Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. Announces December 31, 2020 Financial Results and Declares First Quarter 2021 Dividend of $0.34 per Share

Rhea-AI Summary

Bain Capital Specialty Finance reported strong fourth-quarter results for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, with net investment income per share rising to $0.34 from $0.33 in Q3 2020. Despite a drop in net income per share to $0.61 from $0.80, the net asset value improved to $16.54. The board declared a dividend of $0.34 for Q1 2021. The company announced a strategic partnership with Pantheon to launch the International Senior Loan Program, which is expected to enhance balance sheet flexibility and portfolio yields. Total fair value of investments stands at $2.48 billion.

Positive

• Net investment income per share increased to $0.34 from $0.33 quarter-over-quarter.
• Net asset value per share rose to $16.54 as of December 31, 2020, compared to $16.27 in Q3 2020.
• The strategic partnership with Pantheon aims to enhance portfolio yields and expand global capabilities.

Negative

• Net income per share decreased to $0.61 from $0.80 in the previous quarter.
• Total expenses increased to $26.2 million from $25.4 million due to higher incentive fees.

Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. (NYSE: BCSF, the “Company”, “our” or “we”) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year December 31, 2020, and that its Board of Directors has declared a dividend of $0.34 per share for the first quarter of 2021.

“We are pleased to report strong earnings results for the fourth quarter, in line with our preliminary estimates, driven by continued credit quality improvements across our diversified portfolio,” said Michael Ewald, Chief Executive Officer of BCSF. “Looking ahead, we believe the Company is well-positioned with a solid balance sheet to continue to execute on our long-standing strategy of prudently investing in senior secured loans to high quality middle market companies with demonstrated long-term value propositions.”

QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS

• Net investment income per share was $0.34, as compared to $0.33 for the quarter ended September 30, 2020;
• Net income per share was $0.61, as compared to $0.80 for the quarter ended September 30, 2020;
• Net asset value per share as of December 31, 2020 was $16.54, as compared to $16.27 as of September 30, 2020;
• Gross and net investment fundings were $172.6 million and $(15.5) million, respectively. Ending debt-to-equity (net of cash) ratio was 1.30x, as compared to 1.33x as of September 30, 2020;
• The investment portfolio yield at amortized cost increased quarter-over-quarter to approximately 7.3%, up from 7.1% as of September 30, 2020⁽¹⁾;
• Credit quality improved as demonstrated by no change to non-accrual investments quarter-over-quarter and net unrealized and realized gains across the Company’s investments during the fourth quarter. Non-accrual investments represented 0.2% of the total investment portfolio at both cost and fair value as of December 31, 2020;
• Subsequent to quarter-end, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.34 per share for the first quarter of 2021 payable to stockholders of record as of March 31, 2021⁽²⁾; and
• On February 11, 2021, the Company announced a strategic partnership with the private credit investment business of Pantheon (“Pantheon”) to create International Senior Loan Program, LLC (“ISLP”), a joint venture formed to provide direct lending solutions to middle market borrowers primarily across Europe and Australia. ISLP’s investment portfolio initially consists of approximately $320 million in investment principal of senior secured loans contributed by BCSF (the “Initial Portfolio”). The strategic partnership is expected to provide BCSF with enhanced balance sheet flexibility to expand its global capabilities, higher portfolio yields to drive greater net investment income and greater capacity to continue to invest in new senior secured loan investments to middle market companies. Giving effect to BCSF’s transfer of the Initial Portfolio to ISLP, BCSF’s pro forma ending debt-to-equity (net of cash) ratio decreased to approximately 1.1x as of December 31, 2020⁽³⁾.

SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
($ in millions, unless otherwise noted)		Q4 2020	Q3 2020
Net investment income per share		$0.34	$0.33
Net investment income		$21.9	$21.5
Earnings per share		$0.61	$0.80
Dividends per share declared and payable		$0.34	$0.34
	As of		As of
($ in millions, unless otherwise noted)	December 31, 2020		September 30, 2020
Total fair value of investments		$2,484.5	$2,459.7
Total assets		$2,603.5	$2,621.1
Total net assets		$1,068.0	$1,050.5
Net asset value per share		$16.54	$16.27

PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company invested $172.6 million in 26 portfolio companies, including $120.5 million in six new companies and $52.1 million in 20 existing companies. The Company had $188.1 million of principal repayments and sales in the quarter. On a net basis, our investments in the quarter totaled $(15.5) million.

Investment Activity for the Quarter Ended December 31, 2020:
($ in millions)	Q4 2020	Q3 2020
Investment Fundings	$172.6	$29.2
Sales and Repayments	$188.1	$89.9
Net Investment Activity	$(15.5)	$(60.7)

As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s investment portfolio had a fair value of $2,484.5 million, comprised of investments in 105 portfolio companies operating across 28 different industries.

Investment Portfolio at Fair Value as of December 31, 2020:
Investment Type	$ in Millions	% of Total
First Lien Senior Secured Loans	$2,164.9	87.1%
Second Lien Senior Secured Loans	162.0	6.6
Equity Interest	119.9	4.8
Preferred Equity	37.7	1.5
Total	$2,484.5	100.0%

As of December 31, 2020, the weighted average yield on the investment portfolio at amortized cost and fair value were 7.3% and 7.5%, respectively, as compared to 7.1% and 7.3%, respectively, as of September 30, 2020.⁽¹⁾ 99.2% of the Company’s debt investments at fair value were in floating rate securities.

As of December 31, 2020, one portfolio company was on non-accrual status, representing 0.2% and 0.2% of the total investment portfolio at cost and fair value, respectively.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the three months ended December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020, total investment income was $48.3 million and $46.8 million, respectively. The increase in investment income was primarily due to an increase in prepayment related income and other income.

Total expenses (before taxes), net of fee waivers for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 were $26.2 million and $25.4 million, respectively. The increase was primarily driven by an increase in incentive fees, partially offset by voluntary base management fee and incentive fee waivers and lower interest and debt financing expenses.

Net investment income for the three months ended December 31, 2020 and September 30, 2020 was $21.9 million or $0.34 per share and $21.5 million or $0.33 per share, respectively.

During the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Company had net realized and unrealized gains of $17.6 million.

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the three months ended December 31, 2020 was $39.5 million, or $0.61 per share.

CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had total principal debt outstanding of $1,465.5 million, including $257.7 million outstanding in the Company’s revolving credit facility with Goldman Sachs Bank USA (the “BCSF Revolving Credit Facility”), $293.3 million outstanding in the Company’s credit facility with JPMorgan Chase Bank, National Association (the “JPM Credit Facility”), $365.7 million outstanding of the notes issued through BCC Middle Market CLO 2018-1 LLC, $398.8 million outstanding of the 2019-1 Debt and $150.0 million outstanding in the Company’s senior unsecured notes due 2023.

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the weighted average interest rate on debt outstanding was 3.2%, as compared to 3.3% for the three months ended September 30, 2020.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company had cash and cash equivalents (including foreign cash) of $54.7 million and $373.9 million of aggregate capacity under its credit facilities, including $167.2 million in the BCSF Revolving Credit Facility, $156.7 million in the JPM Credit Facility and $50.0 million in the Revolving Advisor Loan. As of December 31, 2020, the Company had $189.9 million of undrawn investment commitments.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company’s debt-to-equity and debt-to-equity (net of cash) ratios were 1.37x and 1.30x, respectively, as compared to 1.45x and 1.33x, respectively, as of September 30, 2020.

As of December 31, 2020, the Company was in compliance with all terms under its secured credit facilities.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

A conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results will be held live at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time on February 25, 2021. Please visit BCSF’s webcast link located on the Events & Presentations page of the Investor Resources section of BCSF’s website at http://www.baincapitalbdc.com for a slide presentation that complements the Earnings Conference Call.

Participants are also invited to access the conference call by dialing one of the following numbers:

• Domestic: 1-877-300-8521
• International: 1-412-317-6026
• Conference ID: 10151833

All participants will need to reference “Bain Capital Specialty Finance - Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020 Earnings Conference Call” once connected with the operator. All participants are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the call.

Replay Information:

An archived replay will be available approximately three hours after the conference call concludes through March 4, 2021 via a webcast link located on the Investor Resources section of BCSF’s website, and via the dial-in numbers listed below:

• Domestic: 1-844-512-2921
• International: 1-412-317-6671
• Conference ID: 10151833#

   

Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
			As of December 31,
			2020				2019
Assets
	Investments at fair value:
		Non-controlled/non-affiliate investments (amortized cost of $2,281,809 and $2,416,854, respectively)	$	2,261,461			$	2,403,250
		Non-controlled/affiliate investment (amortized cost of $93,089 and $6,720, respectively)		92,915				6,720
		Controlled affiliate investment (amortized cost of $147,841 and $113,689, respectively)		130,112				117,085
	Cash and cash equivalents			53,704				36,531
	Foreign cash (cost of $976 and $854, respectively)			972				810
	Restricted cash and cash equivalents			27,026				31,505
	Collateral on forward currency exchange contracts			4,934				-
	Deferred financing costs			3,131				3,182
	Interest receivable on investments			15,720				22,482
	Receivable for sales and paydowns of investments			5,928				21,994
	Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts			-				1,034
	Dividend receivable			7,589				961
		Total Assets	$	2,603,492			$	2,645,554
Liabilities
	Debt (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $7,147 and $4,584, respectively)		$	1,458,360			$	1,574,635
	Interest payable			8,223				15,534
	Payable for investments purchased			10,991				293
	Collateral payable on forward currency exchange contracts			-				331
	Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts			22,614				1,252
	Base management fee payable			6,289				7,265
	Incentive fee payable			3,799				4,513
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses			3,261				2,155
	Distributions payable			21,951				21,176
		Total Liabilities		1,535,488				1,627,154
Commitments and Contingencies
Net Assets
	Preferred stock, $0.001 par value per share, 10,000,000,000 shares authorized, none issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively		$	-			$	-
	Common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000,000 and 100,000,000,000 shares authorized, 64,562,265 and 51,649,812 shares issued and outstanding as of December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2019, respectively			65				52
	Paid in capital in excess of par value			1,166,453				1,038,343
	Total distributable earnings (loss)			(98,514	)			(19,995	)
		Total Net Assets		1,068,004				1,018,400
Total Liabilities and Total Net assets			$	2,603,492			$	2,645,554
Net asset value per share			$	16.54			$	19.72

Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(in thousands, except share and per share data)
				For the Year Ended December 31,
				2020				2019				2018
Income
	Investment income from non-controlled/non-affiliate investments:
	Interest from investments			$	178,186			$	178,586			$	73,049
	Dividend income				787				62				-
	Other income				1,955				805				545
		Total investment income from non-controlled/non-affiliate investments			180,928				179,453				73,594
	Investment income from non-controlled/affiliate investments:
	Interest from investments				1,866				-				-
	Other income				202				-				-
		Total investment income from non-controlled/affiliate investments			2,068				-				-
	Investment income from controlled affiliate investments:
	Interest from investments				2,923				1,809				314
	Dividend income				8,537				16,679				25,386
	Other income				4				4				-
		Total investment income from controlled affiliate investments			11,464				18,492				25,700
		Total investment income			194,460				197,945				99,294
Expenses
	Interest and debt financing expenses				63,309				66,330				24,011
	Base management fee				35,215				32,702				17,544
	Incentive fee				4,473				17,418				8,670
	Professional fees				2,626				2,297				2,639
	Directors fees				726				546				278
	Other general and administrative expenses				5,398				4,772				902
		Total expenses before fee waivers			111,747				124,065				54,044
	Base management fee waiver				(2,676	)			(8,242	)			(8,772	)
	Incentive fee waiver				(674	)			(2,745	)			(1,908	)
		Total expenses, net of fee waivers			108,397				113,078				43,364
		Net investment income before taxes			86,063				84,867				55,930
	Excise tax expense				232				-				-
		Net investment income			85,831				84,867				55,930
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)
	Net realized loss on non-controlled/non-affiliate investments				(33,824	)			(3,487	)			(3,345	)
	Net realized gain on controlled affiliate investments				-				265				-
	Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions				130				(36	)			(489	)
	Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts				6,472				11,043				(2,651	)
	Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translation				108				(130	)			-
	Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on forward currency exchange contracts				(22,396	)			(9,540	)			12,826
	Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on non-controlled/non-affiliate investments				(6,744	)			13,308				(36,334	)
	Net change in unrealized depreciation on non-controlled/affiliate investments				(174	)			-				-
	Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on controlled affiliate investments				(21,125	)			1,795				708
		Total net gains (losses)			(77,553	)			13,218				(29,285	)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations				$	8,278			$	98,085			$	26,645
Basic and diluted net investment income per common share				$	1.46			$	1.64			$	1.45
Basic and diluted increase in net assets resulting from operations per common share				$	0.14			$	1.90			$	0.69
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding					58,670,518				51,603,415				38,567,001

Endnotes

(1)		The weighted average yield is computed as (a) the annual stated interest rate or yield earned on the relevant accruing debt and other income producing securities plus amortization of fees and discounts on the performing debt and other income producing investments, divided by (b) the total relevant investments at amortized cost. The weighted average yield does not represent the total return to our stockholders.
(2)		The first quarter dividend is payable on April 30, 2021 to holders of record as of March 31, 2021.
(3)		On February 22, 2021, BCSF completed the transfer of the Initial Portfolio to ISLP. Based on BCSF's balance sheet and BCSF's contribution to ISLP of the Initial Portfolio, each as of quarter ended December 31, 2020. Net leverage represents principal debt outstanding less cash to equity.

About International Senior Loan Program

BCSF and Pantheon formed the ISLP joint venture on February 9, 2021. ISLP’s principal purpose is to invest in middle market direct lending opportunities across Europe and Australia. BCSF and Pantheon have agreed to contribute capital up to (subject to the terms of their agreement) approximately $255 million in aggregate to purchase interests in ISLP, with BCSF and Pantheon contributing up to approximately $180 million and $75 million, respectively. Investment decisions of ISLP require the consent of both BCSF and Pantheon.

About Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc.

Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. is an externally managed specialty finance company focused on lending to middle market companies. BCSF is managed by BCSF Advisors, LP, an SEC-registered investment adviser and a subsidiary of Bain Capital Credit, LP. Since commencing investment operations on October 13, 2016, and through December 31, 2020, BCSF has invested approximately $3,913.9 million in aggregate principal amount of debt and equity investments prior to any subsequent exits or repayments. BCSF’s investment objective is to generate current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation through direct originations of secured debt, including first lien, first lien/last out, unitranche and second lien debt, investments in strategic joint ventures, equity investments and, to a lesser extent, corporate bonds. BCSF has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

Forward-Looking Statements

This letter may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this letter may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results 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 filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this letter.

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FAQ

What were Bain Capital Specialty Finance's earnings for Q4 2020?

Bain Capital Specialty Finance reported a net investment income per share of $0.34 and a net income per share of $0.61 for Q4 2020.

What is the dividend announced by BCSF for Q1 2021?

BCSF declared a dividend of $0.34 per share for the first quarter of 2021.

How did BCSF's net asset value change in Q4 2020?

The net asset value per share increased to $16.54 as of December 31, 2020, up from $16.27 at the end of Q3 2020.

What is the strategic partnership announced by BCSF?

BCSF announced a partnership with Pantheon to create the International Senior Loan Program, aimed at providing direct lending solutions primarily in Europe and Australia.

What was the total fair value of BCSF's investments at the end of Q4 2020?

As of December 31, 2020, the total fair value of BCSF's investments was $2.48 billion.