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Guild Holdings Co (GHLD)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Delivered strong Q2 performance: originations $7.5B (+44% q/q, +15% y/y), net revenue $279.4M, GAAP diluted EPS $0.30, adjusted diluted EPS $0.66; adjusted net income $41.4M and adjusted EBITDA $58.0M—the best since 2021 .
- EPS and revenue beat Wall Street: Primary EPS $0.66 vs $0.43 consensus; Revenue (S&P definition) $308.4M vs $297.0M consensus; both improved vs Q1 despite MSR valuation volatility; EPS beat is significant and likely estimate-reset catalyst* .
- Origination segment swung to $23.4M net income (from $(2.9)M in Q1) on higher volumes; servicing delivered $27.3M net income despite $(41.3)M MSR valuation loss amid rate volatility .
- Capital actions: Declared a special dividend of $0.25 per share (payable Sept 2, 2025) and repurchased 61,221 shares at $13.24 average before termination of the buyback plan tied to the pending Bayview merger .
- No Q2 earnings call due to pending merger; management emphasized balanced model, purchase focus (89% of originations), and platform strength; merger and dividend are near-term stock narrative catalysts .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Origination momentum: Total originations $7.47B (+44% q/q, +15% y/y) with 21.4K units; origination net revenue rose to $242.5M and segment net income to $23.4M .
- Purchase focus and recapture: 89% purchase mix vs MBA ~67%; purchase recapture 27%, refinance recapture 37%—supporting the customer-for-life strategy .
- Efficiency and earnings quality: Adjusted net income $41.4M and adjusted ROAE 13.7%—both best since 2021; adjusted EBITDA $58.0M, reflecting improving profitability and scale benefits .
What Went Wrong
- MSR valuation headwinds: $(41.3)M negative MSR mark (vs $(69.9)M in Q1; +$2.1M in Q2’24) amid rate volatility; servicing net revenue compressed to $43.3M vs $81.4M in Q2’24 .
- Gain-on-sale margin moderation: Originations gain-on-sale margin declined q/q to 329 bps (from 376 bps), albeit up slightly y/y (+3 bps); pull-through margin dipped 1 bp q/q to 315 bps .
- No live Q&A: Company did not host a Q2 call due to the pending Bayview transaction, limiting real-time guidance and color on trajectory .
Financial Results
Note: Company-reported net revenue was $279.4M; S&P “Revenue” definition differs from company “net revenue” (likely excludes certain fair value marks/interest components). Values retrieved from S&P Global* .
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Our team delivered... the strongest performance in many categories... despite a constrained and challenging market... best adjusted net income, adjusted EBITDA and adjusted return on average equity since 2021.” — Terry Schmidt, CEO .
- “In the origination segment, we delivered origination growth of 44% quarter-over-quarter and 15% year-over-year, with expense and profitability metrics improving to levels we last delivered in 2022.” — Terry Schmidt, CEO .
- Q2 actions: 89% purchase originations; servicing UPB $96.3B; adjusted ROAE 13.7%; special dividend $0.25 per share; leverage ratio 2.0x .
Q&A Highlights
Note: No Q2 call; highlights reflect recent Q1/Q4 calls.
- Margins outlook: Management reiterated historical gain-on-sale margin range of ~330–340 bps; Q1 pickup mainly seasonality/timing .
- MSR valuation dynamics: Rates drive MSR marks; origination-servicing model acts as natural hedge; MSR accounting timing explained (valuation included at lock; subsequent fair value at sale) .
- Retention of MSRs and portfolio strategy: Target to normalize retention to 80–85% over time when conditions permit; balancing profitability and portfolio growth .
- Competitive landscape and strategy: Focus on local purchase and first-time buyers; tech and brand drive productivity; organic recruiting and selective M&A continue .
- Tariffs/home prices: Monitoring potential impacts; values stable in most markets; not expected to materially impact volume .
Estimates Context
- EPS: Q2 Primary EPS $0.66 vs $0.43 consensus; significant beat likely to prompt upward revisions to FY EPS trajectories*.
- Revenue: S&P Global “Revenue” $308.4M vs $297.0M consensus; note definitional differences vs company “net revenue” of $279.4M, but still a beat*.
- Coverage depth: # of estimates — EPS (6), Revenue (5).
Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Adjusted EPS beat and origination profitability inflection are positive estimate-revision catalysts; expect analysts to raise near-term EPS and EBITDA estimates despite MSR mark volatility* .
- Purchase-driven model (89% mix) and rising recapture rates underpin sustainable volume in a higher-for-longer rate environment .
- Servicing remains a durable earnings pillar even with MSR volatility; UPB grew to $96.3B, supporting cash flow and future recapture .
- Special dividend ($0.25) and pending Bayview merger elevate near-term corporate event risk/reward; lack of call tempers guidance clarity .
- Margins moderated sequentially (329 bps) but align with historic range; watch Q3 seasonality and competitive pricing pressure .
- Operating leverage evident: adjusted ROAE 13.7% and adjusted EBITDA $58.0M—signals improving profitability at scale .
- For trading: EPS beat and corporate actions could support near-term sentiment; MSR mark sensitivity remains the primary swing factor for quarterly prints .