Reports Strong Performance with Increases in Net Asset Value Per Share Quarter-over-Quarter, Core Investment Income and Net Investment Income Year-over-Year, While Also Continuing Share Repurchase Program in the Third Quarter of 2023

Announces Quarterly Distribution of $0.69 Per Share in the Fourth Quarter of 2023, Marking a $0.19 per Share Increase in the Total Distribution for the Full Year 2023, a 7.4% Increase as Compared to the Full Year 2022

NEW YORK, Nov. 08, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: PTMN) (the “Company” or “Portman Ridge”) announced today its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

Third Quarter 2023 Highlights

  • Total investment income for the third quarter of 2023 was $18.6 million, a decrease of $0.4 million as compared to $19.0 million for the third quarter of 2022 and a decrease of $1.0 million as compared to $19.6 million for the second quarter of 2023.
  • Core investment income1, excluding the impact of purchase price accounting, for the third quarter of 2023 was $18.3 million, an increase of $0.7 million as compared to $17.6 million for the third quarter of 2022 and a decrease of $0.9 million as compared to $19.2 million for the second quarter of 2023.
  • Net investment income ("NII") for the third quarter of 2023 was $7.2 million ($0.75 per share), a decrease of $1.2 million as compared to $8.4 million ($0.87 per share) for the third quarter of 2022 and a decrease of $0.7 million as compared to $7.9 million ($0.83 per share) for the second quarter of 2023.
  • Total shares repurchased in open market transactions under the Renewed Stock Repurchase Program during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 were 60,559 shares at an aggregate cost of approximately $1.2 million.

Subsequent Events

  • Declared stockholder distribution of $0.69per share for the fourth quarter of 2023, payable on November 30, 2023 to stockholders of record at the close of business on November 20, 2023. This is a $0.02 per share distribution increase as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. Including the distribution subsequent to the announcement of full year 2022 earnings results, total stockholder distributions for 2023 amount to $2.75 per share.

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1 Core investment income represents reported total investment income as determined in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or U.S. GAAP, less the impact of purchase price discount accounting in connection with the Garrison Capital Inc. (“GARS”) and Harvest Capital Credit Corporation (“HCAP”) mergers. Portman Ridge believes presenting core investment income and the related per share amount is useful and appropriate supplemental disclosure for analyzing its financial performance due to the unique circumstance giving rise to the purchase accounting adjustment. However, core investment income is a non-U.S. GAAP measure and should not be considered as a replacement for total investment income and other earnings measures presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Instead, core investment income should be reviewed only in connection with such U.S. GAAP measures in analyzing Portman Ridge’s financial performance.

Management Commentary
Ted Goldthorpe, Chief Executive Officer of Portman Ridge, stated, “I am pleased to announce another solid quarter of financial performance for Portman Ridge, as total investment income, net investment income and core investment income increased substantially compared to the same nine month period of the prior year, despite operating in a challenging market environment. We believe that our stock remains undervalued and thus, during the quarter we continued to repurchase shares for an aggregate of $1.2 million through the share repurchase program, positively affecting the company’s net asset value per share. As a result of our strong financial performance during the quarter, the board of directors was able to approve a dividend of $0.69 per share, an increase of $0.02 per share as compared to the fourth quarter of 2022. As we enter the final quarter of the year, we continue our strategy of being highly selective in our investment and capital deployment process and believe that we are well positioned to take advantage of new investment opportunities to utilize our available cash and borrowings capacity.”

Selected Financial Highlights

  • Total investments at fair value as of September 30, 2023 was $500.4 million; when excluding CLO funds, Joint Ventures, and short-term investments, these investments are spread across 26 different industries and 101 different entities with an average par balance per entity of approximately $3.3 million.
  • Weighted average contractual interest rate on our interest earning Debt Securities Portfolio as of September 30, 2023 was approximately 12.3%.        
  • Non-accruals on debt investments, as of September 30, 2023, were eight debt investments representing 1.6% and 3.6% of the Company’s investment portfolio at fair value and amortized cost, respectively.
  • Net asset value (“NAV”) for the third quarter of 2023 was $214.8 million ($22.65 per share), an increase of $0.11 per share as compared to $215.0 million ($22.54 per share) for the second quarter of 2023. The increase in NAV per share, despite total NAV decreasing slightly, was predominately driven by the repurchase of 60,559 shares during the third quarter.
  • Par value of outstanding borrowings, as of September 30, 2023, was $321.5 million with an asset coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings of 166%. On a net basis, leverage as of September 30, 2023 was 1.34x2 compared to net leverage of 1.39x3 as of June 30, 2023.

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2 Net leverage is calculated as the ratio between (A) debt, excluding unamortized debt issuance costs, less available cash and cash equivalents, and restricted cash and (B) NAV. Portman Ridge believes presenting a net leverage ratio is useful and appropriate supplemental disclosure because it reflects the Company’s financial condition net of $33.7 million and $35.4 million of cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash for the quarters ended September 30, 2023 and June 30, 2023, respectively. However, the net leverage ratio is a non-U.S. GAAP measure and should not be considered as a replacement for the regulatory asset coverage ratio and other similar information presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. Instead, the net leverage ratio should be reviewed only in connection with such U.S. GAAP measures in analyzing Portman Ridge’s financial condition.

Results of Operations

Operating results for the three months and nine ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022 were as follows:

  For the Three Months Ended
September 30,		  For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,		 
  2023  2022  2023  2022 
Total investment income $18,574  $19,009  $58,527  $50,997 
Total expenses  11,408   10,617   34,917   29,175 
Net Investment Income  7,166   8,392   23,610   21,822 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments  (1,636)  (9,087)  (11,192)  (28,631)
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments  1,708   (2,968)  (8,428)  (712)
Tax (provision) benefit on realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments $264  $(542) $671  $(1,059)
Net realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, net of taxes $336  $(12,597) $(18,949) $(30,402)
Realized gains (losses) on extinguishments of debt  (57) $-  $(275) $- 
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations $7,445  $(4,205) $4,386  $(8,580)
Net Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Resulting from Operations per Common Share:            
Basic and Diluted: $0.78  $(0.44) $0.46  $(0.89)
Net Investment Income Per Common Share:            
Basic and Diluted: $0.75  $0.87  $2.48  $2.26 
Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding—Basic and Diluted  9,505,172   9,602,712   9,533,835   9,644,870 
                 

Investment Income

The composition of our investment income for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, and September 30, 2022 was as follows:

  For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
($ in thousands) 20232022 20232022
Interest from investments in debt excluding accretion $13,174 $12,232  $41,436 $31,320 
Purchase discount accounting  238  1,404   1,706  4,518 
PIK Investment Income  2,421  1,740   4,987  4,414 
CLO Income  502  914   1,879  3,476 
JV Income  2,073  2,182   6,861  6,361 
Service Fees  166  537   1,658  908 
Investment Income $18,574  19,009  $58,527 $50,997 
Less: Purchase discount accounting $(238)$(1,404) $(1,706)$(4,518)
Core Investment Income $18,336 $17,605  $56,821 $46,479 
               

Fair Value of Investments

The composition of our investment portfolio as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 at cost and fair value was as follows:

($ in thousands) September 30, 2023
(Unaudited)		 December 31, 2022
Security Type Cost/Amortized
Cost		 Fair Value %(3) Cost/Amortized
Cost		 Fair Value %(3)
Senior Secured Loan $378,284  $360,994   72  $435,856  $418,722   73 
Junior Secured Loan  61,016   47,537   10   65,776   56,400   10 
Senior Unsecured Bond  416   43   0   416   43   0 
Equity Securities  29,667   19,189   4   28,848   21,905   4 
CLO Fund Securities  21,868   10,425   2   34,649   20,453   3 
Asset Manager Affiliates(4)  17,791   -   -   17,791   -   - 
Joint Ventures  75,513   62,231   12   68,850   58,955   10 
Derivatives  31   -   -   31   -   - 
Total $584,586  $500,419   100% $652,217  $576,478   100%
                         

3Represents percentage of total portfolio at fair value
4Represents the equity investment in the Asset Manager Affiliates

Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $321.5 million (par value) of borrowings outstanding at a current weighted average interest rate of 6.9%, of which $108.0 million par value had a fixed rate and $213.5 million par value had a floating rate. This balance was comprised of $74.0 million of outstanding borrowings under the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, $139.5 million of 2018-2 Secured Notes due 2029, and $108.0 million of 4.875% Notes due 2026.

As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the fair value of investments and cash were as follows:

($ in thousands)   
Security Type September 30, 2023 December 31, 2022
Cash and cash equivalents $14,896  $5,148 
Restricted Cash  18,813   27,983 
Senior Secured Loan  360,994   418,722 
Junior Secured Loan  47,537   56,400 
Senior Unsecured Bond  43   43 
Equity Securities  19,189   21,905 
CLO Fund Securities  10,425   20,453 
Asset Manager Affiliates  -   - 
Joint Ventures  62,231   58,955 
Derivatives  -   - 
Total $534,128  $609,609 
         

As of September 30, 2023, the Company had unrestricted cash of $14.9 million and restricted cash of $18.8 million. This compares to unrestricted cash of $20.3 million and restricted cash of $15.2 million as of June 30, 2023. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had $41 million of available borrowing capacity under the Senior Secured Revolving Credit Facility, and no remaining borrowing capacity under the 2018-2 Secured Notes.

Interest Rate Risk

The Company’s investment income is affected by fluctuations in various interest rates, including LIBOR, SOFR and prime rates.

As of September 30, 2023, approximately 90.5% of our Debt Securities Portfolio at par value were either floating rate with a spread to an interest rate index such as LIBOR, SOFR or the prime rate. 77.5% of these floating rate loans contain floors ranging between 0.50% and 2.50%. We generally expect that future portfolio investments will predominately be floating rate investments.

In periods of rising or lowering interest rates, the cost of the portion of debt associated with the 4.875% Notes Due 2026 would remain the same, given that this debt is at a fixed rate, while the interest rate on borrowings under the Revolving Credit Facility would fluctuate with changes in interest rates.

Generally, the Company would expect that an increase in the base rate index for floating rate investment assets would increase gross investment income and a decrease in the base rate index for such assets would decrease gross investment income (in either case, such increase/decrease may be limited by interest rate floors/minimums for certain investment assets).

  Impact on net investment income from
a change in interest rates at:
($ in thousands) 1% 2% 3%
Increase in interest rate $1,693  $3,386  $5,079 
Decrease in interest rate $(1,693) $(3,386) $(5,079)
             

Conference Call and Webcast

We will hold a conference call on November 9, 2023, at 4:00 pm Eastern Time to discuss our third quarter 2023 financial results. To access the call, stockholders, prospective stockholders and analysts should dial (646) 307-1963 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the conference call and use the conference ID 9970193.

A live audio webcast of the conference call can be accessed via the Internet, on a listen-only basis on the Company’s website www.portmanridge.com in the Investor Relations section under Events and Presentations. The webcast can also be accessed by clicking the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/zkkarccv. The online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company’s website shortly after the call.

About Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

Portman Ridge Finance Corporation (Nasdaq: PTMN) is a publicly traded, externally managed investment company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Portman Ridge’s middle market investment business originates, structures, finances and manages a portfolio of term loans, mezzanine investments and selected equity securities in middle market companies. Portman Ridge’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Sierra Crest Investment Management LLC, an affiliate of BC Partners Advisors, LP.

Portman Ridge’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), earnings releases, press releases and other financial, operational and governance information are available on the Company's website at www.portmanridge.com.

About BC Partners Advisors L.P. and BC Partners Credit

BC Partners is a leading international investment firm with over €40 billion of assets under management in private equity, private credit and real estate strategies. Established in 1986, BC Partners has played an active role in developing the European buyout market for three decades. Today, BC Partners executives operate across markets as an integrated team through the firm's offices in North America and Europe. Since inception, BC Partners has completed 117 private equity investments in companies with a total enterprise value of €149 billion and is currently investing its eleventh private equity fund. For more information, please visit https://www.bcpartners.com/.

BC Partners Credit was launched in February 2017 and has pursued a strategy focused on identifying attractive credit opportunities in any market environment and across sectors, leveraging the deal sourcing and infrastructure made available from BC Partners.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The matters discussed in this press release, as well as in future oral and written statements by management of Portman Ridge Finance Corporation, that are forward-looking statements are based on current management expectations that involve substantial risks and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in, or implied by, these forward-looking statements.

Forward-looking statements relate to future events or our future financial performance and include, but are not limited to, projected financial performance, expected development of the business, plans and expectations about future investments and the future liquidity of the Company. We generally identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “plans,” “anticipates,” “could,” “intends,” “target,” “projects,” “outlook”, “contemplates,” “believes,” “estimates,” “predicts,” “potential” or “continue” or the negative of these terms or other similar words. Forward-looking statements are based upon current plans, estimates and expectations that are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements.

Important assumptions include our ability to originate new investments, and achieve certain margins and levels of profitability, the availability of additional capital, and the ability to maintain certain debt to asset ratios. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this press release should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates, expectations or objectives will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) uncertainty of the expected financial performance of the Company; (2) expected synergies and savings associated with merger transactions effectuated by the Company; (3) the ability of the Company and/or its adviser to implement its business strategy; (4) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (5) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions, including but not limited to the impact of inflation; (6) the impact of increased competition; (7) business prospects and the prospects of the Company’s portfolio companies; (8) contractual arrangements with third parties; (9) any future financings by the Company; (10) the ability of Sierra Crest Investment Management LLC to attract and retain highly talented professionals; (11) the Company’s ability to fund any unfunded commitments; (12) any future distributions by the Company; (13) changes in regional or national economic conditions, including but not limited to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and their impact on the industries in which we invest; and (14) other changes in the conditions of the industries in which we invest and other factors enumerated in our filings with the SEC. The forward-looking statements should be read in conjunction with the risks and uncertainties discussed in the Company’s filings with the SEC, including the Company’s most recent Form 10-K and other SEC filings. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required to be reported under the rules and regulations of the SEC.

Contacts:
Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

650 Madison Avenue, 23rd floor
New York, NY 10022
info@portmanridge.com

Jason Roos
Jason.Roos@bcpartners.com
(212) 891-2880

The Equity Group Inc.
Lena Cati
lcati@equityny.com
(212) 836-9611

Val Ferraro
vferraro@equityny.com
(212) 836-9633

PORTMAN RIDGE FINANCE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

 September 30, 2023  December 31, 2022 
 (Unaudited)    
ASSETS     
Investments at fair value:     
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments (amortized cost: 2023 - $454,095; 2022 - $518,699)$414,778  $483,698 
Non-controlled affiliated investments (amortized cost: 2023 - $72,449; 2022 - $75,196) 70,418   73,827 
Controlled affiliated investments (cost: 2023 - $58,042; 2022 - $58,322) 15,223   18,953 
Total Investments at Fair Value (cost: 2023 - $584,586; 2022 - $652,217)$500,419  $576,478 
Cash and cash equivalents 14,896   5,148 
Restricted cash 18,813   27,983 
Interest receivable 6,066   4,828 
Receivable for unsettled trades 1,361   1,395 
Due from affiliates 1,460   930 
Other assets 2,696   2,724 
Total Assets$545,711  $619,486 
LIABILITIES     
2018-2 Secured Notes (net of discount of: 2023 - $855; 2022 - $1,226)$138,638  $176,937 
4.875% Notes Due 2026 (net of discount of: 2023 - $1,346; 2022 - $1,704; net of deferred financing costs of: 2023 - $628; 2022 - $818) 106,026   105,478 
Great Lakes Portman Ridge Funding LLC Revolving Credit Facility (net of deferred financing costs of: 2023 - $858; 2022 - $1,107) 73,142   90,893 
Payable for unsettled trades -   1,276 
Accounts payable, accrued expenses and other liabilities 3,817   4,614 
Accrued interest payable 4,949   3,722 
Due to affiliates 1,021   900 
Management and incentive fees payable 3,363   3,543 
Total Liabilities$330,956  $387,363 
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (NOTE 8)     
NET ASSETS     
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 20,000,000 common shares authorized; 9,938,935 issued, and 9,480,362 outstanding at September 30, 2023, and 9,916,856 issued, and 9,581,536 outstanding at December 31, 2022$95  $96 
Capital in excess of par value 734,659   736,784 
Total distributable (loss) earnings (519,999)  (504,757)
Total Net Assets$214,755  $232,123 
Total Liabilities and Net Assets$545,711  $619,486 
Net Asset Value Per Common Share$22.65  $24.23 
        

PORTMAN RIDGE FINANCE CORPORATION
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(in thousands, except share and per share amounts)

  For the Three Months Ended September 30,  For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 
  2023  2022  2023  2022 
INVESTMENT INCOME            
Interest income:            
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments $13,283  $13,727  $42,915  $37,043 
Non-controlled affiliated investments  631   823   2,106   2,271 
Total interest income $13,914  $14,550  $45,021  $39,314 
Payment-in-kind income:            
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments(1) $2,308  $1,505  $4,694  $3,830 
Non-controlled affiliated investments  113   74   293   403 
Controlled affiliated investments  -   161   -   181 
Total payment-in-kind income $2,421  $1,740  $4,987  $4,414 
Dividend income:            
Non-controlled affiliated investments $1,429  $1,149  $4,677  $3,099 
Controlled affiliated investments  644   1,033   2,184   3,262 
Total dividend income $2,073  $2,182  $6,861  $6,361 
Fees and other income            
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments $166  $537  $1,644  $908 
Non-controlled affiliated investments  -   -   14   - 
Total fees and other income $166  $537  $1,658  $908 
Total investment income $18,574  $19,009  $58,527  $50,997 
EXPENSES            
Management fees $1,844  $2,082  $5,666  $6,305 
Performance-based incentive fees  1,519   1,780   5,007   4,627 
Interest and amortization of debt issuance costs  6,343   4,673   19,047   11,906 
Professional fees  640   759   1,942   2,483 
Administrative services expense  617   862   1,947   2,531 
Other general and administrative expenses  445   461   1,308   1,323 
Total expenses $11,408  $10,617  $34,917  $29,175 
NET INVESTMENT INCOME $7,166  $8,392  $23,610  $21,822 
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON INVESTMENTS            
Net realized gains (losses) from investment transactions:            
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments $(2,361) $(8,560) $(10,713) $(26,339)
Non-controlled affiliated investments  725   (527)  (399)  (197)
Controlled affiliated investments  -   -   (80)  - 
Derivatives  -   -   -   (2,095)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments $(1,636) $(9,087) $(11,192) $(28,631)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:            
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments $4,219  $(318) $(4,316) $5,381 
Non-controlled affiliated investments  (1,117)  338   (662)  (874)
Controlled affiliated investments  (1,394)  (2,988)  (3,450)  (7,661)
Derivatives  -   -   -   2,442 
Net unrealized gain (loss) on investments $1,708  $(2,968) $(8,428) $(712)
Tax (provision) benefit on realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments $264  $(542) $671  $(1,059)
Net realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, net of taxes $336  $(12,597) $(18,949) $(30,402)
Realized gains (losses) on extinguishments of debt $(57) $-  $(275) $- 
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $7,445  $(4,205) $4,386  $(8,580)
Net Increase (Decrease) In Net Assets Resulting from Operations per Common Share:            
Basic and Diluted: $0.78  $(0.44) $0.46  $(0.89)
Net Investment Income Per Common Share:            
Basic and Diluted: $0.75  $0.87  $2.48  $2.26 
Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding—Basic and Diluted  9,505,172   9,602,712   9,533,835   9,644,870 
                 

(1) During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company received $117.8 thousand and $610.2 thousand, respectively of non-recurring fee income that was paid in-kind and included in this financial statement line item.


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Source: Portman Ridge Finance Corporation

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