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FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORP (AGM)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Record quarter: core earnings $47.4M ($4.32 diluted Core EPS), net effective spread $93.9M, and net interest income $96.8M; total outstanding business volume surpassed $30.6B .
- EPS beat and revenue slight miss vs S&P consensus: EPS $4.32* vs $4.29* (+0.7%); revenue $93.98M* vs $96.54M* (-2.7%) — driven by mix shift into higher-spread segments and modest hedge impacts; management highlighted sustained spread strength and segment diversification .
- Credit costs rose: $7.8M provision, including two charge-offs ($2.8M) with $1.7M recovered post-quarter; downgrades in one solar and one broadband loan; overall asset quality metrics improved QoQ (90+ day delinquencies and substandard assets down) .
- Capital actions: share repurchase authorization increased to $50.0M through Aug-2027 and later priced $100M Series H preferred (6.5%), supporting capital optimization and growth .
Values retrieved from S&P Global for items marked with an asterisk.
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Record performance: “we delivered record results across the board… core earnings and net effective spread up 19% and 12% YoY” .
- Segment diversification paying off: renewable energy and broadband growth driving higher net effective spread; management emphasized shift to higher-spread business and robust infrastructure pipeline .
- Capital and liquidity strong: core capital $1.6B (+63% above statutory), Tier 1 13.6%, 310 days liquidity; repurchase authorization raised to $50.0M .
What Went Wrong
- Higher credit expense: $7.8M provision due to two charge-offs, infrastructure downgrades, and CECL allowance growth tied to newer segments’ different risk rates .
- Operating expense pressure: increased headcount, technology investments, and transaction-related legal fees (including renewable energy tax credits) weighed on efficiency, though still near ~30% target .
- Slight revenue miss vs S&P: reported revenue $93.98M* vs $96.54M* consensus amid hedge valuation dynamics and segment mix *.
Values retrieved from S&P Global for items marked with an asterisk.
Financial Results
Core P&L, Spreads, EPS vs prior periods
Actual vs S&P Global Consensus (Q2 2025)
Values retrieved from S&P Global for items marked with an asterisk.
Segment Breakdown (Q2 2025)
KPIs and Balance Sheet Highlights
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We grew core earnings and net effective spread by 19% and 12% year-over-year, respectively, and surpassed $30 billion in total outstanding business volume” — Brad Nordholm, CEO .
- “The growth in spreads was driven by higher average loan balances and the continued shift to higher spread business” .
- “After quarter end, our Board… increased the total authorized amount of repurchases from $9.8 million to $50.0 million… and extended the term… to August 2027” .
- “Our effective tax rate this quarter [was] below the statutory rate… a result of those tax credits” — Greg Ramsey, CAO .
- “Downgrades of two loans in the infrastructure finance line of business and higher allowances related [to] new volume growth in broadband infrastructure and renewable energy” .
Q&A Highlights
- Spread trajectory: Management expects NES to remain around current levels near term, balancing higher-spread segment growth against potential AgVantage paydowns; Farm & Ranch NES improved on mix shift toward loan purchases .
- Tax credits and tax rate: ~$3.2M benefit from renewable energy ITCs reduced effective tax rate below statutory; legal/admin costs flow through OpEx .
- Tariffs: Commodity-specific impacts (soybeans exports down; corn demand via ethanol up); government relief supporting net farm income; HR1 provisions likely supportive for agriculture .
- Credit provisions: $2.8M charge-offs (permanent planting and crop loans) with $1.7M recovery post-quarter; two downgrades (solar; rural broadband) under active remediation .
- Capital allocation: Share repurchases opportunistic alongside steady dividend policy, preferred issuance optionality, and securitizations for capital efficiency .
Estimates Context
- Q2 2025: EPS $4.32* beat $4.29* consensus; revenue $93.98M* missed $96.54M* consensus. Core EPS (non-GAAP) was $4.32, diluted GAAP EPS $4.48 .
- Next quarter (directional context): Q3 2025 EPS consensus ~$4.47*, revenue ~$101.03M*; Q4 2025 EPS ~$4.53*, revenue ~$107.45M* — estimate trajectory consistent with sustained spread strength and segment growth [functions.GetEstimates].
- Implication: Modest upward EPS revisions plausible given spread resilience and lower effective tax rate; revenue models should reflect NES dynamics and segment mix; credit cost assumptions need to incorporate CECL allowances for newer segments .
Values retrieved from S&P Global for items marked with an asterisk.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Spreads resilient; mix shift toward higher-spread segments (renewable, broadband, corporate ag) supports sustained NES and EPS momentum despite AgVantage volatility .
- Credit costs elevated but idiosyncratic; QoQ improvements in delinquency/substandard suggest contained risk; post-quarter recovery reduces net charge-off impact .
- Capital flexibility enhanced: $50M buyback authorization and subsequent $100M Series H preferred (6.5%) provide levers for ROE optimization and growth funding .
- Lower effective tax rate from ITCs a near-term EPS tailwind; management expects further opportunistic credits as market allows .
- Securitization program a strategic enabler: further deals expected in 2H 2025 with potential new structures to broaden investor base and improve capital efficiency .
- Macro/tariff volatility manageable; government support programs and HR1 provisions likely supportive for farm incomes and loan demand in core segments .
- Near-term trading: modest EPS beat, buyback authorization, and capital actions are positive catalysts; watch updates on infra/broadband credit cases and pace of AgVantage activity for spread trajectory .