Exploring New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT) Investor Profile: Who’s Buying and Why?

You're looking at New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT) and asking the right question: who is buying this mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) right now, and what is their play? The short answer is that major institutional players like BlackRock, Inc. and Vanguard Group Inc. are key holders, controlling a significant portion of the 68,813,895 shares held by institutions as of Q3 2025, but the rationale is split between income and deep value. Why? Because the firm is trading at a steep discount, with its stock price around $6.82 in mid-2025, while the adjusted book value per share sits much higher at $10.26 as of the end of Q2 2025. Management sees this as a 41% discount, a compelling value opportunity, and the firm is delivering on its core mission with Earnings Available for Distribution (EAD) hitting $0.22 per share in Q2 2025, up from the prior quarter, all while maintaining a consistent $0.20 quarterly dividend. Plus, the investment portfolio has expanded to a substantial $8.6 billion, showing a commitment to growth in credit-sensitive assets, but still, we see nearly 100 institutions reducing their positions in the last reported quarter, so is this a deep-value trap or a defintely smart contrarian bet on a recovering mortgage market? Let's break down the ownership shifts and the real risk-reward of that $10.26 book value.

Who Invests in New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT) and Why?

You're looking at New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT) because you know the mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) space offers high income, but you need to know who else is at the table and what their game plan is. The direct takeaway is this: NYMT is primarily an income play dominated by institutional money, but it sees significant short-term trading volume, so don't mistake its high yield for a sleepy, buy-and-hold stock.

Key Investor Types: The Institutional Majority

The ownership structure of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. is heavily tilted toward institutional investors-the mutual funds, pension funds, and asset managers who control massive pools of capital. As of late 2025, institutional investors own approximately 54.89% of the company's stock. This means the majority of shares are held by professional money managers, not individual retail investors.

This institutional control is critical for long-term strategy, but it also means the stock can move sharply based on large block trades. The largest institutional holders include giants like Vanguard Group Inc and BlackRock, Inc., which often hold shares for passive index funds, plus actively managed funds like Allspring Global Investments Holdings LLC. Retail investors, the 'you' and 'me' of the market, hold the remaining portion, which is still a substantial chunk of the company's equity.

Here's the quick math on the breakdown of the major players:

Investment Motivations: The High-Yield Magnet

For a real estate investment trust (REIT), the primary attraction is almost always the dividend. NYMT is no exception. As a REIT, it must distribute at least 90% of its taxable income to shareholders, which translates into a high yield that is defintely compelling in a low-rate environment. The company declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.20 per share for the first quarter of 2025, projecting an estimated annual dividend of $0.80.

This dividend translates to a forward yield of about 10.87%, a powerful income stream for any portfolio. Plus, investors are drawn to the company's focus on credit-sensitive single-family and multifamily residential assets, which offer a different risk/return profile than traditional Agency residential mortgage-backed securities (RMBS). This focus on credit risk is what gives NYMT its unique market position-it's a way to get exposure to the housing market's credit side.

The secondary motivation is capital appreciation. The stock price moved from $5.71 in November 2024 to $7.11 by September 2025, a solid 24.52% increase, showing that growth prospects exist alongside the income. To understand the foundation of this strategy, you can review the company's core principles: Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT).

Investment Strategies: Income, Value, and Active Trading

The strategies employed by NYMT's diverse investor base fall into three clear buckets. You see the classic long-term holding strategy from large, passive index funds like Vanguard, who are simply tracking the Russell 2000 or other small-cap indices. They are in it for the long haul, encouraging management to focus on sustainable growth and value creation.

Another major strategy is value investing, where investors are attracted by the high dividend yield relative to the stock price and book value. The presence of value-focused funds among the top holders confirms this income-driven, value-oriented approach.

Still, a significant portion of the institutional activity is pure active trading. In the first quarter of 2025, 75 institutional investors added shares, but 93 decreased their positions. This high turnover shows that many sophisticated players are using NYMT for short-term alpha-buying on dips and selling into rallies to capture the volatility inherent in the mREIT sector. For example, Balyasny Asset Management L.P. removed 978,838 shares in Q1 2025, while MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. added 450,501 shares. This is not long-term holding; it's active management in action.

• Buy for income: Focus on the quarterly $0.20 dividend.
• Buy for value: Target entry points below book value per share.
• Trade actively: Exploit price volatility around interest rate news and earnings.

What this estimate hides is the potential for dividend cuts if the underlying mortgage assets underperform, a constant risk in the mREIT space.

Institutional Ownership and Major Shareholders of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT)

When you look at New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT), the first thing to note is that institutional money is heavily invested, controlling more than half the company. As of the most recent filings near September 2025, a significant 54.89% of the common stock is held by institutions, which is a clear signal of market trust and a collective belief in the mortgage real estate investment trust (mREIT) model here.

This high concentration means that a few large players, like major fund managers and exchange-traded fund (ETF) providers, have a substantial say. It's not just retail investors driving the price. The total number of shares held by these institutions reached 68,813,895 as of September 2, 2025.

Top Institutional Investors and Their Shareholdings

The investor profile of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. is dominated by some of the largest asset managers in the world. These firms often hold shares in an mREIT like NYMT for their broad-market index funds, but also for specialized real estate or high-yield portfolios. Here's a look at the largest reported holders and their stake percentages, which gives you a clear picture of who holds the most sway.

Vanguard Group Inc. and BlackRock, Inc. are always key names; they often hold shares passively through their massive index funds, which tracks the entire market. For NYMT, Vanguard's stake is a substantial 6.76%, while BlackRock, Inc. is also a top shareholder.

Recent Shifts: Have Investors Increased or Decreased Stakes?

The near-term trend in institutional ownership has been one of net accumulation, but with a lot of churn under the surface. Overall, the total institutional share count saw a significant increase of 24.52% leading up to the September 2025 reporting date, which is a strong vote of confidence in the stock's valuation and dividend prospects.

However, when you dive into the quarterly filings, the picture is more nuanced. In a recent reporting period, we saw 75 institutional investors add shares to their portfolios, but at the same time, 93 institutions decreased their positions. This tells me that while the overall capital inflow is positive, there's a clear divergence in strategy among professional money managers. Some see the mREIT's high yield as an opportunity, while others are rotating out. For example, BALYASNY ASSET MANAGEMENT L.P. removed a substantial 978,838 shares in the first quarter of 2025. That's a huge move.

• 75 institutions added shares in the most recent quarter.
• 93 institutions decreased their positions.
• Net institutional shares held grew by 24.52% recently.

To be fair, the large removals by firms like BALYASNY ASSET MANAGEMENT L.P. can often be part of a broader portfolio rebalancing, not just a negative view on NYMT itself, but it defintely warrants a closer look at the mREIT's fundamentals. You should check out Breaking Down New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors for a deeper dive.

The Impact of Institutional Investors on Stock and Strategy

The role of these large investors in New York Mortgage Trust, Inc.'s stock price and corporate strategy is profound. Since they collectively own over half the company, their buying and selling activity creates the primary momentum for the stock price. When a firm like BlackRock, Inc. or Vanguard Group Inc. makes a large purchase, it provides a floor for the stock price and validates the company's business model to the broader market.

More importantly, these institutions wield significant voting power. They influence major corporate decisions, from executive compensation to capital allocation strategies, like the recent issuance of $85 million in 9.875% Senior Notes due 2030 in June 2025. They are the ones who hold management accountable for maintaining a stable dividend-a lifeblood for any mREIT-and for managing the complex interest rate and credit risk inherent in mortgage assets. Their high ownership means management must prioritize institutional interests, which often translates to a focus on consistent earnings available for distribution (EAD) and book value stability.

Key Investors and Their Impact on New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT)

If you're looking at New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT), you need to know who the major shareholders are because their moves defintely drive the stock. The short takeaway is that this is a company dominated by institutional money, which means the stock's volatility often follows broad market trends and sector sentiment, not just company-specific news.

As of the most recent filings (September 2025), a staggering 68,813,895 shares are held by 343 institutional owners and shareholders. That level of concentration means you're watching the big funds, not individual retail traders. When a fund like BlackRock, Inc. or Vanguard Group Inc. rebalances, the stock feels it.

The largest of these players are the passive giants, the ones who hold the stock as part of their massive index funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). Vanguard Group Inc. is a prime example, holding approximately 6.76% of the company. BlackRock, Inc., State Street Corp, and Invesco Ltd. are also consistently in the top tier. These are not activist investors; they are the bedrock of the shareholder base, providing stability but also a ceiling on major strategic shifts.

Here's a quick snapshot of the major institutional players and their influence:

• Vanguard Group Inc.: Provides a huge, stable base of passive capital.
• BlackRock, Inc.: Another index fund powerhouse, a key source of liquidity.
• Allspring Global Investments Holdings, LLC: Represents a significant active management stake.
• Geode Capital Management, Llc: A quantitative fund, often reacting to market data.

Recent Investor Moves and Market Signals

Honesty, the most telling sign for New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT) in 2025 has been the mixed signal from institutional buying and selling. We saw more institutions decrease their positions than increase them in the first quarter of 2025, which is a yellow flag you shouldn't ignore. This suggests some major players are de-risking or shifting capital to other sectors.

For example, in Q1 2025, BALYASNY ASSET MANAGEMENT L.P. completely removed their stake, shedding 978,838 shares. Similarly, BlackRock, Inc. reduced its position by 450,955 shares, a small but notable -2.9% cut. But to be fair, MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. bucked the trend, adding 450,501 shares, a substantial +32.0% increase to their portfolio. This tells you there's a debate happening among the smart money about the company's near-term prospects.

The institutional influence is less about boardroom battles and more about capital access. When institutions are net sellers, it puts downward pressure on the stock price and can make future equity raises-like the $90.0 million issuance of 9.875% Senior Notes due 2030 completed in July 2025-more challenging or expensive. The institutional sentiment directly impacts the cost of capital for this Real Estate Investment Trust (REIT).

Mapping Investor Sentiment to Financials

The institutional caution comes even as the company, which rebranded to Adamas Trust, Inc. (ADAM) in September 2025, showed some positive signs in its core business. In the second quarter of 2025, New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT) reported Earnings Available for Distribution (EAD) of $20,024 thousand, or $0.22 per share, beating analyst consensus. Still, the GAAP net loss was $(3,486) thousand for the quarter, which keeps the pressure on.

Here's the quick math on the Q2 2025 institutional activity:

What this estimate hides is the underlying reason for the churn: the adjusted book value per common share was $10.26 at the end of Q2 2025, making the stock look undervalued when it trades below that. Big investors are constantly trading that gap. If you want a deeper dive into the numbers, check out Breaking Down New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT) Financial Health: Key Insights for Investors.

Your action here is simple: track the 13F filings from these top institutional holders closely. If the net selling continues into Q3 and Q4 2025, it signals a lack of confidence in the short-term outlook, regardless of the dividend coverage. Finance: monitor the institutional ownership percentage change quarter-over-quarter.

Market Impact and Investor Sentiment

You're looking at New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT) and trying to figure out if the big players are still in the game, and honestly, the sentiment is mixed, leaning toward cautious optimism right now. The market is definitely in a holding pattern, which you can see in the latest data. As of mid-November 2025, the general sentiment is Neutral, with the Fear & Greed Index sitting at 39, which signals 'Fear.'

This neutral stance is understandable given the company's significant corporate rebrand to Adamas Trust, Inc. (ADAM) effective September 3, 2025. A name change like that, while strategic, can cause a brief pause for investors to reassess the new multi-dimensional platform. The technical indicators mirror this indecision, with roughly 54% signaling bullish action and 46% signaling bearish action. It's a tug-of-war.

The core of the positive outlook comes from the company's operational execution. Over the past year, New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. expanded its interest income by 55% due to a portfolio realignment that focused on Agency Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities (RMBS). That's a massive jump in core performance.

• Sentiment: Neutral, with underlying Fear.
• Technical Signals: Split between bullish and bearish.
• Interest Income: Expanded by 55% year-over-year.

Major Investor Moves and Market Reaction

When you look at institutional ownership, you see a classic risk-on/risk-off split. In the most recent quarter, 75 institutional investors added shares of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. stock to their portfolios, but 93 decreased their positions. That tells you that while some big funds are initiating or increasing exposure to the new strategy, others are taking profits or cutting losses.

For example, some major hedge funds made large exits in the first quarter of 2025. BALYASNY ASSET MANAGEMENT L.P. removed 978,838 shares, valued at an estimated $6.35 million, and BRANDYWINE GLOBAL INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC removed 915,546 shares, valued at an estimated $5.55 million. When funds make moves this large, it defintely shakes things up.

The market reaction to earnings has been highly sensitive to the nature of the results, which is a key risk to monitor. The stock surged by a notable 10.22% following the Q1 2025 earnings announcement, which showed Earnings Available for Distribution (EAD) per share rising to $0.20. However, the Q2 2025 results, which reported a GAAP loss per share of $(0.04), caused the stock to drop by 7.18% in the following days, despite EAD per share still increasing to $0.22. The market is rewarding EAD growth but punishing GAAP losses.

Analyst Consensus and Future Outlook

The analyst community, the folks who get paid to dig into the financials, are generally supportive of the company's direction. The consensus rating for New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT) is a Moderate Buy. This is a stronger rating than the average for the broader finance sector, which is typically a Hold.

The average 12-month price target from analysts is set at $7.92. Here's the quick math: with the stock trading below that, the analysts see a clear path for capital appreciation. They are projecting full-year 2025 Earnings Per Share (EPS) to reach $1.063 and total revenue to hit $152.16 million. This optimism is grounded in the strategic pivot toward higher-yielding assets like business purpose loans (BPLs) and Agency RMBS, which expanded the total investment portfolio to $8.6 billion in Q2 2025.

What this estimate hides is the execution risk of the new platform and the impact of rising interest rates on their cost of funds, which is a constant headwind for mREITs (mortgage real estate investment trusts). Still, the analysts are betting on the management team's ability to generate durable earnings, citing the recent acquisition of Constructive Loans, LLC as a key driver for future BPL growth. You can read more about the long-term vision in their Mission Statement, Vision, & Core Values of New York Mortgage Trust, Inc. (NYMT).

Finance: Track the institutional ownership filings (13F) for the Q3 2025 period immediately to see if the net selling trend reversed after the September rebrand to Adamas Trust, Inc. (ADAM).