Western Asset Mortgage Capital (WMC) Stock

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation (NYSE:WMC ) Q2 2023 Earnings Conference Call August 9, 2023 11:00 AM ET Company Participants Jeff Haas - Director, Financial Profiles, Inc. Bonnie Wongtrakool - Chief Executive Officer Sean Johnson - Deputy Chief Investment Officer Greg Handler - Chief Investment Officer Robert Lehman - Chief Financial Officer Operator Welcome to the Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation's Second Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call. Today's call is being recorded and will be available for replay beginning at 5:00 p.m.

Western Asset Mortgage Capital Corporation struggles to recover from the pandemic shock and rising interest rates, with management considering a sale or merger. WMC's Q1 2023 results show improved earnings and asset prices, but book value remains significantly down from previous years. The mortgage market faces challenges in 2023, with higher interest rates discouraging refinancing and home sales, but overall performance remains robust due to low unemployment and strong household income.