Chimera Investment Corporation Reports 3rd Quarter Core EPS of $0.16

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

Chimera Investment Corporation (NYSE: CIM) today reported Core Earnings for the quarter ending September 30, 2008 of $6.3 million or $0.16 per share as compared to Core Earnings of $6.9 million or $0.18 per share for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. "Core Earnings" is a non-GAAP measure that approximates distributable income, and is defined as GAAP net income (loss) excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, unrealized gains and losses, realized gains and losses on sales and terminations of interest rate swaps and other items that do not affect realized net income, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income. The Company reported a GAAP net loss of $107.6 million or $2.76 per share and GAAP net income of $33.9 million or $0.87 per share for the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively.

At September 30, 2008, the Company had completed sales of assets with a carrying value of $432.6 million in AAA-rated non-Agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS) and terminated $983.4 million in interest rate swaps, which resulted in net realized losses of approximately $113.1 million and $10.5 million, respectively. The Company had no sales of investments during the quarter ended June 30, 2008.

For the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, the Company recorded unrealized gains on interest rate swaps of $10.1 million and $25.6 million, respectively.

The Company declared common dividends $0.16 per share for each of the quarters ended September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008. The annualized dividend yield on the Company's common stock for the third quarter, based on the September 30, 2008 closing price of $6.21, was 10.31%. On a Core Earnings basis, the Company provided an annualized return on average equity of 7.97% and 6.88% for the quarters ending September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively. On a GAAP basis, the Company provided an annualized return on average equity of (136.88%) and 33.60% for the quarters ending September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively.

Matthew J. Lambiase, Chief Executive Officer and President of Chimera, commented on the quarter's results. "Financial markets remain volatile after one of the most traumatic quarters in history. Policymakers have been busily attending to the situation, managing not only the stresses on the financial infrastructure but also the risks to economic growth. There are some signs of stabilization, but we are likely to see continued volatility as well as opportunity. We were also busy during the quarter, taking several steps to strengthen the company's financial position so that we can begin to take advantage of the many investment opportunities arising from the market dislocation. We believe that our recent capital raise will assist in that effort."

For the quarter ending September 30, 2008, the annualized yield on average earning assets was 5.35% and the annualized cost of funds on the average borrowed funds was 4.64% for an interest rate spread of 0.71%. This is a 6 basis point increase over the 0.65% annualized interest rate spread for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. The weighted average yield on assets was 5.63% and the weighted average cost of funds was 7.10% at September 30, 2008. At June 30, 2008, the weighted average yield on assets was 6.18% and the weighted average cost of funds was 5.35%. Leverage at September 30, 2008 was 4.6:1 and at June 30, 2008, it was 3.6:1.

Residential mortgage-backed securities comprised approximately 60% of the Company's investment portfolio at September 30, 2008. The balance of the portfolio was comprised of loans collateralizing secured debt.

The following table summarizes portfolio information for the Company:

                                         For the Quarter   For the
                                              Ended         Quarter
                                          September 30,   Ended June
                                               2008         30, 2008
                                         -----------------------------
Leverage at period-end                        4.6:1          3.6:1
Residential mortgage-backed securities
 as a % of portfolio                          60.4%          61.8%
Residential mortgage loans as a % of
 portfolio                                      -            7.7%
Loans collateralizing secured debt as a
 % of portfolio                               39.6%          30.5%
Fixed-rate investments as % of portfolio      18.4%          20.0%
Adjustable-rate investments as % of
 portfolio                                    81.6%          80.0%
Fixed-rate investments
   Residential mortgage-backed
    securities as a % of fixed-rate
    assets                                    4.4%           16.0%
   Residential mortgage loans as a % of
    fixed-rate assets                           -            15.2%
   Loans collateralizing secured debt as
    a % of fixed-rate assets                  95.6%          68.8%
Adjustable-rate investments
   Residential mortgage-backed
    securities as a % of adjustable-rate
    assets                                    73.0%          73.2%
   Residential mortgage loans as a % of
    adjustable-rate assets                      -            5.8%
   Loans collateralizing secured debt as
    a % of adjustable-rate assets             27.0%          21.0%
Annualized yield on average earning
 assets during the period                     5.35%          6.18%
Annualized cost of funds on average
 repurchase agreements balance during
 the period                                   4.64%          5.53%
Annualized interest rate spread during
 the period                                   0.71%          0.65%
Weighted average yield on assets at
 period-end                                   5.63%          6.18%
Weighted average cost of funds at
 period-end                                   7.10%          5.35%

The Company's portfolio is comprised entirely of high credit quality mortgage-backed securities and securitized whole residential mortgage loans. At September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, the Company's mortgage-backed securities portfolio was composed primarily of AAA-rated securities and its securitized mortgage loan portfolio had no loans 60 days delinquent. During the quarter ending September 30, 2008 the Company recorded a reduction of $563 thousand in its loan loss provision in general and administrative expenses as compared to a $15 thousand reduction in loan loss provision recorded for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. This reduction is a result of the Company securitizing all of its loans held for investment during the quarter into RMBS thus eliminating the provision for loan losses on that investment class. The Company discontinues accrual of income on loans that become 60 days delinquent until such time as the loan again becomes performing. At September 30, 2008 there were no non-performing loans.

The Constant Prepayment Rate was 9% and 12% during the quarters ending September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively. The weighted average cost basis was 100.1 and 100.9 as of September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively. The net amortization of premiums was $908 thousand for the quarter ended September 30, 2008 and the accretion of discounts on investments was $318 thousand for the quarter ended June 30, 2008. The total net premium remaining un-amortized at September 30, 2008 was $1.5 million. The total net discount remaining un-accreted at June 30, 2008 was $1.6 million.

General and administrative expenses, including the base management fee, as a percentage of average interest earning assets were 0.44% and 0.71% for the quarters ending September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, respectively. At September 30, 2008 and June 30, 2008, the Company had a common stock book value per share of $6.18 and $9.94, respectively.

On October 24, 2008, the Company announced the sale of 110,000,000 shares of common stock at $2.25 per share for estimated gross proceeds of approximately $247.5 million. Immediately following the sale of these shares, Annaly Capital Management, Inc. purchased 11,681,415 shares at the same price per share as the public offering, for net proceeds of approximately $26.3 million, In addition, on October 28, 2008 the underwriters exercised the option to purchase up to an additional 16,500,000 shares of common stock to cover over-allotments for net proceeds of approximately $35.8 million.

Chimera is a specialty finance company that invests in residential mortgage loans, residential mortgage-backed securities, real estate-related securities and various other asset classes. The Company's principal business objective is to generate net income for distribution to investors from the spread between the yields on its investments and the cost of borrowing to finance their acquisition and secondarily to provide capital appreciation. The Company, a Maryland corporation that has elected to be taxed as a real estate investment trust ("REIT"), is externally managed by Fixed Income Discount Advisory Company and currently has 177,170,098 shares of common stock outstanding.

The Company will hold the third quarter 2008 earnings conference call on Friday, November 7, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. EST. The number to call is 866-713-8564 for domestic calls and 617-597-5312 for international calls and the pass code is 69563405. The replay number is 888-286-8010 for domestic calls and 617-801-6888 for international calls and the pass code is 81501641. The replay is available for 48 hours after the earnings call. There will be a web cast of the call on www.chimerareit.com. If you would like to be added to the e-mail distribution list, please visit www.chimerareit.com, click on E-Mail alerts, enter your e-mail address where indicated and click the Subscribe button.

This news release and our public documents to which we refer contain or incorporate by reference certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Forward-looking statements which are based on various assumptions (some of which are beyond our control) may be identified by reference to a future period or periods or by the use of forward-looking terminology, such as "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "plan," "continue," "intend," "should," "may," "would," "will" or similar expressions, or variations on those terms or the negative of those terms. Actual results could differ materially from those set forth in forward-looking statements due to a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, our absence of an operating history, our use of leverage, changes in the yield curve, the availability of mortgage loans, mortgage-backed securities and other real estate assets for purchase, changes in the market value of our assets, our ability to obtain financing and the terms of financing, general volatility of the securities markets in which we invest, interest rate mismatches between our assets and our borrowings used to fund such purchases, changes in interest rates and mortgage prepayment rates, effects of interest rate caps on our adjustable-rate mortgage-backed securities, rates of default or decreased recovery rates on our investments, prepayments of mortgage assets and the mortgage and other loans underlying our mortgage-backed or other asset-backed securities, the degree to which our hedging strategies may or may not protect us from interest rate volatility, changes in governmental regulations, tax law and rates and similar matters, market trends in our industry, interest rates, the debt securities markets or the general economy, and our ability to maintain our qualification as a REIT for federal income tax purposes. For a discussion of the risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see "Risk Factors" in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2007 and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. We do not undertake, and specifically disclaim all obligations, to publicly release the result of any revisions which may be made to any forward-looking statements to reflect the occurrence of anticipated or unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statements.

                    CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
            (dollars in thousands, except per share data)

                      September    June 30,     March 31,   December
                       30, 2008       2008         2008      31, 2007
                     (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited)      (1)
                     ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------

ASSETS

Cash and cash
 equivalents           $    6,167   $   49,889   $   91,370 $    6,026
Restricted cash                 -       29,507      102,834      1,350
Mortgage-Backed
 Securities, at fair
 value                    759,378    1,116,586    1,229,780  1,124,290
Loans held for
 investment, net of
 allowance for loan
 losses of $0, $546
 thousand, $1.3
 million, and $81
 thousand,
 respectively                   -      150,083      361,594    162,371
Securitized loans
 held for investment,
 net of allowance for
 loan losses of $680
 thousand and $698
 thousand,
 respectively             598,014      613,580            -          -
Receivable for
 investments sold               -            -      113,581          -
Reverse repurchase
 agreements                     -            -            -    265,000
Accrued interest
 receivable                 8,212        9,863        9,993      6,036
Other assets                  456        1,648          892        563
                     ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------

Total assets           $1,372,227   $1,971,156   $1,910,044 $1,565,636
                     ============ ============ ============ ==========

LIABILITIES AND
 STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Liabilities:
  Repurchase
   agreements          $  619,657   $  909,089   $1,439,534 $  270,584
  Collateralized debt
   obligation             500,688      504,397            -
  Payable for
   investments
   purchased                    -      146,824            -    748,920
  Accrued interest
   payable                  2,579        3,518        3,207        415
  Dividends payable         6,048        6,044        9,814        943
  Accounts payable
   and other
   liabilities              2,313        3,540        2,528      1,729
  Interest rate
   swaps, at fair
   value                        -       10,065       35,649      4,156
                     ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------

Total liabilities       1,131,285    1,583,477    1,490,732  1,026,747
                     ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------

Stockholders' Equity:
 Common stock: par
  value $.01 per
  share; 500,000,000
  authorized,
  38,992,893,
  38,999,850,
  37,744,918, and
  37,705,563
  outstanding,
  respectively                378          378          377        377
 Additional paid-in
  capital                 533,220      533,026      532,818    532,208
 Accumulated other
  comprehensive
  (loss) income         (138,307)    (104,981)     (45,285)     10,153
 Accumulated deficit    (154,349)     (40,744)     (68,598)    (3,849)
                     ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------

Total stockholders'
 equity                   240,942      387,679      419,312    538,889
                     ------------ ------------ ------------ ----------

Total liabilities and
 stockholders' equity  $1,372,227   $1,971,156   $1,910,044 $1,565,636
                     ============ ============ ============ ==========

(1) Derived from the audited financial statements at December 31,
 2007.
                    CHIMERA INVESTMENT CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND COMPREHENSIVE (LOSS) INCOME
            (dollars in thousands, except per share data)


                                 For the
                                 Quarter      For the      For the
                                  Ended       Quarter      Quarter
                                September    Ended June   Ended March
                                 30, 2008     30, 2008     31, 2008
                               (unaudited)  (unaudited)  (unaudited)
                               ------------ ------------ ------------

Interest income                 $    23,458  $    29,951  $    28,194

Interest expense                     15,543       20,025       14,022
                               ------------ ------------ ------------

Net interest income                   7,915        9,926       14,172
                               ------------ ------------ ------------

Unrealized gains (losses) on
 interest rate swaps                 10,065       25,584     (31,493)
Realized gains (losses) on
 sales of investments             (113,130)        1,644     (32,819)
Realized gains (losses) on
 terminations of
interest rate swaps                (10,460)          123            -
                               ------------ ------------ ------------

Net Investment Income
 (Expense)                        (105,610)       37,277     (50,140)
                               ------------ ------------ ------------

Expenses
  Management fee                      1,681        2,228        2,227
  General and administrative
   expenses                             253        1,152        2,565
                               ------------ ------------ ------------
     Total expenses                   1,934        3,380        4,792
                               ------------ ------------ ------------

Income (loss) before income
 taxes                            (107,544)       33,897     (54,932)
                               ------------ ------------ ------------

  Income taxes                           12            -            3
                               ------------ ------------ ------------

Net income (loss)               $ (107,556)  $    33,897  $  (54,935)
                               ============ ============ ============

Net income (loss) per share -
 basic and diluted              $    (2.76)  $      0.87  $    (1.46)
                               ============ ============ ============

Weighted average number of
 shares outstanding - basic
 and diluted                     38,992,893   38,999,850   37,744,486
                               ============ ============ ============

Net income (loss)               $ (107,556)  $    33,897  $  (54,935)
                               ------------ ------------ ------------
Other comprehensive (loss)
 income:
  Unrealized (loss) gain on
   available-for-sale
   securities                     (146,456)     (58,051)     (88,257)
  Reclassification adjustment
   for realized
  (gains) losses included in
   income                           113,130      (1,644)       32,819
                               ------------ ------------ ------------
  Other comprehensive (loss)
   income                          (33,326)     (59,695)     (55,438)
                               ------------ ------------ ------------
Comprehensive (loss) income     $ (140,882)  $  (25,798)  $ (110,373)
                               ============ ============ ============

                                                           For the
                                                            Period
                                                          November 21,
                                                          2007 (date
                                           For the Nine   operations
                                            Months Ended  commenced)
                                             September      through
                                              30, 2008    December 31,
                                            (unaudited)     2007 (1)
                                           ------------- -------------

Interest income                             $     81,603  $      3,492

Interest expense                                  49,590           415
                                           ------------- -------------

Net interest income                               32,013         3,077
                                           ------------- -------------

Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate
 swaps                                             4,156       (4,156)
Realized gains (losses) on sales of
 investments                                   (144,304)             -
Realized gains (losses) on terminations of
interest rate swaps                             (10,337)             -
                                           ------------- -------------

Net Investment Income (Expense)                (118,472)       (1,079)
                                           ------------- -------------

Expenses
  Management fee                                   6,136         1,217
  General and administrative expenses              3,972           605
                                           ------------- -------------
     Total expenses                               10,108         1,822
                                           ------------- -------------

Income (loss) before income taxes              (128,580)       (2,901)
                                           ------------- -------------

  Income taxes                                        15             5
                                           ------------- -------------

Net income (loss)                           $  (128,595)  $    (2,906)
                                           ============= =============

Net income (loss) per share - basic and
 diluted                                    $     (3.30)  $      (.08)
                                           ============= =============

Weighted average number of shares
 outstanding - basic and diluted              38,994,357    37,401,737
                                           ============= =============

Net income (loss)                           $  (128,595)  $    (2,906)
                                           ------------- -------------
Other comprehensive (loss) income:
  Unrealized (loss) gain on available-for-
   sale securities                             (282,611)        10,153
  Reclassification adjustment for realized
  (gains) losses included in income              144,304             -
                                           ------------- -------------
  Other comprehensive (loss) income            (138,307)        10,153
                                           ------------- -------------
Comprehensive (loss) income                 $  (266,902)  $      7,247
                                           ============= =============


(1) Derived from the audited financial statements for the period
 November 21, 2007 (date operations commenced) through December 31,
 2007.

Source: Chimera Investment Corporation