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AGNC(AGNC) - 2024 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript
AGNCAGNC(AGNC)2024-10-22 15:10

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - AGNC reported total comprehensive income of 0.63pershareforQ32024,withaneconomicreturnontangiblecommonequityof9.30.63 per share for Q3 2024, with an economic return on tangible common equity of 9.3%, consisting of 0.36 in dividends and a 0.42increaseintangiblenetbookvalue,representinga50.42 increase in tangible net book value, representing a 5% increase [11] - The tangible net book value per common share decreased by about 3% in October, approximately 3.5% after accounting for monthly dividend accrual [11] - Leverage decreased to 7.2 times tangible equity from 7.4 times in Q2 [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The average projected life CPR for the portfolio increased by 4% to 13.2%, while actual CPRs averaged 7.3%, up from 7.1% in Q2 [12] - Net spread and dollar roll income declined by 0.10 to 0.43percommonshare,drivenbyareductioninthenetinterestratespread,whichnarrowedbyapproximately50basispointstojustabove220basispoints[12]MarketDataandKeyMetricsChangesTheyieldcurveendedthequarterwithapositiveslopeforthefirsttimeintwoyears,withtwoyearand10yeartreasuryyieldsdecliningsignificantly[6][14]AgencyMBSspreadsremainedinarelativelynarrowtradingrange,whichisfavorablecomparedtothehighlyvolatilespreadenvironmentduringtheFedsaggressivetightening[7][15]CompanyStrategyandDevelopmentDirectionThecompanyanticipatesthatAgencyMBSspreadswillremaininthecurrenttradingrange,supportedbybalancedsupplyanddemanddynamics[9]AGNCisfocusingonlongertermtreasurybasedhedges,reducingswapbasedhedges,tobetterpositionforexpectedyieldcurvesteepening[17]ManagementsCommentsonOperatingEnvironmentandFutureOutlookManagementexpressedoptimismaboutthemortgagemarketoutlook,citingimprovedeconomicconditionsandafavorablemonetarypolicyenvironment[10]ThecompanyexpectsincreaseddemandforhighqualityfixedincomeassetsastheFedreducesshortterminterestrates[9]OtherImportantInformationAGNCissued0.43 per common share, driven by a reduction in the net interest-rate spread, which narrowed by approximately 50 basis points to just above 220 basis points [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The yield curve ended the quarter with a positive slope for the first time in two years, with two-year and 10-year treasury yields declining significantly [6][14] - Agency MBS spreads remained in a relatively narrow trading range, which is favorable compared to the highly volatile spread environment during the Fed's aggressive tightening [7][15] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company anticipates that Agency MBS spreads will remain in the current trading range, supported by balanced supply and demand dynamics [9] - AGNC is focusing on longer-term treasury-based hedges, reducing swap-based hedges, to better position for expected yield curve steepening [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the mortgage market outlook, citing improved economic conditions and a favorable monetary policy environment [10] - The company expects increased demand for high-quality fixed-income assets as the Fed reduces short-term interest rates [9] Other Important Information - AGNC issued 781 million of common equity through its at-the-market offering program, which contributed to book-value accretion [13] - The company added about 5billioninAgencyMBSduringthethirdquarter,increasingitsinvestmentportfolioto5 billion in Agency MBS during the third quarter, increasing its investment portfolio to 72.1 billion [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Changes to hedges and curve steepening - Management confirmed that the shift towards longer-dated hedges positions the company better for curve steepening, with a hedge ratio reduced to 72% from 98% [20] Question: Core earnings and economic returns - Management indicated that core earnings should converge with economic returns, with expectations of a 17% return on equity [22] Question: Return expectations in Agency MBS - Management feels confident about the current dividend level, with expectations that Agency MBS spreads will remain stable [26] Question: Impact of recent market volatility - Management acknowledged a 3.5% decline in book value due to recent treasury rate increases but remains optimistic about the mortgage market outlook post-election [32][34] Question: Delta hedging and leverage management - Management plans to be more active in delta hedging but does not anticipate changes to leverage levels [35] Question: Prepayment environment and servicing capacity - Management noted that the prepayment response has been slower than during COVID, with current capacity not being an issue [48] Question: MBS spread sensitivity and performance - Management explained that MBS spread sensitivity is measured by shocking each coupon and assessing performance against a hedged benchmark [50][51] Question: Future coupon trends - Management expects an upward trend in average coupon rates as the portfolio reallocates towards higher coupons [56]