Orchid Island Capital reports Q2 EPS (9c), consensus (7c)

Commenting on the second quarter results, Robert E. Cauley, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, “The long-awaited pivot on the part of Federal Reserve may finally be at hand. Persistently strong growth of the U.S. economy and above trend inflation appear to have moderated sufficiently that the Fed now sees the risks to the economy as balanced – implying there is equal risk of more growth or a slow-down. Since the Fed sees their current monetary policy as restrictive, it may now be time to reverse some of the tightening that occurred in 2022 and 2023 and ease monetary policy if inflation data continues to moderate. Current market pricing is for between two and three 25 basis point cuts by year end with several more in 2025. Should such conditions persist, the Fed should begin lowering the Fed funds rate this year, perhaps starting in September.”