAAP Net Loss in Q1 2024?

Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. reported a GAAP Net Loss of $(77.7) million for Q1 2024.

What was Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc.'s Distributable Earnings in Q1 2024?

Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. generated Distributable Earnings of $1.3 million in Q1 2024.

What was Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc.'s book value per common share as of March 31, 2024?

Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc.'s book value per common share was $11.14 as of March 31, 2024.

How much did Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. fund in prior loan commitments in Q1 2024?

Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. funded $17.5 million in prior loan commitments in Q1 2024.

What was the total CECL reserve at quarter-end for Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc.?

The total CECL reserve at quarter-end for Granite Point Mortgage Trust Inc. was $212.7 million, or 7.5% of total portfolio commitments.