Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp. Prices Initial Public Offering

Rhea-AI Summary

Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp. (NCDL) has priced its initial public offering of 5,500,000 shares of its common stock at $18.05 per share. The shares are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on January 25, 2024, under the symbol 'NCDL'. The underwriters have been granted an option to purchase up to an additional 825,000 shares of its common stock.

Insights

Financial Analyst

The initial public offering (IPO) of Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp. (NCDL) represents a significant event for the company and its stakeholders. The pricing of 5,500,000 shares at $18.05 each indicates a strong valuation, which is a key factor in attracting investors. The offer of an additional 825,000 shares demonstrates flexibility and potential for over-allotment, commonly referred to as a 'greenshoe' option, which can stabilize the stock price post-IPO.

Investors will be keen to analyze the use of the raised capital, whether for debt repayment, expansion, or strategic investments. The performance of NCDL's stock post-IPO will serve as a barometer for investor confidence in the business development company (BDC) sector, particularly in the context of direct lending strategies.

Long-term implications include the potential for NCDL to leverage its public status to access capital markets more efficiently, which can be pivotal for growth and competitive positioning within the financial services industry.

Market Research Analyst

The entry of NCDL into the public market could indicate broader trends within the BDC space. BDCs are often considered a measure of the health of the middle market, as they provide financing to small and mid-sized businesses. The success of NCDL's IPO may reflect investor appetite for exposure to this segment, which can be an indicator of economic optimism regarding the growth potential of these businesses.

Additionally, the public listing on the NYSE enhances visibility and may attract institutional investors, potentially increasing liquidity and trading volume. The impact on the stock market will be closely watched, as new listings can have a ripple effect on sector-specific indices and exchange-traded funds (ETFs) that track BDCs.

Economist

The timing of the IPO could be influenced by macroeconomic conditions, such as interest rates and market sentiment. Given that BDCs are interest rate sensitive, the current rate environment will affect NCDL's borrowing costs and investment yields. The decision to go public at this time may suggest confidence in the company's business model and its resilience to economic cycles.

Furthermore, the performance of NCDL in the stock market could serve as a litmus test for the direct lending industry's health and its role in providing alternative financing solutions amidst changing banking regulations and economic shifts.

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp. (“NCDL”), a business development company externally managed by its investment adviser, Churchill DLC Advisor LLC, and by its sub-adviser, Churchill Asset Management LLC, has priced its initial public offering of 5,500,000 shares of its common stock at $18.05 per share. NCDL’s shares of common stock are expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange on January 25, 2024 under the symbol “NCDL.” NCDL also granted the underwriters an option to purchase up to an additional 825,000 shares of its common stock. The closing of the offering is subject to customary closing conditions, and the shares are expected to be delivered on or about January 29, 2024.

NCDL intends to use the net proceeds of this offering to pay down existing indebtedness, make investments in middle market companies in accordance with its investment strategy, and for other general corporate purposes.

BofA Securities, UBS Investment Bank, Morgan Stanley, Wells Fargo Securities, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, A Stifel Company, JMP Securities, a Citizens Company, and Truist Securities acted as joint book-running managers for the offering. MUFG, SMBC Nikko, Academy Securities, and Blaylock Van, LLC acted as co-managers for the offering.

A registration statement relating to these securities was filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and declared effective on January 24, 2024.

Investors are advised to carefully consider the investment objective, risks and charges and expenses of NCDL before investing. The preliminary prospectus, dated January 16, 2024, contains this and other information about NCDL and should be read carefully before investing. The information in the registration statement is not complete and may be changed.

This press release will not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy the securities described above nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to their registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such state or jurisdiction. Offers of these securities are made only by means of the prospectus. The SEC has not approved or disapproved these securities or passed upon the adequacy of the preliminary prospectus. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

The offering of these securities is being made only by means of a prospectus, copies of which may be obtained from: BofA Securities, NC1-022-02-25, 201 North Tryon Street, Charlotte, North Carolina 28255, Attn: Prospectus Department, email: dg.prospectus_requests@bofa.com; UBS Securities LLC, 1285 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10019, Attn: Prospectus Department, by email: ol-prospectus-request@ubs.com; Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC, 180 Varick Street, 2nd Floor, New York, New York 10014, Attn: Prospectus Department; Wells Fargo Securities, 90 South 7th Street, 5th Floor, Minneapolis, MN 55402, at 800-645-3751 (option #5) or email a request to WFScustomerservice@wellsfargo.com; or Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., 787 7th Avenue, 4^th Floor, New York, New York 10019, Attn: Equity Capital Markets, telephone: 1-800-966-1559, or by emailing USCapitalMarkets@kbw.com.

About Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp.

Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp. (NCDL) is a specialty finance company focused primarily on investing in senior secured loans to private equity-owned U.S. middle market companies. NCDL has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. NCDL is externally managed by its investment adviser, Churchill DLC Advisor LLC, and by its sub-adviser, Churchill Asset Management LLC. Both the investment adviser and sub-adviser are affiliates and subsidiaries of Nuveen, LLC (“Nuveen”) the investment management division of Teachers Insurance and Annuity Association of America (“TIAA”) and one of the largest asset managers globally. Churchill Asset Management LLC is a leading capital provider for private equity-backed middle market companies and operates as the exclusive U.S. middle market direct lending and private capital business of Nuveen and TIAA.

Certain information contained herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors and undue reliance should not be placed thereon. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about NCDL, NCDL’s initial public offering of its shares of common stock, the anticipated use of the net proceeds of the offering, and the expected impact of this offering on NCDL’s financial results. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “targets,” “projects,” “outlook,” “potential,” “predicts” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond NCDL’s control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements including, without limitation, the risks, uncertainties and other factors identified in NCDL’s filings with the SEC. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date on which NCDL makes them. NCDL does not undertake any obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements or any other information contained herein, except as required by applicable law.

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Investors:

Investor Relations

DL_AltsDistribution@tiaa.org



Media:

Prosek Partners

Madison Hanlon

pro-churchill@prosek.com

Source: Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp.

FAQ

What is the ticker symbol for Nuveen Churchill Direct Lending Corp.?

The ticker symbol is 'NCDL'.

How many shares were offered in the initial public offering?

5,500,000 shares of common stock were offered.

At what price were the shares priced in the initial public offering?

The shares were priced at $18.05 per share.

When are the shares expected to begin trading on the New York Stock Exchange?

The shares are expected to begin trading on January 25, 2024.

How many additional shares can the underwriters purchase?

The underwriters have an option to purchase up to an additional 825,000 shares of common stock.