Ready Capital Corporation Reports First Quarter 2024 Results

Rhea-AI Summary

Ready Capital reported a GAAP loss per share of $(0.45) and a distributable earnings per share of $0.29. The company's distributable return on average stockholders' equity was 8.6%. Despite challenges in commercial real estate, the company focused on repositioning loans and reducing office exposure. Total investments reached $457 million, with significant growth in the Small Business Lending segment. The company also declared a dividend of $0.30 per share and repurchased shares at favorable prices.

Positive

• Record U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans of $197 million

• Net book value of common stock at $13.44 per share

• Acquisition of 2.1 million shares of common stock at an average price of $8.88 per share

Negative

• GAAP loss per common share of $(0.45)

• Decrease in CECL reserve by $32,181

• Non-recurring REO impairment of $15,512

Insights

Financial Analyst

The reported GAAP loss per common share at $(0.45) suggests a challenging quarter for Ready Capital Corporation, contrasting with its distributable earnings per common share of $0.29. This dichotomy is critical for investors to understand as it indicates a discrepancy between recognized losses and calculated profits intended for distribution. The increase in valuation allowance of $146.18 million could be a strategic move to cushion future earnings, yet it also signals potential concerns over the value of the company's assets. A notable positive is the growth in the Small Business Lending segment, which reached record highs. The dividend payout, coupled with an active stock repurchase program, demonstrates management's confidence in the company's value proposition. The distributable return on average stockholders’ equity of 8.6% provides an insight into the efficiency with which shareholder equity is utilized to generate earnings. The recent credit agreement hints at the company's strategic financial maneuvers to bolster liquidity. However, the retail investor must discern whether the moves align with long-term stability or short-term financial engineering.

Real Estate Finance Expert

Ready Capital's focus on the lower-to-middle-market (LMM) segment and their exposure reduction in the office space, down to 4.4%, signals adaptation to the ongoing recession in the commercial real estate sector. The shift towards market-yielding investments is a proactive approach to safeguard the portfolio against prolonged market downturns. The surge in U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans is commendable as it diversifies the company's revenue streams and mitigates risks associated with the commercial real estate market. Nonetheless, investors need to consider the sustainability of this growth amidst economic headwinds. While the company's response to current market challenges appears robust, it is essential to monitor how these strategic adjustments play out in the long run, especially in terms of asset performance and risk management.

- GAAP LOSS PER COMMON SHARE FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS OF $(0.45) -
- DISTRIBUTABLE EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE OF $0.29 -
- DISTRIBUTABLE RETURN ON AVERAGE STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY OF 8.6% -

NEW YORK, May 08, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ready Capital Corporation (“Ready Capital” or the “Company”) (NYSE: RC), a multi-strategy real estate finance company that originates, acquires, finances, and services lower-to-middle-market (“LMM”) investor and owner occupied commercial real estate loans, today reported financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

“We continue to address the challenges caused by the current recession in commercial real estate,” said Thomas Capasse, Ready Capital’s Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The quarter’s valuation allowance is indicative of our intent to aggressively reposition underperforming loans into market yielding investments and further reduce the Company’s limited 4.4% office exposure. Despite these allowances, the Company’s Distributable Earnings moved towards our long-term target and growth in our Small Business Lending segment reached all-time highs.”

First Quarter Highlights

• Total investments of $457 million, including $260 million of LMM originations and a record $197 million of U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans
• Declared and paid dividend of $0.30 per share in cash
• Net book value of $13.44 per share of common stock as of March 31, 2024
• Acquired approximately 2.1 million shares of the Company’s common stock at an average price of $8.88 per share as part of stock repurchase program

Subsequent Events

• On April 12, 2024, the Company entered into a credit agreement that provides for a delayed draw term loan in an aggregate principal amount not to exceed $115.25 million. The Company borrowed $75.0 million on the initial closing of the agreement.
• During April 2024, the Company acquired approximately 1.6 million shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.0001 per share, at an average price of $8.57 per share through the Company’s stock repurchase program.

Use of Non-GAAP Financial Information

In addition to the results presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP, this press release includes distributable earnings, formerly referred to as core earnings, which is a non-U.S. GAAP financial measure. The Company defines distributable earnings as net income adjusted for unrealized gains and losses related to certain mortgage backed securities (“MBS”) not retained by us as part of our loan origination business, realized gains and losses on sales of certain MBS, unrealized gains and losses related to residential mortgage servicing rights (“MSR”) from discontinued operations, unrealized changes in our current expected credit loss reserve, unrealized gains or losses on de-designated cash flow hedges, unrealized gains or losses on foreign exchange hedges, unrealized gains or losses on certain unconsolidated joint ventures, non-cash compensation expense related to our stock-based incentive plan, and one-time non-recurring gains or losses, such as gains or losses on discontinued operations, bargain purchase gains, or merger related expenses.

The Company believes that this non-U.S. GAAP financial information, in addition to the related U.S. GAAP measures, provides investors greater transparency into the information used by management in its financial and operational decision-making, including the determination of dividends. However, because distributable earnings is an incomplete measure of the Company's financial performance and involves differences from net income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP, it should be considered along with, but not as an alternative to, the Company's net income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP as a measure of the Company's financial performance. In addition, because not all companies use identical calculations, the Company's presentation of distributable earnings may not be comparable to other similarly-titled measures of other companies.

In calculating distributable earnings, Net Income (in accordance with U.S. GAAP) is adjusted to exclude unrealized gains and losses on MBS acquired by the Company in the secondary market but is not adjusted to exclude unrealized gains and losses on MBS retained by Ready Capital as part of its loan origination businesses, where the Company transfers originated loans into an MBS securitization and the Company retains an interest in the securitization. In calculating distributable earnings, the Company does not adjust Net Income (in accordance with U.S. GAAP) to take into account unrealized gains and losses on MBS retained by us as part of the loan origination businesses because the unrealized gains and losses that are generated in the loan origination and securitization process are considered to be a fundamental part of this business and an indicator of the ongoing performance and credit quality of the Company’s historical loan originations. In calculating distributable earnings, Net Income (in accordance with U.S. GAAP) is adjusted to exclude realized gains and losses on certain MBS securities considered to be non-distributable. Certain MBS positions are considered to be non-distributable due to a variety of reasons which may include collateral type, duration, and size.

In addition, in calculating distributable earnings, Net Income (in accordance with U.S. GAAP) is adjusted to exclude unrealized gains or losses on residential MSRs, held at fair value from discontinued operations. Servicing rights relating to the Company’s small business commercial business are accounted for under ASC 860, Transfer and Servicing. In calculating distributable earnings, the Company does not exclude realized gains or losses on commercial MSRs, as servicing income is a fundamental part of Ready Capital’s business and is an indicator of the ongoing performance.

To qualify as a REIT, the Company must distribute to its stockholders each calendar year at least 90% of its REIT taxable income (including certain items of non-cash income), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gain. There are certain items, including net income generated from the creation of MSRs, that are included in distributable earnings but are not included in the calculation of the current year’s taxable income. These differences may result in certain items that are recognized in the current period’s calculation of distributable earnings not being included in taxable income, and thus not subject to the REIT dividend distribution requirement until future years.

The table below reconciles Net Income computed in accordance with U.S. GAAP to Distributable Earnings.

(in thousands)	Three Months Ended March 31, 2024
Net Loss	$	(74,167	)
Reconciling items:
Unrealized gain on joint ventures		(35	)
Decrease in CECL reserve		(32,181	)
Increase in valuation allowance		146,180
Non-recurring REO impairment		15,512
Non-cash compensation		1,877
Merger transaction costs and other non-recurring expenses		1,931
Total reconciling items	$	133,284
Income tax adjustments		(5,141	)
Distributable earnings	$	53,976
Less: Distributable earnings attributable to non-controlling interests		1,108
Less: Income attributable to participating shares		2,335
Distributable earnings attributable to common stockholders	$	50,533
Distributable earnings per common share – basic and diluted	$	0.29

U.S. GAAP return on equity is based on U.S. GAAP net income, while distributable return on equity is based on distributable earnings, which adjusts U.S. GAAP net income for the items in the distributable earnings reconciliation above.

Webcast and Earnings Conference Call

Management will host a webcast and conference call on Thursday, May 9, 2024 at 8:30am ET to provide a general business update and discuss the financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2024.

The Company encourages use of the webcast due to potential extended wait times to access the conference call via dial-in. The webcast of the conference call will be available in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.readycapital.com. To listen to a live broadcast, go to the site at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software.

To Participate in the Telephone Conference Call:

Dial in at least five minutes prior to start time.

Domestic: 1-877-407-0792
International: 1-201-689-8263

Conference Call Playback:

Domestic: 1-844-512-2921
International: 1-412-317-6671
Replay Pin #: 13743092

The playback can be accessed through May 23, 2024.        

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains statements that constitute "forward-looking statements," as such term is defined in Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and such statements are intended to be covered by the safe harbor provided by the same. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs and are subject to a number of trends and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements; the Company can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include, but are not limited to, applicable regulatory changes; general volatility of the capital markets; changes in the Company’s investment objectives and business strategy; the availability of financing on acceptable terms or at all; the availability, terms and deployment of capital; the availability of suitable investment opportunities; changes in the interest rates or the general economy; increased rates of default and/or decreased recovery rates on investments; changes in interest rates, interest rate spreads, the yield curve or prepayment rates; changes in prepayments of Company’s assets; the degree and nature of competition, including competition for the Company's target assets; and other factors, including those set forth in the Risk Factors section of the Company's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, and other reports filed by the Company with the SEC, copies of which are available on the SEC's website, www.sec.gov. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements for revisions or changes after the date of this release, except as required by law.

About Ready Capital Corporation

Ready Capital Corporation (NYSE: RC) is a multi-strategy real estate finance company that originates, acquires, finances and services lower-to-middle-market investor and owner occupied commercial real estate loans. The Company specializes in loans backed by commercial real estate, including agency multifamily, investor, construction, and bridge as well as U.S. Small Business Administration loans under its Section 7(a) program. Headquartered in New York, New York, the Company employs approximately 350 professionals nationwide.

Contact
Investor Relations
Ready Capital Corporation
212-257-4666
InvestorRelations@readycapital.com

Additional information can be found on the Company’s website at www.readycapital.com

READY CAPITAL CORPORATION UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands)	March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Assets
Cash and cash equivalents	$	166,004			$	138,532
Restricted cash		24,915				30,063
Loans, net (including $0 and $9,348 held at fair value)		3,400,481				4,020,160
Loans, held for sale (net of valuation allowance of $146,180 and $0)		584,072				81,599
Mortgage-backed securities		29,546				27,436
Investment in unconsolidated joint ventures (including $7,169 and $7,360 held at fair value)		132,730				133,321
Derivative instruments		15,448				2,404
Servicing rights		103,555				102,837
Real estate owned, held for sale		239,874				252,949
Other assets		315,772				300,175
Assets of consolidated VIEs		6,591,834				6,897,145
Assets held for sale		439,301				454,596
Total Assets	$	12,043,532			$	12,441,217
Liabilities
Secured borrowings		2,198,272				2,102,075
Securitized debt obligations of consolidated VIEs, net		4,769,057				5,068,453
Senior secured notes, net		345,570				345,127
Corporate debt, net		766,084				764,908
Guaranteed loan financing		814,784				844,540
Contingent consideration		—				7,628
Derivative instruments		593				212
Dividends payable		53,908				54,289
Loan participations sold		73,749				62,944
Due to third parties		3,401				3,641
Accounts payable and other accrued liabilities		193,896				207,481
Liabilities held for sale		315,975				333,157
Total Liabilities	$	9,535,289			$	9,794,455
Preferred stock Series C, liquidation preference $25.00 per share		8,361				8,361
Commitments & contingencies
Stockholders’ Equity
Preferred stock Series E, liquidation preference $25.00 per share		111,378				111,378
Common stock, $0.0001 par value, 500,000,000 shares authorized, 170,445,333 and 172,276,105 shares issued and outstanding, respectively		17				17
Additional paid-in capital		2,307,303				2,321,989
Retained earnings (deficit)		(3,546	)			124,413
Accumulated other comprehensive loss		(12,335	)			(17,860	)
Total Ready Capital Corporation equity		2,402,817				2,539,937
Non-controlling interests		97,065				98,464
Total Stockholders’ Equity	$	2,499,882			$	2,638,401
Total Liabilities, Redeemable Preferred Stock, and Stockholders’ Equity	$	12,043,532			$	12,441,217

READY CAPITAL CORPORATION UNAUDITED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
	Three Months Ended March 31,
(in thousands, except share data)		2024				2023
Interest income	$	232,354			$	215,968
Interest expense		(183,805	)			(158,868	)
Net interest income before recovery of loan losses	$	48,549			$	57,100
Recovery of loan losses		26,544				6,734
Net interest income after recovery of loan losses	$	75,093			$	63,834
Non-interest income
Net realized gain (loss) on financial instruments and real estate owned		18,868				11,575
Net unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments		4,632				(5,635	)
Valuation allowance, loans held for sale		(146,180	)			—
Servicing income, net of amortization and impairment of $3,697 and $1,759		3,758				4,642
Income on purchased future receivables, net of allowance for credit losses of $1,206 and $1,594		446				540
Income on unconsolidated joint ventures		468				656
Other income		15,380				19,852
Total non-interest income(loss)	$	(102,628	)		$	31,630
Non-interest expense
Employee compensation and benefits		(18,414	)			(19,727	)
Allocated employee compensation and benefits from related party		(2,500	)			(2,326	)
Professional fees		(7,065	)			(5,543	)
Management fees – related party		(6,648	)			(5,081	)
Incentive fees – related party		—				(1,720	)
Loan servicing expense		(12,794	)			(8,155	)
Transaction related expenses		(650	)			(893	)
Other operating expenses		(30,187	)			(12,609	)
Total non-interest expense	$	(78,258	)		$	(56,054	)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before provision for income taxes		(105,793	)			39,410
Income tax benefit (provision)		30,211				(901	)
Net income (loss) from continuing operations	$	(75,582	)		$	38,509
Discontinued operations
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before benefit (provision) for income taxes		1,887				(2,041	)
Income tax benefit (provision)		(472	)			510
Net income (loss) from discontinued operations		1,415				(1,531	)
Net income (loss)		(74,167	)			36,978
Less: Dividends on preferred stock		1,999				1,999
Less: Net income attributable to non-controlling interest		117				1,835
Net income (loss) attributable to Ready Capital Corporation	$	(76,283	)		$	33,144
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - basic	$	(0.45	)		$	0.31
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - basic	$	0.01			$	(0.01	)
Total earnings per common share - basic	$	(0.44	)		$	0.30
Earnings per common share from continuing operations - diluted	$	(0.45	)		$	0.30
Earnings per common share from discontinued operations - diluted	$	0.01			$	(0.01	)
Total earnings per common share - diluted	$	(0.44	)		$	0.29
Weighted-average shares outstanding
Basic		172,032,866				110,672,939
Diluted		173,104,415				121,025,909
Dividends declared per share of common stock	$	0.30			$	0.40

READY CAPITAL CORPORATION UNAUDITED SEGMENT REPORTING FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDED MARCH 31, 2024
					Small
	LMM Commercial				Business				Corporate-
(in thousands)	Real Estate				Lending				Other				Consolidated
Interest income	$	200,763			$	31,591			$	—			$	232,354
Interest expense		(158,885	)			(24,920	)			—				(183,805	)
Net interest income before recovery of (provision for) loan losses	$	41,878			$	6,671			$	—			$	48,549
Recovery of (provision) for loan losses		30,755				(4,211	)			—				26,544
Net interest income after recovery of (provision for) loan losses	$	72,633			$	2,460			$	—			$	75,093
Non-interest income
Net realized gain (loss) on financial instruments and real estate owned		5,755				13,113				—				18,868
Net unrealized gain (loss) on financial instruments		2,986				1,646				—				4,632
Valuation allowance, loans held for sale		(146,180	)			—				—				(146,180	)
Servicing income, net		1,298				2,460				—				3,758
Income on purchased future receivables, net		—				446				—				446
Income on unconsolidated joint ventures		468				—				—				468
Other income		12,727				2,653				—				15,380
Total non-interest income (loss)	$	(122,946	)		$	20,318			$	—			$	(102,628	)
Non-interest expense
Employee compensation and benefits		(7,476	)			(9,292	)			(1,646	)			(18,414	)
Allocated employee compensation and benefits from related party		(250	)			—				(2,250	)			(2,500	)
Professional fees		(1,641	)			(3,215	)			(2,209	)			(7,065	)
Management fees – related party		—				—				(6,648	)			(6,648	)
Loan servicing expense		(12,547	)			(247	)			—				(12,794	)
Transaction related expenses		—				—				(650	)			(650	)
Other operating expenses		(21,534	)			(5,353	)			(3,300	)			(30,187	)
Total non-interest expense	$	(43,448	)		$	(18,107	)		$	(16,703	)		$	(78,258	)
Income (loss) before provision for income taxes	$	(93,761	)		$	4,671			$	(16,703	)		$	(105,793	)
Total assets	$	9,905,732			$	1,357,398			$	341,101			$	11,604,231

 

FAQ

<p>What was Ready Capital 's GAAP loss per common share in the first quarter of 2024?</p>

Ready Capital reported a GAAP loss per common share of $(0.45) for the first quarter of 2024.

<p>What was the distributable earnings per common share for Ready Capital in the first quarter of 2024?</p>

Ready Capital reported distributable earnings per common share of $0.29 for the first quarter of 2024.

<p>What was the net book value of Ready Capital 's common stock as of March 31, 2024?</p>

The net book value of Ready Capital 's common stock was $13.44 per share as of March 31, 2024.

<p>What type of loans reached a record high for Ready Capital in the first quarter of 2024?</p>

U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) loans reached a record high of $197 million for Ready Capital in the first quarter of 2024.