UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-K

For the fiscal year ended: December 31, 2017

OR

Commission File Number:001-08896

CAPSTEAD MORTGAGE CORPORATION

(Exact name of Registrant as specified in its Charter)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:  (214) 874-2323

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

 

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.    YES   ✓     NO       

Indicate by check mark if the Registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Act.    YES        NO   ✓ 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all documents and reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    YES   ✓     NO       

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that Registrant was required to submit and post such files).    YES   ✓     NO       

Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of Registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company.

Large accelerated filer  ✓   Accelerated filer       Non-accelerated filer       Smaller reporting company       

Emerging growth company__

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. __

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Act).    YES        NO   ✓ 

At June 30, 2017 the aggregate market value of the common stock held by nonaffiliates, based on the closing sale price of those shares on the New York Stock Exchange reported on June 30, 2017, was $990,087,452

Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at February 20, 2018:   93,549,047

DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Portions of the Registrant’s definitive Proxy Statement, to be issued in connection with the 2018 Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Registrant, are incorporated by reference into Part III.

 

 

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CAPSTEAD MORTGAGE CORPORATION

2017 FORM 10-K ANNUAL REPORT

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

 

 

 

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PART I

Capstead Mortgage Corporation operates as a self-managed real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes (a “REIT”) and is based in Dallas, Texas.  Unless the context otherwise indicates, Capstead Mortgage Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as “Capstead” or the “Company.”  Capstead was incorporated in the state of Maryland in 1985 and its common and preferred stocks are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols “CMO” and “CMOPRE,” respectively.

Capstead’s investment strategy involves managing a leveraged portfolio of residential mortgage pass-through securities consisting almost exclusively of relatively short-duration adjustable-rate mortgage (“ARM”) securities issued and guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises, either Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac, or by an agency of the federal government, Ginnie Mae.  Residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae, referred to as “Agency Securities,” are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk because of federal government support.  This strategy differentiates Capstead from its peers because ARM loans underlying its investment portfolio can reset to more current interest rates within a relatively short period of time.  This positions the Company to benefit from a potential recovery in financing spreads that typically contract during periods of rising interest rates and can result in smaller fluctuations in portfolio values compared to portfolios containing a significant amount of longer-duration ARM and fixed-rate mortgage securities.  Duration is a common measure of market price sensitivity to interest rate movements.  A shorter duration generally indicates less interest rate risk.

For further discussion of the Company’s business and financial condition, see Item 7 of this report, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

Competition

As a residential mortgage REIT that focuses on investing in ARM Agency Securities, Capstead competes for the acquisition of suitable investments with other mortgage REITs, commercial banks, insurance companies, and institutional investors such as private equity funds, mutual funds, pension funds and sovereign wealth funds.  Many of these entities have lower yield requirements as well as greater financial resources and access to capital than the Company.  Increased competition for the acquisition of ARM Agency Securities can result in higher pricing levels for such assets.  In addition, the availability of ARM Agency Securities for purchase in the secondary markets varies substantially with changes in market conditions and ARM origination levels, which have not kept pace with related runoff in recent years.  Although higher pricing levels generally correspond to a higher book value per common share for the Company, higher prices paid for acquisitions can adversely affect portfolio yields and future profitability.

The federal government, through the Federal Reserve, and to a lesser extent, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, has accumulated substantial holdings of primarily fixed-rate Agency Securities, largely in order to provide stimulus to the economy through what has been referred to as quantitative easing programs.  These programs have had the effect of supporting higher pricing for the entire Agency Securities market, including pricing for ARM Agency Securities.  The Federal Reserve ceased adding to its holdings of fixed-rate Agency Securities late in 2014, while continuing to provide economic stimulus by replacing portfolio runoff through open market purchases.  In October 2017, the Federal Reserve began reducing its existing bond holdings of U.S. Treasury securities and fixed-rate Agency Securities by gradually decreasing the amount of bonds it would purchase to replace portfolio runoff, with the stated goal of reducing its portfolio by $10 billion per month in the fourth quarter of 2017, with such reductions increasing quarterly until reaching $50 billon per month in 2018.  This action, or a more dramatic reduction in government holdings of fixed-rate Agency Securities in the future, could result in lower pricing levels for Agency Securities, adversely affecting the Company’s book value per common share.

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Regulation and Related Matters

Operating as a REIT investing in Agency Securities subjects Capstead to various federal tax and regulatory requirements.  For further discussion, see Item 1A of this report, “Risk Factors,” under the captions “Risks Related to Capstead’s Status as a REIT and Other Tax Matters” and “Risk Factors Related to Capstead’s Corporate Structure,” which is incorporated herein by reference.

Employees

As of December 31, 2017, Capstead had 13 employees.

Website Access to Company Reports and Other Company Information

Capstead makes available on its website at www.capstead.com, free of charge, its annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, investor presentations and press releases, including any amendments to such documents as soon as reasonably practicable after such materials are electronically filed or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) or otherwise publicly released.

The SEC maintains a website (www.sec.gov) through which investors may view materials filed with the SEC.  Investors may also read and copy any materials filed with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, NE, Washington, D.C. 20549.  You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330.

The Company makes available on its website charters for the committees of its Board of Directors, its Board of Directors’ Guidelines, its Amended and Restated Bylaws, its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, its Financial Code of Professional Conduct and other information, including amendments to such documents and waivers, if any, to the codes.  Such information will also be furnished, free of charge, upon written request to Capstead Mortgage Corporation, Attention: Stockholder Relations, 8401 North Central Expressway, Suite 800, Dallas, Texas 75225-4404.

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Cautionary Statement Concerning Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, any statement that may predict, forecast, indicate or imply future results, performance or achievements, and may contain the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “will be,” “will likely continue,” “will likely result,” or words or phrases of similar meaning.  Forward-looking statements are based largely on the expectations of management and are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, the following:

In addition to the above considerations, actual results and liquidity are affected by other risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to be significantly different from those expressed or implied by any forward-looking statements included herein.  It is not possible to identify all of the risks, uncertainties and other factors that may affect future results.  In light of these risks and uncertainties, the forward-looking events and circumstances discussed herein may not occur and actual results could differ materially from those anticipated or implied in the forward-looking statements.  Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date the statement is made and the Company undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.  Accordingly, readers of this document are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements included herein.

An investment in securities issued by us involves various risks. You should carefully consider the following risk factors in conjunction with the other information contained in this document before purchasing our securities.  The risks discussed herein can adversely affect our business, liquidity, operating results, financial condition and future prospects, causing the market price of our securities to decline, which could cause you to lose all or part of an investment in our stock.  The risk factors described below are not the only risks that may affect us. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us also may adversely affect our business, liquidity, earnings and financial condition.

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Risks Related to Our Business

Changes in interest rates, whether increases or decreases, may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and earnings.  Our earnings depend primarily on the difference between the interest received on our residential mortgage investments and the interest paid on our secured borrowings, adjusted for the effects of derivative financial instruments held for hedging purposes.  Our investments consist almost exclusively of ARM Agency Securities that are typically financed at 30- to 90-day interest rates.  Coupon interest rates on only a portion of the ARM loans underlying our securities reset each month and the terms of these ARM loans generally limit the amount of any increases during any single interest rate adjustment period and over the life of a loan.  Consequently, interest rates on secured borrowings not effectively fixed through the use of interest rate swap agreements or similar derivatives can rise to levels that may exceed yields on these securities in a rising short-term interest rate environment.  This can contribute to lower, or in more extreme circumstances, negative financing spreads and, therefore, adversely affect earnings.  During periods of relatively low short-term interest rates, declines in the indices used to determine coupon interest rate resets for ARM loans may adversely affect yields on our ARM securities as the underlying ARM loans reset at lower rates. If declines in these indices exceed declines in our borrowing rates, earnings would be adversely affected.

An increase in prepayments may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and earnings.  Prepayment expectations are an essential part of pricing ARM Agency Securities in the marketplace and the speed of prepayments can vary widely from month to month and across individual securities; however prolonged periods of high mortgage prepayments can significantly reduce the expected life of our portfolio.  Therefore, actual yields we realize can be lower due to faster amortization of investment premiums, which could adversely affect earnings.  High levels of mortgage prepayments can also lead to larger than anticipated demands on our liquidity from our lending counterparties.  Additionally, periods of high prepayments can adversely affect pricing for ARM Agency Securities in general and, as a result, book value per common share can be adversely affected due to declines in the fair value of our remaining portfolio and the elimination of any unrealized gains on that portion of the portfolio that pays off.

Monetary policy actions by the Federal Reserve could adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and earnings.  Since 2008 the Federal Reserve has employed a number of relatively unorthodox policy initiatives, most notably by inserting itself into the markets as a dominant buyer of U.S. Treasury securities and fixed-rate Agency Securities.  This market intervention resulted in a significant expansion of the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet and is often referred to as quantitative easing or QE.  In general, QE elevated pricing levels for Agency Securities resulting in lower yields on new purchases, lower mortgage interest rates and higher mortgage prepayment rates.  

In October 2017, the Federal Reserve began reducing its existing holdings of U.S. Treasury securities and fixed-rate Agency Securities by gradually decreasing the amount of securities it would purchase to replace portfolio runoff, with the stated goal of reducing the portfolio by $10 billion per month in the fourth quarter of 2017, with such reductions increasing quarterly until reaching $50 billon per month in October 2018.  As the buy-side support of such a large market participant is removed, pricing for fixed-rate, and to a lesser extent, ARM Agency Securities could be negatively affected.  In addition, should the Federal Reserve decide to eventually reduce its holdings of fixed-rate Agency Securities through asset sales, the pricing for all Agency Securities could decline.  These actions could adversely affect our liquidity, earnings and book value per common share.

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Our strategy involves significant leverage, which could adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and earnings.  We expect our leverage to vary with market conditions and our assessment of the risk and return on our investments. We incur leverage by borrowing against a significant portion of the market value of our assets. The leverage we incur is fundamental to our investment strategy and could enhance our returns, however it also creates significant risks to our liquidity, financial condition and earnings.

Periods of illiquidity in the mortgage markets may reduce amounts available under secured borrowing arrangements due to declines in the perceived value of related collateral, which could adversely impact our liquidity, financial condition and earnings.  We finance our portfolio by pledging individual securities as collateral under uncommitted secured borrowing arrangements.  The amount borrowed is limited to a percentage of the market value of the pledged collateral.  The portion of the pledged collateral held by or pledged to the lender in excess of the amount borrowed is referred to as margin collateral and the resulting margin percentage is required to be maintained throughout the term of the borrowing.  If the perceived market value of the pledged collateral as determined by our lenders declines, we may be subject to margin calls wherein the lender requires us to pledge additional collateral to reestablish the agreed-upon margin percentage.  Because market illiquidity tends to put downward pressure on asset prices, we may be presented with substantial margin calls during such periods.  If we are unable or unwilling to pledge additional collateral, lenders can liquidate the collateral or seek other remedies, potentially under adverse market conditions, resulting in losses.  At such times we may determine that it is prudent to sell assets to improve our ability to pledge sufficient collateral to support our remaining secured borrowings, which could result in losses.  In addition, lower pricing levels for remaining investments will lead to declines in book value per common share.

Periods of illiquidity in the mortgage markets may reduce the number of counterparties willing to lend to us and/or the amounts individual counterparties are willing to lend, which could adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and earnings.  We enter into secured borrowing arrangements with numerous commercial banks and other financial institutions, both foreign and domestic, routinely with maturities of 30 to 90 days.  Our ability to achieve our investment objectives depends on our ability to re-establish or roll maturing secured borrowings on a continuous basis and none of our counterparties are obligated to enter into new borrowing transactions at the conclusion of existing transactions.  If a counterparty chooses not to roll a maturing borrowing, we must pay off the borrowing, generally with cash available from another secured borrowing arrangement entered into with another counterparty.  If we determine that we do not have sufficient borrowing capacity with our remaining counterparties, we could be forced to sell assets under potentially adverse market conditions, which could result in losses.  An industry-wide reduction in the availability of secured borrowings could adversely affect pricing levels for Agency Securities leading to further declines in our liquidity and book value per common share.  Under these conditions, we may determine that it is prudent to sell assets to improve our ability to pledge sufficient collateral to support our remaining borrowings, which could result in losses.  In addition, lower pricing levels for remaining investments will lead to declines in book value per common share.    

Legislative and additional regulatory actions could adversely affect the availability and/or terms and conditions of secured borrowings and consequently, our liquidity, financial condition and earnings.  Changes in regulatory capital requirements and other leverage constraints continue to be implemented worldwide.  It remains unclear how significant of an impact these changes will have on the financial markets in general and on our strategy of holding a leveraged portfolio of ARM Agency Securities.  However, it is possible that the availability and/or terms and conditions of secured borrowings could be adversely affected which could adversely affect our liquidity, earnings and book value per common share.  

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If we are unable to negotiate favorable terms and conditions on future secured borrowings with one or more of our lending counterparties, our liquidity, financial condition and earnings could be adversely impacted.  The terms and conditions of each secured borrowing arrangement are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis.  Key terms and conditions include interest rates, maturity dates, asset pricing procedures and margin requirements.  We cannot assure investors that we will be able to continue to negotiate favorable terms and conditions on future secured borrowings.  During periods of market illiquidity or due to perceived credit deterioration of the collateral pledged or of us, a lender may require that less favorable asset pricing procedures be employed, margin requirements be increased and/or may choose to limit or completely curtail lending to us.  Under these conditions, we may determine it is prudent to sell assets to improve our ability to pledge sufficient collateral to support our remaining secured borrowings, which could result in losses.

Potential changes in the relationship between the federal government and Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac could adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and earnings.  Agency Securities are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk because the timely payment of principal and interest on these securities are guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or by Ginnie Mae.  Only the guarantee by Ginnie Mae is explicitly backed by the full faith and credit of the federal government.  The high actual or perceived credit quality of ARM Agency Securities allows us to finance our portfolio using secured borrowing arrangements with favorable interest rate terms and margin requirements that otherwise would not be available.

A significantly reduced role by the federal government or other changes in the guarantees provided by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae, or their successors could adversely affect the credit profile and pricing of existing holdings and/or future issuances of ARM Agency Securities and whether our strategy of holding a leveraged portfolio of short-duration ARM Agency Securities remains viable, which could adversely affect earnings and book value per common share.

The lack of availability of suitable investments at attractive pricing may adversely affect our earnings.  The pricing of investments is determined by a number of factors including interest rate levels and expectations, market liquidity conditions, and competition among investors for these investments, many of whom have greater financial resources and lower return requirements than us.  If proceeds from capital raising activities are not deployed or cannot be deployed at rates of return being earned on existing capital, earnings may be adversely affected.  We cannot assure investors that we will be able to acquire suitable investments at attractive pricing and in a timely manner to replace portfolio runoff as it occurs or to deploy new capital as it is raised.  Neither can we assure investors that we will maintain the current composition of our investments, consisting almost exclusively of ARM Agency Securities.

We may sell assets for various reasons, including a change in our investment focus or business strategy, which could increase earnings volatility.  We may periodically sell assets to enhance our liquidity during periods of market illiquidity or rising interest rates or we may change our investment focus or business strategy requiring us to sell some portion of our existing investments.  Gains or losses resulting from any such asset sales, or from terminating any related longer-maturity secured borrowings or interest rate swap agreements, could increase the our earnings volatility.

Our use of borrowings under repurchase arrangements may expose us to losses if a lending counterparty seeks bankruptcy protection, or otherwise defaults on its obligation to deliver pledged collateral back to us.  Repurchase arrangements involve the sale and transfer of pledged collateral to the lending counterparty and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets at a future date.  This may make it difficult for us to recover our pledged assets if a lender files for bankruptcy or otherwise fails to deliver pledged collateral back to us and subject us to losses to the extent of any margin amounts (pledged assets in excess of amounts borrowed) held by the lending counterparty.

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Our use of borrowings under repurchase arrangements may give lending counterparties greater rights if we seek bankruptcy protection.  Borrowings under repurchase arrangements may qualify for special treatment under the U.S. Bankruptcy Code.  If we file for bankruptcy, these lending counterparties could avoid the automatic stay provisions of the U.S. Bankruptcy Code and liquidate pledged collateral without delay, which could result in losses to the extent of any margin amounts held by the lending counterparties.

We invest in derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements to mitigate or hedge our interest rate risk, which may adversely affect our liquidity, financial condition and earnings.  We  invest in such instruments from time to time with the goal of partially offsetting changes in value of our  investments as a result of changes in interest rates and achieving more stable borrowing costs over an extended period.  However, these activities may not have the desired beneficial impact on our liquidity, financial condition or earnings.  In addition, counterparties could fail to honor their commitments under the terms of the derivatives or have their credit quality downgraded impairing the value of the derivatives.  In the event of any defaults by counterparties, the Company may have difficulty recovering its cash collateral receivable from its counterparties and may not receive payments provided for under the terms of the derivatives and as a result, the Company may incur losses.

Derivative financial instruments held may fail to qualify for hedge accounting introducing potential volatility to our earnings.  We typically classify derivatives held as cash flow hedges for accounting purposes in order to record the change in fair value of designated derivatives as a component of stockholders’ equity rather than in earnings.  If the hedging relationship for any derivative held ceases to qualify for hedge accounting treatment, we would be required to record in earnings the total change in fair value of any such derivative.  In addition we could elect to no longer avail ourself of cash flow hedge accounting for our derivative positions. Such changes could introduce a potentially significant amount of volatility to our earnings.

We are dependent on our executives and employees and the loss of one or more of our executive officers could harm our business and prospects.  We are dependent on the efforts of our key officers and employees, most of whom have significant experience in the mortgage industry.  We have not acquired key man life insurance policies on any of these individuals.  The loss of any of their services could have an adverse effect on our operations.

Our securities are recorded at fair value and quoted prices or observable inputs may not be readily available to determine the fair value.  We measure fair value in accordance with generally accepted accounting standards. Ultimately, the value of any individual security depends to a large extent on economic and other conditions beyond our control. Our determination of the fair value of our investments includes inputs provided by third-party dealers and pricing services, which may be difficult to obtain or be unreliable. Fair value is an estimate based on good faith judgement of the price at which an investment can be sold. If we were to liquidate a particular investment, the realized value may be more than or less than the amount at which such is valued.

Any future offerings of debt securities, which would rank senior to our preferred and common stock upon liquidation, and future offerings of equity securities, which could dilute our existing shareholders and may be senior to our common stock for the purposes of dividend and liquidation distributions, may adversely affect the price of our common stock.  We may raise capital through the issuance of debt or equity securities. Upon liquidation, holders of our debt securities, if any, preferred stock and lenders with respect to our other borrowings will be entitled to our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Our preferred stock has a preference on liquidating distributions and dividend payments that could limit our ability to pay dividends to the holders of our common stock. Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock could have a material adverse effect on the price of our common stock. Because our decision to issue debt or equity securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of any future offerings.

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Risks Related to Our Status as a REIT and Other Tax Matters

We may be subject to adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes that could reduce the market price of our securities.  Federal income tax laws or the administrative interpretations of those laws can change at any time.  Any such changes in laws or interpretations thereof may apply retroactively and could adversely affect us or our stockholders.  We cannot predict any impact on the value of our securities from adverse legislative or regulatory tax changes.

 

If we do not qualify as a REIT, we will be subject to tax as a corporation and face substantial tax liability.  We have elected to be taxed as a REIT for federal income tax purposes and intend to continue to so qualify.  Qualification as a REIT involves the application of highly technical and complex Internal Revenue Code provisions for which only a limited number of judicial or administrative interpretations exist.  Even a technical or inadvertent mistake could jeopardize our REIT status.  Furthermore, new tax legislation, administrative guidance or court decisions, in each instance potentially with retroactive effect, could make it more difficult or impossible for us to qualify as a REIT.

If we fail to qualify as a REIT in any tax year, then:

Even if we remain qualified as a REIT, we may face other tax liabilities that reduce our earnings.  We may be subject to certain federal, state and local taxes on our income and assets.  For example, we:

Complying with REIT requirements may limit our ability to hedge effectively.  The REIT provisions of the Code may limit our ability to hedge our investments and borrowings by limiting our income in each year from unqualified hedges, together with any other income not generated from qualified real estate assets, to no more than 25% of gross income.  In addition, we must limit our aggregate income from nonqualified hedging transactions, from providing certain services, and from other non-qualifying sources to not more than 5% of annual gross income. As a result, we may have to limit our use of advantageous hedging techniques.  This could result in greater risks associated with changes in interest rates than we would otherwise incur.  If we were to violate the 25% or 5% limitations, we may have to pay a penalty tax equal to the amount of gross income in excess of those limitations, multiplied by a fraction intended to reflect the profitability of these transactions or activities.  If we fail to satisfy the REIT gross income tests we could lose our REIT status for federal income tax purposes unless the failure was due to reasonable cause and not due to willful neglect.

Complying with REIT requirements may cause us to forego otherwise attractive opportunities.  To qualify as a REIT for federal income tax purposes, we must continually satisfy tests concerning, among other things, the sources of our income, the nature and diversification of our assets, the amounts that we distribute to our stockholders, and the ownership of our stock.  We may be required to make distributions to stockholders at disadvantageous times or when we do not have funds readily available for distribution.  As a result, compliance with the REIT requirements may hinder our ability to operate solely on the basis of maximizing profits.

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Complying with REIT requirements may force us to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.  To qualify as a REIT, we must also ensure that at the end of each calendar quarter at least 75% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash items, United States government securities and qualified REIT real estate assets.  The remainder of our investments in securities (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) generally cannot include more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of any one issuer or more than 10% of the total value of the outstanding securities of any one issuer.  In addition, in general, no more than 5% of the value of our assets (other than government securities and qualified real estate assets) can consist of the securities of any one issuer, and no more than 25% of the value of our total securities can be represented by securities of one or more taxable REIT subsidiaries.  Beginning in 2018 the threshold for this limitation is reduced to 20%.  If we fail to comply with these requirements at the end of any calendar quarter, we must correct such failure within 30 days after the end of the calendar quarter to avoid losing our REIT status and suffering adverse tax consequences.  As a result, we may be required to liquidate otherwise attractive investments.

Complying with REIT requirements may force us to borrow to make distributions to our stockholders.  As a REIT, we must distribute at least 90% of our annual taxable income (subject to certain adjustments) to our stockholders.  To the extent that we satisfy the distribution requirement, but distribute less than 100% of our taxable income, we will be subject to federal corporate income tax on our undistributed taxable income.  In addition, we will be subject to a 4% nondeductible excise tax if the actual amount that we pay out to our stockholders in a calendar year is less than a minimum amount specified under the federal tax laws.  From time to time, we may generate taxable income greater than our net income for financial reporting purposes or our taxable income may be greater than our cash flow available for distribution to stockholders.  If we do not have other funds available in these situations, we could be required to borrow funds, sell investments at disadvantageous prices or find another alternative source of funds to make distributions sufficient to enable us to pay out enough of our taxable income to satisfy the distribution requirement and to avoid corporate income tax or the 4% excise tax in a particular year.  These alternatives could increase our costs and reduce our long-term investment capital.

Distributions payable by us do not qualify for the reduced tax rates applicable to “qualified dividends.”  The maximum tax rate applicable to income from non-REIT corporate qualified dividends payable to domestic stockholders that are individuals, trusts or estates is currently 20%.  Distributions of ordinary income payable by REITs, however, generally are not eligible for the reduced rates.  Although this does not adversely affect the taxation of REITs or distributions payable by REITs, the more favorable rates applicable to regular corporate qualified dividends could cause investors who are individuals, trusts or estates to perceive investments in REITs to be relatively less attractive than investments in the stocks of non-REIT corporations that pay dividends, which could adversely affect the value of REIT stocks.

Recognition of excess inclusion income by us could have adverse consequences to our stockholders.  If we were to modify our investment strategy to invest in Real Estate Mortgage Investment Conduit (“REMIC”) residual interests, or if any of our assets were deemed to be taxable mortgage pools for federal income tax purposes, we could recognize “excess inclusion income.”  Any such excess inclusion income would be allocated to stockholders in proportion to dividends paid and would not be eligible to be offset by any losses of the stockholders.  Further, any such income allocated to stockholders that are tax-exempt entities and not “disqualified organizations,” would be fully taxable as unrelated business taxable income under Section 512 of the Code. Any stockholders that are foreign persons would be subject to federal income tax at the maximum tax rate and withholding will be required without reduction or exemption pursuant to any otherwise applicable income tax treaties.  Finally, to the extent that our stock is owned by disqualified organizations (such as certain government-related entities and tax exempt entities that are not subject to tax on unrelated business income), our charter provides that, in order to prevent the imposition of a penalty tax on us, we may redeem or refuse to transfer any of our shares to such disqualified organizations.

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An investment in our securities has various federal, state and local income tax risks that could affect the value of an investor’s investment.  We strongly urge investors to consult their own tax advisor concerning the effects of federal, state and local income tax law on an investment in our securities, because of the complex nature of the tax rules applicable to REITs and their stockholders.

We may in the future choose to pay dividends in our own stock, in which case stockholders may be required to pay tax in excess of the cash they receive.  In accordance with guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service, a publicly traded REIT should generally be eligible to treat a distribution of its own stock as fulfilling its REIT distribution requirements if each stockholder is permitted to elect to receive his or her distribution in either cash or stock of the REIT (even where there is a limitation on the percentage of the distribution payable in cash, provided that the limitation is at least 20%), subject to the satisfaction of certain guidelines. If too many stockholders elect to receive cash, each stockholder electing to receive cash generally must receive a portion of his or her distribution in cash (with the balance of the distribution paid in stock). If these and certain other requirements are met, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the amount of the distribution paid in stock generally will be a taxable distribution in an amount equal to the amount of cash that could have been received instead of stock. Taxable stockholders receiving such dividends would be required to include the full amount of the dividend as ordinary income (or as long-term capital gain to the extent such distribution is properly designated as a capital gain dividend) to the extent of the Company’s current and accumulated earnings and profits for United States federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. holder sells the stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, it may be subject to transaction fees (e.g., broker fees or transfer agent fees) and the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of its stock at the time of the sale.  Furthermore, with respect to Non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in stock.

In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our stock. It is uncertain whether and to what extent we will pay dividends in cash and our stock.

Risk Factors Related to Our Corporate Structure

There are no assurances of our ability to pay dividends in the future.  We intend to continue paying quarterly dividends and to make distributions to our stockholders in amounts such that all or substantially all of our taxable income in each year, subject to certain adjustments, is distributed.  This, along with other factors, should enable us to qualify for the tax benefits accorded to a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code.  However, our ability to pay dividends may be adversely affected by the risk factors described in this filing.  All distributions will be made at the discretion of our Board of Directors and will depend upon our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of our REIT status and such other factors as the board may deem relevant from time to time.  There are no assurances of our ability to pay dividends in the future.

Failure to maintain an exemption from the Investment Company Act of 1940 would adversely affect our results of operations.  The Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “40 Act”) exempts from regulation as an investment company any entity that is primarily engaged in the business of purchasing or otherwise acquiring mortgages and other liens on, and interests in, real estate. For over 30 years, the staff of the SEC has interpreted the provisions of the 40 Act to require, among other things, a REIT to maintain at least 55% of its assets directly in qualifying real estate interests and at least 80% of its assets in real estate-related assets in order to be exempt from regulation as an investment company.  Critical to our exemption from regulation as an investment company is the long-standing SEC staff interpretation that so-called whole loan mortgage securities, in which an investor holds all issued certificates with respect to an underlying pool of mortgage loans, constitute qualifying real estate interests for purposes of the staff’s 55% qualifying real estate interest requirement.

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Conversely, so-called partial pool mortgage securities presently do not qualify for purposes of meeting the 55% requirement, although they are considered by the staff to be real estate-related assets for purposes of meeting the staff’s 80% real estate-related asset requirement.

If the SEC or its staff adopts contrary interpretations of the 40 Act and we and other similar REITs become subject to regulation as investment companies, the industry’s use of leverage would be substantially reduced.  Absent a restructuring of our business operations to avoid such regulation, this could require the sale of most of our investments under potentially adverse market conditions resulting in losses and significantly reduce future net interest margins and earnings.

Pursuant to our charter, our Board of Directors has the ability to limit ownership of our capital stock, to the extent necessary to preserve our REIT qualification.  For the purpose of preserving our REIT qualification, our charter gives the board the ability to repurchase outstanding shares of capital stock from existing stockholders if the directors determine in good faith that the concentration of ownership by such individuals, directly or indirectly, would cause us to fail to qualify as a REIT. Constructive ownership rules are complex and may cause the outstanding stock owned by a group of related individuals or entities to be deemed constructively owned by one individual or entity.  As a result, the acquisition of outstanding stock by an individual or entity could cause that individual or entity to own constructively a greater concentration of our outstanding stock than is acceptable for REIT purposes, thereby giving the board the ability to repurchase any excess shares.

Because provisions contained in Maryland law and our charter may have an anti-takeover effect, investors may be prevented from receiving a “control premium” for their shares.  Provisions contained in our charter and Maryland general corporation law can delay, defer or prevent a takeover attempt, which may prevent stockholders from receiving a “control premium” for their shares.  For example, these provisions may defer or prevent tender offers for our common stock or purchases of large blocks of our common stock, thereby limiting the opportunities for our stockholders to receive a premium over then-prevailing market prices.  These provisions include the following:

Maryland statutory law provides that an act of a director relating to or affecting an acquisition or a potential acquisition of control of a corporation may not be subject to a higher duty or greater scrutiny than is applied to any other act of a director.  Hence, directors of Maryland corporations may not be required to act in takeover situations under the same standards as apply in Delaware and certain other corporate jurisdictions.

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There are risks associated with ownership of our Series E preferred stock.  Risks associated with ownership of our Series E preferred stock include:

We may change our policies without stockholder approval.  Our board and management determine all of our policies, including our investment, financing and distribution policies and may amend or revise these policies at any time without a vote of our stockholders.  Policy changes could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations, the market price of our common and preferred stock or our ability to pay dividends or distributions.

None.

Capstead’s headquarters are located in Dallas, Texas in office space leased by the Company.

None.

Not applicable.

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PART II

The New York Stock Exchange trading symbol for Capstead’s common stock is CMO. As of February 15, 2018, the Company had 1,028 common stockholders of record and depository companies held shares of common stock for approximately 28,515 beneficial owners.

The high and low sales prices and dividends declared on Capstead’s common stock were as follows:

 

 

Set forth below is a graph comparing the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total return on Capstead’s common stock, with the yearly percentage change in the cumulative total return on the Russell 2000 Index and the NAREIT Mortgage REIT Index for the five years ended December 31, 2017 assuming the investment of $100 on December 31, 2012 and the reinvestment of dividends.  The stock price and dividend performance reflected in the graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance. 

 

 

 

 

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On November 1, 2017, Capstead’s Board of Directors authorized the reinstatement of its previously unused $100 million common stock repurchase program.  The Company repurchased 397,000 shares in the open market during November 2017 at an average repurchase price, after expenses, of $8.71, or approximately 82.4% of the Company’s September 30, 2017 book value per share. The following table details the Company’s repurchase activity during the fourth quarter of 2017:  

 

 

An additional 2.3 million shares were repurchased subsequent to year-end through February 20, 2018 at an average repurchase price, after expenses, of $8.63, or approximately 84.2% of December 31, 2017 book value per share.  Approximately $77 million remains under the repurchase program as of that date. See Item 12 of this report, “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters,” for information regarding securities authorized for issuance under equity compensation plans which is incorporated herein by reference.  Capstead did not issue any unregistered securities during the past three fiscal years.

 

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This table summarizes selected financial information, including key operating data (in thousands, except percentages, ratios and per share data).  For additional information, refer to the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included under Item 8, “Consolidated Financial Statements and Supplementary Data,” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” included under Item 7 of this report.

 

 

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Overview

Capstead operates as a self-managed REIT earning income from investing in a leveraged portfolio of residential mortgage pass-through securities consisting nearly exclusively of short-duration ARM Agency Securities, which reset to more current interest rates within a relatively short period of time and are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk.  By investing in short-duration ARM Agency Securities, the Company is positioned to benefit from future recoveries in financing spreads that typically contract during periods of rising interest rates and to experience smaller fluctuations in portfolio values compared to leveraged portfolios containing a significant amount of longer-duration ARM or fixed-rate mortgage securities.  Duration is a common measure of market price sensitivity to interest rate movements.  A shorter duration generally indicates less interest rate risk.

Capstead finances its residential mortgage investments by leveraging its long-term investment capital with secured borrowings consisting primarily of borrowings under repurchase arrangements with commercial banks and other financial institutions.  Long-term investment capital totaled $1.34 billion at December 31, 2017, consisting of $988 million of common and $251 million of preferred stockholders’ equity together with $98 million of unsecured borrowings maturing in 2035 and 2036.

Long-term investment capital decreased by $9 million during 2017 due to $44 million in declines in net unrealized gains associated with the Company’s residential mortgage investments and interest rate swap agreements held for hedging purposes, $15 million in capital returned to stockholders in the form of dividend distributions in excess of earnings and $3 million in common stock repurchases made in November 2017. These declines were nearly offset by $52 million in preferred equity capital raised through an at-the-market continuous offering program. Book value (total stockholders’ equity, less liquidation preferences for outstanding shares of preferred stock, divided by outstanding shares of common stock) declined 5.5%, or $0.60 per share to $10.25 per share.  This change in book value, combined with $0.80 per share in common dividends declared, produced an economic return (change in book value per share of common stock plus common stock dividends divided by beginning book value per share) to Capstead common stockholders of 1.84% in 2017.

Capstead’s residential mortgage investments increased $138 million to end the year at $13.45 billion. Secured borrowings increased $186 million to $12.33 billion.  Portfolio leverage (secured borrowings divided by long-term investment capital) increased to 9.22 to one at December 31, 2017 from 9.02 to one at December 31, 2016.  Management believes current portfolio leverage levels represent an appropriate use of leverage under current market conditions for a portfolio consisting of seasoned, short-duration ARM Agency Securities.   

Capstead reported net income of $80 million or $0.65 per diluted common share in 2017. This compares to 2016 earnings of $83 million or $0.70 per diluted common share.  Earnings in 2017 benefited by $20 million as a result of higher cash yields compared to 2016 and $7 million in lower compensation-related accruals between the two periods, while being negatively impacted by higher borrowing costs of $31 million due largely to Federal Reserve actions to increase short-term interest rates.  Cash yields are expected to continue trending higher as coupon interest rates on mortgage loans underlying the currently-resetting portion of the portfolio reset higher based on higher prevailing six- and 12-month interest rate indices.  Investment premium amortization can be expected to have less of an effect on portfolio yields in 2018 given recently higher longer-term interest rates.  Borrowing rates in 2018 will continue increasing to the extent the Federal Reserve continues increasing the Federal Funds Rate.

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Common Stock Repurchase Program

On November 1, 2017, Capstead’s Board of Directors authorized the reinstatement of its previously unused $100 million common stock repurchase program.  The Company repurchased 397,000 shares in the open market during November 2017 at an average repurchase price, after expenses, of $8.71, or approximately 82.4% of the Company’s September 30, 2017 book value per share.  An additional 2.3 million shares were repurchased subsequent to year-end through February 20, 2018 at an average repurchase price, after expenses, of $8.63, or approximately 84.2% of December 31, 2017 book value per share.  Approximately $77 million remains under the repurchase program.  

Repurchases made pursuant to the program are made in the open market in accordance with and as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements.  The timing, manner, price and amount of any repurchases will be determined by the Company in its discretion and will be subject to economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal requirements and other factors including alternative capital investment opportunities.  In addition, the Company may enter into Rule 10b5-1 plans under which repurchases can be made. The authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and repurchases under the program and the program itself may be suspended or discontinued at the Company’s discretion without prior notice.

Preferred Equity Capital Issuances

During the year ended December 31, 2017, Capstead issued 2.1 million shares of its 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock through an at-the-market continuous offering program at an average price of $24.77, net of underwriting fees and other costs, for net proceeds of approximately $52 million.  No shares were issued subsequent to year-end through the date of this filing pursuant to this program.  Additional amounts of preferred capital may be raised in the future under this program or by other means, subject to market conditions, compliance with federal securities laws and tax regulations as well as blackout periods associated with the dissemination of important Company-specific news.

Book Value per Common Share

All but $4 million of Capstead’s residential mortgage investments portfolio and all of its interest rate swap agreements are recorded at fair value on the Company’s balance sheet and are therefore included in the calculation of book value per share of common stock.  The Company’s borrowings, however, are not recorded at fair value on the balance sheet.  Fair value is impacted by market conditions, including changes in interest rates, and the availability of financing at reasonable rates and leverage levels, among other factors.  The Company’s investment strategy attempts to mitigate these risks by focusing on investments in Agency Securities, which are considered to have little, if any, credit risk and are collateralized by ARM loans with interest rates that reset periodically to more current levels, generally within five years.  Because of these characteristics, the fair value of the Company’s portfolio is considerably less vulnerable to significant pricing declines caused by credit concerns or rising interest rates compared to leveraged portfolios containing a significant amount of non-agency securities or longer-duration ARM and/or fixed-rate Agency Securities.

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The following table illustrates the progression of Capstead’s book value per share of common stock as well as changes in book value expressed as percentages of beginning book value for the indicated periods:

 

 

Residential Mortgage Investments

The following table illustrates the progression of Capstead’s portfolio of residential mortgage investments for the indicated periods (dollars in thousands):

 

 

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Capstead’s investment strategy focuses on managing a portfolio of residential mortgage investments consisting almost exclusively of ARM Agency Securities.  Agency Securities are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk because the timely payment of principal and interest is guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are government-sponsored enterprises, or Ginnie Mae, which is an agency of the federal government.  Federal government support for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac has largely alleviated market concerns regarding the ability of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to fulfill their guarantee obligations.  

By focusing on investing in short-duration ARM Agency Securities, changes in fair value caused by changes in interest rates are typically relatively modest compared to changes in fair value of longer-duration ARM or fixed-rate assets.  Declines in fair value caused by increases in interest rates are generally recoverable in a relatively short period of time as coupon interest rates on the underlying mortgage loans reset to rates more reflective of the then-current interest rate environment.  This investment strategy positions the Company to benefit from potential recoveries in financing spreads that typically contract during periods of rising interest rates.

Capstead classifies its ARM securities based on the average length of time until the loans underlying each security reset to more current rates (“months-to-roll”) (less than 18 months for “current-reset” ARM securities, and 18 months or greater for “longer-to-reset” ARM securities).  The Company’s ARM holdings featured the following characteristics at December 31, 2017 (dollars in thousands): 

 

 

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ARM securities held by Capstead are backed by mortgage loans that have coupon interest rates that adjust at least annually to more current interest rates or begin doing so after an initial fixed-rate period.  These coupon interest rate adjustments are usually subject to periodic and lifetime limits, or caps, on the amount of such adjustments during any single interest rate adjustment period and over the contractual term of the underlying loans.  After the initial fixed-rate period, if applicable, the coupon interest rates of mortgage loans underlying the Company’s ARM securities typically adjust either (a) annually based on specified margins over the one-year London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) or the one-year Constant Maturity U.S. Treasury Note Rate (“CMT”), (b) semiannually based on specified margins over six-month LIBOR, or (c) monthly based on specified margins over indices such as one-month LIBOR, the Eleventh District Federal Reserve Bank Cost of Funds Index, or over a rolling twelve month average of the one-year CMT index.

After consideration of any applicable initial fixed-rate periods, at December 31, 2017 approximately 90%, 5% and 3% of the Company’s ARM securities were backed by mortgage loans that reset annually, semi-annually and monthly, respectively, while approximately 2% reset every five years.  Approximately 84% of the Company’s current-reset ARM securities have reached an initial coupon reset date, while none of its longer-to-reset ARM securities have reached an initial coupon reset date.  Additionally, at December 31, 2017 approximately 5% of the Company’s ARM securities were backed by interest-only loans, with remaining interest-only payment periods averaging 26 months.  All percentages are based on averages of the characteristics of mortgage loans underlying each security and calculated using unpaid principal balances as of the indicated date.

Secured Borrowings

Capstead has traditionally financed its residential mortgage investments by leveraging its long-term investment capital consisting primarily of borrowings under repurchase arrangements with commercial banks and other financial institutions.  Repurchase arrangements entered into by the Company involve the sale and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets at a future date and are accounted for as financings.  The Company maintains the beneficial interest in the specific securities pledged during the term of each repurchase arrangement and receives the related principal and interest payments.

The terms and conditions of secured borrowings are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis when each such borrowing is initiated or renewed.  None of the Company’s counterparties are obligated to renew or otherwise enter into new borrowings at the conclusion of existing borrowings. Collateral requirements in excess of amounts borrowed (referred to as “haircuts”) averaged 4.6 percent and ranged from 3.0 to 5.0 percent of the fair value of pledged residential mortgage pass-through securities at December 31, 2017.  After considering haircuts and related interest receivable on the collateral, as well as interest payable on these borrowings, the Company had $672 million of capital at risk with its lending counterparties at December 31, 2017.  The Company did not have capital at risk with any single counterparty exceeding 5% of total stockholders’ equity at December 31, 2017.

Secured borrowing rates are generally fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings. Interest may be paid monthly or at the termination of a borrowing at which time the Company may enter into a new borrowing at prevailing haircuts and rates with the same counterparty or repay that counterparty and negotiate financing with a different counterparty.  When the fair value of pledged securities declines due to changes in market conditions or the publishing of monthly security pay-down factors, lenders typically require the Company to post additional securities as collateral, pay down borrowings or fund cash margin accounts with the counterparties in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateral requirements, referred to as margin calls.  Conversely, if collateral fair values increase, lenders are required to release collateral back to the Company pursuant to Company-issued margin calls.

As of December 31, 2017 the Company’s secured borrowings totaled $12.33 billion with 22 counter-parties at average rates of 1.60%, before the effects of currently-paying interest rate swap agreements held as cash flow hedges and 1.46% including the effects of these derivatives.  To help mitigate exposure to

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rising short-term interest rates, the Company uses pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreements with two- and three-year interest payment terms supplemented with longer-maturity secured borrowings, when available at attractive rates and terms.  At year-end the Company held $8.05 billion notional amount of portfolio financing-related interest rate swap agreements with contract expirations occurring at various dates through the fourth quarter of 2020 and a weighted average expiration of 12 months.

After consideration of all portfolio financing-related swap positions entered into as of year-end, the Company’s residential mortgage investments and secured borrowings had estimated durations at December 31, 2017 of 11¾ and 8¼ months, respectively, for a net duration gap of approximately 3½ months – see “Interest Rate Risk” for further information about the Company’s sensitivity to changes in market interest rates.  The Company intends to continue to manage interest rate risk associated with holding and financing its residential mortgage investments by utilizing suitable derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements as well as longer-maturity secured borrowings, if available at attractive rates and terms.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements and Contractual Obligations

As of December 31, 2017, Capstead did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.  The Company’s contractual obligations at December 31, 2017 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

Utilization of Long-term Investment Capital and Potential Liquidity

Capstead’s investment strategy involves managing an appropriately leveraged portfolio of ARM Agency Securities that management believes can produce attractive risk-adjusted returns over the long term, while reducing, but not eliminating, sensitivity to changes in interest rates.  The potential liquidity inherent in the Company’s unencumbered residential mortgage investments is as important as the actual level of cash
and cash equivalents carried on the balance sheet because secured borrowings generally can be increased or decreased on a daily basis to meet cash flow requirements and otherwise manage capital resources efficiently.  Potential liquidity is affected by, among other factors:

 

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As of December 31, 2017 the Company’s utilization of its long-term investment capital and its estimated potential liquidity were as follows in comparison with December 31, 2016 (in thousands):

 

 

In order to efficiently manage its liquidity and capital resources, Capstead attempts to maintain sufficient liquidity reserves to fund borrowing and interest rate swap margin calls under stressed market conditions, including margin calls resulting from monthly principal payments (remitted to the Company 20 to 45 days after any given month-end), as well as reasonably possible declines in the market value of pledged assets and swap positions.  Should market conditions deteriorate, management may reduce portfolio leverage and increase liquidity by raising new equity capital, selling mortgage securities and/or curtailing the replacement of portfolio runoff.  Additionally, the Company routinely does business with a large number of lending counterparties, which bolsters financial flexibility to address challenging market conditions and limits exposure to any individual counterparty.

Future levels of portfolio leverage will be dependent on many factors, including the size and composition of the Company’s investment portfolio (see “Liquidity and Capital Resources”).  Management believes current portfolio leverage levels represent an appropriate use of leverage under current market conditions for a portfolio consisting of seasoned, short-duration ARM Agency Securities.

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Supplemental Analysis of Quarterly Financing Spreads

Quarterly financing spreads and mortgage prepayment rates were as follows for the indicated periods:

 

 

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Cash yields continue to benefit from higher coupon interest rates as mortgage loans underlying the Company’s current-reset ARM securities reset to higher rates based on higher prevailing six- and 12-month interest rate indices.  The majority of these loans reset annually based on margins over 12-month LIBOR, which increased 42 basis points in 2017 to 2.11% at December 31, 2017.  Increases in these indices were driven largely by market expectations regarding Federal Reserve interest rate policy.  The Federal Reserve Open Market Committee orchestrated four 25 basis point Federal Funds rate increases between December 2017 and December 2016 and is expected to continue raising rates in 2018. Based on where the underlying indices were at December 31, 2017 and on further increases subsequent to year-end, cash yields are expected to continue trending higher in 2018.

Portfolio yield adjustments for investment premium amortization are primarily driven by mortgage prepayment and investment premium levels.  Mortgage prepayment levels are heavily influenced by the availability of mortgage financing at attractive terms and the overall health of the housing markets, as well as seasonal factors.  After declining in the first quarter of 2017, mortgage prepayment levels returned to elevated levels through the third quarter of 2017 before receding in the fourth quarter of 2017. The 2017 trend was largely attributable to seasonal factors and a flattening of the yield curve as longer-term rates drifted lower throughout much of the year even as shorter-term rates moved higher, improving refinancing opportunities, particularly for borrowers whose loans have recently reset to higher levels. With the end of the summer selling season and a modest rebound in longer-term interest rates, fourth quarter yields benefited from a 12.7% sequential decline in CPRs. Investment premium amortization can be expected to have less of an effect on portfolio yields in 2018 given recently higher longer-term interest rates.

 

Higher unhedged borrowing rates in 2017 are primarily attributable to higher rates negotiated with lending counterparties after the four 25 basis point Federal Funds Rate increases from December 2016 to December 2017.  Fixed swap rates increased throughout 2016 and in 2017 as older, lower-rate swap agreements expired and new, higher-rate swaps were entered into in order to provide important balance sheet and future financing spread protection, particularly as it pertains to additions to the longer-to-reset portion of the Company’s ARM securities portfolio.  Hedged borrowing rates have benefited from higher short-term LIBOR-based variable-rate swap receipts relative to unhedged borrowing rates. Borrowing rates in 2018 will continue increasing to the extent the Federal Reserve continues to increase the Federal Funds Rate.

Reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP Financing Spread Disclosures

Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments differ from total financing spreads, an all-inclusive GAAP measure, that is based on all interest-earning assets and liabilities.  Management believes presenting financing spreads on residential mortgage investments provides useful information for evaluating portfolio performance.  The following reconciles these measures for the indicated periods:

 

 

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Tax Considerations of Capstead Common and Preferred Stock Dividends

Capstead’s common and preferred dividend distributions are generally characterized as ordinary income or nontaxable return of capital based on the relative amounts of the Company’s earnings and profits (taxable income, after certain adjustments) to total distributions applicable for a given tax year.  Total distributions are determined in accordance with the spillover distribution provisions of IRC 857(b)(9).  

Under IRC 857(b)(9), REIT common dividends declared in the fourth quarter of a calendar year with a record date prior to year-end and a payable date in January of the following year will be included in total distributions in the year declared only to the extent of available earnings and profits.  As a result, such fourth quarter common dividends may be pro-rated between tax years or may not be taxable until the following year.  Capstead’s common dividend declared in the fourth quarter of 2017 will be taxed entirely in 2018.  Common dividends declared in the fourth quarters of 2016 and 2015 were taxed entirely in 2017 and 2016, respectively. The common dividend declared in the fourth quarter 2014 was partially taxable in 2015. Characterization of common distributions allocable to 2017, 2016 and 2015 tax years were as follows:

 

Nondividend distributions characterized as return on capital reduce the tax basis of related shares and are nontaxable to a recipient unless cumulative return of capital distributions received by a recipient exceed tax cost basis, in which case the excess is reportable as capital gain.

While REIT preferred dividends are subject to the same spillover provisions, proration between tax years usually results in 100% of such dividends being included in total distributions in the year declared. All preferred dividends allocable to 2017, 2016 and 2015 were characterized as ordinary income.

If in future years the Company realizes gains on sales of assets, a portion of its dividends may be characterized as long-term capital gains, provided such gains exceed available capital loss carryforwards. At December 31, 2017, the Company has capital loss carryforwards totaling $19.8 million that expire at the end of 2019.  Any such capital gain distributions would be reported as long-term capital gains and would generally be taxed at lower rates than distributions of ordinary income.

See the investor relations section of the Company’s website at www.capstead.com for additional dividend characterization information. Due to the complex nature of applicable tax rules, it is recommended that stockholders consult their tax advisors to ensure proper tax treatment of dividends received.     

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RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

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2017 Compared to 2016

Capstead’s net income totaled $80 million or $0.65 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2017, compared to $83 million or $0.70 per diluted common share in 2016.  Earnings in 2017 benefited by $20 million as a result of higher cash yields in 2017 compared to 2016 and $7 million in lower compensation-related accruals between the two periods, while being negatively impacted by higher borrowing costs of $31 million due largely to the Federal Reserve actions to increase short-term interest rates.  

Interest income on residential mortgage investments was higher by $19.7 million in 2017 compared to 2016.  The increase is attributable to $23.7 million in increases related to higher average yields, net of $4.0 million in decreases related to lower average portfolio balances during 2017.

Interest expense on secured borrowings was higher by $31.1 million in 2017 compared to 2016. The increase is attributable to $34.3 million in increases related to higher average borrowing rates, net of $3.2 million in decreases related to lower average borrowings during 2017.

Total financing spreads were nine basis points lower averaging 0.55% during 2017, compared to 0.64% reported for 2016 as higher secured borrowing rates were only partially offset by higher cash yields and rates on overnight investments.  Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments were 11 basis points lower, averaging 0.61% during 2017, compared to 0.72% reported for 2016 as higher secured borrowing rates were only partially offset by higher cash yields.  Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments is a non-GAAP financial measure based solely on yields on residential mortgage investments, net of secured borrowing rates adjusted for currently-paying interest rate swap agreements held for hedging purposes.  See “Reconciliation of GAAP and non-GAAP Financing Spread Disclosures” for the Company’s rationale for using this non-GAAP financial measure and a reconciliation to total financing spreads.

Yields on residential mortgage investments were 17 basis points higher, averaging 1.73% during 2017, compared to 1.56% reported for 2016. Cash yields were 18 basis points higher, averaging 2.69% during 2017, compared to 2.51% reported for 2016, largely due to ARM loan coupon interest rates resetting higher to more current rates.  Negative yield adjustments for investment premium amortization were one basis point higher, averaging 96 basis points during 2017, compared to 95 basis points reported for 2016, primarily as a result of marginally higher mortgage prepayment levels.  Mortgage prepayment levels are influenced by the availability of mortgage financing at attractive terms and the health of the housing markets as well as seasonal factors.

Secured borrowing rates adjusted for currently-paying interest rate swap agreements held for hedging purposes were 28 basis points higher, averaging 1.12% in 2017, compared to 0.84% reported for 2016.  Unhedged borrowing rates accounted for 67% of the increase with the remainder attributable to higher interest rate swap costs and higher average swap balances.  Market conditions, including 25 basis point increases in the Federal Funds rate in December 2016, March, June and December 2017, contributed to higher borrowing rates.  Average hedged borrowing rates increased 15 basis points as older, lower-rate swaps expired and newer, higher fixed rate swaps were entered into.  Currently-paying swap balances averaged $8.31 billion in 2017, compared to $7.57 billion reported for 2016.  Future secured borrowing rates will be dependent on market conditions, including overall levels of market interest rates as well as the availability of longer-maturity borrowings and interest rate swap agreements at attractive rates.

Other interest income (expense) during 2017 benefited from a 48 basis point increase in rates on overnight investments and cash collateral receivable from interest rate swap counterparties, and a 23 basis point decrease in hedged borrowing rates on the Company’s $100 million face amount of outstanding unsecured borrowings.

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Capstead sees its internally-managed structure and agency-focused investment strategy as key components to its consistently low operating costs (compensation, general and administrative expenses). Operating costs were lower in 2017 compared to 2016, primarily due to lower short- and long-term incentive compensation costs, which are based in part on relative and absolute economic return performance metrics.  Additionally, operating costs in 2016 include a $3.0 million separation of service charge.  

Miscellaneous other revenue (expense) included the one-time $1.9 million alternative minimum tax refund as a result of the December 2017 enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act.  Included in the prior year were over $1 million in dividends earned on Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) stock held by the Company in connection with FHLB-sourced secured borrowings. All FHLB secured borrowings were repaid by November 2016.

2016 Compared to 2015

Capstead’s net income totaled $83 million or $0.70 per diluted common share for the year ended December 31, 2016, compared to $108 million or $0.97 per diluted common share in 2015.  Earnings in 2016 were negatively impacted by higher investment premium amortization caused by higher mortgage prepayment levels and higher borrowing costs.  Additionally, 2016 earnings included a $3 million separation of service charge.

Total financing spreads were 17 basis points lower averaging 0.64% during 2016, compared to 0.81% reported for 2015 as higher cash yields and rates on overnight investments were offset by higher investment premium amortization and higher secured borrowing rates.  Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments were also 17 basis points lower, averaging 0.72% during 2016, compared to 0.89% reported for 2015 as higher cash yields were offset by higher investment premium amortization and higher secured borrowing rates.  Financing spreads on residential mortgage investments is a non-GAAP financial measure based solely on yields on residential mortgage investments, net of secured borrowing rates adjusted for currently-paying interest rate swap agreements held for hedging purposes.  

Yields on residential mortgage investments were one basis point higher, averaging 1.56% during 2016, compared to 1.55% reported for 2015. Cash yields were nine basis points higher, averaging 2.51% during 2016, compared to 2.42% reported for 2015, largely due to ARM loan coupon interest rates resetting higher to more current rates.  Negative yield adjustments for investment premium amortization were eight basis points higher, averaging 95 basis points during 2016, compared to 87 basis points reported for 2015, primarily as a result of higher mortgage prepayment levels.  

Secured borrowing rates adjusted for currently-paying interest rate swap agreements held for hedging purposes were 18 basis points higher, averaging 0.84% in 2016, compared to 0.66% reported for 2015.  Unhedged borrowing rates accounted for most of the increase, with the remainder attributable to higher interest rate swap costs.  Market conditions, including 25 basis point increases in the Federal Funds rate in December 2015 and in mid-December 2016, contributed to higher borrowing rates.  Average hedged borrowing rates increased 13 basis points as older, lower-rate swaps were replaced at higher fixed rates, partially offset by higher variable rate swap receipts as a result of higher short-term LIBOR rates relative to higher unhedged borrowing rates.  Currently-paying swap balances averaged $7.57 billion in 2016, compared to $7.70 billion reported for 2015.  

Operating costs for 2016 included a $3.0 million separation of service charge, which more than offset lower short-term incentive compensation accruals.

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LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Capstead’s primary sources of funds are secured borrowings and monthly principal and interest payments on its investments.  Other sources of funds may include proceeds from debt and equity offerings and asset sales.  The Company generally uses its liquidity to pay down secured borrowings to reduce borrowing costs and otherwise efficiently manage its long-term investment capital.  Because the level of these borrowings can generally be adjusted on a daily basis, the Company’s potential liquidity inherent in its unencumbered residential mortgage investments is as important as the level of cash and cash equivalents carried on the balance sheet.  The table included under “Utilization of Long-term Investment Capital and Potential Liquidity” illustrates management’s estimate of additional funds potentially available to the Company at December 31, 2017 and the accompanying discussion provides insight into the Company’s perspective on what level of portfolio leverage to employ under current market conditions.  The Company currently believes that it has sufficient liquidity and capital resources available for the acquisition of additional investments, repayments on borrowings and the payment of cash dividends as required for the Company’s continued qualification as a REIT.

On November 1, 2017, Capstead’s Board of Directors authorized the reinstatement of its previously unused $100 million common stock repurchase program. In 2017 the Company repurchased 397,000 shares in the open market for approximately $3 million by year-end.  An additional 2.3 million shares were repurchased through the date of this filing for $20 million, leaving a remaining repurchase program authorization of approximately $77 million.  Future levels of stock repurchases will largely be dependent upon market conditions including alternative investment opportunities.

During 2017, Capstead issued 2.1 million shares of its 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock through an at-the-market continuous offering program for net proceeds of approximately $52 million.  No shares were issued subsequent to year-end through the date of this filing pursuant to this program.  Additional amounts of preferred and common equity capital may be raised in the future under continuous offering programs or by other means.  Any such capital raising activity will be subject to market conditions such as pricing levels for these securities, capital deployment opportunities or needs, the status of stock repurchase programs, if applicable, as well as compliance with federal securities laws and tax regulations as well as blackout periods associated with the dissemination of earnings and dividend announcements and other important Company-specific news.

Capstead finances its residential mortgage investments primarily by borrowing under repurchase arrangements, the terms and conditions of which are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis, when each such borrowing is initiated or renewed.  

Future borrowings are dependent upon the willingness of lenders to participate in the financing of Agency Securities, lender collateral requirements and the lenders’ determination of the fair value of the securities pledged as collateral, which fluctuates with changes in interest rates and liquidity conditions within the commercial banking and mortgage finance industries.  None of the Company’s borrowing counterparties are obligated to renew or otherwise enter into new borrowings at the conclusion of existing borrowings.  Secured borrowings began 2017 at $12.15 billion, averaged $12.39 billion during the year, and ended the year at $12.33 billion, all maturing within 90 days.  Average secured borrowings can differ from period-end balances for a number of reasons including portfolio growth or contraction, as well as differences in the timing of portfolio acquisitions relative to portfolio runoff.

To help mitigate exposure to rising short-term interest rates, the Company uses pay-fixed, receive-variable interest rate swap agreements supplemented with longer-maturity secured borrowings when available at attractive rates and terms.  At year-end the Company held $8.05 billion notional amount of portfolio financing-related interest rate swap agreements with contract expirations occurring at various dates through the fourth quarter of 2020 and a weighted average expiration of 12 months.  Additionally, the Company entered into swap agreements effectively locking in lower fixed rates of interest during the 20-year floating rate terms of the Company’s $100 million face amount of unsecured borrowings.  The Company intends to continue to utilize suitable derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements and longer-maturity secured borrowings to manage interest rate risk when available at attractive rates and terms.

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Interest Rate Risk

Because Capstead’s residential mortgage investments consist almost entirely of Agency Securities, which are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk, interest rate risk is the primary market risk faced by the Company.  Interest rate risk is highly sensitive to a number of factors, including economic conditions, government fiscal policy, central bank monetary policy and banking regulation.  By focusing on investing in relatively short-duration ARM Agency Securities, declines in fair value caused by increases in interest rates are typically relatively modest compared to investments in longer-duration ARM or fixed-rate assets.  These declines can be recovered in a relatively short period of time as coupon interest rates on the underlying mortgage loans reset to rates more reflective of the then-current interest rate environment.  This strategy also positions the Company to benefit from future recoveries in financing spreads that typically contract during periods of rising interest rates.

To further reduce exposure to higher short-term interest rates, the Company uses interest rate swap agreements that typically require interest payments for two-year terms, as well as longer-maturity secured borrowings, if available at attractive rates and terms.  These transactions lengthen the effective duration of the Company’s secured borrowings to more closely match the duration of its portfolio of residential mortgage investments.  After consideration of portfolio financing-related swap positions held to hedge changes in short-term interest rates, at December 31, 2017 the Company’s residential mortgage investments and secured borrowings had estimated durations of 11¾ and 8¼ months, for a net duration gap of approximately 3½ months.  The Company intends to continue to manage interest rate risk associated with holding and financing its residential mortgage investments by utilizing suitable derivative financial instruments such as interest rate swap agreements and longer-maturity secured borrowings, if available at attractive rates and terms.

Capstead performs sensitivity analyses using a model to estimate the effects that specific interest rate changes can reasonably be expected to have on net interest margins and portfolio values.  All investments, secured borrowings and related derivative financial instruments held are included in these analyses.  For net interest margin modeling purposes, the model incorporates management’s assumptions for mortgage prepayment levels for a given interest rate change using market-based estimates of prepayment speeds for the purpose of amortizing investment premiums and reinvesting portfolio runoff.  These assumptions are developed through a combination of historical analysis and expectations for future pricing behavior under normal market conditions unaffected by changes in market liquidity.  For portfolio valuation modeling purposes, a static portfolio is assumed.

This model is the primary tool used by management to assess the direction and magnitude of changes in net interest margins and portfolio values resulting solely from changes in interest rates.  Key modeling assumptions include mortgage prepayment speeds, adequate levels of market liquidity, current market conditions, and portfolio leverage levels.  It is assumed that borrowing rates cannot decline beyond a floor of 0.15%.  These assumptions are inherently uncertain and, as a result, modeling cannot precisely estimate the impact of higher or lower interest rates.  Actual results will differ from simulated results due to the timing, magnitude and frequency of interest rate changes, other changes in market conditions, changes in management strategies and other factors.

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The table below reflects the estimated impact of instantaneous parallel shifts in the yield curve on net interest margins and the fair value of Capstead’s portfolio of residential mortgage investments and related derivative financial instruments at December 31, 2017 and 2016, subject to the modeling parameters described above.

 

 

 

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CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Management’s discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon Capstead’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.  The preparation of these financial statements requires the use of estimates and judgments that can affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities (including contingencies), revenues and expenses, as well as related disclosures.  These estimates are based on available internal and market information and appropriate valuation methodologies believed to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the expected useful lives and carrying values of assets and liabilities which can materially affect the determination of net income and book value per common share.  Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions.

Management believes the following are critical accounting policies in the preparation of Capstead’s consolidated financial statements that involve the use of estimates requiring considerable judgment:

Mortgage prepayment expectations can change based on how current and projected changes in interest rates impact the economic attractiveness of mortgage refinance opportunities, if available, and other factors such as lending industry underwriting practices and capacity constraints, regulatory changes, borrower credit profiles and the health of the economy and housing markets.  Management estimates future mortgage prepayments based on these factors and past experiences with specific investments within the portfolio.  Should actual prepayment rates differ materially from these estimates, investment premiums would be expensed at a different pace.

Generally, gains or losses are recognized in earnings only if securities are sold; however, if a decline in fair value of a mortgage security below its amortized cost occurs that is determined to be other-than-temporary, the difference between amortized cost and fair value would be recognized in earnings as a component of Other revenue (expense) if the decline was credit-related or it was determined to be more likely than not that the Company will incur a loss via an asset sale.  Other-than-temporary impairment of a mortgage security due to other factors would be recognized in Accumulated other comprehensive income.

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The accounting for changes in fair value of each derivative held depends on whether it has been designated as an accounting hedge, as well as the type of hedging relationship identified.  To qualify as a cash flow hedge for accounting purposes, at the inception of the hedge relationship the Company must anticipate and document that the hedge relationship will be highly effective and must monitor ongoing effectiveness on at least a quarterly basis.  As long as the hedge relationship remains effective, changes in fair value of the derivative are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income.  The changes in fair value are reclassified from Accumulated comprehensive income to earnings over the term of the derivative primarily in the form of derivative cash flows that are either in excess of or lower than market rates.  Changes in fair value of derivatives not held as accounting hedges, or for which the hedge relationship is deemed to no longer be highly effective and as a result hedge accounting is terminated, are recorded in earnings as a component of Other revenue (expense).

The Company currently uses interest rate swap agreements in hedge relationships accounted for as cash flow hedges in order to hedge variability in borrowing rates due to changes in the underlying benchmark interest rate related to a designated portion of current and anticipated future 30- and 90-day secured borrowings and the 20-year floating-rate periods of unsecured borrowings.  Variable-rate payments to be received on swap agreements and any measured hedge ineffectiveness are recorded in interest expense as an offset to interest owed on related designated borrowings while fixed-rate swap payments to be made are also recorded in interest expense resulting in an effectively fixed borrowing rate on these borrowings, subject to certain adjustments.  See “Financial Condition – Residential Mortgage Investments” and NOTE 6 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Company’s current use of derivatives and its related risk management policies.

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The information required by this item is included above in Item 7 of this report, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and is incorporated herein by reference.

Index to Financial Statements

 

All financial statement schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto.

Financial statements of subsidiaries have been omitted as such entities do not individually or in the aggregate exceed the 20% threshold under either the investment or income tests applicable under the appropriate regulations for inclusion.  The Company owned 100% of each of its subsidiaries.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Capstead Mortgage Corporation

Opinion on the Financial Statements

We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Capstead Mortgage Corporation (the Company) as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company's internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated February 20, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

 

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Consolidated Balance Sheets

(In thousands, except pledged and per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Consolidated Statements of Income

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity

(In thousands, except per share amounts)

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows

(In thousands)

 

 

 

 

 

See accompanying notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

 

NOTE 1 — BUSINESS

Capstead Mortgage Corporation operates as a self-managed real estate investment trust for federal income tax purposes (a “REIT”) and is based in Dallas, Texas.  Unless the context otherwise indicates, Capstead Mortgage Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, is referred to as “Capstead” or the “Company.”  Capstead earns income from investing in a leveraged portfolio of residential mortgage pass-through securities consisting almost exclusively of adjustable-rate mortgage (“ARM”) securities issued and guaranteed by government-sponsored enterprises, either Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or by an agency of the federal government, Ginnie Mae.  Residential mortgage pass-through securities guaranteed by Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac or Ginnie Mae are referred to as “Agency Securities” and are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk.

NOTE 2 — ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of Presentation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Capstead Mortgage Corporation and its wholly-owned and majority-owned subsidiaries over which it exercises control.  Pursuant to variable interest entity (“VIE”) accounting principles, Capstead considers for consolidation any VIE in which it holds an interest.  The Company’s captive insurance subsidiary is considered a VIE for financial reporting purposes because Capstead has the obligation to absorb its losses and the right to receive its benefits, and, as Capstead is the primary beneficiary, the accounts of the captive insurance subsidiary are consolidated.  Intercompany balances and transactions are eliminated.

Reclassification

Included in Compensation-related expense for the year ended December 31, 2016 is $3.0 million in expense previously classified separately as a separation of service charge.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In March 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2016-09, Compensation–Stock Compensation: Improvements to Employee Share-Based Payment Accounting (“ASU 2016-09”) with the objective of simplifying accounting for these transactions, including income tax effects, statutory withholding requirements, forfeitures and classification on the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-09 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The Company adopted ASU 2016-09 on January 1, 2017, which had no effect on its results of operations, financial condition or cash flows.

In August 2017, the FASB issued ASU No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging: Targeted Improvements to Accounting for Hedging Activities (“ASU 2017-12”) with the objective of improving the financial reporting of hedging relationships by, among other things, eliminating the requirement to separately measure and record hedge ineffectiveness. ASU 2017-12 is effective for public companies for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those fiscal years. Early application is permitted using a modified retrospective method effective as of the beginning of the fiscal year. The Company elected to early-adopt ASU 2017-12 in 2017 and, as a result, $105,000 of ineffectiveness income recognized prior to 2017 for these swaps was reclassified to Accumulated deficit from Accumulated other comprehensive income effective January 1, 2017.

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Use of Estimates

Fair values of nearly all financial instruments held by the Company are estimated based on a market approach using available market information and appropriate valuation methodologies (Level Two Inputs); however, judgment is required in interpreting market data to develop these estimates.  Fair values fluctuate on a daily basis and are influenced by changes in, and market expectations for changes in, interest rates, market liquidity conditions and levels of mortgage prepayments, as well as other factors.  Accordingly, estimates of fair value are as of the balance sheet dates and are not necessarily indicative of the amounts that could be realized in a current market exchange.  The use of different market assumptions and estimation methodologies may have a material effect on estimated fair values.  Judgment is also exercised in making impairment conclusions and estimating impairment charges.

Amortization of investment premiums on financial assets is based in part on estimates of future levels of mortgage prepayments, which are impacted by future changes in interest rates and other factors.  Judgment is required in developing these estimates.  While the actual level of mortgage prepayments for a given accounting period is the single largest determinant in amortizing investment premiums, if expectations for future levels of mortgage prepayments increase substantially, earnings could be adversely affected.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents include unrestricted cash on hand and highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less when purchased.

Financial Assets

Capstead’s financial assets consist almost exclusively of Agency Securities classified as available-for-sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses reported as a separate component of Accumulated other comprehensive income.  Loans classified as held for investment or mortgage securities classified as held-to-maturity are recorded at amortized cost (unpaid principal balance, adjusted for unamortized investment premiums and discounts).  Interest is recorded as income when earned.  Investment premiums and discounts are recognized as adjustments to interest income by the interest method over the expected life of the related financial assets.  Realized gains and losses from any financial asset sales are recorded as a component of Other revenue (expense).  The specific identification method would be used to determine the cost of financial assets sold.  Financial assets are reviewed for potential impairment at each balance sheet date.  Other-than-temporary impairments of investments in mortgage securities can occur with changes in the Company’s intent or ability to hold the mortgage securities until any declines in fair value are recovered and as a result of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer(s) such that a full recovery of cost basis is no longer expected.  The amount of any such other-than-temporary impairment for an investment in a mortgage security is measured by comparing the recorded amount of the security to its fair value.  Other-than-temporary impairment charges would be recorded as a component of Other revenue (expense) if the impairment results from changes in the Company’s intent or ability to hold the securities.  Should other-than-temporary impairment arise as a result of adverse changes in the financial condition of the issuer(s) without changing the Company’s intent and ability to hold the securities, the credit component of the impairment would be recorded as a component of Other revenue (expense) with any remainder recorded as a component of Other comprehensive income.

Borrowings

Secured borrowings in the form of repurchase arrangements create exposure to the potential for failure on the part of counterparties to honor their commitment to return pledged collateral.  In the event of a default by a repurchase arrangement counterparty, the Company may have difficulty recovering its collateral.  To mitigate this risk, the Company monitors the creditworthiness of its counterparties and manages its exposure to any single counterparty.

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Capstead’s borrowings are carried at their principal balances outstanding net of related debt issuance costs and debt discounts, if applicable.  Debt issuance costs associated with Unsecured borrowings are recognized as adjustments to interest expense by the interest method over the term of these borrowings.

From August 2015 through January 2016 Capstead received advances from the Federal Home Loan Bank (“FHLB”) of Cincinnati through a wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary.  In response to a regulator-induced moratorium, all such advances were repaid by November 2016.  These advances were secured by Agency Securities, and together with repurchase arrangements and similar borrowings, were classified as Secured borrowings in the accompanying Consolidated Financial Statements during the indicated period.

Derivative Financial Instruments (“Derivatives”)

Derivatives used by Capstead for risk management purposes are carried at fair value as assets or liabilities.  The accounting for changes in fair value of Derivatives held depends on whether it has been designated as a hedge for accounting purposes, as well as the type of hedging relationship identified.  Capstead will typically designate any Derivatives held as cash flow hedges related to a designated portion of its current and anticipated future borrowings.  To qualify as a cash flow hedge, at the inception of the hedge relationship the Company must document that the hedge relationship is anticipated to be highly effective and monitor ongoing effectiveness on at least a quarterly basis.  As long as the hedge relationship remains effective, the change in fair value of the Derivatives are recorded in Accumulated other comprehensive income.  The change in fair value is reclassified from Accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings over the term of the Derivatives primarily in the form of Derivatives cash flows that are either in excess of or lower than market rates.  Changes in fair value of Derivatives not held as accounting hedges, if any, or for which the hedge relationship is no longer considered highly effective, are recorded in Miscellaneous other revenue (expense).

The Company uses interest rate swap agreements in cash flow hedge relationships in order to hedge variability in borrowing rates due to changes in the underlying benchmark interest rate related to a designated portion of its current and anticipated future borrowings.  Variable-rate swap payments to be received is recorded in Interest expense as an offset to interest owed on the hedged borrowings that reset to market rates generally every 30 to 90 days.  Fixed-rate swap payments to be made are also recorded in Interest expense.  The combination of these cash flows results in a relatively fixed rate on these borrowings, subject to certain adjustments.  These adjustments include changes in spreads between variable rates on the swap agreements and actual borrowing rates as well as the effects of measured hedge ineffectiveness.

Derivatives create exposure to credit risk related to the potential for failure on the part of counterparties to honor their commitments.  In addition, the Company is required to post collateral based on any declines in the market value of the Derivatives.  In the event of default by a counterparty, the Company may have difficulty recovering its collateral and may not receive payments provided for under the terms of the Derivatives.  To mitigate this risk, the Company uses only well-established commercial banks as counterparties and, pursuant to regulatory changes implemented in 2013, most Derivatives held at December 31, 2017 were entered into through Derivative exchanges established in part to mitigate credit risk.

Cash collateral receivable from interest rate swap counterparties, when present, represents cash remitted to swap counterparties to meet initial and ongoing margin requirements that are based on the fair value of these Derivatives, including related interest receivable or payable under the terms of the agreements.  The Company may also remit mortgage securities to certain of its swap counterparties to meet ongoing margin requirements.  Such mortgage securities, if any, are included in Residential mortgage investments.  Similarly, Cash collateral payable to interest rate swap counterparties, when present, represents cash received from counterparties to meet margin call requirements.  For presentation purposes, the Company does not offset individual counterparty collateral receivables (or payables) with the recorded fair value of related interest rate swap agreements pursuant to master netting arrangements.  In addition, gross unrealized gains on Derivatives (recorded as assets) are stated separately from gross unrealized losses

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(recorded as liabilities) without regard to counterparty.  Beginning in 2017, certain cash margins are presented on a net basis against the fair value of related Derivatives pursuant to rule changes by swap counterparty exchanges regarding the legal characteristics of such cash margins.  The rule changes did not affect the Company’s financial position.

Long-term Incentive Compensation

Capstead provides its employees and its directors with long-term incentive compensation in the form of equity-based awards.  Equity-based compensation costs are initially measured at the estimated fair value of the awards on the grant date developed using appropriate valuation methodologies.  Valuation methodologies used and subsequent expense recognition is dependent upon each award’s service and performance conditions, the latter also referred to as performance metrics. Capstead has elected not to estimate future award forfeitures when valuing equity-based awards and will adjust compensation costs as actual forfeitures occur.

Compensation costs for stock awards subject only to service conditions are measured at the closing stock price on the dates of grant and are recognized as expense on a straight-line basis over the requisite service periods for the awards, as adjusted for any forfeitures.  Compensation costs for components of stock awards and restricted stock units subject to nonmarket-based performance metrics (i.e. metrics not predicated on changes in the Company’s stock price), are measured at the closing stock price on the dates of grant, adjusted for the probability of achieving benchmarks included in the performance metrics.  These initial cost estimates are recognized as expense over the requisite performance periods, adjusted for performance.  Compensation costs for components of restricted stock units subject to market-based performance metrics are measured at the dates of grant using Monte Carlo simulations which incorporate into the valuations the inherent uncertainty regarding achieving the market-based performance metrics.  These initial valuation amounts are recognized as expense over the requisite performance periods, subject only to adjustments for actual forfeitures.

Income Taxes

Capstead Mortgage Corporation and its qualified REIT subsidiaries (“Capstead REIT”) have elected to be taxed as a REIT.  As a result, Capstead REIT is not taxed on taxable income distributed to stockholders if certain REIT qualification tests are met.  Capstead’s policy is to distribute 100% of its taxable income, after application of available tax attributes, within the time limits prescribed by the Internal Revenue Code (the “Code”), which may extend into the subsequent taxable year.  The Company may find it advantageous from time to time to elect taxable REIT subsidiary status for certain of its subsidiaries in which case taxable income of any such subsidiary would be subject to federal and, where applicable, state or local income taxes.  Any such income taxes are accounted for using the liability method.  Related deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between the financial reporting and tax bases of assets and liabilities and are measured using enacted tax rates and laws that will be in effect when the differences are expected to reverse.  The Company has not recognized any liabilities for unrecognized tax benefits using a “more likely than not” threshold for the recognition and measurement of the financial statement effects of tax positions taken on a tax return filing.  Should any such liabilities be recognized in future periods, the Company will record related interest and penalties in Other general and administrative expense.

Dividend Classification

Capstead records common and preferred stock dividends in the Accumulated deficit component of Stockholders’ equity only to the extent of available earnings for the related period.  Any dividends declared in excess of available earnings are considered a return of capital for financial reporting purposes and are recorded as reductions of Paid-in capital.  The tax and financial reporting classification of dividends can differ primarily as a result of differences between taxable income attributable to a particular tax year and that year’s Net income, the amount and timing of dividends paid relative to taxable income and how such taxable income is allocated to dividends paid.

 

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NOTE 3 — NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE

Basic net income per common share is computed by dividing net income, after deducting dividends paid or accrued on preferred stock and allocating earnings to equity awards deemed to be participating securities pursuant to the two-class method, by the average number of shares of common stock outstanding, calculated excluding unvested stock awards.  Participating securities include unvested equity awards that contain non-forfeitable rights to dividends prior to vesting.

Diluted net income per common share is computed by dividing the numerator used to compute basic net income per common share by the denominator used to compute basic net income per common share, further adjusted for the dilutive effect, if any, of equity awards and shares of preferred stock when and if convertible into shares of common stock.  Shares of the Company’s 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock are contingently convertible into shares of common stock only upon the occurrence of a change in control and therefore are not considered dilutive securities absent such an occurrence.  Any unvested equity awards that are deemed participating securities are included in the calculation of diluted net income per common share, if dilutive, under either the two-class method or the treasury stock method, depending upon which method produces the more dilutive result.  Components of the computation of basic and diluted net income per common share were as follows for the indicated periods (dollars in thousands, except per share amounts): 

 

 

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NOTE 4 — RESIDENTIAL MORTGAGE INVESTMENTS

Residential mortgage investments classified by collateral type and interest rate characteristics were as follows as of the indicated dates (dollars in thousands):

 

 

 

Agency Securities are considered to have limited, if any, credit risk because the timely payment of principal and interest is guaranteed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, which are federal government-sponsored enterprises, or Ginnie Mae, which is an agency of the federal government.  Residential mortgage loans held by Capstead were originated prior to 1995 when the Company operated a mortgage conduit and the related credit risk is borne by the Company.  Collateral for structured financings consists of private residential mortgage securities that are backed by loans obtained through this mortgage conduit and are pledged to secure repayment of related structured financings.  Credit risk for these securities is borne by the related bondholders.  The maturity of Residential mortgage investments is directly affected

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by prepayments of principal on the underlying mortgage loans.  Consequently, actual maturities will be significantly shorter than the portfolio’s weighted average contractual maturity of 290 months.

Fixed-rate investments consist of residential mortgage loans and Agency Securities backed by residential mortgage loans with fixed rates of interest.  Adjustable-rate investments generally are ARM Agency Securities backed by residential mortgage loans that have coupon interest rates that adjust at least annually to more current interest rates or begin doing so after an initial fixed-rate period.  After the initial fixed-rate period, if applicable, mortgage loans underlying ARM securities typically either (i) adjust annually based on specified margins over the one-year London interbank offered rate (“LIBOR”) or the one-year Constant Maturity U.S. Treasury Note Rate (“CMT”), (ii) adjust semiannually based on specified margins over six-month LIBOR, or (iii) adjust monthly based on specified margins over indices such as one-month LIBOR, the Eleventh District Federal Reserve Bank Cost of Funds Index, or over a rolling twelve month average of the one-year CMT index, usually subject to periodic and lifetime limits, or caps, on the amount of such adjustments during any single interest rate adjustment period and over the contractual term of the underlying loans.

Capstead classifies its ARM investments based on average number of months until coupon reset (“months to roll”).  Months to roll is an indicator of asset duration which is a measure of market price sensitivity to interest rate movements.  A shorter duration generally indicates less interest rate risk.  Current-reset ARM investments have months to roll of less than 18 months while longer-to-reset ARM investments have months to roll of 18 months or greater.  As of December 31, 2017, the average months to roll for the Company’s $6.90 billion (amortized cost basis) in current-reset ARM investments was 6.7 months while the average months to roll for the Company’s $6.51 billion (amortized cost basis) in longer-to-reset ARM investments was 43.2 months.

 

NOTE 5 — SECURED BORROWINGS

Capstead pledges its Residential mortgage investments as collateral for secured borrowings primarily in the form of repurchase arrangements with commercial banks and other financial institutions.  Repurchase arrangements entered into by the Company involve the sale and a simultaneous agreement to repurchase the transferred assets at a future date and are accounted for as financings.  The Company maintains the beneficial interest in the specific securities pledged during the term of each repurchase arrangement and receives the related principal and interest payments.  

In August 2015 the Company began supplementing its borrowings under repurchase arrangements with advances from the “FHLB” of Cincinnati (collectively referred to as “counterparties” or “lending counterparties”).  In January 2016 the FHLB system regulator finalized rules originally proposed in 2014 that generally preclude captive insurers from remaining members beyond February 19, 2017 with transition rules requiring outstanding advances to be repaid upon maturity or by that date.  In response to this action, the Company repaid all outstanding FHLB advances by November 2016 and all of the FHLB stock held by the Company in connection with advance activity was redeemed by December 31, 2016.  

The terms and conditions of secured borrowings are negotiated on a transaction-by-transaction basis when each such borrowing is initiated or renewed.  The amount borrowed is generally equal to the fair value of the securities pledged, as determined by the lending counterparty, less an agreed-upon discount, referred to as a “haircut.”  Interest rates are generally fixed based on prevailing rates corresponding to the terms of the borrowings. Interest may be paid monthly or at the termination of a borrowing at which time the Company may enter into a new borrowing at prevailing haircuts and rates with the same lending counterparty or repay that counterparty and negotiate financing with a different lending counterparty.  None of the Company’s lending counterparties are obligated to renew or otherwise enter into new borrowings at the conclusion of existing borrowings.  In response to declines in fair value of pledged securities due to changes in market conditions or the publishing of monthly security pay-down factors, lending counterparties typically require the Company to post additional securities as collateral, pay down borrowings or fund cash margin accounts with the counterparties in order to re-establish the agreed-upon collateral requirements.  These actions are referred to as margin calls.  Conversely, in response to

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increases in fair value of pledged securities, the Company routinely margin calls its lending counterparties in order to have previously pledged collateral returned.

Secured borrowings (and related pledged collateral, including accrued interest receivable), classified by collateral type and remaining maturities, and related weighted average borrowing rates as of the indicated dates were as follows (dollars in thousands): 

 

 

Average secured borrowings outstanding differed from respective year-end balances during the indicated periods primarily due to changes in portfolio levels and differences in the timing of portfolio acquisitions relative to portfolio runoff as illustrated below (dollars in thousands):

 

 

Interest paid on Secured borrowings, including related Derivative cash flows, totaled $136.1 million, $110.8 million and $79.1 million during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

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NOTE 6 — USE OF DERIVATIVES, OFFSETTING DISCLOSURES AND CHANGES IN OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME BY COMPONENT

Capstead attempts to mitigate exposure to higher interest rates by entering into one- and three-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements.  These Derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the underlying benchmark interest rate of current and forecasted 30- to 90-day secured borrowings.  This hedge relationship establishes a relatively stable fixed rate on related borrowings because the variable-rate payments received on the swap agreements offset a significant portion of the interest accruing on the designated borrowings, leaving the fixed-rate swap payments as the Company’s effective borrowing rate, subject to certain adjustments.  These adjustments include differences between variable-rate payments received on the swap agreements and related unhedged borrowing rates as well as the effects of any measured hedge ineffectiveness.  Additionally, changes in fair value of these Derivatives tend to partially offset opposing changes in fair value of the Company’s residential mortgage investments that occur in response to changes in market interest rates.

During 2017 Capstead entered into swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $3.70 billion requiring fixed-rate interest payments averaging 1.64% for two- and three-year periods commencing on various dates between January 2017 and January 2018.  Also during 2017, $3.80 billion notional amount of swaps requiring fixed-rate interest payments averaging 0.75% matured.  At December 31, 2017, the Company’s portfolio financing-related swap positions had the following characteristics (dollars in thousands):

 

 

In 2010 the Company entered into forward-starting, three-month LIBOR-indexed, pay-fixed, receive-variable, interest rate swap agreements with notional amounts totaling $100 million and average fixed rates of 4.09% with 20-year payment terms coinciding with the floating-rate terms of the Company’s Unsecured borrowings.  These Derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges of the variability of the underlying benchmark interest rate associated with the floating-rate terms of these long-term borrowings which began on various dates between October 2015 and September 2016.

Interest rate swap agreements are measured at fair value on a recurring basis primarily using Level Two Inputs in accordance with ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820).  In determining fair value estimates for these Derivatives, Capstead utilizes the standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash payments and the discounted future variable cash receipts which are based on expected future interest rates derived from observable market interest rate curves.  The Company also incorporates both its own nonperformance risk and its counterparties’ nonperformance risk in determining fair value.  In considering the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company considered the impact of netting and credit enhancements, such as collateral postings and guarantees, and has concluded that counterparty risk is not significant to the overall valuation.

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In accordance with recent legal interpretations, exchange-traded swap agreements are now deemed to be settled daily. As a result, beginning in 2017, the fair value of exchange-traded swap agreements held as cash flow hedges of Secured borrowings is calculated including accrued interest and net of variation margin amounts received or paid through the exchange, resulting in separately presenting on the balance sheet a significantly reduced fair value amount representing the unsettled fair value of these Derivatives. Non-exchange traded swap agreements held as cash flow hedges of Unsecured borrowings were not affected by these legal interpretations and continue to be reported at fair value calculated excluding accrued interest. At December 31, 2017, Cash collateral receivable from interest rate swap counterparties includes initial margin for all swap agreements and variation margin for non-exchange traded swap agreements. Accrued interest for non-exchange traded swap agreements is included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses. This change in presentation has had no further impact on the Company’s accounting for derivatives.

The following tables include fair value and other related disclosures regarding all Derivatives held as of and for the indicated periods (in thousands):

 

 

 

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Capstead’s swap agreements and borrowings under repurchase arrangements are subject to master netting arrangements in the event of default on, or termination of, any one contract.  See NOTE 5 for more information on the Company’s use of secured borrowings.  The following tables provide disclosures concerning offsetting of financial liabilities and Derivatives as of the indicated dates (in thousands):

 

 

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Changes in Accumulated other comprehensive income by component for the three years ended December 31, 2017 were as follows (in thousands):

 

 

NOTE 7 — UNSECURED BORROWINGS

Unsecured borrowings consist of 30-year junior subordinated notes issued in 2005 and 2006 and maturing in 2035 and 2036, for a total face amount of $100 million.  Note balances net of deferred issuance costs, and related weighted average interest rates as of the indicated dates (calculated including issuance cost amortization and adjusted for effects of related Derivatives held as cash flow hedges) were as follows (dollars in thousands):

 

 

The notes are currently redeemable, in whole or in part, without penalty, at the Company’s option.  Interest paid on Unsecured borrowings, including related Derivative cash flows, totaled $7.5 million, $7.5 million and $8.4 million during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

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NOTE 8 — DISCLOSURES REGARDING FAIR VALUES OF FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

This note provides fair value-related disclosures as of the indicated balance sheet dates for Capstead’s financial assets and liabilities, most of which are influenced by changes in, and market expectations for changes in, interest rates and market liquidity conditions, as well as other factors beyond the control of management.  With the exception of the fair value of lending counterparty investments, all fair values were determined using Level 2 Inputs in accordance with ASU 2010-06, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (Topic 820).  Lending counterparty investments are nonmarketable securities classified as assets for which Level 3 Inputs are used to determine fair value.  These assets are considered strategic investments that are carried at cost and periodically valued and evaluated for impairment.  No impairment charges have been recorded relative to these investments and the Company’s cost basis is deemed to approximate fair value.

Residential mortgage investments, nearly all of which are mortgage securities classified as available-for-sale, are measured at fair value on a recurring basis.  In determining fair value estimates the Company considers recent trading activity for similar investments and pricing levels indicated by lenders in connection with designating collateral for secured borrowings, provided such pricing levels are considered indicative of actual market clearing transactions.  In determining fair value estimates for Secured borrowings with initial terms of greater than 120 days, the Company considers pricing levels indicated by lenders for entering into new transactions using similar pledged collateral with terms equal to the remaining terms of the these borrowings.  The Company bases fair value for Unsecured borrowings on discounted cash flows using Company estimates for market yields.  Excluded from these disclosures are financial instruments for which cost basis is deemed to approximate fair value due primarily to the short duration of these instruments, which are valued using primarily Level 1 measurements, including Cash and cash equivalents, Cash collateral receivable from, or payable to, interest rate swap counterparties, receivables, payables and secured borrowings with initial terms of 120 days or less.  See NOTE 6 for information relative to the valuation of interest rate swap agreements.

Fair value-related disclosures for financial instruments other than debt securities were as follows as of the indicated dates (in thousands):

 

 

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Fair value-related disclosures for debt securities were as follows as of the indicated dates (in thousands):

 

 

 

Capstead’s investment strategy involves managing a leveraged portfolio of relatively short-duration ARM Agency Securities and management expects these securities will be held until payoff absent a major shift in strategy or a severe contraction in the Company’s ability to obtain financing to support its portfolio.  Declines in fair value caused by increases in interest rates are typically modest for investments in short-duration ARM Agency Securities compared to investments in longer-duration ARM or fixed-rate assets.  These declines are generally recoverable in a relatively short period of time as coupon interest rates on the underlying mortgage loans reset to rates more reflective of the then-current interest rate environment.

From a credit risk perspective, federal government support for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac helps ensure that fluctuations in value due to credit risk associated with these securities will be limited.  Given that (a) any existing unrealized losses on mortgage securities held by the Company are not attributable to credit risk and declines in fair value of ARM securities due to changes in interest rates are generally recoverable in a relatively short period of time, (b) the Company typically holds its investments to maturity, and (c) it is more likely than not that the Company will not be required to sell any of its investments given the resiliency of the financing market for Agency Securities, none of these investments were considered other-than-temporarily impaired at December 31, 2017.

NOTE 9 — INCOME TAXES

Capstead REIT and a subsidiary for which the Company has elected taxable REIT subsidiary status file separate tax returns in U.S. federal and state jurisdictions, where applicable.  Provided Capstead REIT remains qualified as a REIT and all its taxable income is distributed to stockholders within allowable time limits, no income taxes are due on this income.  Accordingly, no provision has been made for income taxes for Capstead REIT.  Taxable income, if any, of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary, which is largely dormant, is fully taxable and provision is made for any resulting income taxes.  The Company is no longer subject to examination and the related assessment of tax by federal, state, or local tax authorities for years before 2014.

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On December 22, 2017 the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (“Tax Act”) was enacted.  Among the significant changes to the Internal Revenue Code, the Tax Act reduces the maximum federal corporate tax rate from 35% to 21% for the tax years after 2017.  Accordingly, Capstead’s taxable REIT subsidiary has adjusted the balance of its net deferred tax assets and the corresponding valuation allowance.

For tax years after 2017, the Tax Act repealed the corporate Alternative Minimum Tax (“AMT”).  AMT credit carryforwards became fully utilizable without limitation or, in the absence of regular tax liability, fully refundable over the next four years.  Accordingly, in 2017 the Company recognized a tax benefit of $1.9 million as the estimated refund of AMT under the Tax Act in Miscellaneous other revenue (expense) on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Income and recorded a long-term receivable in Receivables and other assets on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.

The impact of the Tax Act may differ from the above estimate due to, among other things, changes in interpretations of the Tax Act or regulatory guidance that may be issued. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) has issued rules that allow for a measurement period of up to one year after the enactment date of the Tax Act to finalize the recording of the related tax impacts and additional impacts from the enactment of the Tax Act will be recorded in future periods as they are identified.

The Company’s effective tax rate differs substantially from statutory federal income tax rates primarily due to the benefit of Capstead REIT’s status as a REIT, along with other items affecting the Company’s effective tax rate as illustrated below for the indicated periods (in thousands):

 

No income taxes were paid during 2017, 2016 or 2015.  At December 31, 2017 Capstead REIT had $19.8 million in net capital loss carryforwards that expire at the end of 2019.  Significant components of the Company’s taxable REIT subsidiary’s deferred income tax assets and liabilities were as follows as of the indicated dates (in thousands):

 

 

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NOTE 10 — STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

On November 1, 2017, Capstead’s Board of Directors authorized the reinstatement of its previously unused $100 million common stock repurchase program. In 2017 the Company repurchased 397,000 shares in the open market for approximately $3.5 million (an average repurchase price, after expenses, of $8.71).  An additional 2.3 million shares were repurchased subsequent to year-end through the date of this filing for $20.1 million (an average repurchase price, after expenses, of $8.63), leaving a remaining repurchase program authorization of approximately $77 million.  Repurchases made pursuant to the program are made in the open market in accordance with and as permitted by securities laws and other legal requirements.  The timing, manner, price and amount of any future repurchases will be determined by the Company in its discretion and will be subject to economic and market conditions, stock price, applicable legal requirements and other factors including alternative capital investment opportunities.  In addition, the Company may enter into Rule 10b5-1 plans under which repurchases can be made. The authorization does not obligate the Company to acquire any particular amount of common stock and repurchases under the program and the program itself may be suspended or discontinued at the Company’s discretion without prior notice.  

During 2017, 2016 and 2015, additions to common equity capital related to equity-based awards to directors and employees totaled $1.1 million, $1.4 million and $1.7 million, respectively.  See NOTE 11 for further information pertaining to long-term equity-based awards.

In 2013 Capstead completed a public offering of 6.8 million shares ($170.0 million face amount) of its 7.50% Series E Cumulative Redeemable Preferred Stock, liquidation preference of $25.00 per share.  Shares of the Series E preferred stock are redeemable at the Company’s option for $25.00 per share, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends.  

Capstead began issuing additional shares of Series E preferred stock through an at-the-market continuous offering program.  Shares of Series E preferred stock issued under this program, issue prices and proceeds, both presented net of underwriting fees and other costs, were as follows for the indicated periods:

 

 

NOTE 11 — COMPENSATION PROGRAMS

Capstead’s annual and long-term incentive compensation programs for key executives are largely nondiscretionary, formulaic and target-based, utilizing multiple pre-established performance goals (referred to as “metrics”) and defined threshold, target and maximum award amounts determined by reference to established percentages of base salaries. Metrics used include (a) relative and absolute economic return (change in book value per share of common stock plus common stock dividends divided by beginning book value per share), (b) relative operating cost efficiency (operating expenses divided by Unsecured borrowings and Stockholders’ equity), (c) relative total stockholder return (change in stock price plus reinvested dividends, and (d) attainment of individual goals and objectives.  Each performance metric is assigned a weighting and performance relative to each metric is calculated separately. No awards can be earned for performance below defined threshold return levels and awards are capped for performance above defined maximum return levels. Awards are made pursuant to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2014 Flexible Incentive Plan that was approved by stockholders in May 2014.  At December 31, 2017, this plan had 3,684,662 shares of common stock remaining available for future issuances.

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Short-Term Incentive Compensation Programs

Under the provisions of Capstead’s annual incentive compensation program, participating executives have overall target award opportunities ranging from 75% to 125% of base salary. Recognized in Compensation-related expense during 2017 and included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses at December 31, 2017 are 2017 annual incentive compensation accruals for participating executives, together with discretionary accruals for all other employees, totaling $894,000.  An adjustment to the annual incentive compensation accrual related to finalizing 2016 program results reduced 2017 Compensation-related expense by $938,000. Amounts totaling $3.6 million and $3.4 million were recognized in Compensation-related expense related to annual incentive compensation for all employees during 2016 and 2015, respectively.  

The Committee administers an additional performance-based short-term incentive compensation program for key executives that provides for quarterly cash payments equal to per share dividends declared on Capstead’s common stock multiplied by a notional amount of non-vesting shares of common stock (“Dividend Equivalent Rights” or “DERs”).  DERs only represent the right to receive the same cash distributions that the Company’s common stockholders are entitled to receive during the term of the grants, subject to certain conditions, including continuous service.  Included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses are fourth quarter 2017 DERs distribution amounts totaling $114,000 that were paid in January 2018 and recognized in Compensation-related expense are $434,000, $621,000 and $746,000 related to the DERs program during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.

Long-term Equity-based Awards – Performance-based Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”)

Capstead’s performance-based long-term incentive compensation program for key executives provides for the grant of performance-based RSUs that are convertible into shares of common stock following three-year performance periods, contingent upon whether, and to what extent, performance metrics are met or exceeded.  The actual number of shares of common stock the units can convert into for each of the metrics, if any, can range from one-half of a share per unit if that metric’s threshold level of performance is met, to two shares per unit if the related maximum level of performance is met or exceeded, adjusted for the weighting assigned to the metric.  Dividends accrue from the date of grant and will be paid in cash to the extent the units convert into shares of common stock following completion of related performance periods.

Pursuant to this program, in January 2018, January 2017, February 2016 and January 2015 the Committee granted 183,137, 148,894, 269,354 and 247,512 RSUs with three-year performance periods ending December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, and 2017, respectively.  Initial grant date fair values developed for compensation cost purposes of $8.71, $10.52, $8.03 and $8.83 were assigned to the units of each grant, respectively. Amounts actually expensed are largely predicated on estimated performance metric attainment. The January 2015 RSUs did not meet the criteria for conversion into shares of common stock pursuant to the applicable performance criteria and, accordingly, outstanding RSUs awarded under these grants totaling 117,255 were forfeited subsequent to year-end.   Recognized in Compensation-related expense are $149,000, $204,000 and $818,000 related to this program during 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively.  Included in Common stock dividends payable at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are estimated dividends payable pertaining to these awards of $193,000 and $235,000, respectively.

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RSU activity for the year ended December 31, 2017 is summarized below:

 

Long-term Equity-based Awards – Stock Awards

 

In January 2018, January 2017 and February 2016, respectively, the Committee granted service-based stock awards for 126,451, 74,446 and 67,337 shares of common stock with grant date fair values of $8.60, $10.41 and $9.32 per share to executives awarded RSUs. Outstanding awards under this program and related deferred dividends are scheduled to vest in January 2021, January 2020 and February 2019, respectively, assuming service conditions are met.  In January of 2018, 2017 and 2016 and December of 2014, respectively, the Committee granted service-based stock awards for 57,283, 49,416, 61,272 and 37,237 shares of common stock with grant date fair values of $8.60, $10.41, $7.87 and $12.47 per share to employees not awarded RSUs.  These awards vest in January of 2021, 2020, 2019, and 2018 respectively, assuming service conditions are met.

Under a performance-based stock award program last utilized in 2012, the Committee granted common stock awards to all employees with staggered three-year vesting periods with vesting subject to the Company generating returns in excess of established return levels.  Grants under this program for 62,137, 118,784, 125,221 and 114,423 shares vested during 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Average grant date fair values for these grants were $11.67, $12.17, $12.58 and $13.31, respectively.

As a component of the Company’s director compensation program, directors are granted service-based stock awards annually upon election or re-election to the Board of Directors that vest approximately one year from issuance.  In July 2017, director stock awards for a total of 41,881 shares of common stock granted in July 2016 with a grant date fair value of $10.03 per share vested.  Also in July 2017, new awards for a total of 41,797 shares with a grant date fair value of $10.05 per share were granted that will vest in July 2018.

Stock award activity for the year ended December 31, 2017 is summarized below: 

 

 

During 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized in Compensation-related expense $834,000, $828,000 and $878,000, respectively, related to amortization of the grant date fair value of employee stock awards.  Included in Common stock dividend payable at December 31, 2017 and 2016 are estimated dividends payable pertaining to these awards totaling $134,000 and $350,000, respectively.  In addition, the Company recognized in Other general and administrative expense $421,000, $409,000 and $436,000 related to amortization of the grant date fair value of director stock awards during 2017, 2016 and 2015,

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respectively.  Unrecognized compensation expense for unvested stock awards for all employees and directors totaled $1.4 million as of December 31, 2017, to be expensed over a weighted average period of 1.4 years (assumes minimal employee and director attrition and any applicable performance metrics would continue to be met for related initial measurement periods).

Service-based stock awards issued to directors and to employees not awarded RSUs receive dividends on a current basis without risk of forfeiture if the related awards do not vest.  Stock awards issued to executives awarded RSUs defer the payment of dividends accruing between the grant dates and the end of related performance or service periods.  If these awards do not vest, the related accrued dividends will be forfeited.

Long-term Equity-based Awards – Option Awards

At December 31, 2017 option awards for 30,000 shares of common stock were outstanding with a weighted average strike price of $12.28.  These awards are currently exercisable, have no aggregate intrinsic value and have a weighted average remaining contractual term of 1.1 years.  During 2017, 10,000 options with strike price of $10.58 expired. There was no other option activity in 2017.  All outstanding option awards were granted prior to 2010, have ten-year contractual terms and were issued with strike prices equal to the closing market price of Capstead’s common stock on the dates of grant.  The fair value of these awards was estimated at that time using a Black-Scholes option pricing model and was expensed over the related vesting periods.

Other Benefit Programs

Capstead sponsors a qualified defined contribution retirement plan for all employees and a nonqualified deferred compensation plan for certain of its executives.  The Company matches up to 50% of a participant’s voluntary contribution up to a maximum of 6% of a participant’s base salary and annual incentive compensation payments. The Company also makes discretionary contributions of up to another 3% of such compensation regardless of participation in the plans.  Company contributions are subject to certain vesting requirements.  During 2017, 2016 and 2015, the Company recognized in Compensation-related expense $180,000, $385,000 and $391,000 related to contributions to these plans, respectively. Included in Accounts payable and accrued expenses at December 31, 2017 are $7.4 million in nonqualified deferred compensation plan accruals.

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NOTE 12 — QUARTERLY RESULTS (UNAUDITED)

Summarized quarterly results of operations were as follows (in thousands, except per share amounts).

 

 

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None.

Reports on Corporate Governance and

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Report of Management on Effectiveness of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Management of Capstead is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting, as such term is defined in Rule 13a – 15(f) promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”).  Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Financial Officer (“CFO”), we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the internal control over financial reporting based on the framework established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (“COSO”).  Based on our evaluation under the COSO framework, it is management’s assessment that the Company maintained effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017.

Capstead’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young, LLP, has issued a report on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting, which is included in this Annual Report.

Report of Management on Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Management of Capstead, with participation of the CEO and CFO, has evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as of December 31, 2017.  Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management, including the CEO and CFO, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of December 31, 2017.

Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

There has been no change in Capstead’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, Capstead’s internal control over financial reporting.

Related Certifications by Management

Certifications by the CEO and CFO pursuant to Section 302(a) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 pertaining to the completeness and fairness of the information contained in Capstead’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2017 and the Company’s system of internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures are included as exhibits to the annual report on Form 10-K.  This report, as well as the Company’s other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, are available free of charge on the Company’s website at www.capstead.com.

On May 25, 2017 Capstead’s CEO certified, pursuant to Section 303A.12(a) of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) Listed Company Manual, that he was not aware of any violation by the Company of NYSE corporate governance listing standards.  This certification is made annually with the NYSE within thirty days after the Company’s annual meeting of stockholders.

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Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on

Audit of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

To the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Capstead Mortgage Corporation

Opinion on Internal Control over Financial Reporting

We have audited Capstead Mortgage Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on criteria established in Internal Control—Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Capstead Mortgage Corporation (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2017, based on the COSO criteria.

We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of Capstead Mortgage Corporation as of December 31, 2017 and 2016, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, stockholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2017, and the related notes and our report dated February 20, 2018 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.

Basis for Opinion

The Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Report of Management on Effectiveness of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.  Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.

Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.

Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.

 

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Upon recommendation by the compensation committee of the board, on February 13, 2018, the board adopted change in control/severance agreements for Capstead’s executive officers, a form of which is filed with this Form 10-K as Exhibit 10.20 and is incorporated by reference herein.

Pursuant to these agreements, (1) upon a change in control of the Company, an executive officer is entitled to a change in control payment (the “CIC Payment”) if the executive officer’s employment during the 24-month period following consummation of such change in control is terminated involuntarily (other than an involuntary termination for cause) or voluntarily by the executive officer for good reason; and (2) in circumstances not involving a change in control and in the event that an executive officer’s employment is involuntarily terminated (other than an involuntary termination for cause) or terminated by an executive officer for good reason, an executive officer is entitled to a severance payment (the “Severance Payment”). The CIC Payment and the Severance Payment shall be calculated as follows:

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PART III

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Capstead’s 2018 definitive Proxy Statement under the captions “Proposal Number One – Election of Directors,” “Board of Directors and Committee Information,” “Stockholder Procedures for Director Candidate Recommendations,” “Executive Officers,” “Audit Committee” and “Audit Committee Report” and “Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance,” to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of year-end.

Capstead has adopted its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to all directors, officers and employees, and its Financial Officer Code of Conduct that applies to its chief executive officer, chief financial officer and other officers with a role in the Company’s financial accounting and reporting process.  These codes and waivers thereto, if any, are available on the Company’s website at www.capstead.com.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Capstead’s 2018 definitive Proxy Statement under the captions “Board of Directors and Committee Information” and “Executive Compensation,” to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of year-end.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Capstead’s 2018 definitive Proxy Statement under the captions “Equity Compensation Plans” and “Security Ownership of Management and Certain Beneficial Owners,” to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of year-end.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Capstead’s 2018 definitive Proxy Statement under the caption “Related Person Transactions,” to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of year-end.

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to Capstead’s 2018 definitive Proxy Statement under the caption “Proposal Three – Ratification of the Appointment of Ernst & Young LLP as Our Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm,” to be filed with the SEC within 120 days of year-end.

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PART IV

 

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, Capstead has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Company and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

 

 

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