DALLAS, Aug. 05, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Capital Southwest Corporation (“Capital Southwest,” “CSWC” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq: CSWC), an internally managed business development company focused on providing flexible financing solutions to support the acquisition and growth of middle market businesses, today announced its financial results for the first fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024.

First Quarter Fiscal Year 2025 Financial Highlights

• Total Investment Portfolio: $1.5 billion
  • Credit Portfolio of $1.3 billion:
    • 98% 1st Lien Senior Secured Debt
    • $105.1 million in new committed credit investments during the quarter
    • Weighted Average Yield on Debt Investments: 13.3%
    • Current non-accruals with a fair value of $27.8 million, representing 1.9% of the total investment portfolio
  • Equity Portfolio of $132.8 million
    • $3.0 million in new equity co-investments during the quarter
• Pre-Tax Net Investment Income: $31.3 million, or $0.69 per weighted average share outstanding
• Dividends: Paid $0.57 per share Regular Dividend and $0.06 per share Supplemental Dividend
  • 122% LTM Pre-Tax NII Regular Dividend Coverage
  • Total Dividends for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 of $0.63 per share
  • Board of Directors approved an increase of the Regular Dividend to $0.58 per share and a Supplemental Dividend of $0.06 per share for the quarter ended September 30, 2024
• Net Realized and Unrealized Depreciation: $14.8 million, or 1.0% of total investments at fair value
  • $4.7 million of net depreciation related to the equity portfolio
  • $10.1 million of net depreciation related to the credit portfolio
• Balance Sheet:
  • Cash and Cash Equivalents: $33.3 million
  • Total Net Assets: $777.3 million
  • Net Asset Value (“NAV”) per Share: $16.60

In commenting on the Company’s results, Bowen Diehl, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, “The June quarter was another strong quarter for Capital Southwest, with $108 million of originations. Our portfolio continued to perform well, producing $0.69 of pre-tax net investment income per share for the quarter, which more than earned both our $0.57 per share regular dividend and our $0.06 per share supplemental dividend paid for the quarter. In consideration of the strong performance of our portfolio, the Board of Directors has increased the regular quarterly dividend to $0.58 per share for the quarter ending September 30, 2024. Given the continued excess earnings being generated by our portfolio, our Board of Directors has also declared a supplemental dividend of $0.06 per share for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, resulting in total dividends for the quarter ending September 30, 2024 of $0.64 per share. While future dividend declarations are at the discretion of our Board of Directors, it is our intent to continue to distribute quarterly supplemental dividends for the foreseeable future while base rates remain materially above long-term historical averages and we have a meaningful UTI balance. Finally, we continued our capital raising track record during the quarter raising over $38 million on our Equity ATM Program and adding $50 million in new commitments to our SPV Credit Facility, all resulting in Capital Southwest's balance sheet liquidity being at an all time high of $485 million.”

First Quarter Fiscal Year Investment Activities

Originations

During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Company originated $108.1 million in new commitments, consisting of investments in three new portfolio companies totaling $49.3 million and add-on commitments in 11 portfolio companies totaling $58.8 million. New portfolio company investment transactions that closed during the quarter ended June 30, 2024 are summarized as follows:

SureKap, LLC, $16.2 million 1^st Lien Senior Secured Debt, $5.0 million Revolving Loan, $8.8 million Delayed Draw Term Loan, $0.5 million Common Equity: The company is a manufacturer of high quality packaging equipment.

Brandner Design LLC, $8.8 million 1^st Lien Senior Secured Debt, $1.0 million Revolving Loan, Common Equity: The company designs, manufactures and installs luxury-class architectural elements in residential and commercial settings.

TalkNY Management Holdings, LLC, $7.5 million 1^st Lien Senior Secured Debt, $1.5 million Preferred Equity: The company is a provider of mental health teletherapy services to patients in the New York City metro area.

Prepayments and Exits

During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Company received full prepayments on eight debt investments totaling $77.2 million.

The Producto Group: Proceeds of $16.4 million, generating an IRR of 14.9%.

Outerbox, LLC: Proceeds of $14.6 million, generating an IRR of 13.6%.

USA Debusk, LLC: Proceeds of $13.0 million, generating an IRR of 9.9%.

Opco Borrower, LLC: Proceeds of $11.7 million, generating an IRR of 14.2%.

Infolinks Media, LP: Proceeds of $8.2 million, generating an IRR of 11.1%.

RTIC Subsidiary Holdings, LLC: Proceeds of $5.7 million, generating an IRR of 11.8%.

Intermedia Holdings, Inc.: Proceeds of $5.2 million, generating an IRR of 9.2%.

Vida Capital, Inc.: Proceeds of $2.4 million, generating an IRR of 8.8%.

First Fiscal Quarter 2025 Operating Results

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, Capital Southwest reported total investment income of $51.4 million, compared to $46.4 million in the prior quarter. The increase in investment income was primarily attributable to an increase in the average monthly cost basis of investments held, an increase in amendment fees received during the quarter, and an increase in distributions received from our equity investments.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, total operating expenses (excluding interest expense) were $7.6 million, compared to $5.2 million in the prior quarter. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in accrued bonus compensation in the current quarter, an increase in audit fees and an increase in professional fees incurred in connection with the compensation consultant engaged by the Compensation Committee.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, interest expense was $12.4 million, compared to $11.5 million in the prior quarter. The increase was primarily attributable to an increase in average debt outstanding and an increase in the weighted average interest rate on total debt.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, total pre-tax net investment income was $31.3 million, compared to $29.8 million in the prior quarter.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, there was a tax provision of $2.4 million, compared to $0.4 million in the prior quarter. The provision includes a $2.2 million deferred tax expense, which is primarily attributable to a decrease in the tax basis of investments held at the Taxable Subsidiary, resulting in an increase in tax appreciation.

During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, Capital Southwest recorded total net realized and unrealized losses on investments of $14.8 million, compared to $15.9 million of total net realized and unrealized losses in the prior quarter. For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the total net realized and unrealized losses on investments reflected net realized and unrealized losses on debt investments of $10.1 million and net realized and unrealized losses on equity investments of $4.7 million. The net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $14.0 million for the quarter, compared to $13.5 million in the prior quarter.

The Company’s NAV at June 30, 2024 was $16.60 per share, as compared to $16.77 the prior quarter. The decrease in NAV per share from the prior quarter is primarily due to net realized and unrealized losses on investments, partially offset by pre-tax net investment income in excess of dividends paid, as well as the issuance of common stock at a premium to NAV per share through the Equity ATM Program (as described below).

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At June 30, 2024, Capital Southwest had approximately $33.3 million in unrestricted cash and money market balances and $430.2 million of unused capacity under the Corporate Credit Facility (as defined below) and the SPV Credit Facility (as defined below). The regulatory debt to equity ratio at the end of the quarter was 0.75 to 1.

As of June 30, 2024, Capital Southwest had the following borrowings outstanding:

• $165.0 million of total debt outstanding on the Corporate Credit Facility
• $64.0 million of total debt outstanding on the SPV Credit Facility
• $139.5 million, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, of the 4.50% Notes due January 2026
• $148.3 million, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, of the 3.375% Notes due October 2026
• $69.8 million, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, of the 7.75% Notes due August 2028
• $148.9 million, net of unamortized debt issuance costs, of SBA Debentures (as defined below)

In August 2016, CSWC entered into a senior secured credit facility (the “Corporate Credit Facility”) to provide additional liquidity to support its investment and operational activities. Borrowings under the Corporate Credit Facility accrue interest on a per annum basis at a rate equal to the applicable SOFR rate plus 2.15%. On August 2, 2023, CSWC entered into the Third Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Credit Agreement") that (1) increased commitments under the Corporate Credit Facility from $400 million to $435 million; (2) added an uncommitted accordion feature that could increase the maximum commitments up to $750 million; (3) extended the end of the Corporate Credit Facility's revolving period from August 9, 2025 to August 2, 2027 and extended the final maturity from August 9, 2026 to August 2, 2028; and (4) amended several financial covenants. On December 7, 2023, the Company entered into an Incremental Commitment and Assumption Agreement that increased the total commitments under the accordion feature of the Credit Agreement by $25 million, which increased total commitments from $435 million to $460 million. The $25 million increase was provided by one new lender, bringing the total bank syndicate to ten participants.

On March 1, 2024, the Company entered into Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement (the "Amendment"). The Amendment amended the Credit Agreement and other related loan documents to, among other things, permit the Company to enter into special purpose vehicle financings and exclude assets held by any such special purpose vehicle from the assets pledged as collateral securing the Corporate Credit Facility.

On February 2, 2024, the Company formed Capital Southwest SPV LLC ("SPV"). SPV is a wholly owned special purpose vehicle that was formed to hold investments for the SPV Credit Facility (as defined below) to support our investment and operating activities. On March 20, 2024, SPV entered into a special purpose vehicle financing credit facility (the "SPV Credit Facility"). The SPV Credit Facility included an initial commitment of $150 million. Pursuant to the terms of the loan agreement, on June 20, 2024, total commitments automatically increased from $150 million to $200 million. The SPV Credit Facility also includes an accordion feature that allows increases up to $400 million of total commitments from new and existing lenders on the same terms and conditions as the existing commitments. Borrowings under the SPV Credit Facility bear interest at three-month Term SOFR plus 2.50% per annum during the revolving period ending on March 20, 2027 and three-month Term SOFR plus an applicable margin of 2.85% thereafter. SPV (i) paid unused commitment fees of 0.10% through April 20, 2024 and (ii) pays unused commitment fees of 0.35% thereafter, on the unused lender commitments under the SPV Credit Facility, in addition to other customary fees. The SPV Credit Facility matures on March 20, 2029.

The Company has an "at-the-market" offering (the "Equity ATM Program"), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time through sales agents, shares of its common stock. On May 21, 2024, the Company increased the maximum amount of shares of its common stock to be sold through the Equity ATM Program from $650 million to $1 billion. During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Company sold 1,498,981 shares of its common stock under the Equity ATM Program at a weighted-average price of $25.60 per share, raising $38.4 million of gross proceeds. Net proceeds were $37.8 million after commissions to the sales agents on shares sold. As of June 30, 2024, the Company has $432.7 million available under the Equity ATM Program.

On April 20, 2021, our wholly owned subsidiary, Capital Southwest SBIC I, LP (“SBIC I”), received a license from the Small Business Administration (the "SBA") to operate as a Small Business Investment Company ("SBIC") under Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended. The SBIC license allows SBIC I to obtain leverage by issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures ("SBA Debentures"), subject to the issuance of a leverage commitment by the SBA. SBA debentures are loans issued to an SBIC that have interest payable semi-annually and a ten-year maturity. The interest rate is fixed shortly after issuance at a market-driven spread over U.S. Treasury Notes with ten-year maturities. On December 20, 2023, SBIC I received an additional leverage commitment in the amount of $45.0 million to be issued on or prior to September 30, 2028. As of June 30, 2024, SBIC I had a total leverage commitment from the SBA in the amount of $175.0 million, of which $22.0 million remains unused.

Share Repurchase Program

On July 28, 2021, the Company's board of directors (the "Board") approved a share repurchase program authorizing the Company to repurchase up to $20 million of its outstanding shares of common stock in the open market at certain thresholds below its NAV per share, in accordance with guidelines specified in Rules 10b5-1(c)(1)(i)(B) and 10b-18 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. On August 31, 2021, the Company entered into a share repurchase agreement, which became effective immediately, and the Company will cease purchasing its common stock under the share repurchase program upon the earlier of, among other things: (1) the date on which the aggregate purchase price for all shares equals $20 million including, without limitation, all applicable fees, costs and expenses; or (2) upon written notice by the Company to the broker that the share repurchase agreement is terminated. During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Company did not repurchase any shares of the Company’s common stock under the share repurchase program.

Regular Dividend of $0.58 Per Share and Supplemental Dividend of $0.06 Per Share for Quarter Ended September 30, 2024

On July 30, 2024, the Board declared a total dividend of $0.64 per share for the quarter ending September 30, 2024, comprised of a Regular Dividend of $0.58 per share and a Supplemental Dividend of $0.06 per share.

The Company's dividend will be payable as follows:

When declaring dividends, the Board reviews estimates of taxable income available for distribution, which may differ from net investment income under generally accepted accounting principles. The final determination of taxable income for each year, as well as the tax attributes for dividends in such year, will be made after the close of the tax year.

Capital Southwest maintains a dividend reinvestment plan ("DRIP") that provides for the reinvestment of dividends on behalf of its registered stockholders who hold their shares with Capital Southwest’s transfer agent and registrar, American Stock Transfer and Trust Company.  Under the DRIP, if the Company declares a dividend, registered stockholders who have opted into the DRIP by the dividend record date will have their dividend automatically reinvested into additional shares of Capital Southwest common stock. 

First Quarter 2025 Earnings Results Conference Call and Webcast

Capital Southwest has scheduled a conference call on Tuesday, August 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time to discuss the first quarter 2025 financial results. You may access the call by using the Investor Relations section of Capital Southwest's website at www.capitalsouthwest.com, or by using http://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/4yoxcj46.

An audio archive of the conference call will also be available on the Investor Relations section of Capital Southwest’s website.

For a more detailed discussion of the financial and other information included in this press release, please refer to the Capital Southwest's Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2024 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and Capital Southwest’s First Fiscal Quarter 2025 Earnings Presentation to be posted on the Investor Relations section of Capital Southwest’s website at www.capitalsouthwest.com.

About Capital Southwest

Capital Southwest Corporation (Nasdaq: CSWC) is a Dallas, Texas-based, internally managed business development company with approximately $1.5 billion in investments at fair value as of June 30, 2024. Capital Southwest is a middle market lending firm focused on supporting the acquisition and growth of middle market businesses with $5 million to $35 million investments across the capital structure, including first lien, second lien and non-control equity co-investments. As a public company with a permanent capital base, Capital Southwest has the flexibility to be creative in its financing solutions and to invest to support the growth of its portfolio companies over long periods of time.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains historical information and forward-looking statements with respect to the business and investments of Capital Southwest, including, but not limited to, the statements about Capital Southwest's future performance and financial performance and financial condition, Capital Southwest's ability to continue to grow its balance sheet, and the timing, form and amount of any distributions or supplemental dividends in the future. Forward-looking statements are statements that are not historical statements and can often be identified by words such as "will," "believe," "expect" and similar expressions and variations or negatives of these words. These statements are based on management's current expectations, assumptions and beliefs. They are not guarantees of future results and are subject to numerous risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statement. These risks include risks related to: changes in the markets in which Capital Southwest invests; changes in the financial, capital, and lending markets; changes in the interest rate environment and its impact on our business and our portfolio companies; regulatory changes; tax treatment; our ability to operate our wholly owned subsidiary, Capital Southwest SBIC I, LP, as a small business investment company; an economic downturn and its impact on the ability of our portfolio companies to operate and the investment opportunities available to us; the impact of supply chain constraints and labor shortages on our portfolio companies; and the elevated levels of inflation and its impact on our portfolio companies and the industries in which we invests.

Readers should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements and are encouraged to review Capital Southwest's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended March 31, 2024 and any subsequent filings with the SEC, including the "Risk Factors" sections therein, for a more complete discussion of the risks and other factors that could affect any forward-looking statements. Except as required by the federal securities laws, Capital Southwest does not undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, changing circumstances or any other reason after the date of this press release.

Investor Relations Contact:

Michael S. Sarner, Chief Financial Officer
214-884-3829