BOSTON, Nov. 09, 2017 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- THL Credit, Inc. (NASDAQ:TCRD) (“THL Credit” or the “Company”), a direct lender to lower middle market companies, today announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017.  Additionally, THL Credit announced that its Board of Directors has declared a fourth fiscal quarter 2017 dividend of $0.27 per share payable on December 29, 2017, to stockholders of record as of December 15, 2017.

HIGHLIGHTS

 ($ in millions, except per share amounts) 
Portfolio resultsAs of Sept. 30,
2017
 
Total assets$677.0  
Investment portfolio, at fair value$653.4  
Net assets$371.4  
Net asset value per share$11.34  
Weighted average yield on investments 11.2% 
 Quarter ended
Sept. 30, 2017
Quarter ended
Sept. 30, 2016
Portfolio activity 
Total portfolio investments made, at par$29.3 $32.8
Number of new portfolio investments 2  2
Number of portfolio investments at end of period 45  47
Operating results  
Total investment income$20.1 $21.6
Net investment income$11.2 $10.5
Net increase in net assets from operations$4.1 $9.9
Net investment income per share$0.34 $0.32
Dividends declared per share$0.27 $0.34

PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

In the third quarter, THL Credit closed on two new investments totaling $19.0 million and an additional $10.3 million in follow-on investments at par in five existing portfolio companies.

New investments, including follow-on investments, for the third quarter included:

  • $17.6 million first lien senior secured term loan in Anexinet Corp., an independent provider of one-stop enterprise technology solutions;
  • $1.4 million first lien senior secured term loan in Women’s Health USA, a management services organization that provides administrative services on an outsourced basis to physician practices specializing in women’s health;
  • $4.1 million follow-on first lien senior secured term loan and $0.2 million equity contribution in Sciens Buildings Solutions, LLC;
  • $3.0 million follow-on first lien senior secured term loan in MeriCal, LLC; and
  • $3.0 million to fund follow-on revolver investments in three other existing portfolio companies.

Notable proceeds from realizations for the quarter included:

  • $19.0 million from the repayment of a senior secured term loan and $1.2 million from the realization of equity holdings in Food Processing Holdings, LLC;
  • $14.6 million from the sale of a senior secured term loan in RealD Inc., and
  • $3.2 million from the sale of a senior secured term loan in CRS Reprocessing, LLC.

These transactions bring the total fair value of THL Credit’s investment portfolio to $653.4 million across 45 portfolio investments at the end of the third quarter. As of Sept. 30, 2017, THL Credit’s investment portfolio at fair value was allocated 64 percent in first lien senior secured debt, which includes unitranche investments, 7 percent in second lien debt, 3 percent in subordinated debt, 10 percent in the Logan JV, 3 percent in other income-producing securities and 13 percent in equity securities and warrants. The weighted average yield on new and follow-on investments made in the third quarter of 2017 was 8.8 percent. As of Sept. 30, 2017, the weighted average yield of the debt and income-producing securities, including the Logan JV and reflecting the impact of investments on non-accrual, in the investment portfolio at their current cost basis was 11.2 percent. As of Sept. 30, 2017, THL Credit had loans on non-accrual status with an aggregate amortized cost of $32.4 million and fair value of $19.7 million, or 5.0 percent and 3.0 percent of the portfolio’s amortized cost and fair value, respectively. As of Sept. 30, 2017, 92 percent of its debt investments bore interest based on floating rates, which may be subject to interest rate floors, such as London Interbank offer rate, or LIBOR,  or Canadian Dollar offer rate, or CDOR, and 8 percent of its debt investments bore interest at fixed rates.

This compares to the portfolio as of Dec. 31, 2016, which had a fair value of $669.2 million across 47 portfolio investments allocated 55 percent in first lien senior secured debt, which includes unitranche investments, 14 percent in second lien debt, 4 percent in subordinated debt, 9 percent in the Logan JV, 4 percent in other income-producing securities and 14 percent in equity securities and warrants. The weighted average yield of the debt and other income-producing securities in the investment portfolio, including the Logan JV, at their cost basis was 11.2 percent. As of Dec. 31, 2016, THL Credit had loans on non-accrual status with an aggregate amortized cost of $13.8 million and fair value of $6.9 million, or 2.1 percent and 1.0 percent of the portfolio’s amortized cost and fair value, respectively. As of Dec. 31, 2016, 89 percent of its debt investments bore interest based on floating rates, which may be subject to interest rate floors, such as LIBOR, and 11 percent of its debt investments bore interest at fixed rates.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Investment income
Total investment income for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017 and 2016 was $20.1 million and $21.6 million, respectively, and consisted of $14.5 million and $16.2 million of interest income on debt securities (which included PIK interest of $0.4 million and $0.5 million and prepayment premiums of $0 and $0.6 million, respectively), $3.7 million and $2.8 million of dividend income, $1.1 million and $1.7 million of interest income on other income-producing securities, and $0.8 million and $0.9 million of other income, including fees from THL Credit’s managed vehicles, respectively.

The decrease in investment income compared to the prior period was primarily due to contraction in the overall investment portfolio since Sept. 30, 2016, which led to lower interest income. This decrease was offset primarily by an increase in dividend income related to the Logan JV.

Expenses
Expenses for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017 and 2016 were $9.0 million and $11.1 million, respectively. For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017 and 2016, base management fees were $2.6 million and $2.7 million, incentive fees were $0, which included a fee waiver of $0.8 million, and $2.6 million, with no fee waiver, administrator and other expenses were $2.2 million and $2.0 million and fees and expenses related to THL Credit’s borrowings were $4.4 million and $3.9 million, respectively. In addition, for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017 and 2016, THL Credit recorded an income tax benefit related to its consolidated blocker corporations, excise and other taxes of $0.2 million and $0.1 million, respectively.

The decrease in operating expenses between the three month periods was due primarily to lower incentive fees due to portfolio performance and the Advisor waiving all of the incentive fee accrued for the current quarter, lower base management fees as a result of portfolio contraction, and lower administrator expenses. This decrease was partially offset by higher costs related to borrowings and one-time legal expenses associated with the exit of a portfolio investment in other expenses.

Net investment income
Net investment income totaled $11.2 million and $10.5 million for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017 and 2016, or $0.34 and $0.32 per share based upon 32,721,686 and 33,169,376 weighted average common shares outstanding, respectively.

The increase in net investment income between the three month periods is primarily attributable to a decrease in incentive fee expenses and higher dividend income related to the Logan JV. This was offset by lower interest income on debt and other income-producing investments.

Net realized gains and losses on investments, net of income tax provision
For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017, THL Credit recognized a net realized loss of $11.3 million primarily from the $11.9 million loss on the sale of its senior secured term loan in CRS Reprocessing, LLC, which was partially offset by the gain on the realization of its equity holdings in Food Processing Holdings, LLC. For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2016, THL Credit recognized a net realized loss on portfolio investments of $25.0 million, primarily related to a $24.0 million realized loss recognized in connection with the restructurings of THL Credit’s investments in Loadmaster Derrick & Equipment, Inc. and Tri Starr Management Services, Inc.

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017 and 2016, THL Credit’s investment portfolio had a net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of $4.8 million and $24.7 million, respectively.

The net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments for the three months ended September 30, 2017 as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016 was driven primarily by the reversal of prior period net unrealized depreciation related to certain restructured investments and the financial performance of certain portfolio companies.

Provision for taxes on unrealized gain on investments
For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017 and 2016, THL Credit recognized a benefit (provision) for tax on unrealized gains of $0.4 million and ($0.4) million related to consolidated subsidiaries, respectively.

The change in provision for taxes on unrealized gains on investments relates primarily to changes in the unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of the investments held in taxable consolidated subsidiaries, other temporary differences and a change in the prior year estimates received from certain portfolio companies.

Realized and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on interest rate derivative
For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017 and 2016, THL Credit’s interest rate derivative agreement had a net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of $0 and $0.1 million, respectively.

For the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017 and 2016, THL Credit recognized a realized loss related to amounts paid on the interest rate derivative of $0 and $0.1 million, respectively.

The changes between the three month periods were due to capital market changes impacting swap rates. THL Credit’s five-year interest rate swap agreement expired on May 10, 2017.

Change in net assets resulting from operations
Change in net assets resulting from operations totaled $4.1 million and $9.9 million, or $0.13 and $0.30 per share based upon 32,721,686 and 33,169,376 weighted average common shares outstanding, for the three months ended Sept. 30, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

The increase in net assets resulting from operations for the respective periods is due primarily to the fluctuation of net realized and unrealized gains and losses in the portfolio.

FINANCIAL CONDITION, INCLUDING LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

As of Sept. 30, 2017, THL Credit had cash of $3.5 million. THL Credit’s liquidity and capital resources are derived from its credit facilities, equity and debt raises and cash flows from operations, including investment sales and repayments, and income earned.  THL Credit’s primary use of funds includes making investments in portfolio companies, payment of dividends to stockholders and funding operating expenses.  THL Credit used, and expects to continue to use, these capital resources, together with proceeds from the turnover within the portfolio and from future public and private offerings of securities to finance its investment objectives.

As of Sept. 30, 2017, THL Credit had $297.4 million in outstanding borrowings, which was comprised of $75.0 million outstanding on the term loan facility and $112.4 million outstanding on the revolving credit facility, and $110.0 million of notes payable outstanding. As of Sept. 30, 2017, borrowings outstanding had a weighted average interest rate of 4.93 percent. For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017, THL Credit borrowed $85.9 million and repaid $82.8 million under the credit facilities.

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2017, THL Credit operating activities provided cash of $23.3 million primarily in connection with the purchase and sales of investments. Its financing activities provided $3.1 million of net borrowings on its credit facility and used $26.6 million for distributions to stockholders, $2.5 million to repurchase common stock and $0.1 million for the payment of financing and offering costs.

For the nine months ended Sept. 30, 2016, THL Credit operating activities provided cash of $90.9 million primarily from the sales and repayments of investments and its financing activities used $55.0 million to repay borrowings on its credit facility, $33.9 million for distributions to stockholders, $1.5 million to repurchase common stock and $0.1 million for the payment of financing and offering costs.

STOCK REPURCHASE PROGRAM

THL Credit has provided its stockholders with notice of its ability to repurchase shares of its common stock in accordance with 1940 Act requirements. For the three month period ended Sept. 30, 2017, THL Credit repurchased 0.1 million shares of its common stock at an average price of approximately $9.71 per share, inclusive of commissions, or a weighted average discount to its net asset value of 15.6 percent. The total dollar amount of shares repurchased during the three month period ended Sept. 30, 2017 was $1.0 million. For the three month period ended Sept. 30, 2016, there were no stock repurchases.

These repurchases were completed pursuant to a $20.0 million stock repurchase program authorized by THL Credit’s Board of Directors on March 7, 2017. Unless extended by its board, the stock repurchase program will terminate on March 7, 2018 and may be modified or terminated at any time for any reason without prior notice. The timing and amount of any stock repurchases will depend on the terms and conditions of the repurchase program and no assurances can be given that any particular amount will be purchased. THL Credit will immediately retire all such shares of common stock that it purchases.

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS

From Oct. 1, 2017 through Nov. 9, 2017, THL Credit closed three new first lien senior secured debt investments totaling $11.7 million in the IT services, Consumer services and Business services industries, one new equity investment totaling $0.2 million in the Consumer services industry and two follow-on first lien senior secured debt investments totaling $0.8 million. The new and follow-on floating rate investments have a combined weighted average yield based upon cost at the time of the investment of 8.8 percent.

On Oct. 30, 2017, THL Credit sold its first lien senior secured term loan in Wheels Up Partners, LLC for $15.1 million.

On Oct. 30, 2017, THL Credit received proceeds of $5.5 million from the partial repayment of its first lien term loan in Alex Toys, LLC, which included a $0.08 million prepayment premium.

On Nov. 7, 2017, in consultation with its board of directors, THL Credit accepted the Advisor’s proposal to waive its incentive fee on net investment income for each of the three month periods ending Sept. 30, 2017 and Dec. 31, 2017 and entered into a fee waiver agreement whereby incentive fees on net investment income would be calculated under a new formula that would result in a lower incentive fee if such result was lesser than such calculation in effect prior to Jan. 1, 2018. Further, the Advisor will also waive the receipt of up to 25% of the incentive fees accrued for the period commencing on Jan 1, 2018 and ending on Dec. 31, 2018 to the extent necessary to support THL Credit paying a minimum quarterly distribution to the holders of its shares of common stock equal to $0.27 per share for each quarter of THL Credit’s fiscal year ended Dec. 31, 2018. Such incentive fees waived shall not be subject to recoupment.

On Nov. 7, 2017, THL Credit’s board of directors declared a dividend of $0.27 per share payable on Dec. 29, 2017 to stockholders of record at the close of business on Dec. 15, 2017.

CONFERENCE CALL
THL Credit will host a conference call to discuss these results and its business outlook on November 10, 2017, at 10:30 a.m. Eastern Standard Time. The conference call will be led by Sam W. Tillinghast and Christopher J. Flynn, co-chief executive officers, and Terrence W. Olson, chief operating officer and chief financial officer.

For those wishing to participate by telephone, please dial (877) 375-9141 (domestic) or (253) 237-1151 (international).  Use passcode 95393307.  The Company will also broadcast the conference call live via the Investor Relations section of its website at www.THLCreditBDC.com.  Starting approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through November 17, 2017, by dialing (855) 859-2056 (domestic) or (404) 537-3406 (international) and entering passcode 95393307.  The replay will also be available on the THL Credit’s website.

AVAILABLE INFORMATION
THL Credit’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, earnings releases, investor presentation and other financial information are available on its website at www.THLCreditBDC.com.

  
THL CREDIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES 
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (UNAUDITED) 
(in thousands, except per share data) 
     
 September 30, 2017 December 31, 2016 
Assets:    
Investments at fair value:    
Non-controlled, non-affiliated  investments (cost of $485,847 and $519,837, respectively)$473,443  $501,992  
Controlled investments (cost of $167,062 and $150,765, respectively) 179,972   167,207  
Non-controlled, affiliated investments  (cost of $4 and $4, respectively) 4   4  
Cash 3,545   6,376  
Interest, dividends, and fees receivable 10,562   9,041  
Deferred financing costs 2,007   2,527  
Deferred tax assets   5,327     2,442  
Prepaid expenses and other assets   1,629     1,225  
Due from affiliate   475     590  
Total assets$  676,964  $  691,404  
Liabilities:    
Loans payable ($187,360 and $182,862 face amounts, respectively, reported net of deferred financing costs of $1,012 and $1,207, respectively.)$  186,348  $  181,655  
Notes payable ($110,000 and $110,000 face amounts, respectively, reported net of deferred financing costs of $3,153 and $3,653, respectively.)   106,847     106,347  
Deferred tax liability   4,944     4,518  
Accrued incentive fees   1,156     3,243  
Base management fees payable   2,621     2,608  
Accrued expenses and other payables   2,054     1,701  
Income taxes payable   728     -   
Accrued interest and fees   729     961  
Other deferred liabilities   141     501  
Interest rate derivative   —     50  
Total liabilities   305,568     301,584  
Net Assets:    
Common stock, par value $.001 per share, 100,000 common shares authorized, 32,674 and 32,925 shares issued and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively   33     33  
Paid-in capital in excess of par   435,111     437,623  
Net unrealized depreciation on investments, net of provision for taxes of $1,395 and $3,656, respectively   (2,695)    (5,197) 
Net unrealized depreciation on interest rate derivative   —     (50) 
Accumulated net realized losses   (75,074)    (51,732) 
Accumulated undistributed net investment income   13,029     8,428  
Total net assets attributable to THL Credit, Inc.   370,404     389,105  
Net assets attributable to non-controlling interest   992     715  
Total net assets$  371,396  $  389,820  
Total liabilities and net assets$  676,964  $  691,404  
Net asset value per share attributable to THL Credit, Inc.$  11.34  $  11.82  
     


  
 THL CREDIT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (UNAUDITED)
 (in thousands, except per share data)
           
   For the three months ended
September 30,
 For the nine months ended
September 30,
 
    2017   2016   2017   2016  
 Investment Income:         
 From non-controlled, non-affiliated investments:         
 Interest income $  13,510  $  16,790  $  41,245  $  51,642  
 Dividend income    -      73     139     147  
 Other income    418     443     1,913     1,499  
 From non-controlled, affiliated investments:         
 Other income    279     373     820     1,238  
 From controlled investments:         
 Interest income    2,080     1,164     5,727     2,336  
 Dividend income    3,683     2,685     9,924     7,641  
 Other income    141     38     423     113  
 Total investment income    20,111     21,566     60,191     64,616  
 Expenses:         
 Interest and fees on borrowings    4,023     3,484     11,836     10,488  
 Base management fees    2,621     2,678     7,834     8,390  
 Incentive fees    811     2,624     3,276     2,654  
 Administrator expenses    670     888     2,207     2,708  
 Other general and administrative expenses    462     542     1,508     1,720  
 Amortization of deferred financing costs    409     389     1,214     1,157  
 Professional fees    818     350     1,522     1,180  
 Directors' fees    169     168     518     578  
 Total expenses before incentive fee waivers    9,983     11,123     29,915     28,875  
 Incentive fee waiver     (811)    -      (811)    -   
 Total expenses, net of incentive fee waivers    9,172     11,123     29,104     28,875  
 Income tax provision (benefit), excise and other taxes    (215)    (52)    90     184  
 Net investment income    11,154     10,495     30,997     35,557  
 Realized Gain (Loss) and Change in Unrealized Appreciation on Investments:         
 Net realized (loss) gain on investments:         
 Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments    (11,324)    (25,100)    (22,230)    (27,064) 
 Controlled investments    —     120     —     (10,767) 
 Foreign currency transactions    6     —     (68)    —  
 Net realized loss on investments    (11,318)    (24,980)    (22,298)    (37,831) 
 Net change in unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on investments:         
 Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments    10,421     20,021     5,165     (6,765) 
 Controlled investments    (5,795)    4,654     (3,533)    18,983  
 Translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies    (869)    —     (1,389)    —  
 Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments    3,757     24,675     243     12,218  
 Net change in unrealized appreciation attributable to non-controlling interests    162     —     276     —  
 Net realized and unrealized loss from investments    (7,399)    (305)    (21,779)    (25,613) 
 Provision for taxes on realized gain on investments    (7)    —     (842)    —  
 Benefit (provision) for taxes on unrealized gain on investments    365     (381)    2,261     (588) 
 Benefit (provision) for taxes on realized and unrealized gain on investments    358     (381)    1,419     (588) 
 Interest rate derivative periodic interest payments, net    -      (66)    (46)    (232) 
 Net change in unrealized appreciation on interest rate derivative    -      144     50     104  
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations $  4,113  $  9,887  $  10,641  $  9,228  
 Net investment income per common share:         
 Basic and diluted $  0.34  $  0.32  $  0.94  $  1.07  
 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per common share:         
 Basic and diluted $  0.13  $  0.30  $  0.33  $  0.28  
 Dividends declared and paid $  0.27  $  0.34  $  0.81  $  1.02  
 Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding:         
 Basic and diluted    32,722     33,169     32,839     33,235  
           

About THL Credit, Inc.

THL Credit, Inc. (NASDAQ:TCRD) is a closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company’s investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation, primarily through directly originated first lien secured loans, including unitranche investments. In certain instances, the Company also makes second lien, subordinated, or mezzanine debt investments, which may include an associated equity component such as warrants, preferred stock or other similar securities and direct equity co-investments. The Company targets investments primarily in lower middle market companies with annual EBITDA generally between $5 million and $25 million that require capital for growth and acquisitions. The Company is headquartered in Boston, with additional investment teams in Chicago, Dallas, Los Angeles and New York. The Company’s investment activities are managed by THL Credit Advisors LLC, an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940. For more information, please visit www.THLCreditBDC.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements made in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements. Such statements reflect various assumptions by the Company concerning anticipated results and are not guarantees of future performance. The accuracy of such statements involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that, in some ways, are beyond management’s control, including the factors described from time to time in filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Investor Contact:
THL Credit, Inc.
Lauren Vieira
617-790-6070

Media Contact:
Stanton Public Relations and Marketing, LLC
Doug Allen
212-366-5300