DIVIDEND DECLARATIONS
Ares Capital Corporation (“Ares Capital”) (NASDAQ: ARCC)
announced that its Board of Directors has declared a second quarter
2023 dividend of $0.48 per share. The second quarter 2023 dividend
is payable on June 30, 2023 to stockholders of record as of June
15, 2023.
MARCH 31, 2023 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Ares Capital also announced financial results for its first
quarter ended March 31, 2023.
OPERATING RESULTS
Q1-23(1)
Q1-22(1)
(dollar amounts in millions, except per
share data)
Total Amount
Per Share
Total Amount
Per Share
Core EPS(2)
$
0.57
$
0.42
GAAP net income per share(3)(4)
$
0.52
$
0.44
Net investment income(3)
$
318
$
0.60
$
198
$
0.41
Net realized gains (losses)(3)
$
(50
)
$
(0.10
)
$
10
$
0.02
Net unrealized gains(3)
$
10
$
0.02
$
3
$
0.01
GAAP net income(3)(4)
$
278
$
0.52
$
211
$
0.44
Dividends declared and payable
$
0.48
$
0.45
(5
)
As of
(dollar amounts in millions, except per
share data)
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Portfolio investments at fair value
$
21,148
$
21,780
Total assets
$
21,812
$
22,398
Stockholders’ equity
$
10,049
$
9,555
Net assets per share
$
18.45
$
18.40
Debt/equity ratio
1.12x
1.29x
Debt/equity ratio, net of available cash
(6)
1.09x
1.26x
____________________________________________
(1)
Net income can vary substantially from
period to period due to various factors, including the level of new
investment commitments, the recognition of realized gains and
losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation. As a result,
quarterly comparisons of net income may not be meaningful.
(2)
Core EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure.
Core EPS is the net increase (decrease) in stockholders’ equity
resulting from operations less net realized and unrealized gains
and losses, any capital gains incentive fees attributable to such
net realized and unrealized gains and losses and any income taxes
related to such net realized gains and losses, divided by the basic
weighted average shares outstanding for the relevant period. Basic
GAAP net income (loss) per share is the most directly comparable
GAAP financial measure. Ares Capital believes that Core EPS
provides useful information to investors regarding financial
performance because it is one method Ares Capital uses to measure
its financial condition and 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. Reconciliations of Core EPS to the most
directly comparable GAAP financial measure are set forth in
Schedule 1 hereto.
(3)
All per share amounts and weighted average
shares outstanding are basic. The basic weighted average shares
outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were
approximately 534 million and 479 million, respectively.
(4)
Ares Capital’s diluted GAAP net income per
share for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0.51
and $0.43, respectively. The weighted average shares outstanding
for the purpose of calculating the diluted GAAP net income per
share for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were
approximately 555 million and 500 million shares, respectively,
which includes approximately 21 million shares related to the
assumed conversion of outstanding convertible notes.
(5)
Includes an additional dividend of $0.03
per share paid on March 31, 2022 to stockholders of record as of
March 15, 2022.
(6)
Computed as total principal debt
outstanding less available cash divided by stockholders’ equity.
Available cash excludes restricted cash as well as cash held for
uses specifically designated for paying interest and expenses on
certain debt.
“Our first quarter results reflect a strong start to 2023 with
year-over-year growth of more than 35% in core earnings per share,”
said Kipp deVeer, Chief Executive Officer of Ares Capital. “With
tighter credit conditions prevalent in the market, we believe our
ability to provide certainty of execution and flexible capital
solutions to borrowers will enhance our competitive position and
enable us to make attractive investments for this market
cycle.”
“We have further strengthened our balance sheet thus far this
year by reducing our leverage and increasing our available
liquidity,” said Penni Roll, Chief Financial Officer of Ares
Capital. “We believe that our fortified balance sheet with leverage
of less than 1.1x net debt to equity leaves us well-positioned to
continue to support our existing portfolio companies and to be
opportunistic investors in this environment.”
PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY
(dollar amounts in millions)
Q1-23
Q1-22
Portfolio Activity During the Period:
Gross commitments
$
766
$
2,001
Exits of commitments
$
1,884
$
2,551
Portfolio Information:
As of
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Portfolio investments at fair value
$
21,148
$
21,780
Fair value of accruing debt and other
income producing securities(7)
$
18,834
$
19,493
Number of portfolio company
investments
466
466
Percentage of floating rate securities at
fair value(8)
69
%
71
%
Weighted average yields on debt and other
income producing securities(9):
At amortized cost
12.0
%
11.6
%
At fair value
12.2
%
11.9
%
Weighted average yields on total
investments(10):
At amortized cost
10.8
%
10.5
%
At fair value
10.9
%
10.6
%
Asset class percentage at fair value
First lien senior secured loans
41
%
43
%
Second lien senior secured loans
18
%
18
%
Subordinated certificates of the SDLP
6
%
6
%
Senior subordinated loans
5
%
5
%
Preferred equity
10
%
9
%
Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P.(11)
11
%
10
%
Other equity
9
%
9
%
____________________________________________
(7)
Including the fair value of Ares Capital’s
equity investment in Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P. (“IHAM”).
(8)
Including Ares Capital's investment in the
subordinated certificates of the SDLP (as defined below).
(9)
Weighted average yields on debt and other
income producing securities are computed as (a) the annual stated
interest rate or yield earned plus the net annual amortization of
original issue discount and market discount or premium earned on
accruing debt and other income producing securities (including the
annualized amount of the dividend received by Ares Capital related
to its equity investment in IHAM during the most recent quarter
end), divided by (b) the total accruing debt and other income
producing securities at amortized cost or at fair value (including
the amortized cost or fair value of Ares Capital’s equity
investment in IHAM as applicable), as applicable.
(10)
Weighted average yields on total
investments are computed as (a) the annual stated interest rate or
yield earned plus the net annual amortization of original issue
discount and market discount or premium earned on accruing debt and
other income producing securities (including the annualized amount
of the dividend received by Ares Capital related to its equity
investment in IHAM during the most recent quarter end), divided by
(b) total investments at amortized cost or at fair value, as
applicable.
(11)
Includes Ares Capital’s subordinated loan
and equity investments in IHAM, as applicable.
In the first quarter of 2023, Ares Capital made new investment
commitments of approximately $766 million, of which approximately
$636 million were funded. Total new investment commitments included
approximately $283 million of new investment commitments to IHAM.
New investment commitments included 8 new portfolio companies and
24 existing portfolio companies. As of March 31, 2023, 218 separate
private equity sponsors were represented in Ares Capital’s
portfolio. Of the $766 million in new commitments made during the
first quarter of 2023, 49% were in first lien senior secured loans,
7% were in subordinated certificates of the Senior Direct Lending
Program (the “SDLP”), 3% were in preferred equity, 37% were for
Ares Capital’s subordinated loan and equity investments in IHAM and
4% were in other equity. Of these commitments, 73% were in floating
rate debt securities, of which 88% contained interest rate floors.
Ares Capital may seek to sell all or a portion of these new
investment commitments, although there can be no assurance that
Ares Capital will be able to do so. Also in the first quarter of
2023, Ares Capital funded approximately $454 million related to
previously existing unfunded revolving and delayed draw loan
commitments.
Also in the first quarter of 2023, Ares Capital exited
approximately $1.9 billion of investment commitments, including
approximately $652 million of loans sold to IHAM or certain
vehicles managed by IHAM. Of the total investment commitments
exited, 72% were first lien senior secured loans, 10% were senior
subordinated loans, 10% were Ares Capital’s subordinated loan
investment in IHAM, 6% were preferred equity and 2% were
subordinated certificates of the SDLP. Of the approximately $1.9
billion of exited investment commitments, 90% were floating rate,
4% were fixed rate and 6% were non-income producing.
As of March 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the weighted average
grade of the portfolio at fair value was 3.1 and 3.2, respectively,
and loans on non-accrual status represented 2.3% of the total
investments at amortized cost (or 1.3% at fair value) and 1.7% at
amortized cost (or 1.1% at fair value), respectively. For more
information on Ares Capital’s portfolio investment grades and loans
on non-accrual status, see “Part I—Item 2. Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations—Portfolio and Investment Activity” in Ares Capital’s
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2023,
filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April
25, 2023.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of March 31, 2023, Ares Capital had $359 million in cash and
cash equivalents and $11.2 billion in total aggregate principal
amount of debt outstanding ($11.2 billion at carrying value).
Subject to borrowing base and other restrictions, Ares Capital had
approximately $4.4 billion available for additional borrowings
under its existing credit facilities as of March 31, 2023.
In January 2023, Ares Capital and ARCC FB Funding LLC (“AFB”), a
wholly owned subsidiary of Ares Capital, entered into an agreement
to amend AFB’s revolving funding facility (the “BNP Funding
Facility”) that among other things, (a) increased the commitments
under the facility from $300 million to $500 million and (b)
adjusted the interest rate charged on the BNP Funding Facility from
an applicable LIBOR or a "base rate" plus a margin of (i) 1.80%
during the reinvestment period and (ii) 2.30% following the
reinvestment period to an applicable SOFR or a "base rate" plus a
margin of (i) 2.30% during the reinvestment period and (ii) 2.80%
following the reinvestment period.
In February 2023, Ares Capital repaid in full the $750 million
aggregate principal amount outstanding of its unsecured notes (the
“2023 Notes”) upon their maturity. The 2023 Notes bore interest at
a rate of 3.500% per annum, payable semi-annually.
In January 2023, Ares Capital completed a public underwritten
equity offering pursuant to which Ares Capital sold approximately
12.1 million shares of common stock at a price of $18.53 per share
to the participating underwriters, with net proceeds totaling
approximately $223.4 million, after giving effect to underwriting
fees and estimated offering expenses.
During the three months ended March 31, 2023, Ares Capital
issued and sold approximately 13.2 million shares of common stock
under its equity distribution agreements, with net proceeds
totaling approximately $253.6 million, after giving effect to sales
agents’ commissions and certain estimated offering expenses.
FIRST QUARTER 2023 DIVIDENDS PAID
On February 7, 2023, Ares Capital announced that its Board of
Directors declared a first quarter 2023 dividend of $0.48 per share
for a total of approximately $261 million. The first quarter 2023
dividend was paid on March 31, 2023 to stockholders of record as of
March 15, 2023.
RECENT DEVELOPMENT
In April 2023, Ares Capital amended its Revolving Credit
Facility. The amendment, among other things, (a) extended the
expiration of the revolving period for lenders electing to extend
their revolving commitments in an amount equal to approximately
$2.9 billion from March 31, 2026 to April 19, 2027, during which
period Ares Capital, subject to certain conditions, may borrow
under the Revolving Credit Facility, (b) extended the stated
maturity date for lenders electing to extend their revolving
commitments in an amount equal to approximately $2.9 billion from
March 31, 2027 to April 19, 2028 and (c) extended the stated
maturity date for $908 million of the lenders electing to extend
their term loan commitments from March 31, 2027 to April 19, 2028.
Lenders who elected not to extend their revolving commitments in an
amount equal to approximately $150 million, $107 million and $494
million will remain subject to a revolving period expiration of
March 30, 2024, March 31, 2025 and March 31, 2026, respectively,
and stated maturity dates of March 30, 2025, March 31, 2026 and
March 31, 2027, respectively. Lenders who elected not to extend
their term loan commitments in an amount equal to $50 million, $28
million and $116 million will remain subject to maturity dates of
March 30, 2025, March 31, 2026 and March 31, 2027,
respectively.
In April 2023, Ares Capital and AFB entered into an amendment to
the BNP Funding Facility. The amendment among other things, (a)
increased the commitments under the BNP Funding Facility from $500
million to $790 million, (b) extended the end of the reinvestment
period from June 11, 2023 to April 20, 2026, (c) extended the
stated maturity date from June 11, 2025 to April 20, 2028 and (d)
adjusted the interest rate charged on the BNP Funding Facility from
an applicable SOFR or a "base rate" (as defined in the BNP Funding
Facility) plus a margin of (i) 2.30% during the reinvestment period
and (ii) 2.80% following the reinvestment period to an applicable
SOFR or a "base rate" plus a margin of (i) 2.80% during the
reinvestment period and (ii) 3.30% following the reinvestment
period.
In April 2023, Ares Capital’s board of directors authorized an
amendment to Ares Capital’s stock repurchase program to increase
the total authorization from $500 million to $1.0 billion. Under
the stock repurchase program, Ares Capital may repurchase up to
$1.0 billion in the aggregate of its outstanding common stock in
the open market at a price per share that meets certain thresholds
below its net asset value per share, in accordance with the
guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act. The
timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be
determined by Ares Capital, in its discretion, based upon the
evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price,
applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other factors.
From April 1, 2023 through April 19, 2023, Ares Capital made new
investment commitments of approximately $369 million, of which $311
million were funded. Of these new commitments, 66% were in first
lien senior secured loans and 34% were in second lien senior
secured loans. Of the approximately $369 million of new investment
commitments, 67% were floating rate and 33% were fixed rate. The
weighted average yield of debt and other income producing
securities funded during the period at amortized cost was 11.4% and
the weighted average yield on total investments funded during the
period at amortized cost was 11.3%. Ares Capital may seek to sell
all or a portion of these new investment commitments, although
there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.
From April 1, 2023 through April 19, 2023, Ares Capital exited
approximately $397 million of investment commitments, including $4
million of loans sold to IHAM or certain vehicles managed by IHAM.
Of the total investment commitments exited, 78% were first lien
senior secured loans, 21% were second lien senior secured loans and
1% were senior subordinated loans. Of the approximately $397
million of exited investment commitments, 99% were floating rate
and 1% were fixed rate. The weighted average yield of debt and
other income producing securities exited or repaid during the
period at amortized cost was 10.8% and the weighted average yield
on total investments exited or repaid during the period at
amortized cost was 10.8%. Of the approximately $397 million of
investment commitments exited from April 1, 2023 through April 19,
2023, Ares Capital recognized total net realized losses of
approximately $1 million, with no realized gains or losses
recognized from the sale of loans to IHAM or certain vehicles
managed by IHAM.
In addition, as of April 19, 2023, Ares Capital had an
investment backlog and pipeline of approximately $310 million and
$190 million, respectively. Investment backlog includes
transactions approved by Ares Capital’s investment adviser’s
investment committee and/or for which a formal mandate, letter of
intent or a signed commitment have been issued, and therefore Ares
Capital believes are likely to close. Investment pipeline includes
transactions where due diligence and analysis are in process, but
no formal mandate, letter of intent or signed commitment have been
issued. The consummation of any of the investments in this backlog
and pipeline depends upon, among other things, one or more of the
following: satisfactory completion of Ares Capital due diligence
investigation of the prospective portfolio company, Ares Capital’s
acceptance of the terms and structure of such investment and the
execution and delivery of satisfactory transaction documentation.
In addition, Ares Capital may sell all or a portion of these
investments and certain of these investments may result in the
repayment of existing investments. Ares Capital cannot assure you
that it will make any of these investments or that Ares Capital
will sell all or any portion of these investments.
WEBCAST / CONFERENCE CALL
Ares Capital will host a webcast/conference call on Tuesday,
April 25, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its quarter
ended March 31, 2023 financial results. PLEASE VISIT ARES CAPITAL’S
WEBCAST LINK LOCATED ON THE HOME PAGE OF THE INVESTOR RESOURCES
SECTION OF ARES CAPITAL’S WEBSITE FOR A SLIDE PRESENTATION THAT
COMPLEMENTS THE EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL.
All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone
or the live webcast, which will be hosted on a webcast link located
on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of Ares
Capital’s website at www.arescapitalcorp.com. Please visit the website
to test your connection before the webcast. Domestic callers can
access the conference call toll free by dialing +1 (877) 407-0312.
International callers can access the conference call by dialing +1
(201) 389-0899. All callers are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes
prior to the call so that name and company information can be
collected. For interested parties, an archived replay of the call
will be available approximately one hour after the end of the call
through May 23, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to domestic
callers by dialing toll free +1 (877) 660-6853 and to international
callers by dialing +1 (201) 612-7415. For all replays, please
reference access code 13736873. An archived replay will also be
available through May 23, 2023 on a webcast link located on the
Home page of the Investor Resources section of Ares Capital’s
website.
ABOUT ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Founded in 2004, Ares Capital is a leading specialty finance
company focused on providing direct loans and other investments in
private middle market companies in the United States. Ares
Capital’s objective is to source and invest in high-quality
borrowers that need capital to achieve their business goals, which
often leads to economic growth and employment. Ares Capital
believes its loans and other investments in these companies can
generate attractive levels of current income and potential capital
appreciation for investors. Ares Capital, through its investment
manager, utilizes its extensive, direct origination capabilities
and incumbent borrower relationships to source and underwrite
predominantly senior secured loans but also subordinated debt and
equity investments. Ares Capital has elected to be regulated as a
business development company (“BDC”) and was the largest publicly
traded BDC by market capitalization as of March 31, 2023. Ares
Capital is externally managed by a subsidiary of Ares Management
Corporation (NYSE: ARES), a publicly traded, leading global
alternative investment manager. For more information about Ares
Capital, visit www.arescapitalcorp.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements included herein or on the webcast/conference call may
constitute “forward-looking statements,” which relate to future
events or Ares Capital’s future performance or financial condition.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance,
condition or results and involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Actual results and conditions 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
Ares Capital’s filings with the SEC. Ares Capital undertakes no
duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein or on the
webcast/conference call.
ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (in millions,
except per share data)
As of
March 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
ASSETS
(unaudited)
Total investments at fair value (amortized
cost of $21,430 and $22,043, respectively)
$
21,148
$
21,780
Cash and cash equivalents
359
303
Restricted cash
18
34
Interest receivable
187
176
Receivable for open trades
7
4
Other assets
75
81
Operating lease right-of-use asset
18
20
Total assets
$
21,812
$
22,398
LIABILITIES
Debt
$
11,164
$
12,210
Base management fees payable
79
79
Income based fees payable
157
81
Capital gains incentive fees payable
29
35
Interest and facility fees payable
84
105
Payable to participants
18
34
Payable for open trades
7
22
Accounts payable and other liabilities
117
167
Secured borrowings
80
79
Operating lease liabilities
28
31
Total liabilities
11,763
12,843
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share,
700 common shares authorized; 545 and 519 common shares issued and
outstanding, respectively
1
1
Capital in excess of par value
10,033
9,556
Accumulated undistributed
(overdistributed) earnings
15
(2
)
Total stockholders’ equity
10,049
9,555
Total liabilities and stockholders’
equity
$
21,812
$
22,398
NET ASSETS PER SHARE
$
18.45
$
18.40
ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS (in
millions, except per share data) (unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2023
2022
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income from investments
$
470
$
310
Capital structuring service fees
10
30
Dividend income
121
88
Other income
17
12
Total investment income
618
440
EXPENSES
Interest and credit facility fees
139
93
Base management fees
79
73
Income based fees
76
51
Capital gains incentive fees
(6
)
2
Administrative fees
3
4
Other general and administrative
7
6
Total expenses
298
229
NET INVESTMENT INCOME BEFORE INCOME
TAXES
320
211
Income tax expense, including excise
tax
2
13
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
318
198
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON
INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS:
Net realized (losses) gains
(50
)
58
Net unrealized gains
10
3
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains
on investments, foreign currency and other transactions
(40
)
61
REALIZED LOSS ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF
DEBT
—
(48
)
NET INCREASE IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$
278
$
211
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic
$
0.52
$
0.44
Diluted
$
0.51
$
0.43
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
OUTSTANDING:
Basic
534
479
Diluted
555
500
SCHEDULE 1
Reconciliations of Core EPS to basic GAAP
net income per share
Reconciliations of Core EPS to basic GAAP net income per share,
the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for the three
months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 are provided below.
For the Three Months Ended
March 31,
2023
2022
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Core EPS(1)
$
0.57
$
0.42
Net realized and unrealized (losses)
gains(2)
(0.08
)
0.03
Capital gains incentive fees attributable
to net realized and unrealized gains and losses(2)
0.01
—
Income tax expense related to net realized
gains and losses(2)
0.02
(0.01
)
GAAP net income per share(2)(3)
$
0.52
$
0.44
__________________________________________________
(1)
Core EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure.
Core EPS is the net increase (decrease) in stockholders’ equity
resulting from operations less net realized and unrealized gains
and losses, any capital gains incentive fees attributable to such
net realized and unrealized gains and losses and any income taxes
related to such net realized gains and losses, divided by the basic
weighted average shares outstanding for the relevant period. Basic
GAAP net income (loss) per share is the most directly comparable
GAAP financial measure. Ares Capital believes that Core EPS
provides useful information to investors regarding financial
performance because it is one method Ares Capital uses to measure
its financial condition and 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.
(2)
All per share amounts and weighted average
shares outstanding are basic. The basic weighted average shares
outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were
approximately 534 million and 479 million, respectively.
(3)
Ares Capital’s diluted GAAP net income per
share for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 was $0.51
and $0.43, respectively. The weighted average shares outstanding
for the purpose of calculating the diluted GAAP net income per
share for the three months ended March 31, 2023 and 2022 were
approximately 555 million and 500 million shares, respectively,
which includes approximately 21 million shares related to the
assumed conversion of outstanding convertible notes.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230424006029/en/
INVESTOR RELATIONS Ares Capital Corporation Carl G. Drake
or John Stilmar (888) 818-5298 irarcc@aresmgmt.com
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