GREENWICH, Conn., Feb. 25, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- Starwood Property Trust, Inc. (NYSE: STWD) today announced operating results for the fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2015. The Company reported Core Earnings (a non-GAAP financial measure) of $132.7 million, or $0.55 per diluted share, for the fourth quarter of 2015 and $517.8 million, or $2.19 per diluted share, for the full year. GAAP net income for the fourth quarter of 2015 was $96.5 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, and $450.7 million, or $1.91 per diluted share, for the full year.

"In the fourth quarter of 2015, we observed a significant change in the real estate credit markets, a widening of spreads and increased volatility driven by a deterioration in high yield markets," said Barry Sternlicht, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Starwood Property Trust. "As a result, we consciously slowed the pace of our capital deployment. We continued this cautious approach to the markets in the first quarter of 2016, as we expect better opportunities with wider credit spreads to emerge as this storm passes."

"Since our inception, we have deployed over $17 billion in our lending business without a single loss, and I remain more than pleased that our current $6.3 billion lending portfolio enjoys a weighted average loan-to-value of 62.9%," said Mr. Sternlicht. "In addition, our ownership of the nation's largest special servicer gives us a valuable source of market insights and provides us with a unique 'hedge' to our core lending business, as its potential profits should grow significantly if the credit markets continue to deteriorate and legacy CMBS loans--which are set to peak in volume over the next three years--become more difficult to refinance."

"Caution is prudent but it impacts profitability," Mr. Sternlicht added. "On a long-term basis, it ensures stability. However, while undeployed cash is safe, it does not produce our target returns. Given our year-to-date activity and visibility into our investment pipeline, we are confident that we will generate core earnings in excess of our dividend and expect to maintain our $1.92 per share distribution for the full year. We have built an experienced and deep team at Starwood Property Trust that, together with Starwood Capital's global footprint, can take advantage of changing market dynamics across a wide range of products to produce superior risk-adjusted returns for our shareholders over the long-term."

Highlights for the Fourth Quarter 2015 by Business Segment

The Company currently operates in three reportable segments: Real Estate Lending (the "Lending Segment"), Real Estate Investing and Servicing (the "Investing and Servicing Segment") and Real Estate Property (the "Property Segment"). The Lending Segment primarily represents the Company's on-balance sheet loan origination business. The Investing and Servicing Segment includes the Company's U.S. and European servicing businesses, CMBS investment business, conduit loan origination platform and commercial real estate properties acquired from CMBS trusts. The Property Segment includes the Company's investments in stabilized commercial real estate properties that are held for investment.

Real Estate Lending Segment

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Lending Segment contributed Core Earnings of $103.9 million, or $0.43 per diluted share. GAAP earnings during the fourth quarter of 2015 were $107.4 million, or $0.45 per diluted share.

The Lending Segment originated or acquired investments of $678.4 million during the quarter, with fundings of $715.8 million, including $146.8 million relating to previously originated loans. Repayments totaled $643.2 million, including $37.6 million from loan sales. Newly originated loans included:


    --  A $240.5 million first mortgage and mezzanine loan for the acquisition
        of a 6,616-room, 53-property hotel portfolio located throughout the
        United States.
    --  A $155.0 million first mortgage and mezzanine loan for the acquisition
        and renovation of a 1,242-room hotel and five-story parking garage
        located in Atlanta, Georgia.
    --  A $115.2 million first mortgage for the acquisition of Class A office
        and retail properties located in Phoenix, Arizona.

Subsequent to year end, the Lending Segment closed $119.2 million of new loan originations with $315.0 million in various stages of closing.

At December 31, 2015, the Lending Segment's principal assets are as follows:

Lending Segment Investments
(Amounts in millions)



    Investment                                     Face           Carry   Asset Specific     Net            Unlevered         Current             Optimal
                                                  Amount        Value (1) Financing (2)   Investment        Return on        Leveraged          Asset-Level
                                                                                                              Asset          Return (3)         Return (4)
    ---                                                                                                       -----          ---------           ---------

    First mortgages held-for-investment (5)              $4,777                    $4,720            $2,174           $2,546    6.9%      9.7%               11.2%

    Subordinated mortgages held-for-investment              417                       392                 6              386   11.2%     11.2%               11.3%

    Mezzanine loans held-for-investment (5)                 850                       861                 -             861   10.9%     10.9%               10.9%

    Preferred equity investments held-to-maturity            19                        19                 -              19   13.3%     13.3%               13.3%

    CMBS held-to-maturity                                   302                       302               180              122    6.1%     10.2%               11.2%

    Target portfolio of Lending Segment                  $6,365                    $6,294            $2,360           $3,934    7.7%     10.2%               11.2%
                                                         ------                    ------            ------           ------     ---       ----                 ----

    RMBS available-for-sale at fair value                   234                       176                 2              174   11.9%

    Loans transferred as secured borrowings                  88                        87                88              (1)

    Equity security                                          13                        14                 -              14

    Investment in unconsolidated entities                   N/A                       31                 -              31
                                                            ---                      ---               ---             ---

    Total investments                                    $6,700                    $6,602            $2,450           $4,152
                                                         ======                    ======            ======           ======

Loan-to-Value of Portfolio

The following table reflects the weighted average loan-to-value ("LTV") ratio of the Lending Segment's loan portfolio as of December 31, 2015:



    Weighted Average LTV of Loan Portfolio (5)(6)
    --------------------------------------------

                                                    First         Subordinated       Mezzanine       Preferred       Total (7)
                                                  Mortgages        Mortgages                           Equity
                                                  ---------        ---------                           ------

    Beginning LTV                                            0.0%              26.7%           47.8%           65.5%            8.7%

    Ending LTV                                              62.5%              55.3%           68.3%           79.2%           62.9%

Real Estate Investing and Servicing Segment

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Investing and Servicing Segment contributed Core Earnings of $62.3 million, or $0.26 per diluted share. GAAP earnings during the fourth quarter of 2015 were $55.4 million, or $0.23 per diluted share.

Significant activity during the quarter included:


    --  Originated $423.4 million of conduit loans and participated in six
        securitizations totaling $655.6 million.
    --  Purchased $141.0 million of CMBS, including $115.9 million in new issue
        B-pieces.
    --  Obtained four new servicing contracts representing $4.0 billion of
        collateral.
    --  Purchased eight properties from CMBS trusts for a gross purchase price
        of $78.1 million.

At December 31, 2015, the Investing and Servicing Segment's principal assets are as follows:

Investing and Servicing Segment Investments
(Amounts in millions)



    Investment             Carry Value          Asset       Net
                                              Specific  Investment
                                              Financing
    ---                                       ---------

    CMBS (8)                           $1,038                  $194   $844

    Special servicing
     intangibles                          134                     -   134

    Conduit loans                         204                   147     57

    Properties and lease
     intangibles, net                     165                    83     82

    Investment in
     unconsolidated
     entities                              53                     -    53
                                          ---                   ---   ---

         Total investments             $1,594                  $424 $1,170
                                       ======                  ==== ======

As of December 31, 2015, the Company was active special servicer on $10.8 billion of loans and real estate owned and named special servicer on $111.9 billion of loans and real estate owned.

Real Estate Property Segment

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Property Segment contributed Core Earnings of $9.3 million, or $0.04 per diluted share. GAAP earnings during the fourth quarter of 2015 were $3.4 million.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Property Segment acquired 18 of the 32 previously announced affordable housing communities referred to as the "Woodstar Portfolio" for $350.4 million. These 18 properties comprise 5,238 units and were funded with cash, third party debt of $248.6 million and assumed state sponsored financing of $9.0 million. We expect to acquire the remaining 14 properties in the first quarter of 2016 for a total purchase price of $242.2 million, requiring a net investment of $94.3 million. The 32-property Woodstar Portfolio totals 8,948 units concentrated primarily in the Tampa, Orlando and West Palm Beach, Florida metropolitan areas which are 98% occupied.

At December 31, 2015, the Property Segment's principal assets were as follows:

Property Segment Investments
(Amounts in millions)



    Investment                                   Net Carrying      Asset Specific    Net           Q4 2015       Occupancy        Weighted
                                                     Value            Financing   Investment         Net            Rate          Average
                                                                                                  Operating                      Lease Term
                                                                                                    Income
    ---                                                                                             ------

    Dublin, Ireland:

    Office (9)                                                $465                           $308           $157            $6.7                 98.4% 10.6 years

    Multi-family residential (9)                                17                             11              6             0.2                 97.0%  0.6 years

    Southeast, U.S.:

    Multi-family residential (9)                               346                            258             88             3.4                 96.8%  0.5 years

    Other:

    Investment in unconsolidated entity - retail               122                              -           122             2.5            (10) 95.3%  9.6 years
                                                               ---                            ---           ---             ---

                                                              $950                           $577           $373           $12.8
                                                              ====                           ====           ====           =====

Financing Activities

As of December 31, 2015, the Company had an aggregate outstanding debt balance of $5.4 billion and maximum borrowing capacity of $8.4 billion, with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.3x.

During the fourth quarter of 2015, the Company:


    --  Executed a $1.0 billion repurchase facility that carries a three-year
        initial term with two one-year extension options and an annual interest
        rate of LIBOR plus 2.5%.
    --  Amended an existing revolving repurchase facility to upsize available
        borrowings from $325.0 million to $500.0 million and extend the maturity
        from October 2018 to October 2020, assuming exercise of available
        extension options.
    --  Repurchased 547,023 shares of common stock at an average price of $19.76
        for $10.8 million.

Subsequent to year end, the Company:


    --  Amended its share repurchase program to (i) increase the maximum amount
        of repurchases by $50.0 million to $500.0 million and (ii) extend the
        program through January 2017.
    --  Repurchased 1.1 million shares of common stock at an average price of
        $18.71 for $19.7 million, bringing the remaining capacity under the
        repurchase program to $282.1 million as of February 19, 2016.

Book Value and Undepreciated Book Value Per Share



                                                      September 30,
                                                      2015
                                  December 31,
                                  2015
                                 ------------

    Undepreciated book value per
     diluted share (11)                        $17.37               $17.46

    Book value per diluted share               $17.29               $17.43

Investment Capacity

As of February 19, 2016, the Company has the capacity to acquire or originate up to $2.4 billion of new investments through (i) $378.9 million of expected maturities, prepayments, sales and participations over the next 90 days; (ii) $1.4 billion of unallocated warehouse capacity; (iii) $401.1 million of approved but undrawn capacity under existing financing facilities; (iv) $342.2 million of available cash and equivalents; and (v) approximately $73.5 million of net equity invested in RMBS that are classified as available-for-sale.

Dividend

On February 25, 2016, the Company's Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.48 per share of common stock for the quarter ending March 31, 2016. The dividend is payable on April 15, 2016 to common shareholders of record as of March 31, 2016.

Supplemental Schedules

The Company has published supplemental earnings schedules in order to provide additional disclosure and financial information for the benefit of the Company's stakeholders. These can be found at the Company's website in the Investor Relations section under "Financial Information".

Conference Call and Webcast Information

The Company will host a webcast and conference call on Thursday, February 25, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss fourth quarter financial results and recent events. A webcast will be available on the Company's website at www.starwoodpropertytrust.com. To listen to a live broadcast, access the site at least five minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register and download and install any necessary audio software.

To Participate in the Telephone Conference Call:

Dial in at least five minutes prior to start time.

Domestic: 1-877-627-6582
International: 1-719-325-4878

Conference Call Playback:
Domestic: 1-877-870-5176
International: 1-858-384-5517
Passcode: 3330047

The playback can be accessed through March 10, 2016

About Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

Starwood Property Trust (NYSE: STWD), an affiliate of global private investment firm Starwood Capital Group, is the largest commercial mortgage real estate investment trust in the United States. The Company's core business focuses on originating, acquiring, financing and managing commercial mortgage loans and other commercial real estate debt and equity investments. Through its subsidiaries LNR Property, LLC and Hatfield Philips International, Starwood Property Trust also operates as the largest commercial mortgage special servicer in the United States and one of the largest primary and special servicers in Europe. With total capital deployed since inception of approximately $26 billion, Starwood Property Trust continues to solidify its position as one of the premier real estate finance companies in the country.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release which are not historical fact may be deemed forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Although Starwood Property Trust, Inc. believes the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, it can give no assurance that its expectations will be attained. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the Company's expectations include completion of pending investments, continued ability to acquire additional investments, competition within the finance and real estate industries, economic conditions, availability of financing and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's reports filed with the SEC.

Footnotes

(1) The difference between the Carry Value and Face Amount of the loans held for investment consists of unamortized purchase discount, deferred loan fees and loan origination costs. The difference between the Carry Value and Face Amount of the RMBS available-for-sale securities consists of the unrealized gains/(losses) on the fair value of the securities and unamortized purchase discount.

(2) Current financings are either floating rate or swapped to fixed rate to match the interest rate characteristics of the underlying asset.

(3) The current leveraged return represents the compounded effective rate of return earned over the life of the investment based on existing leverage levels as of December 31, 2015, and calculated on a weighted average basis. Leveraged returns include the loan coupon, amortization of premium or discount, and the effects of costs and fees, all recognized on the effective interest method. Leveraged returns are presented solely for informational purposes and will not equal income recognized in prior or future periods due mainly to the fact that (i) interest earned on the Company's floating rate loans will change in the future when interest rates change, and these leveraged returns assume interest rates remain at current levels and (ii) the leveraged returns assume that the leverage levels existing at December 31, 2015 will be maintained either throughout the remaining term of the applicable credit facilities or the remaining term of the investment, if shorter. However, leverage levels in future periods will likely fluctuate as the Company manages its day-to-day liquidity.

(4) The optimal asset-level return assumes (i) maximum available leverage in place or in negotiation for each asset, notwithstanding the amount actually borrowed, and (ii) full syndication of the first mortgage when syndication is deemed probable.

(5) First mortgages include first mortgage loans and any contiguous subordinated mortgage and/or mezzanine loan components because as a whole, the expected credit quality of these loans is more similar to that of a first mortgage loan. The application of this methodology resulted in mezzanine loans with carrying values of $930.0 million being classified as first mortgages as of December 31, 2015.

(6) Underlying property values are determined by the Company's management based on its ongoing asset assessments, and loan balances that are the face value of a loan regardless of whether the Company has purchased the loan at a discount or premium to par. Assets characterized as first mortgages include all loan components where the Company owns the senior most interest in the loan, which may include subordinated mortgages and/or mezzanine loans. Assets characterized as subordinated mortgages are the subordinated components of first mortgages where the Company does not own the senior most interest in the loan. Assets characterized as mezzanine loans are mezzanine loans where the Company does not own the senior most interest in the loan. For any loans collateralized by ground-up construction projects without significant leasing or units with executed sales contracts, the fully funded loan balance is included in the numerator and the fully budgeted construction cost, including costs of acquisition of the property, is included in the denominator. For ground up construction loans which have significant leasing or units under contract for sale, the fully funded loan balance is included in the numerator with an estimate of the stabilized value upon completion of construction included in the denominator. Includes loans held for investment and preferred equity.

(7) Represents the Company's entire investment, which includes all components of the capital stack that it owns (i.e., first mortgages, subordinated mortgages, mezzanine loans and preferred equity).

(8) Face amount is $4.7 billion. Differences between face amount and carry value are principally attributable to purchase discounts and changes in fair value.

(9) Net carrying value includes all components of the related asset, including properties and intangibles.

(10) Represents the Company's earnings from unconsolidated entities attributable to the Company's investment in the mall portfolio acquired in the fourth quarter of 2014.

(11) Adjusted for accumulated depreciation and amortization associated with commercial real estate properties.

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Operations by Segment
For the three months ended December 31, 2015
(Amounts in thousands)



                                                                                  Investing                                                       Investing

                                                               Lending          and Servicing Property                                          and Servicing

                                                               Segment             Segment    Segment            Corporate           Subtotal       VIEs               Total
                                                               -------             -------    -------            ---------           --------       ----               -----

    Revenues:

    Interest income from loans                                         $116,916                           $3,696           $       -          $                     -          $120,612   $           -    $120,612

    Interest income from investment securities                           10,576                           43,782                   -                                -            54,358        (36,921)      17,437

    Servicing fees                                                          132                           49,079                   -                                -            49,211        (23,082)      26,129

    Rental income                                                             -                           4,269              14,622                                 -            18,891               -      18,891

    Other revenues                                                           30                            3,325                   -                                -             3,355           (201)       3,154
                                                                            ---                            -----                 ---                              ---             -----            ----        -----

    Total revenues                                                      127,654                          104,151              14,622                                 -           246,427        (60,204)     186,223
                                                                        -------                          -------              ------                               ---           -------         -------      -------

    Costs and expenses:

    Management fees                                                       (218)                              18                   -                           42,021             41,821              41       41,862

    Interest expense                                                     19,808                            2,723               2,994                            26,004             51,529               -      51,529

    General and administrative                                            4,843                           31,744                 803                             1,702             39,092             175       39,267

    Acquisition and investment pursuit costs                                133                            1,105               2,456                                 -             3,694               -       3,694

    Costs of rental operations                                                -                           1,983               4,298                                 -             6,281               -       6,281

    Depreciation and amortization                                             -                           3,182               8,681                                 -            11,863               -      11,863

    Loan loss allowance, net                                              (313)                               -                  -                                -             (313)              -       (313)

    Other expense                                                             6                                5                   -                                -                11               -          11
                                                                            ---                              ---                 ---                              ---               ---             ---         ---

    Total costs and expenses                                             24,259                           40,760              19,232                            69,727            153,978             216      154,194
                                                                         ------                           ------              ------                            ------            -------             ---      -------

    Income (loss) before other income, income taxes and non-
     controlling interests                                              103,395                           63,391             (4,610)                         (69,727)            92,449        (60,420)      32,029

    Other income:

    Change in net assets related to consolidated VIEs                         -                               -                  -                                -                 -         32,091       32,091

    Change in fair value of servicing rights                                  -                        (20,244)                  -                                -          (20,244)         16,050      (4,194)

    Change in fair value of investment securities, net                      556                         (13,133)                  -                                -          (12,577)         12,097        (480)

    Change in fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale, net                 -                          13,276                   -                                -            13,276               -      13,276

    Earnings from unconsolidated entities                                 1,011                            2,338               2,459                                 -             5,808             119        5,927

    Gain on sale of investments and other assets, net                     1,844                               65                   -                                -             1,909               -       1,909

    Gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net                 11,162                            (911)              4,024                                 -            14,275               -      14,275

    Foreign currency (loss) gain, net                                  (10,096)                              99                  11                                 -           (9,986)              -     (9,986)

    Other income, net                                                         -                              56               1,530                                 3              1,589               -       1,589
                                                                            ---                             ---               -----                               ---              -----             ---       -----

    Total other income (loss)                                             4,477                         (18,454)              8,024                                 3            (5,950)         60,357       54,407
                                                                          -----                          -------               -----                               ---             ------          ------       ------

    Income (loss) before income taxes                                   107,872                           44,937               3,414                          (69,724)            86,499            (63)      86,436

    Income tax (provision) benefit                                        (106)                          10,318                   -                                -            10,212               -      10,212
                                                                           ----                           ------                 ---                              ---            ------             ---      ------

    Net income (loss)                                                   107,766                           55,255               3,414                          (69,724)            96,711            (63)      96,648

    Net income attributable to non-controlling interests                  (359)                              99                   -                                -             (260)             63        (197)
                                                                           ----                              ---                 ---                              ---              ----             ---         ----

    Net income (loss) attributable to Starwood Property Trust,
     Inc.                                                              $107,407                          $55,354              $3,414                         $(69,724)           $96,451   $           -     $96,451
                                                                       ========                          =======              ======                          ========            ======= ===         ===     =======

Definition of Core Earnings

Core Earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure, is used to compute the Company's incentive fees to its external manager and is an appropriate supplemental disclosure for a mortgage REIT. For the Company's purposes, Core Earnings is defined as GAAP net income (loss) excluding non-cash equity compensation expense, the incentive fee due to the Company's external manager, acquisition costs from successful acquisitions, depreciation and amortization of real estate and associated intangibles, losses on debt extinguishment and any unrealized gains, losses or other non-cash items recorded in net income for the period, regardless of whether such items are included in other comprehensive income or loss, or in net income. The amount is adjusted to exclude one-time events pursuant to changes in GAAP and certain other non-cash adjustments as determined by the Company's external manager and approved by a majority of the Company's independent directors.

Reconciliation of Net Income to Core Earnings
For the three months ended December 31, 2015
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)



                                                                               Investing

                                                            Lending          and Servicing Property

                                                            Segment             Segment     Segment   Corporate          Total
                                                            -------             -------     -------   ---------          -----

    Net income (loss) attributable to                               $107,407                  $55,354             $3,414       $(69,724)     $96,451

    Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

    Add / (Deduct):

    Non-cash equity compensation expense                                 326                       61                  -          5,343        5,730

    Management incentive fee                                               -                       -                 -         21,591       21,591

    Acquisition and investment pursuit costs                               -                   1,020              1,453               -       2,473

    Depreciation and amortization                                          -                   1,882              8,666               -      10,548

    Loan loss allowance, net                                           (313)                       -                 -              -       (313)

    Interest income adjustment for securities                          (304)                 (2,391)                 -              -     (2,695)

    Other non-cash items                                                   -                    (14)             (249)              -       (263)

    Reversal of unrealized (gains) / losses on:

    Loans held-for-sale                                                    -                (13,276)                 -              -    (13,276)

    Securities                                                         (556)                  13,133                  -              -      12,577

    Derivatives                                                     (11,941)                     181            (4,024)              -    (15,784)

    Foreign currency                                                  10,095                     (99)              (11)              -       9,985

    Earnings from unconsolidated entities                                  -                 (2,338)                 -              -     (2,338)

    Recognition of realized gains / (losses) on:

    Loans held-for-sale                                                    -                  18,247                  -              -      18,247

    Securities                                                             -                 (5,274)                 -              -     (5,274)

    Derivatives                                                        4,042                  (6,153)                61               -     (2,050)

    Foreign currency                                                 (4,810)                   (193)                11               -     (4,992)

    Earnings from unconsolidated entities                                  -                   2,113                  -              -       2,113
                                                                         ---                   -----                ---            ---       -----

    Core Earnings (Loss)                                            $103,946                  $62,253             $9,321       $(42,790)    $132,730
                                                                    ========                  =======             ======        ========     ========

    Core Earnings (Loss) per Weighted Average Diluted Share            $0.43                    $0.26              $0.04         $(0.18)       $0.55
                                                                       =====                    =====              =====          ======        =====

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Statement of Operations by Segment
For the year ended December 31, 2015
(Amounts in thousands)



                                                                                  Investing                                                        Investing

                                                               Lending          and Servicing Property                                           and Servicing

                                                               Segment             Segment    Segment            Corporate            Subtotal        VIEs                Total
                                                               -------             -------    -------            ---------            --------        ----                -----

    Revenues:

    Interest income from loans                                         $460,365                          $17,566           $        -          $                       -          $477,931   $            -      $477,931

    Interest income from investment securities                           68,059                          156,365                    -                                  -           224,424        (130,759)        93,665

    Servicing fees                                                          428                          215,770                    -                                  -           216,198         (99,130)       117,068

    Rental income                                                             -                          11,177               25,445                                   -            36,622                -        36,622

    Other revenues                                                          597                           10,928                    -                                  -            11,525            (934)        10,591
                                                                            ---                           ------                  ---                                ---            ------             ----         ------

    Total revenues                                                      529,449                          411,806               25,445                                   -           966,700        (230,823)       735,877
                                                                        -------                          -------               ------                                 ---           -------         --------        -------

    Costs and expenses:

    Management fees                                                         901                               72                    -                            123,532            124,505              228        124,733

    Interest expense                                                     81,676                           10,386                5,584                             104,904            202,550                -       202,550

    General and administrative                                           21,685                          123,746                1,205                               7,275            153,911              717        154,628

    Acquisition and investment pursuit costs                              2,065                            2,375                8,951                                  38             13,429                -        13,429

    Costs of rental operations                                                -                           6,121                5,421                                   -            11,542                -        11,542

    Depreciation and amortization                                             -                          13,972               15,038                                   -            29,010                -        29,010

    Loan loss allowance, net                                                (2)                               -                   -                                  -               (2)               -           (2)

    Other expense                                                             6                              383                    -                                  -               389                -           389
                                                                            ---                              ---                  ---                                ---               ---              ---           ---

    Total costs and expenses                                            106,331                          157,055               36,199                             235,749            535,334              945        536,279
                                                                        -------                          -------               ------                             -------            -------              ---        -------

    Income (loss) before other income, income taxes and non-
     controlling interests                                              423,118                          254,751             (10,754)                          (235,749)           431,366        (231,768)       199,598

    Other income:

    Change in net assets related to consolidated VIEs                         -                               -                   -                                  -                 -         185,490        185,490

    Change in fair value of servicing rights                                  -                        (46,831)                   -                                  -          (46,831)          34,226       (12,605)

    Change in fair value of investment securities, net                      209                          (9,952)                   -                                  -           (9,743)          12,827          3,084

    Change in fair value of mortgage loans held-for-sale, net                 -                          64,320                    -                                  -            64,320                -        64,320

    Earnings from unconsolidated entities                                 4,045                           13,042               10,090                                   -            27,177            (503)        26,674

    Gain on sale of investments and other assets, net                     4,839                           17,825                    -                                  -            22,664                -        22,664

    Gain (loss) on derivative financial instruments, net                 30,764                         (14,226)               5,060                                   -            21,598                -        21,598

    Foreign currency (loss) gain, net                                  (36,956)                           (296)                  31                                   -          (37,221)               -      (37,221)

    Loss on extinguishment of debt                                            -                               -                   -                            (5,921)           (5,921)               -       (5,921)

    Other income, net                                                         -                             161                1,530                                  17              1,708                -         1,708
                                                                            ---                             ---                -----                                 ---              -----              ---         -----

    Total other income (loss)                                             2,901                           24,043               16,711                             (5,904)            37,751          232,040        269,791
                                                                          -----                           ------               ------                              ------             ------          -------        -------

    Income (loss) before income taxes                                   426,019                          278,794                5,957                           (241,653)           469,117              272        469,389

    Income tax provision                                                  (242)                        (16,964)                   -                                  -          (17,206)               -      (17,206)
                                                                           ----                          -------                  ---                                ---           -------              ---       -------

    Net income (loss)                                                   425,777                          261,830                5,957                           (241,653)           451,911              272        452,183

    Net income attributable to non-controlling interests                (1,389)                             175                    -                                  -           (1,214)           (272)       (1,486)
                                                                         ------                              ---                  ---                                ---            ------             ----         ------

    Net income (loss) attributable to Starwood Property Trust,
     Inc.                                                              $424,388                         $262,005               $5,957                          $(241,653)          $450,697   $            -      $450,697
                                                                       ========                         ========               ======                           =========           ======== ===          ===      ========

Reconciliation of Net Income to Core Earnings
For the year ended December 31, 2015
(Amounts in thousands except per share data)



                                                                               Investing

                                                            Lending          and Servicing Property

                                                            Segment             Segment    Segment    Corporate          Total
                                                            -------             -------    -------    ---------          -----

    Net income (loss) attributable to                               $424,388                 $262,005             $5,957       $(241,653)    $450,697

    Starwood Property Trust, Inc.

    Add / (Deduct):

    Non-cash equity compensation expense                               2,314                    3,465                  -          26,984       32,763

    Management incentive fee                                               -                       -                 -          37,717       37,717

    Acquisition and investment pursuit costs                               -                   1,020              2,918                -       3,938

    Depreciation and amortization                                          -                   3,837             14,861                -      18,698

    Loan loss allowance, net                                             (2)                       -                 -               -         (2)

    Interest income adjustment for securities                          (958)                 (3,218)                 -               -     (4,176)

    Other non-cash items                                                   -                   (789)             (249)               -     (1,038)

    Reversal of unrealized (gains) / losses on:

    Loans held-for-sale                                                    -                (64,320)                 -               -    (64,320)

    Securities                                                         (209)                   9,952                  -               -       9,743

    Derivatives                                                     (33,930)                  10,441            (5,060)               -    (28,549)

    Foreign currency                                                  36,956                      296               (31)               -      37,221

    Earnings from unconsolidated entities                                  -                (13,042)                 -               -    (13,042)

    Recognition of realized gains / (losses) on:

    Loans held-for-sale                                                    -                  65,443                  -               -      65,443

    Securities                                                             -                (22,064)                 -               -    (22,064)

    Derivatives                                                       19,887                 (12,929)                61                -       7,019

    Foreign currency                                                (21,252)                   (862)                31                -    (22,083)

    Earnings from unconsolidated entities                                  -                   9,787                  -               -       9,787
                                                                         ---                   -----                ---             ---       -----

    Core Earnings (Loss)                                            $427,194                 $249,022            $18,488       $(176,952)    $517,752
                                                                    ========                 ========            =======        =========     ========

    Core Earnings (Loss) per Weighted Average Diluted Share            $1.81                    $1.05              $0.08          $(0.75)       $2.19
                                                                       =====                    =====              =====           ======        =====

Starwood Property Trust, Inc. and Subsidiaries
Consolidated Balance Sheet by Segment
As of December 31, 2015
(Amounts in thousands)



                                                                                  Investing                                                       Investing

                                                             Lending            and Servicing Property                                          and Servicing

                                                             Segment               Segment     Segment            Corporate            Subtotal      VIEs                  Total
                                                             -------               -------     -------            ---------            --------      ----                  -----

    Assets:

    Cash and cash equivalents                                           $83,836                           $62,649               $2,944                            $218,408           $367,837            $978        $368,815

    Restricted cash                                                       9,775                             8,826                4,468                                   -            23,069               -         23,069

    Loans held-for-investment, net                                    5,973,079                                 -                   -                                  -         5,973,079               -      5,973,079

    Loans held-for-sale                                                       -                          203,865                    -                                  -           203,865               -        203,865

    Loans transferred as secured borrowings                              86,573                                 -                   -                                  -            86,573               -         86,573

    Investment securities                                               511,966                         1,038,200                    -                                  -         1,550,166       (825,219)        724,947

    Properties, net                                                           -                          150,497              768,728                                   -           919,225               -        919,225

    Intangible assets                                                         -                          152,278               61,121                                   -           213,399        (11,829)        201,570

    Investment in unconsolidated entities                                30,827                            53,145              122,454                                   -           206,426         (7,225)        199,201

    Goodwill                                                                  -                          140,437                    -                                  -           140,437               -        140,437

    Derivative assets                                                    33,412                             2,087                9,592                                   -            45,091               -         45,091

    Accrued interest receivable                                          34,028                               286                    -                                  -            34,314               -         34,314

    Other assets                                                         27,883                            72,936               31,853                              11,648            144,320         (2,057)        142,263

    VIE assets, at fair value                                                 -                                -                   -                                  -                 -     76,675,689      76,675,689
                                                                            ---                              ---                 ---                                ---               ---     ----------      ----------

    Total Assets                                                     $6,791,379                        $1,885,206           $1,001,160                            $230,056         $9,907,801     $75,830,337     $85,738,138
                                                                     ==========                        ==========           ==========                            ========         ==========     ===========     ===========

    Liabilities and Equity

    Liabilities:

    Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities            $18,822                           $90,399              $25,427                             $21,468           $156,116            $689        $156,805

    Related-party payable                                                     -                              423                    -                             40,532             40,955               -         40,955

    Dividends payable                                                         -                                -                   -                            114,947            114,947               -        114,947

    Derivative liabilities                                                5,190                                 6                    -                                  -             5,196               -          5,196

    Secured financing agreements, net                                 2,361,842                           423,691              576,934                             656,568          4,019,035               -      4,019,035

    Convertible senior notes, net                                             -                                -                   -                          1,325,243          1,325,243               -      1,325,243

    Secured borrowings on transferred loans                              88,000                                 -                   -                                  -            88,000               -         88,000

    VIE liabilities, at fair value                                            -                                -                   -                                  -                 -     75,817,014      75,817,014
                                                                            ---                              ---                 ---                                ---               ---     ----------      ----------

    Total Liabilities                                                 2,473,854                           514,519              602,361                           2,158,758          5,749,492      75,817,703      81,567,195
                                                                      ---------                           -------              -------                           ---------          ---------      ----------      ----------

    Equity:

    Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Stockholders' Equity:

    Common stock                                                              -                                -                   -                              2,410              2,410               -          2,410

    Additional paid-in capital                                        2,477,987                         1,146,926              394,465                             173,466          4,192,844               -      4,192,844

    Treasury stock                                                            -                                -                   -                           (72,381)          (72,381)              -       (72,381)

    Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                        37,242                           (3,714)             (3,799)                                  -            29,729               -         29,729

    Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)                           1,790,705                           221,073                8,133                         (2,032,197)          (12,286)              -       (12,286)
                                                                      ---------                           -------                -----                          ----------            -------             ---        -------

    Total Starwood Property Trust, Inc. Stockholders' Equity          4,305,934                         1,364,285              398,799                         (1,928,702)         4,140,316               -      4,140,316

    Non-controlling interests in consolidated subsidiaries               11,591                             6,402                    -                                  -            17,993          12,634          30,627
                                                                         ------                             -----                  ---                                ---            ------          ------          ------

    Total Equity                                                      4,317,525                         1,370,687              398,799                         (1,928,702)         4,158,309          12,634       4,170,943
                                                                      ---------                         ---------              -------                          ----------          ---------          ------       ---------

    Total Liabilities and Equity                                     $6,791,379                        $1,885,206           $1,001,160                            $230,056         $9,907,801     $75,830,337     $85,738,138
                                                                     ==========                        ==========           ==========                            ========         ==========     ===========     ===========

Additional information can be found on the Company's website at www.starwoodpropertytrust.com

Contact:
Zachary Tanenbaum
Starwood Property Trust
Phone: 203-422-7788
Email: ztanenbaum@starwood.com

To view the original version on PR Newswire, visit:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/starwood-property-trust-reports-results-for-the-quarter-and-year-ended-december-31-2015-300226048.html

SOURCE Starwood Property Trust, Inc.