armour_10q-033113.htm


UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 

FORM 10-Q


ý
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
   
For the Quarterly Period Ended March 31, 2013
OR
¨
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
For the transition period from                      to                     

ARMOUR RESIDENTIAL REIT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 

Maryland
001-34766
26-1908763
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)
(Commission File Number)
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
 
3001 Ocean Drive, Suite 201, Vero Beach, FL  32963
(Address of principal executive offices)(zip code)
 
(772) 617-4340
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
 
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES ý NO o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES ý NO ¨

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.  See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer" and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer ý          Accelerated filer o          Non-accelerated filer o          Smaller reporting company o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).    YES o NO ý   

The number of outstanding shares of the Registrant’s common stock as of May 1, 2013 was 374,119,857.
 
 
1

 

ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
3
Item 1. Financial Statements
3
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
25
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
40
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
42
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION
42
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
42
Item 1A. Risk Factors
42
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
42
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
42
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
42
Item 5. Other Information
42
Item 6. Exhibits
42
 
2

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

   
March 31,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
Assets
               
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
836,501
   
$
771,282
 
Cash collateral posted
   
230,451
     
265,552
 
Agency Securities, available for sale, at fair value (including pledged assets of $23,810,215 and $18,578,690)
   
24,339,169
     
19,096,562
 
Receivable for unsettled securities
   
2,226,168
     
668,244
 
Derivatives, at fair value
   
38,923
     
5,367
 
Principal payments receivable
   
9,381
     
16,037
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
71,664
     
55,430
 
Prepaid and other assets
   
559
     
404
 
Total Assets
 
$
27,752,816
   
$
20,878,878
 
                 
Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
               
Liabilities:
               
Repurchase agreements
 
$
24,828,614
   
$
18,366,095
 
Derivatives, at fair value
   
191,514
     
190,540
 
Accrued interest payable
   
10,302
     
10,064
 
Cash collateral held     10,155       -  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
3,425
     
4,395
 
Dividends payable
   
8
     
9
 
Total Liabilities
   
25,044,018
     
18,571,103
 
                 
Stockholders’ Equity:
               
Preferred stock, $0.001 par value, 50,000 shares authorized;
               
     8.250% Series A Cumulative Preferred Stock; 2,181 and 2,006 issued
       and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012
   
2
     
2
 
     7.875% Series B Cumulative Preferred Stock; 5,650 and none issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012
   
6
     
-
 
Common stock, $0.001 par value, 1,000,000 shares authorized, 374,053 and 309,013 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 
   
374
     
309
 
Additional paid-in capital
   
2,805,755
     
2,226,198
 
Accumulated deficit
   
(129,334
)
   
(149,298
)
Accumulated other comprehensive income
   
31,995
     
230,564
 
Total Stockholders’ Equity
   
2,708,798
     
2,307,775
 
Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity
 
$
27,752,816
   
$
20,878,878
 
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
3

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

   
For the Quarters Ended
 
   
March 31,
2013
   
March 31,
2012
 
Interest Income:
           
Interest income, net of amortization of premium
 
$
130,637
   
$
62,763
 
Interest expense:
               
Repurchase agreements
   
(25,475
)
   
(6,929
)
Net interest income
   
105,162
     
55,834
 
Other Income:
               
    Realized gain on sale of Agency Securities (reclassified from Other comprehensive (loss) income)
   
18,514
     
6,316
 
Realized loss on derivatives (Note 8)
   
(29,053
)
   
(9,741
)
Unrealized gain on derivatives
   
16,301
     
17,614
 
Subtotal
   
(12,752
)
   
7,873
 
Total other income
   
5,762
     
14,189
 
Expenses:
               
Management fee
   
6,633
     
3,512
 
Professional fees
   
1,004
     
511
 
Insurance
   
78
     
49
 
Compensation
   
257
     
493
 
Other
   
662
     
266
 
Total expenses
   
8,634
     
4,831
 
Net income before taxes
   
102,290
     
65,192
 
Income tax benefit
   
-
     
32
 
Net Income
   
102,290
     
65,224
 
Dividends declared on preferred stock
   
(2,497
)
   
-
 
Net Income available to common stockholders
 
$
99,793
   
$
65,224
 
Net income available per share to  common stockholders:
               
Basic
 
$
0.30
     
0.48
 
Diluted
 
$
0.29
   
$
0.48
 
Dividends declared per common share
 
$
0.24
   
$
0.32
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding:
               
Basic
   
337,935
     
134,903
 
Diluted
   
339,722
     
134,903
 
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
4

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

   
For the Quarters Ended
   
March 31,
2013
   
March 31,
2012
 
Net Income
 
$
102,290
   
$
65,224
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income :
               
Reclassification adjustment for realized gain on sale of Agency Securities
   
(18,514
)
   
(6,316
)
Net unrealized (loss) gain on Agency Securities
   
(180,055
   
11,622
 
Other comprehensive (loss) income
   
(198,569
   
5,306
 
Comprehensive (Loss) Income
 
$
(96,279
 
$
70,530
 
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
5

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
(in thousands, except per share amounts)
(Unaudited)

 
Preferred Stock
 
Common Stock
                 
 
8.250% Series A
 
7.875% Series B
                             
 
Shares
 
Par Amount
 
Additional Paid in Capital
 
Shares
 
Par Amount
 
Additional Paid in Capital
 
Shares
 
Par Amount
 
Additional Paid in Capital
 
Total
Additional Paid in
Capital
 
Accumulated
Deficit
 
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income
 
Total
 
Balance, December 31, 2012 2,006   $ 2   $ 48,792   -   $ -   $ -   309,013   $ 309   $ 2,177,406   $ 2,226,198   $ (149,298 ) $ 230,564   $ 2,307,775  
Series A Preferred dividends declared
-     -     -   -     -     -   -     -     -     -     (1,107 )   -     (1,107 )
Series B Preferred dividends declared
-     -     -   -     -     -   -     -     -     -     (1,390 )   -     (1,390 )
Common dividends declared
-     -     -   -     -     -   -     -     -     -     (79,829 )   -     (79,829 )
Issuance of Series A Preferred stock, net
175     -     4,381   -     -     -   -     -     -     4,381     -     -     4,381  
Issuance of Series B Preferred stock
-     -     -   5,650     6     136,565   -     -     -     136,565     -           136,571  
Issuance of common stock, net
-     -     -   -     -     -   65,010     65     438,421     438,421     -     -     438,486  
Stock based compensation, net of withholding requirements
-     -     -   -     -     -   30     -     190     190     -     -     190  
Net income
-     -     -   -     -     -   -     -     -     -     102,290     -     102,290  
Other comprehensive loss
-     -     -   -     -     -   -     -     -     -     -     (198,569 )   (198,569 )
Balance, March 31, 2013
2,181   $ 2   $ 53,173   5,650   $ 6   $ 136,565   374,053   $ 374   $ 2,616,017   $ 2,805,755   $ (129,334 ) $ 31,995   $ 2,708,798  
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.
 
 
6

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(in thousands)
(Unaudited)

 
   
For the Quarters Ended
 
   
March 31,
2013
   
March 31,
2012
 
Cash Flows From Operating Activities:
           
Net income
 
$
102,290
   
$
65,224
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
               
Net amortization of premium on Agency Securities
   
60,698
     
13,943
 
Realized gain on sale of Agency Securities
   
(18,514
)
   
(6,316
)
Stock based compensation
   
190
     
61
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               
Increase in accrued interest receivable
   
(16,234
)
   
(17,366
)
Increase in prepaid and other assets
   
(150
)
   
(213
Increase in derivatives, at fair value
   
(32,582
   
(20,938
Increase (decrease) in accrued interest payable
   
238
     
(41
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
(970
   
1,247
 
Net cash provided by operating activities
   
94,966
     
35,601
 
Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
               
Purchases of Agency Securities
   
(8,944,656
)
   
(7,086,954
)
Principal repayments of Agency Securities
   
1,208,551
     
331,955
 
Proceeds from sales of Agency Securities
   
701,476
     
452,171
 
Decrease in cash collateral
   
45,256
     
8,550
 
Net cash used in investing activities
   
(6,989,373
)
   
(6,294,278
)
Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
               
Issuance of Series A Preferred stock, net of expenses
   
4,381
     
-
 
Issuance of Series B Preferred stock, net of expenses
   
136,571
     
-
 
Issuance of common stock, net of expenses
   
438,481
     
555,911
 
Proceeds from repurchase agreements
   
42,366,300
     
25,719,289
 
Principal repayments on repurchase agreements
   
(35,903,781
)
   
(19,957,390
)
Series A Preferred dividends paid
   
(1,107
)
   
-
 
Series B Preferred dividends paid
   
(1,390
)
   
-
 
Common dividends paid
   
(79,829
)
   
(46,755
)
Net cash provided by financing activities
   
6,959,626
     
6,271,055
 
Net increase in cash
   
65,219
     
12,378
 
Cash - beginning of period
   
771,282
     
252,372
 
Cash - end of period
 
$
836,501
   
$
264,750
 
Supplemental Disclosure:
               
Cash paid during the period for interest
 
$
55,254
   
$
20,478
 
Non-Cash Investing and Financing Activities:
               
Receivable for unsettled security sales
 
$
2,226,168
   
$
218,873
 
Payable for unsettled security purchases
 
$
-
   
$
391,678
 
Unrealized (loss) gain on investment on Agency Securities
 
$
(180,055
 
$
11,622
 
Amounts receivable for issuance of common stock
 
$
5
   
$
2
 
Common dividends declared, to be paid in subsequent period
 
$
-
   
$
91
 
 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

 
7

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
Note 1 – Basis of Presentation

The accompanying financial statements have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Rule 1001 of Regulation S-X promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”). Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for a fair presentation have been included. Operating results for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be expected for the calendar year ending December 31, 2013. These unaudited financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto included in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2012.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and its subsidiary. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Significant estimates affecting the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the valuation of Agency Securities (as defined below) and derivative instruments.

Note 2 – Organization and Nature of Business Operations

References to “we,” “us,” “our,” "ARMOUR" or the “Company” are to ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. References to "ARRM" are to ARMOUR Residential Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. References to “Enterprise” are to Enterprise Acquisition Corp., which is a wholly-owned subsidiary of ARMOUR.
 
We are an externally managed Maryland corporation organized in 2008, managed by ARRM (see Note 14, “Related Party Transactions” for additional discussion). We invest in residential mortgage backed securities issued or guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored entity (“GSE”), such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac) or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Administration (Ginnie Mae) (collectively, "Agency Securities"). As of March 31, 2013, Agency Securities account for 100% of our portfolio. It is expected that the percentage will continue to be 100% or close thereto. Our portfolio consists primarily of securities backed by fixed rate, hybrid adjustable rate, and adjustable rate home loans. From time to time, a portion of our portfolio may be invested in unsecured notes and bonds issued by U.S. Government-sponsored entities (collectively, “Agency Debt”), U.S. Treasuries and money market instruments, subject to certain income tests we must satisfy for our qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”). On December 1, 2011, our stockholders approved an amendment to our charter to alter our investment asset class restriction in response to potential changes in Agency Securities to include Non-Agency as well as Agency Securities in our investment asset class restriction. While we remain committed to investing in Agency Securities for so long as an adequate supply and pricing exists, we believe it is prudent for us to have the flexibility to invest in Non-Agency Securities and respond to changes in GSE policy.

We intend to qualify and have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”). Our qualification as a REIT depends on our ability to meet, on a continuing basis, various complex requirements under the Code relating to, among other things, the sources of our gross income, the composition and values of our assets, our distribution levels and the concentration of ownership of our capital stock. We believe that we are organized in conformity with the requirements for qualification as a REIT under the Code and our manner of operations enables us to meet the requirements for taxation as a REIT for federal income tax purposes.

As a REIT, we will generally not be subject to federal income tax on the REIT taxable income that we currently distribute to our stockholders. If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any taxable year and do not qualify for certain statutory relief provisions, we will be subject to federal income tax at regular corporate rates. Even if we qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we may still be subject to some federal, state and local taxes on our income.
 
Note 3 – Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Cash and cash equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on deposit with financial institutions and investments in high quality overnight money market funds, all of which have original maturities of three months or less, at the time of purchase. We may maintain deposits in federally insured financial institutions in excess of federally insured limits. However, management believes we are not exposed to significant credit risk due to the financial position and creditworthiness of the depository institutions in which those deposits are held.
 
 
8

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 
Cash Collateral
 
The following table presents information related to margin collateral posted (held) for interest rate swap contracts, interest rate swaptions and Eurodollar Futures Contracts (“Futures Contracts”) which are included in cash collateral on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
 
   
March 31,
 2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
(in thousands)
 
   
Fair Value (1)
   
Fair Value (1)
 
Interest rate swap contracts
 
$
227,008
   
$
261,364
 
Interest rate swaptions     (10,155 )     -  
Futures Contracts
   
3,443
     
4,188
 
Totals
 
$
220,296
   
$
265,552
 

(1)  
See Note 6, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional discussion.

Agency Securities, at Fair Value

We invest primarily in Agency Securities. A portion of our portfolio may be invested in Agency Debt, U.S. Treasuries and money market instruments, subject to certain income tests we must satisfy for our qualification as a REIT. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, all of our financial instrument investments consist of Agency Securities and hedging and other derivative instruments related to the foregoing investments.

We generally intend to hold most of our Agency Securities for long periods of time. We may, from time to time, sell any of our Agency Securities as part of the overall management of our portfolio. Management determines the appropriate classifications of the securities at the time they are acquired and evaluates the appropriateness of such classifications at each balance sheet date.  As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, all of our Agency Securities were classified as available for sale. Agency Securities classified as available for sale are reported at their estimated fair values, based on fair values obtained from third-party sources, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as part of the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
  
We evaluate securities for other than temporary impairment at least on a quarterly basis and more frequently when economic or market concerns warrant such evaluation. We determine if we (1) have the intent to sell the Agency Securities, (2) believe it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the securities before recovery or (3) do not expect to recover the entire amortized cost basis of the Agency Securities. There was no other than temporary impairment for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012.

Repurchase Agreements

We finance the acquisition of our Agency Securities through the use of repurchase agreements. Our repurchase agreements are secured by our Agency Securities and bear interest rates that have historically moved in close relationship to the Federal Funds Rate and the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”). Under these agreements, we sell securities to a lender and agree to repurchase the same securities in the future for a price that is higher than the original sales price. The difference between the sales price that we receive and the repurchase price that we pay represents interest paid to the lender. A repurchase agreement operates as financing under which we pledge our securities as collateral to secure a loan which is equal in value to a specified percentage of the estimated fair value of the pledged collateral. We retain beneficial ownership of the pledged collateral.  At the maturity of a repurchase agreement, we are required to repay the loan and concurrently receive back our pledged collateral from the lender or, with the consent of the lender, we may renew such agreement at the then prevailing interest rate. The repurchase agreements may require us to pledge additional assets to the lender in the event the estimated fair value of the existing pledged collateral declines.
 
 
9

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 
Derivatives

We recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities at fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheets. We do not designate our derivatives as cash flow hedges, which, among other factors, would require us to match the pricing dates of both derivatives and repurchase agreements. Operational issues and credit market volatility make such matching impractical for us.  Since we have not elected cash flow hedge accounting treatment as allowed by GAAP, all changes in the fair values of our derivatives are reflected in our condensed consolidated statements of operations. Accordingly, our operating results may reflect greater volatility than otherwise would be the case, because gains or losses on derivatives may not be offset by changes in the fair value or cash flows of the transaction within the same accounting period or ever. Consequently, any declines in the fair value of our derivatives result in a charge to earnings. We will continue to designate derivatives as hedges for tax purposes and any unrealized derivative gains or losses would not affect our distributable net taxable income.

Accrued Interest Receivable and Payable

Accrued interest receivable includes interest accrued between payment dates on Agency Securities. Accrued interest payable includes interest payable on our repurchase agreements.

Credit Risk

We have limited our exposure to credit losses on our portfolio of Agency Securities. The payment of principal and interest on the Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae Agency Securities are guaranteed by those respective agencies and the payment of principal and interest on the Ginnie Mae Agency Securities are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.

In September 2008, both Freddie Mac and Fannie Mae were placed in the conservatorship of the U.S. Government.  On August 5, 2011, Standard & Poor’s Corporation downgraded the U.S. Government’s credit rating from AAA to AA+ and on August 8, 2011, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac’s credit ratings were downgraded from AAA to AA+.  Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac remain in conservatorship of the U.S. Government. There can be no assurances how or when the U.S. Government will end these conservatorships or how the future profitability of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and any future credit rating actions may impact the credit risk associated with Agency Securities and, therefore, the value of the Agency Securities in our portfolio.
 
Market Risk

Weakness in the mortgage market may adversely affect the performance and market value of our investments. This could negatively impact our book value. Furthermore, if our lenders are unwilling or unable to provide additional financing, we could be forced to sell our Agency Securities at an inopportune time when prices are depressed.

Preferred Stock

At March 31, 2013, we were authorized to issue up to 50,000,000 shares of preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board of Directors (“Board”) or a committee thereof.

Series A Cumulative Preferred Shares (”Series A Preferred Stock”)

On June 6, 2012, we filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation to designate 1,610,000 shares of the 50,000,000 authorized preferred stock as 8.250% Series A Preferred Stock with the powers, designations, preferences and other rights as set forth therein. On July 13, 2012, we entered into an At Market Issuance Sales Agreement with MLV & Co. LLC, as our agent, to offer and sell, from time to time, up to 6,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock.  On July 27, 2012, we entered into an Equity Distribution Agreement with Citadel Securities LLC, as our agent, to offer and sell, from time to time, up to 2,000,000 shares of Series A Preferred Stock. At March 31, 2013, there were 9,610,000 shares designated as Series A Preferred Stock.

At March 31, 2013, we had issued and outstanding 2,180,572 shares of Series A Preferred Stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock is entitled to a dividend at a rate of 8.250% per year based on the $25.00 liquidation preference before the common stock is entitled to receive any dividends. The Series A Preferred Stock is redeemable at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends exclusively at our option commencing on June 7, 2017 (subject to our right under limited circumstances to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock earlier in order to preserve our qualification as a REIT). The Series A Preferred Stock is senior to our common stock and therefore in the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the Series A Preferred Stock will receive a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends before distributions are paid to holders of our common stock, with no right or claim to any of our remaining assets thereafter. The Series A Preferred Stock generally does not have voting rights except if we fail to pay dividends on the Series A Preferred Stock for eighteen months, whether or not consecutive. Under such circumstances, the Series A Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote to elect two additional directors to the Board, until all unpaid dividends have been paid or declared and set aside for payment. The Series A Preferred Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless repurchased or redeemed by us or converted into our common stock in connection with a change of control by the holders of Series A Preferred Stock.
 
 
10

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 
Series B Cumulative Preferred Shares (”Series B Preferred Stock”)

On February 11, 2013, we filed with the Maryland State Department of Assessments and Taxation to designate 6,210,000 shares of the 50,000,000 authorized preferred stock as 7.875% Series B Preferred Stock with the powers, designations, preferences and other rights as set forth therein.

At March 31, 2013, we had issued and outstanding 5,650,000 shares of Series B Preferred Stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share and a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends. The Series B Preferred Stock is entitled to a dividend at a rate of 7.875% per year based on the $25.00 liquidation preference before the common stock is entitled to receive any dividends. The Series B Preferred Stock is redeemable at $25.00 per share plus accrued and unpaid dividends exclusively at our option commencing on February 12, 2018 (subject to our right under limited circumstances to redeem the Series A Preferred Stock earlier in order to preserve our qualification as a REIT). The Series B Preferred Stock is senior to our common stock and rank on parity with the Series A Preferred Stock. In the event of liquidation, dissolution or winding up, the Series B Preferred Stock will receive a liquidation preference of $25.00 per share plus accumulated and unpaid dividends before distributions are paid to holders of our common stock, with no right or claim to any of our remaining assets thereafter. The Series B Preferred Stock generally does not have voting rights except if we fail to pay dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock for eighteen months, whether or not consecutive. Under such circumstances, the Series B Preferred Stock will be entitled to vote to elect two additional directors to the Board, until all unpaid dividends have been paid or declared and set aside for payment. The Series B Preferred Stock has no stated maturity, is not subject to any sinking fund or mandatory redemption and will remain outstanding indefinitely unless repurchased or redeemed by us or converted into our common stock in connection with a change of control by the holders of Series B Preferred Stock.

Common Stock and Warrants

At March 31, 2013, we were authorized to issue up to 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock, par value $0.001 per share, with such designations, voting and other rights and preferences as may be determined from time to time by our Board. We had 374,053,198 shares of common stock issued and outstanding at March 31, 2013. At March 31, 2013, we had outstanding warrants to purchase 32,500,000 shares of common stock, which are exercisable at $11.00 per share and expire in November 2013.

Comprehensive Income

Comprehensive income refers to changes in equity during a period from transactions and other events and circumstances from non-owner sources. It includes all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners.
 
Revenue Recognition

Interest income is earned and recognized based on the unpaid principal amount of the Agency Securities and their contractual terms. Premiums and discounts associated with the purchase of Agency Securities are amortized or accreted into interest income over the actual lives of the securities.
 
Note 4 – Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In January 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-01, Clarifying the Scope of Disclosures about Offsetting Assets and Liabilities, Balance Sheet (Topic 210). This update to ASU 2011-11 addressed implementation issues and applied to derivatives accounted for in accordance with Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging, including bifurcated embedded derivatives, repurchase agreements and reverse repurchase agreements, and securities borrowing and securities lending transactions that are either offset in accordance with ASC 210-20-45 or ASC 815-10-45 or subject to an enforceable master netting arrangement or similar agreement. The guidance was effective January 1, 2013 and was applied retrospectively. This guidance did not affect the presentation of Derivatives, at fair value on our condensed consolidated balance sheets and therefore, did not affect our financial statements.
 
 
11

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 
In February 2013, the FASB issued ASU 2013-02, Reporting of Amounts Reclassified Out of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Comprehensive Income (Topic 220). This update to ASU 2011-12 addressed improving the reporting of reclassifications out of accumulated other comprehensive income by requiring reporting of the effect of significant reclassifications out of accumulated net income if the amount being reclassified is required under GAAP to be classified in its entirety to net income. For amounts not required to be reclassified in their entirety to net income in the same reporting period, an entity is required to cross-reference other disclosures required under GAAP that provide additional detail about these amounts. The update did not change the current requirements for reporting net income or other comprehensive income and resulted in additional disclosure but had no significant effect on our condensed consolidated financial statements. The guidance was effective for reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2012 and was applied prospectively.

Note 5 – Agency Securities, Available for Sale

All of our Agency Securities are classified as available for sale and, as such, are reported at their estimated fair value and reported as part of the condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, investments in Agency Securities accounted for 100% of our portfolio.

As of March 31, 2013, we had the following securities in an unrealized gain or loss position as presented below. The components of the carrying value of our Agency Securities as of March 31, 2013 are also presented below.

March 31, 2013
 
Fannie Mae
   
Freddie Mac
   
Ginnie Mae
   
Total Agency
Securities
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Principal Amount
 
$
16,460,012
   
$
6,471,944
   
$
265,852
   
$
23,197,808
 
Net unamortized premium
   
794,430
     
302,778
     
12,158
     
1,109,366
 
Amortized cost
   
17,254,442
     
6,774,722
     
278,010
     
24,307,174
 
                                 
Unrealized gains
   
79,035
     
31,278
     
5,894
     
116,207
 
Unrealized losses
   
(65,242
)
   
(18,962
)
   
(8
)
   
(84,212
)
Fair value
 
$
17,268,235
   
$
6,787,038
   
$
283,896
   
$
24,339,169
 


March 31, 2013
 
Adjustable
Rate
   
Fixed
 Rate
   
Total Agency
Securities
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Principal Amount
  $ 1,812,295     $ 21,385,513     $ 23,197,808  
Net unamortized premium
    75,239       1,034,127       1,109,366  
Amortized cost
    1,887,534       22,419,640       24,307,174  
                         
Unrealized gains
    34,425       81,782       116,207  
Unrealized losses
    (112 )     (84,100 )     (84,212 )
Fair value
  $ 1,921,847     $ 22,417,322     $ 24,339,169  

 
12

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
 
As of December 31, 2012, we had the following securities in an unrealized gain or loss position as presented below. The components of the carrying value of our Agency Securities as of December 31, 2012 are also presented below.

December 31, 2012
 
Fannie Mae
   
Freddie Mac
   
Ginnie Mae
   
Total Agency
Securities
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Principal Amount
 
$
12,328,493
   
$
5,305,071
   
$
292,434
   
$
17,925,998
 
Net unamortized premium
   
641,833
     
284,739
     
13,428
     
940,000
 
Amortized cost
   
12,970,326
     
5,589,810
     
305,862
     
18,865,998
 
                                 
Unrealized gains
   
169,227
     
66,904
     
6,466
     
242,597
 
Unrealized losses
   
(9,815
)
   
(2,170
)
   
(48
)
   
(12,033
)
Fair value
 
$
13,129,738
   
$
5,654,544
   
$
312,280
   
$
19,096,562
 


December 31, 2012
 
Adjustable
Rate
   
Fixed
 Rate
   
Total Agency
Securities
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Principal Amount
 
$
2,037,778
   
$
15,888,220
   
$
17,925,998
 
Net unamortized premium
   
84,255
     
855,745
     
940,000
 
Amortized cost
   
2,122,033
     
16,743,965
     
18,865,998
 
                         
Unrealized gains
   
36,758
     
205,839
     
242,597
 
Unrealized losses
   
(222
)
   
(11,811
)
   
(12,033
)
Fair value
 
$
2,158,569
   
$
16,937,993
   
$
19,096,562
 

Actual maturities of Agency Securities are generally shorter than stated contractual maturities because actual maturities of Agency Securities are affected by the contractual lives of the underlying mortgages, periodic payments of principal and prepayments of principal.

The following table summarizes the weighted average lives of our Agency Securities as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

   
March 31, 2013
   
December 31, 2012
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Weighted Average Life of all Agency Securities
 
Fair Value
   
Amortized
Cost
   
Fair Value
   
Amortized
Cost
 
Less than one year
 
$
10
   
$
10
   
$
2,647
   
$
2,593
 
Greater than one year and less than three years
   
2,603,053
     
2,554,020
     
8,618,862
     
8,476,157
 
Greater than three years and less than five years
   
10,926,786
     
10,882,077
     
9,681,538
     
9,592,001
 
Greater than or equal to five years
   
10,809,320
     
10,871,067
     
793,515
     
795,247
 
Total Agency Securities
 
$
24,339,169
   
$
24,307,174
   
$
19,096,562
   
$
18,865,998
 

We use a third-party model to calculate the weighted average life of Agency Securities. Weighted average life is calculated based on expectations for estimated prepayments for the underlying mortgage loans of our Agency Securities. These estimated prepayments are based on assumptions such as interest rates, current and future home prices, housing policy and borrower incentives. The weighted average lives of our Agency Securities as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012 in the table above are based upon market factors, assumptions, models and estimates from the third-party model and also incorporate management’s judgment and experience. The actual weighted average lives of the Agency Securities could be longer or shorter than estimated.

 
 
13

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
The following table presents the unrealized losses and estimated fair value of our Agency Securities by length of time that such securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
 
   
Unrealized Loss Position For:
(in thousands)
 
   
Less than 12 months
   
12 Months or More
   
Total
 
As of
 
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
   
Fair Value
   
Unrealized
Losses
 
March 31, 2013
 
$
13,004,337
   
$
(84,210
)
 
$
65
   
$
(2
)
 
$
13,044,402
   
$
(84,212
)
December 31, 2012
   
1,521,052
     
(12,030
   
836
     
(3
   
1,521,888
     
(12,033

The decline in value of these securities is solely due to market conditions and not the credit quality of the assets. All of our Agency Securities are issued by the GSEs. The GSEs have a rating of AA+. The investments are not considered other than temporarily impaired because we currently have the ability and intent to hold the investments to maturity or for a period of time sufficient for a forecasted market price recovery up to or beyond the cost of the investments and we are not required to sell for regulatory or other reasons. Also, we are guaranteed payment of the principal amount of the securities by the GSEs that created them.

During the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, we sold $2.3 billion and $0.2 billion of Agency Securities resulting in a realized gain of $18.5 million and $6.3 million, respectively.

Note 6 – Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Our valuation techniques for financial instruments are based on observable and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs reflect readily obtainable data from third-party sources, while unobservable inputs reflect management’s market assumptions. The Accounting Standards Codification Topic No. 820 “Fair Value Measurement” classifies these inputs into the following hierarchy:

Level 1 Inputs- Quoted prices for identical instruments in active markets.

Level 2 Inputs - Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar instruments in markets that are not active; and model-derived valuations whose inputs are observable or whose significant value drivers are observable.

Level 3 Inputs - Instruments with primarily unobservable value drivers.

The following describes the valuation methodologies used for our assets and liabilities measured at fair value, as well as the general classification of such instruments pursuant to the valuation hierarchy.

Cash - Cash and cash equivalents includes cash on deposit with financial institutions and investments in high quality overnight money market funds, all of which have maturities of three months or less, at the time of purchase. The carrying amount of cash is deemed to be its fair value. Our cash balances are classified as Level 1. Cash balances posted or held by counterparties as collateral are classified as Level 2.
 
Agency Securities Available for Sale - Fair value for the Agency Securities in our portfolio is based on obtaining a valuation for each Agency Security from third-party pricing services and dealer quotes. The third-party pricing services use common market pricing methods that may include pricing models that may incorporate such factors as coupons, prepayment speeds, spread to the Treasury curves and interest rate swap curves, duration, periodic and life caps and credit enhancement. If the fair value of a security is not available from the third-party pricing services or such data appears unreliable, we obtain valuations from up to three dealers who make markets in similar financial instruments. In general, the dealers incorporate common market pricing methods, including a spread measurement to the Treasury curve or interest rate swap curve as well as underlying characteristics of the particular security including coupon, periodic and life caps, collateral type, rate reset period and seasoning or age of the security. Management reviews pricing used to ensure that current market conditions are properly represented. This review includes, but is not limited to, comparisons of similar market transactions or alternative third-party pricing services, dealer quotes and comparisons to a pricing model. Values obtained from the third-party pricing services for similar instruments are classified as Level 2 securities if the pricing methods used are consistent with the Level 2 definition. If quoted prices for a security are not reasonably available from the pricing service, but dealer quotes are, the security will be classified as a Level 2 security. If neither is available, management will determine the fair value based on characteristics of the security that we receive from the issuer and based on available market information received from dealers and classify it as a Level 3 security. At March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, all of our Agency Security values were based solely on third-party sources and therefore were classified as Level 2.
 
 
14

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
 
Repurchase Agreements - The fair value of repurchase agreements reflects the present value of the contractual cash flows discounted at the estimated LIBOR based market interest rates at the valuation date for repurchase agreements with a term equivalent to the remaining term to interest rate repricing, which may be at maturity, of our repurchase agreements. The fair value of the repurchase agreements approximates their carrying amount due to the short-term nature of these financial instruments. Our repurchase agreements are classified as Level 2.

Derivative Transactions – Our Futures Contracts are traded on the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (“CME”) and are classified as Level 1. The fair values of our interest rate swap contracts and interest rate swaptions are valued using third-party pricing services that incorporates common market pricing methods that may include current interest rate curves, forward interest rate curves and market spreads to interest rate curves. Management compares pricing used to dealer quotes to ensure that the current market conditions are properly represented. The fair values of our interest rate swap contracts and our interest rate swaptions are classified as Level 2.

The following tables provide a summary of our assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

   
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
 (Level 1)
   
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   
Balance at
March 31,
2013
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Assets at Fair Value:
                         
Agency Securities, available for sale
 
$
-
   
$
24,339,169
   
$
-
   
$
24,339,169
 
Derivatives
 
$
-
   
$
38,923
   
$
-
   
$
38,923
 
Liabilities at Fair Value:
                               
Derivatives
 
$
3,262
   
$
188,252
   
$
-
   
$
191,514
 
 
   
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical Assets
 (Level 1)
   
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
   
Balance at
December 31,
2012
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Assets at Fair Value:
                         
Agency Securities, available for sale
 
$
-
   
$
19,096,562
   
$
-
   
$
19,096,562
 
Derivatives
 
$
-
   
$
5,367
   
$
-
   
$
5,367
 
Liabilities at Fair Value:
                               
Derivatives
 
$
3,919
   
$
186,621
   
$
-
   
$
190,540
 
 
 
15

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

 
The following tables provide a summary of the carrying values and fair values of our financial assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

   
At March 31, 2013
   
Fair Value Measurements using:
 
   
Carrying Value
   
Fair
Value
   
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Financial Assets:
                                       
Cash
 
$
836,501
   
$
836,501
   
$
836,501
   
$
     
$
-
 
Cash collateral posted
   
230,451
     
230,451
     
-
     
230,451
     
-
 
Receivable for unsettled securities
   
2,226,168
     
2,226,168
     
-
     
2,226,168
     
-
 
Principal payments receivable
   
9,381
     
9,381
     
-
     
9,381
     
-
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
71,664
     
71,664
     
-
     
71,664
     
-
 
Financial Liabilities:
                                       
Repurchase agreements
 
$
24,828,614
   
$
24,828,614
   
$
-
   
$
24,828,614
   
$
-
 
Accrued interest payable
   
10,302
     
10,302
     
-
     
10,302
     
-
 
Cash collateral held     10,155       10,155       -       10,155       -  

   
At December 31, 2012
   
Fair Value Measurements using:
 
   
Carrying Value
   
Fair
Value
   
Quoted Prices
in Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)
   
Significant
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)
   
Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Financial Assets:
                                       
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
771,282
   
$
771,282
   
$
771,282
   
$
-
   
$
-
 
Cash collateral posted
   
265,552
     
265,552
     
-
     
265,552
     
-
 
Receivable for unsettled securities
   
668,244
     
668,244
     
-
     
668,244
     
-
 
Principal payments receivable
   
16,037
     
16,037
     
-
     
16,037
     
-
 
Accrued interest receivable
   
55,430
     
55,430
     
-
     
55,430
     
-
 
Financial Liabilities:
                                       
Repurchase agreements
 
$
18,366,095
   
$
18,366,095
   
$
-
   
$
18,366,095
   
$
-
 
Accrued interest payable
   
10,064
     
10,064
     
-
     
10,064
     
-
 
 
Note 7 – Repurchase Agreements

The following table represents the contractual repricing regarding our repurchase agreements to finance Agency Security purchases as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

   
March 31,
2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Within 30 days
 
$
11,626,612
   
$
7,771,444
 
31 days to 60 days
   
11,540,240
     
7,840,268
 
61 days to 90 days
   
562,762
     
2,699,706
 
Greater than 90 days
   
1,099,000
     
54,677
 
Total
 
$
24,828,614
   
$
18,366,095
 
 
 
 
16

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

The following table represents the Master Repurchase Agreements (“MRAs”) and other information regarding our repurchase agreements to finance Agency Security purchases as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

   
March 31,
 2013
   
December 31,
2012
 
Number of MRA’s
   
33
     
33
 
Number of counterparties with repurchase agreements outstanding
   
28
     
26
 
Weighted average maturity in days
   
36
     
34
 
Weighted average contractual rate
   
0.43
%
   
0.49
Haircut for repurchase agreements (1)
   
4.8
%
   
4.8
%

(1) The Haircut represents the weighted average margin requirement, or the percentage amount by which the collateral value must exceed the loan amount.

Note 8 – Derivatives

We enter into transactions to manage our interest rate risk exposure. These transactions include entering into interest rate swap contracts and interest rate swaptions as well as purchasing or selling Futures Contracts. These transactions are designed to lock in funding costs for repurchase agreements associated with our assets in such a way to help assure the realization of net interest margins. Such transactions are based on assumptions about prepayments which, if not realized, will cause transaction results to differ from expectations. Our derivatives are carried on our condensed consolidated balance sheets, as assets or as liabilities at their fair value. We do not designate our derivatives as cash flow hedges and as such, we recognize changes in the fair value of these derivatives through earnings.

We have agreements with our swap (including swaption) counterparties that provide for the posting of collateral based on the fair values of our interest rate swap contracts. Through this margin process, either we or our swap counterparty may be required to pledge cash or Agency Securities as collateral. Collateral requirements vary by counterparty and change over time based on the market value; notional amount and remaining term of the interest rate swap contracts. Certain interest rate swap contracts provide for cross collateralization and cross default with repurchase agreements and other contracts with the same counterparty.
 
Interest rate swaptions generally provide us the option to enter into an interest rate swap agreement at a certain point of time in the future with a predetermined notional amount, stated term and stated rate of interest in the fixed leg and interest rate index on the floating leg.

Our Futures Contracts are traded on the CME which requires the use of daily mark-to-market collateral and the CME provides substantial credit support. The collateral requirements of the CME require us to pledge assets under a bi-lateral margin arrangement, including either cash or Agency Securities and these requirements may vary and change over time based on the market value, notional amount and remaining term of the Futures Contracts.  In the event we are unable to meet a margin call under one of our Futures Contracts, the counterparty to such agreement may have the option to terminate or close-out all of the outstanding Futures Contracts with us. In addition, any close-out amount due to the counterparty upon termination of the counterparty’s transactions would be immediately payable by us pursuant to the applicable agreement.  
 
The following tables present information about interest rate swap contracts, interest rate swaptions and Futures Contracts which are included in derivatives on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.
 
 
17

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

March 31, 2013
   
Notional Amount
   
Assets at
Fair Value (1)
 
Liabilities at
Fair Value (1)
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Interest rate swap contracts
 
$
12,320,000
   
$
17,503
   
$
(188,252
)
Interest rate swaptions
   
1,550,000
     
21,420
     
-
 
Futures Contracts
   
99,000
     
-
     
(3,262
)
Totals
 
$
13,969,000
   
$
38,923
   
$
(191,514
)

(1)  
See Note 6, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional discussion.

December 31, 2012

   
Notional Amount
   
Assets at
Fair Value (1)
 
Liabilities at
Fair Value (1)
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Interest rate swap contracts
 
$
8,670,000
   
$
1,718
   
$
(186,621
)
Interest rate swaptions
   
1,050,000
     
3,649
     
-
 
Futures Contracts
   
102,000
     
-
     
(3,919
)
Totals
 
$
9,822,000
   
$
5,367
   
$
(190,540
)

(1)  
See Note 6, “Fair Value of Financial Instruments” for additional discussion.

The following tables present information about interest rate swap contracts, interest rate swaptions and Futures Contracts and the potential effects of netting if we were to offset the assets and liabilities of these financial instruments on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Currently we present these financial instruments at their gross amounts and they are included in derivatives, at fair value on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2013.
 
March 31, 2013
 
           
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
         
Assets   Gross Amounts of Assets Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet    
Financial Instruments
   
Cash Collateral Held
   
Net Amount
 
    (in thousands)  
Interest rate swap contracts
  $ 17,503     $ (17,503 )   $ -     $ -  
Interest rate swaptions
    21,420       -       (10,155 )     11,265  
Totals
  $ 38,923     $ (17,503 )   $ (10,155 )   $ 11,265  
 
 
18

 
 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
           
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
         
Liabilities  
Gross Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
   
Financial Instruments
   
Cash Collateral Posted
   
Net Amount
 
    (in thousands)  
Interest rate swap contracts
  $ (188,252 )   $ 17,503     $ 227,008     $ 56,259  
Futures Contracts
    (3,262 )     -       3,443       181  
Totals
  $ (191,514 )   $ 17,503     $ 230,451     $ 56,440  
 
The following tables present information about interest rate swap contracts, interest rate swaptions and Futures Contracts and the potential effects of netting if we were to offset the assets and liabilities of these financial instruments on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Currently we present these financial instruments at their gross amounts and they are included in derivatives, at fair value on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets as of December 31, 2012.
 
December 31, 2012
 
           
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
         
Assets  
Gross Amounts of Assets Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
   
Financial Instruments
   
Cash Collateral Held
   
Net Amount
 
    (in thousands)  
Interest rate swap contracts
  $ 1,718     $ (1,718 )   $ -     $ -  
Swaptions
    3,649       -       -       3,649  
Totals
  $ 5,367     $ (1,718 )   $ -     $ 3,649  
 
           
Gross Amounts Not Offset in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
         
Liabilities  
Gross Amounts of Liabilities Presented in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet
   
Financial Instruments
   
Cash Collateral Posted
   
Net Amount
 
    (in thousands)  
Interest rate swap contracts
  $ (186,621 )   $ 1,718     $ 261,364     $ 76,461  
Futures Contracts
    (3,919 )     -       4,188       269  
Totals
  $ (190,540 )   $ 1,718     $ 265,552     $ 76,730  
 
 
19

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 
The following table represents the location and information regarding our derivatives which are included in Other (Loss) Income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012.
 
     
(Loss) Income Recognized
(in thousands)
For the Quarters Ended
 
Derivatives
Location on condensed consolidated
statements of operations
 
March 31,
2013
   
March 31,
2012
 
Interest rate swap contracts:
             
Interest income
Realized loss on derivatives
  $ 4,099     $ 931  
Interest expense
Realized loss on derivatives
    (32,501 )     (10,191 )
Realized loss
Realized loss on derivatives
    -       -  
Changes in fair value
Unrealized gain on derivatives
    16,953       17,556  
        (11,449 )     8,296  
Interest rate swaptions:
                 
Changes in fair value
Unrealized gain on derivatives
    (1,309 )     -  
        (1,309 )     -  
Futures Contracts:
                 
Realized loss
Realized loss on derivatives
    (651 )     (481 )
Changes in fair value
Unrealized gain on derivatives
    657       58  
        6       (423 )
Totals
    $ (12,752 )   $ 7,873  

Note 9 – Share-Based Compensation

We adopted the 2009 Stock Incentive Plan (the "Plan") to attract, retain and reward directors and other persons who provide services to us in the course of operations. The Plan authorizes the Board to grant awards including common stock, restricted shares of common stock (“RSUs”), stock options, performance shares, performance units, stock appreciation rights and other equity and cash-based awards (collectively “Awards”), subject to terms as provided in the Plan.

On May 12, 2010, the Board allocated up to 250,000 shares to be available under the Plan. In considering such allocation, the Board considered the size of the Plan relative to our capital base and our current and potential future performance and capitalization. On July 18, 2011, our stockholders approved an amendment to the Plan to increase the number of shares issuable thereunder from 250,000 shares to 2,000,000 shares and the Plan was amended accordingly. During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, we awarded a total of 1,278,195 RSUs to members of our Board and to ARRM for its employees. Of these awards, 150,208 shares vesting in 2017 were awarded subject to shareholder approval of an increase to the number of shares issuable.

RSU transactions for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 are summarized below:

 
March 31, 2013
 
Number of
Awards
 
Weighted
Average Grant
Date Fair
Value per
Award
Unvested Awards Outstanding beginning of period
 
628,367
 
$
7.28
Granted
 
1,278,195
   
6.78
Vested
 
(106,315
)
 
7.27
Unvested Awards Outstanding end of period
 
1,800,247
 
$
6.94

As of March 31, 2013, there was approximately $12.5 million of unearned non-cash stock-based compensation related to the Awards (based on the March 31, 2013 stock price of $6.53 per share), that we expect to recognize as an expense over the remaining average service period of 3.6 years.
 
 
20

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Note 10 – Stockholders’ Equity

Dividends

The following tables present our common stock dividend transactions for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate per common share
   
Aggregate
amount paid to
holders of record
(in millions)
 
January 15,  2013
 
January 30, 2013
 
$
0.08
   
$
24.8
 
February 15, 2013
 
February 27, 2013
   
0.08
     
24.8
 
March 15, 2013
 
March 27, 2013
   
0.08
     
30.2
 

The following table presents our Series A Preferred Stock dividend transactions for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate per
Series A
Preferred
Share
   
Aggregate
amount paid to
holders of record
(in millions)
 
January 15,  2013
 
January 28, 2013
 
$
0.17
   
$
0.3
 
February 15, 2013
 
February 26, 2013
   
0.17
     
0.4
 
March 15, 2013
 
March 26, 2013
   
0.17
     
0.4
 

The following table presents our Series B Preferred Stock dividend transactions for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Record Date
 
Payment Date
 
Rate per
Series B
Preferred
Share
   
Aggregate
amount paid to
holders of record
(in millions)
 
March 15, 2013
 
March 27, 2013
 
$
0.25
   
$
1.4
 

Equity Capital Raising Activities

The following table presents our equity transactions for the quarter ended March 31, 2013.

Transaction Type
 
Completion Date
 
Number of
Shares
 
Per Share
price
   
Net Proceeds
 (in millions)
Series A Preferred equity distribution agreements
 
January 2, 2013 through January 30, 2013
 
174,961
 
$
25.51
(1) 
 
$
4.4
Dividend reinvestment and stock purchase plan
 
January 25, 2013 through March 27, 2013
 
10,110
   
6.64
(1)
   
0.1
Series B Preferred initial offering
 
February 12, 2013
 
5,650,000
   
25.00
     
136.6
Common stock follow-on public offering
 
February 20, 2013
 
65,000,000
   
6.75
     
438.4

(1)  
Weighted average price
 
 
21

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 11 – Net Income per Common Share

The following table presents a reconciliation of net income and the shares used in calculating weighted average basic and diluted earnings per common share for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012.

   
For the Quarters Ended
 
   
March 31,
2013
   
March 31,
2012
 
   
(in thousands)
 
Net Income
 
$
102,290
   
$
65,224
 
Less: Preferred dividends
   
(2,497
)
   
-
 
Net Income  available  to common stockholders
 
$
99,793
   
$
65,224
 
                 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic
   
337,935
     
134,903
 
Add: Effect of dilutive non-vested restricted stock awards, assumed vested
   
1,787
     
-
 
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted
   
339,722
     
134,903
 

We have 32,500,000 warrants that were outstanding and considered anti-dilutive as their exercise price exceeded the average stock price for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012.

Note 12 – Income Taxes

We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code. We will generally not be subject to federal income tax to the extent that we distribute our taxable income to our stockholders and as long as we satisfy the ongoing REIT requirements under the Code including meeting certain asset, income and stock ownership tests.

The following table reconciles our GAAP net income to estimated REIT taxable income for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012.
 
   
For the Quarters Ended
 
   
March 31,
2013
   
March 31,
2012
 
   
(in millions)
 
GAAP Net income
 
$
102.3
   
$
65.2
 
Book to tax differences:
               
Unrealized gain on derivatives
   
(16.3
)
   
(17.6
)
Estimated taxable income
 
$
86.0
   
$
47.6
 

The aggregate tax basis of our assets and liabilities is greater than our total Stockholders’ Equity at March 31, 2013 by approximately $120.6 million, or approximately $0.32 per share (based on the 374,053,198 shares then outstanding).

We are required and intend to timely distribute substantially all of our REIT taxable income in order to maintain our REIT status. For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, we paid dividends of $0.08 per outstanding share of common stock and $0.17 per outstanding share of Series A Preferred stock for each month of the quarter. In addition, we paid dividends of $0.25 per outstanding share of Series B Preferred stock for the month of March, resulting in total payments to stockholders of $82.3 million.  Our estimated REIT taxable income available to pay dividends was $86.0 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2013. At March 31, 2013, our under distributed estimated REIT taxable income was $3.7 million.

We have elected to treat Enterprise as a taxable REIT subsidiary, which is a tax paying entity for income tax purposes and it is taxed separately from ARMOUR. Because Enterprise is inactive, its taxes are nominal.
 
 
22

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)


Our management is responsible for determining whether tax positions taken by us are more likely than not to be sustained on their merits. We have no material unrecognized tax benefits or material uncertain tax positions.

Note 13 – Commitments and Contingencies

Management Agreement with ARRM

As discussed in Note 14 “Related Party Transactions,” we are externally managed by ARRM pursuant to a management agreement, as most recently amended and restated on June 18, 2012 (the “2012 Management Agreement”). The 2012 Management Agreement entitles ARRM to receive a management fee payable monthly in arrears in an amount equal to 1/12th of 1% of gross equity raised until gross equity raised was $50 million. Thereafter, the monthly management fee would be 1/12th  of the sum of (a) 1.5% of gross equity raised up to $1 billion plus (b) 0.75% of gross equity raised in excess of $1 billion. We are also obligated to reimburse certain expenses incurred by ARRM and its affiliates. ARRM is further entitled to receive a termination fee from us under certain circumstances.  The ARRM monthly management fee is not calculated based on the performance of our portfolio. Accordingly, the payment of our monthly management fee may not decline in the event of a decline in our earnings and may cause us to incur losses.

Indemnifications and Litigation

We enter into certain contracts that contain a variety of indemnifications to third-parties, principally with ARRM and brokers. The maximum potential amount of future payments we could be required to make under these indemnification provisions is unknown. We have not incurred any costs to defend lawsuits or settle claims related to these indemnification agreements. As a result, the estimated fair value of these agreements is minimal. Accordingly, we have no liabilities recorded for these agreements as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012.

We are not party to any pending, threatened or contemplated litigation.

Note 14 – Related Party Transactions

We are externally managed by ARRM pursuant to the 2012 Management Agreement. All of our executive officers are also employees of ARRM. ARRM manages our day-to-day operations, subject to the direction and oversight of the Board. The 2012 Management Agreement expires after an initial term of ten years on June 18, 2022 and is thereafter automatically renewed for an additional five-year term unless terminated under certain circumstances. Either party must provide 180 days prior written notice of any such termination.

Under the terms of the 2012 Management Agreement, ARRM is responsible for costs incident to the performance of its duties, such as compensation of its employees and various overhead expenses. ARRM is responsible for the following primary roles:

·
Advising us with respect to, arrange for and manage the acquisition, financing, management and disposition of, elements of our investment portfolio,
·
Evaluating the duration risk and prepayment risk within the investment portfolio and arranging borrowing and hedging strategies,
·
Coordinating capital raising activities,
·
Advising us on the formulation and implementation of operating strategies and policies, arranging for the acquisition of assets, monitoring the performance of those assets  and providing administrative and managerial services in connection with our day-to-day operations and
·
Providing executive and administrative personnel, office space and other appropriate services required in rendering management services to us.
·
ARRM is also responsible for the payment of a sub-management fee payable monthly in arrears to Staton Bell Blank Check LLC in an amount equal to 25% of the monthly base management fee earned by ARRM, net of expenses.
 
We are required to take actions as may be reasonably required to permit and enable ARRM to carry out its duties and obligations. We are also responsible for any costs and expenses that ARRM incurred solely on behalf of ARMOUR or its subsidiary other than the various overhead expenses specified in the terms of the 2012 Management Agreement. For the quarter ended March 31, 2013 we reimbursed ARRM $0.4 million for expenses incurred on our behalf. For the quarter ended March 31, 2012 we did not reimburse ARRM for any expenses.
 
 
23

 
ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. and Subsidiary
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)
 

For the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012 we incurred $6.6 million and $3.5 million in management fees to ARRM, respectively.

Note 15 – Interest Rate Risk

Our primary market risk is interest rate risk. Interest rates are highly sensitive to many factors, including governmental monetary and tax policies, domestic and international economic and political considerations and other factors beyond our control. Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned and the interest expense incurred in connection with the liabilities, by affecting the spread between the interest-earning assets and interest-bearing liabilities. Changes in the level of interest rates also can affect the value of Agency Securities and our ability to realize gains from the sale of these assets. A decline in the value of the Agency Securities pledged as collateral for borrowings under repurchase agreements could result in the counterparties demanding additional collateral pledges or liquidation of some of the existing collateral to reduce borrowing levels.

Note 16 – Subsequent Events

Events subsequent to the balance sheet date have been evaluated for inclusion in the accompanying financial statements through the issuance date.

On April 29, 2013, a cash dividend of $0.17 per outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock, or $0.4 million in the aggregate, was paid to holders of record on April 15, 2013. We have also announced cash dividends of $0.17 per outstanding share of Series A Preferred Stock payable May 27, 2013 to holders of record on May 15, 2013 and payable June 27, 2013 to holders of record on June 14, 2013.

On April 29, 2013, a cash dividend of $0.16 per outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock, or $0.9 million in the aggregate, was paid to holders of record on April 15, 2013. We have also announced cash dividends of $0.16 per outstanding share of Series B Preferred Stock payable May 27, 2013 to holders of record on May 15, 2013 and payable June 27, 2013 to holders of record on June 14, 2013.

On April 29, 2013, a cash dividend of $0.07 per outstanding common share, or $26.2 million in the aggregate, was paid to holders of record on April 15, 2013.
 
 
24

 

Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

The following discussion of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this report.

References to “we,” “us,” “our,” “ARMOUR” or the “Company” are to ARMOUR Residential REIT, Inc. References to “ARRM” are to ARMOUR Residential Management LLC, a Delaware limited liability company.

Overview
 
We are an externally managed Maryland corporation formed in 2008, managed by ARRM. We invest in residential mortgage backed securities (“RMBS”) issued or guaranteed by a U.S. Government-sponsored entity (“GSE”), such as the Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae), the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (Freddie Mac), or guaranteed by the Government National Mortgage Administration (Ginnie Mae) (collectively, “Agency Securities”).  Our portfolio consists primarily of securities backed by fixed rate, hybrid adjustable rate, and adjustable rate home loans. From time to time, a portion of our portfolio may be invested in unsecured notes and bonds issued by U.S. Government-chartered entities (collectively, “Agency Debt”), U.S. Treasuries and money market instruments, subject to certain income tests we must satisfy for our qualification as a real estate investment trust (“REIT”). Our charter permits us to invest in Agency Securities and Non-Agency Securities. As of March 31, 2013, Agency Securities account for 100% of our portfolio. It is expected that the percentage will continue to be 100% or close thereto.

We seek attractive long-term investment returns by investing our equity capital and borrowed funds in our targeted asset class of Agency Securities. We earn returns on the spread between the yield on our assets and our costs, including the interest cost of the funds we borrow, after giving effect to our hedges. We have elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code (“the Code”). We will generally not be subject to federal income tax to the extent that we distribute our taxable income to our stockholders and as long as we satisfy the ongoing REIT requirements including meeting certain asset, income and stock ownership tests. Our business plan is to identify and acquire Agency Securities, finance our acquisitions with borrowings under a series of short-term repurchase agreements at the most competitive interest rates available to us and then cost-effectively hedge our interest rate and other risks based on our entire portfolio of assets, liabilities and derivatives and our management's view of the market. Successful implementation of our business plan requires us to address interest rate risk, maintain adequate liquidity and effectively hedge interest rate risks. We execute our business plan in a manner consistent with our intention of qualifying as a REIT and avoid regulation as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”).
  
Factors that Affect our Results of Operations and Financial Condition

Our results of operations and financial condition are affected by various factors, many of which are beyond our control, including, among other things, our net interest income, the market value of our assets and the supply of and demand for such assets. We invest in financial assets and markets. Recent events, such as those discussed below, can affect our business in ways that are difficult to predict and may produce results outside of typical operating variances. Our net interest income varies primarily as a result of changes in interest rates, borrowing costs and prepayment speeds, the behavior of which involves various risks and uncertainties. Prepayment rates, as reflected by the rate of principal pay downs and interest rates vary according to the type of investment, conditions in financial markets, government actions, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. In general, as prepayment rates on our Agency Securities purchased at a premium increase, related purchase premium amortization increases, thereby reducing the net yield on such assets. Because changes in interest rates may significantly affect our activities, our operating results depend, in large part, upon our ability to manage interest rate risks and prepayment risks effectively while maintaining our status as a REIT. In addition, since we have not elected to use cash flow hedge accounting, earnings reported in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the U.S. (“GAAP”) will fluctuate even in situations where our derivatives are operating as intended. As a result of this mark-to-market accounting treatment, our results of operations are likely to fluctuate far more than if we were to designate our derivative activities as cash flow hedges. Comparisons with companies that use cash flow hedge accounting for all or part of their derivative activities may not be meaningful.

We anticipate that, for any period during which changes in the interest rates earned on our assets do not coincide with interest rate changes on our borrowings, such assets will reprice more slowly than the corresponding liabilities. Consequently, changes in interest rates, particularly short-term interest rates, may significantly influence our net interest income. With the maturities of our assets generally of longer term than those of our liabilities, interest rate increases will tend to decrease our net interest income and the market value of our assets (and therefore our book value). Such rate increases could possibly result in operating losses or adversely affect our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
 
 
25

 

Prepayments on Agency Securities and the underlying mortgage loans may be influenced by changes in market interest rates and a variety of economic and geographic factors beyond our control, as well as policy decisions by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, their regulator the Federal Housing Finance Agency (“FHFA”), Ginnie Mae and others. Consequently prepayment rates cannot be predicted with certainty. To the extent we have acquired Agency Securities at a premium or discount to par, or face value, changes in prepayment rates may impact our anticipated yield. In periods of declining interest rates, prepayments on our Agency Securities will likely increase. If we are unable to reinvest the proceeds of such prepayments at comparable yields, our net interest income may suffer. The recent climate of government intervention in the mortgage markets significantly increases the risk associated with prepayments.
 
While we intend to use strategies to economically hedge some of our interest rate risk, we do not intend to hedge all of our exposure to changes in interest rates and prepayment rates, as there are practical limitations on our ability to insulate our portfolio from all potential negative consequences associated with changes in short-term interest rates in a manner that will allow us to seek attractive net spreads on our portfolio.

In addition, a variety of other factors relating to our business may also impact our financial condition and operating performance; these factors include,
 
 
·
our degree of leverage;
 
·
our access to funding and borrowing capacity;
 
·
our use of derivatives to hedge interest rate risk;
 
·
the REIT requirements; and
 
·
the requirements to qualify for an exemption under the 1940 Act and other regulatory and accounting policies related to our business.

Our Manager

We are externally managed by ARRM, pursuant to a management agreement as most recently amended and restated on June 18, 2012 (the “2012 Management Agreement”). ARRM is an investment advisor registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) (see Note 14 to the condensed consolidated financial statements). All of our executive officers are also employees of ARRM. ARRM is also the external manager of JAVELIN Mortgage Investment Corp. (“JAVELIN”), a publicly traded REIT which invests in and manages a leveraged portfolio of Agency Securities and Non-Agency Securities. Our executive officers also serve as executive officers of JAVELIN. ARRM manages our day-to-day operations, subject to the direction and oversight of the Board of Directors (“Board”). The 2012 Management Agreement expires after an initial term of ten years on June 18, 2022 and is thereafter automatically renewed for an additional five-year term unless terminated under certain circumstances. Either party must provide 180 days prior written notice of any such termination.
 
Pursuant to the 2012 Management Agreement, ARRM is entitled to receive a management fee payable monthly in arrears in an amount equal to 1/12th of 1% of gross equity raised until gross equity raised was $50 million. Thereafter, the monthly management fee would be 1/12th of the sum of (a) 1.5% of gross equity raised up to $1 billion plus (b) 0.75% of gross equity raised in excess of $1 billion. We are also obligated to reimburse certain expenses incurred by ARRM and its affiliates. ARRM is further entitled to receive a termination fee from us under certain circumstances. For the quarter ended March 31, 2013, we reimbursed ARRM $0.4 million for expenses incurred on our behalf. For the quarter ended March 31, 2012, we did not reimburse ARRM for any expenses. ARRM is entitled to receive a monthly management fee regardless of the performance of our portfolio. Accordingly, the payment of our monthly management fee may not decline in the event of a decline in our earnings and may cause us to incur losses.

Pursuant to the Sub-Management Agreement between ARRM and the Sub-Manager, ARRM is responsible for paying a sub-management fee to the Sub-Manager in an amount equal to 25% of the base management fee earned by ARRM, net of expenses. On November 6, 2014 the Sub-Manager has the option of terminating the Sub-Management Agreement. Upon termination of the Sub-Management Agreement we are required to make a final payment to the Sub-Manager in the amount of 6.16 times the annualized rate of the sub-management fee for the prior three months. Thereafter, we will be entitled to receive the sub-management fee or, at the option of ARRM, reimbursement of the final payment by ARRM.
 
Market and Interest Rate Trends and the Effect on our Portfolio

Developments at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Payments on the Agency Securities in which we invest are guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.  Because of the guarantee and the underwriting standards associated with mortgages underlying Agency Securities, Agency Securities historically have had high stability in value and been considered to present low credit risk.  
 
 
26

 

In February 2011, the U.S. Treasury along with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development released a report entitled, “Reforming America’s Housing Finance Market” to the U.S. Congress outlining recommendations for reforming the U.S. housing system, specifically Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and transforming the U.S. Government’s involvement in the housing market. It is unclear how future legislation may impact the housing finance market and the investing environment for Agency Securities as the method of reform is undecided and has not yet been defined by the regulators. Without U.S. Government support for residential mortgages, we may not be able to execute our current business model in an efficient manner.

In March 2011, the U.S. Treasury announced that it would begin the orderly wind down of Agency Securities it had purchased from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac and Ginnie Mae to stabilize the housing market, with sales up to $10.0 billion per month, subject to market conditions.  We are unable to predict the timing or manner in which the U.S. Treasury or the U.S. Federal Reserve (“the Fed”) will liquidate their holdings or make further interventions in the Agency Securities markets, or what impact, if any, such action could have on the Agency Securities market, the Agency Securities we hold, our business, results of operations and financial condition.

We cannot predict whether or when new actions may occur, the timing and pace of current actions already implemented, or what impact if any, such actions, or future actions, could have on our business, results of operations and financial condition.

U.S. Government Mortgage Related Securities Market Intervention
 
In September 2012, the Fed announced a third quantitative easing program, popularly referred to as “QE3,” to purchase an additional $40 billion of Agency Securities per month until the unemployment rate and other economic indicators improve. QE3 plus its existing investment programs are expected to grow the Fed’s Agency Securities holding by approximately $85 billion per month at least through the end of 2012. On December 12, 2012, the Federal Reserve also announced that it will keep the target range for the Federal Funds Rate between zero and 0.25% for at least as long as the unemployment rate remains above 6.5%, inflation between one and two years ahead is projected to be no more than 0.5% above the Federal Reserve’s 2% longer-run goal, and longer-term inflation expectations continue to be well anchored.

The Fed expects these measures to put downward pressure on long-term interest rates. In the short term, these actions have driven Agency Securities prices to all-time highs, which have further compressed interest spreads, and removed the historical correlation between mortgage rates and U.S. Treasury or interest rate swaps. These factors have contributed to a challenging interest rate hedging environment.

Financial Regulatory Reform Bill and Other Government Activity
 
We believe that we conduct our business in a manner that allows us to avoid being regulated as an investment company pursuant to the exclusion provided by Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act for entities that are primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring “mortgages and other liens on and interests in real estate.” On August 31, 2011, the SEC issued a concept release (No. IC-29778; File No. SW7-34-11, Companies Engaged in the Business of Acquiring Mortgages and Mortgage Related Instruments) pursuant to which it is reviewing whether certain companies that invest in mortgage backed securities (“MBS”) and rely on the exclusion from registration under Section 3(c)(5)(C) of the 1940 Act (such as us) should continue to be allowed to rely on such exclusion from registration. If we fail to continue to qualify for this exclusion from registration as an investment company, or the SEC determines that companies that invest in MBS are no longer able to rely on this exclusion, our ability to use leverage would be substantially reduced and we would be unable to conduct our business as planned, or we may be required to register as an investment company under the 1940 Act, either of which could negatively affect the value of shares of our stock and our ability to make distributions to our stockholders.
 
Certain programs initiated by the U.S. Government, through the FHFA and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (“FDIC”), to provide homeowners with assistance in avoiding residential mortgage loan foreclosures are currently in effect. The programs may involve, among other things, the modification of mortgage loans to reduce the principal amount of the loans or the rate of interest payable on the loans, or to extend the payment terms of the loans. While the effect of these programs has not been as extensive as originally expected, the effect of such programs for holders of Agency Securities could be that such holders would experience changes in the anticipated yields of their Agency Securities due to (i) increased prepayment rates and/or (ii) lower interest and principal payments.

In March 2009, the Home Affordable Modification Program (“HAMP”) was introduced to provide homeowners with assistance in avoiding residential mortgage loan foreclosures. HAMP is designed to help at risk homeowners, both those who are in default and those who are at imminent risk of default, by providing the borrower with affordable and sustainable monthly payments.
 
 
27

 

In October 2011, the FHFA announced changes to the Home Affordable Refinance Program (“HARP”) to expand access to refinancing for qualified individuals and families whose homes have lost value, including increasing the HARP loan to value ratio above 125%. However, this would only apply to mortgages guaranteed by the GSEs. There are many challenging issues to this proposal, notably the question as to whether a loan with a loan to value ratio of 125% qualifies as a mortgage or an unsecured consumer loan. The chances of this initiative’s success have created additional uncertainty in the Agency Securities market, particularly with respect to possible increases in prepayment rates.

On January 4, 2012, the Fed issued a white paper outlining additional ideas with regard to refinancings and loan modifications. It is likely that loan modifications would result in increased prepayments on some Agency Securities. These loan modification programs, as well as future legislative or regulatory actions, including amendments to the bankruptcy laws, that result in the modification of outstanding mortgage loans may adversely affect the value of, and the returns on, the Agency Securities in which we invest.

In an effort to continue to provide meaningful solutions to the housing crisis, effective June 1, 2012, the Obama administration expanded the population of homeowners that may be eligible for HAMP.

On July 21, 2010, President Obama signed the Dodd-Frank Act into law. The Dodd-Frank Act is extensive, complicated and comprehensive legislation that impacts practically all aspects of banking, and a significant overhaul of many aspects of the regulation of the financial services industry. Although many provisions remain subject to further rulemaking, the Dodd-Frank Act implements numerous and far-reaching changes that affect financial companies, including our company, and other banks and institutions which are important to our business model. Certain notable rules are, among other things:

 
·
Requiring regulation and oversight of large, systemically important financial institutions by establishing an interagency council on systemic risk and implementation of heightened prudential standards and regulation by the Board of Governors of the Fed for systemically important financial institutions (including nonbank financial companies), as well as the implementation of the FDIC resolution procedures for liquidation of large financial companies to avoid market disruption;
 
·
Applying the same leverage and risk-based capital requirements that apply to insured depository institutions to most bank holding companies, savings and loan holding companies and systemically important nonbank financial companies;
 
·
Limiting the Fed’s emergency authority to lend to nondepository institutions to facilities with broad-based eligibility, and authorizing the FDIC to establish an emergency financial stabilization fund for solvent depository institutions and their holding companies, subject to the approval of Congress, the Secretary of the U.S. Treasury and the Fed;
 
·
Creating regimes for regulation of over-the-counter derivatives and non-admitted property and casualty insurers and reinsurers;
 
·
Implementing regulation of hedge fund and private equity advisers by requiring such advisers to register with the SEC;
 
·
Providing for the implementation of corporate governance provisions for all public companies concerning proxy access and executive compensation; and
 
·
Reforming regulation of credit rating agencies.

Many of the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act, including certain provisions described above are subject to further study, rulemaking, and the discretion of regulatory bodies. As the hundreds of regulations called for by the Dodd-Frank Act are promulgated, we will continue to evaluate the impact of any such regulations. It is unclear how this legislation may impact the borrowing environment, investing environment for Agency Securities and interest rate swap contracts as much of the bill’s implementation has not yet been defined by the regulators.
 
In addition, in 2010, the Group of Governors and Heads of Supervisors of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, the oversight body of the Basel Committee, published its “calibrated” capital standards for major banking institutions (“Basel III”). Under these standards, when fully phased in on January 1, 2019, banking institutions will be required to maintain heightened Tier 1 common equity, Tier 1 capital and total capital ratios, as well as maintaining a “capital conservation buffer.” Beginning with the Tier 1 common equity and Tier 1 capital ratio requirements, Basel III will be phased in incrementally between January 1, 2013 and January 1, 2019. The final package of Basel III reforms were approved by the G20 leaders in November 2010 and are subject to individual adoption by member nations, including the U.S., which is continuing to evaluate comments on its specific implementation proposals. It is presently unclear when the U.S. will complete its implementation of Basel III reforms and whether the adoption of these reforms will affect our business.
 
On September 28, 2012 the United Kingdom Financial Services Authority (“FSA”) released the results of its review of the process for setting the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) interest rate for various currencies and maturities (“Wheatley Review”). Some of our derivative positions use various maturities of U.S. dollar LIBOR. Our borrowings in the repurchase market have also historically tracked these LIBOR rates. The Wheatley Review found, among other things, that potential conflicts of interests coupled with insufficient oversight and accountability resulted in some reported LIBOR rates that did not reflect the true cost of inter-bank borrowings they were meant to represent.
 
 
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                 The Wheatley Review also proposes a number of remedial actions, including:

 
·
New statutory authority for the FSA to supervise and regulate the LIBOR setting process.
 
·
Establishing a new independent oversight body to administer the LIBOR setting process.
 
·
Eliminating LIBOR rates for certain currencies and maturities where markets are not sufficiently deep and liquid.
 
·
Ceasing immediate reporting of rates submitted by individual participating banks.
 
·
Establishing controls to ensure that submitted rates represent actual transactions.

There can be no assurance whether or when the Wheatley Review recommendations will be implemented in whole or in part. The company’s derivatives and repurchase borrowings are conducted in U.S. dollars for maturities with historically deep and liquid markets. However, there can be no assurance whether the implementation of any Wheatley Review recommendations would have a material impact on the future reported levels of LIBOR rates relevant to the company’s derivatives or repurchase borrowings.

Credit Market Disruption and Current Conditions

During the past few years, the residential housing and mortgage markets in the U.S. have experienced a variety of difficulties and changed economic conditions including loan defaults, credit losses and decreased liquidity. These conditions have resulted in volatility in the value of the Agency Securities we purchase and an increase in the average collateral requirements under our repurchase agreements we have obtained. While these markets have recovered significantly, further increased volatility and deterioration in the broader residential mortgage and RMBS markets may adversely affect the performance and market value of the Agency Securities and other high quality RMBS. 
 
Interest Rates

In December 2008, the Fed stated that it was adopting a policy of “quantitative easing” and would target keeping the Federal Funds Rate between 0.00% and 0.25%. To date, the Fed has maintained that target range. Our funding costs, which traditionally have tracked the 30-day LIBOR have generally benefited by this easing of monetary policy, although to a somewhat lesser extent. Because of continued uncertainty in the credit markets and U.S. economic conditions, we expect that interest rates are likely to experience continued volatility, which will likely affect our financial results since our cost of funds is largely dependent on short-term rates.

Historically, 30-day LIBOR has closely tracked movements in the Federal Funds Rate and the Effective Federal Funds Rate. The Effective Federal Funds Rate can differ from the Federal Funds Rate in that the Effective index represents the volume weighted average of interest rates at which depository institutions lend balances at the Fed to other depository institutions overnight (actual transactions, rather than target rate).

 Our borrowings in the repurchase market have also historically closely tracked the Federal Funds Rate and LIBOR. Traditionally, a lower Federal Funds Rate has indicated a time of increased net interest margin and higher asset values. However, since July 2007 LIBOR and repurchase market rates have varied greatly and often have been significantly higher than the target and the Effective Federal Funds Rate. The difference between 30-day LIBOR and the Effective Federal Funds Rate has also been quite volatile, with the spread alternately returning to more normal levels and then widening out again. The continued volatility in these rates and divergence from the historical relationship among these rates could negatively impact our ability to manage our portfolio. If this were to occur, our net interest margin and the value of our portfolio might suffer as a result.

The following table shows 30-day LIBOR as compared to the Effective Federal Funds Rate at March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012.

Quarter ended
 
30-Day
LIBOR
 
Effective Federal
Funds Rate
March 31, 2013
 
0.20
%
 
0.09
%
March 31, 2012
 
0.24
   
0.09
 

 
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Results of Operations
 
As a result of our continued equity raising efforts, our earnings as reported in our condensed consolidated financial statements, particularly on a per share basis, may take time to reach a level in which we consider to be indicative of a full run-rate. Some period over period comparisons in the discussion below may not be meaningful.

Net Income Summary

Our primary source of income is the interest income we earn on our investment portfolio. Our net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 available to common stockholders was $99.8 million, or $0.30 per basic and $0.29 per diluted weighted average common share. These results compare to net income of $65.2 million available to common stockholders or $0.48 per basic and diluted weighted average common share for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The main factors of the difference from the quarter ended 2012 to the quarter ended 2013 were the increased equity capital resources and the continued implementation of our investment strategy, offset by unrealized losses from our derivatives and increased management fees.

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our Agency Securities portfolio was carried at a net premium to par value with a weighted average amortized cost, of 104.78% and 105.24% respectively, due to the average interest rates on these securities being higher than prevailing market rates.

The following table presents the components of the yield earned on our Agency Security portfolio for the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012.

Quarter Ended
 
Asset Yield
   
Cost of
Funds
   
Net Interest
Margin
   
Interest Expense
on Repurchase
Agreements
 
March 31, 2013
   
2.33
%
   
0.98
%
   
1.35
%
   
0.46
%
March 31, 2012
   
3.04
     
0.81
     
2.23
     
0.34
 

The yield on our assets is most significantly affected by the rate of repayments on our Agency Securities. Our rate of portfolio repayment for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, was 15.7% on a constant prepayment basis compared to 11.4% for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.

 Our repurchase agreements are secured by our Agency Securities and bear interest at rates that have historically moved in close relationship to the Federal Funds Rate and LIBOR. The Federal Funds Rate was 0.09% and LIBOR was 0.20% at March 31, 2013. During the quarters ended March 31, 2013 and March 31, 2012, we realized losses of $29.1 million, and $9.7 million, respectively related to our derivatives. We increased our total interest rate swap contracts aggregate notional balance from $8.7 billion at December 31, 2012 to $12.3 billion at March 31, 2013. Our interest rate swap contracts had a weighted average swap rate of 1.4% and a weighted average term of 75 months at March 31, 2013. During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, we increased our total interest rate swaptions aggregate notional balance from $1.1 billion at December 31, 2012 to $1.6 billion at March 31, 2013. Our swaptions had an underlying weighted average swap rate of 2.1% and a weighted average term of 4 months at March 31, 2013. Our total Eurodollar Futures Contracts (“Futures Contracts”) notional amount decreased from $102.0 million at December 31, 2012 to $99.0 million at March 31, 2013 due to the maturity of contracts.  Our Futures Contracts had a weighted average swap equivalent rate of 1.9% and weighted average term of 18 months as of March 31, 2013.

Net Interest Income

Our net interest income for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 was $105.2 million compared to $55.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The continued growth of our net interest income from year to year is due to the completion of equity raises. The proceeds from these equity raises were invested in Agency Securities, creating a larger investment portfolio able to generate increasing levels of interest income. As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, our portfolio of Agency Securities consisted of $24.3 billion and $19.1 billion of securities, respectively.
 
Gains and Losses on Sale of Agency Securities

During the quarter ended March 31, 2013, we sold $2.3 billion of Agency Securities resulting in a realized gain of $18.5 million. These results compare to $0.2 billion of Agency Securities sold resulting in a realized gain of $6.3 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012.
 
 
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Expenses

Our total expenses for the quarter ended March 31, 2013 were $8.6 million as compared to $4.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2012. The increase in expenses from year to year is primarily due to two factors. The first factor is due to increased management fees. Our total management fee expense for the quarter ended March 31, 2013, was $6.6 million as compared t