Rand Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: RAND) ("Rand" or the "Company"), a business development company providing alternative financing for lower middle market companies, announced its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024.
Daniel P. Penberthy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rand, commented, "Our continued deployment of capital, primarily directed towards debt investments, has proven to be a successful strategy that yielded strong results in the first quarter of 2024. The first quarter was a busy period in our portfolio, marked by new and follow-on investments and portfolio repayments, underscoring the strength and agility of our investment approach. Furthermore, we capitalized on market opportunities by realizing $3.5 million on the sale of our ACV Auctions stock. This exit, coupled with the utilization of our credit facility, enabled us to deploy over $10 million during the quarter, further strengthening our interest yielding portfolio.
"Looking ahead, we remain committed to our strategy and are focused on driving investment income growth, which is a vital catalyst in supporting our ability to generate sustainable dividends for our shareholders in the future."
First Quarter Highlights (compared with the prior-year period unless otherwise noted)
Portfolio and Investment Activity
As of March 31, 2024, Rand's portfolio included investments with a fair value of $82.8 million across 30 portfolio businesses. This was an increase of $5.6 million, or 7%, from December 31, 2023, and reflected new and follow on investments and valuation adjustments in multiple portfolio companies, partially offset by the ACV Auctions stock sale and other portfolio company loan repayments. At March 31, 2024, Rand's portfolio was comprised of approximately 70% in debt investments, 25% in equity investments in private companies, and 5% in publicly traded equities consisting of other BDCs. The annualized weighted average yield of debt investments, which includes PIK interest, was 13.7% at March 31, 2024, compared with 13.6% at the end of 2023.
First quarter 2024:
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash was $759,000 at March 31, 2024. The Company also held shares valued at approximately $4.5 million in other publicly traded BDCs, which are available for future liquidity needs including dividends and portfolio investments.
At March 31, 2024, Rand had outstanding borrowings of $19.2 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 first quarter of 2024. Rand's Board of Directors renewed the share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $1.5 million in additional Rand common stock. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in the open market and in accordance with applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The stock repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase any shares, and the timing and exact amount of any repurchases will depend on various factors, including the performance of the Company's stock price, general market and other conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The renewed stock repurchase program expires on May 7, 2025, and may be suspended, terminated or amended by the Board at any time prior to the expiration date.
Dividends
On February 26, 2024, Rand declared its regular quarterly cash dividend distribution of $0.25 per share, which was paid during the first quarter to shareholders of record as of March 13, 2024.
On May 8, 2024, Rand declared its regular quarterly cash dividend distribution of $0.29 per share, which was increased by $0.04 per share or 16%. The cash dividend will be distributed on or about June 14, 2024, to shareholders of record as of May 31, 2024.
Webcast and Conference Call
Rand will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, May 13, 2024, 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 5:00 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Monday, May 27, 2024. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter replay pin number 13745657. A transcript of the call will also be posted once available.
ABOUT RAND CAPITAL
Rand Capital (Nasdaq: RAND) is an externally managed business development company (BDC). The Company's investment objective is to maximize total return to its shareholders with current income and capital appreciation by focusing its debt and related equity investments in privately-held, lower middle market companies with committed and experienced managements in a broad variety of industries. Rand invests in businesses that have sustainable, differentiated and market-proven products, revenue of more than $10 million and EBITDA in excess of $1.5 million. The Company's investment activities are managed by its external investment adviser, Rand Capital Management, LLC. Additional information can be found at the Company's website where it regularly posts information: https://www.randcapital.com/.
Safe Harbor Statement
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than historical facts, including but not limited to statements regarding the strategy of the Company and its outlook; statements regarding the implementation of the Company's strategy and the growth of its dividend; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts and are sometimes identified by the words "may," "will," "should," "potential," "intend," "expect," "endeavor," "seek," "anticipate," "estimate," "overestimate," "underestimate," "believe," "could," "project," "predict," "continue," "target" or other similar words or expressions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (2) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions; and (3) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Rand's reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including Rand's annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed with the SEC. Consequently, such forward-looking statements should be regarded as Rand's current plans, estimates and beliefs. Except as required by applicable law, Rand assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.
FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW
Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Financial Position |
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March 31,
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December 31,
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ASSETS |
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Investments at fair value: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
||
Control investments (cost of $5,661,245 and $5,272,770, respectively) |
|
$ |
4,537,435 |
|
|
$ |
4,148,960 |
|
Affiliate investments (cost of $46,960,202 and $45,720,974, respectively) |
|
|
54,638,600 |
|
|
|
53,499,372 |
|
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments (cost of $24,282,868 and $17,371,862, respectively) |
|
|
23,598,090 |
|
|
|
19,477,380 |
|
Total investments, at fair value (cost of $76,904,315 and $68,365,606, respectively) |
|
|
82,774,125 |
|
|
|
77,125,712 |
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Cash |
|
|
759,183 |
|
|
|
3,295,321 |
|
Interest receivable |
|
|
347,755 |
|
|
|
244,600 |
|
Prepaid income taxes |
|
|
154,404 |
|
|
|
127,869 |
|
Deferred tax asset, net |
|
|
65,815 |
|
|
|
39,179 |
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Other assets |
|
|
253,848 |
|
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|
189,301 |
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Total assets |
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$ |
84,355,130 |
|
|
$ |
81,021,982 |
|
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY (NET ASSETS) |
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Liabilities: |
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Due to investment adviser |
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$ |
302,480 |
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$ |
979,297 |
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Accounts payable and accrued expenses |
|
|
272,086 |
|
|
|
145,516 |
|
Line of credit |
|
|
19,200,000 |
|
|
|
16,250,000 |
|
Capital gains incentive fees |
|
|
2,392,000 |
|
|
|
2,279,700 |
|
Deferred revenue |
|
|
619,225 |
|
|
|
552,256 |
|
Total liabilities |
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|
22,785,791 |
|
|
|
20,206,769 |
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Stockholders' equity (net assets): |
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Common stock, $0.10 par; shares authorized 100,000,000; shares issued: 2,648,916; shares outstanding: 2,581,021 at 3/31/24 and 12/31/23 |
|
|
264,892 |
|
|
|
264,892 |
|
Capital in excess of par value |
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|
55,801,170 |
|
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55,801,170 |
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Treasury stock, at cost: 67,895 shares at 3/31/24 and 12/31/23 |
|
|
(1,566,605 |
) |
|
|
(1,566,605 |
) |
Total distributable earnings |
|
|
7,069,882 |
|
|
|
6,315,756 |
|
Total stockholders' equity (net assets) (per share ? 3/31/24: $23.85; 12/31/23: $23.56) |
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|
61,569,339 |
|
|
|
60,815,213 |
|
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity (net assets) |
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$ |
84,355,130 |
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|
$ |
81,021,982 |
|
Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) |
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Three months ended
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Three months ended
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Investment income: |
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Interest from portfolio companies: |
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Control investments |
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$ |
187,483 |
|
|
$ |
150,916 |
|
Affiliate investments |
|
|
1,166,085 |
|
|
|
787,821 |
|
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments |
|
|
460,080 |
|
|
|
358,166 |
|
Total interest from portfolio companies |
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|
1,813,648 |
|
|
|
1,296,903 |
|
Interest from other investments: |
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|
|
|
|
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Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments |
|
|
1,914 |
|
|
|
132 |
|
Total interest from other investments |
|
|
1,914 |
|
|
|
132 |
|
Dividend and other investment income: |
|
|
|
|
|
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Affiliate investments |
|
|
13,125 |
|
|
|
347,148 |
|
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments |
|
|
138,710 |
|
|
|
127,595 |
|
Total dividend and other investment income |
|
|
151,835 |
|
|
|
474,743 |
|
Fee income: |
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|
|
|
|
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Control investments |
|
|
4,516 |
|
|
|
3,900 |
|
Affiliate investments |
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|
73,720 |
|
|
|
67,842 |
|
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments |
|
|
21,586 |
|
|
|
7,978 |
|
Total fee income |
|
|
99,822 |
|
|
|
79,720 |
|
Total investment income |
|
|
2,067,219 |
|
|
|
1,851,498 |
|
Expenses: |
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|
|
|
|
|
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Base management fee |
|
|
302,595 |
|
|
|
245,393 |
|
Capital gains incentive fees |
|
|
112,300 |
|
|
|
291,000 |
|
Interest expense |
|
|
390,020 |
|
|
|
158,400 |
|
Professional fees |
|
|
232,307 |
|
|
|
170,975 |
|
Stockholders and office operating |
|
|
69,028 |
|
|
|
64,304 |
|
Directors' fees |
|
|
63,850 |
|
|
|
63,850 |
|
Administrative fees |
|
|
38,167 |
|
|
|
37,250 |
|
Insurance |
|
|
13,044 |
|
|
|
12,960 |
|
Corporate development |
|
|
5,545 |
|
|
|
3,713 |
|
Total expenses |
|
|
1,226,856 |
|
|
|
1,047,845 |
|
Net investment income before income taxes: |
|
|
840,363 |
|
|
|
803,653 |
|
Income taxes, including excise tax expense |
|
|
778 |
|
|
|
88,737 |
|
Net investment income |
|
|
839,585 |
|
|
|
714,916 |
|
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments: |
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|
|
|
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Affiliate investments |
|
|
? |
|
|
|
58,329 |
|
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments |
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|
3,450,092 |
|
|
|
(4,941 |
) |
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments |
|
|
3,450,092 |
|
|
|
53,388 |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments: |
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|
|
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Affiliate investments |
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(100,000 |
) |
|
|
? |
|
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments |
|
|
(2,790,296 |
) |
|
|
1,401,973 |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments |
|
|
(2,890,296 |
) |
|
|
1,401,973 |
|
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments |
|
|
559,796 |
|
|
|
1,455,361 |
|
Net increase in net assets from operations |
|
$ |
1,399,381 |
|
|
$ |
2,170,277 |
|
Weighted average shares outstanding |
|
|
2,581,021 |
|
|
|
2,581,021 |
|
Basic and diluted net increase in net assets from operations per share |
|
$ |
0.54 |
|
|
$ |
0.84 |
|
Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets (Unaudited) |
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Three months ended
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Three months ended
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Net assets at beginning of period |
|
$ |
60,815,213 |
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|
$ |
57,721,320 |
|
Net investment income |
|
|
839,585 |
|
|
|
714,916 |
|
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments |
|
|
3,450,092 |
|
|
|
53,388 |
|
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments |
|
|
(2,890,296 |
) |
|
|
1,401,973 |
|
Net increase in net assets from operations |
|
|
1,399,381 |
|
|
|
2,170,277 |
|
Declaration of dividend |
|
|
(645,255 |
) |
|
|
(516,204 |
) |
Net assets at end of period |
|
$ |
61,569,339 |
|
|
$ |
59,375,393 |
|
Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP Total Expense to Non-GAAP Adjusted Expenses
(Unaudited)
In addition to reporting total expenses, which is a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle ("GAAP") financial measure, Rand presents adjusted expenses, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted expenses is defined as GAAP total expenses removing the effect of any expenses for capital gains incentive fees accrual. GAAP total expenses is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Rand believes that adjusted expenses provides useful information to investors regarding financial performance because it is a method the Company uses to measure its financial and business trends related to its results of operations. 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.
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Three months ended
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Three months ended
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Total expenses |
$ |
1,226,856 |
$ |
1,047,845 |
|
Exclude expenses for capital gains incentive fees |
|
112,300 |
|
291,000 |
|
Adjusted total expenses |
$ |
1,114,556 |
$ |
756,845 |
|
Reconciliation of GAAP Net Investment Income per Share to
Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share
(Unaudited)
In addition to reporting Net Investment Income per Share, which is a GAAP financial measure, the Company presents Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share is defined as GAAP Net Investment Income per Share removing the effect of any expenses for capital gains incentive fees. GAAP Net Investment Income per Share is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Rand believes that Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share provides useful information to investors regarding financial performance because it is a method the Company uses to measure its financial and business trends related to its results of operations. 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.
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Three months ended March 31, 2024 |
Three months ended March 31, 2023 |
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Net investment income per share |
$ |
0.33 |
$ |
0.28 |
|
Exclude expenses for capital gains incentive fees per share |
|
0.04 |
|
0.11 |
|
Adjusted net investment income per share |
$ |
0.37 |
$ |
0.39 |
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