Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. Announces March 31, 2024 Financial Results and Declares Second Quarter 2024 Dividend of $0.42 per Share

Rhea-AI Summary

Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. announced strong financial results for Q1 2024, declaring a dividend of $0.42 per share for Q2 2024. The company showcased high net investment income, improved credit quality, and NAV growth. Key financial highlights included NII per share of $0.53, net asset value per share of $17.70, and gross and net investment fundings of $403.1 million and $107.1 million, respectively. Additionally, Fitch Ratings affirmed the Company's investment grade rating of BBB-. The investment portfolio stood at $2,406.0 million, with a fair value yield of 13.0%. Capital and liquidity remained strong, with total principal debt outstanding at $1,364.5 million and debt-to-equity ratios of 1.19x and 1.09x.

Positive

• Strong net investment income and annualized return on book value.

• Improved credit quality and NAV growth for shareholders.

• Active quarter of new originations, showcasing growth opportunities.

• High fair value yield on the investment portfolio.

• Strong capital and liquidity position with low debt-to-equity ratios.

Negative

• Net investment income decreased compared to the previous quarter.

• Net realized and unrealized losses impacted overall performance.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The disclosed dividend yield, based on the new dividend rate of $0.42 and the current net asset value per share of $17.70, offers a forward yield of approximately 2.38%, which might be deemed attractive to income-focused investors, especially in a potentially rising interest rate environment where floating-rate assets could benefit. The modest decline in net investment income (NII) from $0.54 to $0.53 per share, while not substantial, does merit attention as it could signal compression in income generation or an increase in expenses that bears monitoring in subsequent quarters. The reported annualized NII yield of 12.0% and return on book value of 12.5% reflect a robust performance, considering the current interest rate landscape. A significant metric for shareholders is the net asset value (NAV) per share, which saw a slight increase from $17.60 to $17.70. This uptick indicates an overall positive valuation effect and might suggest solid underlying portfolio performance, which is important for Business Development Companies (BDCs) as it affects their ability to raise capital and maintain dividend payouts. The increase in the net debt-to-equity ratio from 102% to 109% is a notable change. It implies the company is leveraging more, which could enhance returns but also increases risk. Investors should weigh the firm's leverage strategy against the backdrop of its investment portfolio's performance and the broader economic environment.

Credit Analyst

From a credit perspective, the affirmation of a BBB- investment grade rating by Fitch Ratings suggests a stable outlook and validates the company's creditworthiness. This could have positive implications for the company's cost of capital and its ability to secure funding under favorable terms. The portfolio's composition, with a significant majority in senior secured loans (approximately 67% of the portfolio at fair value), is indicative of a conservative risk profile since these loans are typically first in line for repayment in the event of a default. However, an increase in investments on non-accrual can be an early warning signal for potential credit issues, although the reported decline in non-accrual investments to 1.7% and 1.0% of the total portfolio at amortized cost and fair value, respectively, is a positive development. Additionally, the weighted average yield on the portfolio, which has held relatively steady, demonstrates the company's ability to maintain its income in a competitive lending environment. Investors should consider the implications of rising interest rates, as a majority of the company's debt investments are in floating rate securities, which can lead to increased interest income but may also impact borrowers' ability to meet their obligations.

BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. (NYSE: BCSF, the “Company”, “our” or “we”) today announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, and that its Board of Directors (the “Board”) has declared a dividend of $0.42 per share for the second quarter of 2024 and an additional dividend of $0.03 per share that was previously announced on February 27, 2024.

“Our first quarter results reflected a strong start to the year driven by high net investment income, improving credit quality across our diversified senior secured portfolio and another consecutive quarter of NAV growth for our shareholders,” said Michael Ewald, Chief Executive Officer of BCSF. “We also had an active quarter of new originations, and we believe BCSF remains well-positioned to capitalize on opportunities in the current environment as we continue to execute our longstanding strategy of investing in senior secured loans to middle market companies.”

QUARTERLY HIGHLIGHTS

• Net investment income (NII) per share was $0.53, equating to an annualized NII yield on book value of 12.0%⁽¹⁾;
• Net income per share was $0.55, equating to an annualized return on book value of 12.5%⁽¹⁾;
• Net asset value per share as of March 31, 2024 was $17.70, as compared to $17.60 as of December 31, 2023;
• Gross and net investment fundings were $403.1 million and $107.1 million, respectively; ending net debt-to-equity was 1.09x, as compared to 1.02x as of December 31, 2023⁽²⁾;
• Investments on non-accrual declined quarter-over-quarter to 1.7% and 1.0% of the total investment portfolio at amortized cost and fair value, respectively, as of March 31, 2024;
• Subsequent to quarter-end, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.42 per share for the second quarter of 2024 payable to stockholders of record as of June 28, 2024. The Board of Directors previously announced an additional dividend of $0.03 per share payable to stockholders of record as of June 28, 2024⁽³⁾; and
• In March 2024, Fitch Ratings affirmed the Company’s investment grade rating of BBB- and stable outlook.

SELECTED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

($ in millions, unless otherwise noted)	Q1 2024	Q4 2023
Net investment income per share	$0.53	$0.54
Net investment income	$34.0	$34.9
Earnings per share	$0.55	$0.48
Dividends per share declared and payable	$0.45	$0.42
($ in millions, unless otherwise noted)	As of March 31, 2024	As of December 31, 2023
Total fair value of investments	$2,406.0	$2,298.3
Total assets	$2,580.1	$2,472.3
Total net assets	$1,142.5	$1,136.5
Net asset value per share	$17.70	$17.60

PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company invested $403.1 million in 83 portfolio companies, including $238.4 million in seven new companies, $127.3 million in 60 existing companies, $34.4 million in 15 companies to be contributed to SLP and $3.0 million in SLP. The Company had $296.0 million of principal repayments and sales in the quarter, resulting in net investment fundings of $107.1 million.

Investment Activity for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2024:

($ in millions)	Q1 2024	Q4 2023
Investment Fundings	$403.1	$206.4
Sales and Repayments	$296.0	$308.2
Net Investment Activity	$107.1	$(101.8)

As of March 31, 2024, the Company’s investment portfolio had a fair value of $2,406.0 million, comprised of investments in 153 portfolio companies operating across 32 different industries.

Investment Portfolio at Fair Value as of March 31, 2024:

Investment Type	$ in Millions	% of Total
First Lien Senior Secured Loans	$1,612.8	67.0%
Second Lien Senior Secured Loans	59.8	2.5
Subordinated Debt	46.6	1.9
Preferred Equity	107.2	4.5
Equity Interests	207.2	8.6
Warrants	0.7	0.0
Investment Vehicles	371.7	15.5
Subordinated Note in ISLP	190.7	7.9
Equity Interest in ISLP	66.1	2.7
Subordinated Note in SLP	119.0	5.0
Preferred and Equity Interest in SLP	(4.1)	(0.1)
Total	$2,406.0	100.0%

As of March 31, 2024, the weighted average yield on the investment portfolio at amortized cost and fair value were 12.9% and 13.0%, respectively, as compared to 13.0% and 13.1%, respectively, as of December 31, 2023⁽⁴⁾. 94.3% of the Company’s debt investments at fair value were in floating rate securities.

As of March 31, 2024, three portfolio companies were on non-accrual status, representing 1.7% and 1.0% of the total investment portfolio at amortized cost and fair value, respectively.

As of March 31, 2024, ISLP’s investment portfolio had an aggregate fair value of $731.2 million, comprised of investments in 38 portfolio companies operating across 16 different industries. The investment portfolio on a fair value basis was comprised of 93.8% first lien senior secured loans, 2.8% second lien senior secured loans and 3.4% equity interests. 100% of ISLP’s debt investments at fair value were in floating rate securities.

As of March 31, 2024, SLP’s investment portfolio had an aggregate fair value of $811.4 million, comprised of investments in 57 portfolio companies operating across 21 different industries. The investment portfolio on a fair value basis was comprised of 98.1% first lien senior secured loans and 1.9% second lien senior secured loans. 99.9% of SLP’s debt investments at fair value were in floating rate securities.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

For the three months ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, total investment income was $74.5 million and $74.9 million, respectively. The decrease in investment income was primarily due to a decrease in interest and dividend income, partially offset by an increase in other income.

Total expenses (before taxes) for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $39.5 million and $39.0 million, respectively.

Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was $34.0 million or $0.53 per share and $34.9 million or $0.54 per share, respectively.

During the three months ended March 31, 2024, the Company had net realized and unrealized gains of $1.1 million.

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations for the three months ended March 31, 2024 was $35.1 million, or $0.55 per share.

CAPITAL AND LIQUIDITY

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had total principal debt outstanding of $1,364.5 million, including $412.0 million outstanding in the Company’s Sumitomo Credit Facility, $352.5 million outstanding of the debt issued through BCC Middle Market CLO 2019-1 LLC, $300.0 million outstanding in the Company’s senior unsecured notes due March 2026 and $300.0 million outstanding in the Company’s senior unsecured notes due October 2026.

For the three months ended March 31, 2024, the weighted average interest rate on debt outstanding was 5.2%, as compared to 5.3% for the three months ended December 31, 2023.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company had cash and cash equivalents (including foreign cash) of $48.9 million, restricted cash and cash equivalents of $73.6 million, $(6.4) million of unsettled trades, net of receivables and payables of investments, and $242.3 million of capacity under its Sumitomo Credit Facility. As of March 31, 2024, the Company had $315.4 million of undrawn investment commitments.

As of March 31, 2024, the Company’s debt-to-equity and net debt-to-equity ratios were 1.19x and 1.09x, respectively, as compared to 1.11x and 1.02x, respectively, as of December 31, 2023⁽²⁾.

Endnotes

(1)		Net investment income yields and net income returns are calculated on average net assets, or book value, for the respective periods shown.
(2)		Net debt-to-equity represents principal debt outstanding less cash and cash equivalents and unsettled trades, net of receivables and payables of investments.
(3)		The second quarter dividend is payable on July 29, 2024 to stockholders of record as of June 28, 2024.
(4)		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 or fair value. The weighted average yield does not represent the total return to our stockholders.

CONFERENCE CALL INFORMATION

A conference call to discuss the Company’s financial results will be held live at 8:00 a.m. Eastern Time on May 7, 2024. Please visit BCSF’s webcast link located on the Events & Presentations page of the Investor Resources section of BCSF’s website at http://www.baincapitalspecialtyfinance.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: 1-800-717-1738
• International: 1-646-307-1865
• Conference ID: 37753

All participants will need to reference “Bain Capital Specialty Finance - First Quarter Ended March 31, 2024 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 May 14, 2024 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: 1137753

Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities (in thousands, except share and per share data)
		As of					As of
		31-Mar-24					31-Dec-23
		(Unaudited)
Assets
Investments at fair value:
Non-controlled/non-affiliate investments (amortized cost of $1,825,313 and $1,615,061, respectively)		$		1,814,170			$		1,593,360
Non-controlled/affiliate investment (amortized cost of $33,707 and $132,650, respectively)				35,670					147,971
Controlled affiliate investment (amortized cost of $554,244 and $554,123, respectively)				556,112					557,012
Cash and cash equivalents				46,708					42,995
Foreign cash (cost of $2,851 and $6,865, respectively)				2,234					6,405
Restricted cash and cash equivalents				73,553					63,084
Collateral on forward currency exchange contracts				8,053					7,613
Deferred financing costs				2,568					2,802
Interest receivable on investments				30,080					37,169
Receivable for sales and paydowns of investments				2,383					4,310
Prepaid Insurance				754					210
Unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts				918					—
Dividend receivable				6,910					9,417
Total Assets		$		2,580,113			$		2,472,348
Liabilities
Debt (net of unamortized debt issuance costs of $6,911 and $7,567, respectively)		$		1,357,589			$		1,255,933
Interest payable				12,887					13,283
Payable for investments purchased				8,830					11,453
Unrealized depreciation on forward currency exchange contracts				1,937					2,260
Base management fee payable				8,818					8,929
Incentive fee payable				9,232					7,327
Accounts payable and accrued expenses				9,259					9,581
Distributions payable				29,053					27,116
Total Liabilities				1,437,605					1,335,882
Commitments and Contingencies (See Note 10)
Net Assets
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000,000 and 100,000,000,000 shares authorized, 64,562,265 and 64,562,265 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, respectively				65					65
Paid in capital in excess of par value				1,165,191					1,168,384
Total distributable loss				(22,748)					(31,983)
Total Net Assets				1,142,508					1,136,466
Total Liabilities and Total Net Assets		$		2,580,113			$		2,472,348
Net asset value per share		$		17.70			$		17.60

See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc. Consolidated Statements of Operations (in thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited)
		For the Three Months Ended March 31					For the Three Months Ended March 31
		2024					2023
Income
Investment income from non-controlled/non-affiliate investments:
Interest from investments		$		43,849			$		48,069
Dividend income				—					1
PIK income				5,067					3,840
Other income				5,255					5,248
Total investment income from non-controlled/non-affiliate investments				54,171					57,158
Investment income from non-controlled/affiliate investments:
Interest from investments				2,581					2,438
Dividend income				821					1,375
PIK income				315					394
Total investment income from non-controlled/affiliate investments				3,717					4,207
Investment income from controlled affiliate investments:
Interest from investments				9,165					6,355
Dividend income				7,446					7,017
Total investment income from controlled affiliate investments				16,611					13,372
Total investment income				74,499					74,737
Expenses
Interest and debt financing expenses				18,056					19,550
Base management fee				8,818					8,910
Incentive fee				9,232					11,110
Professional fees				801					581
Directors fees				174					174
Other general and administrative expenses				2,443					1,659
Total expenses, net of fee waivers				39,524					41,984
Net investment income before taxes				34,975					32,753
Income tax expense, including excise tax				1,025					595
Net investment income				33,950					32,158
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)
Net realized loss on non-controlled/non-affiliate investments				(2,536)					(10,651)
Net realized loss on non-controlled/affiliate investments				4,719					—
Net realized gain (loss) on foreign currency transactions				23					(4,213)
Net realized gain (loss) on forward currency exchange contracts				1,727					(2,385)
Net change in unrealized appreciation on foreign currency translation				(208)					3,767
Net change in unrealized appreciation on forward currency exchange contracts				1,241					161
Net change in unrealized appreciation on non-controlled/non-affiliate investments				10,558					1,388
Net change in unrealized appreciation on non-controlled/affiliate investments				(13,358)					3,459
Net change in unrealized appreciation on controlled affiliate investments				(1,021)					5,601
Total net losses				1,145					(2,873)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations		$		35,095			$		29,285
Basic and diluted net investment income per common share		$		0.53			$		0.50
Basic and diluted increase in net assets resulting from operations per common share		$		0.55			$		0.45
Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding				64,562,265					64,562,265

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 March 31, 2024, BCSF has invested approximately $7.4 billion 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.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240506592250/en/

Investor Contact:

Katherine Schneider

Tel. (212) 803-9613

investors@baincapitalbdc.com



Media Contact:

Charlyn Lusk

Tel. (646) 502-3549

clusk@stantonprm.com

Source: Bain Capital Specialty Finance, Inc.

FAQ

What was Bain Capital Specialty Finance's net investment income per share for Q1 2024?

Bain Capital Specialty Finance reported a net investment income per share of $0.53 for Q1 2024.

What was the total fair value of investments as of March 31, 2024?

The total fair value of investments for Bain Capital Specialty Finance was $2,406.0 million as of March 31, 2024.

What was the Company's debt-to-equity ratio as of March 31, 2024?

As of March 31, 2024, Bain Capital Specialty Finance's debt-to-equity and net debt-to-equity ratios were 1.19x and 1.09x, respectively.

What was the dividend declared for the second quarter of 2024?

Bain Capital Specialty Finance declared a dividend of $0.42 per share for the second quarter of 2024, payable to stockholders of record as of June 28, 2024.

What was the Company's investment grade rating as of March 31, 2024?

As of March 31, 2024, Fitch Ratings affirmed Bain Capital Specialty Finance's investment grade rating of BBB- with a stable outlook.