NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwired - Nov 12, 2014) -  PennantPark Investment Corporation (NASDAQ: PNNT) announced today financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended September 30, 2014.

   
HIGHLIGHTS  
Quarter ended September 30, 2014  
($in millions, except per share amounts)  
             
Assets and Liabilities:            
  Investment portfolio   $ 1,318.1          
  Net assets   $ 828.0          
  Net asset value per share   $ 11.03          
                   
  Credit Facility (cost $55.2)   $ 53.5          
  2019 Notes (cost $250.0)   $ 251.4          
  2025 Notes (cost $71.3)   $ 71.8          
  SBA debentures   $ 150.0          
                 
Yield on debt investments at quarter-end     12.5 %        
                 
Operating Results:   Year Ended     Quarter Ended  
  Net investment income   $ 71.3     $ 20.1  
  GAAP net investment income per share   $ 1.06     $ 0.29  
  Reversal of capital gain incentive fee accrued but not payable per share   $ --     $ (0.02 )
  Debt issuance costs per share   $ 0.13     $ 0.07  
  Core net investment income per share (1)   $ 1.19     $ 0.34  
  Distributions declared per share   $ 1.12     $ 0.28  
                 
Portfolio Activity:                
  Purchases of investments   $ 795.1     $ 233.3  
  Sales and repayments of investments   $ 625.6     $ 91.2  
                   
  Number of new portfolio companies invested     21       5  
  Number of existing portfolio companies invested     30       8  
  Number of portfolio companies     67       67  
(1) Core net investment income is a non-GAAP financial measure. PennantPark Investment Corporation believes that core net investment income provides useful information to investors and management because it reflects the Company's financial performance excluding both the charges related to incentive fee on net unrealized gains accrued under GAAP but not payable unless such net unrealized gains are realized, costs associated with the debt issuance of the 2019 Notes and amending our multi-currency, senior secured revolving credit facility, or the Credit Facility. 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.

CONFERENCE CALL AT 10:00 A.M. ET ON NOVEMBER 13, 2014

PennantPark Investment Corporation ("we," "our," "us" or "Company") will host a conference call at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Thursday, November 13, 2014 to discuss its financial results. All interested parties are welcome to participate. You can access the conference call by dialing (877) 397-0286 approximately 5-10 minutes prior to the call. International callers should dial (719) 325-4747. All callers should reference PennantPark Investment Corporation. An archived replay of the call will be available through November 27, 2014 by calling (888) 203-1112. International callers please dial (719) 457-0820. For all phone replays, please reference conference ID # 3618885.

PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

As of September 30, 2014, our portfolio totaled $1,318.1 million and consisted of $465.6 million of senior secured loans, $493.4 million of second lien secured debt, $247.1 million of subordinated debt and $112.0 million of preferred and common equity. Our debt portfolio consisted of 33% fixed-rate and 67% variable-rate investments (including 61% with a London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, or prime floor). As of September 30, 2014, we had one non-accrual debt investment, representing 0.3% of our overall portfolio on a cost basis. Our overall portfolio consisted of 67 companies with an average investment size of $19.7 million, had a weighted average yield on debt investments of 12.5% and was invested 35% in senior secured loans, 37% in second lien secured debt, 19% in subordinated debt and 9% in preferred and common equity.

As of September 30, 2013, our portfolio totaled $1,078.2 million and consisted of $299.5 million of senior secured loans, $357.5 million of second lien secured debt, $302.5 million of subordinated debt and $118.7 million of preferred and common equity. Our debt portfolio consisted of 52% fixed-rate and 48% variable-rate investments (including 44% with a LIBOR or prime floor). Our overall portfolio consisted of 61 companies with an average investment size of $17.7 million, had a weighted average yield on debt investments of 13.0% and was invested 28% in senior secured loans, 33% in second lien secured debt, 28% in subordinated debt and 11% in preferred and common equity.

For the three months ended September 30, 2014, we purchased $233.3 million of investments in five new and eight existing portfolio companies with a weighted average yield on debt investments of 13.0%. Sales and repayments of investments for the same period totaled $91.2 million. This compares to the three months ended September 30, 2013, in which we purchased $187.2 million in six new and seven existing portfolio companies with a weighted average yield on debt investments of 12.4%. Sales and repayments of investments for the same period totaled $166.0 million.

For the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, we purchased $795.1 million of investments in 21 new and 30 existing portfolio companies with a weighted average yield on debt investments of 12.4%. Sales and repayments of investments for the same period totaled $625.6 million. This compares to the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, in which we purchased $504.4 million in 14 new and 26 existing portfolio companies with a weighted average yield on debt investments of 12.7%. Sales and repayments of investments for the same period totaled $437.1 million.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Set forth below are the results of operations for the three months and fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013.

Investment Income

Investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $40.1 million and $31.5 million, respectively, and was primarily attributable to $13.1 million and $9.3 million from senior secured loans, $15.2 million and $9.0 million from second lien secured debt, and $10.7 million and $11.2 million from subordinated debt and $1.1 million and $2.0 million from preferred and common equity, respectively.

Investment income for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 was $147.9 million and $129.2 million, respectively, and was attributable to $43.0 million and $38.9 million from senior secured loans, $55.2 million and $31.9 million from second lien secured debt, and $46.4 million and $55.1 million from subordinated debt and $3.3 million and $3.3 million from preferred and common equity, respectively. The increase in investment income over the prior year was primarily due to the growth of our portfolio.

Expenses

Expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 totaled $20.0 million and $14.4 million, respectively. Base management fee totaled $6.4 million and $5.4 million, incentive fee totaled $3.0 million (after the reversal of $1.7 million on net unrealized gains accrued but not payable) and $4.3 million, debt related interest and expenses totaled $10.0 million (including $4.5 million associated with the 4.50% senior notes due 2019, or 2019 Notes) and $4.1 million, general and administrative expenses totaled $0.6 million and $0.6 million and taxes totaled less than $0.1 million and zero, respectively, for the same periods.

Expenses for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 totaled $76.6 million and $62.2 million, respectively. Base management fee totaled $24.3 million and $21.3 million, incentive fee totaled $17.8 million and $16.8 million, debt related interest and expenses totaled $28.6 million (including $8.3 million associated with the 2019 Notes and expansion of our Credit Facility) and $18.1 million (including $2.8 million associated with the 6.25% senior notes due 2025, or 2025 Notes and expanding our Credit Facility), general and administrative expenses $5.8 million and $6.0 million and taxes totaled $0.1 million and zero, respectively, for the same periods. The increase in expenses over the prior year was primarily due to increased borrowing costs, debt issuance costs and the growth of our portfolio.

Net Investment Income

Net investment income totaled $20.1 million and $17.1 million, or $0.29 and $0.26 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Core net investment income, a non-GAAP financial measure, totaled $23.0 million and $17.1 million, or $0.34 and $0.26 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Net investment income totaled $71.3 million and $67.0 million, or $1.06 and $1.01 per share, for the years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Core net investment income, a non-GAAP financial measure, totaled $79.7 million and $69.8 million, or $1.19 and $1.05 per share, for the same periods. The increase in net investment income over the prior year was due to the growth of our portfolio offset by higher financing and debt issuance costs.

Net Realized Gains or Losses

Sales and repayments of investments for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 totaled $91.2 million and $166.0 million, respectively, and net realized gains totaled $1.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively, for the same periods.

Sales and repayments of investments for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013 totaled $625.6 million and $437.1 million, respectively, and net realized gains totaled $30.2 million and $17.7 million, respectively, for the same periods. The increase in realized gains over the prior year is primarily due to the improved merger and acquisition environment and a higher volume of sales and repayments.

Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation on Investments, Credit Facility, 2019 Notes and 2025 Notes

For the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, our investments had a net change in unrealized depreciation of $24.9 million and $0.4 million, respectively. Net change in unrealized appreciation on our Credit Facility, 2019 Notes and 2025 Notes totaled $2.4 million and $2.8 million, respectively, for the same periods.

For the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, our investments had a net change in unrealized appreciation of $12.5 million and $4.8 million, respectively. Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on our Credit Facility, 2019 Notes and 2025 Notes totaled $(3.0) million and $2.3 million, respectively, for the same periods. Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments over the prior year was a result of the overall variation in the leveraged finance markets. The increase in unrealized appreciation on the Credit Facility, 2019 Notes and 2025 Notes over the prior year was due to the fluctuating interest rate environment.

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

Net (decrease) increase in net assets resulting from operations totaled $(1.1) million and $22.5 million, or $(0.02) and $0.34 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations totaled $111.0 million and $91.8 million, or $1.66 and $1.39 per share, for the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. The increase compared to the prior year was due to realized gains, the continued growth of our portfolio and net investment income.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our liquidity and capital resources are derived primarily from proceeds of securities offerings, debt capital and cash flows from operations, including investment sales and repayments, and income earned. Our primary use of funds from operations includes investments in portfolio companies and payments of fees and other operating expenses we incur. We have used, and expect to continue to use, our debt and proceeds from the rotation of our portfolio and proceeds from public and private offerings of securities to finance our investment objectives.

As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, there was $55.2 million and $145.5 million (including a temporary draw of $28.0 million), respectively, in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, with a weighted average interest rate at the time of 2.80% and 3.33%, exclusive of the fee on undrawn commitments of 0.375% and 0.50%, respectively.

As of September 30, 2014, we had $250.0 million and $71.3 million of 2019 Notes and 2025 Notes outstanding with a fixed interest rate of 4.50% and 6.25% per year, respectively. We had $71.3 million of 2025 Notes outstanding with a fixed interest rate of 6.25% as of September 30, 2013.

As of September 30, 2014 and 2013, we had $225.0 million and $150.0 million in debt commitments from the U.S. Small Business Administration, or SBA, respectively, and $150.0 million was drawn for each period. The SBA debentures have a weighted average rate of 3.70% exclusive of upfront fees of 3.43%, which are being amortized.

Our annualized weighted average cost of debt for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, inclusive of the fee on the undrawn commitment on the Credit Facility and amortized upfront fees on SBA debentures but excluding debt issuance costs, was 3.85% and 4.24%, respectively.

Our operating activities used cash of $172.5 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, and our financing activities provided cash proceeds of $180.9 million for the same period. Our operating activities used cash primarily for our investment activities and our financing activities provided cash primarily from the issuance of the 2019 Notes, our recent equity offering and net draws under the Credit Facility.

Our operating activities provided cash of $40.3 million for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2013, and our financing activities provided cash proceeds of $10.6 million for the same period. Our operating activities provided cash primarily from sales and repayments on our investments and our financing activities provided cash primarily from the issuance of the 2025 Notes.

DISTRIBUTIONS

During the three months ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we declared distributions of $0.28 per share for each period for total distributions of $21.0 million and $18.6 million, respectively. During the fiscal years ended September 30, 2014 and 2013, we declared distributions of $1.12 per share, respectively, for total distributions of $76.9 million and $74.4 million, respectively. We monitor available net investment income to determine if a return of capital for taxation purposes may occur for the fiscal year. To the extent our taxable earnings fall below the total amount of our distributions for any given fiscal year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed to be a return of capital to our common stockholders. Tax characteristics of all distributions will be reported to stockholders on Form 1099-DIV after the end of the calendar year and in our periodic reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

The Company makes available on its website its report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC and stockholders may find the report on our website at www.pennantpark.com.

   
   
PENNANTPARK INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES  
   
   September 30, 2014    September 30, 2013  
Assets                
Investments at fair value                
  Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments (cost -- $1,171,573,359 and $928,078,589, respectively)   $ 1,212,515,400     $ 968,471,042  
  Non-controlled, affiliated investments (cost -- $108,572,406 and $99,021,141, respectively)     67,847,521       76,735,800  
  Controlled, affiliated investments (cost -- $38,708,555 and $64,418,155, respectively)     37,691,845       32,968,711  
  Total of investments (cost -- $1,318,854,320 and $1,091,517,885, respectively)     1,318,054,766       1,078,175,553  
Cash and cash equivalents (cost -- $66,600,195 and $58,440,829, respectively)     66,518,682       58,440,829  
Interest receivable     13,703,525       10,894,893  
Deferred financing costs and other assets     13,550,224       5,815,817  
   Total assets $     1,411,827,197       1,153,327,092  
Liabilities                
Distributions payable     21,026,015       18,619,812  
Payable for investments purchased     4,432,500       52,544,704  
Unfunded investments     15,607,059       7,241,667  
Credit Facility payable (cost -- $55,226,300 and $145,500,000, respectively)     53,497,620       145,500,000  
SBA debentures payable (cost -- $150,000,000)     150,000,000       150,000,000  
2019 Notes payable (cost -- $250,000,000)     251,350,250       --  
2025 Notes payable (cost -- $71,250,000)     71,820,000       68,400,000  
Management fee payable     6,385,103       5,419,557  
Performance-based incentive fee payable     4,622,754       4,274,881  
Interest payable on debt     1,962,264       1,810,466  
Accrued other expenses     3,113,683       2,009,806  
   Total liabilities     583,817,248       455,820,893  
Commitments and contingencies                
Net assets                
Common stock, 75,092,911 and 66,499,327 shares issued and outstanding, respectively. Par value $0.001 per share and 100,000,000 shares authorized.     75,093       66,499  
Paid-in capital in excess of par value     852,465,375       756,017,096  
Distributions in excess of net investment income     (11,802,580 )     (4,675,217 )
Accumulated net realized loss on investments     (11,655,302 )     (43,409,847 )
Net unrealized depreciation on investments and cash     (881,067 )     (13,342,332 )
Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on debt     (191,570 )     2,850,000  
   Total net assets   $ 828,009,949     $ 697,506,199  
   Total liabilities and net assets   $ 1,411,827,197     $ 1,153,327,092  
Net asset value per share   $ 11.03     $ 10.49  
                 
                 
                 
PENNANTPARK INVESTMENT CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES  
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS  
   
   Years Ended September 30,  
   2014    2013    2012  
Investment income:                        
From non-controlled, non-affiliated investments:                        
  Interest   $ 124,850,558     $ 107,058,958     $ 99,663,198  
  Other income     9,692,254       10,883,261       8,486,387  
From non-controlled, affiliated investments:                        
  Interest     5,656,300       5,841,127       3,542,583  
  Other income     --       597,400       --  
From controlled, affiliated investments:                        
  Interest     7,278,060       4,806,329       1,700,222  
  Other income     459,166       --       --  
 Total investment income     147,936,338       129,187,075       113,392,390  
Expenses:                        
  Base management fee     24,291,420       21,288,728       17,507,262  
  Performance-based incentive fee     17,832,129       16,793,089       14,223,777  
  Interest and expenses on debt     20,260,652       15,384,208       11,680,634  
  Administrative services expenses     2,953,423       3,161,158       3,745,741  
  Other general and administrative expenses     2,860,094       2,857,739       3,496,326  
 Expenses before taxes and debt issuance costs     68,197,718       59,484,922       50,653,740  
  Tax expense (benefit)     72,603       (53,468 )     307,990  
  Debt issuance costs     8,337,500       2,757,500       5,361,319  
 Total expenses     76,607,821       62,188,954       56,323,049  
 Net investment income     71,328,517       66,998,121       57,069,341  
Realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, cash and debt:                        
Net realized gain (loss) on investments     30,235,265       17,687,211       (12,798,035 )
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on:                        
  Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments and cash     468,076       17,932,839       42,727,722  
  Non-controlled and controlled, affiliated investments     11,993,189       (13,143,019 )     (22,085,553 )
  Debt (appreciation) depreciation     (3,041,570 )     2,302,500       (1,560,375 )
 Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, cash and debt     9,419,695       7,092,320       19,081,794  
Net realized and unrealized gain from investments and debt     39,654,960       24,779,531       6,283,759  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   $ 110,983,477     $ 91,777,652     $ 63,353,100  
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per common share   $ 1.66     $ 1.39     $ 1.20  
Net investment income per common share   $ 1.06     $ 1.01     $ 1.08  
                         

ABOUT PENNANTPARK INVESTMENT CORPORATION

PennantPark Investment Corporation is a business development company which principally invests in U.S. middle-market private companies in the form of senior secured loans, mezzanine debt and equity investments. PennantPark Investment Corporation is managed by PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You should understand that under Section 27A(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E(b)(2)(B) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or the Exchange Act, the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 do not apply to forward-looking statements made in periodic reports we file under the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release are forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

We may use words such as "anticipates, " "believes, " "expects, " "intends, " "seeks, " "plans, " "estimates" and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations. You should not place undue influence on such forward-looking statements as such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements unless required by law.