Earnings Sentiment

Sentiment Analysis of the earnings transcript to help figure out if there are any bullish or bearish sentiments that could be gathered from it. We're doing ML and AI based analysis on the earnings call to get some more insights.

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Sentiment Distribution

   

Earnings Call Transcript Word Cloud

     

Bullish Statements during Earnings call

Statement
And we've had better success with that
Our revenue growth is a direct result of our deliberate underwriting, a solid balance sheet, and in-house liquidity
We have built a resilient, well-diversified portfolio and a strong balance sheet, which gives us confidence as we navigate the current environment
Further, our experience in navigating difficult lending cycles has allowed us to build a resilient portfolio structured to reduce steady, above average, risk-adjusted returns
I am pleased to report Sachem produced solid results in the third quarter despite a persistently difficult macroeconomic backdrop
Additionally, it is our underwriting practice to lend to borrowers with strong credit profiles and a proven record of performance
In closing, our disciplined approach to operating our business and managing our portfolio has positioned us for ongoing profitability and continued growth in the future
So we think it's a good long-term hold
We've had very good leasing interest from some very large players
As our capital continues to cycle, we are poised to redeploy into higher-yielding loans with well-capitalized sponsors
Sachem's record on workout resolutions is quite successful
Having liquidity on hand provides market strength and positions us to select the best alternatives for our invested capital
Let me touch on some more key financial metrics in addition to the strong revenue growth and financial flexibility
Due to our disciplined stance and uncertainty on the macro front, we have maintained strong liquidity
This liquidity affords us significant flexibility to prudently allocate capital in a selective manner
As part of our process, this structure allows us to reprice capital quickly, better protect our margins in this rising interest rate environment
They should be SBA, they should be at a bank, and they should be getting much better rates that we can offer
We will continue to have a clear eye on asset protection and continue to expand the platform to build long-term shareholder value
With this discipline as our guide, Sachem achieved revenue growth of approximately 30% to $17.5 million compared to the same quarter in 2022, and net income attributable to common shareholders of $5.2 million, or $0.12 per share
So we're looking for deals that have better margins, which most often will take you to a little bit of a larger deal, better quality sponsor, better capital light sponsor
We think it's a great project, and it's a way for us to reduce our exposure in a commercial office product
While our originations have been curtailed, similar to others in the industry, we continue to build a robust pipeline for modifications and construction loans
Thanks for taking the question and congrats on a nice quarter
Great
A significant portion of our paydowns resulted from the successful completion of one of the Sachem's largest projects to date, $22 million construction loan in Sarasota, Florida, highlighting the execution of our business plan
Specifically, we made some significant progress regarding non-performing loans in the quarter, reducing them by approximately 12% quarter-over-quarter
And usually over the term of the loan, when interest income, origination and other fees are considered, the overall transaction is profitable
So we love -- we kind of like this
We're asking a lot of questions, and I'd have a pretty good resume to get a loan here at the moment
Good morning
       

Bearish Statements during earnings call

Statement
In keeping with our disciplined approach and our ongoing cautionary view of the lending marketplace, our originations have continued to trend below our recent historical levels
The local bank is struggling
There are people looking to fund and complete projects, and they're having trouble getting the capital that they need
It is no longer news that loan originations in the commercial and residential real estate sector have slowed to a trickle, if not stopped completely in some areas due to the dramatic rise in interest rates over the past two years
The balance sheet is not as strong
We are now, in this quarter, seeing some pressure at the [13 and 3] (ph) level, where deals and projects are not workable at those rates
But let truth be told, a lot of the lenders that are not distressed funds, they're struggling
So there's a lot of, first of all, competition from distress, but on the -- the regular business lenders are struggling, and I'll throw banks into that mix
For the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the company impaired approximately $613,000 of loans and had a loss on the sales of real estate owned of $72,000
A successful completion of the residential portion of the project will reduce our basis in the property to 50%
These modifications resulted in gross fee income of approximately $1.1 million, supplementing our reduced origination fee income
Lastly, loan impairments are down slightly compared to the year-ago, nine-month period
While we view this situation as an opportunistic way to grow market share, we are also mindful of our portfolio management and capital resources
So that CECL -- the recovery of CECL is a result of the mortgage portfolio shrinking a bit during the quarter
Furthermore, in recent weeks, many mid-sized financial institutions, as well as non-bank lenders like Sachem, have reported an increase in non-performing loans in the third quarter
It is our experience that a troubled or distressed loan rarely loses all of its value
So you'll see quarter-over-quarter, you saw a little bit of shrinkage in the mortgage balance as a whole as a result of that large payoff that John referenced on the call
Stubbornly high inflation coupled with the market's uncertainty as to the direction of the Federal Reserve's policy has kept us measured and prudent in our approach with shareholders' capital
In normal circumstances, there would be [Technical Difficulty] taking a long time
And we're falling back to our customary 12% and two origination points, and those deals are still getting funded
   

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