Chimera Investment Corp 9.000% Senior Notes due 2029

CIMN

Market cap $65.9M

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Chimera Investment Corporation (CIM) has issued new 8.875% Senior Notes due 8/15/2030 (CIMP), offering quarterly distributions and $25 par value. CIM has a history of dividend cuts and sector underperformance, raising concerns about the risk profile of CIMP despite its attractive nominal yield. CIMP is fairly priced relative to CIM's other baby bonds but offers a below-average yield compared to sector peers and comes from an underperforming issuer.

We take a look at the action in preferreds and baby bonds through the second week of September and highlight some of the key themes we are watching. Preferreds outperformed other fixed-income sectors this week, with credit spreads at their tightest since February and yields moving lower. Chimera (CIM) issued an 8.875% 2030 baby bond and is increasing its Agency portfolio and MSR allocation after acquiring HomeXpress.

Chimera Investment Corporation's preferred stock "D" gets a buy rating, others remain a hold. They are well covered by common equity, so defaulting does not appear to be a concern. All four preferreds are cumulative, but upcoming coupon resets to SOFR may lower income and pressure prices as rates decline. Chimera's portfolio is heavily weighted toward residential mortgage loans, with securitization as the primary funding source, providing asset backing for preferreds.

Chimera Investment Corporation is a mortgage REIT with  that is being transformed by strategic acquisitions. The acquisition of HomeXpress Mortgage diversifies CIM's income streams, is well-received by Wall Street, and is expected to be accretive to earnings in 2026. CIM pays a quarterly dividend yielding 10.57%, which goes ex-dividend on June 30th.

Chimera preferred stock remains attractive with a 9.0% yield, wide dividend safety margin, and resilience through economic downturns. Current economic uncertainty and high government debt make fixed-income yields like Chimera's especially appealing versus likely lower S&P 500 returns. Chimera's common dividend history and improved loan metrics support the safety of preferred dividends even in recession scenarios.

US equity markets posted modest declines this past week after the Federal Reserve held rates steady and maintained its status quo "wait-and-see" approach, but acknowledged heightened inflation and labor market risks. Meanwhile, White House officials headed to Switzerland to begin high-level trade talks with China, which follows the announcement of the first major post-Liberation Day trade deal with the United Kingdom. Following its best two-week stretch since late 2022, the S&P 500 slipped 0.4% this week - extending its drawdown to around 8% from its mid-February record highs.

CIMN, a senior unsecured note from Chimera, experienced a -4% drawdown, outperforming the company's preferred equity and other mREIT bonds during recent market turmoil. Its performance aligned with expectations based on BB high-yield spreads, demonstrating its resilience and predictable behavior in volatile markets. Despite being rated BBB by Egan-Jones, CIMN trades as high-yield debt, with a 9% coupon reflecting market perception.