NEW YORK, May 08, 2019 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Saratoga Investment Corp. (NYSE:SAR) (“Saratoga Investment” or “the Company”), a business development company, today announced financial results for its 2019 fiscal year end and fourth quarter.
Summary Financial Information
The Company’s summarized financial information is as follows:
“Fiscal year 2019 continued the strong performance trend for Saratoga Investment Corp. with significant strengthening of our organizational and capital foundation,” said Christian L. Oberbeck, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Saratoga Investment. “We continued to make steady progress growing our high quality asset base while maintaining our industry leadership in key performance metrics and credit quality. We also took important steps to expand our capitalization and liquidity through equity and long-term debt issuances, raising over $90 million in the public capital markets. We increased our quarterly dividend for the 18th consecutive quarter to $0.54 per share, reflecting a 2% year-over-year increase while still overearning the dividend. Year-over-year, NAV grew by 26% and NAV per share by 3%. Our LTM ROE for the year was 10.6% is in the top tier of the BDC industry.”
Michael J. Grisius, President and Chief Investment Officer, added, “In this fiscal year, our organization originated $167.7 million of new investments, excluding the CLO warehouse – a record amount for us. We continue to see steady year-over-year asset base expansion, with an increase in our investments at fair value of 17% compared to last year, despite some significant repayments in Q4 of $57.0 million, excluding the CLO warehouse. Furthermore, market headwinds have not impaired our exceptional underwriting standards and consistent ability to deploy capital in high quality credits. This continued post quarter-end as we closed investments in three new platforms. 99% of our investments continue to hold our highest quality rating. Our belief remains that successful investing rests on sound judgment and steady, continuous discipline, taken one decision at a time. It is our conviction that our commitment to a long-term strategy and focus on quality will continue to reap positive rewards.”
As of February 28, 2019, Saratoga Investment increased its assets under management (“AUM”) to $402.0 million, an increase of 17.3% from $342.7 million as of February 28, 2018, and a decrease of 9.4% from $443.8 million as of November 30, 2018. The annual increase reflects originations of $187.7 million new investments during the year ended February 28, 2019, offset by repayments and amortizations of $135.7 million. These investments and repayments for the year are inclusive of the $29.3 million in originations and $77.0 million in repayments during the quarter ended February 28, 2019. Since Saratoga management has taken over the management of the BDC, $357.8 million of repayments and sales of investments originated by Saratoga have generated a gross unlevered IRR of 13.8%. Saratoga Investment’s portfolio has remained strong, with a continued high level of investment quality in loan investments, with 98.6% of its loans at its highest internal rating for this quarter.
As a result, both the year and quarter ended February 28, 2019 benefitted from higher investment income as compared to the prior-year period – investment income increased to $47.7 million for the year ended February 28, 2019, up 23.5% from $38.6 million for the year ended February 28, 2018, and up to $13.0 million from $10.1 million for the same quarterly periods, a 28.2% increase. This increased investment income was generated from an investment base that has grown by 17.3% since last year, partially offset by the weighted average current yield decreasing from 11.1% to 10.7%. In addition, this quarter’s investment income was also up 1.2% from $12.8 million for the quarter ended November 30, 2018.
As compared to the year ended February 28, 2018, the investment income increase was offset by (i) increased debt and financing expenses, as the growth in AUM this year was partially financed from increased SBA debentures and the $60.0 million baby bond issuance, (ii) increased base and incentive management fees generated from the management of this larger pool of investments, and (iii) increased total expenses, excluding interest and debt financing expenses, base management fees and incentive fees and income tax benefit, reflecting primarily higher administrator expenses, higher directors fees and expenses and higher professional and general and administrative expenses, partially due to increased Sarbanes-Oxley (“SOX”) activities now that the Company has qualified as an accelerated filer. The increased expenses were offset by the recognition of a $1.0 million income tax benefit generated from net operating losses in Saratoga Investment’s blocker subsidiaries.
Net investment income on a weighted average per share basis was $2.60 and $0.54 for the year and quarter ended February 28, 2019, respectively. Adjusted for the incentive fee accrual related to net unrealized capital gains, the net investment income on a weighted average per share basis was $2.63 and $0.66, respectively. This compares to adjusted net investment income per share of $2.27 and $0.60 for the year and quarter ended February 28, 2018, reflecting an increase of $0.36 and $0.06 per share, respectively. This also compares to adjusted net investment income of $0.65 per share for the quarter ended November 30, 2018, an increase of $0.01 per share.
Net investment income yield as a percentage of average net asset value (“Net Investment Income Yield”) was 10.5% and 9.2% for the year and quarter ended February 28, 2019, respectively. Adjusted for the incentive fee accrual related to net unrealized capital gains, the Net Investment Income Yield was 10.6% and 11.2%, respectively. In comparison, adjusted Net Investment Income Yield was 10.2% for the year ended February 28, 2018, and 11.2% and 10.7% for the quarters ended November 30, 2018, and February 28, 2018, respectively.
Net Asset Value (“NAV”) was $180.9 million as of February 28, 2019, an increase of $37.2 million from $143.7 millionas of February 28, 2018, and an increase of $7.6 million from $173.3 million as of November 30, 2018.
- For the year ended February 28, 2019, $18.3 million of net investment income and $2.0 million of net realized and unrealized gains were earned, offset by $1.8 million of deferred tax expense on net unrealized gains in Saratoga Investment’s blocker subsidiaries, and $14.2 million of dividends declared. In addition, $30.8 million of common stock was issued, net of offering costs and $2.2 million of stock dividend distributions were made through the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”). 146,549 shares were sold through the Company’s At-the-Market (“ATM”) equity offering during the year.
NAV per share was $23.62 as of February 28, 2019, compared to $22.96 as of February 28, 2018, and $23.13 as of November 30, 2018.
- During the past twelve months, NAV per share increased by $0.66 per share, primarily reflecting (i) the $4.3 million, or $0.57 per share increase in net assets resulting from operations (net of the $2.06 per share dividend paid during fiscal 2019) and (ii) the $0.09 accretive impact of the year’s 1,400,127 share issuances, including the equity offering, the ATM and the DRIP. The Company made no purchases of common stock in the open market during the year.
Return on equity for the year ended February 28, 2019, was 10.6%, compared to 13.2% for the comparable period last year.
Earnings per share for the year and quarter ended February 28, 2019, was $2.63 per share and $1.04 per share, respectively, compared to earnings per share of $2.93 per share and $0.89 per share for the year and quarter ended February 28, 2018, respectively, and $0.49 per share for the quarter ended November 30, 2018.
Investment portfolio activity for the year ended February 28, 2019:
- Cost of investments made during the period: $187.7 million
- Principal repayments and amortizations during the period: $135.7 million
Investment portfolio activity for the quarter ended February 28, 2019:
- Cost of investments made during the period: $29.3 million
- Principal repayments and amortizations during the period: $77.0 million
Additional Financial Information
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2019, Saratoga Investment reported net investment income of $18.3 million, or $2.60 on a weighted average per share basis, and a net gain on investments of $0.2 million, or $0.03 on a weighted average per share basis, resulting in a net increase in net assets from operations of $18.5 million, or $2.63 on a weighted average per share basis. The $0.2 million net gain on investments was comprised of $4.9 million in net realized gain on investments offset by $2.9 million in net unrealized depreciation on investments and $1.8 million of net deferred tax expense on unrealized appreciation on investments in Saratoga Investment’s blocker subsidiaries. The net realized gain primarily relates to the $4.7 million gain on the Company’s Health Media Network investment realized in the fourth quarter. The $2.9 million unrealized depreciation primarily reflects (i) a reversal of the previously recognized appreciation following the realization of the Company’s Health Media Network investment, (ii) $1.4 million unrealized depreciation on the Company’s My Alarm Center investment, (iii) $1.6 million unrealized depreciation on the Company’s legacy Elyria investment and (iv) $1.8 million unrealized depreciation on the Company’s Roscoe Medical investment. These unrealized depreciations were partially offset by (i) $1.8 million unrealized appreciation on the Company’s Easy Ice investment, most notably the participating preferred equity, (ii) $2.1 million unrealized appreciation on the Company’s Netreo Holdings investment, and (iii) approximately $1.0 million of unrealized appreciation on each of the Company’s Grey Heller, Censis and Vector investments. This compared to the fiscal year ended February 28, 2018, with net investment income of $12.7 million, or $2.11 on a weighted average per share basis, and a net gain on investments of $4.9 million, or $0.82 on a weighted average per share basis, resulting in a net increase in net assets from operations of $17.7 million, or $2.93 on a weighted average per share basis. The $4.9 million net gain on investments consisted of $5.9 million in net realized loss on investments offset by $10.8 million unrealized appreciation.
Adjusted for the incentive fee accrual related to net unrealized capital gains, the net investment income was $18.6 million and $13.7 million for the years ended February 28, 2019, and February 28, 2018, respectively – this is an increase of $4.9 million year-over-year, or 35.9%.
For the quarter ended February 28, 2019, Saratoga Investment reported net investment income of $4.1 million, or $0.54 on a weighted average per share basis, and a net gain on investments of $3.8 million, or $0.50 on a weighted average per share basis, resulting in a net increase in net assets from operations of $7.9 million, or $1.04 on a weighted average per share basis. The $3.8 million net gain on investments was comprised of $4.7 million in net realized gain on investments offset by $0.4 million in net unrealized depreciation on investments and $0.6 million of net deferred tax expense on unrealized appreciation on investments in Saratoga Investment’s blocker subsidiaries. The net realized gain relates to the $4.7 million gain on the Company’s Health Media Network investment discussed above. The $0.4 million unrealized depreciation primarily reflects (i) a reversal of the previously recognized appreciation following the realization of the Company’s Health Media Network investment, and (ii) $1.1 million unrealized depreciation on the Company’s Roscoe Medical investment. These unrealized depreciations were partially offset by (i) $1.4 millionunrealized appreciation on the Company’s Netreo Holdings investment, (ii) $0.6 million unrealized appreciation on the Company’s Ohio Medical investment, (iii) $0.6 million unrealized appreciation on Saratoga Investment’s CLO equity investment, reflecting fourth quarter performance exceeding projections, and (iv) numerous smaller unrealized appreciations across the portfolio on various investments. This compared to the quarter ended February 28, 2018, with net investment income of $3.3 million, or $0.53 on a weighted average per share basis, and a net gain on investments of $2.2 million, or $0.36 on a weighted average per share basis, resulting in a net increase in net assets from operations of $5.5 million, or $0.89 on a weighted average per share basis. The $2.2 million net gain on investments consisted of $2.4 million unrealized appreciation offset by $0.2 million in net realized loss on investments.
Adjusted for the incentive fee accrual related to net unrealized capital gains, the net investment income was $4.9 million and $3.8 million for the quarters ended February 28, 2019, and February 28, 2018, respectively – this is an increase of $1.2 million year-over-year, or 31.1%.
Total expenses, excluding interest and debt financing expenses, base management fees and incentive management fees, decreased from $4.8 million for the year ended February 28, 2018 to $4.5 million for the year ended February 28, 2019, and decreased from 1.2% to 1.1% of average total assets. For the quarters ended February 28, 2019, and February 28, 2018, these total expenses decreased from $1.2 million to $1.0 million.
Portfolio and Investment Activity
As of February 28, 2019, the fair value of Saratoga Investment’s portfolio was $402.0 million (excluding $62.1 million in cash and cash equivalents), principally invested in 31 portfolio companies and one collateralized loan obligation fund (“CLO”). The overall portfolio composition consisted of 50.5% of first lien term loans, 31.3% of second lien term loans, 8.8% of CLO subordinated notes, 0.5% of unsecured term loans, and 8.9% of equity interests.
For the fiscal year ended February 28, 2019, Saratoga Investment invested $187.7 million in new or existing portfolio companies and had $135.7 million in aggregate amount of exits and repayments, resulting in net investments of $52.0 million for the year. For the quarter ended February 28, 2019, Saratoga Investment invested $29.3 million in new or existing portfolio companies, and had $77.0 million in aggregate amount of exits and repayments, resulting in $47.7 million of net exits and repayments for the quarter.
As of February 28, 2019, the weighted average current yield on Saratoga Investment’s portfolio for the twelve months ended was 10.7%, which was comprised of a weighted average current yield of 10.9% on first lien term loans, 11.7% on second lien term loans, 14.6% on CLO subordinated notes, and 3.1% on equity interests.
As of February 28, 2019, 83.7% of Saratoga Investment’s portfolio is in floating rate debt, with many of these investments having floors. For all of these investments, the relevant 1-month or 3-month LIBOR rate is currently above the floors. Saratoga Investment has analyzed the potential impact of changes in interest rates on interest income from investments, and assuming that the investments as of February 28, 2019, were to remain constant for a full fiscal year and no actions were taken to alter the existing interest rate terms, a hypothetical change of 1.0% in interest rates would cause a corresponding increase of approximately $2.8 million to interest income.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of February 28, 2019, Saratoga Investment had $0.0 million in outstanding borrowings under its $45 million senior secured revolving credit facility with Madison Capital Funding LLC. At the same time, Saratoga Investment had $150.0 million outstanding of SBA debentures, $134.5 million of Baby Bonds (fair value of $136.3 million) and an aggregate of $62.1 million in cash and cash equivalents.
With the $45.0 million credit facility and the $62.1 million of cash and cash equivalents, Saratoga Investment has a total of $107.1 million of undrawn borrowing capacity and cash and cash equivalents available as of February 28, 2019. The net proceeds from the DRIP and ATM equity program totaled $32.9 million and $3.7 million of equity issuances for the year and quarter ended February 28, 2019, respectively. Saratoga Investment also has the ability to issue additional Baby Bonds through the existing shelf registration statement.
On March 16, 2017, we entered into an equity distribution agreement with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., through which Saratoga may offer for sale, from time to time, up to $30.0 million of its common stock through an ATM offering. As of February 28, 2019, the Company sold 494,672 shares for gross proceeds of $11.2 million at an average price of $22.72 for aggregate net proceeds of $11.1 million (net of transaction costs).
On July 13, 2018, Saratoga Investment issued 1,150,000 shares of its common stock priced at $25.00 per share (par value $0.001 per share) at an aggregate total of $28.75 million. The net proceeds, after deducting underwriting commissions of $1.15 million and offering costs of approximately $0.2 million, amounted to approximately $27.4 million. The Company also granted the underwriters a 30-day option to purchase up to an additional 172,500 shares of its common stock, which was not exercised.
On August 28, 2018, Saratoga Investment issued $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.25% fixed-rate notes due 2025 (the “2025 Notes”) for net proceeds of $38.7 million after deducting underwriting commissions of approximately $1.25 million and offering costs of approximately $0.3 million. The issuance included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional $5.0 million aggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes within 30 days. Interest on the 2025 Notes is paid quarterly in arrears on February 28, May 31, August 31 and November 30, at a rate of 6.25% per year, beginning November 30, 2018. The 2025 Notes mature on August 31, 2025, and commencing August 28, 2021, may be redeemed in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, at its option. The 2025 Notes are listed on the NYSE under the trading symbol “SAF” with a par value of $25.00 per share.
On February 5, 2019, Saratoga Investment completed a re-opening and up-sizing of its existing 2025 Notes by issuing an additional $20.0 million in aggregate principal amount for net proceeds of $19.2 million after deducting underwriting commissions of approximately $0.6 million and discount of $0.2 million. Offering costs incurred were approximately $0.2 million. The issuance included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional $2.5 millionaggregate principal amount of 2025 Notes within 30 days. Interest rate, interest payment dates and maturity remain unchanged from the existing 2025 Notes issued in August 2018.
On September 27, 2018, the SBA issued a “green light” letter inviting Saratoga Investment to file a formal license application for a second SBIC license. If approved, the additional SBIC license would provide the Company with an incremental source of long-term capital by permitting us to issue, subject to SBA approval, up to $175.0 million of additional SBA-guaranteed debentures in addition to the $150.0 million already approved under the Company’s first license. Receipt of a green light letter from the SBA does not assure an applicant that the SBA will ultimately issue an SBIC license and the Company has received no assurance or indication from the SBA that it will receive an additional SBIC license, or of the timeframe in which it would receive an additional license, should one ultimately be granted.
Dividend
During fiscal year 2019, Saratoga Investment declared and paid quarterly cash dividends of $2.06 per share, including $0.50 per share for the quarter ended February 28, 2018, $0.51 per share for the quarter ended May 31, 2018, $0.52per share for the quarter ended August 31, 2018 and $0.53 per share for the quarter ended November 30, 2018.
On February 26, 2019, our board of directors declared a dividend of $0.54 per share for the quarter ended February 28, 2019, which was paid on March 28, 2019. Shareholders have the option to receive payment of the dividend in cash, or receive shares of common stock, pursuant the Company’s DRIP.
Share Repurchase Plan
In fiscal year 2015, the Company announced the approval of an open market share repurchase plan that allows it to repurchase up to 200,000 shares of its common stock at prices below its NAV as reported in its then most recently published financial statements. During fiscal year 2018, the share repurchase plan was increased to 600,000 shares of common stock, and during fiscal year 2019, this share repurchase plan was extended for another year, through January 2020, at the same level of approval. As of February 28, 2019, the Company purchased 218,491 shares of common stock, at the average price of $16.87 for approximately $3.7 million pursuant to this repurchase plan.
We made no purchases of common stock in the open market during the year ended February 28, 2019.
2019 Fiscal Year End and Fourth Quarter Conference Call/Webcast Information
When: Thursday, May 9, 2018, 10:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time (EDT)
Call: Interested parties may participate by dialing (877) 312-9208 (U.S. and Canada) or (678) 224-7872 (outside U.S. and Canada).
A replay of the call will be available from 1:00 p.m. EDT on Thursday, May 9, 2019, through 1:00 p.m. ET on Thursday, May 16, 2019, by dialing (855) 859-2056 (U.S. and Canada) or (404) 537-3406 (outside U.S. and Canada), passcode for both replay numbers: 3985768.
Webcast: Interested parties may access a simultaneous webcast of the call and find the FY and Q4 2019 presentation by going to the ?Events & Presentations? section of Saratoga Investment Corp.?s investor relations website, http://ir.saratogainvestmentcorp.com/events-presentations
About Saratoga Investment Corp.
Saratoga Investment is a specialty finance company that provides customized financing solutions to U.S. middle-market businesses. The Company invests primarily in senior and unitranche leveraged loans and mezzanine debt, and, to a lesser extent, equity to provide financing for change of ownership transactions, strategic acquisitions, recapitalizations and growth initiatives in partnership with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors. Saratoga Investment’s objective is to create attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating current income and long-term capital appreciation from its debt and equity investments. Saratoga Investment has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and is externally-managed by Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC, an SEC-registered investment advisor focusing on credit-driven strategies. Saratoga Investment owns an SBIC-licensed subsidiary and manages a $500 million collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) fund. It also owns 100% of the Class F-R-2, G-R-2 and subordinated notes of the CLO. The Company’s diverse funding sources, combined with a permanent capital base, enable Saratoga Investment to provide a broad range of financing solutions.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains certain forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties and other factors enumerated in this press release that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Additional information is contained in the filings Saratoga Investment Corp. makes with the SEC. Saratoga Investment Corp. undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
Financials
Saratoga Investment Corp.
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities
Supplemental Information Regarding Adjusted Net Investment Income, Adjusted Net Investment Income Yield and Adjusted Net Investment Income per share
On a supplemental basis, we provide information relating to adjusted net investment income, adjusted net investment income yield, and adjusted net investment income per share, which are non-GAAP measures. These measures are provided in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net investment income, net investment income yield, and net investment income per share. Adjusted net investment income represents net investment income excluding any capital gains incentive fee expense or reversal attributable to unrealized gains. The management agreement with Saratoga Investment’s advisor provides that a capital gains incentive fee is determined and paid annually with respect to cumulative realized capital gains (but not unrealized capital gains) to the extent such realized capital gains exceed realized and unrealized losses for such year. In addition, we accrue, but do not pay, a capital gains incentive fee in connection with any unrealized capital appreciation, as appropriate. As such, we believe that adjusted net investment income, adjusted net investment income yield, and adjusted net income per share is a useful indicator of operations exclusive of any capital gains incentive fee expense or reversal attributable to unrealized gains. In addition, for fiscal 2017, adjusted net investment income also excludes the loss on extinguishment of Saratoga Investment’s 2020 Notes, and the interest expense related to the 2020 Notes during the call notice period while the 2023 Notes were already issued and outstanding. Both these expenses are directly attributable to the issuance of the 2023 Notes and the subsequent repayment of the 2020 Notes, and are deemed to be non-recurring in nature and not representative of the operations of Saratoga Investment. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. The following table provides a reconciliation of net investment income to adjusted net investment income, net investment income yield to adjusted net investment income yield, and net investment income per share to adjusted net investment income per share for the years and quarters ended February 28, 2019 and February 28, 2018, and the year ended February 28, 2017.
