As the Q1 earnings season comes to a close, it’s time to take stock of this quarter’s best and worst performers in the thrifts & mortgage finance industry, including Ladder Capital (NYSE: LADR) and its peers.

Thrifts & Mortgage Finance institutions operate by accepting deposits and extending loans primarily for residential mortgages, earning revenue through interest rate spreads (difference between lending rates and borrowing costs) and origination fees. The industry benefits from demographic tailwinds as millennials enter prime homebuying age, technological advancements streamlining the loan approval process, and potential interest rate stabilization improving affordability. However, significant headwinds include net interest margin compression during rate volatility, increased competition from fintech disruptors offering digital-first experiences, mounting regulatory compliance costs, and potential housing market corrections that could impact loan portfolios and default rates.

The 22 thrifts & mortgage finance stocks we track reported a slower Q1. As a group, revenues missed analysts’ consensus estimates by 18.5%.

In light of this news, share prices of the companies have held steady as they are up 4.1% on average since the latest earnings results.

Ladder Capital (NYSE: LADR)

Founded during the 2008 financial crisis when traditional lenders retreated from commercial real estate, Ladder Capital (NYSE: LADR) is a real estate investment trust that originates commercial real estate loans, owns commercial properties, and invests in real estate securities.

Ladder Capital reported revenues of $51.28 million, down 18.9% year on year. This print fell short of analysts’ expectations by 7.1%. Overall, it was a disappointing quarter for the company with a significant miss of analysts’ tangible book value per share and EPS estimates.

“We are pleased with our first quarter results and the overall strength of Ladder’s balance sheet after a record year of loan payoffs in 2024. Our origination efforts continue to build momentum, with new loans outpacing payoffs in the first quarter as we remain modestly levered and flush with liquidity to invest in opportunities as they arise,” said Brian Harris, Ladder’s Chief Executive Officer.

The stock is up 4.6% since reporting and currently trades at $11.15.

Read our full report on Ladder Capital here, it’s free.

Best Q1: Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ: NWBI)

Founded in 1896 and operating across Pennsylvania, New York, Ohio, and Indiana, Northwest Bancshares (NASDAQ: NWBI) is a bank holding company that operates Northwest Bank, providing personal and business banking, investment management, and trust services.

Northwest Bancshares reported revenues of $156.2 million, up 19% year on year, outperforming analysts’ expectations by 9.9%. The business had a stunning quarter with an impressive beat of analysts’ EPS and net interest income estimates.

The market seems happy with the results as the stock is up 14.1% since reporting. It currently trades at $13.48.

Is now the time to buy Northwest Bancshares? Access our full analysis of the earnings results here, it’s free.

Dynex Capital (NYSE: DX)

Operating in the financial markets since 1988 with a focus on capital preservation during economic turbulence, Dynex Capital (NYSE: DX) is a mortgage real estate investment trust that invests primarily in government-backed residential mortgage securities to generate income for shareholders.

Dynex Capital reported revenues of $17.13 million, up 637% year on year, falling short of analysts’ expectations by 22.4%. It was a disappointing quarter as it posted a significant miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

Interestingly, the stock is up 2.7% since the results and currently trades at $12.81.

Read our full analysis of Dynex Capital’s results here.

Columbia Financial (NASDAQ: CLBK)

Founded during the Roaring Twenties in 1926 and headquartered in Fair Lawn, New Jersey, Columbia Financial (NASDAQ: CLBK) operates federally chartered savings banks in New Jersey that offer traditional banking services including loans, deposits, and insurance products.

Columbia Financial reported revenues of $55.86 million, up 25.9% year on year. This print beat analysts’ expectations by 11.8%. Zooming out, it was a satisfactory quarter as it also recorded a narrow beat of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates but a slight miss of analysts’ EPS estimates.

The stock is up 12.2% since reporting and currently trades at $15.10.

Read our full, actionable report on Columbia Financial here, it’s free.

Rithm Capital (NYSE: RITM)

Evolving from a mortgage-focused REIT to a diversified asset manager with its 2023 acquisition of Sculptor Capital, Rithm Capital (NYSE: RITM) is a global asset manager focused on real estate, credit, and financial services that invests in mortgage servicing rights, residential properties, and loan portfolios.

Rithm Capital reported revenues of $565.8 million, down 31.9% year on year. This number came in 35.1% below analysts' expectations. It was a slower quarter as it also produced a miss of analysts’ tangible book value per share estimates.

The stock is flat since reporting and currently trades at $11.56.

Read our full, actionable report on Rithm Capital here, it’s free.

Market Update

The Fed’s interest rate hikes throughout 2022 and 2023 have successfully cooled post-pandemic inflation, bringing it closer to the 2% target. Inflationary pressures have eased without tipping the economy into a recession, suggesting a soft landing. This stability, paired with recent rate cuts (0.5% in September 2024 and 0.25% in November 2024), fueled a strong year for the stock market in 2024. The markets surged further after Donald Trump’s presidential victory in November, with major indices reaching record highs in the days following the election. Still, questions remain about the direction of economic policy, as potential tariffs and corporate tax changes add uncertainty for 2025.

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