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Total investment income increased 12% to $1.7 million for the quarter compared with the third quarter last year driven by strong growth in interest income
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Net asset value per share (“NAV”) was $23.77 at September 30, 2023, up 6% from year-end 2022
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Invested $7.8 million in new investments during the quarter
Rand Capital Corporation, a business development company providing alternative financing for lower middle market companies, announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.
Daniel P. Penberthy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rand, commented, “We delivered another quarter of strong performance. Our results have been supported by the sustained growth in interest income, primarily attributed to the continued deployment of capital as part of our investment strategy, which is centered on high-quality debt investments.
“Looking forward, we remain focused on generating strong, consistent returns for our shareholders. During the quarter, we completed two new investments that fit well within our investment objectives and demonstrate our ability to attract opportunities in the current market environment. The expansion of the portion of our portfolio invested into debt investments has proven to be a cornerstone of our success, and we expect to continue this trajectory of growth well into the future.”
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Third Quarter Highlights (compared with the prior-year period unless otherwise noted)
- Total investment income grew $187,000, or 12%, to $1.7 million, which reflected a 40% increase in interest from portfolio companies, partially offset by lower dividend income. The decrease in dividend income was largely due to a large prior-year dividend from a portfolio company, which did not repeat in the third quarter of 2023, and the sale of the Company’s investment in Dealer Solutions and Design (DSD) during the second quarter of 2023.
- Total expenses were $810,000 compared with $499,000 in the prior-year third quarter. The increase largely reflects a $264,000 increase in interest expense on borrowings under the senior revolving credit facility entered into in June 2022 to fund growth. Partially offsetting was a change in accrued capital gains incentive fees to the Company’s external investment adviser. The current period included a credit of $41,000 in capital gains incentive fees compared with an expense of $22,000 for the third quarter of 2022.
- Adjusted expenses, which exclude capital gains incentive fees and is a non-GAAP financial measure, were $851,000 compared with $477,000 in the third quarter of 2022. See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted expenses.
- Net investment income was $799,000, or $0.31 per share, compared with $1.0 million, or
$0.39 per share, in the third quarter of 2022. Adjusted net investment income per share, a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the capital gains incentive fee accrual expense, was $0.29 per share, compared with $0.40 in last year’s third quarter. See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted net investment income per share.
Portfolio and Investment Activity
As of September 30, 2023, Rand’s portfolio included investments with a fair value of $74.7 million across 30 portfolio businesses. This was up $13.2 million, or 21%, from December 31, 2022, and reflects new and follow on investments and valuation adjustments in multiple portfolio companies. This was partially offset by equity sales and loan repayments. At September 30, 2023, the portfolio was comprised of approximately 63% in debt investments, 27% in equity investments in private companies, and 10% in publicly traded equities consisting of other BDCs and ACV Auctions. The annualized weighted average yield of debt investments was 13.45%.
Third quarter 2023:
- Funded $4.0 million total investment in All About People, which included $3.0 million of senior debt at 16%, and a $1.0 million preferred equity investment, which will carry a 12% dividend. All About People is a full-service staffing and executive search firm, with a growing focus on the healthcare industry.
- Funded $3.8 million to First Coast Mulch, consisting of a $3.4 million subordinate note at 13% and an interest earning convertible note of $420,000. First Coast Mulch is a commercial mulch installation company that covers the north and central Florida market.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash at the end of the third quarter of 2023 was $3.5 million, up from $1.4 million at year-end 2022, reflecting the proceeds received from exiting DSD and ACV Auctions share sales in the second quarter of 2023. As of September 30, 2023, the Company held shares valued at approximately $4.2 million in other publicly traded BDCs and $3.0 million in ACV Auctions, all of which are available for future liquidity needs including dividends and portfolio investments.
At September 30, 2023, Rand had outstanding borrowings of $13.8 million on its existing $25.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The outstanding borrowings carried an interest rate of 8.8% at quarter-end.
The Company did not repurchase any outstanding common stock during the third quarter of 2023.
Dividends
On July 25, 2023, Rand declared its regular quarterly cash dividend distribution of $0.25 per share, which was paid during the third quarter to shareholders of record as of August 31, 2023.
Webcast and Conference Call
Rand will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, November 6, 2023, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, to review its financial results. The review will be accompanied by a slide presentation, which will be available on Rand’s website at www.randcapital.com in the “Investor Relations” section. Rand’s conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8263. Alternatively, the webcast can be monitored on Rand’s website at www.randcapital.com under “Investor Relations” where the replay will also be available.
A telephonic replay will be available from 5:30 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Monday,
November 20, 2023. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter replay pin number 13741203. A transcript of the call will also be posted once available.
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