Fidus Investment Corporation Announces Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

August 2, 2018 at 4:05 PM EDT
Regular Quarterly Dividend of $0.39 Per Share Declared for Third Quarter 2018

EVANSTON, Ill., Aug. 02, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fidus Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:FDUS) (“Fidus” or the “Company”), a provider of customized debt and equity financing solutions, primarily to lower middle-market companies based in the United States, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Highlights

  • Total investment income of $18.1 million
  • Net investment income of $9.0 million, or $0.37 per share
  • Adjusted net investment income of $8.7 million, or $0.36 per share(1)
  • Net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $7.6 million, or $0.31 per share
  • Invested $43.1 million in debt and equity securities, including three new portfolio companies
  • Received proceeds from repayments and realizations of $29.2 million
  • Paid regular quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share on June 22, 2018
  • Net asset value (NAV) of $396.3 million, or $16.20 per share, as of June 30, 2018
  • Estimated spillover income (or taxable income in excess of distributions) as of June 30, 2018 of $9.0 million, or $0.37 per share

Management Commentary

“From an operating perspective, second quarter results were in line with our expectations. On a fair value basis, our portfolio continues to provide us with a high level of current and recurring adjusted net investment income and the opportunity to monetize equity-related investments.  We continued to grow our portfolio, adding $43.1 million in new investments while receiving repayments of $29.2 million,” said Ed Ross, Chairman and CEO of Fidus Investment Corporation.  “As we enter the second half of the year, the prospects of an improving quality of deal flow and healthy M&A activity should allow us to continue to selectively grow our diversified portfolio while adhering to our principle of emphasizing capital preservation.”

(1) Supplemental information regarding adjusted net investment income:

On a supplemental basis, we provide information relating to adjusted net investment income, which is a non-GAAP measure.  This measure is provided in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net investment income.  Adjusted net investment income represents net investment income excluding any capital gains incentive fee expense or (reversal) attributable to realized and unrealized gains and losses.  The management agreement with our 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.  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 is a useful indicator of operations exclusive of any capital gains incentive fee expense or (reversal) attributable to realized and unrealized gains and losses. 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. Reconciliations of net investment income to adjusted net investment income are set forth in Schedule 1.

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results

The following table provides a summary of our operating results for the three months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 (dollars in thousands, except per share data):

                 
    Three Months Ended June 30,        
    2018   2017   $ Change   % Change
Interest income   $   15,685   $   13,578   $   2,107         15.5 %
Payment-in-kind interest income       1,330       1,656       (326 )   (19.7 %)
Dividend income       295       615       (320 )   (52.0 %)
Fee income       775       1,395       (620 )   (44.4 %)
Interest on idle funds and other income       27       27       -      0.0 %
Total investment income   $   18,112   $   17,271   $   841     4.9 %
                 
Net investment income   $   8,958   $   8,942   $   16     0.2 %
Net investment income per share   $   0.37   $   0.39   $   (0.02 )   (5.1 %)
                 
Adjusted net investment income (1)   $   8,695   $   9,145   $   (450 )   (4.9 %)
Adjusted net investment income per share (1)   $   0.36   $   0.40   $   (0.04 )   (10.0 %)
                 
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   $   7,644   $   9,957   $   (2,313 )   (23.2 %)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per share   $   0.31   $   0.44   $   (0.13 )   (29.5 %)
                 

The $0.8 million increase in total investment income for the three months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017 was primarily attributable to (i) a $1.8 million increase in total interest income resulting from higher average debt investment balances outstanding, partially offset by a small decrease in weighted average debt investment yield and two additional portfolio companies on non-accrual status, (ii) a $(0.6) million decrease in fee income resulting from a decrease in debt investment amendment fee and prepayment fee income, partially offset by a higher level of structuring fees earned due to a comparative increase in new investments, and (iii) a $(0.3) million decrease in dividend income from equity investments.

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, total expenses, including income tax provision, were $9.1 million, an increase of $0.8 million or 9.9%, from the $8.3 million of total expenses, including income tax provision, for the three months ended June 30, 2017. The increase was primarily attributable to (i) a $0.6 million increase in interest and financing expenses due to an increase in average borrowings outstanding and an increase in weighted average interest rate on borrowings, (ii) a $0.3 million net increase in base management and income incentive fees due to higher average total assets and partially offset by lower pre-incentive fee net investment income, and (iii) a $0.3 million increase in other general and administrative expenses due to the write-off of deferred equity offering costs related to our previous Form N-2 registration statement.

Net investment income was flat during the three months ended June 30, 2018 as compared to the same period in 2017, increasing by 0.2%. Adjusted net investment income (1), which excludes the capital gains incentive fee accrual, decreased by $(0.5) million, or (4.9)%, due to the $0.8 million increase in total investment income, which is less than the $1.3 million increase in total expenses, excluding the accrued capital gains incentive fee.

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, the total net realized loss on investments, net of income tax provision on realized gains, was $(15.2) million, as compared to total net realized loss on investments, net of income tax provision on realized gains, of $(0.4) million for the same period in 2017.

For the three months ended June 30, 2018, we recorded net change in unrealized appreciation of $13.9 million, as compared to net change in unrealized appreciation of $1.4 million for the same period in 2017.

Portfolio and Investment Activities

As of June 30, 2018, the fair value of our investment portfolio totaled $646.2 million and consisted of 65 active portfolio companies and two portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations. Our total portfolio investments at fair value were approximately 105.6% of the related cost basis as of June 30, 2018. As of June 30, 2018, three debt investments bore interest at a variable rate, which represented $26.3 million of our portfolio on a fair value basis, and the remainder of our debt portfolio was comprised of fixed rate investments. As of June 30, 2018, our average active portfolio company investment at amortized cost was $9.4 million, which excludes investments in the two portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations. The weighted average yield on debt investments was 12.7% as of June 30, 2018. The weighted average yield was computed using the effective interest rates for debt investments at cost as of June 30, 2018, including the accretion of OID and loan origination fees, but excluding investments on non-accrual status, if any.

Second quarter 2018 investment activity included the following new portfolio company investments:

  • American AllWaste LLC (dba WasteWater Transport Services), a vertically integrated provider of non-hazardous wastewater collection, processing and disposal service. Fidus invested $11.5 million in second lien debt and preferred equity and made a commitment for up to $3.0 million of additional second lien debt.
     
  • Power Grid Components, Inc., a supplier of high quality, mission critical products used in the North American electric power grid. Fidus invested $12.0 million in second lien debt, preferred equity and common equity.
     
  • UBEO, LLC, a premier provider of printer, copier, and related office equipment sales and services. Fidus invested $7.8 million in subordinated debt and common equity.             

As of June 30, 2018, we had investments in three portfolio companies on non-accrual status, which had an aggregate cost and fair value of $16.8 million and $4.0 million, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2018, we had $24.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and $68.0 million of unused capacity under our senior secured revolving credit facility (the “Credit Facility”). As of June 30, 2018, we had SBA debentures outstanding of $214.5 million, $50.0 million outstanding of our 5.875% notes due 2023 (the “Public Notes”), and $7.0 million outstanding under our Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2018, the weighted average interest rate on total debt outstanding was 3.843%.

Subsequent Events

On August 1, 2018, we exited our debt and equity investments in Jacob Ash Holdings, Inc. We received payment in full on our second lien and subordinated debt investments. We redeemed our preferred equity and warrant investments for approximately $1.4 million.

Third Quarter 2018 Dividend of $0.39 Per Share Declared

On July 30, 2018, our Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share for the third quarter of 2018, payable on September 21, 2018 to stockholders of record as of September 7, 2018.

When declaring dividends, our Board of Directors reviews estimates of taxable income available for distribution, which differs from consolidated income under generally accepted accounting principles due to (i) changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation, (ii) temporary and permanent differences in income and expense recognition, and (iii) the amount of undistributed taxable income carried over from a given year for distribution in the following year. The final determination of 2018 taxable income, as well as the tax attributes for 2018 dividends, will be made after the close of the 2018 tax year.  The final tax attributes for 2018 dividends will generally include ordinary taxable income but may also include capital gains, qualified dividends and return of capital.

Fidus has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) that provides for reinvestment of dividends on behalf of its stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, when we declare a cash dividend, stockholders who have not “opted out” of the DRIP at least two days prior to the dividend payment date will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock. Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive dividends in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election.

Second Quarter 2018 Financial Results Conference Call

Management will host a conference call to discuss the operating and financial results at 9:00am ET on Friday, August 3, 2018.  To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 810-3368 approximately 10 minutes prior to the call. International callers should dial (914) 495-8561.  Please reference conference ID # 3593877. 

A live webcast of the conference call will be available at http://investor.fdus.com/events-presentations.  Please access the website 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to download and install any necessary audio software.

A telephone replay of the conference call will be available from 12:00pm ET on August 3, 2018 until 11:59pm ET on August 10, 2018 and may be accessed by calling (855) 859-2056 (domestic dial-in) or (404) 537-3406 (international dial-in) and reference conference ID # 3593877.  An archived replay of the conference call will also be available in the investor relations section of the Company’s website.

ABOUT FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Fidus Investment Corporation provides customized debt and equity financing solutions to lower middle-market companies, which management generally defines as U.S. based companies with revenues between $10 million and $150 million. The Company’s investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from debt investments and capital appreciation from equity related investments. Fidus seeks to partner with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors by providing customized financing for change of ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, business expansion and other growth initiatives.

Fidus is an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. In addition, for tax purposes, Fidus has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Fidus was formed in February 2011 to continue and expand the business of Fidus Mezzanine Capital, L.P., which commenced operations in May 2007 and is licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration as a small business investment company.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements which are based upon current expectations and are inherently uncertain. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under the Company’s control, and that the Company may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from these estimates and projections of the future as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and are based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof and are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future, except as required by applicable law.

 

 
FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)
 
      June 30, 2018   December 31,   
      (unaudited)   2017   
  ASSETS              
  Investments, at fair value              
  Control investments (cost: $6,811 and $6,294, respectively)   $   5,041     $   4,723    
  Affiliate investments (cost: $80,428 and $91,361, respectively)       127,816         123,011    
  Non-control/non-affiliate investments (cost: $524,429 and $480,139, respectively)       513,325         468,574    
  Total investments, at fair value (cost: $611,668 and $577,794, respectively)       646,182         596,308    
  Cash and cash equivalents       23,999         41,572    
  Interest receivable       6,442         7,411    
  Prepaid expenses and other assets       1,103         972    
  Total assets   $   677,726     $   646,263    
  LIABILITIES              
  SBA debentures, net of deferred financing costs   $   209,728     $   226,660    
  Public Notes, net of deferred financing costs       48,217         —     
  Borrowings under Credit Facility, net of deferred financing costs       6,718         11,175    
  Accrued interest and fees payable       2,940         2,712    
  Management and incentive fees payable – due to affiliate       12,735         11,217    
  Administration fee payable and other – due to affiliate       340         562    
  Taxes payable       519         500    
  Accounts payable and other liabilities       268         164    
  Total liabilities       281,465         252,990    
  Commitments and contingencies              
  NET ASSETS              
  Common stock, $0.001 par value (100,000,000 shares authorized, 24,463,119 and 24,507,940              
   shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively)       24         24    
  Additional paid-in capital       369,963         370,545    
  Undistributed net investment income       2,923         5,687    
  Accumulated net realized gain (loss) on investments, net of taxes and distributions       (11,667 )       (2,001 )  
  Accumulated net unrealized appreciation on investments       35,018         19,018    
  Total net assets       396,261         393,273    
  Total liabilities and net assets   $   677,726     $   646,263    
  Net asset value per common share   $   16.20     $   16.05    
                 

 

 
FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)
 
          Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
        June 30,   June 30,  
          2018   2017     2018   2017  
Investment Income:                            
  Interest income                            
    Control investments   $   61     $   —        $   118     $   —     
    Affiliate investments       1,883         2,453           3,538         4,713    
    Non-control/non-affiliate investments       13,741         11,125           26,764         21,954    
      Total interest income       15,685         13,578           30,420         26,667    
  Payment-in-kind interest income                            
    Control investments       162         —            315         —     
    Affiliate investments       107         456           507         870    
    Non-control/non-affiliate investments       1,061         1,200           2,187         2,445    
      Total payment-in-kind interest income       1,330         1,656           3,009         3,315    
  Dividend income                            
    Control investments       —          —            —          —     
    Affiliate investments       197         268           641         546    
    Non-control/non-affiliate investments       98         347           (8 )       727    
      Total dividend income       295         615           633         1,273    
  Fee income                            
    Control investments       —          —            —          —     
    Affiliate investments       27         141           23         147    
    Non-control/non-affiliate investments       748         1,254           2,189         2,030    
      Total fee income       775         1,395           2,212         2,177    
  Interest on idle funds and other income       27         27           71         67    
Total investment income       18,112         17,271           36,345         33,499    
Expenses:                            
  Interest and financing expenses       3,046         2,401           6,128         4,985    
  Base management fee       2,821         2,403           5,506         4,716    
  Incentive fee       1,907         2,484           5,661         4,862    
  Administrative service expenses       347         340           746         691    
  Professional fees       275         241           785         710    
  Other general and administrative expenses       691         431           986         709    
Total expenses       9,087         8,300           19,812         16,673    
Net investment income before income taxes       9,025         8,971           16,533         16,826    
  Income tax provision        67         29           198         25    
Net investment income       8,958         8,942           16,335         16,801    
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments:                            
  Net realized gains (losses):                            
    Control investments       —          —            —          —     
    Affiliate investments       (6,240 )       —            733         26    
    Non-control/non-affiliate investments       (8,956 )       (367 )         (8,651 )       6,071    
  Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation):                            
    Control investments       (272 )       —            (199 )       —     
    Affiliate investments       9,353         (435 )         15,738         750    
    Non-control/non-affiliate investments       4,802         1,817           461         (2,774 )  
  Income tax provision from realized gains on investments       (1 )       —            (1,748 )       (1,385 )  
Net gain (loss) on investments       (1,314 )       1,015           6,334         2,688    
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   $   7,644     $   9,957       $   22,669     $   19,489    
Per common share data:                            
Net investment income per share-basic and diluted   $   0.37     $   0.39       $   0.67     $   0.75    
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per share — basic and diluted   $   0.31     $   0.44       $   0.93     $   0.86    
Dividends declared per share   $   0.39     $   0.39       $   0.78     $   0.78    
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — basic and diluted       24,463,119         22,653,580           24,480,484         22,550,846    
                                   

 Schedule 1

Supplemental Information Regarding Adjusted Net Investment Income

On a supplemental basis, we provide information relating to adjusted net investment income, which is a non-GAAP measure.  This measure is provided in addition to, but not as a substitute for, net investment income. Adjusted net investment income represents net investment income excluding any capital gains incentive fee expense or (reversal) attributable to realized and unrealized gains and losses.  The management agreement with our 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, less the aggregate amount of any capital gains incentive fees paid in all prior years.  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 is a useful indicator of operations exclusive of any capital gains incentive fee expense or (reversal) attributable to realized and unrealized gains and losses.  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 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2018 and 2017.
 

                   
          ($ in thousands)     ($ in thousands)  
          Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
          June 30,     June 30,  
        (unaudited)   (unaudited)  
          2018   2017     2018   2017  
Net investment income   $   8,958     $   8,942     $   16,335   $   16,801  
Capital gains incentive fee expense (reversal)       (263 )       203         1,267       538  
Adjusted net investment income (1)   $   8,695     $   9,145     $   17,602   $   17,339  
                                   
                                   
          (Per share)     (Per share)  
          Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
          June 30,     June 30,  
        (unaudited)   (unaudited)  
          2018   2017     2018   2017  
Net investment income   $   0.37     $   0.39     $   0.67   $   0.75  
Capital gains incentive fee expense (reversal)       (0.01 )       0.01         0.05       0.02  
Adjusted net investment income (1)   $   0.36     $   0.40     $   0.72   $   0.77  
                                   

 

(1) Adjusted net investment income per share amounts are calculated as adjusted net investment income dividend by weighted average shares outstanding for the period. Due to rounding, the sum of net investment income per share and capital gains incentive fee expense (reversal) amounts may not equal the adjusted net investment income per share amount presented here.


 

Company Contact:                                                                                          Investor Relations Contact:
Shelby E. Sherard                                                                                             Jody Burfening
Chief Financial Officer                                                                                       LHA
Fidus Investment Corporation                                                                           (212) 838-3777
(847) 859-3940                                                                                                  jburfening@lhai.com

Primary Logo

 

Source: Fidus Investment Corporation