RC
Rocket Companies, Inc. (RKT)·Q2 2025 Earnings Summary
Executive Summary
- Adjusted revenue of $1.34B and adjusted diluted EPS of $0.04 were above the high end of guidance, with adjusted EBITDA of $172M and gain-on-sale margin of 2.80%; GAAP net income was $34M, but GAAP diluted EPS was $(0.01) due to interest and amortization on $4.0B senior notes issued in June .
- Results beat Wall Street consensus: EPS $0.04 vs $0.026*, adjusted revenue $1.34B vs $1.28B*, and adjusted EBITDA $172M vs $106M*; narrative strength tied to refinance/home equity growth and AI-driven capacity gains .
- Q3 2025 guidance introduced: adjusted revenue $1.60–$1.75B (includes a full quarter of Redfin), margins expected “relatively consistent” with Q2; consolidated expenses to rise ~$335M QoQ due to Redfin costs and non-recurring items, partly offset by reduced Rocket marketing .
- Strategic catalysts: Redfin acquisition closed July 1 with early lead conversion traction and “Rocket Preferred Pricing”; $80M annualized savings from streamlining (Canada exit, credit card wind-down, G&A restructuring) provide operating leverage while Mr. Cooper integration remains on track for Q4 .
What Went Well and What Went Wrong
What Went Well
- Adjusted revenue exceeded the high end of guidance, with adjusted EPS $0.04 and adjusted EBITDA $172M; CEO: “standout second quarter” and early Redfin integration benefits expanding the purchase funnel and raising conversion rates .
- Volume growth: closed loan origination $29.1B (+18% YoY), net rate lock $28.4B (+13% YoY); home equity loans nearly doubled YoY, benefiting from AI-enabled digital refinance and client engagement .
- AI-driven execution and capacity: banker follow-ups +20%, 80% of EMDs processed automatically (≈20,000 hours saved annually), fully digital refinance from application to rate lock in <30 minutes; “building a foundation for infinite capacity” .
What Went Wrong
- Gain-on-sale margin compressed to 2.80% (-19 bps YoY), reflecting mix and competitive dynamics; partner network margin fell to 0.90% from 1.59% YoY .
- GAAP diluted EPS was $(0.01), driven by interest and amortization linked to the $4.0B senior notes issued ahead of Mr. Cooper closing (not attributable to non-controlling interests) .
- Total expenses rose 20% YoY to $1.336B as brand spend remained elevated and acquisition-related items and interest flowed through; Q3 guidance points to a further ~$335M sequential expense increase with $90M non-recurring items .
Financial Results
Results vs prior year and prior quarter
Segment breakdown
KPIs
Results vs Wall Street consensus (S&P Global)
Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Guidance Changes
Earnings Call Themes & Trends
Management Commentary
- “Rocket delivered a standout second quarter, exceeding the high end of guidance with $1.34 billion in adjusted revenue and delivering adjusted diluted EPS of $0.04.” — Varun Krishna, CEO .
- “We are building a foundation for infinite capacity… our growth is supercharged by AI and human capacity is no longer a limiting factor.” — Varun Krishna .
- “Inclusive of Redfin, we expect adjusted revenue to be between $1.6 billion and $1.75 billion… margins will be relatively consistent with Q2.” — Brian Brown, CFO .
- “We expect $200 million in total synergies [Redfin]: $140 million expense and $60 million revenue; early momentum is exciting and points to tremendous growth potential.” — Brian Brown .
- “We initiated the wind down of Rocket Mortgage Canada and the credit card business… expected to yield approximately $80 million in annualized savings.” — Brian Brown .
Q&A Highlights
- Cost outlook and guidance mechanics: Q3 adjusted revenue guide implies +6% YoY, +4% QoQ on Rocket standalone; expense bridge includes $275M Redfin and $90M non-recurring; brand marketing step-down of ~$30M .
- MSR hedging strategy: Post Mr. Cooper close, plan to continue hedging combined portfolios (~70% coverage target); added hedges on Rocket to preserve float earnings assumptions .
- Redfin synergy and attach: Early traction with pre-qualification buttons and “Rocket Powered by Redfin”; improved attach/recapture rates vs historical; 150 Bay Equity LOs added to retail force .
- Mr. Cooper integration: On track for Q4 close (HSR approval, progressing with regulators); conviction in synergy assumptions (recapture flywheel) increasing .
- MSR acquisition appetite: Market muted (transfers down ~30% YoY); remain opportunistic with high-return assets given multi-channel fulfillment options .
Estimates Context
- EPS: $0.04 actual vs $0.026* consensus; consistent with company’s adjusted diluted EPS .
- Revenue: adjusted revenue $1.34B actual vs $1.28B* consensus; beat driven by volume growth and mix (refi/home equity), and AI-enabled capacity .
- EBITDA: $172M actual vs $106M* consensus; margin consistent with commentary (~13%) .
Values retrieved from S&P Global.
Key Takeaways for Investors
- Beat-and-raise quarter: Broad beats vs consensus on EPS, revenue, and EBITDA; Q3 guide steps up with Redfin consolidation and margins expected to hold, a near-term positive for sentiment .
- Purchase funnel conversion is improving: Early Redfin integration metrics (pre-qual clicks, early closings) plus Rocket Preferred Pricing support a structurally higher purchase attach over time; watch Q3/Q4 attach data .
- Operating leverage building: $80M annualized savings and AI-driven capacity gains underpin margin resilience even as Redfin consolidates; reduces medium-term cost/investment overhang .
- Balance sheet/liquidity strong: $9.1B liquidity; $4B bonds pre-positioned for Mr. Cooper debt actions at close; downside protected if deal doesn’t close (cash returned) .
- Mix pressures persist: Gain-on-sale margin dipped YoY; Partner Network margin lower — monitor competitive dynamics and channel mix as Redfin scales .
- Servicing scale expanding: UPB $609B and prudent hedging strategy; Mr. Cooper integration should bolster recapture economics and reduce CAC over the cycle .
- Near-term trading: Stock may react to guide/beat and integration updates; watch expense phasing ($335M QoQ increase, $120M non-recurring) and evidence of sustained margin consistency .