Fidus Investment Corporation Prices Offering of $125 Million of 4.75% Notes Due 2026

Rhea-AI Summary

Fidus Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:FDUS) announced a public offering of $125 million in 4.75% notes due 2026, priced on December 16, 2020. The notes will mature on January 31, 2026, with interest payable semi-annually starting July 31, 2021. Proceeds will be used to redeem existing higher-interest notes and repay credit facility debts. The offering is managed by Raymond James & Associates, with expected closing on December 23, 2020. Investors should review the prospectus for detailed risks and objectives.

Positive

• Issuing 4.75% notes provides an opportunity to lower interest costs by redeeming existing higher-rate notes.
• Proceeds will be used to enhance financial stability by repaying debt under the credit facility.

Negative

• The offering could lead to short-term dilution for existing shareholders.
• Increased reliance on debt financing may elevate financial risk, especially amid economic uncertainty.

EVANSTON, Ill., Dec. 16, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fidus Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:FDUS) (“Fidus” or the “Company”) today announced that it priced a public offering of $125 million aggregate principal amount of 4.75% notes due 2026 (the “Notes”) on December 16, 2020. The Notes will mature on January 31, 2026, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option at par plus a “make-whole” premium, if applicable. The Notes will bear interest at a rate of 4.75% per year payable semi-annually on January 31 and July 31 of each year, beginning July 31, 2021.

Raymond James & Associates, Inc. is acting as sole book-running manager for this offering. B. Riley Securities, Inc., Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., A Stifel Company, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., National Securities Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Holdings Corporation (NASDAQ: NHLD), and Oppenheimer & Co. Inc. are acting as co-managers for the offering.

The closing of the transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and the Notes are expected to be delivered on or about December 23, 2020.

The Company intends to use the net proceeds from this offering to redeem all of its outstanding 5.875% notes due 2023, repay the amount outstanding under its credit facility and redeem a portion of its outstanding 6.000% notes due 2024 (callable on February 15, 2021). However, the Company may re-borrow under its credit facility and use such borrowings to invest in lower middle-market companies in accordance with its investment objective and strategies and for working capital and general corporate purposes. As of December 15, 2020, the Company had $50.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under its credit facility.

Investors are advised to consider carefully the investment objective, risks and charges and expenses of the Company before investing. The preliminary prospectus supplement dated December 16, 2020 and the accompanying prospectus dated May 1, 2019, each of which has been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), contain a description of these matters and other important information about the Company and should be read carefully before investing.

This press release does not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy, nor will there be any sale of the Notes referred to in this press release, in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to the registration or qualification under the securities laws of such state or jurisdiction. A registration statement (File No. 333-223350) relating to the Notes was filed and has been declared effective by the SEC.

This offering is being made solely by means of a written prospectus forming part of the effective registration statement and a related preliminary prospectus supplement, which may be obtained for free by visiting the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov or from Raymond James & Associates, Inc., 880 Carillon Parkway, St. Petersburg, Florida 33716, email: prospectus@raymondjames.com or by calling 800-248-8863.

ABOUT FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION

Fidus Investment Corporation provides customized debt and equity financing solutions to lower middle-market companies, which management generally defines as U.S. based companies with revenues between $10 million and $150 million. The Company’s investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from debt investments and capital appreciation from equity related investments. Fidus seeks to partner with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors by providing customized financing for change of ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, business expansion and other growth initiatives.

Fidus is an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. In addition, for tax purposes, Fidus has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended. Fidus was formed in February 2011 to continue and expand the business of Fidus Mezzanine Capital, L.P., which commenced operations in May 2007.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

Statements included herein contain certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including statements with regard to the Company’s Notes offering and the anticipated use of the net proceeds of the offering. Forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward looking words such as “outlook,” “believes,” “expects,” “potential,” “continues,” “may,” “will,” “should,” “seeks,” “approximately,” “predicts,” “intends,” “plans,” “estimates,” “anticipates” or negative versions of those words, other comparable words or other statements that do not relate to historical or factual matters. The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of future events and our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. These statements are not guarantees of future events, performance, condition 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 but not limited to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the pandemic's impact on the U.S. and global economy, as well as those described from time to time in our filings with the SEC. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date on which it is made. Fidus Investment Corporation undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, except as required by law.

Company Contact:	Investor Relations Contact:
Shelby E. Sherard	Jody Burfening
Chief Financial Officer	LHA
(847) 859-3938	(212) 838-3777
ssherard@fidusinv.com	jburfening@lhai.com

FAQ

What is the purpose of Fidus Investment Corporation's recent note offering?

The purpose is to redeem existing higher-interest notes and repay amounts under its credit facility.

When will the 4.75% notes issued by Fidus mature?

The notes will mature on January 31, 2026.

What is the interest rate for the new notes issued by Fidus?

The notes will bear an interest rate of 4.75% per year.

Who is managing the note offering for Fidus Investment Corporation?

Raymond James & Associates is the sole book-running manager for the offering.

How much is Fidus planning to raise through the public note offering?

Fidus is offering $125 million in aggregate principal amount.