CIM

Real Estate

Chimera Investment Corporation · REIT - Mortgage · $1B

UQS Score — Balanced Preset
25.7
Poor

Chimera Investment Corporation scores 25.7/100 using the Balanced preset.

UQS vs Real Estate Sector
CIM
25.7
Sector avg
38.4
Quality
Weak
Moat
Weak
Growth
Weak
Risk
Weak
Valuation
Good

What is Chimera Investment Corporation?

Chimera Investment Corporation is a New York-based mortgage REIT that invests across a broad range of residential and commercial mortgage assets. Incorporated in 2007, it operates through subsidiaries to build a diversified portfolio of mortgage-related securities and loans.

Chimera generates income by investing in residential mortgage loans, agency and non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities, and other real estate related securities. The company targets both investment-grade and non-investment-grade classes, accepting a range of credit risk profiles in exchange for higher potential yields. As an elected REIT, it is required to distribute the majority of its taxable income to shareholders, which underpins its dividend-focused appeal to income investors.

Chimera was incorporated in 2007 and is headquartered in New York City, New York.

  • Residential mortgage loans
  • Agency residential mortgage-backed securities
  • Non-agency residential mortgage-backed securities
  • Commercial mortgage-backed securities
  • Non-rated and non-investment-grade real estate securities

Is CIM a Good Stock to Buy?

UQS Score rates CIM as Below Average overall.

Among the brighter spots in Chimera's profile, the Quality pillar earns a Good rating, reflecting reasonable asset management practices relative to peers. Valuation also registers as Good, suggesting the stock is not trading at a significant premium relative to its fundamentals — a relevant consideration for income-focused investors evaluating entry points.

The Moat and Risk pillars both carry Weak ratings, pointing to limited competitive differentiation and meaningful exposure to interest rate and credit market volatility — factors that can weigh heavily on mortgage REIT performance.

See the exact pillar breakdown and full financial metrics by signing up for a UQS Pro account. Sign up free →

Past performance does not guarantee future results. UQS Score is based on fundamental data and is not a buy/sell recommendation.

Does CIM pay dividends?

Yes — Chimera Investment Corporation pays a dividend.

Chimera pays a regular dividend, consistent with its REIT structure that mandates distributing most taxable income to shareholders. The dividend is a central part of the investment case for CIM, attracting income-oriented investors. However, mortgage REIT dividends can fluctuate with interest rate cycles and credit conditions, so sustainability warrants ongoing monitoring.

When does CIM report earnings?

Chimera Investment Corporation reports earnings on a quarterly cadence, typical for US-listed REITs.

Quarterly results for mortgage REITs like Chimera are heavily influenced by net interest margin trends, prepayment speeds, and credit spread movements. These dynamics can cause meaningful swings in reported book value and distributable earnings from one quarter to the next.

For the most recent quarter's results, visit Chimera Investment Corporation's investor relations page directly.

CIM Price History

-43.9% over 5Y

Monthly close, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment.

Return Calculator

What if I invested in Chimera Investment Corporation?

$
Today it would be worth
$6,455
That's a -35.5% total return, or -8.4% annualized.

Based on Chimera Investment Corporation's historical closing prices, adjusted for stock splits and dividend reinvestment. Past performance does not guarantee future results. This is for informational purposes only and is not financial advice.

CIM Long-term Outlook

Chimera's Growth pillar sits at Neutral, suggesting the company is not positioned for outsized expansion but is not in clear decline either. The Weak Risk rating highlights that the path forward is sensitive to interest rate direction and broader credit market conditions. A Good Valuation label indicates the market may already be pricing in some of these headwinds, which could limit downside but also cap near-term upside.

Growth drivers

  • Potential benefit from stabilizing or declining interest rates expanding net interest margins
  • Selective deployment into higher-yielding non-agency mortgage assets
  • REIT distribution requirements sustaining investor demand for income

Key risks

  • Interest rate volatility compressing net interest margins or increasing funding costs
  • Credit deterioration in non-agency and non-rated mortgage holdings
  • Limited competitive moat making it difficult to differentiate from peers in a crowded mortgage REIT space

CIM vs Peers

Chimera operates in a competitive mortgage REIT landscape alongside several peers with distinct strategies and risk profiles.

SCCGSimilar UQS
Sachem Capital Corp. 8.00% Note

Sachem Capital focuses on short-term, bridge-style real estate lending rather than the broader mortgage-backed securities portfolio that Chimera maintains.

TWOCIM scores higher
Two Harbors Investment Corp.

Two Harbors concentrates primarily on agency mortgage-backed securities and mortgage servicing rights, giving it a different interest rate sensitivity profile than Chimera's mixed portfolio.

ORCCIM scores lower
Orchid Island Capital, Inc.

Orchid Island invests exclusively in agency residential mortgage-backed securities, making it a purer-play agency REIT compared to Chimera's broader credit exposure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Chimera Investment Corporation do?

Chimera Investment Corporation is a mortgage REIT that invests in residential mortgage loans, agency and non-agency mortgage-backed securities, and other real estate related securities. It earns income from the spread between its asset yields and borrowing costs, distributing most of that income to shareholders as dividends.

Does CIM pay dividends?

Yes, Chimera pays a regular dividend. As a REIT, it is required to distribute the majority of its taxable income to shareholders. Dividend levels can vary depending on interest rate conditions and the performance of its mortgage asset portfolio, so investors should track quarterly announcements.

When does CIM report earnings?

Chimera reports earnings on a quarterly basis, in line with standard US-listed company requirements. For the exact timing of upcoming results, check Chimera Investment Corporation's investor relations page, as specific dates are subject to change.

Is CIM a good stock to buy?

UQS Score rates CIM as Below Average overall. The Quality and Valuation pillars show relative strength, but Weak ratings on Moat and Risk highlight meaningful vulnerabilities. Whether CIM fits a portfolio depends on an investor's income needs and tolerance for interest rate and credit risk. The full pillar breakdown is available to Pro members.

Is CIM overvalued?

The UQS Valuation pillar for CIM is rated Good, suggesting the stock does not appear significantly overpriced relative to its fundamentals. For mortgage REITs, valuation is often assessed relative to book value and yield — metrics that can shift quickly with rate movements. View the complete valuation analysis with a Pro account.

How does CIM compare to its competitors?

Compared to peers like Two Harbors and Orchid Island, Chimera maintains a broader and more credit-diverse portfolio that includes non-agency and non-rated securities. This can offer higher potential yields but also introduces greater credit risk. Orchid Island, by contrast, focuses purely on agency securities with lower credit exposure.

What is CIM's market cap bracket?

Chimera Investment Corporation is classified as a small-cap company. This places it below the large-cap mortgage REITs in terms of total market value, which can mean lower liquidity and greater price sensitivity to sector-wide shifts in interest rate expectations.

Who founded Chimera Investment Corporation?

Chimera Investment Corporation was incorporated in 2007. For detailed founding history and leadership background, the company's official investor relations materials and SEC filings are the most reliable sources.

Is CIM a long-term quality investment?

As a long-term quality indicator, CIM's Below Average UQS Score reflects meaningful concerns — particularly the Weak Moat and Risk ratings. Mortgage REITs are inherently sensitive to macroeconomic cycles. Investors focused on long-term quality may want to weigh these structural risks carefully alongside the income appeal.

What is the main competitive advantage of Chimera Investment Corporation?

Chimera's ability to invest across both agency and non-agency mortgage assets gives it flexibility to pursue higher yields in different credit environments. However, the UQS Moat pillar rates this advantage as Weak, indicating the company lacks a durable structural edge that clearly separates it from peers in the mortgage REIT sector.

What sector does CIM belong to?

CIM belongs to the Real Estate sector, specifically operating as a mortgage REIT. Unlike equity REITs that own physical properties, mortgage REITs like Chimera invest in mortgage loans and mortgage-backed securities, making their performance more closely tied to interest rates and credit markets than to property values.

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Pro Analysis

CIM — Score History

20253035404550Apr 2Apr 12Apr 22May 2May 12May 22May 24v5
Score changes· 11 most recent
DateUQSQualityMoatGrowthRiskValueChange
May 16, 202626.528.710.033.20.068.10.0
May 15, 202626.528.710.033.20.067.8+0.1
May 11, 202626.428.710.033.20.067.5-4.2
May 9, 202630.629.810.00.836.4100.0-6.4
May 8, 202637.029.810.033.036.4100.0-0.1
May 7, 202637.130.110.033.036.4100.0+3.7
Apr 22, 202633.461.110.033.00.060.0-1.6
Apr 18, 202635.061.110.041.30.060.0-6.0
Apr 15, 202641.061.110.041.30.0100.0-0.1
Apr 5, 202641.161.110.041.60.0100.0+4.0

CIM — Pillar Breakdown

Quality

28.7/100 (25%)

Chimera Investment Corporation currently shows below-average quality metrics, suggesting challenges with profitability.

Return on EquityWeak

Profitability relative to shareholders' equity.

Operating ProfitabilityStrong

Ability to convert revenue into operating profit.

Net ProfitabilityWeak

Bottom-line profit as a share of revenue.

Cash GenerationWeak

Free cash flow relative to market value.

Growth

33.2/100 (20%)

Chimera Investment Corporation faces growth headwinds with declining or stagnant revenue trends.

Recent Revenue TrendStrong

Revenue trajectory over the last twelve months.

EPS GrowthStrong

Year-over-year earnings per share growth.

Forward Revenue OutlookWeak

Analyst consensus for future revenue growth.

Forward EPS GrowthWeak

Analyst consensus for future earnings growth.

Risk

0.0/100 (15%)

Chimera Investment Corporation presents elevated risk with concerns around leverage or financial stability.

Debt/EquityWeak

Total debt relative to shareholder equity.

Current RatioWeak

Short-term liquidity — ability to pay near-term obligations.

Interest CoverageWeak

Earnings capacity relative to interest payments.

Valuation

62.5/100 (15%)

Chimera Investment Corporation trades at a reasonable valuation with decent earnings yield and FCF multiples.

Earnings YieldStrong

Inverse of forward P/E — higher yield means cheaper stock.

EV/EBITDA vs SectorWeak

Enterprise value multiple relative to sector median.

Moat

10/100 (25%)

Chimera Investment Corporation operates in a highly competitive environment with limited sustainable advantages. The Moat pillar evaluates competitive advantages across five dimensions: Switching Costs, Network Effects, Cost Advantage, Intangible Assets, and Scale & Ecosystem. Sign in to customize moat ratings for CIM.

Score Composition

Quality
28.7×25%7.2
Growth
33.2×20%6.6
Risk
0.0×15%0.0
Valuation
62.5×15%9.4
Moat
10.0×25%2.5
Total
25.7Poor

Financial Data

More Stock Analysis

How is the CIM UQS Score Calculated?

The UQS (Unified Quality Score) for Chimera Investment Corporation is calculated using a proprietary 6-pillar framework with 29 financial metrics. Each pillar evaluates a different dimension on a 0–100 scale, then combines into a single weighted score. Scoring thresholds are calibrated per sector. Momentum is an optional Pro toggle — without it, you get the 5-pillar / 25-metric core shown below.

Quality (25%) measures profitability and capital efficiency — ROIC, ROE, margins, GP/Assets, and FCF Yield.

Moat (25%) assesses Chimera Investment Corporation's competitive advantages across switching costs, network effects, cost advantages, intangible assets, and ecosystem scale.

Growth (20%) tracks revenue trajectory and earnings momentum, combining historical results with analyst forward estimates.

Risk (15%) is inversely scored — lower leverage and strong balance sheet health result in higher scores.

Valuation (15%) measures whether Chimera Investment Corporation is fairly priced using earnings yield, price-to-FCF, PEG ratio, and EV/EBITDA relative to sector peers.

Six investor-inspired presets are available, each with different pillar weights: Balanced, Buffett, Munger, Lynch, Cathie Wood, and Graham. The public score shown here uses the Balanced preset. Learn more in our FAQ.