HOUSTON, March 6, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE:SCM) ("Stellus" or "the Company") today announced financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2018.

HIGHLIGHTS 

($ in millions, except data relating to per share amounts and number of portfolio companies)



As of



Portfolio results

December 31,
2018



Total assets

$526.3



Investment portfolio, at fair value

$504.5



Net assets

$224.8



Weighted average yield on debt investments

10.9%



Net asset value per share

$14.09








Year


Quarter


ended


ended


December 31,
2018


December 31,
2018

Portfolio activity







Total investments made, at par

$278.1


$75.9

Number of new investments

17


5

Repayments and sale of investments, including amortization

$147.6


$44.7

Number of portfolio companies at end of period

57


57





Operating results








Total investment income

$53.3


$15.2

Net investment income

$22.6


$7.8

Net investment income per share

$1.42


$0.49





Core net investment income(1)

$22.7


$6.7

Core net investment income per share(1)

$1.42


$0.42





Realized gains per share, net of tax provision

$0.33


$0.01

Distributions per share

$1.36


$0.34

Net increase in net assets from operations

$26.2


$2.4

Net increase in net assets from operations per share

$1.64


$0.14

Weighted average shares outstanding during the period

15,953,571


15,953,810


(1)

Core net investment income, as presented, excludes the impact of capital gains incentive fees.  The company believes presenting core net investment income and the related per share amount is a useful supplemental disclosure for analyzing its financial performance.  However, core net investment income is a non-U.S GAAP measure and should not be considered as a replacement for net investment income and other earnings measures presented in accordance with U.S GAAP.  A reconciliation of net investment income in accordance with U.S GAAP to core net investment income is presented in the table below the financial statements.

"Upon completion of our sixth full year of operations, we are pleased to report that our shareholders have received dividends in excess of $112 million since inception.  During 2018, we increased net asset value by $0.28 per share and recorded both core net investment income and regular net investment income of $1.42 per share as compared to dividends of $1.36 per share.  Realized gains plus core net investment income were $1.75 per share. Approximately 27% of 2018 dividends paid were classified as long term capital gains on our shareholders' Form 1099.  For the fourth quarter, core net investment income was $0.42 per share, substantially covering fourth quarter dividends of $0.34 per share," said Robert T. Ladd, the Company's Chief Executive Officer.

Portfolio and Investment Activity

We completed the fourth quarter of 2018 with a portfolio of $504.5 million (at fair value) invested in 57 companies.  As of December 31, 2018, our portfolio included approximately 58% of first lien debt, 30% of second lien debt, 5% of unsecured debt and 7% of equity investments at fair value.  Our debt portfolio consisted of 91% floating rate investments (subject to interest rate floors) and 9% fixed rate investments.  The average size of our portfolio company investments was $8.9 million and our largest portfolio company investment was approximately $22.3 million, both at fair value.  The weighted average yield on all of our debt investments as of December 31, 2018 was approximately 10.9%. 

During the year ended December 31, 2018, we made $278.1 million of investments at par in seventeen new and twelve existing portfolio companies, and received $147.6 million from amortization and repayments of certain other investments.

This compares to the portfolio as of December 31, 2017, which had a fair value of $371.8 million invested in 48 companies, comprised of 38% of first lien debt, 48% of second lien debt, 7% of unsecured debt and 7% of equity investments at fair value.  The weighted average yield on all of our debt investments as of December 31, 2017 was approximately 10.8%.  The debt portfolio consisted of 87% floating rate investments (subject to interest rate floors) and 13% fixed rate investments.

Results of Operations

Investment income for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 totaled $53.3 million and $39.6 million, respectively, most of which was interest income from portfolio investments. 

Operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, totaled $30.6 million and $21.3 million, respectively. For the same respective periods, base management fees totaled $8.2 million and $6.3 million, income incentive fees totaled $5.5 million and $2.9 million, capital gains incentive fees totaled $0.1 million and $0, fees and expenses related to our borrowings totaled $12.3 million and $7.9 million (including interest and amortization of deferred financing costs), administrative expenses totaled $1.4 million and $1.2 million, and other expenses totaled $3.1 million and $3.0 million, respectively.

Net investment income was $22.6 million and $18.0 million, or $1.42 and $1.21 per common share based on weighted average common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 of 15,953,571 and 14,870,981, respectively.

The Company's investment portfolio had a net change in unrealized depreciation for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, of ($1.6) million and ($0.02) million, respectively.  For the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017, the Company had realized gains of $5.3 million and $4.7 million, respectively, net of provision for taxes on realized gains of $0.3 million and $0, respectively. 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations totaled $26.2 million and $22.6 million, or $1.64 and $1.52 per common share based on weighted average common shares outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 of 15,953,571 and 14,870,981, respectively. 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, our credit facilities provided for borrowings in an aggregate amount up to $180.0 and $140.0 million, respectively, on a committed basis.  As of December 31, 2018, our credit facility had an accordion feature which allowed for potential future expansion of the facility size to $195.0 million. As of December 31, 2018 and 2017, we had $99.6 million and $40.8 million in outstanding borrowings under the credit facility, respectively.

For the year ended December 31, 2018, our operating activities used cash of $102.4 million, primarily in connection with the purchase of portfolio investments, offset by sales and repayments of portfolio investments.  For the same period, our financing activities provided cash of $94.8 million, primarily from proceeds from SBA-guaranteed debentures and net borrowings on our credit facility

For the year ended December 31, 2017, our operating activities provided cash of $18.9 million, primarily in connection with cash interest received and repayments of our investments, and our financing activities used cash of $2.9 million, primarily related to net repayments under our credit facility.

Distributions

During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2018, we declared aggregate distributions of $0.34 and $1.36 per share ($5.4 million and $21.7 million, respectively). During the three and twelve months ended December 31, 2017, we declared aggregate distributions of $0.34 and $1.36 per share ($5.4 million and $20.3 million, respectively). Tax characteristics of all distributions were reported to stockholders on Form 1099-DIV. None of these dividends are expected to include a return of capital.

Recent Portfolio Activity

For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, we funded $75.9 million at par in five new and five existing portfolio companies and received $44.7 million in total proceeds from full payoffs, partial sales, and other amortizations. The new investment transactions and repayments that occurred during the quarter are summarized as follows:

On October 1, 2018, we received full repayment on the second lien term loan of Roberts-Gordon, LLC for total proceeds of $7.2 million, including a $0.1 million prepayment fee. We also received a distribution related to our equity of $0.9 million, which resulted in a realized gain of $0.4 million.

On October 1, 2018, we invested $10.0 million in the second lien term loan of NGS US Finco, LLC, a manufacturer of rotary meters, pipeline distribution repair/upgrade products, electric actuators and chemical pumps to natural gas utilities and energy/industrial distributors.

On October 2, 2018, we invested $3.3 million in the first lien term loan of TechInsights, Inc., an existing portfolio company.

On October 18, 2018, we invested $10.7 million in the first lien term loan and $3.7 million in the unfunded delayed draw term loan of Premiere Digital Services, Inc., a provider of digital media services to the entertainment industry. Additionally, we invested $0.5 million in the equity of the company.

On October 31, 2018, we received full repayment on the second lien term loan of Keais Records Service, LLC for total proceeds of $7.9 million, including a $0.1 million prepayment fee.

On November 15, 2018, we invested $15.5 million in the first lien term loan and $2.0 million in the unfunded revolver of Nutritional Medicinals, LLC, a developer and distributor of branded feeding tube formulas for the enteral feeding market. Additionally, we invested $1.25 million in the equity of the company.

On November 30, 2018, we invested $10.0 million in the first lien term loan of APG Intermediate Sub 2 Corp., a provider of software and services to airline aviation markets. Additionally, we also invested $1.0 million in the equity of the company.

On December 7, 2018, we invested a total of $0.1 million in the equity of J.R. Watkins Holdings Inc., an existing portfolio company.

On December 17, 2018, we invested $2.5 million in the revolver of Furniture Factory Outlet, LLC, an existing portfolio company.

On December 21, 2018, we received full repayment on the second lien term loan of Hostway Corporation for total proceeds of $8.0 million, which included $1.2 million of previously reserved PIK.

On December 28, 2018, we invested $17.5 million in the first lien term loan of Jurassic Intermediate Holdings Corp., a producer and distributor of air-float kaolin and gel-grade attapulgite clays for customers in diversified end markets.

On December 31, 2018, we received full repayment on the first lien term loan of Energy Labs Inc. for total proceeds of $8.5 million, including a $0.1 million prepayment fee. We invested an additional $0.1 million in the equity of the company associated with a company acquisition.

Subsequent Events

On January 4, 2019, we received full repayment on the first lien term loan of EOS Fitness OPCO Holdings, LLC for total proceeds of $3.1 million. We also received a distribution related to our equity of $0.1 million.

On January 7, 2019 we received $0.3 million in full realization on the equity of OGS Holdings, Inc., resulting in a realized gain of $0.2 million.

On February 4, 2019, we invested $8.5 million in the first lien term loan of ASC Communications, LLC, an existing portfolio company.

On February 8, 2019, we invested $12.3 million in the first lien term loan of Exacta Land Surveyors LLC, a provider of land surveys and field management services used to facilitate the purchasing, selling, and development of residential real estate in the U.S. Additionally, we committed $1.5 million in the unfunded revolver, $4.0 million in the unfunded delayed draw term loan, and invested $1.0 million in the equity of the company.

On February 15, 2019, we received $0.05 million in full realization on the equity of Glori Energy Production, LLC.

On February 28, 2019, we invested $1.4 million in the first lien term loan of Convergence Technologies, Inc., an existing portfolio company. Additionally, we funded $5.4 million under the existing delayed draw term loan and an additional $0.1 million in the equity of the company.

Credit Facility

The outstanding balance under the credit facility as of March 4, 2019 was $112.8 million.

SBA-guaranteed Debentures

The total balance of SBA-guaranteed Debentures outstanding as of March 4, 2019 was $150.0 million.

Conference Call Information

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation will host a conference call to discuss these results on Wednesday, March 6, 2019 at 10:00 AM, Central Standard Time.  The conference call will be led by Robert T. Ladd, chief executive officer, and W. Todd Huskinson, chief financial officer, chief compliance officer, treasurer, and secretary.

For those wishing to participate by telephone, please dial 877-260-1479 (domestic).  Use passcode 4047508.  Starting approximately twenty-four hours after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through Thursday, March 14, 2019 by dialing (888) 203-1112 and entering passcode 4047508. The replay will also be available on the company's website.

Contacts
Stellus Capital Investment Corporation
W. Todd Huskinson, (713) 292-5414
Chief Financial Officer
thuskinson@stelluscapital.com

PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION


STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION


 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
















December 31,


December 31,




2018


2017

ASSETS







Non-controlled, affiliated investments, at fair value (amortized cost of $52,185 and $1,052,185, respectively)

$

50,000


$

990,000


Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments, at fair value (amortized cost of $502,691,464 and $367,401,021, respectively)


504,433,668



370,849,772


Cash and cash equivalents


17,467,146



25,110,718


Receivable for sales and repayments of investments


99,213



26,891


Interest receivable


3,788,684



2,922,204


Other receivables


85,246




Deferred offering costs


18,673




Prepaid expenses


344,621



361,270



Total Assets

$

526,287,251


$

400,260,855

LIABILITIES







Notes payable

$

47,641,797


$

47,306,488


Credit facility payable


98,237,227



39,332,479


SBA-guaranteed debentures


146,387,802



87,818,813


Dividends payable


1,807,570



1,806,671


Management fees payable


2,183,975



1,621,592


Income incentive fees payable


1,936,538



371,647


Capital gains incentive fees payable


81,038




Interest payable


1,863,566



1,021,173


Unearned revenue


410,593



139,304


Administrative services payable


392,191



327,033


Deferred tax liability


67,953




Income tax payable


316,092




Other accrued expenses and liabilities


115,902



268,413



Total Liabilities

$

301,442,244


$

180,013,613

Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)








Net Assets

$

224,845,007


$

220,247,242

NET ASSETS







Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share (200,000,000 shares and 100,000,000 shares authorized; 15,953,810 and 15,945,879 issued and outstanding, respectively)

$

15,954


$

15,946


Paid-in capital


228,160,491



228,066,762


Accumulated net realized loss from investments, net of cumulative dividends of $9,519,362 and $4,246,819, respectively, and tax provision on realized gain of $267,975 and $0, respectively


(10,786,240)



(10,786,240)


Accumulated undistributed net investment income


5,782,736



(435,794)


Net unrealized appreciation on non-controlled, non-affiliated investments and cash equivalents, net of provision for taxes of  $67,953 and $0, respectively (Note 13)


1,674,251



3,448,753


Net unrealized depreciation on non-controlled, affiliated investments


(2,185)



(62,185)



Net Assets

$

224,845,007


$

220,247,242



Total Liabilities and Net Assets

$

526,287,251


$

400,260,855



Net Asset Value Per Share

$

14.09


$

13.81

 

STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION













 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS















For the


For the


For the




year

year


year




ended

ended


ended




December 31,

December 31,


December 31,




2018

2017


2016

INVESTMENT INCOME










Interest income

$

51,463,033


$

38,071,449


$

38,176,617


Other income


1,803,305



1,576,744



1,313,580



Total Investment Income

$

53,266,338


$

39,648,193


$

39,490,197

OPERATING EXPENSES










Management fees

$

8,154,842


$

6,255,911


$

6,281,863


Valuation fees


307,838



336,300



397,330


Administrative services expenses


1,390,375



1,245,727



1,045,648


Income incentive fees


5,529,376



2,911,392



4,275,436


Capital gains incentive fees


81,038






Professional fees


1,189,071



1,274,066



712,524


Directors' fees


317,000



331,000



324,000


Insurance expense


348,500



429,897



471,427


Interest expense and other fees


12,338,755



7,855,211



7,992,185


Income tax expense


275,106






Deferred offering costs






261,761


Other general and administrative expenses


697,900



621,204



415,822



Total Operating Expenses

$

30,629,801


$

21,260,708


$

22,177,996



Loss on extinguishment of debt




416,725





Net Investment Income

$

22,636,537


$

17,970,760


$

17,312,201



Net realized gain (loss) on non-controlled, non-affiliated investments and cash equivalents

$

5,540,518


$

4,655,976


$

(13,089,671)



Tax provision on realized gain on investments


(267,975)







Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on non-controlled, non-affiliated investments and cash equivalents

$

(1,706,549)


$

40,113


$

18,603,401



Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on non-controlled, affiliated investments and cash equivalents


60,000



(62,185)



-



Benefit (provision) for taxes on net unrealized gain (loss) on investments

$

(67,953)


$

8,593


$

373,131



Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

$

26,194,578


$

22,613,257


$

23,199,062



Net Investment Income Per Share

$

1.42


$

1.21


$

1.39



Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations Per Share

 

$

 

1.64


 

$

 

1.52


 

$

 

1.86



Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding


15,953,571



14,870,981



12,479,959



Distributions Per Share

$

1.36


$

1.36


$

1.36

 

STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION


 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS










For the year


For the year


For the year



ended


ended


ended



December 31,


December 31,


December 31,



2018


2017


2016

Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations









Net investment income

$

22,636,537


$

17,970,760


$

17,312,201

Net realized gain (loss) on investments and cash equivalents


5,540,518



4,655,976



(13,089,671)

Tax provision on realized gain on investments


(267,975)





Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on non-controlled, non-affiliated investments and cash equivalents


(1,706,549)



40,113



18,603,401

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on non-controlled, affiliated investments and cash equivalents


60,000



(62,185)



Benefit (provision) for taxes on unrealized appreciation on investments


(67,953)



8,593



373,131

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

$

26,194,578


$

22,613,257


$

23,199,062

Stockholder distributions from:










Net investment income


(16,418,007)



(17,970,760)



(16,968,350)


Net realized capital gains


(5,272,543)



(2,352,545)



Total Distributions

$

(21,690,550)


$

(20,323,305)


$

(16,968,350)

Capital Share Transactions










Issuance of common stock

$

94,788


$

48,741,549


$


Sales load




(1,358,880)




Offering costs




(307,022)




Partial share redemption


(1,051)



(142)



(31)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting From










Capital Share Transactions

$

93,737


$

47,075,505


$

(31)

Total Increase in Net Assets

$

4,597,765


$

49,365,457


$

6,230,681


Net Assets at Beginning of Period

$

220,247,242


$

170,881,785


$

164,651,104

Net Assets at End of Period (Includes $5,782,736, $(435,794) and $(435,794) of Accumulated Undistributed Net Investment Income (Loss), Respectively)

$

224,845,007


$

220,247,242


$

170,881,785

 

STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION


 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS























For the year


For the year


For the year





ended


ended


ended





December 31,


December 31,


December 31,





2018


2017


2016

Cash flows from operating activities









Net Increase in net assets resulting from operations

$

26,194,578


$

22,613,257


$

23,199,062

Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:










Purchases of investments


(272,927,459)



(172,171,246)



(65,661,034)


Proceeds from sales and repayments of investments


147,528,448



172,260,541



55,949,177


Net change in unrealized depreciation (appreciation) on investments


1,646,549



22,072



(18,603,401)


Increase in investments due to PIK


(1,869,905)



(499,595)



(243,766)


Amortization of premium and accretion of discount, net


(1,553,333)



(1,196,566)



(1,128,511)


Deferred tax provision (benefit)


67,953



(8,593)



(373,130)


Amortization of loan structure fees


456,151



455,893



523,835


Amortization of deferred financing costs


335,309



251,826



326,190


Amortization of loan fees on SBA-guaranteed debentures


623,989



333,027



184,783


Net realized (gain) loss on investments


(5,540,518)



(4,655,976)



13,089,341


Loss on extinguishment of debt


-



416,725



-


Deferred offering costs


-



-



261,761

Changes in other assets and liabilities










Decrease (increase) in interest receivable


(866,480)



1,679,538



118,289


Decrease (increase) in other receivable


(85,246)



748



6,936


Decrease in prepaid expenses


16,649



94,949



19,230


Increase in management fees payable


562,383



13,297



89,516


Increase (decrease) in incentive fees payable


1,564,891



(981,624)



745,315


Increase in capital gains incentive fees payable


81,038



-



-


Increase (decrease) in administrative services payable


65,158



54,522



(125,288)


Increase in interest payable


842,393



47,361



403,623


Increase (decrease) in unearned revenue


271,289



119,349



(16,922)


Increase in income tax payable


316,092



-



-


Increase (decrease) in other accrued expenses and liabilities


(152,511)



1,022



71,714

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities

$

(102,422,582)


$

18,850,527


$

8,836,720

Cash flows from financing activities










Proceeds from the issuance of common stock

$

-


$

48,741,549


$

-


Sales load for common stock issued


-



(1,358,880)



-


Offering costs paid for common stock


(18,673)



(307,022)



-


Proceeds from notes issued


-



48,875,000



-


Financing costs paid for Notes issued


-



(1,688,961)



-


Repayments on Notes issued


-



(25,000,000)



-


Stockholder distributions paid


(21,594,863)



(19,930,616)



(16,968,350)


Proceeds from SBA Debentures


60,000,000



25,000,000



-


Financing costs paid on SBA Debentures


(2,055,000)



(856,250)



-


Borrowings under Credit Facility


246,300,000



194,250,000



56,500,000


Repayments of Credit Facility


(187,500,000)



(269,500,000)



(50,000,000)


Financing costs paid on Credit facility


(351,403)



(1,158,616)



(50,000)


Partial Share Redemption


(1,051)



(142)



(31)

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities

$

94,779,010


$

(2,933,938)


$

(10,518,381)

Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents

$

(7,643,572)


$

15,916,589


$

(1,681,661)


Cash and cash equivalents balance at beginning of period


25,110,718



9,194,129



10,875,790

Cash and Cash Equivalents Balance at End of Period

$

17,467,146


$

25,110,718


$

9,194,129

Supplemental and Non-Cash Activities










Cash paid for interest expense

$

10,075,913


$

6,762,104


$

6,548,754


Excise tax paid


27,717



37,648



-


Shares issued pursuant to Dividend Reinvestment Plan


94,788



-



-


Conversion from debt to equity


-



864,101



-


Increase in Distribution Payable


899



392,689



-











 

Reconciliation of Core Net Investment Income

(Unaudited)





Year



Quarter




ended



ended




December 31,



December 31,




2018



2018

Net investment income

$

22,636,537


$

7,823,948


Capital gains incentive fee


81,038



(1,092,212)

Core net investment income(1)(2)

$

22,717,575


$

6,731,736








Per share amounts:






Net investment income per share

$

1.42


$

0.49

Core net investment income per share(1)(2)

$

1.42


$

0.42



(2)

There were no capital gains incentive fees during the years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016.

 

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SOURCE Stellus Capital Investment Corporation