NEW YORK MORTGAGE TRUST INC

Previous wording

On February 22, 2023, we announced that our Board of Directors had unanimously approved a reverse stock split of our common stock at a ratio of one-for-four (the “Reverse Stock Split”). The Reverse Stock Split waseffected as of 12:01 a.m., New York City time, on March 9, 2023 (the “Effective Time”). Accordingly, at the Effective Time, every four issued and outstanding shares of our common stock were converted into one share of our common stock. No fractional shares were issued in connection with the Reverse Stock Split. Instead, each stockholder that would have held fractional shares as a result of the Reverse Stock Split received cash in lieu of such fractional shares. The par value per share of our common stock remained unchanged at $0.01 per share after the Reverse Stock Split. All references made to common share or per common share amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and applicable disclosures have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effects of the Reverse Stock Split.

Current wording

On March 9, 2023, we effected a one-for-four reverse stock split of our common stock (the “Reverse Stock Split”). Accordingly, all references made to common share or per common share amounts in the accompanying consolidated financial statements and applicable disclosures have been retroactively adjusted to reflect the effects of the Reverse Stock Split.

Previous wording

Since the significant market disruption that occurred in March 2020, we have sought to build out a low-levered, higher-yielding portfolio of credit sensitive single-family and multi-family assets through our proprietary sourcing channels. Building scale in the portfolio and momentum in investment activity was challenging in the months following the March 2020 market disruption, in large part due to the market's increasing demand for credit assets coupled with our portfolio's elevated prepayment and redemption activity. We managed to capitalize on more opportunities in our areas of investment focus from the fourth quarter of 2021 through May of 2022, allowing us to expand our total investment portfolio to approximately $4.6 billion as of June 30, 2022, up from $3.6 billion as of December 31, 2021. However, the improved investment environment was short-lived, as the markets entered into a period of heightened interest rate volatility and credit spread widening due to the Federal Reserve's actions to attempt to subdue inflation. The Federal Reserve ultimately increased the federal funds target rate by a combined 525 bps during 2022 through July of 2023, which was the fastest pace of increases in history. In response, we chose to significantly curtail our investment activity and pipeline late in the second quarter of 2022 shortly after the Federal Reserve's first rate hike of this cycle, allowing a significant portion of our portfolio to run-off through the first quarter of 2023. By adopting this approach, we endeavored to conserve capital, preserve liquidity and limit what we believed was material credit risk from investments underwritten to peak real estate valuations in 2022. Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, we began stabilizing our investment portfolio holdings through greater investment activity, particularly in assets with less price sensitivity to credit deterioration, like Agency RMBS. We believe that Agency RMBS is a compelling asset class to invest in over the near term, as the sector is trading at historically wide spread levels resulting from volatility in interest rates and reduced demand from regional banks and the Federal Reserve. Recognizing that a recession call was premature, but still concerned about market liquidity due to, among other things, growing commercial real estate risks, we also remained selective in adding credit-related assets during the year. Over the course of the past three quarters, we have experienced solid momentum in our portfolio acquisition activities. On a net basis, our investment portfolio increased by approximately $1.3 billion during the year, with repayments received from our short-duration business purpose loans, opportunistic sales of residential loans and investment securities and impairments offsetting some of our investment activity.

Current wording

Beginning in the second quarter of 2023, after significantly curtailing our investment activity and pipeline in 2022 in anticipation of a recession to conserve capital, preserve liquidity and limit what we believed was material credit risk from investments underwritten to peak real estate valuations in 2022, we began stabilizing our investment portfolio holdings through greater investment activity. Since that time, we have focused, in large part, on acquiring assets with less price sensitivity to credit deterioration that could expand our interest income levels, like Agency RMBS. We believe that Agency RMBS is a compelling asset class to invest in over the near term, as the sector is trading at attractive spread levels resulting from volatility in interest rates. Recognizing that a recession call was premature, but still concerned about market liquidity due to, among other things, growing commercial real estate risks, we also remained selective in adding credit-related assets in our portfolio. Specifically, we have targeted low duration, high-coupon business purpose loans while remaining selective on credit profile and worked to optimize financing of the loans we acquire. During this time, we continued to drive higher business purpose loan acquisition volumes through ongoing partnerships with numerous originators. Over the course of the past seven quarters, we have experienced solid momentum in our portfolio acquisition activities and increased adjusted interest income, a supplemental non-GAAP financial measure, by more than 60% year-over-year. On a net basis, our investment portfolio increased by approximately $3.6 billion between December 31, 2022 and December 31, 2024, with repayments received from our short-duration business purpose loans, opportunistic sales of residential loans and investment securities, redemptions of our Mezzanine Lending investments, return of capital from our joint venture equity investments and impairments offsetting some of our investment activity.

Previous wording

In September 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a strategic repositioning of our business through the opportunistic disposition over time of our joint venture equity investments in multi-family properties and reallocation of the returned capital from such investments to our targeted assets. In 2023, joint venture entities in which we held a common equity interest sold five multi-family properties, representing total net equity investments of$43.2 million and recognizing a net gain attributable to the Company totaling $1.7 million. Throughout most of 2023, certain of the multi-family properties held by our joint venture equity investments experienced declines in estimated fair value primarily due to widening cap rates and lower net operating income driven, in large part, by higher interest and operating expenses at the properties. As these joint venture equity investments were included in disposal group held for sale during the year ended December 31, 2023, the declines in estimated fair value of multi-family properties held by certain of our joint venture equity investments resulted in recognition of approximately $89.5 million of losses for the year ended December 31, 2023. In December 2023, we suspended the marketing of nine joint venture equity investments that were held for sale primarily due to unfavorable market conditions and a lack of transactional activity in the multi-family market. As of December 31, 2023, we continue to market for sale our joint venture equity investments in five multi-family properties. We can provide no assurance of the timing or success of our ultimate exit from our joint venture equity investments in multi-family properties or that the value of our interests in joint ventures will not decline further.

Current wording

In September 2022, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a strategic repositioning of our business through the opportunistic disposition over time of our joint venture equity investments in multi-family properties and reallocation of the returned capital from such investments to our targeted assets. In 2023, joint venture entities in which we held a common equity interest sold five multi-family properties, representing total net equity investments of $43.2 million and recognizing a net gain attributable to the Company totaling $1.7 million. Throughout most of 2023 and continuing into 2024, certain of the multi-family properties held by our joint venture equity investments experienced declines in estimated fair value primarily due to widening cap rates and lower net operating income driven, in large part, by higher interest and operating expenses at the properties which resulted in significant impairment losses. We exited ten additional joint venture equity investments in multi-family properties in 2024, received net proceeds of $23.0 million and realized $14.3 million of net gains attributable to us. As of December 31, 2024, we have reduced exposure in this disposal group of multi-family investments to $19.5 million over two multi-family properties. We anticipate allocating less capital to multi-family investments going forward.

Previous wording

We intend to focus on our core portfolio strengths of single-family and multi-family residential assets, which we believe will deliver better risk-adjusted returns over time. Our targeted investments include (i) residential loans, including business purpose loans, (ii) structured multi-family property investments such as preferred equity in, and mezzanine loans to, owners of multi-family properties, (iii) Agency RMBS, (iv) non-Agency RMBS, (v) CMBS and (vi) certain other mortgage-, residential housing- and credit-related assets and strategic investments in companies from which we purchase, or may in the future purchase, our targeted assets. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and the maintenance of our exclusion from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we also may opportunistically acquire and manage various other types of mortgage-, residential housing- and other credit-related or alternative investments that we believe will compensate us appropriately for the risks associated with them, including, without limitation, collateralized mortgage obligations, mortgage servicing rights, excess mortgage servicing spreads, securities issued by newly originated securitizations, including credit sensitive securities from these securitizations, ABS and debt or equity investments in alternative assets or businesses.

Current wording

We intend to focus on our core portfolio strengths of single-family and multi-family residential assets, which we believe will deliver better risk-adjusted returns over time. Our targeted investments include (i) residential loans, including business purpose loans, (ii) Agency RMBS, (iii) non-Agency RMBS, (iv) structured multi-family property investments such as preferred equity in, and mezzanine loans to, owners of multi-family properties and (v) certain other mortgage-, residential housing- and credit-related assets and strategic investments in companies from which we purchase, or may in the future purchase, our targeted assets. Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT and the maintenance of our exclusion from registration as an investment company under the Investment Company Act, we also may opportunistically acquire and manage various other types of mortgage-, residential housing- and other credit-related or alternative investments that we believe will compensate us appropriately for the risks associated with them, including, without limitation, CMBS, collateralized mortgage obligations, MSRs, excess mortgage servicing spreads, securities issued by newly originated securitizations, including credit sensitive securities from these securitizations, ABS and debt or equity investments in alternative assets or businesses.

Previous wording

As of December 31, 2023, the Company’s Recourse Leverage Ratio and Portfolio Recourse Leverage Ratio (as defined in footnotes 4 and 5 to the table under "— Capital Allocation") increased to 1.6x and 1.5x, respectively, from 0.3x and 0.3x, respectively, as of December 31, 2022. While our financing leverage remains low relative to historical levels, the increase is primarily due to the financing of newly-acquired, highly liquid Agency RMBS. As of December 31, 2023, only 58% of our debt, excluding mortgages payable on real estate and Consolidated SLST CDOs, is subject to mark-to-market margin calls, with 45% collateralized by Agency RMBS and 13% collateralized by residential credit assets. The remaining 42% has no exposure to collateral repricing by our counterparties. Although we expect our leverage to move higher as we expand our holdings of Agency RMBS, we intend to continue to focus on procuring longer-term and non-mark-to-market financing arrangements for certain parts of our credit portfolio. We believe that this will allow us to better manage our liquidity risk and better insulate our business from extreme market dislocations.

Current wording

As of December 31, 2024, the Company’s Recourse Leverage Ratio and Portfolio Recourse Leverage Ratio (as defined in footnotes 4 and 5 to the table under "— Capital Allocation") increased to 3.0x and 2.9x, respectively, from 1.6x and 1.5x, respectively, as of December 31, 2023, primarily due to the financing of highly liquid U.S. Treasury securities and Agency RMBS. As of December 31, 2024, 62% of our debt, excluding mortgages payable on real estate and Consolidated SLST CDOs, is subject to mark-to-market margin calls, with 44% of that debt collateralized by Agency RMBS, 10% collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities and 8% collateralized by residential credit assets. The remaining 38% has no exposure to collateral repricing by our counterparties. Although we expect our leverage to move higher as we access additional liquidity and grow our investment portfolio further, we intend to continue to focus on procuring longer-term and non-mark-to-market financing arrangements for certain parts of our credit portfolio. We believe that this will allow us to better manage our liquidity risk and better insulate our business from extreme market dislocations. To this end, we completed a non-Agency RMBS re-securitization and five new, non-recourse securitizations of residential loans and redeemed two existing residential loan securitizations during the year ended December 31, 2024. We also completed the issuance of $60.0 million of our 9.125% Senior Notes due 2029 in an underwritten public offering in the second quarter of 2024. We received $57.5 million in net proceeds from the issuance and utilized the proceeds to purchase Agency RMBS.

Previous wording

We expect to continue to opportunistically dispose of assets from our portfolio, including our joint venture equity investments, and generate higher portfolio turnover in order to pursue investments across the residential housing sector with a focus on acquiring assets capable of rebuilding our interest income that have less price sensitivity to credit deterioration, such as Agency RMBS. We expect to remain selective in acquiring single-family and multi-family residential credit assets in anticipation of near-term market dislocation that may lead to superior total return opportunities and remain committed to prudently managing our liabilities. We believe these actions, combined with our strong balance sheet and cash position will better position us to deploy capital in the market cycles ahead. Our investment and capital allocation decisions depend on prevailing market conditions, among other factors, and may change over time in response to opportunities available in different economic and capital market environments.

Current wording

We expect to continue to opportunistically dispose of assets from our portfolio and generate higher portfolio turnover in order to pursue investments across the residential housing sector with a focus on acquiring assets capable of growing our interest income. We expect to remain selective in acquiring single-family and multi-family residential credit assets and remain committed to prudently managing our liabilities. Our investment and capital allocation decisions depend on prevailing market conditions, among other factors, and may change over time in response to opportunities available in different economic and capital market environments.

Previous wording

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we purchased Agency RMBS and selectively pursued new single-family residential loan and multi-family investments. Our investment activity was partially offset primarily by prepayments, redemptions and distributions in addition to opportunistic sales of certain investment securities. The following table presents the activity for our investment portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2023 (dollar amounts in thousands):

Current wording

During the year ended December 31, 2024, we continued to expand our investment securities and residential loan portfolios. Our investment activity was offset primarily by prepayments, redemptions, distributions and/or sales. The following table presents the activity for our investment portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2024 (dollar amounts in thousands):

Previous wording

(1)Includes draws funded for business purpose bridge loans and existing joint venture equity investments and capitalized costs for single-family rental properties.

Current wording

(1)Includes draws funded for business purpose bridge loans and existing equity investments and capitalized costs for single-family rental properties.

Previous wording

(3)In September 2022, the Company announced a repositioning of its business through the opportunistic disposition over time of the Company's joint venture equity investments in multi-family properties and reallocation of its capital away from such assets to its targeted assets. As of December 31, 2023, the assets and liabilities related to certain joint venture equity investments in multi-family properties are included in assets and liabilities of disposal group held for sale on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. In December 2023, the Company determined that certain joint venture equity investments that were previously reported in assets and liabilities of disposal group held for sale no longer met the criteria to be classified as held for sale and transferred either the assets and liabilities of the respective Consolidated VIEs or its equity investment in the joint venture entity to equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties or equity investments, at fair value, respectively. See "Balance Sheet Analysis—Equity Investments in Multi-Family Entities" for a reconciliation of equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties and disposal group held for sale to the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Current wording

(3)In September 2022, the Company announced a repositioning of its business through the opportunistic disposition over time of the Company's joint venture equity investments in multi-family properties and reallocation of its capital away from such assets to its targeted assets. Accordingly, the assets and liabilities related to certain joint venture equity investments in multi-family properties are included in assets and liabilities of disposal group held for sale on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2024 and 2023. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Balance Sheet Analysis—Equity Investments in Multi-Family Entities" for a reconciliation of equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties and disposal group held for sale to the Company's consolidated balance sheets.

Previous wording

(4)Primarily includes net realized gains or losses, changes in net unrealized gains or losses (including reversals of previously recognized net unrealized gains or losses on sales or redemptions), net amortization/accretion/depreciation, transfers within investment categories and net loss from real estate attributable to the Company.

Current wording

(5)Primarily includes net realized gains or losses, changes in net unrealized gains or losses (including reversals of previously recognized net unrealized gains or losses on sales or redemptions), net amortization/accretion/depreciation, transfers within investment categories and net loss from real estate attributable to the Company.

Previous wording

(5)Consolidated SLST is primarily presented on our consolidated balance sheets as residential loans, at fair value and collateralized debt obligations, at fair value. A reconciliation to our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively, follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

Current wording

(6)Consolidated SLST is primarily presented on our consolidated balance sheets as residential loans, at fair value and collateralized debt obligations, at fair value. A reconciliation to our consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, follows (dollar amounts in thousands):

Previous wording

The results of our business operations are affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, and primarily depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest income, the market value of our assets, which is driven by numerous factors including changes in interest rates and the supply and demand for mortgage, housing and credit assets in the marketplace, our ability to identify and acquire assets on favorable terms, our ability to dispose of assets from time to time on favorable terms, the ability of our operating partners, tenants and borrowers of our loans and those that underlie our investment securities to meet their payment obligations, the terms and availability of adequate financing and capital, general economic and real estate conditions (both on a national and local level), the impact of government actions in the real estate, mortgage, credit and financial markets, and the credit performance of our credit sensitive assets.

Current wording

The results of our business operations are affected by a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, and primarily depend on, among other things, the level of our net interest income and the market value of our assets, which are driven by numerous factors including changes in interest rates and the supply and demand for mortgage, housing and credit assets in the marketplace, our ability to identify and acquire assets on favorable terms, our ability to dispose of assets from time to time on favorable terms, the ability of our operating partners, tenants and borrowers of our loans and those that underlie our investment securities to meet their payment obligations, the terms and availability of adequate financing and capital, general economic and real estate conditions (both on a national and local level), the impact of government actions in the real estate, mortgage, credit and financial markets, and the credit performance of our credit sensitive assets.

Previous wording

Financial and mortgage-related asset markets experienced notable improvement in performance during the fourth quarter of 2023. After rallying in the first half of 2023 and then moderating in the third quarter, U.S. stocks surged to post strong gains in the fourth quarter. The Dow Jones Industrial Average grew 12.5% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 13.7% for the full year 2023 to finish near a record high. The Nasdaq Composite Index grew 13.6% in the fourth quarter of 2023 and 43.4% for the full year 2023, it’s best full year performance since 2020. Interest rate and monetary policy uncertainty, inflation and geopolitical instability cautioned some economic outlooks. We anticipate that due to uncertainty related to persistent inflation, interest rates, monetary policy, ongoing recession concerns and the upcoming U.S. presidential election in November 2024, markets, and the pricing for many of our assets, will continue to experience volatility in 2024.

Current wording

Financial markets experienced modest positive performance in the fourth quarter of 2024 and strong positive performance for the full year 2024, spurred in part by economic growth and the Federal Reserve’s first cuts to the target range for the federal funds rate in approximately four and a half years. Mortgage-related markets were challenged in 2024 as borrowers remained sensitive to higher interest rates and origination volumes were down by some measures as compared to 2023, among other considerations. The Dow Jones Industrial Average finished the fourth quarter of 2024 up 0.51% and grew 12.88% for the full year 2024. The Nasdaq Composite Index finished the fourth quarter of 2024 up 6.17% and grew 28.64% for the full year 2024. However, interest rate and monetary policy uncertainty, mixed inflation data and geopolitical instability have cautioned some economic outlooks. We anticipate that due to uncertainty related to inflation, interest rates, monetary policy, the U.S. debt limit and the implementation of the new U.S. presidential administration’s policies, markets and the pricing for many of our assets will continue to experience volatility in 2025.

Previous wording

Select U.S. Financial and Economic Data. The U.S. economy grew modestly in 2023 with real gross domestic product (“GDP”) increasing by 2.5% (advanced estimate) for full year 2023, up from the GDP growth of 1.9% recorded for full year 2022. GDP grew at a 3.3% (advanced estimate) annualized rate in the fourth quarter of 2023, as compared to the annualized 4.9% GDP growth in the third quarter of 2023, annualized 2.1% GDP growth in the second quarter of 2023 and annualized 2.2% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2023. The fourth quarter 2023 GDP increase marks six straight quarters of GDP growth, and the full year 2023 GDP growth marks three straight years of GDP growth since contracting in 2020. Such GDP growth in the fourth quarter and full year 2023 exceeded the expectations of many economists and market commentators. Throughout 2023 and the fourth quarter of 2023, inflation retreated but remained above the Federal Reserve’s target of two percent. Uncertainty created by such persistent inflationary pressures and how the Federal Reserve may adjust its monetary policy in response may limit or undermine business activity and the potential for future GDP growth, which could negatively impact the value of credit investments. However, according to the projection materials of the Federal Reserve’s December 2023 meeting, Federal Reserve policymakers expect GDP to grow modestly for full year 2024.

Current wording

Select U.S. Financial and Economic Data. The U.S. economy grew modestly in 2024 with real gross domestic product (“GDP”) increasing by 2.8% for full year 2024, as compared to the GDP growth of 2.9% recorded for full year 2023. GDP grew at a 2.3% annualized rate in the fourth quarter of 2024, as compared to the annualized 3.1% GDP growth in the third quarter of 2024, annualized 3.0% GDP growth in the second quarter of 2024 and annualized 1.6% GDP growth in the first quarter of 2024. The fourth quarter 2024 GDP increase marks eleven straight quarters of GDP growth. While GDP grew in 2024, inflation remains persistently above the Federal Reserve’s target of two percent, and job growth remains robust, uncertainty about how the Federal Reserve may adjust its monetary policy or the target range for the federal funds rate in response to such macroeconomic trends may limit or undermine business activity and the potential for future GDP growth, which could negatively impact the value of credit investments.

Previous wording

The U.S. labor market remained tight and fluctuated little throughout the fourth quarter of 2023. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. unemployment rate was 3.7% at the end of December 2023, finishing slightly below the unemployment rate of 3.8% as of the end of September 2023 and up 20 basis points from the unemployment rate of 3.5% as of the end of December 2022. The number of unemployed persons increased by 0.6 million year-over-year to 6.3 million as of December 2023. There continues to be a wide disparity between the number of available job openings, 9.0 million as of the end of December 2023, and the number of unemployed persons, resulting in a competitive labor market and rising wages. As of December 2023, average hourly earnings for all employees on non-farm payrolls rose 4.1% year-over-year.

Current wording

After moderating in the first half of 2024, the U.S. labor market tightened during the third quarter of 2024 and remained tight in the fourth quarter of 2024 in contrast to many market commentators’ expectations. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the U.S. unemployment rate was 4.1% at the end of December 2024, finishing flat to the unemployment rate of 4.1% as of the end of September 2024 and up 30 basis points from the unemployment rate of 3.8% as of the end of December 2023. The number of unemployed persons increased by 0.6 million year-over-year to 6.9 million as of December 2024. There continues to be a wide disparity between the number of available job openings, 8.1 million as of the end of November 2024, and the number of unemployed persons, resulting in a competitive labor market and rising wages. As of December 2024, average hourly earnings for all employees on non-farm payrolls rose 3.9% year-over-year.

Previous wording

Fears of an economic recession in the U.S. have receded somewhat in connection with the consistent U.S. GDP growth seen in 2023, but some economists and market commentators have continued to express caution with respect to the U.S. economic outlook. The National Bureau of Economic Research defines a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.” A January 2024 survey of economists by the Wall Street Journal indicated that the respondents believed that the probability of a recession in the next twelve months is at 39%, a figure that is down 22% from the recession probability indicated by the survey taken in January 2023. The economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal attribute the diminished likelihood of a recession in the next twelve months to decreases in the prices of certain consumer goods and incomes growing faster than inflation. However, certain economists surveyed by the Wall Street Journal indicated that, while they believed a recession was less likely in the coming year, they expect economic growth to stagnate. An economic recession or stagnating economic growth may put pressure on the ability of our operating partners, joint ventures, tenants and borrowers to meet their obligations, including to us, and would likely adversely impact the value of our assets, among other things, any of which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Current wording

The fears of an economic recession in the U.S. that were prevalent in 2023 receded in connection with the consistent U.S. GDP growth seen in 2024, although some economists and market commentators have expressed expectations for U.S. GDP growth to slow in 2025. The National Bureau of Economic Research defines a recession as “a significant decline in economic activity that is spread across the economy and that lasts more than a few months.” An economic recession or stagnating economic growth may put pressure on the ability of our operating partners, joint ventures, tenants and borrowers to meet their obligations to us, and would likely adversely impact the value of our assets, among other things, any of which could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.

Previous wording

Single-Family Homes and Residential Mortgage Market. Over the course of the fourth quarter and full year 2023, the residential real estate market remained competitive for home buyers. Data released by the S&P Dow Jones Indices for their S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price NSA Indices for November 2023 showed that, on average, home prices increased 5.4% for the 20-City Composite over November 2022. Additionally, according to the National Association of Realtors (“NAR”), existing home sales in December 2023 were down 1.0% month-over-month and 6.2% year-over-year. NAR also reported that the median existing-home sales price for all housing types in December 2023 was $382,600, up 4.4% from $366,500 in December 2022. According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, privately-owned housing starts for single-family homes averaged a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,041,667 and 943,083 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, respectively, as compared to 1,004,417 for the year ended December 31, 2022. Overall, existing home inventory for sale at the end of December 2023 amounted to 3.2 months of supply, up from 2.9 months of supply in December 2022, according to the NAR. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was up 0.54% year-over-year to 6.63% as of February 1, 2024. As interest rates remain at relatively elevated levels for the most recent decade, we expect this to put downward pressure on home prices and borrowers. Declining single-family housing fundamentals may adversely impact the overall credit profile and value of our existing portfolio of single-family residential credit investments and the value of our single-family rental properties, as well as the availability of certain of our targeted assets.

Current wording

Single-Family Homes and Residential Mortgage Market. Throughout 2024, the residential real estate market remained competitive for home buyers. Data released by the S&P Dow Jones Indices for their S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller National Home Price NSA Indices for October 2024 showed that, on average, home prices increased 4.2% for the 20-City Composite over October 2023. Additionally, according to the National Association of Realtors (“NAR”), existing home sales in November 2024 increased 4.8% month-over-month and 6.1% year-over-year. NAR also reported that the median existing-home sales price for all housing types in November 2024 was $406,100, up 4.7% from $387,800 in November 2023. According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, privately-owned housing starts for single-family homes averaged a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1,003,000 and 1,009,917 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, as compared to 948,500 for the year ended December 31, 2023. Overall, existing home inventory for sale at the end of November 2024 amounted to 3.8 months of supply, down from 4.2 months of supply in October 2024 but up from 3.5 months of supply in November 2023, according to the NAR. According to Freddie Mac, the weekly average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage was up 0.44% year-over-year to 7.04% as of January 16, 2025. Declining single-family housing fundamentals may adversely impact the overall credit profile and value of our existing portfolio of single-family residential credit investments and the value of our single-family rental properties, as well as the availability of certain of our targeted assets.

Previous wording

Rental Housing. According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, starts on multi-family homes containing five or more units averaged a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 396,333 and 458,583 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2023, respectively, as compared to 530,500 for the year ended December 31, 2022. According to RealPage Analytics (“RealPage”), rents fell 1.3% nationally in the fourth quarter of 2023 but achieved a slight 0.2% growth for the full year 2023. RealPage noted that, while apartment demand remains high, asking rents were likely dampened by the increased supply from the completion of nearly 440,000 apartment units in 2023 that caused apartment supply to jump to a 36-year high. RealPage further noted that even more apartment units are expected to be completed in 2024 than in 2023. Weakening multi-family housing fundamentals, including, among other things, increasing supply of apartments and declining rents in the markets or submarkets in which we invest, increasing interest rates, widening capitalization rates and reduced liquidity for owners of multi-family properties, may cause our operating partners to fail to meet their obligations to us and/or contribute to reduced cash flows from and/or valuation declines for multi-family properties, and in turn, many of the multi-family investments that we own.

Current wording

Rental Housing. According to data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, starts on multi-family homes containing five or more units averaged a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 355,667 and 336,583 for the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2024, respectively, as compared to 459,417 for the year ended December 31, 2023. According to RealPage Analytics, rents for professionally managed apartments grew a modest 50 basis points in 2024 as a near-historic number of new apartment units were completed. The CoStar Group notes that the majority of the weakest-performing geographic markets in 2024 from an asking rent growth perspective were located in the Southeast and Texas, where oversupply conditions remain challenging and where a significant amount of our multi-family investments are concentrated. Weakening multi-family housing fundamentals, including, among other things, increasing supply of apartments and declining rents in the markets or submarkets in which we invest, increasing interest rates, widening capitalization rates and reduced liquidity for owners of multi-family properties, may cause our operating partners to fail to meet their obligations to us and/or contribute to reduced cash flows from and/or valuation declines for multi-family properties, and in turn, many of the multi-family investments that we own.

Previous wording

Credit Spreads. Investment grade and high-yield credit spreads both tightened over the course of the fourth quarter of 2023 with investment grade spreads finishing 34 basis points lower than the start of 2023 and high-yield spreads finishing 142 basis points lower than the start of 2023. Tightening credit spreads generally increase the value of many of our credit sensitive assets, while widening credit spreads tend to have a negative impact on the value of many of our credit sensitive assets.

Current wording

Credit Spreads. Investment grade and high-yield credit spreads both tightened over the course of the fourth quarter of and full year 2024. At the end of 2024, investment grade spreads tightened 10 basis points and 22 basis points as compared to the start of the fourth quarter of 2024 and the start of 2024, respectively. At the end of 2024, high-yield credit spreads tightened 11 basis points and 47 basis points as compared to the start of the fourth quarter of 2024 and the start of 2024, respectively. Tightening credit spreads generally increase the value of many of our credit sensitive assets, while widening credit spreads tend to have a negative impact on the value of many of our credit sensitive assets.

Previous wording

Financing Markets. Driven in part by the Federal Reserve’s increases to the federal funds rate and speculation about the Federal Reserve’s strategy with regard to future rate hikes, the Treasury curve inverted in July 2022 and has remained inverted ever since. On December 29, 2023, the spread between the 2-Year U.S. Treasury yield and the 10-Year U.S. Treasury yield closed at negative 35 basis points, as compared to a negative 53 basis point spread on December 30, 2022. Inversions of this spread are generally considered to be indicators of a recession in the near term. This spread is important as it is indicative of opportunities for investing in levered assets. Increases in interest rates raise the costs of many of our liabilities, while overall interest rate volatility generally increases the costs of hedging and may place downward pressure on some of our strategies.

Current wording

Financing Markets. For the first time since June 2022, the Treasury curve uninverted at the end of August 2024, marking the end of the longest inverted Treasury curve on record. This normalization of the Treasury curve was driven in part by investors’ expectations of the Federal Reserve’s cuts to the target range for the federal funds rate. Inversions and subsequent normalizations of this spread are generally considered to be indicators of a recession in the near term, although some market commentators have cautioned against August 2024’s uninversion being such an indicator. Further, a January 2025 survey of economists by the Wall Street Journal indicated that the respondents believed that the probability of a recession in the next twelve months is at 22%, the lowest probability indicated by the Wall Street Journal’s survey since January 2022. On December 31, 2024, the spread between the 2-Year U.S. Treasury yield and the 10-Year U.S. Treasury yield closed at 33 basis points, as compared to a negative 35 basis point spread on December 29, 2023. This spread is important as it is indicative of opportunities for investing in levered assets. Increases in interest rates raise the costs of many of our liabilities, while overall interest rate volatility generally increases the costs of hedging and may place downward pressure on some of our strategies.

Previous wording

Monetary Policy and Recent Regulatory Developments. The Federal Reserve took a number of actions to stabilize markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2020 until March 2022, the Federal Reserve implemented an asset purchase program aimed at providing liquidity to the U.S. Treasury and Agency RMBS markets. Under the Federal Reserve’s asset purchase program, the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet grew from about $4.2 trillion in assets at the start of March 2020 to about $8.9 trillion in assets at the end of the program in March 2022. On June 1, 2022, the Federal Reserve shifted course and began shrinking its balance sheet by reducing its holdings of U.S. Treasuries and Agency RMBS by $47.5 billion per month. In September 2022, the Federal Reserve increased its efforts to reduce its balance sheet by doubling the amount of U.S. Treasuries and Agency RMBS it rolls off its balance sheet to $95 billion each month. As of January 31, 2024, the Federal Reserve held about $7.6 trillion in assets. Sales or reductions in the pace of purchasing of Agency RMBS by the Federal Reserve could create headwinds in the market for Agency RMBS where increased supply could drive prices lower and interest rates higher.

Current wording

Monetary Policy and Recent Regulatory Developments. The Federal Reserve took a number of actions to stabilize markets during the COVID-19 pandemic. From March 2020 until March 2022, the Federal Reserve implemented an asset purchase program aimed at providing liquidity to the U.S. Treasury and Agency RMBS markets. Under the Federal Reserve’s asset purchase program, the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet grew from about $4.2 trillion in assets at the start of March 2020 to about $8.9 trillion in assets at the end of the program in March 2022. On June 1, 2022, the Federal Reserve shifted course and began shrinking its balance sheet by reducing its holdings of U.S. Treasuries and Agency RMBS by $47.5 billion per month. In September 2022, the Federal Reserve increased its efforts to reduce its balance sheet by doubling the amount of U.S. Treasuries and Agency RMBS it rolls off its balance sheet to $95 billion each month. On June 1, 2024, the Federal Reserve reduced from $60 billion to $25 billion the amount of U.S. Treasuries it rolls off its balance sheet each month while continuing to reduce its holdings of Agency RMBS by $35 billion per month. As of January 13, 2025, the Federal Reserve held about $6.8 trillion in assets. Sales or reductions in the pace of purchasing of Agency RMBS by the Federal Reserve could create headwinds in the market for Agency RMBS where increased supply could drive prices lower and interest rates higher.

Previous wording

From March 2020 to March 2022, the Federal Reserve maintained a target range for the federal funds rate of 0% to 0.25% in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and to foster maximum employment and price stability. Then, from March 2022 through July 2023, the Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate eleven times to bring the target range for the federal funds rate to 5.25% to 5.50% where it remained as of February 2, 2024. However, even though inflation remained elevated above the Federal Reserve’s target of two percent through December 2023, some Federal Reserve officials have signaled that the current interest rate levels have been sufficient to bring down inflation and that cuts to the federal funds rate may be likely in 2024. As reflected on the “dot plot” included in the projection materials from the Federal Reserve’s December 2023 meeting, most Federal Reserve officials expect the target range for the federal funds rate to be lowered below its current level by the end of 2024, with many of the officials expecting the target range to reach a level between 4.50% and 4.75% by the end of 2024. However, this plotting of the Federal Reserve officials’ expected target range for the federal funds rate as of December 2023 indicates divided thoughts among Federal Reserve officials as to how many, if any, decreases to the target range are appropriate.

Current wording

From March 2020 to March 2022, the Federal Reserve maintained a target range for the federal funds rate of 0% to 0.25% in view of the COVID-19 pandemic and to foster maximum employment and price stability. Then, from March 2022 through July 2023, the Federal Reserve increased the federal funds rate eleven times to bring the target range for the federal funds rate to 5.25% to 5.50% where it remained until September 19, 2024 when the Federal Reserve implemented a 50 basis point cut to the target range. When announcing the 50 basis point rate cut in September 2024, the Federal Reserve stated that inflation had made progress toward the Federal Reserve’s objective of achieving an inflation rate of two percent over the longer run and that, in light of this progress on inflation and considering the risks to the Federal Reserve’s second objective of achieving maximum employment, a cut to the target range was appropriate. On each of November 8, 2024 and December 19, 2024, the Federal Reserve again cut the target range to the federal funds rate by 25 basis points, bringing the total cuts to the target range in 2024 to 100 basis points. The Federal Reserve noted in its December 2024 statement that any future cuts to the target range for the federal funds rate will depend on a careful assessment of incoming data, the evolving outlook, and the balance of risks to its dual mandate of achieving maximum employment and an inflation rate of two percent. As reflected on the “dot plot” included in the projection materials from the Federal Reserve’s December 2024 meeting, most Federal Reserve officials indicated that an additional 50 basis points in cuts to the target range for the federal funds rate by the end of 2025 would be appropriate. However, recent economic data along with the Federal Reserve’s December 2024 statement emphasizing the consideration that will be given to evolving economic data has cautioned some market commentators’ expectations of the number and extent of further cuts to the target range for the federal funds rate in 2025.

Previous wording

•On February 21, 2024, we announced that our Board of Directors approved extensions of our common stock repurchase program, under which $193.2 million of the approved amount remained available for repurchase, and our preferred stock repurchase program, under which $97.6 million of the approved amount remained available for repurchase. The expiration dates of both stock repurchase programs were extended from March 31, 2024 to March 31, 2025.

Current wording

•On February 19, 2025, we announced that our Board of Directors approved extensions of our common stock repurchase program, under which $189.7 million of the approved amount remained available for repurchase, and our preferred stock repurchase program, under which $97.6 million of the approved amount remained available for repurchase. The expiration dates of both stock repurchase programs were extended from March 31, 2025 to March 31, 2026.

Previous wording

The following provides an overview of the allocation of our total equity as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively. We fund our investing and operating activities with a combination of cash flow from operations, proceeds from common and preferred equity and debt securities offerings, including convertible notes, senior unsecured notes and subordinated debentures, short-term and longer-term repurchase agreements and CDOs. A detailed discussion of our liquidity and capital resources is provided in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” elsewhere in this section.

Current wording

The following provides an overview of the allocation of our total equity as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. We fund our investing and operating activities with a combination of cash flow from operations, proceeds from common and preferred equity and debt securities offerings, including senior unsecured notes and subordinated debentures, short-term and longer-term repurchase agreements and CDOs. A detailed discussion of our liquidity and capital resources is provided in “Liquidity and Capital Resources” elsewhere in this section.

Previous wording

(1)Represents the Company's equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties that are not in disposal group held for sale. See "Balance Sheet Analysis—Equity Investments in Multi-Family Entities" for a reconciliation of equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties and disposal group held for sale to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Current wording

(1)Represents the Company's equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties that are not in disposal group held for sale. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Balance Sheet Analysis—Equity Investments in Multi-Family Entities" for a reconciliation of equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties and disposal group held for sale to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Previous wording

(2)Represents the Company's equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties that are held for sale in disposal group. See "Balance Sheet Analysis—Equity Investments in Multi-Family Entities" for a reconciliation of equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties and disposal group held for sale to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Current wording

(2)Represents the Company's equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties that are held for sale in disposal group. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Balance Sheet Analysis—Equity Investments in Multi-Family Entities" for a reconciliation of equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties and disposal group held for sale to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Previous wording

(3)Excludes cash in the amount of $35.1 million held in the Company's equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties and consolidated equity investments in disposal group held for sale. Restricted cash of $136.2 million is included in the Company's accompanying consolidated balance sheets in other assets.

Current wording

(3)Excludes cash in the amount of $6.6 million held in the Company's equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties and equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties in disposal group held for sale. Restricted cash of $161.6 million is included in the Company's accompanying consolidated balance sheets in other assets.

Previous wording

(4)Represents the Company's total outstanding recourse repurchase agreement financing, subordinated debentures and senior unsecured notes divided by the Company’s total stockholders’ equity. Does not include non-recourse repurchase agreement financing amounting to $291.2 million, Consolidated SLST CDOs amounting to $634.5 million, residential loan securitization CDOs amounting to $1.5 billion and mortgages payable on real estate, including mortgages payable on real estate of disposal group held for sale, totaling $1.3 billion as they are non-recourse debt.

Current wording

(4)Represents the Company's total outstanding recourse repurchase agreement financing, subordinated debentures and senior unsecured notes divided by the Company’s total stockholders’ equity. Does not include non-recourse repurchase agreement financing amounting to $11.0 million, Consolidated SLST CDOs amounting to $811.6 million, residential loan securitization CDOs amounting to $2.1 billion, non-Agency RMBS re-securitization CDOs amounting to $70.8 million andmortgages payable on real estate, including mortgages payable on real estate of disposal group held for sale, totaling $460.0 million as they are non-recourse debt.

Previous wording

(2)Includes both unconsolidated and consolidated equity investments in multi-family properties that are held for sale in disposal group. See "Balance Sheet Analysis—Equity Investments in Multi-Family Entities" for a reconciliation of equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties and disposal group held for sale to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Current wording

(2)Represents the Company's equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties that are held for sale in disposal group. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Balance Sheet Analysis—Equity Investments in Multi-Family Entities" for a reconciliation of equity investments in consolidated multi-family properties and disposal group held for sale to the Company's consolidated financial statements.

Previous wording

(4)Represents the Company's total outstanding recourse repurchase agreement financing, subordinated debentures and senior unsecured notes divided by the Company’s total stockholders’ equity. Does not include non-recourse repurchase agreement financing amounting to $149.7 million, Consolidated SLST CDOs amounting to $593.7 million, residential loan securitization CDOs amounting to $1.3 billion andmortgages payable on real estate, including mortgages payable on real estate of disposal group held for sale, totaling $1.2 billion as they are non-recourse debt.

Current wording

(4)Represents the Company's total outstanding recourse repurchase agreement financing, subordinated debentures and senior unsecured notes divided by the Company’s total stockholders’ equity. Does not include non-recourse repurchase agreement financing amounting to $149.7 million, Consolidated SLST CDOs amounting to $593.7 million, residential loan securitization CDOs amounting to $1.3 billion and mortgages payable on real estate, including mortgages payable on real estate of disposal group held for sale, totaling $1.2 billion as they are non-recourse debt.

Previous wording

The following table presents the components of realized (losses) gains, net recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Current wording

The following table presents the components of realized losses, net recognized for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Previous wording

During the year ended December 31, 2023, we recognized net realized losses of $12.7 million related to our residential loan portfolio, a decrease from 2022, primarily as a result of losses recognized on the sale of certain non-performing loans, fewer loan prepayments and losses incurred on foreclosed properties in 2023. We also recognized net realized losses of $14.3 million primarily attributable to the sales of ABS, CMBS and non-Agency RMBS in 2023.

Current wording

Net realized losses related to our residential loan portfolio increased in 2024, primarily as a result of increased losses incurred on foreclosed properties andrecognized on the sale of residential loans and a decrease in net realized gain from payoffs of residential loans. We also recognized net realized losses of$1.2 million on write-downs of non-Agency RMBSin 2024.

Previous wording

The following table presents the components of unrealized gains (losses), net recognized for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Current wording

The following table presents the components of unrealized (losses) gains, net recognized for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Previous wording

We recognized $97.2 million in net unrealized gains for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to credit spread tightening that impacted the pricing of our residential loans. Net unrealized gains on our investment securities for the year ended December 31, 2023 included unrealized gains recognized on Agency RMBS purchased in 2023.

Current wording

We recognized net unrealized gains in 2023, primarily due to credit spread tightening that impacted the pricing of our residential loans. Net unrealized gains on our investment securities for the year ended December 31, 2023 included unrealized gains recognized on Agency RMBS purchased in 2023.

Previous wording

(Losses) Gains on Derivative Instruments, Net

Current wording

Gains (Losses) on Derivative Instruments, Net

Previous wording

The following table presents the components of (losses) gains on derivative investments, net for theyears ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Current wording

The following table presents the components of gains (losses) on derivative investments, net for theyears ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively (dollar amounts in thousands):

Previous wording

We recognized $26.4 million in net losses on derivative instruments for theyear ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to decreases in fair value of swaps entered into during the year and lower valuations of interest rate caps. This was offsetby gains realized upon termination of interest rate cap contracts in connection with sales of multi-family properties and repayment of related mortgages payable in our joint venture equity investments in disposal group held for sale.

Current wording

We recognized $26.4 million in net losses on derivative instruments in 2023, primarily due to decreases in fair value of interest rate swaps entered into during the year and lower valuations of interest rate caps. This was offsetby gains realized upon termination of interest rate cap contracts in connection with sales of multi-family properties and repayment of related mortgages payable in our joint venture equity investments in disposal group held for sale.

Previous wording

Income from equity investments increased during the year ended December 31, 2023, due to net unrealized gains recognized on preferred equity investments accounted for as equity and an equity investment in an entity that originates residential loans. The increase in income from equity investments was offset by a $3.0 million decrease in preferred return on preferred equity investments as a result of investment redemptions in 2023.

Current wording

The decrease in income from equity investments in 2024 was primarily due to 1) decreases in preferred return on preferred equity investments accounted for as equity as a result of redemptions that have occurred since December 31, 2023 and 2) unrealized losses recognized on preferred equity investments accounted for as equity and unconsolidated joint venture equity investments in multi-family properties as a result of property performance and wider cap rates during the current period. The decrease in total income from equity investments was partially offset by an increase in income from an entity that originates residential loans due to increased origination volume and profitability in 2024.

Previous wording

During theyear ended December 31, 2023, we recognized impairment losses on certain multi-family real estate assets in disposal group held for sale due to a decrease in the estimated fair value less costs to sell of the real estate assets held by entities in which we have a joint venture equity investment primarily due to widening cap rates and lower net operating income driven, in large part, by higher interest and operating expenses at the properties.

Current wording

In 2024, we recognized impairment losses on certain multi-family real estate assets due to lower valuations driven by a decrease in net operating income estimates and wider cap rates. We also recognized impairment losses on certain single-family rental properties transferred to held for sale as a result of the remeasurement of those assets to estimated fair value less costs to sell in 2024.

Previous wording

In December 2023, we suspended the marketing of nine joint venture equity investments that were held for sale primarily due to unfavorable market conditions and a lack of transactional activity in the multi-family market. As a result, we determined that these joint venture equity investments no longer met the criteria to be classified as held for sale and transferred either the assets and liabilities of the respective Consolidated VIEs or its equity investment in the joint venture entity to their respective categories or equity investments, at fair value, respectively, as of December 31, 2023. Accordingly, we adjusted the carrying value of the long-lived assets in Consolidated VIEs to the lower of the carrying amount before the assets were classified as held for sale adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense that would have been recognized had the assets been continuously classified as held and used and the fair value of the assets at the date of the transfer and recognized a loss on reclassification of disposal group.

Current wording

One joint venture equity investment was reclassified from disposal group held for sale in 2024. As a result of this transfer, we adjusted the carrying value of the long-lived assets in the Consolidated Real Estate VIE to the lower of the carrying amount before the assets were classified as held for sale adjusted for depreciation and amortization expense that would have been recognized had the assets been continuously classified as held and used and the fair value of the assets at the date of the transfer and recognized an approximately $14.6 million loss on reclassification of disposal group.