Derivative Financial Instruments | 1 to ≤ 3 years $ 1,100,000 1.67% 2.69% $ 8,757 1.3 Expiration > 3 to ≤ 5 years 660,000 2.15% 2.63% 3,278 4.6 $ 1,760,000 1.85% 2.66% $ 12,035 2.5 December 31, 2018 Expiration > 1 to ≤ 3 years $ 1,000,000 1.62% 2.63% $ 10,365 1.4 Expiration > 3 to ≤ 5 years 260,000 2.01% 2.68% 4,192 3.4 $ 1,260,000 1.70% 2.64% $ 14,557 1.8 The table below presents information related to the Company’s interest rate swaption positions at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . ($ in thousands) Option Underlying Swap Weighted Average Weighted Average Average Adjustable Average Fair Months to Notional Fixed Rate Term Expiration Cost Value Expiration Amount Rate (LIBOR) (Years) March 31, 2019 ≤ 1 year Payer Swaptions $ 308 $ 53 2.3 $ 100,000 2.71% 3 Month 7.0 December 31, 2018 ≤ 1 year Payer Swaptions $ 7,805 $ 123 1.4 $ 700,000 3.20% 3 Month 9.0 The following table summarizes our contracts to purchase and sell TBA securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . ($ in thousands) Notional Net Amount Cost Market Carrying Long (Short) (1) Basis (2) Value (3) Value (4) March 31, 2019 30-Year TBA securities: 3.0% $ (200,000) $ (194,896) $ (199,131) $ (4,235) Total $ (200,000) $ (194,896) $ (199,131) $ (4,235) December 31, 2018 30-Year TBA securities: 3.0% $ (250,000) $ (240,164) $ (243,906) $ (3,742) Total $ (250,000) $ (240,164) $ (243,906) $ (3,742) Gain (Loss) From Derivative Instruments, Net The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 . (in thousands) 2019 2018 Eurodollar futures contracts (short positions) $ (10,041) $ 14,541 T-Note futures contracts (short position) (1,677) 6,821 Interest rate swaps (2,295) 10,508 Receiver swaptions - (349) Payer swaptions (378) 2,066 Net TBA securities (4,641) 8,407 Total $ (19,032) $ 41,994 Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features The use of derivatives creates exposure to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized in the event that the counterparties to these instruments fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. We minimize this risk by limiting our counterparties for instruments which are not centrally cleared on a registered exchange to major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings and monitoring positions with individual counterparties. In addition, we may be required to pledge as sets as collateral for our derivatives, whose amounts vary over time based on the market value, notional amount and remaining term of the derivative contract. In the event of a default by a counterparty , we may not receive payments provided for under the t erms of our derivative agreements, and may have difficulty obtaining our assets pledged as collateral for our derivatives. The cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral for our derivative instruments are included in restricted cash on our balance sheets." id="sjs-B4">NOTE 4 . DERIVATIVE FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS In connection with its interest rate risk management strategy, the Company economically hedges a portion of the cost of its repurchase agreement funding by entering into derivatives and other hedging contracts. To date, the Company has entered into Eurodollar and T-Note futures contracts, interes t rate swaps, and interest rate swaptions, but may enter into other contracts in the future. The Company has not elected hedging treatment under GAAP, and as such all gains or losses (realized and unrealized) on these instruments are reflected in earnings for all periods presented. In addition, the Company utilizes TBA securities as a means of investing in and financing PT RMBS or as a means of reducing its exposure to PT RMBS. The Company accounts for TBA securities as derivative instruments if ei ther the TBA securities do not settle in the shortest period of time possible or if the Company cannot assert that it is probable at inception and throughout the term of the TBA securities that it will take physical delivery of the Agency RMBS for a long p osition, or make delivery of the Agency RMBS for a short position, upon settlement of the trade. Derivative Assets (Liabilities), at Fair Value The table below summarizes fair value information about our derivative assets and liabilities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . (in thousands) Derivative Instruments and Related Accounts Balance Sheet Location March 31, 2019 December 31, 2018 Assets Interest rate swaps Derivative assets, at fair value $ 13,146 $ 16,762 Payer swaptions Derivative assets, at fair value 53 123 Total derivative assets, at fair value $ 13,199 $ 16,885 Liabilities Interest rate swaps Derivative liabilities, at fair value $ 1,111 $ 2,205 TBA securities Derivative liabilities, at fair value 4,235 3,742 Total derivative liabilities, at fair value $ 5,346 $ 5,947 Margin Balances Posted to (from) Counterparties Futures contracts Restricted cash $ 2,347 $ 4,711 TBA securities Restricted cash 3,064 6,236 Interest rate swaption contracts Other liabilities - (268) Interest rate swap contracts Restricted cash 4,812 - Interest rate swap contracts Other liabilities - (14,308) Total margin balances on derivative contracts $ 10,223 $ (3,629) Eurodollar and T-Note futures are cash settled futures contracts on an interest rate, with gains and losses credited or charged to the Company’s cash accounts on a daily basis. A minimum balance, or “margin”, is required to be maintained in the account on a daily basis. The tables below present information related to the Company’s Eurodollar and T-Note futures positions at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . ($ in thousands) March 31, 2019 Average Weighted Weighted Contract Average Average Notional Entry Effective Open Expiration Year Amount Rate Rate Equity (1) Eurodollar Futures Contracts (Short Positions) 2019 $ 400,000 2.76% 2.46% $ (909) 2020 500,000 2.97% 2.21% (3,799) Total / Weighted Average $ 457,143 2.89% 2.31% $ (4,708) Treasury Note Futures Contracts (Short Position) (2) June 2019 5-year T-Note futures (Jun 2019 - Dec 2024 Hedge Period) $ 165,000 2.86% 2.62% $ (1,789) ($ in thousands) December 31, 2018 Average Weighted Weighted Contract Average Average Notional Entry Effective Open Expiration Year Amount Rate Rate Equity (1) Eurodollar Futures Contracts (Short Positions) 2019 $ 1,650,000 2.25% 2.64% $ 7,036 2020 1,800,000 2.74% 2.45% (4,503) Total / Weighted Average $ 1,725,000 2.51% 2.54% $ 2,533 Treasury Note Futures Contracts (Short Position) (2) March 2019 5 year T-Note futures (Mar 2019 - Mar 2024 Hedge Period) $ 165,000 3.22% 2.83% $ (3,185) Under our interest rate swap agreements, we typically pay a fixed rate and receive a floating rate based on the London Interbank Of fered Rate (“ LIBOR ”) ("payer swaps"). The floating rate we receive under our swap agreements has the effect of offsetting the repricing characteristics of our repurchase agreements and cash flows on such liabilities. We are typically required to post coll ateral on our interest rate swap agreements. The table below presents information related to the Company’s interest rate swap positions at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . ($ in thousands) Average Net Fixed Average Estimated Average Notional Pay Receive Fair Maturity Amount Rate Rate Value (Years) March 31, 2019 Expiration > 1 to ≤ 3 years $ 1,100,000 1.67% 2.69% $ 8,757 1.3 Expiration > 3 to ≤ 5 years 660,000 2.15% 2.63% 3,278 4.6 $ 1,760,000 1.85% 2.66% $ 12,035 2.5 December 31, 2018 Expiration > 1 to ≤ 3 years $ 1,000,000 1.62% 2.63% $ 10,365 1.4 Expiration > 3 to ≤ 5 years 260,000 2.01% 2.68% 4,192 3.4 $ 1,260,000 1.70% 2.64% $ 14,557 1.8 The table below presents information related to the Company’s interest rate swaption positions at March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . ($ in thousands) Option Underlying Swap Weighted Average Weighted Average Average Adjustable Average Fair Months to Notional Fixed Rate Term Expiration Cost Value Expiration Amount Rate (LIBOR) (Years) March 31, 2019 ≤ 1 year Payer Swaptions $ 308 $ 53 2.3 $ 100,000 2.71% 3 Month 7.0 December 31, 2018 ≤ 1 year Payer Swaptions $ 7,805 $ 123 1.4 $ 700,000 3.20% 3 Month 9.0 The following table summarizes our contracts to purchase and sell TBA securities as of March 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 . ($ in thousands) Notional Net Amount Cost Market Carrying Long (Short) (1) Basis (2) Value (3) Value (4) March 31, 2019 30-Year TBA securities: 3.0% $ (200,000) $ (194,896) $ (199,131) $ (4,235) Total $ (200,000) $ (194,896) $ (199,131) $ (4,235) December 31, 2018 30-Year TBA securities: 3.0% $ (250,000) $ (240,164) $ (243,906) $ (3,742) Total $ (250,000) $ (240,164) $ (243,906) $ (3,742) Gain (Loss) From Derivative Instruments, Net The table below presents the effect of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the statements of operations for the three months ended March 31, 2019 and 2018 . (in thousands) 2019 2018 Eurodollar futures contracts (short positions) $ (10,041) $ 14,541 T-Note futures contracts (short position) (1,677) 6,821 Interest rate swaps (2,295) 10,508 Receiver swaptions - (349) Payer swaptions (378) 2,066 Net TBA securities (4,641) 8,407 Total $ (19,032) $ 41,994 Credit Risk-Related Contingent Features The use of derivatives creates exposure to credit risk relating to potential losses that could be recognized in the event that the counterparties to these instruments fail to perform their obligations under the contracts. We minimize this risk by limiting our counterparties for instruments which are not centrally cleared on a registered exchange to major financial institutions with acceptable credit ratings and monitoring positions with individual counterparties. In addition, we may be required to pledge as sets as collateral for our derivatives, whose amounts vary over time based on the market value, notional amount and remaining term of the derivative contract. In the event of a default by a counterparty , we may not receive payments provided for under the t erms of our derivative agreements, and may have difficulty obtaining our assets pledged as collateral for our derivatives. The cash and cash equivalents pledged as collateral for our derivative instruments are included in restricted cash on our balance sheets. | [1],[2],[3],[4],[5],[6] |