NEW YORK - Chimera Investment Corporation (NYSE: NYSE:CIM), a real estate investment trust, announced its plans to acquire Palisades Group, a firm specializing in residential real estate credit, for a total consideration of up to $50 million. The transaction includes a $30 million cash payment at closing and an additional earnout of up to $20 million over five years, contingent on financial targets being met.
The acquisition, expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2024, is anticipated to enhance Chimera's residential credit reach and is projected to be accretive to its earnings in 2025. Jack Macdowell, Jr., co-founder and Chief Investment Officer of Palisades, will join Chimera as Chief Investment Officer upon completion of the deal.
Chimera's President and CEO, Phillip J. Kardis II, expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition, citing Palisades' strong track record in managing and investing in residential credit products. The transaction is intended to diversify Chimera's income streams and expand its market presence, with the combined entity managing over $30 billion in loans and real estate assets.
The deal is also expected to bring thirty-six professionals from Palisades to Chimera, bolstering its operational and loan risk management capabilities. Houlihan Lokey (NYSE:HLI) served as the exclusive financial advisor to Chimera, with Hunton Andrews Kurth LLP as legal counsel. Mayer Brown LLP represented Palisades Group.
Chimera Investment Corporation is a publicly traded REIT that invests in a variety of real estate assets, including mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities.
This news is based on a press release statement. The forward-looking statements in the press release are subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected.
In other recent news, Chimera Investment Corporation has been actively managing its financial health and strategic growth initiatives. The company issued $74.75 million in senior notes due 2029, which are set to pay interest quarterly starting November 2024. Chimera also announced a $65 million public offering of senior notes due in 2029, with the proceeds intended for acquiring mortgage assets and general corporate purposes. Morgan Stanley (NYSE:MS) & Co. LLC, RBC Capital Markets, LLC, and UBS Securities LLC are among the joint book-running managers for this offering.
In addition to these financial moves, Chimera reported a strong Q2 performance, marked by its first unsecured debt offering that received an investment-grade rating. The company initiated its first large agency investment since the onset of the pandemic and sponsored its first reperforming loan securitization since May 2023. A significant highlight was the increase in dividends for the first time since March 2021, reflecting the company's financial stability.
For the quarter, Chimera reported a GAAP net income of $33.9 million, a book value of $21.27 per share, and economic net interest income of $73 million. These developments underline Chimera's active management of its financial health and strategic growth initiatives.
InvestingPro Insights
Chimera Investment Corporation's acquisition of Palisades Group aligns well with its current financial position and market performance. According to InvestingPro data, Chimera boasts a market capitalization of $1.29 billion and a price-to-book ratio of 0.49, suggesting the stock may be undervalued relative to its assets. This could indicate that the company is in a strong position to make strategic acquisitions like Palisades Group.
The company's revenue growth is particularly noteworthy, with a 148.87% increase over the last twelve months as of Q2 2024. This robust growth trend supports Chimera's expansion strategy and its ability to integrate Palisades Group's operations effectively.
InvestingPro Tips highlight Chimera's attractive valuation metrics and dividend yield. One tip notes that the company's P/E ratio is lower than the industry median, currently standing at 8.87. This suggests that Chimera's stock might be undervalued compared to its peers, potentially making the timing of this acquisition opportune from a financial perspective.
Another relevant InvestingPro Tip points out Chimera's high dividend yield of 9.22%, which could be attractive to income-focused investors. This high yield, combined with the company's growth strategy through acquisitions, may appeal to investors looking for both income and potential capital appreciation.
For readers interested in a deeper analysis, InvestingPro offers 14 additional tips for Chimera Investment Corporation, providing a more comprehensive view of the company's financial health and market position.
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