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FEDERAL AGRICULTURAL MORTGAGE CORP (AGM)·Q3 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Q3 2025 delivered record net effective spread ($97.8M, +14% YoY) and record core earnings ($49.6M; $4.52 core diluted EPS, +10% YoY), with GAAP diluted EPS of $4.44 (+15% YoY) .
- Primary EPS beat Wall Street consensus ($4.52 vs $4.47; core EPS basis) while revenue comparisons depend on definition: S&P revenue actual fell short of its estimate, but company-reported total revenues (core composition) exceeded consensus; see Estimates Context below*.
- Business mix shifted toward higher-spread Infrastructure Finance (renewable energy, broadband, power & utilities), driving spread accretion; outstanding business volume reached $31.1B (+$0.5B net new in the quarter) .
- Capital strengthened via $100M Series H preferred issuance; Tier 1 capital ratio rose to 13.9%, core capital reached $1.7B, and liquidity stood at 317 days .
- Subsequent to quarter-end, the company repurchased
30,000 Class C shares ($5M) and later declared a $1.50 Q4 common dividend; capital return remains a catalyst alongside ongoing FARM securitization plans .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Record profitability metrics: net effective spread ($97.8M) and core earnings ($49.6M; $4.52 core diluted EPS) achieved new highs; “we delivered exceptional third quarter 2025 results, achieving yet another quarter of record net effective spread and core earnings” (CEO) .
- Strategic mix shift: Infrastructure Finance grew $600M in the quarter to $11.0B, with renewable energy more than doubling YoY to $2.3B and broadband doubling YoY to $1.3B; “we anticipate increased financing opportunities…for data center buildouts, given increasing investment in capacity to support AI, cloud storage, and enterprise digitization” .
- Capital and ALM resilience: Tier 1 ratio improved to 13.9%; management reiterated match-funded strategy neutral to rate cuts; “a cut in interest rates by the Fed should have no impact on the net effective spread…ours move in tandem” .
What Went Wrong
- Credit expense uptick: credit-related expense was $7.43M vs $3.45M YoY, reflecting CECL model adds for growth in newer segments and episodic issues (California groundwater policy effects; three charge-offs totaling $4.4M) .
- Operating expense higher: OpEx rose to $29.8M (vs $24.6M YoY) due to headcount, technology, and transaction-related legal costs tied to growth initiatives .
- Revenue consensus methodology mismatch: S&P Global’s revenue “actual” lagged its estimate even as company-reported total revenues (core composition) exceeded consensus; highlights definitional divergence between GAAP/Non-GAAP and consensus frameworks* .
Financial Results
Segment Net Effective Spread ($MM):
KPIs
Results vs Wall Street Consensus (S&P Global)*
*Values retrieved from S&P Global. Note: Farmer Mac’s reported “Total revenues” (core composition) include net effective spread, guarantee fees, and other adjustments; S&P’s revenue methodology may differ, explaining the variance between S&P “actual” and company-reported amounts.
Guidance Changes
No quantitative revenue/margin/OpEx guidance was provided; management reiterated pipeline strength, securitization plans, and ALM neutrality to rate changes .
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “We delivered exceptional third quarter 2025 results, achieving yet another quarter of record net effective spread and core earnings. We surpassed $31 billion in outstanding business volume and strengthened our already robust capital base…” (CEO) .
- “A cut in interest rates by the Fed should have no impact on the net effective spread here at Farmer Mac…ours move in tandem and are structured to remain in tandem.” (CEO) .
- “Volume in our renewable energy segment more than doubled from the same period last year to $2.3 billion…our broadband infrastructure segment doubled year-over-year to $1.3 billion…we anticipate increased financing opportunities…for data center buildouts.” (President/COO) .
Q&A Highlights
- Spread outlook: Mix shift toward broadband/renewables supports higher NES; AgVantage refinancings at tight spreads are being evaluated prudently for capital use .
- Credit provision: $7.4M provision driven by growth in newer segments and episodic issues (California groundwater policy); three charge-offs of ~$4.4M; recovery of ~$2.2M on a prior permanent planting loan .
- Tariffs & government payments: Management expects $10–12B in payments; commodity impacts are nuanced; diversified exposure mitigates risk .
- Prepayments: Lower than 2021-era; many borrowers locked long-term low rates; expect moderation, not an acceleration .
- Capital returns: ~30k shares repurchased post quarter; buybacks to be opportunistic alongside dividends and preferred issuance .
Estimates Context
- EPS: Primary EPS beat ($4.52 actual vs $4.47 estimate) on core EPS basis; GAAP diluted EPS was $4.44. This reflects analyst focus on core/normalized EPS for Farmer Mac* .
- Revenue: S&P “actual” revenue ($95.0M*) missed its estimate ($101.0M*), but company-reported total revenues (core composition) were $105.1M, exceeding consensus. Differences stem from Farmer Mac’s non-GAAP revenue composition (net effective spread + fees + other) versus S&P’s revenue methodology* .
- Target price & recommendation: S&P Global target price consensus ~$226.67*; consensus recommendation text unavailable*.
Where estimates may need to adjust:
- Continued mix shift toward higher-spread Infrastructure Finance suggests NES and core earnings run-rate upside vs prior expectations .
- Effective tax rate below statutory due to renewable energy investment tax credits could lift after-tax EPS vs models not incorporating credit purchases .
- Credit cost normalization at low seven-figure quarterly levels; episodic items managed within CECL framework .
*Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Mix shift is the story: Accelerating broadband/data center and renewable energy growth is accretive to spreads and core earnings; expect continued strength absent AgVantage spread normalization .
- ALM shields NES from rate paths: Management’s match-funded strategy implies limited EPS sensitivity to expected Fed cuts, reducing macro-beta risk to spread income .
- Credit remains contained: Provision elevation reflects growth/CECL and episodic items (California water policy); management does not see systemic sector stress; allowance and capital are robust .
- Capital actions support total return: Preferred issuance, ongoing securitizations, opportunistic buybacks (~$5M), and steady dividends ($1.50 for Q4) offer multi-pronged capital return and balance sheet optimization .
- Consensus may understate revenues/earnings: Analyst frameworks that don’t align with Farmer Mac’s non-GAAP “total revenues” or renewable energy tax credits may need updates after consecutive record NES/Core EPS prints .
- Watch catalysts: Next FARM securitization (Q4 timeline), further broadband/renewables fundings, CFO appointment, progression of HR1-related renewable credits and ag relief payments .
- Succession de-risks leadership transition: CEO retirement planned in 2027 with COO named as successor; continuity of strategy and execution expected .