PHILADELPHIA, Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alesco Financial Inc. ("AFN"), a specialty finance real estate investment trust, today announced financial results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007.
AFN reported adjusted earnings, a non-GAAP measure of performance, for the three months ended June 30, 2007 of $16.9 million, or $0.31 per diluted common share, as compared to adjusted earnings of $0.31 per diluted common share for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and $0.36 per diluted common share for the three months ended June 30, 2006. AFN reported adjusted earnings for the six months ended June 30, 2007 of $34.2 million, or $0.61 per diluted common share, as compared to adjusted earnings of $0.55 per diluted common share for the period from January 31, 2006 (commencement of operations) through June 30, 2006. A reconciliation of adjusted earnings to GAAP net income is included in the Adjusted Earnings section of this release.
AFN reported a GAAP net loss for the three months ended June 30, 2007 of ($47.2) million, or ($0.86) per diluted common share, as compared to net income of $0.21 per diluted common share for the three months ended March 31, 2007 and $0.70 per diluted common share for the three months ended June 30, 2006. AFN reported a GAAP net loss for the six months ended June 30, 2007 of ($35.4) million, or ($0.65) per diluted common share, as compared to net income of $1.09 per diluted common share for the period from January 31, 2006 through June 30, 2006.
Investment Portfolio Summary
The following chart summarizes our investment portfolio as of and for the three months ended June 30, 2007:
($ in thousands)
Total Total Total
Asset Class Assets (1) Debt (2) Capital
Invested in
Asset Class
TruPS & Subordinated Debentures $5,502,090 $5,115,578 $ 213,254
Mortgage-backed securities 3,794,668 3,864,559 138,927
Residential Mortgage Loans 1,117,239 1,014,600 82,820
Leveraged Loans 722,926 644,479 68,100
$11,136,923 $10,639,216 $ 503,101
Asset Class Weighted Weighted
Average Average Return on
Coupon Cost of Funds Investment (3)
TruPS & Subordinated Debentures 7.28% 5.97% 25.00%
Mortgage-backed securities 5.85% 5.57% 11.95%
Residential Mortgage Loans 6.36% 5.74% 0.89%
Leveraged Loans 8.87% 6.04% 13.97%
6.81% 5.81% 16.18%
(1) Total assets for the TruPS & Subordinated Debentures asset class,
Mortgage-backed securities asset class, and Leveraged Loans asset
class include approximately $399.6 million, $26.3 million, and $50.3
million, respectively, of restricted cash held at consolidated CDO
entities. The restricted cash at consolidated CDO entities is
primarily committed to fund the purchase of additional investments in
TruPS and subordinated debentures and leveraged loans and is not
available to AFN for any other purpose.
(2) Total debt refers to the aggregate principal amount of indebtedness
collateralized by the assets in the particular asset class.
(3) Return on investment is calculated by dividing (A) the sum of the net
investment income plus the interest earned on restricted cash held at
consolidated CDO entities, excluding the minority interest portions,
for each respective asset class during the three months ended June 30,
2007, in each case amounts included in net investment income were
recorded in accordance with GAAP, by (B) the weighted average equity
(based on the amount of cash we had invested in the assets during the
period) deployed in each respective asset class during the same
period. Net investment income for the residential mortgage loans
asset class and the leveraged loans asset class, excluding the
minority interest portions, include approximately $1.4 million and
$1.4 million, respectively, of provisions for loan losses recorded
during the three months ended June 30, 2007.
The following table summarizes ratings of our available-for-sale MBS investments included in our Kleros Real Estate CDOs (categorized based on fair value as of June 30, 2007) as rated by Standard & Poor's ("S&P") as of July 31, 2007:
Amount of % of
% of % of Second- Second-
Total Total Amount of Sub Lien Lien
MBS per MBS per Sub prime prime per per per
S&P Rating Rating Rating per Rating Rating Rating Rating
Category Category Category Category(1) Category Category Category
(dollars in thousands)
AAA $809,373 21.6% $10,464 0.9% $6,063 1.3%
AA+ 558,811 14.9% 124,828 11.1% 61,652 13.3%
AA 533,655 14.2% 79,303 7.1% 95,878 20.6%
AA- 231,746 6.2% 91,796 8.2% 15,645 3.4%
A+ 549,853 14.6% 268,328 23.9% 74,105 15.9%
A 475,773 12.7% 241,654 21.6% 65,911 14.2%
A- 247,298 6.6% 119,119 10.7% 67,985 14.6%
BBB+ 195,257 5.2% 125,927 11.2% 32,964 7.1%
BBB 118,032 3.1% 50,281 4.5% 18,779 4.0%
BBB- and below 35,183 0.9% 9,015 0.8% 26,168 5.6%
Total $ 3,754,981 100.0% $1,120,715 100.0% $465,150 100.0%
(1) We generally consider a loan to a borrower with a credit score of less
than 625 to be a sub-prime loan.
During the three-month period ended June 30, 2007, AFN wrote down to fair market value 21 MBS, which consisted of 18 second-lien position MBS, 2 MBS that are collateralized by residential mortgage loans with a weighted average borrower FICO score less than 625 and 1 MBS that is collateralized by residential mortgage loans with weighted average borrower FICO scores between 625 and 699. AFN recorded other-than-temporary impairments of $68.9 million in its consolidated MBS portfolio. Additionally, during the three-month period ended June 30, 2007 AFN recorded $5.5 million of other-than-temporary impairments on other non-consolidated CDO investments that are primarily collateralized by MBS. AFN recognized other-than-temporary impairments primarily because of significant increases in the estimated cumulative default rates of the underlying collateral of the respective securities, resulting in significant decreases to the estimated future cash flows of the respective securities. Other-than-temporary impairments are recorded within Impairment on investments in the consolidated statements of income.
AFN has recorded net unrealized losses on MBS in the amount of $154.4 million in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of June 30, 2007. The unrealized losses include losses relating to 269 MBS, with an aggregate principal amount of $1.3 billion, collateralized by loans to sub-prime borrowers and second-lien loans. Management determined that the unrealized losses on these debt securities resulted from volatility in interest rates and other qualitative factors relating to macro-credit conditions in the residential mortgage market. Additionally, as of June 30, 2007 management determined that the subordination levels below these MBS investments adequately protect our ability to recover our investments, and that our estimates of anticipated future cash flows from the MBS investments has not been adversely impacted by the deterioration in the creditworthiness of the specific MBS issuers.
During the three-months ended June 30, 2007 and in the period subsequent to June 30, 2007, 35 MBS with an aggregate principal amount of $188.3 million in our portfolio were downgraded by rating agencies and 10 MBS with an aggregate principal amount of $53.0 million in our portfolio were placed on negative watch by rating agencies. These amounts represent 4.7% and 1.3%, respectively, of the aggregate principal amount of our MBS portfolio as of June 30, 2007. As a result of the recent rating agencies downgrade activity our portfolio includes 16 MBS with an aggregate principal amount of $87.5 million or 2.2% of the aggregate principal amount of our MBS portfolio as of June 30, 2007 that are below investment grade. Thirty-two of the MBS that have been downgraded to date are collateralized by loans to sub-prime borrowers and second-lien loans. AFN is not aware of any payment defaults in the MBS portfolio and all of the MBS investments are currently generating cash flows.
Net unrealized gains on TruPS and subordinated debentures in the amount of $83.7 million are included in accumulated other comprehensive loss as of June 30, 2007.
Fair value of investments is based primarily on quoted market prices from independent pricing sources when available for actively traded securities or discounted cash flow analyses developed by management using current interest rates, specific issuer information and other market data for securities without an active market. Management's estimate of fair value is subject to a high degree of variability based upon market conditions, the availability of specific issuer information and management's assumptions.
Indebtedness
The following table summarizes AFN's total indebtedness (includes recourse and non-recourse indebtedness) as of June 30, 2007:
Current
Interest Weighted- Average
Carrying Rate Average Contractual
Description Amount Terms Interest Rate Maturity
(dollars in thousands)
Non-recourse
indebtedness:
Repurchase
agreements $53,993 6.1% 6.1% March 2008
Trust preferred
obligations 435,700 5.8% to 11.1% 7.3% October 2036
Securitized mortgage
debt, net of
discount 1,014,600 5.0% to 6.1% 5.7% December 2046
CDO notes payable (1) 8,981,403 5.4% to 6.1% 5.8% May 2040
Warehouse credit
facilities 153,520 5.3% to 8.1% 5.6% December 2007
Total non-recourse
indebtedness $10,639,216
Recourse indebtedness:
Junior subordinated
debentures $49,614 9.5% 9.5% August 2036
Contingent
convertible debt 140,000 7.6% 7.6% June 2036
Total recourse
indebtedness: $ 189,614
Total indebtedness $10,828,830
(1) Excludes CDO notes payable purchased by the Company which are
eliminated in consolidation.
Recourse indebtedness refers to indebtedness that is recourse to the general assets of AFN. As indicated in the table above, AFN's consolidated financial statements include recourse indebtedness of $189.6 million as of June 30, 2007. Non-recourse indebtedness consists of indebtedness of consolidated VIEs (i.e. CDOs, CLOs and other securitization vehicles) which is recourse only to specific assets pledged as collateral to the lenders. The creditors of each consolidated VIE have no recourse to the general credit of AFN. AFN's maximum exposure to economic loss as a result of its involvement with each VIE and off-balance sheet warehouse facility is the $503.1 million of capital that AFN invested in the preference shares or debt of the CDO, CLO or other types of securitization structures. None of the indebtedness shown in the table above subjects AFN to potential margin calls for additional pledges of cash or other assets.
Liquidity and Capital Markets Transactions
During the six-month period ended June 30, 2007, AFN completed the following debt and equity transactions:
-- On May 15, 2007 and June 13, 2007, AFN sold $140 million aggregate
principal amount of contingent convertible senior notes. The notes are
senior, unsecured obligations of AFN and rank equally in right of
payment with all of AFN's existing and future unsubordinated, unsecured
indebtedness. The notes bear interest at an annual rate of 7.625%. The
notes mature on May 15, 2027. AFN received net proceeds of
approximately $136.6 million from this transaction.
-- On June 25, 2007, AFN completed the issuance and sale of $28.1 million
in aggregate principal amount of TruPS issued by AFN's wholly-owned
subsidiary, Alesco Capital Trust I (the "Trust"). The TruPS mature on
July 30, 2037 and may be called by AFN at par any time after July 30,
2012. Distributions are payable quarterly at a fixed interest rate
equal to 9.495% per annum through the distribution payment date on July
30, 2012 and thereafter at a floating interest rate equal to LIBOR plus
400 basis points per annum through July 30, 2037. AFN received net
proceeds of approximately $26.6 million from this transaction.
-- On June 25, 2007, AFN completed a public offering of 8,000,000 shares
of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, at a public offering price
of $9.25 per share, net of placement fees and offering costs. AFN
received net proceeds of approximately $72.0 million from this
transaction.
-- On June 29, 2007, AFN completed a securitization of substantially all
of its existing residential mortgage loans by contributing the assets
to a pass-through securitization entity (or trust) that issued debt
securities in the capital markets collateralized by the mortgage loans
held by the trust. The residential mortgage loans held by the trust
are included in our consolidated financial statements. We used $1.1
billion of proceeds from the securitization to repay in full short-term
repurchase agreements that we had used to finance the portfolio on a
temporary basis. As of June 30, 2007, the Company is not financing any
residential mortgage loans with short-term repurchase agreements.
AFN utilized approximately $53 million of the net proceeds from the debt and equity transactions described above to pay down previously existing short- term debt arrangements. Additionally, in connection with the $140 million convertible debt offering AFN utilized $32.6 million of the proceeds to repurchase 3,410,600 shares of its common stock at $9.55 per share. AFN has utilized and plans to continue to utilize the net proceeds from these offerings to opportunistically invest in the target asset classes. As of June 30, 2007, AFN's consolidated financial statements include $113.7 million of cash and cash equivalents.
Share Repurchase
On August 3, 2007, AFN's Board of Directors has approved a share repurchase plan that authorizes AFN to purchase up to $50 million worth of AFN common shares. Under the plan, AFN may make purchases from time to time through open market or privately negotiated transactions. The timing and exact number of shares purchased will be determined at AFN's discretion and will depend on market conditions. This plan may be modified or discontinued at any time.
Dividend Summary
On June 4, 2007, AFN announced a cash dividend for the quarter ended June 30, 2007 of $0.31 per common share. The dividend was paid on June 25, 2007 to shareholders of record as of the close of business on June 15, 2007.
Conference Call
As previously announced, a conference call to discuss these financial results with investors and analysts will be held on August 8, 2007 at 10:00am ET. Interested parties can access the conference call by dialing 866-831-6272 or, for those calling from overseas, 617-213-8859 a few minutes in advance of the scheduled time. A replay of the conference call will be available for two weeks at 888-286-8010, passcode 99849328.
About Alesco Financial Inc.
Alesco Financial Inc. is a specialty finance REIT headquartered in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "AFN". Alesco Financial Inc. is externally managed by Cohen & Company Management, LLC, a subsidiary of Cohen & Company, a leading structured credit investment management firm. For more information, please visit http://www.alescofinancial.com/.
Forward-Looking Statements
Information set forth in this release contains forward-looking statements, which involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Alesco Financial Inc. cautions readers that any forward-looking information is not a guarantee of future performance and that actual results could differ materially from those contained or implied in the forward-looking information.
The following factors, among others, could cause actual results to differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements: the failure of Alesco Financial Inc. to successfully execute its business plans or gain access to additional financing, the availability of additional loan portfolios for future acquisition, continued qualification as a REIT and the cost of capital. Additional factors that may affect future results are contained in Alesco's filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC's web site http://www.sec.gov/ and Alesco Financial Inc.'s web site http://www.alescofinancial.com/. Alesco Financial Inc. disclaims any obligation to update and revise statements contained in these materials based on new information or otherwise.
Investors: Media:
John Longino Joseph Kuo
Chief Financial Officer Kekst and Company
215-701-9687 212-521-4863
We define adjusted earnings as net income/(loss) available to common stockholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, adjusted for the following non-cash items: non-cash equity compensation, provision for loan losses, realized and unrealized (gains)/losses on investments and derivative contracts, amortization of deferred financing costs, and realized (gains)/losses on sale of capital assets, net of derivative contract gains or losses. Adjusted Earnings is a non-GAAP financial measurement and does not purport to be an alternative to reported net income determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of operating performance or to cash flows from operating activities determined in accordance with GAAP as a measure of liquidity.
Management views adjusted earnings as a useful and appropriate supplement to net income/(loss) and earnings/(loss) per share because it enables management to evaluate our operating performance without the effects of certain adjustments in accordance with GAAP that management believes may not have a direct financial impact on our current operating performance. The most significant GAAP adjustments that we exclude in determining adjusted earnings are provision for loan losses, non-cash equity compensation, realized and unrealized (gains)/losses on investments and derivative contracts, and amortization of deferred financing costs. Each of these items is typically a non-cash charge. As a specialty finance company that focuses on investing in TruPS, leveraged loans, residential mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities, we record significant amortization of deferred financing costs associated with our CDO financing strategy and significant provision for loan losses associated with our leveraged loans and residential mortgage loans. Additionally, GAAP requires us to record in the income statement certain unrealized changes in the fair value of derivative contracts that hedge our indebtedness. Provision for loan losses, non-cash equity compensation, realized and unrealized (gains)/losses on investments and derivative contracts, and amortization of deferred financing costs do not affect our daily operations, but they do impact our financial results under GAAP. By measuring our performance using adjusted earnings and net income, we are able to evaluate how our business is performing both before and after giving effect to recurring GAAP adjustments such as those mentioned above and excluding gains or losses from the sale of capital assets that will no longer be part of investment portfolio.
Adjusted earnings should not be considered as an alternative to net income/(loss) or cash flows from operating activities (each computed in accordance with GAAP). Instead, adjusted earnings should be reviewed in connection with net income/(loss) and cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities in our consolidated financial statements to help analyze how our business is performing. Adjusted earnings and other supplemental performance measures are defined in various ways throughout the REIT industry. Investors should consider these differences when comparing our adjusted earnings to other REITs.
The table below reconciles the differences between reported net income/(loss) and adjusted earnings for the following periods (amounts in thousands, except share and per share information):
For the For the For the
Three-Month Three-Month Three-Month
Period Ended Period Ended Period Ended
June 30, March 31, June 30,
2007 2007 2006
Net income/(loss), as reported $(47,217) $11,778 $9,823
Add (deduct):
Provision for loan losses 2,751 1,669 11
Non-cash equity compensation 661 357 286
Realized and unrealized (gains)
/losses on derivative contracts (15,890) 1,785 (5,342)
Impairment on investments 74,443 - -
Realized losses on sale of
capital assets, net of
realized derivative gains 735 133 (20)
Amortization of deferred
financing costs 1,457 1,516 301
Adjusted Earnings $16,940 $17,238 $5,059
Adjusting Earnings per
share-diluted:
Diluted adjusted earnings
per share $0.31 $0.31 $0.36
Weighted-average shares
outstanding-Diluted 55,478,279 55,130,321 14,040,069
For the
For the Period from
Six-Month January 31,
Period Ended 2006 through
June 30, 2007 June 30, 2006
Net income/(loss), as reported $(35,439) $ 15,170
Add (deduct):
Provision for loan losses 4,420 139
Non-cash equity compensation 1,018 477
Realized and unrealized (gains)/losses
on derivative contracts (14,105) (8,375)
Impairment on investments 74,443 -
Realized losses on sale of capital assets,
net of realized derivative gains 868 (20)
Amortization of deferred financing costs 2,973 301
Adjusted Earnings $ 34,178 $7,692
Adjusting Earnings per share-diluted:
Diluted adjusted earnings per share $0.61 $0.55
Weighted-average shares
outstanding-Diluted 55,653,886 14,003,258
