ITEM 1. BUSINESS
Capstead Mortgage Corporation operates as a self-managed real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes (a “REIT”) and is based in Dallas, Texas. Unless the context otherwise indicates, Capstead Mortgage Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as “Capstead” or the “Company.” Capstead was incorporated in the state of Maryland in 1985 and its common and 7.50% Series E preferred shares are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “CMO” and “CMOPRE,” respectively.
Capstead’s investment strategy involves managing a leveraged portfolio of residential mortgage pass-through securities consisting almost exclusively of relatively short duration adjustable-rate mortgage (“ARM”) securities issued and guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises, either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (together, the “GSEs”), or by an agency of the federal government, Ginnie Mae. Residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by the GSEs or Ginnie Mae, referred to as “Agency Securities,” are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk because of federal government support for the GSEs. Duration is a measure of market price sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Declines in fair value caused by increases in interest rates are typically modest for investments in short duration ARM Agency Securities compared to investments in longer duration ARM or fixed-rate assets. These declines are generally recoverable in a relatively short period of time as coupon interest rates on the underlying mortgage loans reset to rates more reflective of the then current interest rate environment.
For further discussion of the Company’s business and financial condition, see Item 7 of this report, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Competition
As a residential mortgage REIT that focuses on investing in ARM Agency Securities, Capstead competes for the acquisition of suitable investments with other mortgage REITs, commercial banks, savings banks, insurance companies, and institutional investors such as private equity funds, mutual funds, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds. Many of these entities have lower yield requirements as well as greater financial resources and access to capital than the Company. In addition, the federal government, through the Federal Reserve, the GSEs and the Federal Home Loan Banks, has substantial holdings of primarily fixed-rate Agency Securities and the Federal Reserve is currently acquiring additional fixed-rate Agency Securities as well as U.S. Treasury securities. This expansion of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet is often referred to as quantitative easing, or QE. Increased competition for the acquisition of Agency Securities can result in higher pricing levels for such assets and lead to lower mortgage interest rates. Although higher pricing levels generally correspond to a higher book value per common share for the Company, higher pricing levels also generally result in lower portfolio yields, which could adversely affect future profitability. Lower mortgage interest rates can result in higher levels of mortgage prepayments, generally resulting in lower portfolio yields because of increases in investment premium amortization which can adversely affect current profitability.
The policy goals of the federal government may differ from the economic goals of other investors in Agency Securities. In December 2013 the Federal Reserve began reducing, or “tapering”, the monthly amount of fixed-rate Agency Securities it has been acquiring. Market expectations for the timing and extent of tapering led to higher mortgage interest rates and lower portfolio pricing levels the latter half of 2013. By the fourth quarter of 2013, mortgage prepayment levels declined improving the Company’s profitability even as book value per common share was negatively affected. Lower pricing levels also created opportunities to acquire assets at relatively attractive yields. In the future, the Federal Reserve or the GSEs may determine it is appropriate to reduce holdings of Agency Securities which could also result in lower pricing levels.
Regulation and Related Matters
Operating as a REIT that primarily invests in Agency Securities subjects Capstead to various federal tax and regulatory requirements. For further discussion, see Item 7 of this report, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” on pages 28 through 32 under the captions “Risks Related to Capstead’s Status as a REIT and Other Tax Matters” and “Risk Factors Related to Capstead’s Corporate Structure,” which is incorporated herein by reference.
Employees
As of December 31, 2013, Capstead had 13 full-time employees and one part-time employee.
Website Access to Company Reports and Other Company Information
Capstead makes available on its website at www.capstead.com, free of charge, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, investor presentations and press releases, including any amendments to such documents as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed or furnished to the SEC or otherwise publicly released.
Investors may also read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet site (www.sec.gov) through which investors may view reports, proxy and information statements, and other information filed with the SEC.
The Company also makes available on its website charters for the committees of its board of directors, its Board of Directors’ Guidelines, its Amended and Restated Bylaws, its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, its Financial Code of Professional Conduct and other information, including amendments to such documents and waivers, if any, to the codes. Such information will also be furnished, free of charge, upon written request to Capstead Mortgage Corporation, Attention: Stockholder Relations, 8401 North Central Expressway, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75225-4404.
Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “will be,” “will likely continue,” “will likely result,” or words or phrases of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following:
• changes in general economic conditions;
• fluctuations in interest rates and levels of mortgage prepayments;
• the effectiveness of risk management strategies;
• the impact of differing levels of leverage employed;
• liquidity of secondary markets and credit markets;
• the availability of financing at reasonable levels and terms to support investing at current leverage levels;
• the availability of new investment capital;
• the availability of suitable qualifying investments from both an investment return and regulatory perspective;
• changes in legislation or regulation affecting the GSEs, Ginnie Mae and similar federal government agencies and related guarantees;
•
other changes in legislation or regulation affecting the mortgage and banking industries;
• changes in market conditions as a result of Federal Reserve monetary policy or federal government fiscal challenges;
• deterioration in credit quality and ratings of existing or future issuances of GSE or Ginnie Mae securities;
• changes in legislation or regulation affecting exemptions for mortgage REITs from regulation under the Investment Company Act of 1940; and
• increases in costs and other general competitive factors.
In addition to the above considerations, actual results and liquidity are affected by other risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to be significantly different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements included herein. It is not possible to identify all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect future results. In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed herein may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement is made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. Accordingly, readers of this document are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included herein.
ITEM 1A.
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Critical Accounting Policies” on pages 23 through 31 and 31 through 34, respectively, of Item 7 are discussions of risk factors and critical accounting policies affecting Capstead’s financial condition and results of operations that are an integral part of this report. Readers are strongly urged to consider the potential impact of these factors and accounting policies on the Company while reading this document.
ITEM 1B.
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.
ITEM 2.
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
Capstead’s headquarters are located in Dallas, Texas in office space leased by the Company.
ITEM 3.
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
None.
ITEM 4.
ITEM 4. MINING SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II
ITEM 5.
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
The New York Stock Exchange trading symbol for Capstead’s common shares is CMO. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had 1,259 common stockholders of record and depository companies held common shares for 48,420 beneficial owners. Under the caption “Common Share Repurchases” on page 8 of Item 7 are disclosures relative to a $100 million common share repurchase authorization announced in October 2012, which are incorporated herein by reference.
The high and low sales prices and dividends declared on the common shares were as follows:
Set forth below is a graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total return on Capstead common shares, with the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Index and the NAREIT Mortgage REIT Index for the five years ended December 31, 2013 assuming the investment of $100 on December 31, 2008 and the reinvestment of dividends. The stock price and dividend performance reflected in the graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
See Item 11 of this report for information regarding equity compensation plans which is incorporated herein by reference. Capstead did not issue any unregistered securities during the past three fiscal years.
ITEM 6.
ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
This table summarizes selected financial information, including key operating data (in thousands, except percentages, ratios and per share data). For additional information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included under Item 8 and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included under Item 7
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Overview
Capstead operates as a self-managed REIT and earns income from investing in a leveraged portfolio of residential mortgage pass-through securities consisting almost exclusively of relatively short duration ARM Agency Securities, which are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk. This strategy of investing in ARM Agency Securities that reset to more current interest rates within a relatively short period of time positions the Company to benefit from potential recoveries in financing spreads diminished during periods of rising interest rates and can result in smaller fluctuations in portfolio values compared to portfolios containing a significant amount of longer duration ARM or fixed-rate mortgage securities (duration is a common measure of market price sensitivity to interest rate movements).
Capstead finances its investments with borrowings under repurchase arrangements with commercial banks and other financial institutions supported by its long-term investment capital, which as of December 31, 2013 totaled $1.47 billion and consisted of $1.20 billion of common and $166 million of perpetual preferred stockholders’ equity (recorded amounts) and $100 million of long-term unsecured borrowings. Long-term investment capital decreased by $131 million during 2013 primarily as a result of portfolio runoff and lower portfolio pricing levels, net of higher pricing levels for interest rate swap agreements held for hedging purposes ($75 million), and the June 2013 redemption of the Company’s higher cost Series A and B preferred shares using proceeds from the May 2013 issuance of its 7.50% Series E perpetual preferred shares and cash on hand ($43 million). Other contributing factors included early first quarter common share repurchases ($7 million) and dividend payments in excess of earnings ($10 million) partially offset by other operational factors and Series E preferred capital raised late in the year using an at-the-market continuous offering program.
Taking advantage of relatively sharp increases in longer-term interest rates that began in May 2013, Capstead replaced most of its portfolio runoff at relatively attractive levels and did not sell any mortgage assets during 2013. The recorded value of Capstead’s holdings of ARM Agency Securities decreased by $384 million to $13.48 billion at December 31, 2013, $101 million of which is attributable to the elimination of unrealized gains on investments that paid off and a 56 basis point decline in portfolio pricing levels as the market adjusted to higher prevailing longer-term interest rates. Borrowings under repurchase arrangements decreased by $301 million during 2013 to $12.48 billion. Portfolio leverage (borrowings under repurchase arrangements divided by long-term investment capital) increased to 8.52 to one at December 31, 2013 from 8.00 to one at December 31, 2012 primarily reflecting the decline in long-term investment capital noted above. Management believes borrowing at current levels represents an appropriate and prudent use of leverage under current market conditions for a portfolio consisting almost entirely of relatively short duration and well-seasoned ARM Agency Securities.
Capstead reported net income of $126 million or $0.93 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2013 compared to $164 million or $1.50 per diluted common share in 2012. Net income per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2013 includes $0.23 in redemption preference premiums paid and other one-time effects of the second quarter’s preferred capital transactions; excluding these items, core earnings were $1.16 per diluted common share. See pages 8 and 14 for further information and a reconciliation of these GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.
Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments averaged 107 basis points for 2013, compared to 138 basis points for 2012. Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments is a non-GAAP financial measure based solely on yields on residential mortgage investments, net of borrowing rates on repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings, adjusted for currently-paying interest rate swap agreements held for hedging purposes. This measure differs from total financing spreads, an all-inclusive GAAP measure that includes yields on all interest-earning assets, as well as rates paid on all interest-bearing liabilities, principally unsecured borrowings. See page 14 for a reconciliation of these GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures. Lower financing spreads reflect (a) lower cash yields on the portfolio because of the effects of ARM loan coupon interest rates resetting lower to more current rates as well as lower coupon interest rates on acquisitions, and (b) higher investment premium amortization primarily because of higher levels of mortgage prepayments during the first three quarters of 2013, as well as higher prices paid for portfolio acquisitions in recent years. Borrowing rates were modestly lower as older, higher rate interest rate swap positions used for hedging purposes were replaced at lower rates.
Incentive compensation, salaries and benefits and other general and administrative expense (referred to as “operating costs”) as a percentage of long-term investment capital averaged 89 basis points for 2013, compared to 97 basis points during 2012. Operating costs were lower during 2013 primarily reflecting lower incentive compensation.
The size and composition of Capstead’s investment portfolio depends on investment strategies being implemented by management, as well as overall market conditions, including the availability of attractively priced investments and suitable financing to leverage the Company’s investment capital. Market conditions are influenced by, among other things, current levels of, and expectations for future levels of, short-term interest rates, mortgage prepayments and market liquidity.
Risk Factors and Critical Accounting Policies
Under the captions “Risk Factors” and “Critical Accounting Policies” are discussions of risk factors and critical accounting policies affecting Capstead’s financial condition and earnings that are an integral part of this discussion and analysis. Readers are strongly urged to consider the potential impact of these factors and accounting policies on the Company and its financial results.
Issuance of 7.50% Series E and Redemption of Series A and B Perpetual Preferred Shares
In May 2013 Capstead completed a public offering of 6.8 million shares ($170 million face amount) of its 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25.00 per share. Net proceeds of the offering, after underwriting fees and other costs, totaled $164 million and together with $43 million of cash on hand were used to fund the June 2013 redemption of 77,000 and 16.5 million of the Company’s Series A and B perpetual preferred shares, respectively. Stockholders holding the remaining Series A and B shares outstanding prior to announcing the redemption exercised their conversion rights resulting in the issuance of 201,000 common shares. The preferred shares that were redeemed had redemption preferences aggregating $207 million, a total of $20 million in excess of these shares’ recorded amounts on the Company’s balance sheet. This redemption preference premium is reflected as a $0.21 per common share reduction in net income available to common stockholders for the year ended December 31, 2013. As a result of these transactions, net income available to common stockholders and net income per diluted common share have begun benefiting from an annualized $8 million in lower preferred dividend requirements (nearly $0.09 per diluted common share).
In late 2013 the Company issued an additional 61,000 Series E preferred shares through an at-the-market continuous offering program at an average price of $23.78, net of expenses, for net proceeds of over $1 million. The Company may raise modest additional amounts of Series E preferred capital in the future under this program subject to compliance with federal securities laws, market conditions and blackout periods associated with the dissemination of earnings and dividend announcements and other important Company-specific news.
Common Share Repurchases
In late 2012 Capstead implemented a $100 million common share repurchase program and suspended its common share continuous offering program until further notice. Purchases pursuant to the common share repurchase program can be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions from time to time as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases are determined by the Company in its discretion and are subject to economic and market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors.
Pursuant to this authorization, in late 2012 repurchases totaled 3 million common shares at an average cost of $11.80 per share for $35 million. An additional 638,000 shares were repurchased in early January 2013 at an average cost of $11.43 per share for $7 million, leaving $58 million of the authorization available for future repurchases. The authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common shares and the program may be suspended or discontinued at the Company’s discretion without prior notice. Upon suspension of the repurchase program, issuances of common shares under the continuous offering program or by other means may resume subject to the same restraints noted above.
Book Value per Common Share
Nearly all of Capstead’s residential mortgage investments and all of its interest rate swap agreements are reflected at fair value on the Company’s balance sheet and are therefore included in the calculation of book value per common share (total stockholders’ equity, less aggregate liquidation preferences for preferred shares, divided by common shares outstanding). The fair value of these investments is impacted by market conditions, including changes in interest rates, and the availability of financing at reasonable rates and leverage levels, among other factors. The Company’s investment strategy attempts to mitigate these risks by focusing on investments in Agency Securities, which are considered to have little, if any, credit risk and are collateralized by ARM loans with interest rates that reset periodically to more current levels. Because of these characteristics, the fair value of Capstead’s portfolio is considerably less vulnerable to significant pricing declines caused by credit concerns or rising interest rates compared to portfolios containing a significant amount of non-agency and/or fixed-rate mortgage securities. The following table illustrates the progression of the Company’s book value per common share for the indicated periods:
Residential Mortgage Investments
Capstead’s investment strategy focuses on managing a large portfolio of residential mortgage investments consisting almost exclusively of ARM Agency Securities. Agency Securities are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk because the timely payment of principal and interest is guaranteed by the GSEs, which are federally chartered corporations, or Ginnie Mae, which is an agency of the federal government. Federal government support for the GSEs has largely alleviated market concerns regarding the ability of the GSEs to fulfill their guarantee obligations. By focusing on investing in relatively short duration and well-seasoned ARM Agency Securities, declines in fair value caused by increases in interest rates are typically relatively modest compared to investments in longer duration ARM or fixed-rate assets. These declines are generally recoverable in a relatively short period of time as coupon interest rates on the underlying mortgage loans reset to rates more reflective of the then current interest rate environment. This investment strategy positions the Company to benefit from potential recoveries in financing spreads diminished during periods of rising short-term interest rates. The following table illustrates the progression of the Company’s portfolio of residential mortgage investments for the indicated periods (dollars in thousands):
* Residential mortgage investments typically are acquired at a premium to the securities’ unpaid principal balances. Investment premiums are recognized in earnings as portfolio yield adjustments using the interest method over the estimated lives of the related investments. As such, the level of mortgage prepayments impacts how quickly investment premiums are amortized.
ARM securities are backed by residential mortgage loans that have coupon interest rates that adjust at least annually to more current interest rates or begin doing so after an initial fixed-rate period. After the initial fixed-rate period, if applicable, mortgage loans underlying the Company’s ARM securities either (i) adjust annually based on specified margins over the one-year Constant Maturity U.S. Treasury Note Rate (“CMT”) or the one-year London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”), (ii) adjust semiannually based on specified margins over six-month LIBOR, or (iii) adjust monthly based on specified margins over indices such as one-month LIBOR, the Eleventh District Federal Reserve Bank Cost of Funds Index, or over a rolling twelve month average of the one-year CMT index, usually subject to periodic and lifetime limits, or caps, on the amount of such adjustments during any single interest rate adjustment period and over the contractual term of the underlying loans.
Capstead classifies its ARM securities based on the average length of time until the loans underlying each security reset to more current rates (“months-to-roll”) (less than 18 months for “current-reset” ARM securities, and 18 months or greater for “longer-to-reset” ARM securities). After consideration of any applicable initial fixed-rate periods, at December 31, 2013 approximately 83%, 10% and 7% of the Company’s ARM securities were backed by mortgage loans that reset annually, semi-annually and monthly, respectively. Approximately 87% of the Company’s current-reset ARM securities have reached an initial coupon reset date, while none of its longer-to-reset ARM securities have reached an initial coupon reset date. Additionally, at December 31, 2013 approximately 16% of the Company’s ARM securities were backed by interest-only loans that have not reached an initial coupon reset date. All percentages are approximate and based on averages of the characteristics of mortgage loans underlying each security and calculated using unpaid principal balances as of the indicated date. The Company’s ARM holdings featured the following characteristics at December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):
(a) Capstead classifies its ARM securities based on the average length of time until the loans underlying each security reset to more current rates (“months-to-roll”) (less than 18 months for “current-reset” ARM securities, and 18 months or greater for “longer-to-reset” ARM securities). Once an ARM loan reaches its initial reset date, it will reset at least once a year to a margin over a corresponding interest rate index, subject to periodic and lifetime limits or caps.
(b) Amortized cost basis represents the Company’s investment (unpaid principal balance plus unamortized investment premiums) before unrealized gains and losses. As of December 31, 2013, the ratio of amortized cost basis to related unpaid principal balance for the Company’s ARM securities was 103.26. This table excludes $2 million in fixed-rate Agency Securities, $3 million in fixed-rate residential mortgage loans and $2 million in private residential mortgage pass-through securities held as collateral for structured financings.
(c) Net WAC, or weighted average coupon, is the weighted average interest rate of the mortgage loans underlying the indicated investments, net of servicing and other fees as of the indicated date. Net WAC is expressed as a percentage calculated on an annualized basis on the unpaid principal balances of the mortgage loans underlying these investments. Fully indexed WAC represents the weighted average coupon upon one or more resets using interest rate indexes and net margins as of the indicated date. Average net margins represent the weighted average levels over the underlying indexes that the underlying loans can adjust to upon reset, usually subject to initial, periodic and/or lifetime limits, or caps, on the amount of such adjustments during any single interest rate adjustment period and over the contractual term of the underlying loans. ARM securities issued by the GSEs with initial fixed-rate periods of five years or longer typically have 500 basis point initial caps with 200 basis point periodic caps. Additionally, certain ARM securities held by the Company are subject only to lifetime caps or were not subject to a cap. For presentation purposes, average periodic caps in the table above reflect initial caps until after an ARM security has reached its initial reset date and lifetime caps, less related current net WAC, for ARM securities subject only to lifetime caps. At year-end, 73% of current-reset ARMs were subject to periodic caps averaging 1.82%; 13% were subject to initial caps averaging 2.67%; 13% were subject to lifetime caps, less related current net WAC, averaging 7.63%; and 1% were not subject to a cap. All longer-to-reset ARM securities at December 31, 2013 were subject to initial caps.
(d) Gross WAC is the weighted average interest rate of the mortgage loans underlying the indicated investments, which includes servicing and other fees paid by borrowers, as of the indicated balance sheet date.
Capstead generally pledges its residential mortgage investments as collateral under repurchase arrangements with commercial banks and other financial institutions, referred to as counterparties, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis when each borrowing is initiated or renewed. None of the Company’s counterparties are obligated to renew or otherwise enter into new repurchase transactions at the conclusion of existing repurchase transactions. Repurchase arrangements entered into by the Company involve the sale and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets at a future date, typically with terms of 30 to 90 days, and are accounted for as financings by the Company. The Company maintains the beneficial interest in the specific securities pledged during the term of the repurchase arrangement and receives the related principal and interest payments. The amount borrowed is generally equal to the fair value of the assets pledged, as determined by the lending counterparty, less an agreed-upon discount, referred to as a “haircut.” Haircuts on outstanding borrowings averaged 4.5 percent and ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 percent of the fair value of pledged residential mortgage pass-through securities at December 31, 2013, little changed from the prior year. After considering haircuts and related interest receivable on the collateral, as well as interest payable on these borrowings, the Company had $666 million of capital at risk with its lending counterparties as of December 31, 2013.
Interest rates charged on repurchase arrangements are fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings, and interest is paid at the termination of the repurchase arrangement at which time the Company may enter into a new repurchase arrangement at prevailing market rates with the same counterparty or repay that counterparty and negotiate financing with a different counterparty. When the fair value of pledged securities declines due to changes in market conditions or the publishing of monthly security pay down factors, lenders typically require the Company to post additional securities as collateral, pay down borrowings or fund cash margin accounts with the counterparties in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls. Conversely, if collateral fair values increase, lenders are required to release collateral back to the Company pursuant to Company-issued margin calls.
The Company’s borrowings under repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings at December 31, 2013 consisted of $12.48 billion of primarily 30-day borrowings with 22 counterparties at average rates of 0.38%, before the effects of interest rate swap agreements held as cash flow hedges and 0.49% including the effects of these derivatives.
To help mitigate exposure to higher short-term interest rates, Capstead typically uses currently-paying and forward-starting, one-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements that require interest payments for two-year terms. Variable payments received by the Company under these swap agreements offset a significant portion of the interest accruing on a like amount of the Company’s 30- to 90-day borrowings. As a result, the Company’s effective borrowing rate for these borrowings consists of fixed-rate payments made on the swap agreements adjusted for differences between variable rate payments received on the swap agreements and related actual borrowing rates, as well as the effects of measured hedge ineffectiveness.
At December 31, 2013, the Company held portfolio financing-related swap agreements totaling $6.70 billion notional amount with average contract expirations of 18 months. These swap positions consisted of (a) $4.20 billion notional amount in currently-paying swap agreements requiring the payment of fixed rates of interest averaging 0.50% for average remaining interest-payment terms of 14 months and (b) $2.50 billion notional amount in forward-starting swap agreements that will begin requiring fixed rate interest payments averaging 0.50% for two-year periods that commence on various dates between January 2014 and April 2014, with average contract expirations of 25 months. After consideration of all portfolio financing-related swap positions entered into as of year-end, the Company’s residential mortgage investments and related borrowings had estimated durations at December 31, 2013 of 11¾ months and 9¾ months, respectively, for a net duration gap of approximately 2 months - see pages 21 and 22 under the caption “Interest Rate Risk” for further information about the Company’s sensitivity to changes in market interest rates. The Company intends to continue to manage interest rate risk associated with holding and financing its residential mortgage investments by utilizing suitable derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements as well as longer-dated repurchase arrangements if available at attractive terms.
Components of quarterly financing spreads on residential mortgage investments, a non-GAAP financial measure, and mortgage prepayment rates, expressed as an annualized constant prepayment rate, or “CPR,” were as follows for the indicated periods:
(a) Cash yields are based on the cash component of interest income. Investment premium amortization is determined using the interest method which incorporates actual and anticipated future mortgage prepayments. Both are expressed as a percentage calculated on an annualized basis on average amortized cost basis for the indicated periods.
(b) Unhedged borrowing rates represent average rates on repurchase agreements and similar borrowings, before consideration of related currently-paying interest rate swap agreements.
Fixed swap rates represent the average fixed-rate payments made on currently-paying interest rate swap agreements used to hedge short-term borrowing rates and exclude differences between LIBOR-based variable-rate payments received on these swaps and unhedged borrowing rates, as well as the effects of any hedge ineffectiveness. These differences averaged 19 and 14 basis points on average currently-paying swap notional amounts outstanding during 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Adjusted borrowing rates reflect unhedged borrowing rates, fixed swap rates and the above-mentioned differences, calculated on average related borrowings outstanding for the indicated periods.
Cash yields declined during 2013 reflecting lower coupon interest rates on mortgage loans underlying the Company’s holdings of ARM securities resulting from changes in portfolio composition due to acquisitions and portfolio runoff as well as ARM loan coupon resets. Declines in coupon interest rates because of ARM coupon resets have moderated as an increasing number of these loans approach fully-indexed levels. Investment premium amortization is primarily driven by changes in mortgage prepayment rates and investment premium levels. Mortgage prepayment levels decreased significantly in September and October 2013 after peaking earlier in the third quarter, resulting in a corresponding decline in the yield adjustment necessary for investment premium amortization. The availability of low mortgage rates and rising housing prices spurred mortgage refinancing activity contributing to higher levels of mortgage prepayments during the latter half of 2012 and through much of 2013. With mortgage rates beginning to increase in May 2013, refinancing opportunities began receding leading to falling prepayment levels as committed loan closings were fulfilled by mortgage originators. Because of higher prices paid in recent years for acquisitions as well as runoff of older, lower-basis securities, the Company’s cost basis in its portfolio (expressed as a ratio of amortized cost basis to unpaid principal balance) increased 17 basis points during 2013 to 103.26 at December 31, 2013. A higher cost basis in the portfolio contributes over time to larger yield adjustments for investment premium amortization.
Unhedged borrowing rates receded modestly during 2013 from the higher levels experienced the latter half of 2012 in part reflecting lower market demands for borrowings under repurchase arrangements. Fixed swap rates continued trending lower with the maturity of higher rate interest rate swap agreements. During the year ended December 31, 2013, $2.90 billion notional amount of swap agreements with average fixed rates of 0.85% matured and were replaced with a like amount of two-year swap agreements with average fixed rates of 0.47%. See NOTE 7 to the consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the Company’s currently-paying and forward-starting swap agreements.
Reconciliation of Financing Spreads on Residential Mortgage Investments to Total Financing Spreads
Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments differs from total financing spreads, an all-inclusive GAAP measure, that is based on all interest-earning assets and all interest-paying liabilities. The Company believes that presenting financing spreads on residential mortgage investments provides useful information for evaluating the performance of this portfolio. The following tables reconciles these two measures for the indicated periods:
* Other interest-earning assets consist of overnight investments and cash collateral receivable from interest rate swap counterparties. Other interest-paying liabilities consist of long-term unsecured borrowings (at an average borrowing rate of 8.49%) that the Company considers a component of its long-term investment capital and cash collateral payable to interest rate swap counterparties.
Reconciliation of Core Earnings to Net Income per Diluted Common Share
Core earnings per diluted common share is a non-GAAP financial measure that differs from the related GAAP measure of net income per diluted common share by excluding certain one-time effects of the second quarter 2013 preferred capital redemption and issuance transactions as detailed below. Management believes presenting this metric on a core earnings basis provides useful, comparative information for evaluating the Company’s performance. The following table reconciles this measure for the year ended December 31, 2013:
Utilization of Long-term Investment Capital and Potential Liquidity
Capstead’s investment strategy is to manage a conservatively leveraged portfolio of ARM Agency Securities that can produce attractive risk-adjusted returns over the long term, while reducing, but not eliminating, sensitivity to changes in interest rates. Borrowings under repurchase arrangements generally can be increased or decreased on a daily basis to meet cash flow requirements and otherwise manage capital resources efficiently. Consequently, potential liquidity inherent in the Company’s unencumbered residential mortgage investments is as important as the actual level of cash and cash equivalents carried on the balance sheet. Potential liquidity is affected by, among other things, current portfolio leverage levels; changes in market value of assets pledged and interest rate swap agreements held for hedging purposes as determined by lending and swap counterparties; principal prepayments; collateral requirements of lenders and swap counterparties; and general conditions in the commercial banking and mortgage finance industries. Future levels of portfolio leverage will be dependent upon many factors, including the size and composition of the Company’s investment portfolio (see “Liquidity and Capital Resources”). The Company’s utilization of its long-term investment capital and its estimated potential liquidity were as follows as of December 31, 2013 in comparison with December 31, 2012 (in thousands):
(a) Investments are stated at balance sheet carrying amounts, which generally reflect estimated fair value as of the indicated dates.
(b) Potential liquidity is based on maximum amounts of borrowings available under existing uncommitted repurchase arrangements considering management’s estimate of the fair value of related collateral as of the indicated dates adjusted for other sources of liquidity such as cash and cash equivalents.
(c) Portfolio leverage is expressed as the ratio of repurchase agreements and similar borrowings (Related Borrowings in the table above) to long-term investment capital (total Capital Employed in the table above).
(d) Cash collateral receivable from swap counterparties is presented net of cash collateral payable to swap counterparties, if applicable, and the fair value of interest rate swap positions as of the indicated date.
In order to prudently and efficiently manage its liquidity and capital resources, Capstead attempts to maintain sufficient liquidity reserves to fund borrowing and interest rate swap margin calls under stressed market conditions, including margin calls resulting from monthly principal payments (remitted to the Company 20 to 45 days after any given month-end), as well as reasonably possible declines in the market value of pledged assets and swap positions. Should market conditions deteriorate, management may reduce portfolio leverage and therefore increase liquidity by raising new equity capital, selling mortgage securities and/or curtailing the replacement of portfolio runoff. Additionally, the Company routinely does business with a large number of lending counterparties, which bolsters financial flexibility to address challenging market conditions and limits exposure to any individual counterparty.
Despite relatively sharp increases in longer-term interest rates that began during the second quarter of 2013, Capstead replaced most of its portfolio runoff and did not sell any mortgage assets during 2013. Portfolio leverage increased to 8.52 to one at December 31, 2013 from 8.00 to one at December 31, 2012 and potential liquidity declined by $120 million during the year. This reflects declines in long-term investment capital primarily resulting from portfolio runoff and lower portfolio pricing levels, net of higher pricing levels for interest rate swap agreements held for hedging purposes, and the June 2013 redemption of the Company’s Series A and B preferred shares using proceeds from the May issuance of its 7.50% Series E preferred shares and $43 million in cash on hand. Management believes current portfolio leverage levels represent an appropriate and prudent use of leverage under current market conditions for a portfolio consisting almost entirely of short duration and well-seasoned ARM Agency Securities.
Tax Considerations of Dividends Paid on Capstead Common and Preferred Shares
Capstead’s common and preferred dividend distributions are characterized as ordinary income or non-taxable return of capital based on the relative amounts of the Company’s earnings and profits (taxable income, with certain prescribed adjustments) compared to total distributions applicable to a given tax year. Distributions in excess of earnings and profits, if any, are characterized as non-taxable return of capital, reducing the tax basis of the related shares. If the Company were to realize gains on sales of assets, a portion of its dividends may be characterized as long term capital gains. Except in limited circumstances, none of the Company’s dividends will be considered qualifying dividends eligible to be taxed at a reduced dividend tax rate. All dividends taxable in 2013, 2012 and 2011 are characterized as ordinary income. In accordance with the spillover distribution provisions of IRC 857(b)(9), $0.214753 of the fourth quarter 2013 common dividend of $0.31 paid in January 2014 was taxable in 2013 and the remaining $0.095247 is expected to be taxable in 2014. Similarly, $0.286266 of the fourth quarter 2012 dividend of $0.30 paid in January 2013 was taxable in 2012 and $0.013734 is taxable in 2013. Dividend characterization for all tax years is available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.capstead.com. Due to the complex nature of applicable tax rules, it is recommended that stockholders consult their tax advisors to ensure proper tax treatment of dividends received.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations
At December 31, 2013, Capstead did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements. The Company’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
* Repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings include an interest component based on contractual rates in effect at year-end. Obligations under interest rate swap agreements are net of variable-rate payments owed to the Company under the agreements’ terms that are based on market interest rate expectations as of year-end. Excluded from consideration are an estimated $11 million in variable-rate payments expected to be received beginning in 2019 in excess of related fixed-rate payment obligations. This presentation excludes acquisitions of investments and any other contractual obligations committed to subsequent to year-end.
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
(a) Consists principally of interest on unsecured borrowings and is presented net of earnings of related statutory trusts. These affiliates were dissolved in December 2013.
(b) The 2013 return on common equity capital excluding the effects on net income per diluted common share of the second quarter 2013 preferred capital redemptions was 8.80%.
2013 Compared to 2012
Capstead’s net income totaled $126 million or $0.93 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2013, compared to $164 million or $1.50 per diluted common share for 2012. Net income per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2013 includes $0.23 in redemption preference premiums paid and other one-time effects of the second quarter’s preferred capital transactions; excluding these items, core earnings were $1.16 per diluted common share. See pages 8 and 14 for further information and a reconciliation of these GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures.
Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments averaged 1.07% during 2013, a 22% decline from 1.38% reported for 2012. Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments is a non-GAAP financial measure based solely on yields on the Company’s residential mortgage investments, net of borrowing rates on repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings, adjusted for currently-paying interest rate swap agreements held for hedging purposes. This measure differs from total financing spreads, an all-inclusive GAAP measure that includes yields on all interest-earning assets, as well as rates paid on all interest-bearing liabilities, principally unsecured borrowings. See page 14 for a reconciliation of these GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures. Lower financing spreads reflect (a) lower cash yields on the portfolio because of the effects of ARM loan coupon interest rates resetting lower to more current rates as well as lower coupon interest rates on acquisitions, and (b) higher investment premium amortization because of higher levels of mortgage prepayments as well as higher prices paid for portfolio acquisitions in recent years. Borrowing rates were modestly lower as older, higher rate interest rate swap agreements used for hedging purposes were replaced at lower rates. Although unchanged year over year at 39 basis points, unhedged borrowing rates declined from levels experienced the latter half of 2012 in response to improving market conditions for short-term borrowings.
Yields on residential mortgage securities averaged 1.59% during 2013, which was 35 basis points lower than yields reported for 2012. Cash yields averaged 2.52% during 2013, which was 15 basis points lower than cash yields reported for 2012. Investment premium amortization totaled $126 million for 2013, representing yield adjustments of 93 basis points, compared to amortization of $97 million or 73 basis points for 2012. Approximately 83% of the increase in investment premium amortization is attributable to higher levels of mortgage prepayments due largely to relatively low mortgage interest rates available through early May of 2013. The remaining increase primarily attributable to increases in the cost basis of the portfolio. See page 13 for further discussion of the effects of mortgage prepayments on yields during 2013.
Borrowing rates on repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings, adjusted for interest rate hedging transactions, averaged 0.52% during 2013, a decrease of four basis points from 2012. Before adjusting for the effects of interest rate swap agreements held as cash flow hedges, rates on these borrowings averaged 0.39% during 2013, unchanged from rates reported for 2012. Market rates for borrowings under repurchase arrangements increased throughout 2012 while trending lower during 2013 due to changes in market conditions, including less competition for borrowings as a result of significant declines in portfolio holdings experienced by the Company’s mortgage REIT peers. Rates on $4.00 billion of the Company’s average borrowings during 2013 were largely fixed through the use of interest rate swap agreements. The corresponding amount was $3.79 billion for 2012. Fixed-rate payment requirements on the Company’s currently-paying swap positions, before certain adjustments including changes in spreads between variable rates on the swap agreements and related actual borrowings and the effects of measured hedge ineffectiveness, averaged 0.62% for 2013, which was 17 basis points lower than rates reported for 2012, reflecting the expiration of older, higher-rate swaps that were replaced at lower rates.
Operating costs as a percentage of long-term investment capital averaged 0.89% during 2013, which was eight basis points lower than reported for 2012. The decline is largely attributable to a 29% decline in short-term incentive compensation, reflecting lower accruals under the Company’s incentive compensation programs, which were substantially revised during 2013. See NOTE 12 to the accompanying consolidated financial statements for additional information regarding the Company’s compensation programs.
2012 Compared to 2011
Capstead’s net income totaled $164 million or $1.50 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2012, compared to $160 million or $1.75 per diluted common share for 2011. Net income per diluted common share declined 14% year over year, even as net income increased 2%, primarily reflecting a 19% increase in average common shares outstanding resulting from raising $374 million in new common equity capital during the past two years.
Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments averaged 1.38% during 2012, an 18% decline from 1.68% reported for 2011. Lower financing spreads during 2012 reflect (a) lower cash yields on the portfolio because of the effects of ARM loan coupon interest rates underlying the portfolio resetting lower to more current rates as well as lower coupon interest rates on acquisitions, and (b) higher investment premium amortization primarily because of higher levels of mortgage prepayments as well as higher prices paid for portfolio acquisitions in recent years. The effect on financing spreads of lower portfolio yields in 2012 was not offset by lower borrowing rates as the benefits of replacing expiring higher cost interest rate swap agreements with additional two-year term swap agreements at more favorable rates were offset by increases in unhedged borrowing rates.
Yields on residential mortgage securities averaged 1.94% during 2012, which was 30 basis points lower than yields reported for 2011. Cash yields averaged 2.67% during 2012, which was 20 basis points lower than cash yields reported for the same period in 2011. Investment premium amortization totaled $97 million in 2012, representing a yield adjustment of 73 basis points, compared to amortization of $68 million or 63 basis points for 2011. Approximately 75% of the increase in investment premium amortization is attributable to higher levels of mortgage prepayments due largely to lower prevailing mortgage interest rates with the remaining increase attributable to increases in the cost basis of the portfolio.
Borrowing rates on repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings, adjusted for interest rate hedging transactions, averaged 0.56% during 2012, unchanged from rates reported for 2011. Before adjustment for the effects of interest rate swap agreements held as cash flow hedges, rates on these borrowings averaged 0.39% during 2012, which was 11 basis points higher than rates reported for 2011 due to a variety of market factors, including competition for borrowings with the recent growth of the mortgage REIT industry. Rates on approximately $3.79 billion of the Company’s average borrowings during 2012 were hedged through the use of interest rate swap agreements. The corresponding amount was $3.73 billion for 2011. Fixed-rate payment requirements on the Company’s currently-paying swap positions, before certain adjustments including the effects of measured hedge ineffectiveness and changes in spreads between variable rates on the swap agreements and related actual borrowings, averaged 0.79% for 2012, which was 21 basis points lower than rates reported for 2011.
Operating costs as a percentage of long-term investment capital averaged 0.97% during 2012, which was 30 basis points lower than reported for 2011. This decline is attributable to a 22% increase in average long-term investment capital and a 24% decrease in short-term incentive compensation. Miscellaneous other revenue (expense) for 2012 includes $44,000 of gains on sales, net of operating costs, related to the disposition of the last of the Company’s commercial real estate investments. This activity lost $747,000 in 2011, which included a $470,000 impairment charge.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
Capstead’s primary sources of funds are borrowings under repurchase arrangements and monthly principal and interest payments on its investments. Other sources of funds may include proceeds from debt and equity offerings and asset sales. The Company generally uses its liquidity to pay down borrowings under repurchase arrangements to reduce borrowing costs and otherwise efficiently manage its long-term investment capital. Because the level of these borrowings can generally be adjusted on a daily basis, the Company’s potential liquidity inherent in its unencumbered residential mortgage investments is as important as the level of cash and cash equivalents carried on the balance sheet. The table included under “Utilization of Long-term Investment Capital and Potential Liquidity” on page 15 illustrates management’s estimate of additional funds potentially available to the Company as of December 31, 2013 and the accompanying discussion provides insight into the Company’s perspective on the appropriate level of portfolio leverage to employ under current market conditions. The Company currently believes that it has sufficient liquidity and capital resources available for the acquisition of additional investments when considered appropriate, any additional common share repurchases, repayments on borrowings and the payment of cash dividends as required for the Company’s continued qualification as a REIT. It is the Company’s policy to remain strongly capitalized and conservatively leveraged.
Capstead generally pledges its residential mortgage investments as collateral under repurchase arrangements, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis with commercial banks and other financial institutions, referred to as counterparties, when each borrowing is initiated or renewed. None of the Company’s counterparties are obligated to renew or otherwise enter into new repurchase transactions at the conclusion of existing repurchase transactions. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had uncommitted repurchase facilities with a variety of lending counterparties to finance its portfolio, subject to certain conditions, and had borrowings outstanding with 22 of these counterparties. Amounts available to be borrowed under these arrangements are dependent upon the willingness of lenders to participate in the financing of Agency Securities, lender collateral requirements and the lenders’ determination of the fair value of the securities pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates and liquidity conditions within the commercial banking and mortgage finance industries. Borrowings under repurchase arrangements totaled $12.48 billion at December 31, 2013, primarily with original maturities of 30 days. Borrowings under repurchase arrangements began the year at $12.78 billion and averaged $12.70 billion during 2013. Average borrowings during the year can differ from year-end balances for a number of reasons including portfolio growth or contraction as well as differences in the timing of portfolio acquisitions relative to portfolio runoff.
To help mitigate exposure to higher interest rates, Capstead typically uses currently-paying and forward-starting, one-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements that require interest payments for two-year terms that are designated as cash flow hedges of a like amount of borrowings under repurchase arrangements. At December 31, 2013, portfolio financing-related swap agreements totaling $6.70 billion notional amount with average contract expirations of 18 months, consisting of (a) $4.20 billion notional amount in currently-paying swap agreements requiring the payment of fixed rates of interest averaging 0.50% for average remaining interest-payment terms of 14 months and (b) $2.50 billion notional amount in forward-starting swap agreements that will begin requiring fixed rate interest payments averaging 0.50% for two-year periods that commence on various dates between January 2014 and April 2014, with average contract expirations of 25 months. Relative to the floating rate terms of the Company’s $100 million in unsecured borrowings that begin at various dates between October 2015 and September 2016, the Company entered into forward-starting swap agreements to effectively lock in fixed rates of interest averaging 7.56% for the final 20 years of these borrowings that mature in 2035 and 2036. The Company intends to continue to utilize suitable derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements to manage interest rate risk.
In late 2012 Capstead implemented a $100 million common share repurchase program and suspended its common share continuous offering program until further notice. Purchases made pursuant to the common share repurchase program can be made in the open market or through privately negotiated transactions from time to time as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements. The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases are determined by the Company in its discretion and are subject to economic and market conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. Pursuant to this authorization, in late 2012 repurchases totaled 3.0 million common shares at an average cost of $11.80 per share for $35 million. An additional 638,000 shares were repurchased in early January 2013 at an average cost of $11.43 per share for $7 million, leaving $58 million of the authorization available for future repurchases. The authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common shares and the program may be suspended or discontinued at the Company’s discretion without prior notice. Upon suspension of the repurchase program, issuances of common shares under the continuous offering program or by other means may resume subject to compliance with federal securities laws, market conditions and blackout periods associated with the dissemination of earnings and dividend announcements and other important Company-specific news.
In May 2013 the Company raised $170 million (face amount) in a public offering of its 7.50% Series E perpetual preferred shares, the net proceeds from which along with $43 million in cash on hand were used to fund the redemption of the Company’s Series A and B perpetual preferred shares. See page 8 for further discussion. In late 2013 the Company raised over $1 million in additional perpetual preferred equity capital through the issuance of 61,000 Series E preferred shares at an average price of $23.78 per share after expenses. The Company may raise modest additional amounts of Series E preferred capital in the future under this program subject to the same restraints noted above.
Interest Rate Risk
Because Capstead’s residential mortgage investments consist almost entirely of Agency Securities, which are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk, interest rate risk is the primary market risk faced by the Company. Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to a number of factors, including economic conditions, government fiscal policy, central bank monetary policy and banking regulation. By focusing on investing in relatively short duration ARM Agency Securities, declines in fair value caused by increases in interest rates are typically relatively modest compared to investments in longer-duration, fixed-rate assets. These declines can be recovered in a relatively short period of time as coupon interest rates on the underlying mortgage loans reset to rates more reflective of the then current interest rate environment. This strategy positions the Company to benefit from potential recoveries in financing spreads diminished during periods of rising interest rates.
To further mitigate Capstead’s exposure to higher short-term interest rates, the Company uses currently-paying and forward-starting interest rate swap agreements that typically require interest payments for two-year terms in order to lengthen the effective duration of its borrowings to more closely match the duration of its investments. After consideration of all swap positions entered into as of quarter-end to hedge short-term borrowing rates, the Company’s residential mortgage investments and related borrowings under repurchase arrangements had estimated durations at December 31, 2013 of 11¾ months and 9¾ months, respectively, for a net duration gap of approximately 2 months. The Company intends to continue to manage interest rate risk associated with holding and financing its residential mortgage investments by utilizing suitable derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements as well as longer-dated repurchase arrangements if available at attractive terms.
Capstead performs sensitivity analyses using a model to estimate the effects that specific interest rate changes can reasonably be expected to have on net interest margins and portfolio values. All investments, related borrowings and derivative financial instruments held are included in these analyses. For net interest margin modeling purposes, the model incorporates management’s assumptions for mortgage prepayment levels for a given interest rate change using market-based estimates of prepayment speeds for the purpose of amortizing investment premiums and reinvesting portfolio runoff. These assumptions are developed through a combination of historical analysis and expectations for future pricing behavior under normal market conditions unaffected by changes in market liquidity. For portfolio valuation modeling purposes, a static portfolio is assumed. This modeling is the primary tool used by management to assess the direction and magnitude of changes in net interest margins and portfolio values resulting solely from changes in interest rates. Key modeling assumptions include mortgage prepayment speeds, adequate levels of market liquidity, current market conditions, and portfolio leverage levels. Given the present low level of interest rates, a floor of 0.00% is assumed. However, it is assumed that borrowing rates cannot decline beyond a certain level. These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, modeling cannot precisely estimate the impact of higher or lower interest rates. Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, other changes in market conditions, changes in management strategies and other factors.
The table below reflects the estimated impact of instantaneous parallel shifts in the yield curve on net interest margins and the fair value of Capstead’s portfolio of residential mortgage investments and related derivatives at December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, subject to the modeling parameters described above.
* Sensitivity of net interest margins as well as portfolio and related derivative values to changes in interest rates is determined relative to the actual rates at the applicable date. Note that the projected 12-month net interest margin change is predicated on acquisitions of similar assets sufficient to replace runoff. There can be no assurance that suitable investments will be available for purchase at attractive prices, if investments made will behave in the same fashion as assets currently held or if management will choose to replace runoff with such assets.
Changes in the sensitivity of net interest margins to parallel shifts in the yield curve at December 31, 2013 compared to December 31, 2012 reflect current expectations for slower mortgage prepayments that are modeled to increase in a down 0.50% scenario and not decline significantly in the up 0.50% or up 1.00% scenarios.
RISK FACTORS
An investment in securities issued by Capstead involves various risks. An investor should carefully consider the following risk factors in conjunction with the other information contained in this document before purchasing the Company’s securities. The risks discussed herein can adversely affect the Company’s business, liquidity, operating results, financial condition and future prospects, causing the market price of the Company’s securities to decline, which could cause an investor to lose all or part of his/her investment. The risk factors described below are not the only risks that may affect the Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to the Company also may adversely affect its business, liquidity, operating results, prospects and financial condition.
Risks Related to Capstead’s Business
Monetary policy actions by the Federal Reserve could adversely affect Capstead’s liquidity, financial condition and earnings. Over the last six years the Federal Reserve has employed a number of new policy initiatives, most notably the purchase of U.S. Treasury securities and Agency Securities. This expansion of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet is often referred to as quantitative easing or QE. Under the current QE initiative that began in September 2012, referred to as QE3, the Federal Reserve had been purchasing $45 billion a month in long-term Treasury securities and $40 billion a month in fixed-rate Agency Securities, as well as replacing run off of existing holdings of Agency Securities. The policy goals of the QE initiatives have been to support the GSEs and the housing markets, and otherwise improve economic and labor market conditions by exerting downward pressure on longer term interest rates, including mortgage interest rates.
In May 2013 the markets began interpreting comments by members of the Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee to mean that purchases under QE3 would begin to be reduced sometime in 2013. The Federal Reserve then articulated that the so-called “tapering” of purchases could begin in September 2013 and purchases could cease entirely by mid-2014, provided Federal Reserve economic forecasts were reasonably accurate. Citing mixed economic reports and the potential for further fiscal discord in Washington, the Federal Reserve did not begin tapering in September; however in December 2013 it announced it was reducing purchases of Treasuries and Agency Securities by $5 billion each and in January 2014 followed up with the announcement of further tapering of $5 billion each. The Federal Reserve has indicated that the pace of tapering can be expected to continue, contingent upon its outlook for the labor market and inflation as well as its assessment of the efficacy and costs of such purchases.
In general, QE has elevated pricing for Agency Securities resulting in declining yields on new purchases and lower mortgage interest rates, resulting in higher mortgage prepayment rates. The Company’s net interest margins, and therefore earnings, have been adversely affected over time as its existing portfolio is replaced with higher cost, lower-yielding securities. See discussion below regarding the negative effects of higher mortgage prepayment levels.
Because of expectations for near-term tapering of QE3, in May and June 2013 the markets experienced an abrupt transition to higher long-term interest rates, which has had a substantial negative effect on pricing for longer duration ARM and fixed-rate Agency Securities in particular, and to a lesser extent, on the Company’s portfolio of short duration, well-seasoned ARM Agency Securities. This has had a negative effect on the Company’s liquidity and book value per common share, even as mortgage prepayment rates eventually receded as opportunities for mortgagors to refinance into lower rate mortgages dissipated. The actual pace of tapering could result in additional negative effects. In addition, should the Federal Reserve decide to eventually reduce its holdings of fixed-rate Agency Securities through asset sales, the pricing for all Agency Securities could decline, which could adversely affect the Company’s liquidity, earnings and book value per common share, as more fully described below.
Potential changes in the relationship between the federal government and the GSEs could adversely affect Capstead’s liquidity, financial condition and earnings. Agency Securities are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk because the timely payment of principal and interest on these securities are guaranteed by the GSEs, or by Ginnie Mae, an agency of the federal government. Only the guarantee by Ginnie Mae is explicitly backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government. The high actual or perceived credit quality of Agency Securities allows the Company to finance its portfolio using repurchase arrangements with favorable interest rate terms and margin requirements that otherwise would not be available. As a result of deteriorating housing market conditions that began in 2007, the GSEs have incurred substantial losses due to high levels of mortgagor defaults. In 2008 the Federal Housing Finance Agency placed the GSEs into conservatorship, allowing it to operate the GSEs without forcing them to liquidate. Additionally, the federal government, through the U.S. Treasury and the Federal Reserve, undertook other actions to provide financial support to these entities and the housing market including the acquisition of large holdings of Agency Securities. These and other steps taken by the federal government were designed to support market stability and mortgage availability at favorable rates in part by providing additional confidence to investors in Agency Securities. There can be no assurance that the federal government’s support for the GSEs and the market for Agency Securities will continue to be adequate to achieve these goals.
It is anticipated that over the next several years U.S. policy makers will address what the long-term role of the federal government in general, and the GSEs in particular, will have in the housing markets. The actual or perceived credit quality of Agency Securities could be adversely affected by market uncertainty over any legislative or regulatory initiatives that impact the relationship between the GSEs and the federal government. A significantly reduced role by the federal government or other changes in the guarantees provided by Ginnie Mae, the GSEs or their successors could adversely affect the credit profile and pricing of existing holdings and/or future issuances of Agency Securities and whether the Company’s strategy of holding a leveraged portfolio of Agency Securities remains viable, which could adversely affect earnings and book value per common share.
Failure of the federal government to periodically increase the U.S. Treasury’s borrowing capacity while reducing future federal budget deficits could adversely impact Capstead’s liquidity, financial condition and earnings. The increasing amount of outstanding federal debt relative to the size of the U.S. economy, particularly in light of projected growth in federal government spending and resulting federal budget deficits, have increased the possibility of further credit rating agency actions to downgrade the federal government’s credit rating. This could eventually lead to a decline in the market’s perception of the creditworthiness of the federal government. Because market participants rely on the federal government’s continued support of the GSEs, the perception of credit risk associated with Agency Securities and, therefore, the pricing of existing holdings of Agency Securities could be adversely affected. In addition, these circumstances could create broader financial turmoil and uncertainty, which may weigh heavily on the global banking system and limit the availability and/or terms and conditions of borrowings under repurchase arrangements which could adversely impact the Company’s liquidity, earnings and book value per common share, as more fully described below.
Legislative and regulatory actions could adversely affect the availability and/or terms and conditions of borrowings under repurchase arrangements and consequently, the Company’s liquidity, financial condition and earnings. In July 2010 the U.S. Congress enacted the Dodd Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (“Dodd Frank”) in order to restrict certain business practices of systemically significant participants in the financial markets, which include many of the Company’s lending counterparties. Additionally, changes in regulatory capital requirements and other leverage constraints are being implemented worldwide. It remains unclear how significant of an impact Dodd Frank and changes in regulatory capital requirements will have on the financial markets in general and on the Company’s strategy of holding an appropriately hedged, leveraged portfolio of Agency Securities. However, it is possible that the availability and/or terms and conditions of borrowings under repurchase arrangements and related derivative financial instruments held for hedging purposes could be adversely affected which could adversely affect the Company’s liquidity, earnings and book value per common share, as more fully described below.
Government-supported mortgagor relief programs could adversely affect Capstead’s liquidity, financial condition and earnings. U.S. policy makers have established programs designed to provide qualified homeowners with assistance in avoiding foreclosure or in qualifying for the refinancing of their existing mortgages, which typically entails the pay off of existing mortgages with any losses absorbed by the GSEs. One of these programs, the Home Affordable Refinance Program (“HARP”), has been revised with the intent of increasing its availability to homeowners who are current on their mortgage payments but whose homes have lost significant value making it difficult to qualify for a new mortgage. A significant expansion of these mortgagor relief programs, as well as any future legislative or regulatory actions, could significantly increase mortgage prepayments which could reduce the expected life of the Company’s residential mortgage investments; therefore, actual yields the Company realizes on these investments could be lower due to faster amortization of investment premiums which could adversely affect earnings. A significant expansion of these programs also could adversely affect book value per common share because of the elimination of any unrealized gains on that portion of the portfolio that prepays. Additionally, heightened prepayment exposure due to the real or perceived potential for government intervention could adversely affect pricing for Agency Securities in general and, as a result, liquidity and book value per common share could be adversely affected due to declines in the fair value of the Company’s remaining portfolio.
An increase in prepayments may adversely affect Capstead’s liquidity, financial condition and earnings. When short- and long-term interest rates are at nearly the same levels (i.e., a “flat yield curve” environment), or when long-term interest rates decrease, the rate of principal prepayments on mortgage loans underlying mortgage securities generally increases. Prolonged periods of high mortgage prepayments can significantly reduce the expected life of the Company’s portfolio of residential mortgage investments; therefore, actual yields the Company realizes can be lower due to faster amortization of investment premiums, which could adversely affect earnings. High levels of mortgage prepayments can also lead to larger than anticipated demands on the Company’s liquidity from its lending counterparties, as more fully described below. Additionally, periods of high prepayments can adversely affect pricing for Agency Securities in general and, as a result, book value per common share can be adversely affected due to declines in the fair value of the Company’s remaining portfolio and the elimination of any unrealized gains on that portion of the portfolio that prepays.
Changes in interest rates, whether increases or decreases, may adversely affect Capstead’s liquidity, financial condition and earnings. Capstead’s earnings depend primarily on the difference between the interest received on its residential mortgage investments and the interest paid on its related borrowings, net of the effect of derivatives held for hedging purposes. The Company typically finances its investments at 30- to 90-day interest rates. Coupon interest rates on only a portion of the ARM loans underlying the Company’s securities reset each month and the terms of these ARM loans generally limit the amount of any increases during any single interest rate adjustment period and over the life of a loan. Consequently, interest rates on related borrowings not effectively fixed through the use of interest rate swap agreements can rise to levels that may exceed yields on these securities in a rising short-term interest rate environment. This can contribute to lower, or in more extreme circumstances, negative financing spreads and, therefore, adversely affect earnings. Because rising interest rates tend to put downward pressure on financial asset prices, Capstead may be presented with substantial margin calls during such periods adversely affecting the Company’s liquidity. If the Company is unable or unwilling to pledge additional collateral, the Company’s lenders can liquidate the Company’s collateral, potentially under adverse market conditions, resulting in losses. At such times the Company may determine that it is prudent to sell assets to improve its ability to pledge sufficient collateral to support its remaining borrowings, which could result in losses. In addition, lower pricing levels for remaining holdings of residential mortgage investments will lead to declines in book value per common share.
During periods of relatively low short-term interest rates, declines in the indices used to determine coupon interest rate resets for ARM loans may adversely affect yields on the Company's ARM securities as the underlying ARM loans reset at lower rates. If declines in these indices exceed declines in the Company’s borrowing rates, earnings would be adversely affected.
Periods of illiquidity in the mortgage markets may reduce amounts available to be borrowed under Capstead’s repurchase arrangements due to declines in the perceived value of related collateral, which could adversely impact the Company’s liquidity, financial condition and earnings. Capstead generally finances its residential mortgage investments by pledging them as collateral under uncommitted repurchase arrangements, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis. The amount borrowed under a repurchase arrangement is limited to a percentage of the estimated market value of the pledged collateral and is specified at the inception of the transaction. The portion of the pledged collateral held by the lender that is not advanced under the repurchase arrangement is referred to as margin collateral and the resulting margin percentage is required to be maintained throughout the term of the borrowing. If the perceived market value of the pledged collateral as determined by the Company’s lenders declines, the Company may be subject to margin calls wherein the lender requires the Company to pledge additional collateral to reestablish the agreed-upon margin percentage. Because market illiquidity tends to put downward pressure on asset prices, Capstead may be presented with substantial margin calls during such periods. If the Company is unable or unwilling to pledge additional collateral, the Company’s lenders can liquidate the Company’s collateral, potentially under adverse market conditions, resulting in losses. At such times the Company may determine that it is prudent to sell assets to improve its ability to pledge sufficient collateral to support its remaining borrowings, which could result in losses. In addition, lower pricing levels for remaining holdings of residential mortgage investments will lead to declines in book value per common share.
Periods of illiquidity in the mortgage markets may reduce the number of counterparties willing to lend to the Company and/or the amounts individual counterparties are willing to lend via repurchase arrangements, which could adversely affect the Company’s liquidity, financial condition and earnings. For instance, a contraction in market liquidity is possible should Europe’s sovereign debt problems deteriorate in a disorderly fashion, putting further financial pressures on large European and even domestic commercial banks, many of which are lending counterparties. Capstead enters into repurchase arrangements with numerous commercial banks and other financial institutions, both foreign and domestic, routinely with maturities of 30 to 90 days. The Company’s ability to achieve its investment objectives depends on its ability to re-establish or roll maturing borrowings on a continuous basis and none of the Company’s counterparties are obligated to enter into new repurchase transactions at the conclusion of existing transactions. If a counterparty chooses not to roll a maturing borrowing, the Company must pay off the borrowing, generally with cash available from another repurchase arrangement entered into with another counterparty. If the Company determines that it does not have sufficient borrowing capacity with its remaining counterparties, it could be forced to reduce its portfolio leverage by selling assets under potentially adverse market conditions, resulting in losses. This risk is increased if Capstead relies significantly on any single counterparty for a significant portion of its repurchase arrangements. An industry-wide reduction in the availability of borrowings under repurchase arrangements could adversely affect pricing levels for Agency Securities leading to further declines in the Company’s liquidity and book value per common share. Under these conditions, the Company may determine that it is prudent to sell assets to improve its ability to pledge sufficient collateral to support its remaining borrowings, which could result in losses. In addition, lower pricing levels for remaining holdings of residential mortgage investments will lead to declines in book value per common share.
If Capstead is unable to negotiate favorable terms and conditions on future repurchase arrangements with one or more of the Company’s lending counterparties, the Company’s liquidity, financial condition and earnings could be adversely impacted. The terms and conditions of each repurchase arrangement are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis, and these borrowings generally are re-established, or rolled, at maturity. Key terms and conditions of each transaction include interest rates, maturity dates, asset pricing procedures and margin requirements. The Company cannot assure investors that it will be able to continue to negotiate favorable terms and conditions on its future repurchase arrangements. For instance, during periods of market illiquidity or due to perceived credit deterioration of the collateral pledged or the Company itself, a lender may require that less favorable asset pricing procedures be employed, margin requirements be increased and/or may choose to limit or completely curtail lending to the Company. Under these conditions, the Company may determine it is prudent to sell assets to improve its ability to pledge sufficient collateral to support its remaining borrowings, which could result in losses.
Capstead’s use of repurchase arrangements to finance its investments may expose the Company to losses if a lending counterparty seeks bankruptcy protection, or otherwise defaults on its obligation to deliver pledged collateral back to the Company. Repurchase arrangements involve the sale and transfer of pledged collateral to the lending counterparty and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets at a future date. This may make it difficult for the Company to recover its pledged assets if a lender files for bankruptcy or otherwise fails to deliver pledged collateral back to the Company and subject the Company to losses to the extent of any margin amounts (pledged assets in excess of amounts borrowed) held by the lending counterparty.
Capstead’s use of repurchase arrangements to finance its investments may give the Company’s lending counterparties greater rights if the Company seeks bankruptcy protection, exposing the Company to losses. Borrowings made under repurchase arrangements may qualify for special treatment under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code. If the Company files for bankruptcy, its lending counterparties could avoid the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and liquidate pledged collateral without delay, which could result in losses to the extent of any margin amounts held by the lending counterparties.
Capstead may sell assets for various reasons, including a change in the Company’s investment focus, which could increase earnings volatility. Capstead may periodically sell assets to enhance its liquidity during periods of market illiquidity or rising interest rates or the Company may change its investment focus requiring it to sell some portion of its existing investments. Gains or losses resulting from any such asset sales, or from terminating any related longer-dated repurchase arrangements or interest rate swap agreements, could increase the Company’s earnings volatility.
Capstead may invest in derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements to mitigate or hedge the Company's interest rate risk, which may adversely affect the Company’s liquidity, financial condition or earnings. The Company may invest in such instruments from time to time with the goal of achieving more stable borrowing costs over an extended period. However, these activities may not have the desired beneficial impact on the Company's liquidity, financial condition or earnings. For instance, the pricing of residential mortgage investments and the pricing of related derivatives may deteriorate at the same time leading to margin calls by counterparties to both the borrowings supporting these investments and the derivatives, adversely impacting the Company's liquidity and financial condition. In addition, counterparties could fail to honor their commitments under the terms of the derivatives or have their credit quality downgraded impairing the value of the derivatives. In the event of any defaults by counterparties, the Company may have difficulty recovering its cash collateral receivable from its counterparties and may not receive payments provided for under the terms of the derivatives and as a result, the Company may incur losses. No such hedging activity can completely insulate the Company from the risks associated with changes in interest rates and prepayment rates.
Derivative financial instruments held may fail to qualify for hedge accounting introducing potential volatility to Capstead’s earnings. The Company typically qualifies derivative financial instruments held as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes in order to record the effective portion of the change in fair value of derivatives as a component of stockholders’ equity rather than in earnings. If the hedging relationship for any derivative held ceases to qualify for hedge accounting treatment for any reason, including failing to meet documentation and ongoing hedge effectiveness requirements, the Company would be required to record in earnings the total change in fair value of any such derivative. In addition the Company could elect to no longer avail itself of cash flow hedge accounting for its derivative positions. Such changes could introduce a potentially significant amount of volatility to earnings reported by the Company.
The lack of availability of suitable investments at attractive pricing may adversely affect Capstead’s earnings. The pricing of investments is determined by a number of factors including interest rate levels and expectations, market liquidity conditions, and competition among investors for these investments, many of whom have greater financial resources and lower return requirements than Capstead. Additionally, in recent years the federal government, primarily through the Federal Reserve, has been an active buyer of Agency Securities which has had the effect of supporting, if not increasing, pricing for these securities. To the extent the proceeds from prepayments on Capstead’s mortgage investments are not reinvested or cannot be reinvested at rates of return at least equal to the rates previously earned on those investments, the Company's earnings may be adversely affected. Similarly, if proceeds from capital raising activities are not deployed or cannot be deployed at rates of return being earned on existing capital, earnings may be adversely affected. Capstead cannot assure investors that the Company will be able to acquire suitable investments at attractive pricing and in a timely manner to replace portfolio runoff as it occurs or to deploy new capital as it is raised. Neither can the Company assure investors that it will maintain the current composition of its investments, consisting primarily of ARM Agency Securities.
Capstead is dependent on its executives and employees and the loss of one or more of its executive officers could harm the Company's business and its prospects. As a self-managed REIT with 13 full-time employees and one part-time employee, Capstead is dependent on the efforts of its key officers and employees, most of whom have significant experience in the mortgage industry. Although the Company's named executive officers and some of its other employees are parties to severance agreements, the Company's key officers and employees are not subject to employment agreements with non-compete clauses, nor has Capstead acquired key man life insurance policies on any of these individuals. The loss of any of their services could have an adverse effect on the Company's operations.
Risks Related to Capstead’s Status as a REIT and Other Tax Matters
If Capstead does not qualify as a REIT, the Company will be subject to tax as a regular corporation and face substantial tax liability. Capstead has elected to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and intends to continue to so qualify. Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code provisions for which only a limited number of judicial or administrative interpretations exist. Even a technical or inadvertent mistake could jeopardize the Company's REIT status. Furthermore, new tax legislation, administrative guidance or court decisions, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more difficult or impossible for the Company to qualify as a REIT.
If Capstead fails to qualify as a REIT in any tax year, then:
• The Company would be taxed as a regular domestic corporation, which, among other things, means that the Company would be unable to deduct dividends paid to its stockholders in computing taxable income and would be subject to federal income tax on its taxable income at regular corporate rates;
• Any resulting tax liability could be substantial and would reduce the cash available for distribution to stockholders, and the Company would not be required to make income distributions; and
• Unless Capstead were entitled to relief under applicable statutory provisions, the Company would be disqualified from treatment as a REIT for the subsequent four taxable years and, as a result, the Company’s cash available for distribution to stockholders would be reduced during these years.
Even if Capstead remains qualified as a REIT, the Company may face other tax liabilities that reduce its earnings. Even if Capstead remains qualified for taxation as a REIT, the Company may be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on its income and assets. For example, the Company:
• will be required to pay tax on any undistributed REIT taxable income,
• may be subject to the “alternative minimum tax” on any tax preference items, and
• may operate taxable REIT subsidiaries subject to tax on any taxable income earned.
Complying with REIT requirements may limit Capstead’s ability to hedge effectively. The REIT provisions of the Code may limit Capstead’s ability to hedge mortgage securities and related borrowings by requiring it to limit its income in each year from unqualified hedges together with any other income not generated from qualified real estate assets, to no more than 25% of gross income. In addition, the Company must limit its aggregate income from nonqualified hedging transactions, from providing certain services, and from other non-qualifying sources to not more than 5% of annual gross income. As a result, the Company may have to limit its use of advantageous hedging techniques. This could result in greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than the Company would otherwise incur. If the Company were to violate the 25% or 5% limitations, it may have to pay a penalty tax equal to the amount of gross income in excess of those limitations, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect the profitability of these transactions or activities. If the Company fails to satisfy the REIT gross income tests it could lose its REIT status for federal income tax purposes unless the failure was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.
Complying with REIT requirements may cause Capstead to forego otherwise attractive opportunities. To qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, Capstead must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of its income, the nature and diversification of its assets, the amounts that it distributes to its stockholders, and the ownership of its stock. The Company may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when it does not have funds readily available for distribution. As a result, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder the Company's ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.
Complying with REIT requirements may force Capstead to liquidate otherwise attractive investments. To qualify as a REIT, Capstead must also ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter at least 75% of the value of its assets consists of cash, cash items, United States government securities and qualified REIT real estate assets. The remainder of the Company's investments in securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer. In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of the Company's assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of its total securities can be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries. If the Company fails to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, it must correct such failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter to avoid losing its REIT status and suffering adverse tax consequences. As a result, the Company may be required to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.
Complying with REIT requirements may force Capstead to borrow to make distributions to stockholders. As a REIT, Capstead must distribute at least 90% of its annual taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) to its stockholders. To the extent that the Company satisfies the distribution requirement, but distributes less than 100% of its taxable income, the Company will be subject to federal corporate income tax on its undistributed taxable income. In addition, the Company will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that it pays out to its stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under the federal tax laws. From time to time, the Company may generate taxable income greater than its net income for financial reporting purposes or its taxable income may be greater than the Company's cash flow available for distribution to stockholders. If the Company does not have other funds available in these situations, it could be required to borrow funds, sell investments at disadvantageous prices or find another alternative source of funds to make distributions sufficient to enable it to pay out enough of its taxable income to satisfy the distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax or the 4% excise tax in a particular year. These alternatives could increase the Company's costs and reduce its long-term investment capital.
Capstead may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes that could reduce the market price of the Company’s securities. Federal income tax laws governing REITs or the administrative interpretations of those laws may change at any time. Any such changes in laws or interpretations thereof may apply retroactively and could adversely affect Capstead or its stockholders. Capstead cannot predict any impact on the value of its securities from adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes.
An investment in Capstead’s securities has various federal, state and local income tax risks that could affect the value of an investor’s investment. The Company strongly urges investors to consult their own tax advisor concerning the effects of federal, state and local income tax law on an investment in the Company's securities, because of the complex nature of the tax rules applicable to REITs and their stockholders.
Risk Factors Related to Capstead’s Corporate Structure
There are no assurances of Capstead’s ability to pay dividends in the future. Capstead intends to continue paying quarterly dividends and to make distributions to its stockholders in amounts such that all or substantially all of the Company's taxable income in each year, subject to certain adjustments, is distributed. This, along with other factors, should enable the Company to qualify for the tax benefits accorded to a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code. However, the Company's ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected by the risk factors described in this filing. All distributions will be made at the discretion of the Company's board of directors and will depend upon the Company’s earnings, its financial condition, maintenance of its REIT status and such other factors as the board may deem relevant from time to time. There are no assurances of the Company's ability to pay dividends in the future.
Failure to maintain an exemption from the Investment Company Act of 1940 would adversely affect Capstead’s results of operations. The Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) exempts from regulation as an investment company any entity that is primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on, and interests in, real estate. Capstead believes that it conducts its business in a manner that allows the Company to avoid registration as an investment company under the 40 Act. For over 30 years, the staff of the SEC has interpreted the provisions of the 40 Act to require, among other things, a REIT to maintain at least 55% of its assets directly in qualifying real estate interests and at least 80% of its assets in real estate-related assets in order to be exempt from regulation as an investment company. Critical to Capstead’s exemption from regulation as an investment company is the long-standing SEC staff interpretation that so called whole loan mortgage securities, in which an investor holds all issued certificates with respect to an underlying pool of mortgage loans, constitutes a qualifying real estate interest for purposes of the staff’s 55% qualifying real estate interest requirement. Conversely, so called partial pool mortgage securities presently do not qualify for purposes of meeting the 55% requirement, although they are considered by the staff to be real estate-related assets for purposes of meeting the staff’s 80% real estate-related asset requirement.
In August 2011, the SEC staff issued a request for information (Concept Release No. IC-29778) from industry participants and investors regarding, among other things, its past interpretations of the 40 Act real estate exemption, including the interpretations described above, raising concerns that the SEC may issue a proposal for rulemaking that could overturn some of the staff’s past interpretations regarding the real estate exemption. If the SEC or its staff adopts contrary interpretations of the 40 Act and the Company and other similar REITs become subject to regulation as investment companies, the industry’s use of leverage would be substantially reduced. Absent a restructuring of the Company’s business operations to avoid such regulation, this could require the sale of most of the Company’s portfolio of Agency Securities under potentially adverse market conditions resulting in losses and significantly reduce future net interest margins and earnings.
Pursuant to Capstead’s charter, its board of directors has the ability to limit ownership of the Company's capital stock, to the extent necessary to preserve its REIT qualification. For the purpose of preserving Capstead’s REIT qualification, the Company’s charter gives the board the ability to repurchase outstanding shares of capital stock from existing stockholders if the directors determine in good faith that the concentration of ownership by such individuals, directly or indirectly, would cause the Company to fail to qualify or be disqualified as a REIT. Constructive ownership rules are complex and may cause the outstanding stock owned by a group of related individuals or entities to be deemed to be constructively owned by one individual or entity. As a result, the acquisition of outstanding stock by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity to own constructively a greater concentration of the Company's outstanding stock than is acceptable for REIT purposes, thereby giving the board the ability to repurchase any excess shares.
Because provisions contained in Maryland law and Capstead’s charter may have an anti-takeover effect, investors may be prevented from receiving a “control premium” for their shares. Provisions contained in Capstead’s charter and Maryland general corporation law can delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt, which may prevent stockholders from receiving a “control premium” for their shares. For example, these provisions may defer or prevent tender offers for the Company's common stock or purchases of large blocks of the Company's common stock, thereby limiting the opportunities for its stockholders to receive a premium over then-prevailing market prices. These provisions include the following:
• Repurchase rights: Repurchase rights granted to Capstead’s board in its charter limit related investors, including, among other things, any voting group, from owning common stock if the concentration owned would jeopardize the Company's REIT status.
• Classification of preferred stock: Capstead’s charter authorizes the board to issue preferred stock and establish the preferences and rights of any class of preferred stock issued. These actions can be taken without soliciting stockholder approval and could have the effect of delaying or preventing someone from taking control of the Company.
• Statutory provisions: Capstead is subject to provisions of Maryland statutory law that restrict business combinations with interested stockholders and restrict voting rights of certain shares acquired in control share acquisitions. The board has not taken any action to exempt the Company from these provisions.
Maryland statutory law provides that an act of a director relating to or affecting an acquisition or a potential acquisition of control of a corporation may not be subject to a higher duty or greater scrutiny than is applied to any other act of a director. Hence, directors of Maryland corporations may not be required to act in takeover situations under the same standards as apply in Delaware and certain other corporate jurisdictions
There are risks associated with ownership of Capstead’s Series E Preferred Stock. Risks associated with ownership of the Company’s Series E preferred shares include:
• Redemption rights: The Series E preferred shares are redeemable by the Company, in whole or in part, at any time on or after May 13, 2018, or pursuant to a Special Optional Redemption Right upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, as both terms are defined in the Series E Articles Supplementary, at a cash redemption price of $25.00 plus all accrued and unpaid dividends to, but not including, the date of redemption, which may be less than the prevailing market price for the Series E preferred shares.
• Limited conversion rights: Holders of the Series E preferred shares may convert into common shares only upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, and only if the Company does not exercise its Special Optional Redemption Right. Even if this were to occur, it may not be economically advantageous to convert based on then existing conversion ratios and trading levels of the Company’s common shares.
• Subordination: The Series E preferred shares are subordinate to all of the Company’s existing and future debt. None of the provisions relating to the Series E preferred shares limit the Company’s ability to incur future debt. Future debt may include restrictions on the Company’s ability to pay dividends on, redeem, or pay the liquidation preference on, the Series E preferred shares.
• Dilution through issuance of additional preferred shares: The Company’s charter currently authorizes the issuance of up to 100 million shares of preferred stock in one or more series. The issuance of additional preferred stock on parity with or senior to the Series E preferred shares would dilute the interests of Series E preferred stockholders, and could affect the Company’s ability to pay dividends on, redeem, or pay the liquidation preference on, the Series E preferred shares. None of the provisions relating to Series E preferred shares limit the Company’s ability to issue additional preferred stock on parity with Series E preferred shares.
• Limited voting rights: Voting rights as a holder of Series E preferred shares are limited. The Company’s common stock is currently the only class of stock carrying full voting rights. Voting rights for holders of Series E preferred shares exist primarily with respect to (i) adverse changes in the terms of the Series E preferred shares, (ii) the creation of additional classes or series of preferred stock that are senior to the Series E preferred shares, and (iii) the non-payment of six quarterly dividends (whether or not consecutive) are in arrears.
Capstead may change its policies without stockholder approval. Capstead’s board and management determine all of its policies, including its investment, financing and distribution policies and may amend or revise these policies at any time without a vote of the Company's stockholders. Policy changes could adversely affect the Company's financial condition, results of operations, the market price of its common and preferred stock or the Company's ability to pay dividends or distributions
CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon Capstead’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States. The preparation of these financial statements requires the use of estimates and judgments that can affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities (including contingencies), revenues and expenses, as well as related disclosures. These estimates are based on available internal and market information and appropriate valuation methodologies believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the expected useful lives and carrying values of assets and liabilities which can materially affect the determination of net income and book value per common share. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.
Management believes the following are critical accounting policies in the preparation of Capstead’s consolidated financial statements that involve the use of estimates requiring considerable judgment:
· Amortization of investment premiums on residential mortgage investments - Investment premiums on residential mortgage investments are recognized in earnings as adjustments to interest income by the interest method over the estimated lives of the related assets. For most of Capstead’s residential mortgage investments, estimates and judgments related to future levels of mortgage prepayments are critical to this determination. Mortgage prepayment expectations can change based on how current and projected changes in interest rates impact the economic attractiveness of mortgage refinance opportunities, if available, and other factors such as portfolio composition. In recent years, the ability of mortgagors to refinance has also been impacted by more stringent loan underwriting practices and lending industry capacity restraints, government-sponsored mortgagor relief programs, low housing prices and credit problems being experienced by many of these borrowers. Management estimates mortgage prepayments based on past experiences with specific investments within the portfolio in addition to the factors mentioned above. Should actual prepayment rates differ materially from these estimates, investment premiums would be expensed at a different pace.
· Fair value and impairment accounting for residential mortgage investments - Nearly all of Capstead’s residential mortgage investments are held in the form of mortgage securities that are classified as available-for-sale and recorded at fair value on the balance sheet with unrealized gains and losses recorded in Stockholders’ equity as a component of Accumulated other comprehensive income. As such, these unrealized gains and losses enter into the calculation of book value per common share, a key financial metric used by investors in evaluating the Company. Fair values fluctuate with current and projected changes in interest rates, prepayment expectations and other factors such as market liquidity conditions. Considerable judgment is required to interpret market data and develop estimated fair values, particularly in circumstances of deteriorating credit quality and market liquidity. See NOTE 9 to the consolidated financial statements (included under Item 8 of this report) for discussion of how Capstead values its residential mortgage investments. Generally, gains or losses are recognized in earnings only if sold; however, if a decline in fair value of a mortgage security below its amortized cost occurs that is determined to be other-than-temporary, the difference between amortized cost and fair value would be recognized in earnings as a component of Other revenue (expense) if the decline was credit-related or it was determined to be more likely than not that the Company will incur a loss via an asset sale. Other-than-temporary impairment of a mortgage security due to other factors would be recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income.
· Accounting for derivative financial instruments - Capstead uses derivatives for risk management purposes. Derivatives are recorded as assets or liabilities and carried at fair value and consequently, changes in value of these instruments enter into the calculation of book value per common share. Fair values fluctuate with current and projected changes in interest rates and other factors such as the Company’s and its counterparties’ nonperformance risk. Judgment is required to develop estimated fair values.
The accounting for changes in fair value of each derivative held depends on whether it has been designated as an accounting hedge, as well as the type of hedging relationship identified. To qualify as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes, at the inception of the hedge relationship the Company must anticipate and document that the hedge relationship will be highly effective and must monitor ongoing effectiveness on at least a quarterly basis. As long as the hedge relationship remains effective, the effective portion of changes in fair value of the derivative is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income and the ineffective portion is recorded in earnings as a component of Interest expense. The effective portion of changes in fair value is reclassified from Accumulated comprehensive income to earnings over the term of the derivative primarily in the form of derivative cash flows that are either in excess of or lower than market rates. Changes in fair value of derivatives not held as accounting hedges, or for which the hedge relationship is deemed to no longer be highly effective and as a result hedge accounting is terminated, are recorded in earnings as a component of Other revenue (expense).
The Company currently uses interest rate swap agreements in hedge relationships accounted for as cash flow hedges in order to hedge variability in borrowing rates due to changes in the underlying benchmark interest rate related to a designated portion of its current and anticipated future 30- and 90-day borrowings and the 20-year floating-rate periods of the Company’s long-term unsecured borrowings. Variable-rate payments to be received on the swap agreements and any measured hedge ineffectiveness are recorded in interest expense as an offset to interest owed on the hedged borrowings that reset to market rates generally on a monthly basis while fixed rate swap payments to be made are also recorded in interest expense resulting in an effectively fixed borrowing rate on these borrowings, subject to certain adjustments. See NOTE 7 to the consolidated financial statements (included under Item 8 of this report) and “Financial Condition-Residential Mortgage Investments” for additional information regarding the Company’s current use of derivatives and its related risk management policies.
ITEM 7A.
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISKS
The information required by this item is included above in Item 7 of this report on pages 7 through 34 and is incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 8.
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.
Financial statements of subsidiaries have been omitted as such entities do not individually or in the aggregate exceed the 20% threshold under either the investment or income tests applicable under the appropriate regulations for inclusion. The Company owned 100% of each of its subsidiaries.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Capstead Mortgage Corporation
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Capstead Mortgage Corporation (the “Company”) as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013. These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements based on our audits.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.
In our opinion, the financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Company at December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the consolidated results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework) and our report dated February 28, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG, LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 28, 2014
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(In thousands)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(In thousands, except per share amounts)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(In thousands)
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
December 31, 2013
NOTE 1 ¾ BUSINESS
Capstead Mortgage Corporation operates as a self-managed real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes (a “REIT”) and is based in Dallas, Texas. Unless the context otherwise indicates, Capstead Mortgage Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as “Capstead” or the “Company.” Capstead earns income from investing in a leveraged portfolio of residential mortgage pass-through securities consisting almost exclusively of adjustable-rate mortgage (“ARM”) securities issued and guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises, either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac (together, the “GSEs”), or by an agency of the federal government, Ginnie Mae. Residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by the GSEs or Ginnie Mae, referred to as “Agency Securities,” are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk.
NOTE 2 ¾ ACCOUNTING POLICIES
Basis of Presentation
The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Capstead Mortgage Corporation and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries over which it exercises control. Capstead also consolidates, if appropriate, any variable interest entities in which it holds an interest. Common securities held by the Company in statutory trusts organized to issue long-term unsecured borrowings (prior to the dissolution of these trusts in December 2013 - see NOTE 5) were not considered variable interests at risk pursuant to variable interest entity accounting principles and were accounted for as investments in unconsolidated affiliates. Investments in any unconsolidated affiliates are initially recorded at cost and subsequently adjusted for the Company’s equity in earnings and losses and cash contributions and distributions. Intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. Prior year amounts included in financing activities in the Statement of Cash Flows pertaining to capital stock transactions have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Additionally, prior year compensation costs related to dividend equivalent rights (see NOTE 12) have been reclassified from Salaries and benefits to Short-term incentive compensation in the Statement of Income.
Recent Accounting Developments
In December 2011 the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued ASU No. 2011-11, Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU No. 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities. The Company adopted the requirements of ASU No. 2011-11 as amended by ASU No. 2013-01 with its first quarterly filing in 2013.
In February 2013 the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2013-02, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220): Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income that amended ASU No. 2011-12 and ASU No. 2011-05. The Company adopted the requirements of ASU No. 2013-02 with its first quarterly filing in 2013.
The provisions of these ASUs are all disclosure-related and as such, their adoption by the Company had no effect on its results of operations, financial condition, or cash flows.
Use of Estimates
The use of estimates is inherent in the preparation of financial statements. Amortization of investment premiums on financial assets is based on estimates of future mortgage prepayments, which are impacted by future changes in interest rates and other factors. Actual results could differ from those estimates, which could adversely affect earnings. Fair values of financial instruments are estimated using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies; however, considerable judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop these estimates. Fair values fluctuate on a daily basis and are influenced by changes in, and market expectations for changes in, interest rates, market liquidity conditions and levels of mortgage prepayments, as well as other factors. Accordingly, estimates of fair value are as of the balance sheet dates and are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange. The use of different market assumptions and estimation methodologies may have a material effect on estimated fair values. Considerable judgment is also exercised in making impairment conclusions and estimating impairment charges.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents include unrestricted cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased.
Financial Assets
Most of Capstead’s financial assets are mortgage securities classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income. Loans classified as held for investment or mortgage securities classified as held-to-maturity are carried at amortized cost (unpaid principal balance, adjusted for unamortized investment premiums and discounts). Interest is recorded as income when earned. Investment premiums and discounts are recognized as adjustments to interest income by the interest method, generally over the expected life of the related financial assets. Realized gains and losses from sales are recorded as a component of Miscellaneous other revenue (expense). The specific identification method is used to determine the cost of financial assets sold. Financial assets are reviewed for potential impairment at each balance sheet date. Other-than-temporary impairments of investments in mortgage securities can occur with adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer and changes in the Company’s intent or ability to hold the security until any declines in fair value are recovered. The amount of any such other-than-temporary impairment for an investment in a mortgage security is measured by comparing the recorded amount of the security to its fair value. Impairment charges are recorded as a component of Miscellaneous other revenue (expense).
Borrowings
Borrowings are carried at amortized cost (unpaid principal balances, net of unamortized discounts and premiums, when present). Discounts and premiums, as well as debt issue costs, which are recorded in Receivables and other assets, are recognized as adjustments to interest expense by the interest method over the term of the related borrowings. Borrowings under repurchase arrangements create exposure to the potential for failure on the part of counterparties to honor their commitment to return pledged collateral. In the event of a default by a counterparty, the Company may have difficulty recovering its collateral. To mitigate this risk, the Company monitors the creditworthiness of its counterparties and manages its exposure to any single counterparty.
Derivative Financial Instruments (“Derivatives”)
Derivatives used by Capstead for risk management purposes are carried at fair value as assets or liabilities. The accounting for changes in fair value of each Derivative held depends on whether it has been designated as a hedge for accounting purposes, as well as the type of hedging relationship identified. Capstead will typically designate any Derivatives held as cash flow hedges. To qualify as a cash flow hedge, at the inception of the hedge relationship the Company must document that the hedge relationship is anticipated to be highly effective and monitor ongoing effectiveness on at least a quarterly basis. As long as the hedge relationship remains effective, the effective portion of changes in fair value of the Derivative is recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income and the ineffective portion is recorded in interest expense. The effective portion of changes in fair value is reclassified from Accumulated comprehensive income to earnings over the term of the Derivative primarily in the form of Derivative cash flows that are either in excess of or lower than market rates. Changes in fair value of Derivatives not held as accounting hedges, if any, or for which the hedge relationship is no longer considered highly effective, are recorded in Miscellaneous other revenue (expense).
Holding Derivatives creates exposure to credit risk related to the potential for failure on the part of counterparties to honor their commitments. In addition, the Company is required to post collateral based on any declines in the market value of the Derivatives. In the event of default by a counterparty, the Company may have difficulty recovering its collateral and may not receive payments provided for under the terms of the Derivative. To mitigate this risk, the Company uses only well-established commercial banks as counterparties. The Company uses interest rate swap agreements in cash flow hedge relationships in order to hedge variability in borrowing rates due to changes in the underlying benchmark interest rate related to a designated portion of its current and anticipated future borrowings. Variable-rate swap payments to be received and any measured hedge ineffectiveness are recorded in interest expense as an offset to interest owed on the hedged borrowings that reset to market rates generally every 30 to 90 days. Fixed-rate swap payments to be made are also recorded in interest expense. The combination of these cash flows results in a relatively fixed rate on these borrowings, subject to certain adjustments. These adjustments include changes in spreads between variable rates on the swap agreements and actual borrowing rates as well as the effects of measured hedge ineffectiveness.
Cash collateral receivable from interest rate swap counterparties represents cash remitted to swap counterparties to meet initial and ongoing margin requirements that are based on the fair value of these Derivatives, including related interest receivable or payable under the terms of the agreements. The Company may also remit mortgage securities to certain of its swap counterparties to meet ongoing margin requirements. Such mortgage securities, if any, are included in Residential mortgage investments. Similarly, Cash collateral payable to interest rate swap counterparties represents cash received from counterparties to meet margin call requirements. For presentation purposes, the Company does not offset individual counterparty collateral receivables (or payables) with the recorded fair value of related interest rate swap agreements pursuant to master netting arrangements. In addition, gross unrealized gains on Derivatives (recorded as assets) are stated separately from gross unrealized losses (recorded as liabilities) without regard to counterparty.
Equity-based Compensation
Equity-based compensation cost is measured at the fair value of the awards on the grant date and recognized as expense over the related requisite service or performance measurement periods. Compensation cost for option awards is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for each portion of an award that vests separately. Compensation cost for stock awards subject only to service conditions is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite service period for the awards. Compensation cost for stock awards and restricted stock units subject to performance conditions is recognized on a straight-line basis over the requisite measurement periods, subject to achieving the related performance conditions.
Income Taxes
Capstead Mortgage Corporation and its qualified REIT subsidiaries (“Capstead REIT”) have elected to be taxed as a REIT. As a result, Capstead REIT is not taxed on taxable income distributed to stockholders if certain REIT qualification tests are met. Capstead’s policy is to distribute 100% of the taxable income of the REIT, after application of available tax attributes, within the time limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), which may extend into the subsequent taxable year. The Company may find it advantageous from time to time to elect taxable REIT subsidiary status for certain of its subsidiaries in which case taxable income of any such subsidiary would be subject to federal and, where applicable, state or local income taxes. Any such income taxes are accounted for using the liability method. Related deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse. The Company has not recognized any liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits using a “more likely than not” threshold for the recognition and measurement of the financial statement effects of tax positions taken on a tax return filing. Should any such liabilities be recognized in future periods, the Company will record related interest and penalties in Other general and administrative expense.
Dividend Classification
Capstead records common and preferred share dividends in the Accumulated deficit component of Stockholders’ equity only to the extent of available earnings for the related period. Any dividends declared in excess of available earnings are considered a return of capital for financial reporting purposes and are recorded as reductions of Paid-in capital. The tax and financial reporting classification of dividends can differ primarily as a result of differences between taxable income and Net income and how taxable income is allocated to dividends paid.
NOTE 3 ¾ NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE
Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income, after deducting preferred share dividends and adjusting for the impact of unvested stock awards deemed to be participating securities, by the weighted average number of common shares outstanding, calculated excluding unvested stock awards.
Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing net income available to common stockholders, after adding dividends on the Company’s Series A and B convertible preferred shares when such shares were dilutive, by the basic weighted average number of common shares and common share equivalents outstanding, giving effect to equity awards and these convertible preferred shares when such awards and shares were dilutive. Prior to their redemption on June 13, 2013, the Series A and B preferred shares were considered dilutive whenever basic net income per common share exceeded each Series’ dividend divided by the conversion rates applicable for that period. Shares of the Company’s 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock issued in 2013 are contingently convertible into common shares only upon the occurrence of a change in control and are therefore not presently considered dilutive securities. Unvested stock awards that are deemed participating securities are included in the calculation of diluted net income per common share, if dilutive, under either the two class method or the treasury stock method, depending upon which method produces the more dilutive result.
Components of the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share were as follows for the indicated periods (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts):
* The Series A and Series B preferred shares were redeemed on June 13, 2013 (See NOTE 11).
Potentially dilutive securities excluded from the computation of net income per share because the effect of inclusion was antidilutive during the indicated periods were as follows (in thousands):
* The Series A and Series B preferred shares were redeemed on June 13, 2013 (See NOTE 11).
NOTE 4 ¾ RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS
Residential mortgage investments classified by collateral type and interest rate characteristics were as follows as of the indicated dates (dollars in thousands):
(a) Includes unrealized gains and losses for residential mortgage investments classified as available-for-sale (see NOTE 9).
(b) Net WAC, or weighted average coupon, is the weighted average interest rate of the mortgage loans underlying the indicated investments net of servicing and other fees as of the indicated balance sheet date. Net WAC is expressed as a percentage calculated on an annualized basis on the unpaid principal balances of the mortgage loans underlying these investments. Average yield is presented for the year then ended, and is based on the cash component of interest income expressed as a percentage calculated on an annualized basis on average amortized cost basis (the “cash yield”) less the effects of amortizing investment premiums. Investment premium amortization is determined using the interest method and incorporates actual and anticipated future mortgage prepayments.
Because of federal government support for the GSEs, Agency Securities are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk. Residential mortgage loans held by the Company were originated prior to 1995 when Capstead operated a mortgage conduit and the related credit risk is borne by the Company. Collateral for structured financings consists of private residential mortgage securities that are backed by loans obtained through this mortgage conduit and are pledged to secure repayment of related structured financings. Credit risk for these securities is borne by the related bondholders. The maturity of Residential mortgage investments is directly affected by prepayments of principal on the underlying mortgage loans. Consequently, actual maturities will be significantly shorter than the portfolio’s weighted average contractual maturity of 289 months.
Fixed-rate investments consist of residential mortgage loans and Agency Securities backed by residential mortgage loans with fixed rates of interest. Adjustable-rate investments generally are ARM Agency Securities backed by residential mortgage loans that have coupon interest rates that adjust at least annually to more current interest rates or begin doing so after an initial fixed-rate period. After the initial fixed-rate period, if applicable, mortgage loans underlying ARM securities either (i) adjust annually based on specified margins over the one-year Constant Maturity U.S. Treasury Note Rate (“CMT”) or the one-year London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”), (ii) adjust semiannually based on specified margins over six-month LIBOR, or (iii) adjust monthly based on specified margins over indices such as one-month LIBOR, the Eleventh District Federal Reserve Bank Cost of Funds Index, or over a rolling twelve month average of the one-year CMT index, usually subject to periodic and lifetime limits, or caps, on the amount of such adjustments during any single interest rate adjustment period and over the contractual term of the underlying loans.
Capstead classifies its ARM securities based on each security’s average number of months until coupon reset (“months to roll”). Months to roll is an indicator of asset duration which is a measure of market price sensitivity to interest rate movements. Current-reset ARM securities have months to roll of less than 18 months while longer-to-reset ARM securities have months to roll of 18 months or greater. As of December 31, 2013, the average months to roll for the Company’s $7.48 billion (amortized cost basis) in current-reset ARM securities was 6.1 months while the average months-to-roll for the Company’s $5.76 billion (amortized cost basis) in longer-to-reset ARM securities was 38.7 months.
Under variable interest entity accounting rules, the Company consolidated two townhome developments that were collateral for subordinated loans made by the Company prior to the 2012 sale of all of the remaining townhome units. Included in Miscellaneous other revenue (expense) is $44,000 of gains on unit sales, net of operating costs, recorded in 2012. Operating costs, net of gains on unit sales, totaled $277,000 during 2011, including impairment charges of $470,000.
NOTE 5 ¾ INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
To facilitate the issuance of Unsecured borrowings, in 2006 and 2005 Capstead formed and capitalized three Delaware statutory trusts through the issuance to the Company of the trusts’ common securities totaling $3.1 million (see NOTE 8). In order to simplify the Company’s capital structure, on December 16, 2013 the trusts were dissolved after distributing the related junior subordinated notes (originally issued to the trusts by the Company) to the holders of the trusts’ common and preferred securities. Prior to dissolution, the Company’s equity in the earnings of the trusts consisted solely of the common trust securities’ pro rata share in interest accruing on junior subordinated notes issued to the trusts.
NOTE 6 ¾ REPURCHASE ARRANGEMENTS AND SIMILAR BORROWINGS
Capstead generally pledges its Residential mortgage investments as collateral under repurchase arrangements with commercial banks and other financial institutions, referred to as counterparties, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis when each borrowing is initiated or renewed. Repurchase arrangements entered into by the Company involve the sale and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets at a future date, typically with terms of 30 to 90 days, and are accounted for as financings. The Company maintains the beneficial interest in the specific securities pledged during the term of the repurchase arrangement and receives the related principal and interest payments. The amount borrowed is generally equal to the fair value of the assets pledged, as determined by the lending counterparty, less an agreed-upon discount, referred to as a “haircut.” Interest rates on these borrowings are fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings, and interest is paid at the termination of the repurchase arrangement at which time the Company may enter into a new repurchase arrangement at prevailing market rates with the same counterparty or repay that counterparty and negotiate financing with a different counterparty. None of the Company’s counterparties are obligated to renew or otherwise enter into new repurchase arrangements at the conclusion of existing repurchase arrangements. In response to declines in fair value of pledgedsecurities due to changes in market conditions or the publishing of monthly security pay down factors, lenders typically require the Company to post additional securities as collateral, pay down borrowings or fund cash margin accounts with the counterparties in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls.
Repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings (and related pledged collateral, including accrued interest receivable), classified by collateral type and remaining maturities, and related weighted average borrowing rates as of the indicated dates were as follows (dollars in thousands):
* The maturity of structured financings is directly affected by prepayments on the related mortgage pass-through securities pledged as collateral and these financings are subject to redemption by the residual bondholders.
Average borrowings outstanding differed from respective year-end balances during the indicated periods primarily due to changes in portfolio levels and differences in the timing of portfolio acquisitions relative to portfolio runoff as illustrated below (dollars in thousands):
In connection with the 2011 bankruptcy of a lending counterparty, the Company received cash in lieu of the return of $8.3 million of its pledged collateral resulting in a loss of $62,000 on the effective sale of these bonds, which is included in Miscellaneous other revenue (expense) on the Statement of Income and Gain on asset sales on the Statement of Cash Flows. The basis in the bonds effectively sold is included in Proceeds from asset sales on the Statement of Cash Flows.
Interest paid on Repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings, including related swap agreement cash flows, totaled $71.1 million, $69.5 million and $55.2 million during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively.
NOTE 7 ¾ USE OF DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS, OFFSETTING DISCLOSURES AND CHANGES IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT
To help mitigate exposure to higher interest rates, Capstead typically uses currently-paying and forward-starting, one-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements that require interest payments for two-year terms. These Derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the underlying benchmark interest rate of current and forecasted 30- to 90-day borrowings under repurchase arrangements. This hedge relationship establishes a relatively stable fixed rate on related borrowings because the variable-rate payments received on the swap agreements offset a significant portion of the interest accruing on the related borrowings, leaving the fixed-rate payments to be paid on the swap agreements as the Company’s effective borrowing rate, subject to certain adjustments. These adjustments include changes in spreads between variable rates on the swap agreements and actual borrowing rates as well as the effects of measured hedge ineffectiveness. Additionally, changes in fair value of these Derivatives tend to partially offset opposing changes in fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage investments that can occur in response to changes in market interest rates.
During 2013 Capstead entered into new forward-starting swap agreements with notional amounts of $2.50 billion requiring fixed rate interest payments averaging 0.50% for two-year periods that commence on various dates between January 2014 and April 2014. Swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $2.90 billion requiring fixed rate interest payments averaging 0.85% expired during the year. At December 31, 2013, the Company’s portfolio of financing-related swap positions had the following characteristics (dollars in thousands):
In addition to portfolio financing-related swap positions, in 2010 the Company entered into three forward-starting, three-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $100 million, average fixed rates of 4.09% that begin in 2015 and 2016, and 20-year payment terms coinciding with the floating-rate terms of the Company’s Unsecured borrowings. These Derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the underlying benchmark interest rate associated with the floating-rate terms of these long-term borrowings (see NOTE 8).
Interest rate swap agreements are measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily using Level Two Inputs in accordance with “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”). In determining fair value estimates for these Derivatives, the Company utilizes the standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted future variable cash receipts which are based on expected future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves. The Company also incorporates both its own nonperformance risk and its counterparties’ nonperformance risk in determining the fair value of these Derivatives. In considering the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company considered the impact of netting and credit enhancements, such as collateral postings and guarantees, and has concluded that counterparty risk is not significant to the overall valuation of these agreements. The following tables include fair value and other related disclosures regarding all Derivatives held as of and for the indicated periods (in thousands):
(a) The fair value of Derivatives with realized and unrealized gains are aggregated and recorded as an asset on the face of the Balance Sheet separately from the fair value of Derivatives with realized and unrealized losses that are recorded as a liability. The amount of unrealized losses at December 31, 2013 scheduled to be recognized in the Statement of Income over the next twelve months primarily in the form of fixed-rate swap payments in excess of current market rates totaled $14.5 million.
(b) Included in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the face of the Balance Sheet.
* Included in “Interest expense: Repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings” on the face of the Statement of Income.
The Company’s swap agreements and borrowings under repurchase arrangements are subject to master netting arrangements in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract. See NOTE 6 for more information on the Company’s use of repurchase arrangements. The following tables provide disclosures concerning offsetting of financial liabilities and Derivatives as of the indicated dates (in thousands):
(a) Amounts presented are limited to recognized liabilities and cash collateral received associated with the indicated counterparty sufficient to reduce the related Net Amount to zero in accordance with ASU No. 2011-11, as amended by ASU No. 2013-01.
(b) Amounts include accrued interest of $5.5 million and $7.8 million on interest rate swap agreements and $4.7 million and $7.0 million on repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings, included in “Accounts payable and accrued expenses” on the face of the Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively.
(c) Amounts presented are limited to recognized assets and collateral pledged associated with the indicated counterparty sufficient to reduce the related Net Amount to zero in accordance with ASU No. 2011-11, as amended by ASU No. 2013-01.
Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the three years ended December 31, 2013 were as follows (in thousands):
NOTE 8 ¾ UNSECURED BORROWINGS
Unsecured borrowings consist of 30-year junior subordinated notes originally issued in 2006 and 2005 to three special-purpose statutory trusts formed to issue $3.1 million of the trusts’ common securities to Capstead and to privately place $100 million of so-called trust preferred securities with unrelated third party investors. On December 16, 2013 these trusts were dissolved after the subordinated notes were distributed to the holders of the trusts’ common and preferred securities. Included in Receivables and other assets are $2.2 million in remaining issue costs at December 31, 2013 associated with the original issuance of these notes.
Note balances and related weighted average interest rates as of the indicated dates (calculated including issue cost amortization) were as follows (dollars in thousands):
* The indicated weighted average rates have been in effect since issuance. After considering cash flow hedges that coincide with the floating rate terms of these borrowings that begin in October and December 2015 for the notes associated with Capstead Mortgage Trusts I and II and September 2016 for the notes associated with Capstead Mortgage Trust III, the effective borrowing rate during the final 20 years of these borrowings will average 7.56%, subject to certain adjustments for the effects of measured hedge ineffectiveness, if any.
The notes associated with Capstead Mortgage Trust I mature in October 2035 and are currently redeemable, in whole or in part, without penalty, at the Company’s option. The notes associated with Capstead Mortgage Trust II mature in December 2035 and are redeemable, in whole or in part, without penalty, at the Company’s option anytime on or after December 15, 2015. The notes associated with Capstead Mortgage Trust III mature in September 2036 and are redeemable, in whole or in part, without penalty, at the Company’s option anytime on or after September 15, 2016.
Since issuance, the weighted average effective interest rate for Unsecured borrowings (calculated including issue cost amortization) was 8.49% and related interest paid each full year the borrowings have been outstanding was $8.6 million.
NOTE 9 ¾ DISCLOSURES REGARDING FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
This note provides fair value disclosures as of the indicated balance sheet dates, all of which are determined using Level 2 Inputs in accordance with ASC 820, for Capstead’s financial assets and liabilities, most of which are influenced by changes in, and market expectations for changes in, interest rates and market liquidity conditions, as well as other factors beyond the control of management.
Residential mortgage investments, nearly all of which are mortgage securities classified as available-for-sale, are measured at fair value on a recurring basis. In determining fair value estimates for mortgage securities, the Company considers recent trading activity for similar investments and pricing levels indicated by lenders in connection with designating collateral for repurchase arrangements, provided such pricing levels are considered indicative of actual market clearing transactions. In determining fair value estimates for longer-term borrowings under repurchase arrangements the Company considers pricing levels indicated by lenders for entering into new transactions using similar pledged collateral with terms equal to the remaining terms of the longer-term borrowings. In determining fair value estimates for unsecured borrowings, the Company considers current pricing for financial instruments with similar characteristics. Excluded from these disclosures are financial instruments for which the Company’s cost basis is deemed to approximate fair value due primarily to the short duration of these instruments, which are valued using primarily Level 1 measurements, including Cash and cash equivalents, cash collateral receivable from, or payable to, interest rate swap counterparties, receivables, payables and borrowings under repurchase arrangements with initial terms of 120 days or less. See NOTE 7 for information relative to the valuation of interest rate swap agreements.
Fair value disclosures for financial instruments other than debt securities were as follows as of the indicated dates (in thousands):
Fair value and related disclosures for debt securities were as follows as of the indicated dates (in thousands):
Capstead’s investment strategy involves managing a leveraged portfolio of primarily relatively short duration ARM Agency Securities and management expects these securities will be held until payoff absent a major shift in strategy. Declines in fair value caused by increases in interest rates are typically modest for investments in relatively short duration ARM Agency Securities compared to investments in longer-duration ARM or fixed-rate assets. These declines are generally recoverable in a relatively short period of time as coupon interest rates on the underlying mortgage loans reset to rates more reflective of the then current interest rate environment.
From a credit risk perspective, federal government support for the GSEs helps ensure that fluctuations in value due to credit risk associated with these securities will be limited. Given that (a) any existing unrealized losses on mortgage securities held by the Company are not attributable to credit risk, (b) the Company typically holds its investments to maturity, and (c) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell any of its investments, none of these investments are considered other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2013.
NOTE 10 ¾ INCOME TAXES
Capstead REIT and a subsidiary for which the Company has elected taxable REIT subsidiary status file separate tax returns in U.S. federal and state jurisdictions, where applicable. Provided Capstead REIT remains qualified as a REIT and all its taxable income is distributed to stockholders within allowable time limits, no income taxes are due on this income. Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes for Capstead REIT. Taxable income, if any, of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary is fully taxable and provision is made for any resulting income taxes. The Company is no longer subject to examination and the related assessment of tax by federal, state, or local tax authorities for years before 2010, with the possible exception of certain information reporting and disclosure penalties with respect to earlier years. Management believes any such amounts would not have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial condition.
Capstead’s effective tax rate differs substantially from statutory federal income tax rates primarily due to the benefit of Capstead REIT’s status as a REIT, along with other items affecting the Company’s effective tax rate as illustrated below for the indicated periods (in thousands):
No income taxes were paid during 2013, 2012 or 2011. Significant components of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows as of the indicated dates (in thousands):
(a) Alternative tax credit carryforwards can be utilized to offset payment of federal income taxes on future taxable income, if any, earned by this subsidiary, subject to certain limitations.
(b) Excludes $3.5 million in remaining net operating loss carryforwards which expire beginning after 2019. To the extent these carryforwards are utilized in future periods, the benefit will reduce actual taxes payable.
(c) Because this subsidiary is not expected to earn significant amounts of taxable income, related net deferred tax assets are fully reserved at December 31, 2013.
NOTE 11 ¾ STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
In May 2013 Capstead completed a public offering of 6.8 million shares ($170.0 million face amount) of its 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, liquidation preference $25.00 per share. The Series E preferred shares are redeemable at the Company’s option for $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends, on or after May 13, 2018. The Company and Series E stockholders have special redemption and conversion rights upon the occurrence of a change in control. Net proceeds of the offering, after underwriting fees and other costs, totaled $164.3 million and together with $42.7 million of cash on hand were used to fund the June 2013 redemption of 77,000 and 16.5 million of the Company’s Series A and B perpetual preferred shares, respectively. Holders of the remaining 109,000 Series A and 32,000 Series B shares that were outstanding prior to the redemptions exercised conversion rights resulting in the issuance of 181,000 and 20,000 common shares, respectively. Series A and B preferred shares that were redeemed had redemption preferences aggregating $207.0 million, a total of $19.9 million in excess of these shares’ recorded amounts on the Company’s balance sheet. This redemption preference premium is reflected as a $0.21 per common share reduction in net income available to common stockholders on the face of the Company’s Statement of Income for the year ended December 31, 2013.
In late 2013 the Company issued an additional 61,000 Series E preferred shares through an at-the-market continuous offering program for net proceeds of $1.4 million, net of expenses. During 2012 and 2011, the Company raised $142.0 million and $231.7 million in new common equity capital, after underwriting discounts and offering expenses, by issuing 10.5 million and 17.8 million common shares, respectively, through a similar program. Also during 2012 and 2011, the Company raised $4.5 million and $5.2 million, net of expenses, in preferred equity capital by issuing 309,000 and 365,000 Series B preferred shares, respectively, through a similar program.
In October 2012 the Company announced a common share repurchase program of up to $100 million of its outstanding common shares and suspended its common equity continuous offering program until further notice. Pursuant to this authorization, repurchases totaled 3.0 million shares at an average cost of $11.80 per share for $35.1 million by December 31, 2012. An additional 638,000 shares were repurchased in early January 2013 at an average cost of $11.43 per share for a total cost of $7.3 million. The authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common shares and the program may be suspended or discontinued at the Company’s discretion without prior notice. Upon suspension of the repurchase program, issuances of common shares under the continuous offering program or by any other means may resume if conditions warrant, subject to compliance with federal securities laws, market conditions and blackout periods associated with the dissemination of earnings and dividend announcements and other important Company-specific news.
During 2013, 2012 and 2011, additions to common equity capital related to equity-based awards to directors and employees totaled $1.8 million, $4.4 million and $3.2 million, respectively, consisting primarily of amounts related to stock awards and also including net proceeds from the exercise of option awards. See NOTE 12 for further information pertaining to long-term equity-based awards.
Capstead’s charter provides that if its board of directors determines in good faith that the direct or indirect ownership of the common shares has become concentrated to an extent which would cause Capstead REIT to fail to qualify as a REIT, the Company may redeem or repurchase, at fair market value, any number of common or preferred shares sufficient to maintain or bring such ownership into conformity with the Code. In addition, the Company may refuse to transfer or issue common or preferred shares to any person whose ownership of the shares would result in Capstead REIT being unable to comply with the requirements of the Code. Finally, the charter provides that the Company may redeem or refuse to transfer any of its shares to prevent the imposition of a penalty tax as a result of ownership of such shares by certain disqualified organizations, including governmental bodies and tax-exempt entities that are not subject to tax on unrelated business taxable income.
NOTE 12 ¾ COMPENSATION PROGRAMS
The compensation committee of Capstead’s board of directors (the “Committee”) administers all compensation programs for employees including salaries, short-term incentive compensation and long-term incentive compensation, including equity-based awards, as well as other benefit programs.
Short-Term Incentive Compensation Programs
To provide employees with an appropriate performance-based annual incentive compensation opportunity, each year the Committee approves an incentive formula for the award of annual incentive compensation that is directly linked with the performance of the Company. The formula used in recent years accomplished this by establishing an incentive pool equal to a percentage participation in Capstead’s earnings in excess of a pre-established performance threshold, subject to a maximum amount, or cap. The Committee determined (i) the amount actually awarded, (ii) its allocation among executives and with other employees and (iii) the form of payment (e.g., cash or equity awards). In October 2013 the Committee terminated this absolute return program effective July 1, 2013 and adopted a new short-term incentive compensation program for key executives (the “2013 Program”). The 2013 Program determined levels of annual cash incentive compensation based on relative performance metrics measured against the Company’s peers in the mortgage REIT industry and the attainment of individual goals and objectives for participating executives. The relative performance metrics used are relative economic return (change in book value plus dividends) and relative operating efficiency (operating expenses divided by Unsecured borrowings and Stockholders’ equity), calculated for the full year and prorated for the six month period during which the program was effective in 2013. The 2013 Program defined maximum payout percentages based on a multiple of salary for each program metric thereby limiting the amount payable to each participating executive. Actual amounts to be awarded are based on separate calculations for each performance metric as well as the Committee’s evaluation of the participating executives’ attainment of individual goals and objectives. In January 2014 the Committee adopted the 2014 short-term incentive program that has provisions similar to the 2013 Program with the addition of an absolute economic return performance metric which measures performance against established return levels.
Included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses at December 31, 2013 are short-term incentive compensation accruals totaling $2.8 million, $350,000 of which was paid in January 2014 to employees not participating in the 2013 Program. Payouts for executives participating in the 2013 Program are expected to be made by March 15, 2014 after the Company’s performance relative to its peers is determined. In 2012 and 2011 the Committee paid incentive compensation partially in cash and partially in fully vested common stock. The fully vested stock awards totaled 156,251 and 189,283 shares (before the surrender of shares for the payment of tax withholding requirements) valued at $11.47 and $12.60 per share when issued in December and January 2012, respectively.
Since 2008 the Committee has utilized a performance-based cash incentive compensation program for key executives that provides for payments equal to per share dividends declared on Capstead’s common stock multiplied by a notional amount of non-vesting or “phantom” common shares (“Dividend Equivalent Rights” or “DERs”). DERs are not attached to any stock or option awards and only represent the right to receive the same cash distributions that the Company’s common stockholders are entitled to receive during the term of the grants, subject to certain conditions, including continuous service. All grants expire July 1, 2015. No additional DERs were awarded in 2013.
DERs issued and outstanding at December 31, 2013 and related compensation costs for the indicated periods were as follows:
Long-term Equity-based Awards
Capstead sponsors equity-based award plans to provide for the issuance of stock awards, restricted stock unit awards, option awards and other long-term equity-based awards to directors and employees. As of December 31, 2013, the Company has issued awards reserving for potential future issuance nearly all available shares under its existing plans. A new plan is being submitted for stockholder approval at this year’s annual meeting of stockholders scheduled for May 28, 2014 to allow for the granting of future long-term equity-based awards.
In December 2013 the Committee adopted a new long-term incentive program, and granted key executives a total of 242,505 performance-based restricted stock units with a grant date fair value of $12.45 per unit, which are convertible into common shares following a three-year performance period ending December 31, 2016 depending upon whether, and to what extent, defined performance levels established for certain relative and absolute return performance metrics are met or exceeded. The relative return metrics measure the Company’s performance against its peers in the mortgage REIT industry on the basis of relative economic return and relative total stockholder return (change in stock price plus reinvested dividends). The absolute economic return metric measures performance against established return levels. For conversion purposes, each performance metric is assigned a weighting and the Company’s performance relative to each metric is calculated separately. The actual number of common shares, if any, the units can convert into for each of the metrics can range from one-half of a common share per unit if that metric’s minimum threshold of performance is met, to two common shares per unit if the related maximum performance threshold is met or exceeded, adjusted for the weighting assigned to the metric. If a metric’s minimum performance threshold is not met, no shares are issuable under that metric. Dividends accrue from the date of grant and will be paid in cash when the units convert into common shares based on the number of common shares ultimately issued, if any.
Under the prior absolute return performance-based stock award program, the Committee granted awards from 2008 through 2012 to all employees with staggered three-year vesting periods subject to Capstead generating annualized returns on investment capital, (defined for this purpose as Unsecured borrowings and Stockholders’ equity, less accumulated OCI and subject to certain other adjustments), equal to the greater of 8.0% or the average 10-year U.S. Treasury rate plus 200 basis points. If the indicated returns are not generated during a three-year measurement period, vesting will be deferred and a new three-year measurement period will be established to include the subsequent year, up to and including the seventh calendar year after the year of grant. Any remaining unvested awards issued under this program will expire if the indicated returns are not generated for the final three-year measurement period.
Information pertaining to absolute return performance-based stock awards issued to employees pursuant to this program is as follows:
(a) The absolute return metrics for the three-year measurement periods ending December 31, 2012 and 2011 were met resulting in the vesting of 67,595 shares associated with the second 50% of this grant in January 2013 and 67,599 shares associated with the first 50% of this grant in February 2012.
(b) The absolute return metrics for the three-year measurement periods ending December 31, 2013 and 2012 were met resulting in the vesting of 52,915 shares associated with the second 50% of this grant in January 2014 and 53,431 shares associated with the first 50% of this grant in January 2013.
(c) The absolute return metric for the first three-year measurement period ending December 31, 2013 was met resulting in the vesting of 61,508 shares associated with the first 50% of this grant in January 2014.
Information pertaining to service-based stock awards issued to directors and employees (subject to certain restrictions, principally continuous service), is as follows:
(a) The remaining 2007 grant shares vested in January 2014.
(b) Director stock awards have been granted annually upon election or reelection to the board of directors. These awards vest one year after issuance.
(c) In December 2013 the Committee granted service-based awards to employees that were not awarded performance-based restricted stock units. These awards vest on January 2, 2017.
Performance-based and service-based stock award activity for year ended December 31, 2013 is summarized below:
During 2013, 2012 and 2011 Capstead recognized in Salaries and benefits $1.8 million, $1.9 million and $1.6 million, respectively, related to amortization of the grant date fair value of employee performance-based and service-based stock awards. The amounts amortized for these periods assumed that performance metrics, if applicable, would continue to be met for related initial measurement periods. In addition, the Company recognized in Other general and administrative expense $387,000, $362,000 and $261,000 related to amortization of the grant date fair value of service-based director stock awards during 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. Unrecognized compensation expense for unvested stock awards totaled $3.0 million as of December 31, 2013, to be expensed over a weighted average period of 1.6 years (assumes minimal employee and director attrition and, if applicable, absolute return performance metrics being met for related initial measurement periods).
Based on the initial fair value of restricted stock units granted in December 2013, $3.0 million can be expected to be expensed over the related three-year performance period under the assumption certain targeted performance levels will be achieved assuming no forfeitures. This would result in the issuance of 242,505 common shares. Actual expense assuming no forfeitures will range from a minimum of $625,000 (the grant date fair value of the total stockholder return performance metric and assuming no shares are ultimately issued under the terms of these grants because the Company’s performance for all performance metrics was less than the related minimum threshold performance levels) to approximately $5.4 million assuming maximum performance levels are met or exceeded for all performance metrics resulting in the issuance of 485,010 common shares.
All service-based stock awards receive dividends on a current basis without risk of forfeiture if the related awards do not vest. Restricted stock units granted in 2013 as well as performance-based stock awards granted in 2012, 2011 and 2010 defer the payment of dividends accruing between the grant dates and the end of related performance periods. If the restricted stock units do not convert into any common shares or a stock award does not vest, the related accrued dividends will be forfeited. Included in Common stock dividend payable at December 31, 2013 and 2012 are dividends payable pertaining to these awards totaling $1.3 million and $765,000, respectively.
Option awards currently outstanding have ten-year contractual terms from the grant date and were issued with strike prices equal to the quoted market prices of Capstead’s common shares on the date of grant. The fair value of option awards was estimated on the date of grant using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. The Company estimated option exercises, expected holding periods and forfeitures based on past experience and expectations for option performance and employee or director attrition. Risk-free rates were based on market rates for the expected life of the options. Expected dividends were based on historical experience and expectations for future performance. Expected volatility factors were based on historical experience. No option awards have been granted since 2010. Option award activity for the year ended December 31, 2013 is summarized below:
Exercisable option awards outstanding as of December 31, 2013 totaled 77,500 shares with a weighted average remaining contractual term of 3.6 years, an average exercise price of $11.75 and an aggregate intrinsic value of $65,000. The total intrinsic value of option awards exercised was $26,000, $620,000 and $129,000 in 2013, 2012 and 2011, respectively. During 2011, the Company recognized in Salaries and benefits $3,000 related to employee option awards.
Other Benefit Programs
Capstead sponsors a qualified defined contribution retirement plan for all employees and a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for certain of its officers. In general the Company matches up to 50% of a participant’s voluntary contribution up to a maximum of 6% of a participant’s salary and short-term incentive compensation and makes discretionary contributions of up to another 3% of such compensation regardless of participation in the plans. Company contributions are subject to certain vesting requirements. During the year ended December 31, 2013, the Company recognized in Salaries and benefits $320,000 related to contributions to these plans.
NOTE 13 ¾ QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)
Summarized quarterly results of operations were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts).
(a) Consists principally of interest on unsecured borrowings and is presented net of earnings of related statutory trusts. These affiliates were dissolved in December 2013.
(b) Includes $0.23 associated with redemption preference premiums paid and other one-time effects of the second quarter’s preferred capital transactions.
ITEM 9.
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.
ITEM 9A.
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Reports on Corporate Governance and
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Report of Management on Effectiveness of Internal Control
Over Financial Reporting
Management of Capstead is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a - 15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework) (“COSO”). Based on our evaluation under the COSO framework, it is management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013.
Capstead’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young, LLP, has issued a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included in this Annual Report.
Report of Management on Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Capstead’s management, with participation of the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as of December 31, 2013. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2013.
Related Certifications by Management
Certifications by the CEO and CFO pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 pertaining to the completeness and fairness of the information contained in Capstead’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 and the Company’s system of internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are included as exhibits to the annual report on Form 10-K. This report, as well as the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available free of charge on the Company’s website at www.capstead.com.
On May 6, 2013 Capstead’s CEO certified, pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Listed Company Manual, that he was not aware of any violation by the Company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards. This certification is made annually with the NYSE within thirty days after the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders.
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on
Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Stockholders and Board of Directors
Capstead Mortgage Corporation
We have audited Capstead Mortgage Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (1992 framework) (the COSO criteria). Management of Capstead Mortgage Corporation (the “Company”) is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Report of Management on Effectiveness of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit.
We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
In our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2013, based on the COSO criteria.
We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of December 31, 2013 and 2012, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity, and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2013 of the Company, and our report dated February 28, 2014 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.
/s/ ERNST & YOUNG, LLP
Dallas, Texas
February 28, 2014
ITEM 9B.
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.
PART III
ITEM 10.
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS, AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Capstead’s 2014 definitive Proxy Statement under the captions “Proposal Number One - Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors and Committee Information,” “Stockholder Procedures for Director Candidate Recommendations,” “Executive Officers,” “Audit Committee” and “Audit Committee Report” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2013.
Capstead has adopted its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees, and its Financial Officer Code of Conduct that applies to its chief executive officer, chief financial officer and other officers with a role in the Company’s financial accounting and reporting process. These codes and waivers thereto, if any, are available on the Company’s website at www.capstead.com.
ITEM 11.
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Capstead’s 2014 definitive Proxy Statement under the captions “Board of Directors and Committee Information” and “Executive Compensation,” to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2013.
ITEM 12.
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Capstead’s 2014 definitive Proxy Statement under the captions “Equity Compensation Plans” and “Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners,” to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2013.
ITEM 13.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Capstead’s 2014 definitive Proxy Statement under the caption “Related Person Transactions,” to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2013.
ITEM 14.
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Capstead’s 2014 definitive Proxy Statement under the caption “Proposal Three - Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of December 31, 2013.
PART IV
ITEM 15.
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) Documents filed as part of this report:
1. The consolidated financial statements of Capstead, together with the independent registered public accounting firm’s report thereon, are set forth on pages 34 through 61 of this report under Item 8 - “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”
2. Financial Statement Schedules - All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable accounting regulation of the Securities and Exchange Commission are either not required under the related instructions, are inapplicable or have been omitted because the required information has been disclosed elsewhere in the consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto.
3. Exhibits:
*
Filed herewith
**
Furnished herewith
***
Submitted electronically herewith
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Capstead has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
CAPSTEAD MORTGAGE CORPORATION
Registrant
Date: February 28, 2014
By:
/s/ ANDREW F. JACOBS
Andrew F. Jacobs
President and Chief Executive Officer
Date: February 28, 2014
By:
/s/ PHILLIP A. REINSCH
Phillip A. Reinsch
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer (Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.
/s/ JACK BIEGLER
Chairman and Director
February 18, 2014
(Jack Biegler)
/s/ JOHN L. BERNARD
Director
February 18, 2014
(John L. Bernard)
/s/ MICHELLE P. GOOLSBY
Director
February 18, 2014
(Michelle P. Goolsby)
/s/ ANDREW F. JACOBS
President, Chief Executive Officer
February 18, 2014
(Andrew F. Jacobs)
and Director
/s/ GARY KEISER
Director
February 18, 2014
(Gary Keiser)
/s/ CHRISTOPHER W. MAHOWALD
Director
February 24, 2014
(Christopher W. Mahowald)
/s/ MICHAEL G. O’NEIL
Director
February 18, 2014
(Michael G. O’Neil)
/s/ MARK S. WHITING
Director
February 18, 2014
(Mark S. Whiting)
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
(1)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2012.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration of Certain Classes of Securities on Form 8-A dated May 13, 2013.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on February 3, 2014, for the event
dated January 29, 2014.
(4)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form S-3 (No. 333-63358) dated June 19, 2001.
(5)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011.
(6)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on May 5, 2011, for the event dated May 4, 2011.
(7)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008.
(8)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2010.
(9)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on October 23, 2013 for the event
dated October 21, 2013.
(10)
Incorporated by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on November 13, 2013, for the event
dated November 12, 2013.
* Filed herewith
** Furnished herewith
*** Submitted electronically herewith