Book value down big at Western Asset Mortgage in Q4

• Q4 core earnings plus drop income of $22.1M or $0.52 per share vs. $14.8M and $0.35 in Q3. Dividend is $0.31.
• Dec. 31 book value per share of $10.27 down from $11.48 three months earlier. Today's close of $9.97 is a slim 2.9% discount to book value.
• Economic return for the quarter of negative 7.8%, or negative 31.4% annualized.
• Management notes an improvement in book value so far this year as rates have stabilized.
• Conference call tomorrow at 11 ET.
• Previously: Western Asset Mortgage Capital beats by $0.20, beats on revenue (March 6)
• WMC flat after hours