Book Value and Economic Return Improvement
Book value per common share increased 3.7% to $8.72 during the quarter and IVR delivered an 8% economic return for the quarter. Book value was also up approximately 4.5% since year-end (through the referenced Wednesday).
Dividend Increase
Quarterly dividend was increased to $0.36, contributing to an 8% economic return when combined with book value appreciation.
Portfolio Scale and Composition
Total portfolio of $6.3 billion at year-end, including $5.4 billion in Agency RMBS and $900 million in Agency CMBS, with $453 million in unrestricted cash and unencumbered assets supporting liquidity.
Agency RMBS Performance and Positioning
Agency RMBS portfolio increased 11% quarter-over-quarter; nominal spreads tightened ~15 basis points in Q4 and ~10 basis points year-to-date. Current coupon spreads to a 5- and 10-year SOFR blend ended near 140 basis points, implying levered gross returns in the mid- to upper-teens.
Agency CMBS Returns and Diversification Benefit
Agency CMBS provided attractive risk-adjusted yields and diversification, with levered gross ROEs in the low double digits and reduced sensitivity to interest rate volatility due to prepayment protection and fixed maturities.
Improved Funding and Hedging Metrics
Repurchase agreements collateral increased from $5.2 billion to $5.6 billion and hedge notional increased from $4.4 billion to $4.9 billion. Hedge ratio rose slightly from 85% to 87%, with 78% of hedges in interest rate swaps (57% on a dollar duration basis).
Macro and Market Tailwinds
Financial conditions improved after 3 Fed cuts of 25 basis points each in 2025, end of quantitative tightening, and reduced interest rate volatility. GSE announcements (notably an initial $200 billion purchase program and $24 billion of combined purchases in December) supplied incremental demand and stabilized the sector.
Liquidity and Capital Actions
Management maintained a robust liquidity cushion ($453 million) and selectively accessed ATM issuance; modest common issuance and small preferred buyback were executed to improve capital structure and shareholder liquidity.