DIVIDEND DECLARATIONS
Ares Capital Corporation (“Ares Capital”) (NASDAQ: ARCC)
announced that its Board of Directors has declared a fourth quarter
2024 dividend of $0.48 per share. The fourth quarter 2024 dividend
is payable on December 30, 2024 to stockholders of record as of
December 13, 2024.
SEPTEMBER 30, 2024 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Ares Capital also announced financial results for its third
quarter ended September 30, 2024.
OPERATING RESULTS
Q3-24(1)
Q3-23(1)
(dollar amounts in millions, except per
share data)
Total Amount
Per Share
Total Amount
Per Share
GAAP net income per share(2)(3)
$
0.62
$
0.89
Core EPS(4)
$
0.58
$
0.59
Dividends declared and payable
$
0.48
$
0.48
Net investment income(2)
$
361
$
0.57
$
289
$
0.52
Net realized losses(2)
$
(24
)
$
(0.04
)
$
(76
)
$
(0.14
)
Net unrealized gains(2)
$
57
$
0.09
$
287
$
0.51
GAAP net income(2)(3)
$
394
$
0.62
$
500
$
0.89
As of
(dollar amounts in millions, except per
share data)
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Portfolio investments at fair value
$
25,918
$
22,874
Total assets
$
27,100
$
23,800
Stockholders’ equity
$
12,773
$
11,201
Net assets per share
$
19.77
$
19.24
Debt/equity ratio
1.06x
1.07x
Debt/equity ratio, net of available
cash(5)
1.03x
1.02x
(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)
All per share amounts and weighted average
shares outstanding are basic. The basic weighted average shares
outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023
were approximately 635 million and 562 million, respectively.
(3)
The basic and diluted weighted average
shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2024
was approximately 635 million shares. Ares Capital’s diluted GAAP
net income per share for the three months ended September 30, 2023
was $0.87. The weighted average shares outstanding for the purpose
of calculating the diluted GAAP net income per share for the three
months ended September 30, 2023 was approximately 582 million
shares, which includes approximately 20 million shares related to
the assumed conversion of Ares Capital’s then outstanding $403
million in aggregate principal amount of unsecured convertible
notes (the “2024 Convertible Notes”).
(4)
Core EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure.
Core EPS is the net increase (decrease) in stockholders’ equity
resulting from operations, and excludes 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.
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 GAAP net income, the most
directly comparable GAAP financial measure, to Core EPS are set
forth in Schedule 1 hereto.
(5)
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.
“We reported strong third quarter Core EPS and another record in
our net asset value per share supported by robust new investment
activity and healthy credit performance,” said Kipp deVeer, Chief
Executive Officer of Ares Capital. “As we celebrate our 20-year
anniversary this month, we are proud of the returns we delivered
for our shareholders, including a total annualized stock return
with dividends of 13% and a cumulative net realized loss rate of 0%
on our investments over the past two decades.”
“We believe that the strength and diversification of our balance
sheet continues to be a source of differentiation,” said Scott Lem,
Chief Financial Officer of Ares Capital. “During the third quarter,
our investment-grade profile improved further, making ARCC the only
company to have the highest ratings in the BDC sector and positive
outlooks by S&P and Fitch. Our conservative approach to
investing and funding our balance sheet have enabled us to pay a
stable to growing regular quarterly dividend for our shareholders
for over 15 years.”
PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY
(dollar amounts in millions)
Q3-24
Q3-23
Portfolio Activity During the Period:
Gross commitments
$
3,919
$
1,598
Exits of commitments
$
2,598
$
1,280
Portfolio Information:
As of
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
Portfolio investments at fair value
$
25,918
$
22,874
Fair value of accruing debt and other
income producing securities(6)
$
23,346
$
20,375
Number of portfolio company
investments
535
505
Percentage of floating rate securities at
fair value(7)
69
%
69
%
Weighted average yields on debt and other
income producing securities(8):
At amortized cost
11.7
%
12.5
%
At fair value
11.7
%
12.5
%
Weighted average yields on total
investments(9):
At amortized cost
10.7
%
11.3
%
At fair value
10.5
%
11.2
%
Asset class percentage at fair value:
First lien senior secured loans
53
%
44
%
Second lien senior secured loans
11
%
16
%
Subordinated certificates of the SDLP
5
%
6
%
Senior subordinated loans
5
%
5
%
Preferred equity
10
%
11
%
Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P.(10)
7
%
9
%
Other equity
9
%
9
%
(6)
Includes the fair value of Ares Capital’s
equity investment in Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P. (“IHAM”).
(7)
Includes Ares Capital's investment in the
subordinated certificates of the SDLP (as defined below).
(8)
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.
(9)
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.
(10)
Includes Ares Capital’s subordinated loan
and equity investments in IHAM, as applicable.
In the third quarter of 2024, Ares Capital made new investment
commitments of approximately $3.9 billion, of which approximately
$2.7 billion were funded. New investment commitments included 23
new portfolio companies and 51 existing portfolio companies. As of
September 30, 2024, 240 separate private equity sponsors were
represented in Ares Capital’s portfolio. Of the approximately $3.9
billion in new commitments made during the third quarter of 2024,
93% were in first lien senior secured loans, 1% were in second lien
senior secured loans, 2% were in subordinated certificates of the
Senior Direct Lending Program (the “SDLP”), 1% were in senior
subordinated loans, 1% were in Ares Capital’s subordinated loan
investment in IHAM, 1% were in preferred equity and 1% were in
other equity. Of the approximately $3.9 billion in new commitments,
95% were in floating rate debt securities, of which 87% contained
interest rate floors and 2% were in the subordinated certificates
of the SDLP. The weighted average yield of debt and other income
producing securities funded during the period at amortized cost was
10.3% and the weighted average yield on total investments funded
during the period at amortized cost was 10.1%. 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 third quarter of 2024, Ares Capital funded
approximately $453 million related to previously existing unfunded
revolving and delayed draw loan commitments.
In the third quarter of 2024, Ares Capital exited approximately
$2.6 billion of investment commitments. Of the approximately $2.6
billion of exited investment commitments, 72% were first lien
senior secured loans, 12% were second lien senior secured loans, 5%
were subordinated certificates of the SDLP, 3% were senior
subordinated loans, 1% were Ares Capital’s subordinated loan
investment in IHAM, 6% were preferred equity and 1% were other
equity. Of the approximately $2.6 billion of exited investment
commitments, 92% were floating rate, 3% were fixed rate, 2% were
non-income producing and 3% were on non-accrual.
As of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the weighted
average grade of the portfolio at fair value was 3.1 and 3.1,
respectively, and loans on non-accrual status represented 1.3% of
the total investments at amortized cost (or 0.6% at fair value) and
1.3% at amortized cost (or 0.6% 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 September 30,
2024, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on
October 30, 2024.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of September 30, 2024, Ares Capital had $486 million in cash
and cash equivalents and $13.5 billion in total aggregate principal
amount of debt outstanding ($13.5 billion at carrying value).
Subject to borrowing base and other restrictions, Ares Capital had
approximately $4.5 billion available for additional borrowings
under its existing credit facilities as of September 30, 2024.
In July 2024, Ares Capital and its consolidated subsidiary, ARCC
FB Funding LLC (“AFB”), entered into an agreement to amend AFB’s
revolving funding facility (the “BNP Funding Facility”). The
amendment, among other things, (a) increased the total commitment
under the BNP Funding Facility from $865 million to approximately
$1.3 billion, (b) extended the end of the reinvestment period from
April 20, 2026 to July 26, 2027, (c) extended the stated maturity
date from April 20, 2028 to July 26, 2029 and (d) adjusted the
interest rate charged on the BNP Funding Facility from an
applicable Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) or a “base
rate” (as defined in the documents governing the BNP Funding
Facility) plus a margin of (i) 2.50% during the reinvestment period
and (ii) 3.00% following the reinvestment period to an applicable
SOFR or a “base rate” plus a margin of (i) 2.10% during the
reinvestment period and (ii) 2.60% following the reinvestment
period. The other terms of the BNP Funding Facility remained
materially unchanged.
During the three months ended September 30, 2024, Ares Capital
issued and sold approximately 14.7 million shares of common stock
under its equity distribution agreements, with net proceeds
totaling approximately $302.4 million, after giving effect to sales
agents’ commissions and certain estimated offering expenses.
THIRD QUARTER 2024 DIVIDENDS PAID
On July 30, 2024, Ares Capital announced that its Board of
Directors declared a third quarter 2024 dividend of $0.48 per share
for a total of approximately $308 million. The third quarter 2024
dividend was paid on September 30, 2024 to stockholders of record
as of September 13, 2024.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
On October 8, 2024, Ares Capital and its consolidated
subsidiary, Ares Capital CP Funding LLC (“Ares Capital CP”),
entered into an agreement to amend Ares Capital CP’s revolving
funding facility (“Revolving Funding Facility”). The amendment,
among other things, (a) increased the commitments under the
Revolving Funding Facility from $1.775 billion to $2.150 billion,
(b) extended the end of the reinvestment period from December 29,
2024 to October 8, 2027, (c) extended the stated maturity date from
December 29, 2026 to October 8, 2029 and (d) adjusted the interest
rate charged on the Revolving Funding Facility from an applicable
SOFR plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% or a “base rate” plus
an applicable spread of 1.90% per annum to an applicable SOFR or a
“base rate” (as defined in the documents governing the Revolving
Funding Facility) plus an applicable spread of 2.00% per annum and
with no credit spread adjustment. The other terms of the Revolving
Funding Facility remained materially unchanged.
In October 2024, Ares Capital, through a wholly owned and
consolidated subsidiary, priced a $544 million term debt
securitization. The transaction is expected to close in November
2024, subject to customary closing conditions. A term debt
securitization is also known as a collateralized loan obligation
and is a form of secured financing incurred by Ares Capital which
is consolidated by it and subject to its overall asset coverage
requirement.
From October 1, 2024 through October 24, 2024, Ares Capital made
new investment commitments of approximately $408 million, of which
approximately $320 million were funded. Of the approximately $408
million in new investment commitments, 55% were in first lien
senior secured loans, 19% were in senior subordinated loans and 26%
were in Ares Capital’s subordinated loan investment in IHAM. All of
the approximately $408 million in new investment commitments were
floating rate. The weighted average yield of debt and other income
producing securities funded during the period at amortized cost was
10.8% and the weighted average yield on total investments funded
during the period at amortized cost was 10.8%. 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 October 1, 2024 through October 24, 2024, Ares Capital
exited approximately $1.2 billion of investment commitments,
including $458 million of loans sold to IHAM or certain vehicles
managed by IHAM. Of the approximately $1.2 billion of exited
investment commitments, 60% were first lien senior secured loans,
28% were second lien senior secured loans, 1% were subordinated
certificates of the SDLP, 11% were Ares Capital’s subordinated loan
investment in IHAM. All of the approximately $1.2 billion of exited
investment commitments were floating rate. The weighted average
yield of debt and other income producing securities exited or
repaid during the period at amortized cost was 11.3% and the
weighted average yield on total investments exited or repaid during
the period at amortized cost was 11.3%. Of the approximately $1.2
billion of investment commitments exited from October 1, 2024
through October 24, 2024, Ares Capital recognized total net
realized gains of approximately $4 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 October 24, 2024, Ares Capital had an
investment backlog of approximately $2.8 billion. 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. The
consummation of any of the investments in this backlog depends
upon, among other things, one or more of the following: 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 Wednesday,
October 30, 2024 at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss its
quarter ended September 30, 2024 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
(800) 245-3047. International callers can access the conference
call by dialing +1 (203) 518-9765. All callers are asked to dial in
10-15 minutes prior to the call so that name and company
information can be collected and to reference the conference ID
ARCCQ324. For interested parties, an archived replay of the call
will be available approximately one hour after the end of the call
through November 30, 2024 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to domestic
callers by dialing toll free +1 (800) 839-5127 and to international
callers by dialing +1 (402) 220-2692. An archived replay will also
be available through November 30, 2024 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
oftentimes can lead to economic growth and employment. Ares Capital
believes its loans and other investments in these companies can
help 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
September 30, 2024. 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
September 30, 2024
December 31, 2023
ASSETS
(unaudited)
Total investments at fair value (amortized
cost of $25,573 and $22,668, respectively)
$
25,918
$
22,874
Cash and cash equivalents
486
535
Restricted cash
138
29
Interest receivable
269
245
Receivable for open trades
113
16
Other assets
169
91
Operating lease right-of-use asset
7
10
Total assets
$
27,100
$
23,800
LIABILITIES
Debt
$
13,500
$
11,884
Base management fee payable
96
84
Income based fee payable
92
90
Capital gains incentive fee payable
106
88
Interest and facility fees payable
119
132
Payable to participants
38
29
Payable for open trades
45
7
Accounts payable and other liabilities
284
234
Secured borrowings
34
34
Operating lease liabilities
13
17
Total liabilities
14,327
12,599
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share,
1,000 common shares authorized; 646 and 582 common shares issued
and outstanding, respectively
1
1
Capital in excess of par value
12,044
10,738
Accumulated undistributed earnings
728
462
Total stockholders’ equity
12,773
11,201
Total liabilities and stockholders’
equity
$
27,100
$
23,800
NET ASSETS PER SHARE
$
19.77
$
19.24
ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share
data)
(unaudited)
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income from investments
$
568
$
495
$
1,620
$
1,441
Capital structuring service fees
38
20
124
51
Dividend income
151
128
441
372
Other income
18
12
46
43
Total investment income
775
655
2,231
1,907
EXPENSES
Interest and credit facility fees
195
145
528
425
Base management fee
96
81
274
239
Income based fee
92
83
273
238
Capital gains incentive fee
7
42
19
40
Administrative fees
3
4
9
10
Other general and administrative
9
8
24
23
Total expenses
402
363
1,127
975
NET INVESTMENT INCOME BEFORE INCOME
TAXES
373
292
1,104
932
Income tax expense, including excise
tax
12
3
60
11
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
361
289
1,044
921
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON
INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS:
Net realized losses
(24
)
(76
)
(30
)
(207
)
Net unrealized gains
57
287
165
395
Net realized and unrealized gains on
investments, foreign currency and other transactions
33
211
135
188
REALIZED LOSS ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF
DEBT
—
—
(14
)
—
NET INCREASE IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$
394
$
500
$
1,165
$
1,109
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic
$
0.62
$
0.89
$
1.90
$
2.03
Diluted
$
0.62
$
0.87
$
1.90
$
1.98
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
OUTSTANDING:
Basic
635
562
614
548
Diluted
635
582
614
568
SCHEDULE 1
Reconciliations of GAAP net income per share
to Core EPS
Reconciliations of GAAP net income per share, the most directly
comparable GAAP financial measure, to Core EPS for the three and
nine months ended September 30, 2024 and 2023 are provided
below.
For the Three Months Ended
September 30,
For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,
2024
2023
2024
2023
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
GAAP net income per share(1)(2)
$
0.62
$
0.89
$
1.90
$
2.03
Adjustments:
Net realized and unrealized gains(1)
(0.05
)
(0.37
)
(0.20
)
(0.35
)
Capital gains incentive fees attributable
to net realized and unrealized gains and losses(1)
0.01
0.07
0.03
0.08
Income tax expense (benefit) related to
net realized gains and losses(1)
—
—
0.05
(0.02
)
Core EPS(3)
$
0.58
$
0.59
$
1.78
$
1.74
(1)
All per share amounts and weighted average
shares outstanding are basic. The basic weighted average shares
outstanding for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2024
were approximately 635 million and 614 million, respectively, and
approximately 562 million and 548 million, respectively, for the
comparable periods in 2023.
(2)
The basic and diluted weighted average
shares outstanding for the three and nine months ended September
30, 2024 was approximately 635 million shares and 614 million
shares, respectively. Ares Capital’s diluted GAAP net income per
share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 was
$0.87 and $1.98, respectively. The weighted average shares
outstanding for the purpose of calculating the diluted GAAP net
income per share for the three and nine months ended September 30,
2023 were approximately 582 million shares and 568 million shares,
respectively, which includes approximately 20 million shares for
each period related to the assumed conversion of the then
outstanding 2024 Convertible Notes.
(3)
Core EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure.
Core EPS is the net increase (decrease) in stockholders’ equity
resulting from operations, and excludes 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.
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.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20241030297703/en/
INVESTOR RELATIONS CONTACTS Ares Capital Corporation John
Stilmar or Carl Drake (888) 818-5298 irarcc@aresmgmt.com
Ares Capital (NASDAQ:ARCC)
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