Barings BDC, Inc. Reports Third Quarter 2024 Results and Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.26 Per Share

CHARLOTTE, N.C.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Barings BDC, Inc. (NYSE: BBDC) (“Barings BDC” or the “Company”) today reported its financial and operating results for the third quarter of 2024 and announced that the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”) declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share.

Highlights

Income Statement	Three Months Ended September 30, 2024						Three Months Ended June 30, 2024
(dollars in millions, except per share data)	Total Amount			Per Share(1)			Total Amount			Per Share(2)
Net investment income	$	30.2		$	0.29		$	42.1		$	0.40
Net realized gains (losses)	$	(10.9	)	$	(0.10	)	$	8.1		$	0.08
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)	$	2.7		$	0.02		$	(30.8	)	$	(0.29	)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations	$	22.0		$	0.21		$	19.4		$	0.18
Dividends paid				$	0.26					$	0.26
(1) Based on weighted average shares outstanding during the period of 105,715,277.
(2) Based on weighted average shares outstanding during the period of 105,898,271.

Investment Portfolio and Balance Sheet
(dollars in millions, except per share data)	As of September 30, 2024			As of June 30, 2024			As of March 31, 2024			As of December 31, 2023
Investment portfolio at fair value	$	2,416.7		$	2,395.7		$	2,527.5		$	2,488.7
Weighted average yield on performing debt investments (at principal amount)		10.6	%		10.9	%		10.7	%		10.5	%
Total assets	$	2,605.1		$	2,603.6		$	2,698.7		$	2,677.5
Debt outstanding (principal)	$	1,372.8		$	1,375.8		$	1,465.4		$	1,444.9
Total net assets (equity)	$	1,194.4		$	1,201.9		$	1,211.9		$	1,196.6
Net asset value per share	$	11.32		$	11.36		$	11.44		$	11.28
Debt-to-equity ratio		1.15	x		1.14	x		1.21	x		1.21	x
Net debt-to-equity ratio (adjusted for unrestricted cash and net unsettled transactions)		1.09	x		1.07	x		1.17	x		1.15	x

Third Quarter 2024 Results

Commenting on the quarter, Eric Lloyd, Chief Executive Officer of Barings BDC, stated, “We continue to deliver attractive returns by executing our disciplined investment strategy focused on Barings-originated, senior secured loans to competitively advantaged middle market companies that we have rigorously analyzed and conservatively underwritten. In the third quarter, we maintained our strong momentum with net investment income well above the dividend, strong credit metrics, and NAV that is above where it was at the end of last year, reflecting portfolio resiliency and increased deployment compared to last quarter. We believe that we remain well positioned for what we expect to be a more active environment, particularly given our strong sponsor relationships and ample liquidity.”

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company reported total investment income of $70.9 million, net investment income of $30.2 million, or $0.29 per share, and a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $22.0 million, or $0.21 per share.

Net asset value (“NAV”) per share as of September 30, 2024 was $11.32, as compared to $11.36 as of June 30, 2024. The decrease in NAV per share from June 30, 2024 to September 30, 2024 was primarily attributed to a net realized loss on investments, foreign currency transactions and forward currency contracts of $0.10 per share, partially offset by net investment income exceeding the Company’s third quarter dividend by $0.03 per share, net unrealized appreciation on the Company’s investment portfolio, credit support agreements, foreign currency transactions and forward currency contracts of approximately $0.02 per share and the accretive impact of share repurchases of $0.01 per share.

Recent Portfolio Activity

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company made 11 new investments totaling $88.4 million and made investments in existing portfolio companies totaling $36.6 million. The Company had 11 loans repaid totaling $94.3 million and received $17.6 million of portfolio company principal payments, recognizing a net realized loss on these repayments of $13.2 million. The Company received $2.9 million of return of capital from joint ventures, equity and royalty rights investments. Lastly, the Company received proceeds related to the sale of equity investments totaling $5.9 million and recognized a net realized gain on such sales totaling $4.3 million.

During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company recorded net unrealized appreciation totaling $2.7 million, consisting of net unrealized appreciation reclassification adjustments of $11.1 million related to the net realized losses / gains on the sales / exits and restructures of certain investments, net unrealized appreciation on our current portfolio of $8.9 million, and unrealized appreciation of $1.1 million on the MVC credit support agreement with Barings, partially offset by net unrealized depreciation related to foreign currency transactions of $9.8 million, net unrealized depreciation related to forward currency contracts of $8.2 million and net unrealized depreciation of $0.4 million on the Sierra credit support agreement with Barings. The net unrealized appreciation on our current portfolio of $8.9 million was driven primarily by the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on investments of $21.6 million, partially offset by the credit or fundamental performance of investments of $11.1 million and broad market moves for investments of $1.6 million.

Liquidity and Capitalization

As of September 30, 2024, the Company had cash and foreign currencies of $66.0 million (including restricted cash of $3.2 million), $347.8 million of borrowings outstanding under its $1,065.0 million senior secured credit agreement (the “February 2019 Credit Facility”), $1,025.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes outstanding and a net receivable from unsettled transactions of $11.8 million.

On November 5, 2024, the Company entered into an amended and restated senior secured credit agreement, which amended the February 2019 Credit Facility to, among other things, (a) extend the revolving period from February 21, 2025 to November 5, 2028; (b) extend the stated maturity date from February 21, 2026 to November 5, 2029; (c) adjust the interest rate charged on the February 2019 Credit Facility from an applicable spread of either the term SOFR plus 2.25% (or 2.00% for so long as the Company maintains an investment grade credit rating) plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% for borrowings with an interest period of one month, 0.15% for borrowings with an interest period of three months, or 0.25% for borrowings with an interest period of six months to an applicable spread of 1.875% plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% and (d) reduce the total commitments under the facility from $1,065 million to $825 million, of which $100 million has been reallocated from revolving commitments to term loan commitments.

Commenting on the Company’s liquidity position, Elizabeth Murray, Chief Financial Officer of Barings BDC, stated, “Subsequent to the end of the third quarter, we continue to strengthen our liability structure by amending our revolving credit facility at attractive terms. With over $540.0 million of available capital, and net leverage levels below 1.10x at quarter-end, we believe we are well positioned to continue to support the growth of our existing portfolio companies and new origination activity.”

Share Repurchase Program

On February 22, 2024, the Board authorized a new 12-month share repurchase program. Under the program, the Company may repurchase, during the 12-month period commencing on March 1, 2024, up to $30.0 million in the aggregate of its outstanding common stock in the open market at prices below the then-current NAV per share. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by the Company, in its discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, the Company’s stock price, applicable legal, contractual and regulatory requirements and other factors. The program is expected to be in effect until March 1, 2025, unless extended or until the aggregate repurchase amount that has been approved by the Board has been expended. The program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares, and the Company cannot assure stockholders that any shares will be repurchased under the program. The program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time. During the three months ended September 30, 2024, the Company repurchased a total of 199,054 shares of its common stock in the open market under the authorized program at an average price of $9.84 per share, including brokerage commissions. As of November 6, 2024, the Company had repurchased a total of 508,132 shares of its common stock in the open market under the authorized program at an average price of $9.79 per share, including brokerage commissions.

Dividend Information

The Board declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.26 per share.

The Company’s fourth quarter dividend is payable as follows:

Fourth Quarter 2024 Dividend:
Amount per share:		$0.26
Record date:		December 4, 2024
Payment date:		December 11, 2024

Dividend Reinvestment Plan

Barings BDC has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) that provides for reinvestment of dividends and distributions on behalf of its stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, when the Company declares a cash dividend or distribution, stockholders who have not opted out of the DRIP will have their cash dividends or distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Company’s common stock, rather than receiving cash.

When the Company declares and pays dividends and distributions, it determines the allocation of the distribution between current income, accumulated income, capital gains and return of capital on the basis of accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). At each year end, the Company is required for tax purposes to determine the allocation based on tax accounting principles. Due to differences between GAAP and tax accounting principles, the portion of each dividend distribution that is ordinary income, capital gain or return of capital may differ for GAAP and tax purposes. The tax status of the Company’s distributions can be found on the Investor Relations page of its website.

Subsequent Events

Subsequent to September 30, 2024, the Company made approximately $117.1 million of new commitments, of which $95.8 million closed and funded. The $95.8 million of investments consists of $91.2 million of first lien senior secured debt investments, $0.6 million of second lien senior secured debt investments, $0.5 million of equity investments and a $3.5 million preferred equity co-investment alongside certain affiliates in a portfolio company focused on directly originated, litigation finance loans to mass tort law firms. The weighted average yield of the debt investments was 9.6%. In addition, we funded $12.9 million of previously committed revolvers and delayed draw term loans.

Conference Call to Discuss Third Quarter 2024 Results

Barings BDC has scheduled a conference call to discuss third quarter 2024 financial and operating results for Thursday, November 7, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. ET.

To listen to the call, please dial 800-715-9871 or 646-307-1963 approximately 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. A taped replay will be made available approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call and will remain available until November 14, 2024. To access the replay, please dial 877-660-6853 or 201-612-7415 and enter conference ID 13749495.

This conference call will also be available via a live webcast on the investor relations section of Barings BDC’s website at https://ir.barings.com/ir-calendar. Access the website 15 minutes prior to the start of the call to download and install any necessary audio software. An archived webcast replay will be available on the Company's website until November 14, 2024.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein or on the webcast/conference call may constitute “forward-looking statements,” which relate to future events or Barings BDC’s future performance or financial condition. Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made, which reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs, and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the Company’s projected net investment income and earnings, the Company’s distribution levels and frequency of distributions, the Company’s share repurchase activity and investment activity, and the ability of Barings LLC to manage Barings BDC and identify investment opportunities, all of which are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions, and may not be relied upon as investment advice or an indication of Barings BDC’s trading intent. More information on the risks and other potential factors that could affect Barings BDC’s financial results and future events, including important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from plans, estimates or expectations included herein or discussed on the webcast/conference call, is included in Barings BDC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” sections of Barings BDC’s most recently filed annual report on Form 10-K, as well as in subsequent filings, including Barings BDC’s quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. In addition, there is no assurance that Barings BDC or any of its affiliates will purchase additional shares of Barings BDC at any specific discount levels or in any specific amounts. There is no assurance that the market price of Barings BDC’s shares, either absolutely or relative to NAV, will increase as a result of any share repurchases, or that any repurchase plan will enhance stockholder value over the long term.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

To provide additional information about the Company’s results, the Company’s management has discussed in this press release the Company’s net debt (calculated as (i) total debt less (ii) unrestricted cash and foreign currencies (excluding restricted cash) net of net payables/receivables from unsettled transactions) and its net debt-to-equity ratio (calculated as net debt divided by total net assets), which are not prepared in accordance with GAAP. These non-GAAP measures are included to supplement the Company’s financial information presented in accordance with GAAP and because the Company uses such measures to monitor and evaluate its leverage and financial condition and believes the presentation of these measures enhances investors’ ability to analyze trends in the Company’s business and to evaluate the Company’s leverage and ability to take on additional debt. However, these non-GAAP measures have limitations and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company’s financial results as reported under GAAP.

These non-GAAP measures are not in accordance with, or an alternative to, measures prepared in accordance with GAAP and may be different from non-GAAP measures used by other companies. In addition, these non-GAAP measures are not based on any comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles. These measures should only be used to evaluate the Company’s results of operations in conjunction with their corresponding GAAP measures. Pursuant to the requirements of Item 10(e) of Regulation S-K, as promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Company has provided a reconciliation of these non-GAAP measures in the last table included in this press release.

About Barings BDC

Barings BDC, Inc. (NYSE: BBDC) is a publicly traded, externally managed investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Barings BDC seeks to invest primarily in senior secured loans in middle-market companies that operate across a wide range of industries. Barings BDC’s investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Barings LLC, a leading global asset manager based in Charlotte, NC with $431+ billion* of AUM firm-wide. For more information, visit www.baringsbdc.com.

About Barings LLC

Barings is a $431+ billion* global investment manager sourcing differentiated opportunities and building long-term portfolios across public and private fixed income, real estate, and specialist equity markets. With investment professionals based in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, the firm, a subsidiary of MassMutual, aims to serve its clients, communities and employees, and is committed to sustainable practices and responsible investment. Learn more at www.barings.com.

*Assets under management as of September 30, 2024

Barings BDC, Inc. Consolidated Balance Sheets (in thousands, except share and per share data)
	September 30, 2024				December 31, 2023
	(Unaudited)
Assets:
Investments at fair value:
Non-Control / Non-Affiliate investments (cost of $1,969,767 and $2,053,548 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)	$	1,937,200			$	1,995,372
Affiliate investments (cost of $372,373 and $378,865 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)		390,239				402,423
Control investments (cost of $104,780 and $103,163 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)		89,275				90,920
Total investments at fair value		2,416,714				2,488,715
Cash (restricted cash of $3,213 and $0 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)		48,881				57,187
Foreign currencies (cost of $16,780 and $13,023 as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)		17,113				13,341
Interest and fees receivable		44,379				51,598
Prepaid expenses and other assets		3,841				3,564
Credit support agreements (cost of $58,000 as of both September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023)		51,200				57,800
Derivative assets		7,563				1
Deferred financing fees		2,567				3,948
Receivable from unsettled transactions		12,820				1,299
Total assets	$	2,605,078			$	2,677,453
Liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities	$	3,409			$	2,950
Interest payable		12,267				8,450
Administrative fees payable		436				536
Base management fees payable		8,046				8,347
Incentive management fees payable		6,597				7,737
Derivative liabilities		10,039				11,265
Payable from unsettled transactions		988				1,112
Borrowings under credit facility		347,811				719,914
Notes payable (net of deferred financing fees)		1,021,044				720,583
Total liabilities		1,410,637				1,480,894
Commitments and contingencies
Net Assets:
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share (150,000,000 shares authorized, 105,558,938 and 106,067,070 shares issued and outstanding as of September 30, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively)		106				106
Additional paid-in capital		1,849,484				1,854,457
Total distributable earnings (loss)		(655,149	)			(658,004	)
Total net assets		1,194,441				1,196,559
Total liabilities and net assets	$	2,605,078			$	2,677,453
Net asset value per share	$	11.32			$	11.28

Barings BDC, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2024				September 30, 2023				September 30, 2024				September 30, 2023
Investment income:
Interest income:
Non-Control / Non-Affiliate investments	$	50,787			$	54,365			$	158,060			$	160,094
Affiliate investments		854				576				2,602				1,415
Control investments		22				464				460				1,210
Total interest income		51,663				55,405				161,122				162,719
Dividend income:
Non-Control / Non-Affiliate investments		1,190				897				3,835				2,555
Affiliate investments		8,651				7,618				26,216				24,084
Total dividend income		9,841				8,515				30,051				26,639
Fee and other income:
Non-Control / Non-Affiliate investments		4,221				2,544				11,161				9,858
Affiliate investments		52				88				321				291
Control investments		16				18				50				101
Total fee and other income		4,289				2,650				11,532				10,250
Payment-in-kind interest income:
Non-Control / Non-Affiliate investments		3,987				3,317				9,714				11,634
Affiliate investments		193				412				712				663
Control investments		622				250				1,698				746
Total payment-in-kind interest income		4,802				3,979				12,124				13,043
Interest income from cash		256				297				715				701
Total investment income		70,851				70,846				215,544				213,352
Operating expenses:
Interest and other financing fees		22,563				21,829				64,419				61,956
Base management fee		8,046				8,315				24,515				24,302
Incentive management fees		6,597				4,618				15,886				24,309
General and administrative expenses		2,427				2,363				7,446				7,546
Total operating expenses		39,633				37,125				112,266				118,113
Net investment income before taxes		31,218				33,721				103,278				95,239
Income taxes, including excise tax expense		1,033				412				1,599				807
Net investment income after taxes	$	30,185			$	33,309			$	101,679			$	94,432
Barings BDC, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations — (Continued) (in thousands, except share and per share data)
	Three Months Ended				Three Months Ended				Nine Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2024				September 30, 2023				September 30, 2024				September 30, 2023
Realized gains (losses) and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, credit support agreements, foreign currency transactions and forward currency contracts:
Net realized gains (losses):
Non-Control / Non-Affiliate investments	$	(8,543	)		$	(16,696	)		$	(13,465	)		$	(62,142	)
Affiliate investments		—				—				(4,179	)			—
Net realized gains (losses) on investments		(8,543	)			(16,696	)			(17,644	)			(62,142	)
Foreign currency transactions		508				(330	)			902				3,743
Forward currency contracts		(2,859	)			(234	)			(7,531	)			(17,144	)
Net realized gains (losses)		(10,894	)			(17,260	)			(24,273	)			(75,543	)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation):
Non-Control / Non-Affiliate investments		24,957				9,336				25,629				62,108
Affiliate investments		(3,452	)			184				(5,691	)			13,745
Control investments		(1,496	)			(15,999	)			(3,262	)			(17,665	)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments		20,009				(6,479	)			16,676				58,188
Credit support agreements		654				(6,450	)			(6,600	)			1,114
Foreign currency transactions		(9,775	)			7,560				(5,234	)			(3,406	)
Forward currency contracts		(8,159	)			7,379				3,213				23,143
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)		2,729				2,010				8,055				79,039
Net realized gains (losses) and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, credit support agreements, foreign currency transactions and forward currency contracts.		(8,165	)			(15,250	)			(16,218	)			3,496
Benefit from (provision for) income taxes		—				262				—				161
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	$	22,020			$	18,321			$	85,461			$	98,089
Net investment income per share — basic and diluted	$	0.29			$	0.31			$	0.96			$	0.88
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per share — basic and diluted	$	0.21			$	0.17			$	0.81			$	0.91
Dividends / distributions per share:
Total dividends / distributions per share	$	0.26			$	0.26			$	0.78			$	0.76
Weighted average shares outstanding — basic and diluted		105,715,277				106,516,166				105,883,524				107,266,074

Barings BDC, Inc. Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (in thousands)
	Nine Months Ended				Nine Months Ended
	September 30, 2024				September 30, 2023
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations	$	85,461			$	98,089
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Purchases of portfolio investments		(345,954	)			(400,507	)
Repayments received / sales of portfolio investments		422,926				273,550
Loan origination and other fees received		5,759				5,852
Net realized (gain) loss on investments		17,644				62,142
Net realized (gain) loss on foreign currency transactions		(902	)			(3,743	)
Net realized (gain) loss on forward currency contracts		7,531				17,144
Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments		(16,676	)			(58,188	)
Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation of CSAs		6,600				(1,114	)
Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on foreign currency transactions		5,234				3,406
Net unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on forward currency contracts		(3,213	)			(23,143	)
Payment-in-kind interest / dividends		(15,847	)			(18,270	)
Amortization of deferred financing fees		3,473				2,425
Accretion of loan origination and other fees		(8,071	)			(6,042	)
Amortization / accretion of purchased loan premium / discount		(650	)			(1,124	)
Payments for derivative contracts		(15,827	)			(21,459	)
Proceeds from derivative contracts		8,296				4,315
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Interest and fees receivable		9,058				(2,743	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		(257	)			(641	)
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities		(1,083	)			4,264
Interest payable		3,816				3,727
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities		167,318				(62,060	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under credit facility		91,500				67,000
Repayments of credit facility		(468,568	)			—
Proceeds from notes		300,000				—
Financing fees paid		(7,205	)			(2,403	)
Purchases of shares in repurchase plan		(4,973	)			(10,854	)
Cash dividends / distributions paid		(82,606	)			(81,340	)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(171,852	)			(27,597	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and foreign currencies		(4,534	)			(89,657	)
Cash and foreign currencies, beginning of period		70,528				139,415
Cash and foreign currencies, end of period	$	65,994			$	49,758
Supplemental Information:
Cash paid for interest	$	52,942			$	54,858
Excise taxes paid during the period	$	1,936			$	1,012

Barings BDC, Inc. Unaudited Reconciliation of Debt to Net Debt and Calculation of Net Debt-to-Equity Ratio (in thousands, except ratios)
		September 30, 2024				June 30, 2024				March 31, 2024				December 31, 2023
Total debt (principal).		$	1,372,811			$	1,375,823			$	1,465,352			$	1,444,914
minus: Cash and foreign currencies (excluding restricted cash)			(62,781	)			(69,345	)			(50,740	)			(70,528	)
plus: Payable from unsettled transactions.			988				5,081				336				1,112
minus: Receivable from unsettled transactions			(12,821	)			(25,631	)			(2,159	)			(1,299	)
Total net debt(1)		$	1,298,197			$	1,285,928			$	1,412,789			$	1,374,199
Total net assets		$	1,194,441			$	1,201,876			$	1,211,876			$	1,196,559
Total net debt-to-equity ratio(1)			1.09	x			1.07	x			1.17	x			1.15	x
(1) See the “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” section of this press release.

 

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Source: Barings BDC, Inc.