Document



UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 2, 2018

Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT
(Exact name of registrant specified in its charter)

Maryland
 
001-35896
 
46-0687599
(State or Other Jurisdiction Of Incorporation)
 
(Commission File Number)
 
(IRS Employer Identification No.)
53 Forest Avenue
Old Greenwich, CT 06870
(Address of principal executive offices, zip code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (203) 698-1200

Not applicable
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

¨ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

¨ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

¨ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§ 230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§ 240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company    x
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act.     ¨





Item 2.02    Results of Operations and Financial Condition.
The information in this Item 2.02 and the disclosure incorporated by reference in Item 7.01 with respect to Exhibit 99.1 attached to this Current Report on Form 8-K are being furnished by Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT (the "Company") pursuant to Item 7.01 of Form 8-K in satisfaction of the public disclosure requirements of Regulation FD and Item 2.02 of Form 8-K, insofar as they disclose historical information regarding the Company’s results of operations or financial condition for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.
On August 2, 2018, the Company issued a press release announcing its financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. A copy of the press release is furnished herewith as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K and is incorporated herein by reference.
In accordance with General Instructions B.2 and B.6 of Form 8-K, the information included in Item 2.02 and the disclosure incorporated by reference in Item 7.01 shall not be deemed "filed" for the purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section, nor shall it be deemed incorporated by reference into any filing made by the Company under the Exchange Act or the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such a filing.

Item 7.01    Regulation FD Disclosure.
The disclosure contained in Item 2.02 is incorporated herein by reference.

Item 9.01    Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits. The following exhibit is being furnished herewith this Current Report on Form 8-K.
99.1    Earnings Press Release dated August 2, 2018





SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 
 
 
ELLINGTON RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE REIT
 
 
 
 
Dated:
August 2, 2018
By:
/s/ Christopher Smernoff
 
 
 
Christopher Smernoff
 
 
 
Chief Financial Officer





Exhibit Index

Exhibit            Description
99.1            Earnings Press Release dated August 2, 2018


Exhibit
Exhibit 99.1

Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT Reports Second Quarter 2018 Results
OLD GREENWICH, Connecticut—August 2, 2018
Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT (NYSE: EARN) today reported financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018.
Highlights
Net income of $1.8 million, or $0.14 per share.
Core Earnings1 of $5.1 million, or $0.40 per share, and Adjusted Core Earnings1 of $4.6 million, or $0.36 per share.
Book value of $13.70 per share as of June 30, 2018, after giving effect to a second quarter dividend of $0.37 per share.
Net interest margin of 1.28%, and adjusted net interest margin2 of 1.17%.
Weighted average constant prepayment rate for the fixed-rate Agency specified pool portfolio of 8.2%.
Dividend yield of 13.4% based on the August 1, 2018 closing stock price of $11.07.
Debt-to-equity ratio of 8.8:1 as of June 30, 2018; adjusted for unsettled purchases and sales, the debt-to-equity ratio was 8.6:1.
Net mortgage assets-to-equity ratio of 7.4:13 as of June 30, 2018.
Repurchased 115,800 shares during the quarter, or approximately 1% of our outstanding shares as of the beginning of the quarter, at an average price of $11.01 per share.
Second Quarter 2018 Results
"In the second quarter, Ellington Residential had net income of $0.14 per share and Adjusted Core Earnings of $0.36 per share," said Laurence Penn, Chief Executive Officer and President. "During the quarter, higher interest rates caused Agency RMBS asset prices to decline modestly, but EARN's book value was stable as solid net carry on our portfolio and gains on our interest rate hedges more than offset these price declines. Share repurchases provided a tailwind, and altogether our economic return for the quarter was 1.2%, or 5.0% annualized.
"The bear market flattening of the yield curve over the past 18 months has put downward pressure on our net interest margin, but we continue to take advantage of the asset opportunities and higher yields by turning over meaningful portions of our portfolio, in order to recharge our net interest margin and boost core earnings. We expect this activity to continue throughout the third quarter.
"Despite the ongoing technical drag from Fed tapering, we believe that Agency RMBS offer attractive relative value today, with favorable prepayment fundamentals and yield spreads that remain near their two-year widest levels, in contrast to many credit sectors where spreads remain near their two-year tightest levels. As a result, after having covered a significant portion of our TBA short position in March in response to the market selloff, we continue to keep our net mortgage exposure relatively high.
"Looking forward, as quantitative easing around the globe continues to give way to quantitative tightening, the market will continue to lose an important stabilizing force. The market is pricing in continued record low volatility, but if volatility returns, we would expect more investment opportunities and chances to differentiate ourselves. We believe that our hedging strategy and our highly liquid portfolio will allow us to take advantage of such opportunities while also preserving book value."
Market Overview
In June, the Federal Reserve raised the target range for the federal funds rate by 0.25%, to 1.75%–2.00%, its seventh rate increase since December 1, 2015 and its second rate increase so far in 2018. LIBOR rates, which drive many of our financing costs, increased in sympathy, with one-month LIBOR increasing 21 basis points to end the second quarter at 2.09%.
In April and July, the Federal Reserve continued to increase the amount of the tapering of its reinvestments in line with the schedule it had laid out in September 2017. The tapering of Agency RMBS purchases increased to $12 billion per month in April and to $16 billion per month in July. The tapering of U.S. Treasury purchases increased to $18 billion per month in April and to $24 billion per month in July.

1 Core Earnings and Adjusted Core Earnings are non-GAAP financial measures. Adjusted Core Earnings represents Core Earnings excluding the effect of the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment on interest income. See "Reconciliation of Core Earnings to Net Income (Loss)" below for an explanation regarding the calculation of Core Earnings, Adjusted Core Earnings, and the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment.
2 Adjusted net interest margin represents net interest margin excluding the effect of the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment on interest income.
3 We define our net mortgage assets-to-equity ratio as the net aggregate market value of our mortgage-backed securities (including the underlying market values of our long and short TBA positions) divided by total shareholders' equity. As of June 30, 2018 the market value of our mortgage-backed securities and our net short TBA position was $1.580 billion and $(294.8) million, respectively, and total shareholders' equity was $174.2 million.


The yield curve flattened for the sixth consecutive quarter: the 2-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 26 basis points to end the second quarter at 2.53%, while the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rose 12 basis points to 2.86%. The spread between the 2-year and 10-year tightened to just 33 basis points, as compared to 47 basis points at the end of the first quarter.
Mortgage rates increased in the second quarter, with the Freddie Mac survey 30-year mortgage rate rising 11 basis points to end the quarter at 4.55%.
Overall Agency RMBS prepayment rates continued to be muted during the quarter. The Mortgage Bankers Association's Refinance Index, which measures refinancing application volumes, fell 11.9% quarter over quarter, dropping intra-quarter to its lowest seasonally-adjusted level in more than 17 years.
The second quarter of 2018 saw the extreme equity volatility of the first quarter subside, but interest rate choppiness and yield curve flattening continue. During the first part of the quarter, interest rates continued their recent upward trend, with the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield rising 37 basis points to an almost seven-year high of 3.11% on May 17th. Over the next two weeks, this trend reversed, as investors reacted to a possible trade war and political uncertainty in Italy; by May 29th, the 10-year U.S. Treasury had rallied nearly back to where it started the quarter. The flight to quality was short-lived, however, and the 10-year U.S. Treasury yield finished the quarter 12 basis points higher overall. The yield curve has lately been the flattest it has been since 2007, when it actually inverted during the early part of the year.
Performance was mixed for the quarter across the various credit-sensitive sectors. Investment grade and high yield corporate credit spreads tightened during April but then widened in May and June, and finished the quarter approximately flat. Meanwhile, CMBS credit spreads generally tightened during the quarter (with especially strong demand for higher-yielding, non-investment grade CMBS securities), and the legacy non-Agency RMBS market continued to be well supported. The continued increase in LIBOR boosted coupons of floating-rate debt instruments, benefiting CLOs, leveraged loans, and other structured credit products.
Despite higher rates and the continued increase of Fed tapering, Agency RMBS spreads generally held firm over the quarter, continuing to benefit from a muted prepayment environment. As measured by the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. MBS Agency Fixed Rate Index, Agency RMBS generated a total return of 24 basis points for the quarter, and an excess return (on a duration-adjusted basis) over the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Treasury Index of 15 basis points.
Financial Results
Holdings
As of June 30, 2018, our mortgage-backed securities portfolio consisted of $1.451 billion of fixed-rate Agency "specified pools," $20.7 million of Agency RMBS backed by adjustable rate mortgages, or "Agency ARMs," $76.8 million of Agency reverse mortgage pools, $19.1 million of Agency interest only securities, or "Agency IOs," and $12.0 million of non-Agency RMBS. Specified pools are fixed-rate Agency pools consisting of mortgages with special characteristics, such as mortgages with low loan balances, mortgages backed by investor properties, mortgages originated through the government-sponsored "Making Homes Affordable" refinancing programs, and mortgages with various other characteristics.
Our overall RMBS portfolio decreased by 3.1% to $1.580 billion as of June 30, 2018, as compared to $1.631 billion as of March 31, 2018. Even though our portfolio was slightly smaller by quarter end, our equity base was also slightly smaller and our overall debt-to-equity ratio, adjusted for unsettled purchases and sales, was unchanged at 8.6:1 as of June 30, 2018, as compared to March 31, 2018. Our debt-to-equity ratio may fluctuate period over period based on portfolio management decisions, market conditions, capital markets activities, and the timing of security purchase and sale transactions.
With Agency RMBS yield spreads remaining near their two-year widest levels in the second quarter, we continued to maintain a smaller short TBA position that we use for hedging purposes, as well as a larger long TBA portfolio held for investment purposes, compared to how we were positioned in previous years. As of June 30, 2018, we had short TBAs of $448.6 million, as compared to $386.2 million as of March 31, 2018. Also as of June 30, 2018, we had $153.7 million of long TBAs held for investment purposes, as compared to $142.9 million as of March 31, 2018. As a result, our net mortgage assets-to-equity ratio decreased slightly quarter over quarter to 7.4:1 from 7.8:1, but was still meaningfully higher than as of December 31, 2017, when this ratio was 5.7:1, as well as compared to the quarter-end average over the past three years ended December 31, 2017 of 5.7:1. TBAs are forward-settling Agency RMBS where the mortgage pass-through certificates to be delivered are "To-Be-Announced."
With Agency RMBS prices declining again during the second quarter, our portfolio had significant realized and unrealized losses. While these losses were partially offset by significant gains on our interest rate swaps, futures, and TBA short positions, strong TBA dollar rolls and muted prepayments caused TBAs to outperform specified pools, which further dampened our results. Short positions in TBAs continue to represent a significant portion of our interest rate hedging portfolio.

2


Average pay-ups on our specified pools were essentially unchanged at 0.58% as of June 30, 2018, as compared to 0.59% as of March 31, 2018. Pay-ups are price premiums for specified pools relative to their TBA counterparts. Additionally, our GNMA portfolio benefited from a significant drop in GNMA prepayment speeds during the quarter, which reflected the impact of a new law inhibiting "churning" of VA loans, as well as certain disciplinary actions taken by GNMA against several originators whose loans have exhibited abnormally high prepayment speeds.
Our non-Agency RMBS performed well during the quarter, driven by strong net interest income, which was slightly offset by net realized and unrealized losses as prices declined marginally in the sector during the quarter. Fundamentals underlying non-Agency RMBS continue to remain strong, led by a stable housing market. Our total investment in non-Agency RMBS was relatively unchanged at $12.0 million as of June 30, 2018, as compared to $12.4 million as of March 31, 2018. To the extent that more attractive entry points develop in non-Agency RMBS, we may increase our capital allocation to this sector.
Earnings and Net Interest Margin
We had net income of $1.8 million, or $0.14 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, as compared to a net loss of $(4.0) million, or $(0.30) per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The net income for the quarter was primarily driven by strong net interest income on our Agency RMBS investments and net gains from our interest rate hedges, partially offset by realized and unrealized losses on our Agency RMBS investments. For the quarter ended June 30, 2018, Core Earnings was $5.1 million, or $0.40 per share, as compared to $4.3 million, or $0.32 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. Adjusted Core Earnings for the quarter ended June 30, 2018 was $4.6 million, or $0.36 per share, as compared to $4.4 million, or $0.34 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018. The higher Core Earnings and Adjusted Core Earnings in the current quarter resulted from the increase in our quarter-over-quarter adjusted net interest margin, reflecting the higher asset yields following portfolio turnover, partially offset by increases in repo borrowing rates. Core Earnings and Adjusted Core Earnings are non-GAAP financial measures. See "Reconciliation of Core Earnings to Net Income (Loss)" below for an explanation regarding the calculation of Core Earnings, Adjusted Core Earnings, and the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the weighted average yield of our portfolio of Agency and non-Agency RMBS was 3.26%, while our average cost of funds, including interest rate swaps and U.S. Treasury securities, was 1.98%, resulting in a net interest margin for the quarter of 1.28%. By comparison, for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, the weighted average yield of our Agency and non-Agency RMBS was 2.99%, while our average cost of funds, including interest rate swaps and U.S. Treasury securities, was 1.93%, resulting in a net interest margin of 1.06%. Excluding the impact of the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment, the weighted average yield of our portfolio increased to 3.15% for the second quarter as compared to 3.02% for the first quarter, and our adjusted net interest margin was 1.17% and 1.09%, respectively.
On a quarter-over-quarter basis, our cost of funds, including the cost of repo, interest rate swaps, and short positions in U.S. Treasury securities, increased to 1.98% from 1.93%. This quarter-over-quarter increase resulted mainly from an increase in our repo borrowing rates, which increased as LIBOR rose. Our average repo borrowing rate increased 33 basis points quarter over quarter to 1.96%. This increase was partially offset by lower costs related to our short positions in U.S. Treasury securities and interest rate swaps, which decreased 28 basis points from the prior quarter.
For the quarter ended June 30, 2018, prices on our Agency RMBS portfolio declined, and we had total net realized and unrealized losses of $(10.1) million, or $(0.79) per share. Our Agency RMBS portfolio turnover was 17% for the quarter, which was modestly higher than the prior quarter. In addition, we had total net realized and unrealized losses of $(0.1) million, or $(0.01) per share, on our non-Agency RMBS portfolio as prices declined slightly during the quarter.
During the quarter we continued to hedge interest rate risk, primarily through the use of interest rate swaps, short positions in TBAs, U.S. Treasury securities, and futures. For the quarter, we had total net realized and unrealized gains of $7.0 million, or $0.55 per share, on our interest rate hedging portfolio, as interest rates increased. In our hedging portfolio, the relative proportion (based on 10-year equivalents4) of short positions in TBAs increased slightly quarter over quarter relative to our other interest rate hedges, as we marginally decreased our exposure to Agency RMBS. The relative makeup of our interest rate hedging portfolio can change materially from quarter to quarter.
After giving effect to a second quarter dividend of $0.37 per share, our book value per share decreased to $13.70 as of June 30, 2018, from $13.90 as of March 31, 2018, and we had an economic return of 1.2% for the quarter. Economic return is computed by adding back dividends declared to ending book value per share, and comparing that amount to book value per share as of the beginning of the quarter.
4 "10-year equivalents" for a group of positions represent the amount of 10-year U.S. Treasury securities that would be expected to experience a similar change in market value under a standard parallel move in interest rates.

3


Securities Portfolio
The following table summarizes our portfolio of securities as of June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:
 
June 30, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
(In thousands)
Current Principal
 
Fair Value
 
Average Price(1)
 
Cost
 
Average Cost(1)
 
Current Principal
 
Fair Value
 
Average Price(1)
 
Cost
 
Average Cost(1)
Agency RMBS(2)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
15-year fixed-rate mortgages
$
147,080

 
$
148,499

 
$
100.96

 
$
153,512

 
$
104.37

 
$
151,969

 
$
154,850

 
$
101.90

 
$
158,690

 
$
104.42

20-year fixed-rate mortgages
8,143

 
8,421

 
103.41

 
8,767

 
107.66

 
8,432

 
8,773

 
104.04

 
9,078

 
107.66

30-year fixed-rate mortgages
1,263,388

 
1,294,483

 
102.46

 
1,329,912

 
105.27

 
1,304,988

 
1,341,220

 
102.78

 
1,375,171

 
105.38

ARMs
20,124

 
20,730

 
103.01

 
21,521

 
106.94

 
22,613

 
23,382

 
103.40

 
24,010

 
106.18

Reverse mortgages
71,781

 
76,831

 
107.04

 
78,603

 
109.50

 
69,813

 
75,382

 
107.98

 
76,536

 
109.63

Total Agency RMBS
1,510,516

 
1,548,964

 
102.55

 
1,592,315

 
105.42

 
1,557,815

 
1,603,607

 
102.94

 
1,643,485

 
105.50

Non-Agency RMBS
14,839

 
12,024

 
81.03

 
10,278

 
69.26

 
15,258

 
12,442

 
81.54

 
10,503

 
68.84

Total RMBS(2)
1,525,355

 
1,560,988

 
102.34

 
1,602,593

 
105.06

 
1,573,073

 
1,616,049

 
102.73

 
1,653,988

 
105.14

Agency IOs
n/a
 
19,115

 
n/a
 
18,583

 
n/a
 
n/a
 
14,526

 
n/a
 
14,264

 
n/a
Total mortgage-backed securities
 
 
1,580,103

 
 
 
1,621,176

 
 
 
 
 
1,630,575

 
 
 
1,668,252

 
 
U.S. Treasury securities sold short
(16,300
)
 
(16,195
)
 
99.36

 
(15,999
)
 
98.15

 
(44,350
)
 
(44,377
)
 
100.06

 
(44,002
)
 
99.22

Reverse repurchase agreements
21,373

 
21,373

 
100.00

 
21,373

 
100.00

 
44,617

 
44,617

 
100.00

 
44,617

 
100.00

Total
 
 
$
1,585,281

 
 
 
$
1,626,550

 
 
 
 
 
$
1,630,815

 
 
 
$
1,668,867

 
 
(1)
Represents the dollar amount (not shown in thousands) per $100 of current principal of the price or cost for the security.
(2)
Excludes Agency IOs.
Our weighted average holdings of RMBS based on amortized cost was $1.689 billion and $1.728 billion for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, respectively.
Financial Derivatives Portfolio
The following table summarizes fair value of our financial derivatives as of June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
 
 
(In thousands)
Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value:
 
 
 
 
TBA securities purchase contracts
 
$
422

 
$
295

TBA securities sale contracts
 

 
1

Fixed payer interest rate swaps
 
17,026

 
12,652

Fixed receiver interest rate swaps
 

 
194

Swaptions
 
470

 
386

Futures
 
2,177

 

Total financial derivatives–assets, at fair value
 
20,095

 
13,528

Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value:
 
 
 
 
TBA securities purchase contracts
 
(1
)
 
(122
)
TBA securities sale contracts
 
(1,394
)
 
(2,450
)
Fixed payer interest rate swaps
 
(260
)
 
(1,191
)
Fixed receiver interest rate swaps
 

 
(1
)
Futures
 

 
(2,112
)
Total financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value
 
(1,655
)
 
(5,876
)
Total
 
$
18,440

 
$
7,652


4


Interest Rate Swaps
The following tables provide details about our fixed payer interest rate swaps as of June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:
 
 
June 30, 2018
Maturity
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted Average
Pay Rate
 
Weighted Average Receive Rate
 
Weighted Average Remaining Years to Maturity
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020
 
$
86,000

 
$
1,916

 
1.60
%
 
2.35
%
 
1.82
2021
 
133,400

 
3,677

 
1.89

 
2.35

 
2.91
2022
 
68,480

 
2,206

 
2.00

 
2.36

 
3.94
2023
 
119,466

 
2,786

 
2.30

 
2.36

 
4.77
2024
 
8,900

 
436

 
1.99

 
2.31

 
5.76
2025
 
47,722

 
650

 
2.57

 
2.33

 
6.67
2026
 
40,885

 
3,761

 
1.63

 
2.35

 
8.21
2027
 
30,000

 
1,458

 
2.29

 
2.35

 
8.85
2028
 
7,923

 
(13
)
 
2.85

 
2.36

 
9.61
2043
 
12,380

 
(111
)
 
2.99

 
2.35

 
24.89
Total
 
$
555,156

 
$
16,766

 
2.05
%
 
2.35
%
 
4.93
 
 
March 31, 2018
Maturity
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted Average
Pay Rate
 
Weighted Average Receive Rate
 
Weighted Average Remaining Years to Maturity
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2020
 
$
86,000

 
$
1,372

 
1.60
%
 
1.76
%
 
2.07
2021
 
161,400

 
2,428

 
2.03

 
1.90

 
3.14
2022
 
68,480

 
1,511

 
2.00

 
1.80

 
4.19
2023
 
150,466

 
1,984

 
2.38

 
1.82

 
4.99
2024
 
8,900

 
316

 
1.99

 
1.69

 
6.01
2025
 
57,822

 
361

 
2.62

 
1.97

 
6.93
2026
 
40,885

 
3,423

 
1.63

 
1.87

 
8.46
2027
 
30,000

 
934

 
2.29

 
1.79

 
9.10
2028
 
36,663

 
(397
)
 
2.89

 
2.01

 
9.93
2043
 
12,380

 
(471
)
 
2.99

 
1.83

 
25.13
Total
 
$
652,996

 
$
11,461

 
2.15
%
 
1.86
%
 
5.31
The following table provides details about our fixed receiver interest rate swaps as of March 31, 2018. As of June 30, 2018 we did not hold any fixed receiver interest rate swaps:
 
 
March 31, 2018
Maturity
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Weighted Average
Pay Rate
 
Weighted Average Receive Rate
 
Weighted Average Remaining Years to Maturity
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
2021
 
$
13,000

 
$
(1
)
 
2.31
%
 
2.66
%
 
3.01
2025
 
9,700

 
194

 
1.72

 
3.00

 
7.30
Total
 
$
22,700

 
$
193

 
2.06
%
 
2.80
%
 
4.84

5


Interest Rate Swaptions
The following tables provide information about our swaptions as of June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
 
Option
 
Underlying Swap
Type
 
Fair Value
 
Months to Expiration
 
Notional
Amount
 
Term (Years)
 
 
Fixed Rate
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Payer
 
$
470

 
1.0
 
$
10,000

 
10
 
2.40%
 
 
March 31, 2018
 
 
Option
 
Underlying Swap
Type
 
Fair Value
 
Months to Expiration
 
Notional
Amount
 
Term (Years)
 
 
Fixed Rate
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Fixed Payer
 
$
386

 
4.0
 
$
10,000

 
10
 
2.40%
Futures
The following tables provide information about our short positions in futures as of June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:
 
 
June 30, 2018
Description
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Remaining Months to Expiration
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury Futures
 
$
(296,100
)
 
$
2,177

 
2.84
 
 
March 31, 2018
Description
 
Notional Amount
 
Fair Value
 
Remaining Months to Expiration
($ in thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
U.S. Treasury Futures
 
$
(296,100
)
 
$
(2,112
)
 
2.84
TBAs
The following table provides information about our TBAs as of June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
TBA Securities
 
Notional Amount (1)
 
Cost
Basis
(2)
 
Market Value (3)
 
Net Carrying Value (4)
 
Notional Amount (1)
 
Cost
Basis
(2)
 
Market Value (3)
 
Net Carrying Value (4)
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Purchase contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 
$
136,754

 
$
139,946

 
$
140,368

 
$
422

 
$
98,555

 
$
99,949

 
$
100,244

 
$
295

Liabilities
 
12,710

 
13,343

 
13,342

 
(1
)
 
41,149

 
42,763

 
42,641

 
(122
)
 
 
149,464


153,289


153,710


421


139,704


142,712


142,885


173

Sale contracts:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Assets
 

 

 

 

 
(3,600
)
 
(3,770
)
 
(3,769
)
 
1

Liabilities
 
(441,893
)
 
(447,161
)
 
(448,555
)
 
(1,394
)
 
(378,653
)
 
(379,954
)
 
(382,404
)
 
(2,450
)
 
 
(441,893
)

(447,161
)

(448,555
)

(1,394
)

(382,253
)

(383,724
)

(386,173
)

(2,449
)
Total TBA securities, net
 
$
(292,429
)
 
$
(293,872
)
 
$
(294,845
)
 
$
(973
)
 
$
(242,549
)
 
$
(241,012
)
 
$
(243,288
)
 
$
(2,276
)
(1)
Notional amount represents the principal balance of the underlying Agency RMBS.
(2)
Cost basis represents the forward price to be paid for the underlying Agency RMBS.
(3)
Market value represents the current market value of the underlying Agency RMBS (on a forward delivery basis) as of the respective period end.

6


(4)
Net carrying value represents the difference between the market value of the TBA contract as of the respective period end and the cost basis, and is reported in Financial derivatives-assets, at fair value and Financial derivatives-liabilities, at fair value on the Consolidated Balance Sheet, for each respective period end.
We primarily use TBAs to hedge interest rate risk, typically in the form of short positions. However, from time to time we also invest in TBAs as a means of acquiring exposure to Agency RMBS, or for speculative purposes, including holding long positions. Overall, we typically hold a net short position.
The following tables detail gains and losses on our financial derivatives for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:
 
 
Three-Month Period Ended June 30, 2018
Derivative Type
 
Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps
 
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps
 
Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives
 
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps
 
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps
 
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
(1,341
)
 
$
528

 
$
(813
)
 
$
1,472

 
$
3,686

 
$
5,158

Swaptions
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
84

 
84

TBAs
 
 
 
(460
)
 
(460
)
 
 
 
1,304

 
1,304

Futures
 
 
 
(2,429
)
 
(2,429
)
 
 
 
4,288

 
4,288

Total
 
$
(1,341
)
 
$
(2,361
)
 
$
(3,702
)
 
$
1,472

 
$
9,362

 
$
10,834

 
 
Three-Month Period Ended March 31, 2018
Derivative Type
 
Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps
 
Net Realized Gains (Losses) Other Than Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps
 
Net Realized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives
 
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps
 
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) Other Than on Accrued Periodic Settlements of Interest Rate Swaps
 
Change in Net Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Financial Derivatives
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest rate swaps
 
$
1,132

 
$
2,441

 
$
3,573

 
$
(1,511
)
 
$
6,098

 
$
4,587

Swaptions
 
 
 

 

 
 
 
205

 
205

TBAs
 
 
 
11,303

 
11,303

 
 
 
(1,944
)
 
(1,944
)
Futures
 
 
 
1,079

 
1,079

 
 
 
(2,283
)
 
(2,283
)
Total
 
$
1,132

 
$
14,823

 
$
15,955

 
$
(1,511
)
 
$
2,076

 
$
565


7


Interest Rate Sensitivity
The following table summarizes, as of June 30, 2018, the estimated effects on the value of our portfolio, both overall and by category, of immediate downward and upward parallel shifts of 50 basis points in interest rates.
 
 
Estimated Change in Fair Value(1)
(In thousands)
 
50 Basis Point Decline
in Interest Rates
 
50 Basis Point Increase
in Interest Rates
 
 
Market Value
 
% of Total Equity
 
Market Value
 
% of Total Equity
Agency RMBS—ARM Pools
 
$
197

 
0.11
 %
 
$
(213
)
 
(0.12
)%
Agency RMBS—Fixed Pools and IOs
 
26,767

 
15.37
 %
 
(34,693
)
 
(19.92
)%
TBAs
 
(6,746
)
 
(3.87
)%
 
8,077

 
4.63
 %
Non-Agency RMBS
 
288

 
0.17
 %
 
(283
)
 
(0.16
)%
Interest Rate Swaps
 
(12,271
)
 
(7.05
)%
 
11,843

 
6.80
 %
Swaptions
 
(432
)
 
(0.25
)%
 
424

 
0.24
 %
U.S. Treasury Securities
 
(817
)
 
(0.47
)%
 
763

 
0.44
 %
U.S. Treasury Futures
 
(9,011
)
 
(5.17
)%
 
8,742

 
5.02
 %
Repurchase and Reverse Repurchase Agreements
 
(919
)
 
(0.53
)%
 
919

 
0.53
 %
Total
 
$
(2,944
)
 
(1.69
)%
 
$
(4,421
)
 
(2.54
)%
(1)
Based on the market environment as of June 30, 2018. Results are based on forward-looking models, which are inherently imperfect, and incorporate various simplifying assumptions. Therefore, the table above is for illustrative purposes only and actual changes in interest rates would likely cause changes in the actual value of the overall portfolio that would differ from those presented above and such differences might be significant and adverse.
Repo Borrowings
The following table details our outstanding borrowings under repo agreements as of June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018:
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
 
 
 
 
Weighted Average
 
 
 
Weighted Average
Remaining Days to Maturity
 
Borrowings Outstanding
 
Interest Rate
 
Remaining Days to Maturity
 
Borrowings Outstanding
 
Interest Rate
 
Remaining Days to Maturity
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
30 days or less
 
$
481,649

 
2.00
%
 
16
 
$
468,222

 
1.67
%
 
16
31-60 days
 
732,797

 
2.10

 
45
 
818,835

 
1.76

 
45
61-90 days
 
322,770

 
2.18

 
76
 
302,262

 
1.90

 
75
Total
 
$
1,537,216

 
2.09
%
 
42
 
$
1,589,319

 
1.76
%
 
42
As of June 30, 2018, we had no outstanding borrowings other than under repo agreements. Our repo borrowings were with 16 counterparties as of June 30, 2018. The above figures are as of the respective quarter ends; over the course of the quarters ended June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018 our average cost of repo was 1.96% and 1.63%, respectively.
Other
We incur an annual base management fee, payable quarterly in arrears, in an amount equal to 1.50% of shareholders' equity (as defined in our management agreement). For the quarter ended June 30, 2018, our expense ratio, defined as management fees and operating expenses as a percentage of average shareholders' equity, was 3.2% on an annualized basis for the quarter ended June 30, 2018, as compared to 3.3% as of March 31, 2018. The decrease in our annualized expense ratio resulted primarily from lower professional fees and other operating expenses during the quarter.
Dividends
On June 13, 2018, our Board of Trustees declared a second quarter dividend of $0.37 per share, or $4.7 million, which was paid on July 25, 2018 to shareholders of record on June 29, 2018.

8


Share Repurchase Program
On June 13, 2018, our Board of Trustees approved the adoption of a share repurchase program under which we are authorized to repurchase up to 1.2 million common shares. The program, which is open-ended in duration, allows us to make repurchases from time to time on the open market or in negotiated transactions, including through Rule 10b5-1 plans. Repurchases are at our discretion, subject to applicable law, share availability, price and our financial performance, among other considerations. This program superseded the program that was previously adopted on February 6, 2018, which also authorized us to repurchase up to 1.2 million of common shares. During the three-month period ended June 30, 2018, we repurchased 115,800 common shares under the prior repurchase program at an average price per share of $11.01 and a total cost of $1.3 million. From inception of the current repurchase program through August 1, 2018 we have repurchased 21,720 common shares for an aggregate cost of approximately $0.2 million.
Reconciliation of Core Earnings to Net Income (Loss)
Core Earnings consists of net income (loss), excluding realized and change in net unrealized gains and (losses) on securities and financial derivatives, and, if applicable, items of income or loss that are of a non-recurring nature. Core Earnings includes net realized and change in net unrealized gains (losses) associated with payments and accruals of periodic payments on interest rate swaps. Adjusted Core Earnings represents Core Earnings excluding the effect of the Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment on interest income. The Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment is a quarterly adjustment to premium amortization triggered by changes in actual and projected prepayments on our Agency RMBS (accompanied by a corresponding offsetting adjustment to realized and unrealized gains and losses). The adjustment is calculated as of the beginning of each quarter based on our then assumptions about cashflows and prepayments, and can vary significantly from quarter to quarter.
Core Earnings and Adjusted Core Earnings are supplemental non-GAAP financial measures. We believe that Core Earnings and Adjusted Core Earnings provide information useful to investors because they are metrics that we use to assess our performance and to evaluate the effective net yield provided by the portfolio. Moreover, one of our objectives is to generate income from the net interest margin on the portfolio, and Core Earnings and Adjusted Core Earnings are used to help measure the extent to which this objective is being achieved. However, because Core Earnings and Adjusted Core Earnings are incomplete measures of our financial results and differ from net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP, they should be considered as supplementary to, and not as substitutes for, net income (loss) computed in accordance with GAAP.
The following table reconciles, for the three-month periods ended June 30, 2018 and March 31, 2018, our Core Earnings and Adjusted Core Earnings on a consolidated basis to the line on our Consolidated Statement of Operations entitled Net Income (Loss), which we believe is the most directly comparable GAAP measure on our Consolidated Statement of Operations to Core Earnings:
(In thousands except share amounts)
 
Three-Month
Period Ended
June 30, 2018
 
Three-Month
Period Ended
March 31, 2018
Net Income (Loss)
 
$
1,786

 
$
(3,953
)
Less:
 
 
 
 
Net realized gains (losses) on securities
 
(7,114
)
 
1,927

Net realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, excluding periodic payments(1)
 
(2,361
)
 
14,823

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
 
(3,218
)
 
(27,061
)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives, excluding accrued periodic payments(2)
 
9,362

 
2,076

Subtotal
 
(3,331
)
 
(8,235
)
Core Earnings
 
$
5,117

 
$
4,282

Less: Catch-up Premium Amortization Adjustment
 
480

 
(150
)
Adjusted Core Earnings
 
$
4,637

 
$
4,432

Weighted Average Shares Outstanding
 
12,715,277

 
13,224,214

Core Earnings Per Share
 
$
0.40

 
$
0.32

Adjusted Core Earnings Per Share
 
$
0.36

 
$
0.34

(1)
For the three-month period ended June 30, 2018, represents Net realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives of $(3.7) million less Net realized gains (losses) on periodic settlements of interest rate swaps of $(1.3) million. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, represents Net realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives of $16.0 million less Net realized gains (losses) on periodic settlements of interest rate swaps of $1.1 million.
(2)
For the three-month period ended June 30, 2018, represents Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives of $10.8 million less Change

9


in net unrealized gains (losses) on accrued periodic settlements of interest rate swaps of $1.5 million. For the three-month period ended March 31, 2018, represents Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives of $0.6 million less Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on accrued periodic settlements of interest rate swaps of $(1.5) million.
About Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT
Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT is a mortgage real estate investment trust that specializes in acquiring, investing in and managing residential mortgage- and real estate-related assets, with a primary focus on residential mortgage-backed securities, for which the principal and interest payments are guaranteed by a U.S. government agency or a U.S. government-sponsored enterprise. Ellington Residential Mortgage REIT is externally managed and advised by Ellington Residential Mortgage Management LLC, an affiliate of Ellington Management Group, L.L.C.
Conference Call
We will host a conference call at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time on Friday, August 3, 2018, to discuss our financial results for the quarter ended June 30, 2018. To participate in the event by telephone, please dial (877) 437-3698 at least 10 minutes prior to the start time and reference the conference ID number 5233149. International callers should dial (810) 740-4679 and reference the same conference ID number. The conference call will also be webcast live over the Internet and can be accessed via the "For Our Shareholders" section of our web site at www.earnreit.com. To listen to the live webcast, please visit www.earnreit.com at least 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to register, download, and install necessary audio software. In connection with the release of these financial results, we also posted an investor presentation, that will accompany the conference call, on our website at www.earnreit.com under "For Our Shareholders—Presentations."
A dial-in replay of the conference call will be available on Friday, August 3, 2018, at approximately 2:00 p.m. Eastern Time through Friday, August 17, 2018 at approximately 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time. To access this replay, please dial (800) 585-8367 and enter the conference ID number 5233149. International callers should dial (404) 537-3406 and enter the same conference ID number. A replay of the conference call will also be archived on our web site at www.earnreit.com.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve numerous risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ from our beliefs, expectations, estimates, and projections and, consequently, you should not rely on these forward-looking statements as predictions of future events. Forward-looking statements are not historical in nature and can be identified by words such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "continue," "intend," "should," "would," "could," "goal," "objective," "will," "may," "seek," or similar expressions or their negative forms, or by references to strategy, plans, or intentions. Examples of forward-looking statements in this press release include, without limitation, our beliefs regarding the current economic and investment environment, our ability to implement our investment and hedging strategies, our future prospects and the protection of our net interest margin from prepayments, volatility and its impact on us, the performance of our investment and hedging strategies, our exposure to prepayment risk in our Agency portfolio, estimated effects on the fair value of our RMBS and interest rate derivative holdings of a hypothetical change in interest rates, statements regarding our share repurchase program, and statements regarding the drivers of our returns. Our results can fluctuate from month to month and from quarter to quarter depending on a variety of factors, some of which are beyond our control and/or are difficult to predict, including, without limitation, changes in interest rates and the market value of our securities, changes in mortgage default rates and prepayment rates, our ability to borrow to finance our assets, changes in government regulations affecting our business, our ability to maintain our exclusion from registration under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and other changes in market conditions and economic trends. Furthermore, forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, among other things, those described in Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2017 filed on March 14, 2018 which can be accessed through the link to our SEC filings under "For Our Shareholders" on our website (www.earnreit.com) or at the SEC's website (www.sec.gov). Other risks, uncertainties, and factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied may be described from time to time in reports we file with the SEC, including reports on Forms 10-Q, 10-K and 8-K. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

10


ELLINGTON RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE REIT
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
Three-Month
Period Ended
 
Six-Month Period Ended
 
 
June 30,
2018
 
March 31,
2018
 
June 30,
2018
(In thousands except share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
INTEREST INCOME (EXPENSE)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Interest income
 
$
14,081

 
$
13,426

 
$
27,506

Interest expense
 
(7,668
)
 
(7,248
)
 
(14,915
)
Total net interest income
 
6,413

 
6,178

 
12,591

EXPENSES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Management fees to affiliate
 
656

 
671

 
1,327

Professional fees
 
217

 
234

 
452

Compensation expense
 
187

 
189

 
375

Insurance expense
 
74

 
74

 
148

Other operating expenses
 
293

 
349

 
641

Total expenses
 
1,427

 
1,517

 
2,943

OTHER INCOME (LOSS)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Net realized gains (losses) on securities
 
(7,114
)
 
1,927

 
(5,188
)
Net realized gains (losses) on financial derivatives
 
(3,702
)
 
15,955

 
12,253

Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
 
(3,218
)
 
(27,061
)
 
(30,279
)
Change in net unrealized gains (losses) on financial derivatives
 
10,834

 
565

 
11,399

Total other income (loss)
 
(3,200
)
 
(8,614
)
 
(11,815
)
NET INCOME (LOSS)
 
$
1,786

 
$
(3,953
)
 
$
(2,167
)
NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Basic and Diluted
 
$
0.14

 
$
(0.30
)
 
$
(0.17
)
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OUTSTANDING
 
12,715,277

 
13,224,214

 
12,968,340

CASH DIVIDENDS PER SHARE:
 
 
 
 
 
 
Dividends declared
 
$
0.37

 
$
0.37

 
$
0.74



11


ELLINGTON RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE REIT
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED)
 
 
As of
 
 
June 30, 2018
 
March 31, 2018
 
December 31, 2017(1)
(In thousands except share amounts)
 
 
 
 
 
 
ASSETS
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
41,402

 
$
46,025

 
$
56,117

Mortgage-backed securities, at fair value
 
1,580,103

 
1,630,575

 
1,685,998

Due from brokers
 
26,946

 
32,061

 
26,754

Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value
 
20,095

 
13,528

 
8,792

Reverse repurchase agreements
 
21,373

 
44,617

 
81,461

Receivable for securities sold
 
51,614

 
73,560

 
21,606

Interest receivable
 
5,988

 
5,645

 
5,784

Other assets
 
748

 
523

 
575

Total Assets
 
$
1,748,269

 
$
1,846,534

 
$
1,887,087

LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
LIABILITIES
 
 
 
 
 
 
Repurchase agreements
 
$
1,537,216

 
$
1,589,319

 
$
1,597,206

Payable for securities purchased
 
1,387

 
17,612

 
3,830

Due to brokers
 
7,312

 
1,025

 
489

Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value
 
1,655

 
5,876

 
1,863

U.S. Treasury securities sold short, at fair value
 
16,195

 
44,377

 
81,289

Dividend payable
 
4,703

 
4,746

 
4,936

Accrued expenses
 
849

 
911

 
728

Management fee payable to affiliate
 
656

 
671

 
725

Interest payable
 
4,127

 
3,685

 
3,318

Total Liabilities
 
1,574,100

 
1,668,222

 
1,694,384

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
 
 
 
 
 
 
Preferred shares, par value $0.01 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized;
(0 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)
 

 

 

Common shares, par value $0.01 per share, 500,000,000 shares authorized;
(12,712,050, 12,827,850, and 13,340,217 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)
 
127

 
128

 
134

Additional paid-in-capital
 
233,152

 
234,376

 
240,062

Accumulated deficit
 
(59,110
)
 
(56,192
)
 
(47,493
)
Total Shareholders' Equity
 
174,169

 
178,312

 
192,703

Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
 
$
1,748,269

 
$
1,846,534

 
$
1,887,087

PER SHARE INFORMATION
 
 
 
 
 
 
Common shares, par value $0.01 per share
 
$
13.70

 
$
13.90

 
$
14.45

(1)
Derived from audited financial statements as of December 31, 2017.

12