WHITE PLAINS, N.Y., May 6, 2009 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fifth Street Finance Corp. (NYSE: FSC) ("Fifth Street") today announced its results for the fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2009.
MARCH 31, 2009 FINANCIAL RESULTS
2009 Second Quarter Financial Highlights
* Net investment income for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 was $7.5 million or $0.33 per share, as compared to $4.1 million or $0.33 per share, for the quarter ended March 31, 2008; * Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments was approximately $7.7 million or $0.33 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, as compared to ($1.6 million) or ($0.13) per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2008; * Net realized loss on investments was approximately $12.4 million or $0.54 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2009, as compared to no realized losses for the quarter ended March 31, 2008. * Net asset value per share of $11.94 as of March 31, 2009, as compared to $11.86 as of December 31, 2008; and * Net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the quarter ended March 31, 2009 of $2.8 million or $0.12 per share, as compared to $2.5 million or $0.20 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
Portfolio and Investment Activity
During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we invested $24.2 million, consisting of $22.6 million of new term loans and $1.6 million of revolver fundings, across 1 new and 2 existing portfolio companies. This compares to investing $66.1 million across 6 new and 1 existing portfolio companies for the quarter ended March 31, 2008.
At March 31, 2009, our portfolio consisted of investments in 26 companies, all of which were completed in connection with an investment by a private equity sponsor. At fair value, 45.8% are first lien loans, 53.1% are second lien loans, and 1.1% are equity investments. Our average portfolio company investment at fair value was approximately $11.2 million at March 31, 2009, versus $11.4 million at September 30, 2008.
"I am excited to report that we continue to see stabilization across the portfolio. We are also encouraged by an increase in NAV for the quarter. April saw a continuation of the trend higher in the portfolio companies' financial performance," stated Fifth Street Finance Corp.'s President and Chief Executive Officer, Leonard Tannenbaum.
Our weighted average yield on debt investments was 16.4% at March 31, 2009. The weighted average yield on debt investments included a cash component of 13.4% at March 31, 2009.
At March 31, 2009 and September 30, 2008, $270.4 million and $251.5 million, respectively, of the Company's portfolio debt investments at fair value were at fixed rates, which represented approximately 94% and 93%, respectively, of the Company's total portfolio of debt investments at fair value. At March 31, 2009, 100% of our floating rate loans carried a minimum interest rate floor of at least 9%, which protects our return in a declining interest rate environment.
Results of Operations
Total Investment Income
Total investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and March 31, 2008 was approximately $11.9 million and $6.9 million, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2009, this amount primarily consisted of approximately $11.2 million of interest income from portfolio investments (which included approximately $1.9 million of payment-in-kind or PIK interest), and $753,000 of fee income. For the three months ended March 31, 2008, this amount primarily consisted of approximately $6.2 million of interest income from portfolio investments (which included approximately $959,000 of payment-in-kind or PIK interest), and $425,000 of fee income.
The increase in our total investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008 was primarily attributable to higher average levels of outstanding debt investments, which was principally due to an increase of seven debt investments in our portfolio in the year-over-year period, partially offset by debt repayments received during the same periods.
Expenses
Expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2009 and 2008 were approximately $4.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively. Expenses increased for the three months ended March 31, 2009 as compared to the three months ended March 31, 2008 by approximately $1.6 million, primarily as a result of increases in base management fees, incentive fees and legal fees related primarily to our formation of and application to license a Small Business Investment Company subsidiary and other deal related matters.
The increase in base management fees resulted from an increase in our total assets as reflected in the growth of the investment portfolio. Incentive fees were implemented effective January 2, 2008 when Fifth Street Mezzanine Partners III, L.P. merged with and into Fifth Street Finance Corp., and reflect the growth of our net investment income before such fees.
Realized Gain (Loss) on Sale of Investments
Net realized gain (loss) on the sale of investments is the difference between the proceeds received from dispositions of portfolio investments and their stated cost. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we recorded $12.4 million of realized losses on two of our portfolio company investments in connection with our determination that such investments were permanently impaired based on, among other things, our analysis of changes in each portfolio company's business operations and prospects. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we sold no investments and reported no realized gains or losses.
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation on Investments
At March 31, 2009, and September 30, 2008, portfolio investments recorded at fair value represented 97.7% and 91.5%, respectively, of our total assets.
Net unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments is the net change in the fair value of our investment portfolio during the reporting period, including the reversal of previously recorded unrealized appreciation or depreciation when gains or losses are realized. During the three months ended March 31, 2009, we recorded net unrealized appreciation of $7.7 million. This consisted of $12.4 million of reclassifications to realized losses (i.e., we reversed previously recorded unrealized depreciation on two of our portfolio company investments in connection with the recognition of the realized losses described above), $4.4 million of unrealized depreciation on debt investments and $0.3 million of unrealized depreciation on equity investments. During the three months ended March 31, 2008, we recorded net unrealized depreciation of $1.6 million. This consisted entirely of unrealized depreciation on equity investments.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
For the six months ended March 31, 2009, we experienced a net decrease in cash and equivalents of $19.2 million. During that period, we used $25.4 million of cash in operating activities, primarily for the funding of $47.9 million of investments, partially offset by $11.2 million of principal payments received and $15.7 million of net investment income. In addition, in October 2008 we repurchased 78,000 shares of our common stock totaling approximately $462,000 pursuant to our open market share repurchase program, on December 29, 2008 we paid a cash dividend of $6.4 million to our common stockholders and issued 105,326 common shares totaling approximately $763,000 to those common stockholders that opted to reinvest the dividend under our dividend reinvestment plan, and on January 29, 2009 we paid a cash dividend of $7.6 million to our common stockholders and issued 161,206 common shares totaling approximately $1.0 million under the dividend reinvestment plan. On January 29, 2009, we borrowed $1.0 million under our secured revolving credit facility with Bank of Montreal. This amount was repaid in full on January 30, 2009. Also, we borrowed $21.0 million under the facility on March 30, 2009. $17.0 million of this amount remained outstanding at April 30, 2009. We intend to fund our future distribution obligations through operating cash flow or with funds obtained through our credit line, as we deem appropriate.
As of March 31, 2009, we had $3.7 million in cash, portfolio investments (at fair value) of $290.8 million, $2.8 million of interest receivable, $21.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility and unfunded commitments of $11.0 million. At April 30, 2009, we had $1.8 million in cash, $2.2 million of interest receivable, $5.7 million of dividends payable, $17.0 million of borrowings outstanding under our secured revolving credit facility and unfunded commitments of $11.0 million.
For the six months ended March 31, 2008, we experienced a net decrease in cash and equivalents of $15.2 million. During that period, we used $92.5 million of cash in operating activities, primarily for the funding of $102.3 million of investments partially offset by $7.8 million of net investment income. $77.3 million of cash was provided by financing activities, due primarily to net capital contributions from partners of $66.5 million and net borrowings of $14.4 million.
Dividends
For the second quarter of 2009, we declared a dividend on December 9, 2008 of $0.33 per share. The record date was December 30, 2008 and the dividend was distributed on January 29, 2009.
For the first quarter of 2009, we declared a dividend on December 9, 2008 of $0.32 per share. The record date was December 19, 2008 and the dividend was distributed on December 29, 2008.
Dividends are paid from taxable income. Our Board of Directors determines quarterly dividends based on estimates of taxable income, which differ from book income due to changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments and due to temporary and permanent differences in income and expense recognition.
Going forward we plan to pay a regular dividend in connection with our quarterly SEC filings.
We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan ("DRIP") that provides for reinvestment of our dividends on behalf of our shareholders, unless a shareholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if we declare a cash dividend, our shareholders who have not "opted out" of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividends. If your shares of our common stock are held through a brokerage firm or other financial intermediary and you wish to participate in the DRIP, please contact your broker or other financial intermediary.
Portfolio Activity Quality
We utilize the following investment rating system for our entire portfolio of debt investments:
Investment Rating 1 - Investment is performing above expectations and/or a capital gain is expected;
Investment Rating 2 - Investment is performing substantially within our expectations, and its risks remain neutral or favorable compared to the potential risks at the time of the original investment (all new loans are initially rated 2);
Investment Rating 3 - Investment is performing below our expectations and requires closer monitoring, we expect no loss of investment return (interest and/or dividends) or principal. Companies with a rating of 3 may be out of compliance with financial covenants;
Investment Rating 4 - Investment is performing below our expectations and for which risk has increased materially since the original investment. We expect some loss of investment return, but no loss of principal; and
Investment Rating 5 - Investment is performing substantially below our expectations and whose risks have increased substantially since the original investment. Investments with a rating of 5 are those for which some loss of principal is expected.
At March 31, 2009, the distribution of our debt investments on the 1 to 5 investment rating scale at fair value was as follows:
March 31, 2009
-------------------------------------
Investment Percentage
at Fair of Total Leverage
Investment Rating Value Portfolio Ratio
------------- ---------- ----------
1. $ 9,788,669 3.37% 2.88
2. 239,166,947 82.25% 4.09
3. 29,758,091 10.23% 6.47
4. 9,193,449 3.16% 6.58
5. 2,870,143 0.99% NM(1)
------------- ---------- ----------
Total $ 290,777,299 100.00% 4.38
============= ========== ==========
As of March 31, 2009, we had stopped accruing PIK interest and OID on four investments, including two investments that had not paid their scheduled monthly cash interest payments or were otherwise on non-accrual status. The aggregate amount of this income non-accrual was approximately $1.0 million and $1.6 million for the three and six months ended March 31, 2009, respectively. We are closely monitoring the status of securities with an investment rating of a 3, 4, or 5 and continue to provide assistance as needed to help the companies navigate through the current economic downturn.
Recent Developments
On April 3, 2009 and May 4, 2009, we repaid $4.0 million and $3.0 million, respectively, of the balance on our secured revolving credit facility with the Bank of Montreal. As of May 6, 2009, the outstanding balance on the facility was $14.0 million.
On April 15, 2009, we declared a $0.25 per share dividend to our common stockholders of record as of May 26, 2009. The dividend is payable on June 25, 2009.
Conference Call
We will host a conference call on Thursday, May 7, 2009 at 10:00am (ET) to discuss our second quarter ended March 31, 2009 financial results. Please call (877) 419-6596 to enter the conference. An operator will monitor the call and set a queue for the questions. The conference call replay will be available through May 9, 2009. To hear the replay, please dial (888) 203-1112 and reference passcode #6873334. For further information contact Investor Relations at (914) 286-6811.
Fifth Street Finance Corp.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(unaudited)
March 31, September 30,
2009 2008
-------------- --------------
Assets
Investments at fair value:
Affiliate investments (cost
3/31/09: $84,321,772; cost
9/30/08: $81,820,636) $ 71,103,949 $ 71,350,417
Non-control/Non-affiliate
investments (cost
3/31/09: $234,014,064;
cost 9/30/08: $208,764,349) 219,673,350 202,408,737
-------------- --------------
Total investments at fair value 290,777,299 273,759,154
Cash and cash equivalents 3,722,068 22,906,376
Interest receivable 2,779,141 2,367,806
Due from portfolio company 43,890 80,763
Prepaid expenses 293,346 34,706
-------------- --------------
Total Assets $ 297,615,744 $ 299,148,805
============================
Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
Accounts payable, accrued expenses
and other liabilities $ 443,665 $ 567,691
Base management fee payable 1,488,079 1,381,212
Incentive fee payable 1,871,827 1,814,013
Due to FSC, Inc. 381,222 574,102
Interest payable 2,814 38,750
Payments received in advance from
portfolio companies 75,431 133,737
Offering costs payable -- 303,461
Loans payable 21,000,000 --
-------------- --------------
Total Liabilities 25,263,038 4,812,966
-------------- --------------
Commitments and Contingencies
Stockholders' Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value,
49,800,000 shares authorized,
22,802,821 and 22,614,289
shares issued and outstanding
at March 31, 2009 and
September 30, 2008 228,028 226,143
Additional paid-in-capital 301,789,575 300,524,155
Net unrealized depreciation on
investments (27,558,534) (16,825,831)
Net realized gain (loss) on
investments (12,337,513) 62,487
Accumulated undistributed net
investment income 10,231,150 10,348,885
-------------- --------------
Total Stockholders' Equity 272,352,706 294,335,839
-------------- --------------
Total Liabilities and
Stockholders' Equity $ 297,615,744 $ 299,148,805
============== ==============
Fifth Street Finance Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(unaudited)
Three months ended Six months ended
March 31, March 31,
--------------------------- --------------------------
2009 2008 2009 2008
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Interest income:
Affiliate
investments $ 2,649,912 $ 1,896,954 $ 5,368,398 $ 3,357,617
Non-control/
Non-affiliate
investments 6,605,804 3,392,795 13,477,109 6,144,190
Interest on
cash and cash
equivalents 10,765 180,432 89,955 393,001
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Total interest
income 9,266,481 5,470,181 18,935,462 9,894,808
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
PIK interest
income:
Affiliate
investments 443,809 336,830 796,846 621,143
Non-control/
Non-affiliate
investments 1,456,893 622,400 2,920,641 1,066,570
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Total PIK
interest income 1,900,702 959,230 3,717,487 1,687,713
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Fee income:
Affiliate
investments 257,258 160,622 704,171 269,676
Non-control/
Non-affiliate
investments 495,466 264,208 1,112,076 428,878
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Total fee income 752,724 424,830 1,816,247 698,554
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Dividend and
other income:
Other income -- -- 35,396 --
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Total dividend
and other
income -- -- 35,396 --
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Total Investment
Income 11,919,907 6,854,241 24,504,592 12,281,075
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Expenses:
Base management
fee 1,488,079 954,404 2,858,754 1,798,926
Incentive fee 1,871,827 1,019,905 3,924,422 1,019,905
Professional
fees 416,925 348,171 802,868 554,500
Board of
Directors fees 49,000 29,750 88,250 29,750
Organizational
costs -- 54,315 -- 200,747
Interest expense 128,201 72,982 168,359 187,681
Administrator
expense 241,168 140,222 421,598 249,562
Line of credit
guarantee
expense -- -- -- 83,333
Transaction fees -- -- -- 206,726
General and
administrative
expenses 237,399 154,873 542,651 196,325
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Total expenses 4,432,599 2,774,622 8,806,902 4,527,455
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Net Investment
Income 7,487,308 4,079,619 15,697,690 7,753,620
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on investments:
Affiliate
investments 3,121,821 (1,111,855) (2,747,604) (1,519,886)
Non-control/
Non-affiliate
investments 4,627,913 (457,147) (7,985,100) (525,453)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Total unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
on investments 7,749,734 (1,569,002) (10,732,704) (2,045,339)
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Realized loss on
investments:
Affiliate
investments (4,000,000) -- (4,000,000) --
Non-control/
Non-affiliate
investments (8,400,000) -- (8,400,000) --
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Total realized
loss on
investments (12,400,000) -- (12,400,000) --
------------- ------------- ------------- ------------
Net increase
(decrease) in
net assets
resulting from
operations $ 2,837,042 $ 2,510,617 $ (7,435,014) $ 5,708,281
============= ============= ============= ============
Earnings (loss)
per common
share - basic
and diluted(1) $ 0.12 $ 0.20 $ (0.34) $ 0.46
Net investment
income per
common share -
basic and
diluted(1) $ 0.33 $ 0.33 $ 0.69 $ 0.62
Weighted average
common shares -
basic and
diluted 22,752,668 12,480,972 22,656,383 12,480,972
About Fifth Street Finance Corp.
Fifth Street Finance Corp. is a specialty finance company that lends to and invests in small and mid-sized companies in connection with an investment by private equity sponsors. Fifth Street Finance Corp's investment objective is to maximize its portfolio's total return by generating current income from its debt investments and capital appreciation from its equity investments.
The Fifth Street Finance Corp. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=5525
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements, including statements with regard to the future performance of Fifth Street Finance Corp. Words such as "believes," "expects," "projects," and "future" or similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to the inherent uncertainties in predicting future results and conditions. Certain factors could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in these forward-looking statements, and these factors are identified from time to time in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Fifth Street Finance Corp. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.