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Valuation
3 Months Ended
Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]  
Valuation
Valuation
The table below reflects the value of the Company's Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 financial instruments at March 31, 2015:
Description
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
(In thousands)
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
156,250

 
$

 
$

 
$
156,250

Investments, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
 
$

 
$
1,142,107

 
$
26,335

 
$
1,168,442

U.S. Treasury securities
 

 
17,683

 

 
17,683

Private label residential mortgage-backed securities
 

 
287,644

 
169,371

 
457,015

Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities
 

 

 
52,214

 
52,214

Commercial mortgage loans
 

 

 
38,918

 
38,918

Residential mortgage loans
 

 

 
30,845

 
30,845

Other asset-backed securities and loans
 

 

 
123,620

 
123,620

Corporate debt
 

 

 
31,836

 
31,836

Real estate owned
 

 

 
9,070

 
9,070

Private corporate equity investments
 

 

 
21,300

 
21,300

Total investments, at fair value
 

 
1,447,434

 
503,509

 
1,950,943

Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
 

 

 
10,809

 
10,809

Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
 

 
50,536

 

 
50,536

Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
 

 
2,661

 

 
2,661

Interest rate swaps
 

 
22,287

 

 
22,287

Total return swaps
 

 
1

 
118

 
119

Swaptions
 

 
2,212

 

 
2,212

Options
 
83

 
21

 

 
104

Futures
 
1,016

 

 

 
1,016

Warrants
 

 

 
100

 
100

Total financial derivatives–assets, at fair value
 
1,099

 
77,718

 
11,027

 
89,844

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets (continued):
 
(In thousands)
Repurchase agreements
 
$

 
$
44,754

 
$

 
$
44,754

Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value and repurchase agreements
 
$
1,099

 
$
1,569,906

 
$
514,536

 
$
2,085,541

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments sold short, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
 
$

 
$
(1,154,779
)
 
$

 
$
(1,154,779
)
Government debt
 

 
(41,103
)
 

 
(41,103
)
Total investments sold short, at fair value
 

 
(1,195,882
)
 

 
(1,195,882
)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
 

 
(31,277
)
 

 
(31,277
)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
 

 
(1,139
)
 

 
(1,139
)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
 

 
(5,970
)
 

 
(5,970
)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
 

 

 
(239
)
 
(239
)
Interest rate swaps
 

 
(25,325
)
 

 
(25,325
)
Total return swaps
 

 
(18
)
 
(307
)
 
(325
)
Options
 

 
(431
)
 

 
(431
)
Swaptions
 

 
(1,819
)
 

 
(1,819
)
Futures
 
(425
)
 

 

 
(425
)
Forwards
 

 
(717
)
 

 
(717
)
Total financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value
 
(425
)
 
(66,696
)
 
(546
)
 
(67,667
)
Securitized debt(1)
 

 

 
(669
)
 
(669
)
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, at fair value
 
$
(425
)
 
$
(1,262,578
)
 
$
(1,215
)
 
$
(1,264,218
)

(1)
The asset subject to the resecuritization had a fair value of $2.1 million as of March 31, 2015, which is included on the Consolidated Schedule of Investments under Principal and Interest – Private Label Securities.
The Company's reverse repurchase agreements are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. These liabilities are classified as Level 2 liabilities based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature.
There were no transfers of financial instruments between Level 1 and Level 2 during the three month period ended March 31, 2015.
The following table identifies the significant unobservable inputs that affect the valuation of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2015:
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation 
Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range
 
Weighted
Average
Description
 
 
 
Min
 
Max
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed securities (1)
$
121,922

 
Market Quotes
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation
 
$
1.81

 
$
165.50

 
$
70.23

Other asset-backed securities
90,593

 
Market Quotes
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation
 
$
23.50

 
$
134.00

 
$
96.67

Private label residential mortgage-backed securities
46,780

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
6.2
%
 
18.3
%
 
8.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Prepayments
 
20.5
%
 
82.9
%
 
49.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Losses
 
3.7
%
 
33.3
%
 
16.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Recoveries
 
0.0
%
 
23.3
%
 
10.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization
 
0.0
%
 
57.5
%
 
23.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.0
%
Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities
17,718

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
12.9
%
 
49.5
%
 
23.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Losses
 
0.0
%
 
59.3
%
 
6.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Recoveries
 
0.0
%
 
40.7
%
 
10.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization
 
0.0
%
 
100.0
%
 
83.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.0
%
Corporate debt and non-exchange traded corporate equity
28,574

 
Market Quotes
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation
 
$
12.40

 
$
107.25

 
$
84.53

Corporate debt and warrants
8,500

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
15.0
%
 
15.0
%
 
15.0
%
Other asset-backed securities and loans
33,027

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
12.0
%
 
17.4
%
 
12.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Prepayments
 
0.0
%
 
69.5
%
 
34.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Losses
 
2.0
%
 
18.9
%
 
11.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Recoveries
 
0.0
%
 
6.1
%
 
2.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization
 
21.9
%
 
81.1
%
 
51.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.0
%
Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities
34,496

 
Market Quotes
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation
 
$
5.62

 
$
103.25

 
$
63.72

Performing commercial mortgage loans
29,441

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
9.8
%
 
55.2
%
 
15.8
%
Non-performing commercial mortgage loans
9,477

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
9.2
%
 
17.4
%
 
13.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
Months to Resolution
 
4.7

 
6.0

 
5.4

Non-performing residential mortgage loan pools and real estate owned
39,915

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
5.7
%
 
12.0
%
 
7.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
Months to Resolution
 
4.3

 
169.9

 
38.6

Agency interest only residential mortgage-backed securities
21,914

 
Market Quotes
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation
 
$
3.46

 
$
24.50

 
$
10.69

Agency interest only residential mortgage-backed securities
4,421

 
Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS")
 
LIBOR OAS(2)
 
98

 
614

 
389

 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Prepayments
 
52.6
%
 
100.0
%
 
84.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization
 
0.0
%
 
47.4
%
 
15.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
(continued)
Fair Value
 
Valuation 
Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range
 
Weighted
Average
Description
 
 
 
Min
 
Max
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
10,570

 
Net Discounted Cash Flows
 
Projected Collateral Prepayments
 
26.4
%
 
56.2
%
 
32.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Losses
 
16.0
%
 
37.0
%
 
28.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Recoveries
 
7.3
%
 
18.7
%
 
12.9
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization
 
15.9
%
 
31.1
%
 
26.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.0
%
Total return swaps
(189
)
 
Market Quotes
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation (3)
 
$
69.67

 
$
99.75

 
$
70.26

Non-exchange traded preferred equity investment in commercial mortgage-related private partnership
8,171

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
10.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
Expected Holding Period (Months)
 
14

 
14

 
14

Non-exchange traded preferred and common equity investment in mortgage-related entities
7,991

 
Recent Transactions
 
Transaction Price
 
N/A
 
N/A
 
N/A
(1)
Includes securitized debt with a fair value of $0.7 million as of March 31, 2015.
(2)
Shown in basis points.
(3)
Represents valuations on underlying assets.
Third-party non-binding valuations are validated by comparing such valuations to internally generated prices based on the Company's models and to recent trading activity in the same or similar instruments.
For those instruments valued using discounted and net discounted cash flows, collateral prepayments, losses, recoveries, and scheduled amortization are projected over the remaining life of the collateral and expressed as a percentage of the collateral's current principal balance. Averages are weighted based on the fair value of the related instrument. In the case of credit default swaps on asset-backed securities, averages are weighted based on each instrument's bond equivalent value. Bond equivalent value represents the investment amount of a corresponding position in the reference obligation, calculated as the difference between the outstanding principal balance of the underlying reference obligation and the fair value, inclusive of accrued interest, of the derivative contract. For those assets valued using the LIBOR Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS") valuation methodology, cash flows are projected using the Company's models over multiple interest rate scenarios, and these projected cash flows are then discounted using the LIBOR rates implied by each interest rate scenario. The LIBOR OAS of an asset is then computed as the unique constant yield spread that, when added to all LIBOR rates in each interest rate scenario generated by the model, will equate (a) the expected present value of the projected asset cash flows over all model scenarios to (b) the actual current market price of the asset. LIBOR OAS is therefore model-dependent. Generally speaking, LIBOR OAS measures the additional yield spread over LIBOR that an asset provides at its current market price after taking into account any interest rate options embedded in the asset. The Company considers the expected timeline to resolution in the determination of fair value for its non-performing commercial and residential loans.
Material changes in any of the inputs above in isolation could result in a significant change to reported fair value measurements. Additionally, fair value measurements are impacted by the interrelationships of these inputs. For example, for instruments subject to prepayments and credit losses, such as non-Agency RMBS and consumer loans and ABS backed by consumer loans, a higher expectation of collateral prepayments will generally be accompanied by a lower expectation of collateral losses. Conversely, higher losses will generally be accompanied by lower prepayments. Because the Company's credit default swaps on asset-backed security holdings represent credit default swap contracts whereby the Company has purchased credit protection, such credit default swaps on asset-backed securities generally have the directionally opposite sensitivity to prepayments, losses, and recoveries as compared to the Company's long securities holdings. Prepayments do not represent a significant input for the Company's commercial mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage loans. Losses and recoveries do not represent a significant input for the Company's Agency RMBS interest only securities, given the guarantee of the issuing government agency or government-sponsored enterprise.
The table below reflects the value of the Company's Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3 financial instruments at December 31, 2014:
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Description
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
114,140

 
$

 
$

 
$
114,140

Investments, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
 
$

 
$
1,258,699

 
$
31,385

 
$
1,290,084

U.S. Treasury securities
 

 
1,636

 

 
1,636

Private label residential mortgage-backed securities
 

 
284,748

 
274,369

 
559,117

Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities
 

 

 
53,311

 
53,311

Commercial mortgage loans
 

 

 
28,309

 
28,309

Residential mortgage loans
 

 

 
27,482

 
27,482

Other asset-backed securities and loans
 

 

 
146,288

 
146,288

Corporate debt
 

 

 
42,708

 
42,708

Real estate owned
 

 

 
8,635

 
8,635

Private corporate equity investments
 

 

 
14,512

 
14,512

Total investments, at fair value
 

 
1,545,083

 
626,999

 
2,172,082

Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
 

 

 
11,387

 
11,387

Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
 

 
35,865

 

 
35,865

Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
 

 
1,881

 

 
1,881

Interest rate swaps
 

 
28,654

 

 
28,654

Total return swaps
 

 
8

 

 
8

Swaptions
 

 
344

 

 
344

Options
 

 
645

 

 
645

Futures
 
261

 

 

 
261

Forwards
 

 
884

 

 
884

Warrants
 

 

 
100

 
100

Total financial derivatives–assets, at fair value
 
261

 
68,281

 
11,487

 
80,029

Repurchase agreements
 

 
172,001

 

 
172,001

Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value and repurchase agreements
 
$
261

 
$
1,785,365

 
$
638,486

 
$
2,424,112

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments sold short, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
 
$

 
$
(1,209,539
)
 
$

 
$
(1,209,539
)
Government debt
 

 
(55,315
)
 

 
(55,315
)
Common stock
 
(26,516
)
 

 

 
(26,516
)
Total investments sold short, at fair value
 
(26,516
)
 
(1,264,854
)
 

 
(1,291,370
)
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps on corporate bond indices
 

 
(28,588
)
 

 
(28,588
)
Credit default swaps on corporate bonds
 

 
(2,953
)
 

 
(2,953
)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed indices
 

 
(4,410
)
 

 
(4,410
)
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
 

 

 
(239
)
 
(239
)
Interest rate swaps
 

 
(29,405
)
 

 
(29,405
)
Total return swaps
 

 
(21
)
 

 
(21
)
Options
 

 
(146
)
 

 
(146
)
Description
 
Level 1
 
Level 2
 
Level 3
 
Total
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value (continued)-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Swaptions
 

 
(137
)
 

 
(137
)
Futures
 
(81
)
 

 

 
(81
)
Forwards
 

 
(136
)
 

 
(136
)
Total financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value
 
(81
)
 
(65,796
)
 
(239
)
 
(66,116
)
Securitized debt(1)
 

 

 
(774
)
 
(774
)
Total investments sold short, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, at fair value
 
$
(26,597
)
 
$
(1,330,650
)
 
$
(1,013
)
 
$
(1,358,260
)

(1)
The asset subject to the resecuritization had a fair value of $2.2 million as of December 31, 2014, which is included on the Consolidated Schedule of Investments under Principal and Interest – Private Label Securities.
The Company's reverse repurchase agreements are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. These liabilities are classified as Level 2 liabilities based on the adequacy of the collateral and their short term nature.
There were no transfers of financial instruments between Level 1 and Level 2 during the year ended December 31, 2014.
The following table identifies the significant unobservable inputs that affect the valuation of the Company's Level 3 assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2014:
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation 
Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range
 
Weighted
Average
Description
 
 
 
Min
 
Max
 
 
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private label residential mortgage-backed securities (1)
$
201,373

 
Market Quotes
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation
 
$
1.83

 
$
119.58

 
$
73.58

Other asset-backed securities
123,029

 
Market Quotes
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation
 
21.50

 
137.00

 
94.91

Private label residential mortgage-backed securities
72,222

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
3.0
%
 
13.6
%
 
7.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Prepayments
 
6.7
%
 
100.0
%
 
45.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Losses
 
0.0
%
 
44.5
%
 
11.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Recoveries
 
0.0
%
 
22.4
%
 
8.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization
 
0.0
%
 
86.4
%
 
35.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.0
%
Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities
12,392

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
12.0
%
 
51.1
%
 
23.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Losses
 
0.1
%
 
2.5
%
 
0.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Recoveries
 
0.9
%
 
13.5
%
 
6.2
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization
 
85.3
%
 
99.0
%
 
93.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.0
%
Corporate debt, non-exchange traded corporate equity, and warrants
45,668

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
7.5
%
 
24.3
%
 
13.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation
 
73.00

 
108.00

 
95.08

Other asset-backed securities and loans
23,259

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
0.0
%
 
14.4
%
 
9.1
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Prepayments
 
62.7
%
 
62.7
%
 
62.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Losses
 
4.0
%
 
4.0
%
 
4.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Recoveries
 
1.7
%
 
1.7
%
 
1.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization
 
31.6
%
 
31.6
%
 
31.6
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.0
%
 
Fair Value
 
Valuation 
Technique
 
Unobservable Input
 
Range
 
Weighted
Average
Description
 
 
 
Min
 
Max
 
(continued)
(In thousands)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities
40,919

 
Market Quotes
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation
 
$
5.62

 
$
103.25

 
$
66.56

Performing commercial mortgage loans
21,328

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
9.2
%
 
13.1
%
 
10.3
%
Non-performing commercial mortgage loans
6,981

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
15.3
%
 
20.1
%
 
16.4
%
 
 
 
 
 
Months to Resolution
 
0.5

 
10.5

 
8.2

Non-performing residential mortgage loan pools and real estate owned
36,117

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
6.1
%
 
12.0
%
 
7.3
%
 
 
 
 
 
Months to Resolution
 
4.1

 
79.1

 
24.6

Agency interest only residential mortgage-backed securities
22,928

 
Market Quotes
 
Non Binding Third-Party Valuation
 
$
3.62

 
$
24.86

 
$
11.38

Agency interest only residential mortgage-backed securities
8,457

 
Option Adjusted Spread ("OAS")
 
LIBOR OAS(2)
 
(154
)
 
1,796

 
359

 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Prepayments
 
50.2
%
 
100.0
%
 
75.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization
 
0.0
%
 
49.8
%
 
24.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.0
%
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
11,148

 
Net Discounted Cash Flows
 
Projected Collateral Prepayments
 
17.8
%
 
55.8
%
 
32.5
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Losses
 
16.5
%
 
37.7
%
 
29.7
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Recoveries
 
7.7
%
 
18.5
%
 
12.8
%
 
 
 
 
 
Projected Collateral Scheduled Amortization
 
15.9
%
 
43.4
%
 
25.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
100.0
%
Non-exchange traded preferred equity investment in commercial mortgage-related private partnership
6,241

 
Discounted Cash Flows
 
Yield
 
10.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
10.0
%
 
 
 
 
 
Expected Holding Period (Months)
 
17

 
17

 
17

Non-exchange traded preferred and common equity investment in mortgage-related entities
5,411

 
Recent Transactions
 
Transaction Price
 
N/A

 
N/A

 
N/A

(1)
Includes securitized debt with a fair value of $0.8 million as of December 31, 2014.
(2)
Shown in basis points.
For those instruments valued using discounted and net discounted cash flows, collateral prepayments, losses, recoveries, and scheduled amortization are projected over the remaining life of the collateral and expressed as a percentage of the collateral's current principal balance. Averages are weighted based on the fair value of the related instrument. In the case of credit default swaps on asset-backed securities, averages are weighted based on each instrument's bond equivalent value. Bond equivalent value represents the investment amount of a corresponding position in the reference obligation, calculated as the difference between the outstanding principal balance of the underlying reference obligation and the fair value, inclusive of accrued interest, of the derivative contract. For those assets valued using the LIBOR Option Adjusted Spread valuation methodology, cash flows are projected using the Company's models over multiple interest rate scenarios, and these projected cash flows are then discounted using the LIBOR rates implied by each interest rate scenario. The LIBOR OAS of an asset is then computed as the unique constant yield spread that, when added to all LIBOR rates in each interest rate scenario generated by the model, will equate (a) the expected present value of the projected asset cash flows over all model scenarios to (b) the actual current market price of the asset. LIBOR OAS is therefore model-dependent. Generally speaking, LIBOR OAS measures the additional yield spread over LIBOR that an asset provides at its current market price after taking into account any interest rate options embedded in the asset.
Material changes in any of the inputs above in isolation could result in a significant change to reported fair value measurements. Additionally, fair value measurements are impacted by the interrelationships of these inputs. For example, a higher expectation of collateral prepayments will generally be accompanied by a lower expectation of collateral losses. Conversely, higher losses will generally be accompanied by lower prepayments. Because the Company's credit default swaps on asset-backed security holdings represent credit default swap contracts whereby the Company has purchased credit protection, such default swaps on asset-backed securities generally have the directionally opposite sensitivity to prepayments, losses, and recoveries as compared to the Company's long securities holdings. Prepayments do not represent a significant input for the Company's commercial mortgage-backed securities and commercial mortgage loans. Losses and recoveries do not represent a significant input for the Company's Agency RMBS interest only securities, given the guarantee of the issuing government agency or government-sponsored enterprise.
The tables below include a roll-forward of the Company's financial instruments for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 (including the change in fair value), for financial instruments classified by the Company within Level 3 of the valuation hierarchy.
Level 3—Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs:
Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2015
(In thousands)
Ending
Balance as of 
December 31, 2014
 
Accreted
Discounts /
(Amortized
Premiums)
 
Net Realized
Gain/
(Loss)
 
Change in Net
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
 
Purchases/
Payments
 
Sales/
Issuances
 
Transfers Into Level 3
 
Transfers Out of Level 3
 
Ending
Balance as of 
March 31, 2015
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
$
31,385

 
$
(2,006
)
 
$
471

 
$
(96
)
 
$
1,190

 
$
(4,609
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
26,335

Private label residential mortgage-backed securities
274,369

 
2,388

 
1,206

 
3,062

 
6,633

 
(39,423
)
 
23,221

 
(102,085
)
 
169,371

Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities
53,311

 
1,372

 
614

 
(1,900
)
 
15,594

 
(16,777
)
 

 

 
52,214

Commercial mortgage loans
28,309

 
539

 

 
17

 
24,291

 
(14,238
)
 

 

 
38,918

Residential mortgage loans
27,482

 
443

 
242

 
144

 
5,976

 
(3,442
)
 

 

 
30,845

Other asset-backed securities and loans
146,288

 
(6,340
)
 
772

 
(1,154
)
 
26,534

 
(42,480
)
 

 

 
123,620

Corporate debt
42,708

 
31

 
186

 
(580
)
 
11,605

 
(22,114
)
 

 

 
31,836

Real estate owned
8,635

 

 
84

 
537

 
2,471

 
(2,657
)
 

 

 
9,070

Private corporate equity investments
14,512

 

 

 
230

 
6,572

 
(14
)
 

 

 
21,300

Total investments, at fair value
626,999

 
(3,573
)
 
3,575

 
260

 
100,866

 
(145,754
)
 
23,221

 
(102,085
)
 
503,509

Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
11,387

 

 
401

 
(355
)
 
22

 
(646
)
 

 

 
10,809

Total return swaps

 

 

 
118

 

 

 

 

 
118

Warrants
100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 
100

Total financial derivatives– assets, at fair value
11,487

 

 
401

 
(237
)
 
22

 
(646
)
 

 

 
11,027

Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value
$
638,486

 
$
(3,573
)
 
$
3,976

 
$
23

 
$
100,888

 
$
(146,400
)
 
$
23,221

 
$
(102,085
)
 
$
514,536

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial derivatives–liabilities, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
$
(239
)
 
$

 
$
(19
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
19

 
$

 
$

 
$
(239
)
Total return swaps

 

 

 
(307
)
 

 

 

 

 
(307
)
Total financial derivatives– liabilities, at fair value
(239
)
 

 
(19
)
 
(307
)
 

 
19

 

 

 
(546
)
Securitized debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securitized debt
(774
)
 
(2
)
 

 
19

 
88

 

 

 

 
(669
)
Total securitized debt
(774
)
 
(2
)
 

 
19

 
88

 

 

 

 
(669
)
Total financial derivatives– liabilities and securitized debt, at fair value
$
(1,013
)
 
$
(2
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(288
)
 
$
88

 
$
19

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1,215
)

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2015, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three month period ended March 31, 2015. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2015, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $(3.2) million, $(0.2) million, $(0.3) million, and $19.0 thousand, for the three month period ended March 31, 2015 relate to investments, financial derivatives–assets, financial derivatives–liabilities, and securitized debt, respectively.
As of March 31, 2015, the Company transferred $102.1 million of non-Agency RMBS from Level 3 to Level 2. These assets were transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 based on an increased volume of observed trading of these and similar assets. This increase in observed trading activity has led to greater price transparency for these assets, thereby making a Level 2 designation appropriate in the Company's view. However, changes in the volume of observable inputs for these assets, such as a decrease in the volume of observed trading, could impact price transparency, and thereby cause a change in the level designation for these assets in future periods.
In addition, as of March 31, 2015, the Company transferred $23.2 million of non-Agency RMBS from Level 2 to Level 3. Since year end, these securities have exhibited indications of a reduced level of price transparency. Examples of such indications include wider spreads relative to similar securities and a reduction in observable transactions involving these and similar securities. Changes in these indications could impact price transparency, and thereby cause a change in the level designation in future periods.
Level 3—Fair Value Measurement Using Significant Unobservable Inputs:
Three Month Period Ended March 31, 2014
(In thousands)
Ending
Balance as of December 31, 2013
 
Accreted
Discounts /
(Amortized
Premiums)
 
Net Realized
Gain/
(Loss)
 
Change in
Net
Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
 
Purchases/
Payments
 
Sales/
Issuances
 
Transfers Into Level 3
 
Transfers Out of Level 3
 
Ending
Balance as of March 31, 2014
Assets:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Investments, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
$
40,504

 
$
(2,289
)
 
$
35

 
$
751

 
$
2,554

 
$
(180
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
41,375

Private label residential mortgage-backed securities
580,772

 
5,385

 
23,460

 
(12,852
)
 
89,585

 
(196,267
)
 

 

 
490,083

Private label commercial mortgage-backed securities
32,994

 
205

 
872

 
1,515

 
37,769

 
(40,710
)
 

 

 
32,645

Commercial mortgage loans
23,887

 
563

 
2

 
(460
)
 
20,023

 
(10
)
 

 

 
44,005

Residential mortgage loans
24,062

 

 
18

 
(260
)
 

 
(254
)
 

 

 
23,566

Other asset-backed securities
38,069

 
159

 
(97
)
 
548

 
13,887

 
(5,108
)
 

 

 
47,458

Real estate owned

 

 

 
(4
)
 
101

 

 

 

 
97

Total investments, at fair value
740,288

 
4,023

 
24,290

 
(10,762
)
 
163,919

 
(242,529
)
 

 

 
679,229

Financial derivatives–assets, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
16,646

 

 
1,190

 
(1,210
)
 
39

 
(1,491
)
 

 

 
15,174

Total financial derivatives– assets, at fair value
16,646

 

 
1,190

 
(1,210
)
 
39

 
(1,491
)
 

 

 
15,174

Total investments and financial derivatives–assets, at fair value
$
756,934

 
$
4,023

 
$
25,480

 
$
(11,972
)
 
$
163,958

 
$
(244,020
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
694,403

Liabilities:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Financial derivatives– liabilities, at fair value-
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Credit default swaps on asset-backed securities
$
(350
)
 
$

 
$
(19
)
 
$

 
$

 
$
19

 
$

 
$

 
$
(350
)
Total financial derivatives– liabilities, at fair value
(350
)
 

 
(19
)
 

 

 
19

 

 

 
(350
)
Securitized debt:
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Securitized debt
(983
)
 
(7
)
 

 
(17
)
 
24

 

 

 

 
(983
)
Total securitized debt
(983
)
 
(7
)
 

 
(17
)
 
24

 

 

 

 
(983
)
Total financial derivatives– liabilities and securitized debt, at fair value
$
(1,333
)
 
$
(7
)
 
$
(19
)
 
$
(17
)
 
$
24

 
$
19

 
$

 
$

 
$
(1,333
)

All amounts of net realized and change in net unrealized gain (loss) in the table above are reflected in the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations. The table above incorporates changes in net unrealized gain (loss) for both Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2014, as well as Level 3 financial instruments disposed of by the Company during the three month period ended March 31, 2014. For Level 3 financial instruments held by the Company at March 31, 2014, change in net unrealized gain (loss) of $2.3 million, $(1.2) million, and $(17.0) thousand for the three month period ended March 31, 2014 relate to investments, financial derivatives–assets, and securitized debt, respectively.