Annual Report for Fiscal Year Ending 12-31, 2025 (Form 10-K)

The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our audited consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes included in "Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data" of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. All currency amounts are presented in thousands, except per share amounts or as otherwise noted.

General

On November 14, 2024, we became a fully integrated, internally managed residential real estate finance company focused on acquiring, investing in and managing residential mortgage assets in the United States. We were incorporated in Maryland on October 31, 2012, and we commenced operations on or about October 9, 2013, following the completion of our initial public offering and a concurrent private placement. Our common stock, our Series A Preferred Stock and our Series B Preferred Stock are listed and traded on the NYSE under the symbols "CHMI", "CHMI-PRA" and "CHMI-PRB", respectively.

Our principal objective is to generate attractive current yields and risk-adjusted total returns for our stockholders over the long term, primarily through dividend distributions and secondarily through capital appreciation. We attempt to attain this objective by selectively constructing and actively managing a portfolio of Servicing Related Assets and RMBS and, subject to market conditions, other cash flowing residential mortgage assets.

We are subject to the risks involved with real estate and real estate-related debt instruments. These include, among others, the risks normally associated with changes in the general economic climate, changes in the mortgage market, changes in tax laws, interest rate levels, and the availability of financing.

We elected to be taxed as a REIT for U.S. federal income tax purposes commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2013. We operate so as to continue to qualify to be taxed as a REIT. Our asset acquisition strategy focuses on acquiring a diversified portfolio of residential mortgage assets that balances the risk and reward opportunities our internal management team observes in the marketplace. Aurora has or is in the process of obtaining the licenses necessary to invest in MSRs on a nationwide basis and is an approved seller/servicer for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.

In addition to Servicing Related Assets, we invest in RMBS, primarily those backed by 30-, 20- and 15-year fixed rate mortgages that offer what we believe to be favorable prepayment and duration characteristics. Our RMBS consist solely of Agency RMBS on which the payments of principal and interest are guaranteed by an Agency. In the past, we have invested in Agency CMOs consisting of IOs as well as non-Agency RMBS and may do so in the future subject to market conditions and availability of capital. We finance our RMBS with an amount of leverage, that varies from time to time depending on the particular characteristics of our portfolio, the availability of financing and market conditions. We do not have a targeted leverage ratio for our RMBS. Our borrowings for RMBS consist of short-term borrowings under master repurchase agreements.

Subject to maintaining our qualification as a REIT, we utilize derivative financial instruments (or hedging instruments) to hedge our exposure to potential interest rate mismatches between the interest we earn on our assets and our borrowing costs caused by fluctuations in short-term interest rates. In utilizing leverage and interest rate hedges, our objectives include, where desirable, locking in, on a long-term basis, a spread between the yield on our assets and the cost of our financing in an effort to improve returns to our stockholders.

We also seek to operate our business in a manner that does not require us to register as an investment company under the Investment Company Act.

We conduct substantially all of our operations and own substantially all of our assets through our Operating Partnership. We are the sole general partner of our Operating Partnership. As of December 31, 2025, we owned 98.4% of our Operating Partnership. Our Operating Partnership, in turn, owns all of the outstanding common stock of CHMI Sub-REIT, Inc. (the "Sub-REIT"). The Sub-REIT has elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code commencing with its taxable year ended December 31, 2020.

From time to time, we may issue and sell shares of our common stock or preferred stock, including additional shares of our Series A Preferred Stock or Series B Preferred Stock. See "Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data-Note 6. Equity and Earnings per Common Share-Common and Preferred Stock.."

The Company has an at-the-market offering program for its common stock (the "Common Stock ATM Program") pursuant to which it may offer and sell through one or more sales agents, up to $150.0 million in shares of its common stock at prices prevailing at the time, subject to volume and other regulatory limitations. As of December 31, 2025, approximately $34.6 million was remaining pursuant to the Common Stock ATM Program. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company issued and sold 4,909,053 shares of common stock under the Common Stock ATM Program. The shares were sold at a weighted average price of $3.00 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $14.7 million before fees of approximately $293,000. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company issued and sold 1,544,917 shares of common stock under the Common Stock ATM Program. The shares were sold at a weighted average price of $3.59 per share for aggregate gross proceeds of approximately $5.6 million before fees of approximately $111,000.

Prior to January 29, 2024, the Company had an at-the-market offering program for its Series A Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Series A ATM Program") pursuant to which it could offer and sell through one or more sales agents up to $35.0 million in shares of its Series A Preferred Stock at prices prevailing at the time, subject to volume and other regulatory limitations. During the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company did not issue and sell any shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant to the Preferred Series A ATM Program. The Company terminated the Preferred Series A ATM Program effective as of January 29, 2024.

In September 2019, the Company initiated a share repurchase program that allows for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $10.0 million of its common stock. As of December 31, 2025, approximately $4.7 million was remaining under the share repurchase program. Shares may be repurchased from time to time through privately negotiated transactions or open market transactions, pursuant to a trading plan in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act, or by any combination of such methods. The manner, price, number and timing of share repurchases are subject to a variety of factors, including market conditions and applicable SEC rules. The share repurchase program does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares, and, subject to SEC rules, purchases may be commenced or suspended at any time without prior notice. During the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company did not repurchase any common stock pursuant to the repurchase program.

In December 2023, the Company initiated a preferred stock repurchase program that allows for the repurchase of up to an aggregate of $50.0 million of its shares of preferred stock. Shares of preferred stock may be repurchased from time to time through privately negotiated transactions or open market transactions, pursuant to a trading plan in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 under the Exchange Act. The manner, price, number and timing of share repurchases are subject to a variety of factors, including market conditions and applicable SEC rules. The preferred stock repurchase program does not require the purchase of any minimum number of shares of preferred stock, and, subject to SEC rules, purchases may be commenced or suspended at any time without prior notice. During the year ended December 31, 2025, the Company did not repurchase any Preferred Stock pursuant to the repurchase program. During the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company repurchased 395,897 shares of its Series B Preferred Stock at a weighted average purchase price of $23.77 per share and paid aggregate brokerage commissions of approximately $11,900 on such repurchases. The difference between the consideration transferred and the carrying value of the preferred stock repurchased resulted in a gain attributable to common stockholders of $78,000 for the year ended December 30, 2024. Shares of preferred stock that are repurchased by the Company cease to be outstanding but remain authorized for future issuance.

Effects of Federal Reserve Policy on the Company

Since September 2025, the Federal Reserve has reduced its federal funds rate target by 75 basis points to a range of 3.50% to 3.75% due to slowing job growth and increased unemployment. Even though inflation remains above its 2 percent target, the Federal Reserve has determined that in evaluating its dual mandate the downside risks to employment have risen.

As of December 1, 2025, the Federal Reserve has also ceased reducing its balance sheet. Since 2022, the Federal Reserve had been allowing a set amount of Treasury securities and Agency RMBS on its balance sheet to roll off each month without reinvestment. Prior to December 1, 2025, the Federal Reserve's monthly redemption cap on U.S. Treasury Securities was $5 billion and its redemption cap on agency debt/MBS was $35 billion with excess principal payments reinvested in U.S. Treasury securities.

In addition, on January 11, 2026, it was reported that the U.S. Attorney's Office in the District of Columbia is investigating the Federal Reserve's renovation of its headquarters and whether Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell lied to Congress about the project. In response, Chairman Powell made a public statement that he believed the investigation was initiated because the Federal Reserve would not set interest rates as the President preferred. It is unclear what impact the investigation will have on the future course of U.S. monetary policy.

To the extent the Federal Reserve takes future action to ease monetary policy by reducing its federal funds rate and/or purchasing securities and increasing its balance sheet, it will generally lower interest rates across asset classes, including for Agency RMBS. Lower rates could reduce our funding costs and spur economic activity, increasing our net interest income. Higher prepayment could reduce the length of cash flows from the MSRs and accelerate the premium amortization on the RMBS portfolio. In the event that the Federal Reserve reverses course and tightens monetary policy in the future by increasing the federal funds rate and/or selling securities and reducing its balance sheet, these actions could result in higher interest rates, including for Agency RMBS, and reduce economic activity in the United States, as well as decrease spreads on interest rates, which can reduce our net interest income and increase our funding costs. They may also negatively impact our results as we have certain assets and liabilities that are sensitive to changes in interest rates. In addition, lower net interest income resulting from higher rates is partially offset by lower prepayments which extends the length of cash flows from the MSRs and slows the premium amortization on the RMBS portfolio.

The impact on our operating results of future actions by the Federal Reserve that change market interest rates is discussed further below. See "Factors Impacting our Operating Results."

Factors Impacting our Operating Results

Our income is generated primarily by the net spread between the income we earn on our assets and the cost of our financing and hedging activities as well as the amortization of any purchase premiums or the accretion of discounts. Our net income includes the actual interest payments we receive on our RMBS, the net servicing fees we receive on our MSRs and the accretion/amortization of any purchase discounts/premiums. Changes in various factors such as market interest rates, prepayment speeds, estimated future cash flows, servicing costs and credit quality could affect the amount of premium to be amortized or discount to be accreted into interest income for a given period. Prepayment speeds vary according to the type of investment, conditions in the financial markets, competition and other factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty. Our operating results may also be affected by credit losses in excess of initial anticipations or unanticipated credit events experienced by borrowers whose mortgage loans underlie the MSRs held by Aurora.

Set forth below is the positive net spread between the yield on RMBS and our costs of funding those assets at the end of each of the quarters indicated below:

Average Net Yield Spread at Period End

Changes in the Market Value of Our Assets

We hold our Servicing Related Assets as long-term investments. Our MSRs are carried at their fair value with changes in their fair value recorded in other income (loss) in our consolidated statements of income (loss). Those values may be affected by events or headlines that are outside of our control, such as events impacting the U.S. or global economy generally or the U.S. residential market specifically, and events or headlines impacting the parties with which we do business. See "Item 1A. Risk Factors - Risks Related to Our Business"

All of our investments in RMBS are reported at their fair value.At the time of purchase, ASC 320, Investments - Debt and Equity Securitiesrequires us to designate a security as held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading, depending on our ability to hold such security to maturity. Alternatively, we may elect the fair value option of accounting for securities pursuant to ASC 825, Financial Instruments. Prior to January 1, 2023, we designated all our investments in RMBS as available-for-sale. On January 1, 2023, we elected the fair value option of accounting for all RMBS acquired after such date. Unrealized gains and losses on RMBS classified as available-for-sale are reported in accumulated other comprehensive income, whereas unrealized gains and losses on RMBS for which we elected the fair value option are reported in the consolidated statements of income (loss).

We evaluate the cost basis of our available-for-sale RMBS on a quarterly basis under ASC 326-30, Financial Instruments-Credit Losses: Available-for-Sale Debt Securities. When the fair value of a security is less than its amortized cost basis as of the balance sheet date, the security's cost basis is considered impaired. If we determine that we intend to sell the security or it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell before recovery, we recognize the difference between the fair value and amortized cost as a loss in the consolidated statements of income (loss). If we determine we do not intend to sell the security or it is not more likely than not we will be required to sell the security before recovery, we must evaluate the decline in the fair value of the impaired security and determine whether such decline resulted from a credit loss or non-credit related factors. In our assessment of whether a credit loss exists, we perform a qualitative assessment around whether a credit loss exists and if necessary, we compare the present value of estimated future cash flows of the impaired security with the amortized cost basis of such security. The estimated future cash flows reflect those that a "market participant" would use and typically include assumptions related to fluctuations in interest rates, prepayment speeds, default rates, collateral performance, and the timing and amount of projected credit losses, as well as incorporating observations of current market developments and events. Cash flows are discounted at an interest rate equal to the current yield used to accrete interest income. If the present value of estimated future cash flows is less than the amortized cost basis of the security, an expected credit loss exists and is included in provision for (reversal of) credit losses on securities in the consolidated statements of income (loss). If it is determined as of the financial reporting date that all or a portion of a security's cost basis is not collectible, then we will recognize a realized loss to the extent of the adjustment to the security's cost basis. This adjustment to the amortized cost basis of the security is reflected in realized gain (loss) on RMBS, net in the consolidated statements of income (loss).

Impact of Changes in Market Interest Rates on Our Assets

The value of our assets may be affected by prepayment speeds on mortgage loans. Prepayment speed is the measurement of how quickly borrowers pay down the unpaid principal balance of their loans or how quickly loans are otherwise liquidated or charged off. Generally, in a declining interest rate environment, prepayment speeds tend to increase. Conversely, in an increasing interest rate environment, prepayment speeds tend to decrease. When we acquire Servicing Related Assets or RMBS, we anticipate that the underlying mortgage loans will prepay at a projected rate generating an expected cash flow (in the case of Servicing Related Assets) and yield. If we purchase assets at a premium to par value and borrowers prepay their mortgage loans faster than expected, the corresponding prepayments on our assets may reduce the expected yield on such assets because we will have to amortize the related premium on an accelerated basis. In addition, we will have to reinvest the greater amounts of prepayments in that lower rate environment, thereby affecting future yields on our assets. If we purchase assets at a discount to par value, and borrowers prepay their mortgage loans slower than expected, the decrease in corresponding prepayments may reduce the expected yield on assets because we will not be able to accrete the related discount as quickly as originally anticipated.

If prepayment speeds are significantly greater than expected, the fair value of the Servicing Related Assets could be less than their fair value as previously reported on our consolidated balance sheets. Such a reduction in the fair value of the Servicing Related Assets would have a negative impact on our book value. Furthermore, a significant increase in prepayment speeds could materially reduce the ultimate cash flows we receive from the Servicing Related Assets, and we could receive substantially less than what we paid for such assets. Our balance sheet, results of operations and cash flows are susceptible to significant volatility due to changes in the fair value of, or cash flows from, the Servicing Related Assets as interest rates change.

A slower than anticipated rate of prepayment due to an increase in market interest rates also will cause the life of the related RMBS to extend beyond that which was projected. As a result, we would have an asset with a lower yield than current investments for a longer period of time. In addition, if we have hedged our interest rate risk, extension may cause the security to be outstanding longer than the related hedge, thereby reducing the protection intended to be provided by the hedge.

Voluntary and involuntary prepayment rates may be affected by a number of factors including, but not limited to, the availability of mortgage credit, the relative economic vitality of, or natural disasters affecting, the area in which the related properties are located, the servicing of the mortgage loans, possible changes in tax laws, other opportunities for investment, homeowner mobility and other economic, social, geographic, demographic and legal factors, none of which can be predicted with any certainty.

We attempt to reduce the exposure of our MSRs to voluntary prepayments through the structuring of recapture agreements with Aurora's subservicers. Under these agreements, the subservicer attempts to refinance specified mortgage loans. The subservicer sells the new mortgage loan to the applicable Agency, transfers the related MSR to Aurora and then subservices the new mortgage loan on behalf of Aurora.

With respect to our business operations, increases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause:

Conversely, decreases in interest rates, in general, may over time cause:

Regardless, we cannot predict the impact future actions by the Federal Reserve will have on our business, and any such actions may negatively impact us.

Effects of Spreads on our Assets

The spread between the yield on our assets and our funding costs affects the performance of our business. Wider spreads imply the potential for greater income on new asset purchases but may have a negative impact on our stated book value. Wider spreads may also negatively impact asset prices. In an environment where spreads are widening, counterparties may require additional collateral to secure borrowings which may require us to reduce leverage by selling assets. Conversely, tighter spreads imply the potential for lower income on new asset purchases but may have a positive impact on stated book value of our existing assets. In this case, we may be able to reduce the amount of collateral required to secure borrowings.

Credit Risk

We are subject to varying degrees of credit risk in connection with our assets. Although we expect relatively low credit risk with respect to our portfolios of Agency RMBS, we may become subject to the credit risk of borrowers under the loans backing any CMOs that we may own and to the credit enhancements built into the CMO structure. We also are subject to the credit risk of the borrowers under the mortgage loans underlying the MSRs that Aurora owns. Through loan level due diligence, we attempt to mitigate this risk by seeking to acquire high quality assets at appropriate prices given anticipated and unanticipated losses. We also conduct ongoing monitoring of acquired MSRs. Nevertheless, unanticipated credit losses could occur which could adversely impact our operating results.

Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates

Our financial statements are prepared in accordance with US GAAP, which requires the use of estimates that involve the exercise of judgment and the use of assumptions as to future uncertainties. Our most critical accounting policies involve decisions and assessments that could affect our reported amounts of assets and liabilities, as well as our reported amounts of revenues and expenses. We believe that the decisions and assessments upon which our financial statements are based were reasonable at the time made and based upon information available to us at that time. Our critical accounting policies and accounting estimates may change over time as we diversify our portfolio. The material accounting policies and estimates that we expect to be most critical to an investor's understanding of our financial results and condition and require complex management judgment are discussed below. For additional information on our material accounting policies and estimates, see "Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data-Note 2. Basis of Presentation and Significant Accounting Policies."

Investments in MSRs

We have elected the fair value option to record our investments in MSRs in order to provide users of our consolidated financial statements with better information regarding the effects of prepayment risk and other market factors on the MSRs. Under this election, we record a valuation adjustment on our investments in MSRs on a quarterly basis to recognize the changes in fair value of our MSRs in net income as described below. Although transactions in MSRs are observable in the marketplace, the valuation includes unobservable market data inputs (prepayment speeds, costs to service and discount rates). The change in fair value of MSRs is recorded within "Unrealized gain (loss) on investments in Servicing Related Assets" on the consolidated statements of income (loss). Fair value is generally determined by discounting the expected future cash flows using discount rates that incorporate the market risks and liquidity premium specific to the MSRs and, therefore, may differ from their effective yields. In determining the valuation of MSRs, management uses internally developed pricing models that are based on certain unobservable market-based inputs. The Company classifies these valuations as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy. For additional information on our fair value methodology, see "Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data-Note 9. Fair Value."

Revenue Recognition on Investments in MSRs

Mortgage servicing fee income represents revenue earned from the ownership of MSRs. The servicing fees are based on a contractual percentage of the outstanding principal balance and are recognized as revenue as the related mortgage payments are collected. Corresponding costs to service are charged to expense as incurred. Servicing fee income received and servicing expenses incurred are reported on the consolidated statements of income (loss).

Income Taxes

We elected to be taxed as a REIT under the Code commencing with our short taxable year ended December 31, 2013. We expect to continue to qualify to be treated as a REIT. U.S. federal income tax law generally requires that a REIT distribute annually at least 90% of its REIT taxable income, without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and excluding net capital gains, and that it pay tax at regular corporate income tax rates to the extent that it annually distributes less than 100% of its taxable income. Our taxable REIT subsidiary, Solutions, and its wholly-owned subsidiary, Aurora, are subject to U.S. federal income taxes on their taxable income.

We account for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740, Income Taxes. ASC 740 requires the recording of deferred income taxes that reflect the net tax effect of temporary differences between the carrying amounts of our assets and liabilities for financial reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes, including operating loss carry forwards. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recognized in earnings in the period that includes the enactment date. For information on our assessment of the realizability of deferred tax assets, see "Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data-Note 15. Income Taxes." We assess our tax positions for all open tax years and determine if we have any material unrecognized liabilities in accordance with ASC 740. We record these liabilities to the extent we deem them more-likely-than-not to be incurred. We record interest and penalties related to income taxes within the provision for income taxes in the consolidated statements of income (loss). We have not incurred any interest or penalties.

Investments in Securities

Prior to fiscal year 2023, we designated all our investments in RMBS as available-for-sale pursuant to ASC 320, Investments - Debt and Equity Securities. Although we may hold most of our securities until maturity, we may, from time to time, sell any of our securities as part of our overall management of our asset portfolio. All assets classified as available-for-sale are reported at fair value, with unrealized gains and losses excluded from earnings and reported as a separate component of stockholders' equity. On January 1, 2023, we elected the fair value option of accounting pursuant to ASC 825, Financial Instruments, for all RMBS acquired after such date. Unrealized gains and losses on RMBS for which we elected the fair value option are reported in the consolidated statements of income (loss). Fair value of our investments in RMBS is determined based upon prices obtained from third-party pricing providers. Changes in underlying assumptions used in estimating fair value impact the carrying value of the investments in RMBS as well as their yield. For additional information on our assessment of credit-related impairment and our fair value methodology, see "Item 8. Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data-Note 4. Investments in RMBS and Note 9. Fair Value."

Revenue Recognition on Securities

Interest income from coupon payments is accrued based on the outstanding principal amount of the RMBS and their contractual terms. Premiums and discounts associated with the purchase of the RMBS are amortized or accreted into interest income over the projected lives of the securities using the effective interest method. Our policy for estimating prepayment speeds for calculating the effective yield is to evaluate historical performance, consensus prepayment speeds, and current market conditions. Adjustments are made for actual prepayment activity. For information on how interest rates affect net interest income, see "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk-Interest Rate Effect on Net Interest Income."

Repurchase Transactions

We finance the acquisition of our RMBS for our portfolio through repurchase transactions under master repurchase agreements. Repurchase transactions are treated as collateralized financing transactions and are carried at their contractual amounts as specified in the respective transactions. Accrued interest payable is included in "Accrued expenses and other liabilities" on the consolidated balance sheets. Securities financed through repurchase transactions remain on our consolidated balance sheet as an asset and cash received from the purchaser is recorded on our consolidated balance sheets as a liability. Interest paid in accordance with repurchase transactions is recorded in interest expense on the consolidated statements of income (loss).

Results of Operations

Presented below is a comparison of the Company's results of operations for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

Results of Operations

Presented below is summary financial data on our segments together with the data for the Company as a whole, for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

Segment Summary Data

Interest Income

Interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $61.1 million as compared to $55.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $5.3 million increase in interest income for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 was due to purchases of new securities, an increase in price premium amortization as well as replacing lower yielding securities with higher yielding securities.

Interest Expense

Interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $49.8 million as compared to $55.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $6.0 million decrease in interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 was due to a decrease in financing rates combined with a decrease in notes payable.

Servicing Fee Income

Servicing fee income for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $43.3 million as compared to $48.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $5.2 million decrease in servicing fee income for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 was due to changes in the size of the portfolio.

Servicing Costs

Servicing costs for the year ended December 31, 2025 were $9.3 million as compared to $12.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $3.1 million decrease in servicing costs for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily due to changes in the portfolio and a one-time loan level adjustment as well as de-boarding fees related to the MSR sale during the year ended December 31, 2024.

Realized Loss on RMBS, Net

Realized loss on RMBS for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $6.0 million as compared to $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $0.6 million decrease in realized loss on RMBS for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 was due to a decline in the number of RMBS securities sold during the year ended December 31, 2025.

Realized Gain on Investments in MSRs, Net

Realized gain on investments in MSRs for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $0 as compared to $0.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The decrease of $0.5 million in realized gain on MSRs was because no MSRs were sold during the year ended December 31, 2025.

Realized Gain on Derivatives, Net

Realized gain on derivatives for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $7.0 million as compared to $21.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $14.3 million decrease in realized gain on derivatives for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to December 31, 2024 was substantially comprised of a decrease of $13.4 million in interest income on interest rate swaps and an increase of $5.5 million in losses on interest rate swaps, offset by a decrease of $1.8 million in losses on TBAs and a decrease of $2.8 million in losses on U.S. Treasury futures due to changes in interest rates as well as composition of derivatives.

Unrealized Gain (Loss) on RMBS, Measured at Fair Value through Earnings, Net

Unrealized gain on RMBS measured at fair value through earnings for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $35.6 million as compared to a loss of $19.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The increase of $55.0 million in unrealized gain on RMBS measured at fair value through earnings was due to a drop in interest rates during the period combined with spread tightening.

Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Derivatives

Unrealized loss on derivatives for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $39.8 million as compared to a gain of $9.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $49.6 million increase in unrealized loss on derivatives for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to December 31, 2024 was primarily due to changes in interest rates and the composition of our derivatives relative to the prior year.

Unrealized Loss on Investments in Servicing Related Assets

Unrealized loss on our investments in Servicing Related Assets for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $18.8 million as compared to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $11.6 million increase in unrealized loss on our investments in Servicing Related Assets for December 31, 2025 as compared to December 31, 2024 was primarily due to changes in valuation inputs or assumptions and paydown of underlying loans.

General and Administrative Expense

General and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $7.7 million as compared to $10.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $3.0 million decrease in general and administrative expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 was due to a decrease in professional fees related to the Internalization.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation and benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 was $6.5 million as compared to $1.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. The $4.9 million increase in compensation and benefits expense for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024 was because, effective as of November 14, 2024, the Company started operating as an internally managed Company.

Net Income Allocated to Noncontrolling Interests in Operating Partnership

Net income allocated to noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership, which are LTIP-OP Units owned by our directors, officers and employees represented approximately 1.6% and 2.0% of net income for the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.

For the period indicated below, our accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) changed as a result of the indicated gains and losses (dollars in thousands):

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

Our GAAP equity changes as the values of our RMBS are marked to market each quarter, among other factors. The primary causes of mark to market changes are changes in interest rates and nominal spreads. During the year ended December 31, 2025, a drop in interest rates caused a net unrealized gain on our available-for-sale RMBS. During the year ended December 31, 2024, a rise in interest rates caused a net unrealized loss on our available-for-sale RMBS. Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale RMBS is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss).

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations section contains analysis and discussion of non-GAAP financial measures, including:

EAD is a non-GAAP financial measure that we define as GAAP net income (loss), excluding realized gain (loss) on RMBS, unrealized gain (loss) on RMBS measured at fair value through earnings, realized and unrealized gain (loss) on derivatives, realized gain (loss) on acquired assets, realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments in MSRs (net of any estimated MSR amortization) and any tax expense (benefit) on realized and unrealized gain (loss) on MSRs. MSR amortization refers to the portion of the change in fair value of the MSR that is primarily due to the realization of cashflows, runoff resulting from prepayments and an adjustment for any gain or loss on the capital used to purchase the MSR. EAD also includes interest rate swap periodic interest income (expense) and drop income on TBA dollar roll transactions, which are included in "Realized gain (loss) on derivatives, net" on the consolidated statements of income (loss). EAD is adjusted to exclude outstanding LTIP-OP Units in our Operating Partnership and dividends paid on our preferred stock.

EAD is provided for purposes of potential comparability to other issuers that invest in residential mortgage-related assets. We believe providing investors with EAD, in addition to related GAAP financial measures, may provide investors some insight into our ongoing operational performance. However, the concept of EAD does have significant limitations, including the exclusion of realized and unrealized gains (losses), and given the apparent lack of a consistent methodology among issuers for defining EAD, it may not be comparable to similarly titled measures of other issuers, which define EAD differently from us and each other. As a result, EAD should not be considered a substitute for our GAAP net income (loss) or as a measure of our liquidity. While EAD is one indicia of the Company's earnings capacity, it is not the only factor considered in setting a dividend and is not the same as REIT taxable income which is calculated in accordance with the rules of the IRS.

Earnings Available for Distribution

EAD for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, increased by approximately $3.7 million or $0.06 per average common share due primarily to a decrease in Internalization expenses as well as a decrease in borrowing costs offset by an increase in common share count resulting from issuances under the Common Stock ATM program.

The following table reconciles the GAAP measure of net income (loss) to EAD and related per average common share amounts, for the periods indicated (dollars in thousands):

Our Portfolio

MSRs

Aurora's MSR portfolio of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac MSRs have an aggregate UPB of approximately $15.9 billion as of December 31, 2025.

The following tables set forth certain characteristics of the mortgage loans underlying those MSRs as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):

MSR Collateral Characteristics

As of December 31, 2025

As of December 31, 2024

RMBS

The following tables summarize the characteristics of our RMBS portfolio and certain characteristics of the collateral underlying our RMBS as of the dates indicated (dollars in thousands):

RMBS Characteristics

As of December 31, 2025

As of December 31, 2024

										Gross Unrealized															Weighted Average
Asset Type		Original Face Value				Book Value				Gains				Losses				Carrying Value(A)				Number of Securities			Rating		Coupon				Yield(C)				Maturity (Years)
RMBS, available-for-sale, measured at fair value through OCI
Fannie Mae		$	160,092			$	131,441			$	492			$	(2,282	)		$	129,651				11		(B)			4.62	%			4.79	%			27
Freddie Mac			157,618				127,839				-				(5,362	)			122,477				12		(B)			4.34	%			4.44	%			27
RMBS, measured at fair value through earnings
Fannie Mae			335,927				299,453				1,870				(5,375	)			295,948				24		(B)			4.81	%			4.94	%			28
Freddie Mac			648,523				580,529				3,134				(9,319	)			574,344				48		(B)			4.93	%			5.03	%			28
Total/weighted average RMBS		$	1,302,160			$	1,139,262			$	5,496			$	(22,338	)		$	1,122,420				95					4.80	%			4.91	%			28

The following table summarizes the net interest spread of our RMBS portfolio as of the dates indicated:

Net Interest Spread

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Liquidity is a measurement of our ability to meet potential cash requirements, including ongoing commitments to repay borrowings, fund and maintain investments and other general business needs. Additionally, to maintain our status as a REIT under the Code, we must distribute annually at least 90% of our REIT taxable income. In 2017, the Internal Revenue Service issued a revenue procedure permitting "publicly offered" REITs to make elective stock dividends (i.e., dividends paid in a mixture of stock and cash), with at least 20% of the total distribution being paid in cash, to satisfy their REIT distribution requirements. In December 2021, the Internal Revenue Service issued a revenue procedure that temporarily reduces the minimum amount of the total distribution that must be paid in cash to 10% for distributions declared on or after November 1, 2021, and on or before June 30, 2022, provided certain other parameters detailed in the Revenue Procedure are satisfied. Pursuant to these revenue procedures, the Company has in the past elected to make distributions of its taxable income in a mixture of stock and cash.

Our primary sources of funds for liquidity consist of cash provided by operating activities (primarily income from our investments in RMBS and net servicing income from our MSRs), sales or repayments of RMBS and borrowings under repurchase agreements and our MSR financing arrangements.

In the future, sources of funds for liquidity may include additional MSR financing, warehouse agreements, securitizations and the issuance of equity or debt securities, when feasible, including, without limitation, the issuance of shares of our common stock pursuant to our Common Stock ATM program or any other ATM program we have in place. For more information regarding issuances of our securities pursuant to our ATM programs, including our Common Stock ATM Program, please refer to "-General" above. In the past we have used, and we anticipate that in the future we will use a significant portion of the paydowns of the RMBS to purchase MSRs. We may also sell certain RMBS and deploy the net proceeds from such sales to the extent necessary to fund the purchase price of MSRs.

Our primary uses of funds are the payment of interest, compensation and benefits, outstanding commitments, operating expenses, investments in new or replacement assets, margin calls and the repayment of borrowings, as well as dividends. Although we continue to maintain a higher level of unrestricted cash than prior to the pandemic, we expect to invest more of that unrestricted cash in our targeted assets if normalization of the economy continues. We may also use capital resources to repurchase additional shares of common stock under our stock repurchase program when we believe such repurchases are appropriate and/or the stock is trading at a significant discount to net asset value. We seek to maintain adequate cash reserves and other sources of available liquidity to meet any margin calls resulting from decreases in value related to a reasonably possible (in the opinion of management) change in interest rates.

As of the date of this filing, we believe we have sufficient liquid assets to satisfy all of our short-term recourse liabilities and to satisfy covenants in our financing documents. With respect to the next twelve months, we expect that our cash on hand combined with the cash flow provided by our operations will be sufficient to satisfy our anticipated liquidity needs with respect to our current investment portfolio, including related financings, potential margin calls and operating expenses. While it is inherently more difficult to forecast beyond the next twelve months, we currently expect to meet our long-term liquidity requirements through our cash on hand and, if needed, additional borrowings, proceeds received from repurchase agreements and similar financings, proceeds from equity offerings and the liquidation or refinancing of our assets.

Our operating cash flow differs from our net income due primarily to: (i) accretion of discount or premium on our RMBS, (ii) unrealized gains or losses on our RMBS and Servicing Related Assets, and (iii) impairment on our securities, if any.