Company: CIMO
Filing Date: 2025-02-19
Form Type: 10-K
Source: 0001628280-25-006426
Chunk: 426

Company: CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORP
Filing Date: 2025-02-19
Form: 10-K
Item: Item 7
Chunk 426
---
 low defaults, rising home prices and record levels of homeowners’ equity. In addition, Non-Agency RMBS gross issuance ended at approximately $137 billion, almost doubling from 2023 issuance levels of $71 billion. Investor demand was very strong, and credit spreads tightened in 2024, especially at the bottom of capital structure, with the credit curve flattening significantly.  

While credit spreads in the residential market tightened significantly in 2024, they continue to remain attractive relative to the investment grade and high yield corporate bond markets. We believe market conditions align well with our residential credit strategy.

Housing Market

As discussed earlier, interest rates experienced volatility during the year and that was reflected in mortgage rates. According to Freddie Mac, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate started the year at 6.62% and ended the year at 6.85%, representing an increase of twenty-three basis points. However, mortgage rates were volatile throughout 2024 and peaked at 7.22% in May and by September had retreated down to 6.08%, prompting a modest uptick in refinancing activity. The mortgage basis, which is the spread between MBS and Treasury benchmarks, remained mostly range-bound between 120 and 160 basis points and ended the year at 135. 

During 2024, the number of previously owned-homes that were sold declined for the third consecutive year and to the lowest level since 1995 reflecting what we believe was the continuation of the lock-in effect and homeowners are reluctant to trade in the low mortgage rate for a higher rate if they sell their home. New home construction was up slightly from 2023, but new homes for sale that are under construction peaked in March and were slightly down from that peak in December. The number of completed new homes for sale hit its highest level in December since 2009. Demand, however, on a national basis for newly constructed homes remained strong during the year as the time from completing construction to sale remained under 3 months as compared to a historical average of nearly 5 months.  

Our Strategy in 2024

Against this market backdrop, we managed our portfolio by increasing liquidity and diversifying sources of income. Consistent with this strategy, we raised $74 million from an equity raise in December 2023 and $140 million from two issuances of unsecured notes and deployed the net proceeds.

We invested approximately $102 million in subordinated tranches of new issue third-party mortgage securitizations backed by RPLs and small balance