Monroe Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:MRCC) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript

Monroe Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:MRCC) Q4 2022 Earnings Call Transcript March 2, 2023

Operator: Welcome to Monroe Capital Corporation’s Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2022 Earnings Conference Call. Before we begin, I’d like to take a moment to remind our listeners that remarks made during this call today may contain forward-looking statements, including statements regarding our goals, strategies, beliefs, future potential, operating results, and cash flows. Although we believe these statements are reasonable based on management’s estimates, assumptions, and projections as of today, March 2nd, 2023, these statements are not guarantees of future performance. Further, time-sensitive information may no longer be accurate as of the time of any replay or listening. Actual results may differ materially as a result of risks, uncertainty, or other factors, including, but not limited to, the risk factors described from time-to-time in the company’s filings with the SEC.

Monroe Capital takes no obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements. I will now turn the call over to Ted Koenig, Chief Executive Officer of Monroe Capital Corporation. Please go ahead, sir.

Theodore Koenig: Good morning and thank you to everyone who has joined us on our call today. Welcome to our fourth quarter and full year 2022 earnings conference call. I am joined by Mick Solimene, our CFO and Chief Investment Officer; and Alex Parmacek, our Deputy Portfolio Manager. Last evening, we issued our fourth quarter and full year 2022 earnings press release and filed our 10-K with the SEC. I’d like to open up with some thoughts and observations on the market and the general economic environment. In the fourth quarter of 2022 and in the early 2023 period, compelling opportunities for MRCC have begun to emerge in response to the market volatility and the wary tone of the M&A and financing markets. As M&A and financing markets work through today’s macroeconomic trends and what we consider to be a year of transition, middle market financing volume totaled almost $280 billion in 2022 according to Refinitiv.

This mark was approximately 12% behind the record-setting volume in 2021, but still well above historical averages. As a firm, Monroe made approximately $6 billion of new investments in 2022. In response to the current market volatility, we are executing on transactions that not only have enhanced economics, but that also come with reduced leverage as well as more favorable pricing terms and documentation, a trend that began in the third quarter of last year. With current market conditions showing us lower leverage levels, coupled with higher equity cushions, we will selectively pursue assets in attractive markets as older vintage assets we pay. Our view is that 2023 will present itself as one of the most attractive vintages for deploying private capital — private credit capital and that MRCC is very well-positioned, especially as market share continues to move toward direct lenders away from traditional regulated lenders.

While we are excited about the opportunities ahead, we are also mindful that the higher interest rate environment and anticipated broader macroeconomic headwinds could potentially present stress within private credit loan portfolios. We’ve intentionally built a portfolio at MRCC that is focused on investments at the top of the capital structure with meaningful equity value cushions across resilience, sectors — recession-resilient sectors. We are confident that our defensive portfolio has been constructed to withstand those challenges and we are already seeing signs of resilience. Many of our borrowers have begun to experience relief as input costs and the supply chain have altered course towards normalization from what we’ve seen last year.

As such, our portfolio has been able to demonstrate credit quality stability despite the substantial interest rate increases from last year. To supplement the defensive portfolio makeup, we maintain a deep and experienced portfolio management team. This team works in conjunction with our core investment teams to execute a key component of our portfolio management strategy, which is early intervention. This allows us to get ahead of potential challenges and we will continue to take a proactive approach to navigating through this uncertain environment. Ultimately, we believe that we are positioned to actively maximize outcomes, while remaining a trusted financial partner to our clients. I will now transition to a snapshot of our fourth quarter results.

Adjusted net investment income was $5.6 million or $0.26 per share, down from adjusted net income of $7.1 million or $0.33 per share for the third quarter, which included one-time benefits of the receipts of previously unrecorded interest income on the successful repayment of our investment in Curion Holdings. Excluding the impact of this one-time benefit from the receipt of previously unaccrued interest income associated with Curion during the third quarter, adjusted net investment income in the fourth quarter grew by 1.8%. We also reported NAV of $225 million or $10.39 per share as of December 31st, 2022, a decrease of $0.04 per share from NAV of $226 million or $10.43 per share as of September 30th, 2022. This decline in NAV was substantially the result of mark-to-market losses on the investments in MRCC Senior Loan Fund loan, which we refer to as our SLF.

The decrease in value at the SLF was driven by these mark-to-market unrealized losses on SLF investments, which are loans to traditional upper-middle market borrowers and have continued to experience higher volatility and valuations as a result of more recent interest rate increases. On a net basis, the valuations on the remainder of the portfolio remained relatively flat to September 30th, 2022. During the quarter, MRCC’s debt-to-equity leverage increased from 1.33 times debt to equity to 1.49 times debt to equity, slightly above our long-term target range of 1.3 to 1.4 times. The increase in leverage was primarily driven by strong investment activity during the fourth quarter, coupled with lighter-than-expected portfolio payoff activity. We continue to focus on managing our investment portfolio and selectively redeploying capital resulting from repayments.

The significant majority of our 105 portfolio companies are performing in line with expectations. Based on current and forecasted market interest rates, interest coverage is generally solid across our existing portfolio. In addition, we believe that the modest weighted average loan-to-value in the portfolio provides us with strong downside protection and cushion to these investments and our portfolio will continue to benefit from the meaningful amount of equity invested in our companies. New deals continue to undergo a comprehensive underwriting process that includes downside stress scenarios to assess performance volatility and cushion from rising interest rates, margin pressures, and an overall economic slowdown. MRCC enjoys a strong strategic advantage in being affiliated with a best-in-class award-winning middle-market private credit asset management firm with approximately $16 billion in assets under management and approximately 200 employees as of December 31st, 2022.

Our dividend coverage continues to trend positively. We will continue to focus on generating adjusted net investment income that meets or exceeds our dividend and positive long-term NAV performance despite anticipated macro market headwinds and mark-to-market unrealized adjustments. At this point, I will turn the call over to Mick, who is going to walk you through the financial results in greater detail.

Mick Solimene: Thank you, Ted. As of December 31st, 2022, our investment portfolio totaled $541 million, up $33 million from $508 million as of September 30th, 2022. Our portfolio consisted of debt and equity investments in 105 portfolio companies as of December 31st, 2022 as compared to debt and equity investments in 98 portfolio companies as of September 30th, 2022. During the quarter, we made investments in eight new portfolio companies with fundings totaling $21.7 million at a weighted average interest rate of 11.2%. We also made nominal equity investments in two of these portfolio companies. Further, we had revolver or delayed draw fundings and add-ons to various existing portfolio companies totaling $18.3 million. During the quarter, we received one full payoff, which is for a nominal immaterial amount.

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We also incurred partial and normal course paydowns of $9 million and had no sales this quarter. We are well-positioned to deploy capital from future repayments carefully and to attractive assets that will benefit from increases in interest rates and more favorable structures through participating in the substantial pipeline of opportunities generated at Monroe. As of December 31st, we had total borrowings of $334.6 million, including $204.6 million outstanding under our floating rate revolving credit facility and $130 million of our 4.75% fixed rate 2026 notes. Total borrowings outstanding increased by $33.4 million during the quarter. The revolving credit facility had $50.4 million of availability as of December 31st, subject to borrowing base capacity.

Now, turning to our financial results for the quarter ended December 31st, 2022. Adjusted net investment income, a non-GAAP measure, was $5.6 million or $0.26 per share compared to $7.1 million or $0.33 per share in the prior quarter. While the average portfolio yield increased during the quarter ended December 31st, 2022, adjusted net investment income declined primarily as a result of a one-time benefit of the receipt of previously unaccrued interest income associated with the repayment of Curion Holdings that had previously been on non-accrual status, which occurred in the quarter ending September 30th, 2022. Excluding the one-time benefit of Curion from the third quarter results, adjusted net investment income increased by 1.8% or $100,000 during the fourth quarter.

When considering our targeted leverage, the rising interest rate environment, the favorable percentage of our fund leverage at a fixed rate, and the current credit performance at MRCC, we believe that on a run rate basis, our adjusted net investment income will comfortably cover the current quarterly dividend, all things being equal. As of December 31st, our total — our net asset value was $225 million, which decreased from the $226 million in net asset value as of September 30th. Our NAV per share decreased from $10.43 per share at September 30th to $10.39 per share as of December 31st. The $0.04 per share NAV decrease was substantially the result of mark-to-market losses on the investment in MRCC Senior Loan Fund I. The decrease in value at the SLF was driven by these mark-to-market losses on the SLF investments, which are loans to traditional upper-middle market borrowers and have continued to experience higher volatility in valuations.

Valuations on the remainder of the portfolio remained relatively flat on a net basis compared to the prior quarter. Looking to our statement of operations. Total investment income was $15.2 million during the fourth quarter, down from $15.9 million in the third quarter. Excluding the one-time third quarter benefit of $2 million in interest income on Curion, investment income actually increased by $1.3 million or 9.4%, primarily as a result of increase in portfolio yield and average portfolio size. In addition, during the quarter, we continued to see the impact of increases in interest rates on our investment income as all the portfolio borrowers exceeded their benchmark interest rate floors during the quarter, and we were fully benefiting from base rate increases across the portfolio during the fourth quarter.

At December 31st, the effective yield on our debt and preferred equity portfolio was 11%, up from 9.9% at September 30th. SOFR rates, which have continued to increase in the latter half of the year, rose during the quarter with one month SOFR at approximately 406 basis points as of December 31st versus approximately 314 basis points as of September 30th. All things being equal, a rising interest rate environment will continue to improve the yields on our investment portfolio and increase net investment income. At December 31st, we had four investments on non-accrual status, representing 0.5% of the portfolio at fair market value compared to four investments on non-accrual status which represented 0.7% of the portfolio at fair market value at September 30th.

Our performance has steadily improved in this area as we have been working out the underperforming companies in our portfolio as we said we would on previous calls. This is the direct result of the turnaround and workout capabilities of our external manager, Monroe Capital, and the resources they have provided to us. During the fourth quarter, we placed no additional borrowers on non-accrual status. Further, the investment performance risk rating distribution has remained relatively stable. Moving over to the expense side. Total expenses slightly decreased from $9.7 million in the third quarter to $9.6 million in the fourth quarter, primarily driven by lower income taxes, primarily associated with blocker entities that hold certain of the company’s equity investments and lower incentive fees.

These decreases were mostly offset by an increase in interest and other debt financing expenses due to the rising interest rate environment and higher average debt outstanding. Net loss for the quarter totaled $1 million compared to a net loss of $7 million in the third quarter. Net realized and unrealized losses in investments were $300,000 for the fourth quarter. Other net losses totaling approximately $700,000 during the fourth quarter were related to foreign currency forward contracts used to hedge currency exposure on certain investments. As of December 31st, the SLF had investments in 60 different borrowers, aggregating $183.2 million at fair value with a weighted average interest rate of 9.7%. The SLF’s underlying investments are loans to middle-market borrowers that are generally larger and more sensitive to market spread movements within the rest of MRCC’s portfolio, which is focused on lower middle market companies.

The SLF portfolio decreased nominally in value by 10 basis points during the quarter from 93.6% of amortized costs as of September 30th to 93.5% of amortized cost as of December 31st. Additionally, SLF realized on its previously recorded unrealized loss on Port Townsend Holding Company during the quarter. During the fourth quarter, MRCC received income distributions from SLF of $900,000 consistent with the prior quarter. As of December 31st, 2022, the SLF had borrowings under its non-recourse credit facility of $122.2 million and $52.8 million of available capacity under its credit facility subject to borrowing base availability. At this point, I will turn the call back to Ted for some closing remarks before we open the line for questions.

Theodore Koenig: Thanks Mick. In closing, we believe that we are well-positioned to emerge from a transitional 2022 to capitalize on compelling opportunities for private credit and navigate the market uncertainty that may lie ahead. Our average portfolio asset yield is in excess of 11% on current deals, which portends well for the rest of 2023. The depth and experience of our originations and underwriting teams will allow us to continue to selectively deploy capital in sectors that we have demonstrated resiliency to economic cycles. As we remain active in the market, we expect to realize the benefits of heightened demand for private capital from lower and overall middle-market companies, including, but not limited to, receiving more favorable economics and deal structures.

This strategy is consistent with our historical focus on providing well-protected, well-structured senior secured first lien loans to companies with insulated market positions and reliable business models, led by strong management teams and reliable sponsors. We will continue to lean on our team and core underwriting principles to generate attractive and differentiated risk-adjusted returns while navigating the uncertainties of 2023 and beyond. MRCC is well-positioned to deliver stable and consistent dividends for our shareholders, especially where our earnings and dividends stand to benefit from an increase in market interest rates. We are excited about our investment portfolio and our prospects to continue and continue to believe that Monroe Capital Corporation, which is affiliated with an award-winning best-in-class external manager, Monroe Capital, provides a very attractive investment opportunity to our shareholders and other investors.

Thank you all for your time today. And this concludes our prepared remarks. I am going to ask the operator to open up the call now for questions.

Operator: Thank you. We’ll hear first today from Kevin Fultz with JMP Securities.

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Q&A Session

Kevin Fultz: Hi, good morning and thank you for taking my questions. I noticed that PIK income represented about 14.7% of interest income in the fourth quarter, which was up meaningfully from 7.8% in the prior quarter. I’m curious if the increase is driven by new deals that were maybe structured with the PIK component or that was possibly amendment related any insight would be helpful?

Theodore Koenig: Sure. Good morning Kevin. Thank you for the question. So, we did see an increase in PIK income during the course of the quarter. The primary reason for the increase in income was the election by one of our borrowers at its option to exercise that PIK plateau during the quarter. If I look at our kind of PIK income trends quarter-over-quarter, year-over-year, we’ve kind of been in that 12% to 15% range. So, we feel comfortable with kind of where our PIK income is as a component of our total investment income. But that was the main cause for the increase during the quarter.

Kevin Fultz: Okay. Thanks. And I guess just to continue kind of on that line of questioning, I’m curious if you’ve seen an increase in amendment requests, I guess, in the December quarter and how that’s trended recently?

Theodore Koenig: Yes. Really good question, Kevin. During the fourth quarter, we didn’t really see any meaningful notable increase in amendment activity in our portfolio. Most of the amendment activity was related to transaction activity related to add-on transactions and technical amendments related to SOFR and LIBOR transition, but no meaningful amendment activity across our portfolio.

Kevin Fultz: Okay, that’s great to hear. And then one more if I can. I noticed that other G&A expenses were up slightly in the fourth quarter. I guess, can you just discuss what drove the increase? I’m just trying to get a sense if we should be scaling G&A expense in our model?

Theodore Koenig: Yes. So, nothing meaningful in terms of that slight G&A bump. I would guide you towards kind of a historical pattern on the G&A front as you think about your model.

Kevin Fultz: Okay, great. I appreciate your time this morning. I’ll leave it there.

Theodore Koenig: Thanks Kevin.

Operator: We’ll hear next from Christopher Nolan with Ladenburg Thalmann.

Christopher Nolan: Hey guys. The SLF, any of the borrowings by the SLS secured by any MRCC investments in the main portfolio?

Theodore Koenig: They are not.

Christopher Nolan: Okay. And then I guess in terms of asset liability management, what you’re thinking right now? I mean, if the view was — if the Fed would start easing for whatever reason, would MRCC look ahead of time to get more fixed rate loans or put on hedges? What’s the thinking around that?

Mick Solimene: Yes. So, we’re mindful of kind of capital structure. We’re — we’ve got a very, very favorable capital structure in terms of that note we did that matures in 2026, the $4.375 fixed rate note. But we are — we have an internally dedicated capital markets being that we work with quite closely to think about kind of the liability side of our balance sheet and are keeping an eye on the markets to see if and when we might fine-tune our approach to the right-hand side of our balance sheet, but nothing imminent.

Christopher Nolan: Final question–