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Stellus Capital Investment Corporation Reports Results for Its Third Fiscal Quarter Ended September 30, 2015


/EINPresswire.com/ -- HOUSTON, TX--(Marketwired - November 06, 2015) - Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE: SCM) ("Stellus" or "the Company") today announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2015.

                                                                            
HIGHLIGHTS                                                                  
($in millions, except data relating to per share amounts and number of      
portfolio companies)                                                        
                                                                            
                                                         As of              
                                                 September 30,              
Portfolio results                                         2015              
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Total assets                                            $337.0              
Investment portfolio, at fair value                     $323.0              
Net assets $170.0                                       $170.0              
Weighted average yield on debt investments               10.6%              
Net asset value per share                               $13.62              
                                                                            
                                                       Quarter       Quarter
                                                         ended         ended
                                                 September 30, September 30,
                                                          2015          2014
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Portfolio activity                                                          
                                                                            
Total investments made, at par                           $25.5          $7.0
Number of new investments                                    5             3
Repayments of investments, including                                        
 amortization                                            $22.5          $1.2
Number of portfolio companies at end of period              35            28
                                                                            
Operating results                                                           
                                                                            
Total investment income                                   $8.6          $7.8
Net investment income                                     $3.8          $5.3
Net investment income per share                          $0.31         $0.42
Regular dividends declared per share                     $0.34         $0.34
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from                                  
 operations                                             ($0.6)          $2.1
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from                                  
 operations per share                                  ($0.05)         $0.17
                                                                            

"We are pleased to report that our originations exceeded payoffs during the third quarter. We are seeing a number of interesting opportunities and we are continuing to access SBA-guaranteed debentures," said Robert T. Ladd, Chief Executive Officer of Stellus.

Portfolio and Investment Activity

We completed the third quarter of 2015 with a portfolio of $323.0 million (at fair value) invested in 35 companies. As of September 30, 2015, our portfolio included approximately 30% of first lien debt, 44% of second lien debt, 23% of mezzanine debt and 3% of equity investments at fair value. Our debt portfolio consisted of 27% fixed rate investments and 73% floating rate investments (subject to interest rate floors). The average size of our portfolio company investments was $9.2 million and our largest portfolio company investment was approximately $21.6 million at fair value. The weighted average yield on all of our debt investments as of September 30, 2015 was approximately 10.6%.

During the three months ended September 30, 2015, we made $25.5 million of investments in two new portfolio companies and three existing portfolio companies and received $22.5 million of proceeds from the repayment of investments, including $1.3 million from amortization of certain other investments.

This compares to the portfolio as of December 31, 2014, which had a fair value of $316.0 million invested in 32 companies comprising 24% of first lien debt, 32% of second lien debt, 41% of mezzanine debt and 3% of equity investments at fair value. As of December 31, 2014, our debt investments had a weighted average yield of 10.9% and consisted of 44% fixed rate investments and 56% floating rate investments (subject to interest rate floors).

Results of Operations

Investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 totaled $8.6 million and $7.8 million, respectively, most of which was interest income from portfolio investments.

Operating expenses, net of fee waiver for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, totaled $4.8 million and $2.6 million, respectively. For the same respective periods, base management fees totaled $1.5 million and $1.3 million, incentive fees totaled $1.0 million and $0.4 million, fees and expenses related to our borrowings totaled $1.5 million and $1.4 million (including interest and amortization of deferred financing costs), administrative expenses totaled $0.2 million and $0.3 million and other expenses totaled $0.6 million and $0.6. The Advisor waived no incentive fees for the three months ended September 30, 2015. The Advisor voluntarily waived incentive fees of $1.4 million during the three months ended September 30, 2014.

Net investment income was $3.8 million and $5.3 million, or $0.31 and $0.42 per common share based on weighted average common shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014.

The Company's investment portfolio had a net change in unrealized depreciation for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, of $4.6 million and $3.0 million, respectively. For the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014 the Company had realized gains of $2 thousand and $4 thousand, respectively.

Our net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations totaled ($0.6) million and $2.1 million, or ($0.05) and $0.17 per common share based on weighted average common shares outstanding for the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of September 30, 2015 and 2014, our credit facility provided for borrowings in an aggregate amount up to $120 million and $150 million, respectively, on a committed basis. As of September 30, 2015, our credit facility had an accordion feature which allowed for potential future expansion of the facility size to $195 million. As of September 30, 2015 and December 31, 2014, we had $110.8 million and $106.5 million, respectively, in outstanding borrowings under the credit facility.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2015, our operating activities provided cash of $3.3 million primarily in connection with cash interest received and repayments of our investments. For the same period, our financing activities provided cash of $0.7 million, primarily related to the issuance of SBA debentures.

For the nine months ended September 30, 2014 our operating activities provided cash of $2.1 million primarily in connection with cash interest received and repayments of our investments, and our financing activities used cash of $11.6 million, primarily due to repayments on the credit facility.

Distributions

During the three months ended September 30, 2015 and 2014, we declared distributions of $0.34 per share ($4.2 million) for each quarter. Tax characteristics of all distributions will be reported to stockholders on Form 1099-DIV after the end of the calendar year. None of these dividends are expected to include a return of capital.

Recent Portfolio Activity

New investment transactions and repayments which occurred during the three months ended September 30, 2015 are summarized as follows:

  • On July 8, 2015, we received full repayment on our second lien term loan of Telular Corp. at par plus a 1% prepayment premium, resulting in total proceeds of $7.6 million.
  • On August 6, 2015, we made a $12.5 million investment in the first lien loan of Catapult Learning, LLC, a leading provider of specialized education services.
  • On August 10, 2015, we funded $2.4 million under the delay draw term loan of Software Paradigms International, reducing our unfunded commitment to $0.4 million.
  • On August 17, 2015, we received full repayment on the unsecured term loan of Snowman Holdings, LLC at par, resulting in proceeds of $11.2 million.
  • On August 20, 2015, we made a $0.6 million equity investment in an existing portfolio company, Colford Capital Holdings, LLC.
  • On August 27, 2015, we received a partial repayment on the second lien term loan of Calero Software LLC resulting in proceeds of $2.5 million, and made an additional equity investment of $25.0 thousand.
  • On September 24, 2015, we made a $10.0 million investment in the second lien term loan of Sitel Worldwide Corporation, a leading outsourced provider of marketing services, with a focus on the technology, e-commerce, insurance, and consumer goods markets.

Events Subsequent to September 30, 2015

On October 9, 2015, we received full repayment on our second lien term loan of Help/Systems Holding Inc. at par, resulting in total proceeds of $15.0 million.

On October 29, 2015, we invested $10.5 million in the first lien debt and $0.3 million in the equity of Apex Environmental, LLC.

Credit Facility

The outstanding balance under our credit facility as of November 3, 2015 was $94.5 million.

Conference Call Information

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation will host a conference call to discuss these results on November 6, 2015, at 10:00 a.m. Central Standard Time. The conference call will be led by Robert T. Ladd, chief executive officer, and W. Todd Huskinson, chief financial officer, chief compliance officer, treasurer, and secretary.

For those wishing to participate by telephone, please dial (888) 417-8533 (domestic). Use passcode 2970643. Starting approximately twenty-four hours after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through November 14, 2015 by dialing (888) 203-1112 and entering passcode 2970643. The replay will also be available on the company's website.

                                                                            
                       PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION                       
                                                                            
                   STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION                   
                                                                            
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES             
                                                                            
                                             September 30,                  
                                                 2015         December 31,  
                                              (Unaudited)         2014      
                                           ---------------- ----------------
ASSETS                                                                      
  Non-controlled, non-affiliated                                            
   investments, at fair value                                               
    (amortized cost of $332,172,782 and                                     
     $321,955,480, respectively)           $    322,966,189 $    315,965,434
  Cash and cash equivalents                       6,079,062        2,046,563
  Interest receivable                             4,346,553        5,082,665
  Deferred offering costs                           261,761          261,761
  Deferred financing costs                          665,337          828,956
  Accounts receivable                                 7,684              696
  Prepaid loan fees on SBA debentures             1,106,738          681,947
  Prepaid loan structure fees                     1,382,333        1,774,630
  Prepaid expenses                                  140,504          419,283
                                           ---------------------------------
    Total Assets                           $    336,956,161 $    327,061,935
                                           ---------------------------------
LIABILITIES                                                                 
  Notes Payable                            $     25,000,000 $     25,000,000
  Credit facility payable                       110,750,000      106,500,000
  SBA Debentures                                 26,000,000       16,250,000
  Dividends payable                               1,413,982        1,413,983
  Base management fees payable                    1,462,024        1,360,019
  Incentive fees payable                          1,129,318        1,121,556
  Interest payable                                  325,931          346,204
  Unearned revenue                                   40,534          157,403
  Administrative services payable                   380,240          591,744
  Deferred tax liability                            254,941          288,122
  Other accrued expenses and liabilities            206,525           83,452
                                           ---------------------------------
    Total Liabilities                      $    166,963,495 $    153,112,483
                                           ---------------------------------
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)                                      
Net Assets                                 $    169,992,666 $    173,949,452
                                           =================================
NET ASSETS                                                                  
  Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share                                  
   (100,000,000 shares authorized,                                          
   12,479,962 and 12,479,962 shares issued                                  
   and outstanding, respectively)          $         12,480 $         12,480
  Paid-in capital                               180,994,764      180,994,783
  Accumulated undistributed net realized                                    
   gain                                             294,863                -
  Distributions in excess of net investment                                 
   income                                       (1,847,907)        (779,643)
  Net unrealized depreciation on                                            
   investments and cash equivalents, net of                                 
   provision for taxes of $254,941 and                                      
   $288,122, respectively.                      (9,461,534)      (6,278,168)
                                           ---------------- ----------------
Net Assets                                 $    169,992,666 $    173,949,452
                                           ---------------------------------
  Total Liabilities and Net Assets         $    336,956,161 $    327,061,935
                                           =================================
  Net Asset Value Per Share                $          13.62 $          13.94
                                           =================================
                                                                        
                                                                        
                                                                        
                 STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION                 
                                                                        
           CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)            
                                                                        
                       For the      For the      For the      For the   
                        three        three                              
                        months       months    nine months  nine months 
                        ended        ended        ended        ended    
                      September    September    September    September  
                         30,          30,          30,          30,     
                         2015         2014         2015         2014    
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
INVESTMENT INCOME                                                       
  Interest income    $ 8,509,804  $ 7,766,986  $25,776,147  $23,126,699 
  Other income            93,009       55,511      231,219      557,753 
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
    Total Investment                                                    
     Income          $ 8,602,813  $ 7,822,497  $26,007,366  $23,684,452 
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
OPERATING EXPENSES                                                      
  Management fees    $ 1,462,024  $ 1,281,231  $ 4,322,488  $ 3,842,971 
  Valuation fees         139,266      128,815      328,065      344,952 
  Administrative                                                        
   services expenses     224,836      312,870      800,863      856,804 
  Incentive fees         954,908      410,134    2,914,633    2,173,966 
  Professional fees       92,320      115,463      454,675      399,490 
  Directors' fees         76,000       86,000      260,000      290,000 
  Insurance expense      119,417      121,730      354,603      361,220 
  Interest expense                                                      
   and other fees      1,557,629    1,409,565    4,522,176    3,841,487 
  Other general and                                                     
   administrative                                                       
   expenses              156,782      105,418      391,330      256,385 
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
    Total Operating                                                     
     Expenses        $ 4,783,182  $ 3,971,226  $14,348,833  $12,367,275 
  Waiver of                                                             
   Incentive Fee               -   (1,399,226)           -   (1,399,226)
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
    Total Operating                                                     
     Expenses, net                                                      
     of fee waivers  $ 4,783,182  $ 2,572,000  $14,348,833  $10,968,049 
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
    Net Investment                                                      
     Income          $ 3,819,631  $ 5,250,497  $11,658,533  $12,716,403 
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
    Net Realized                                                        
     Gain on                                                            
     Investments and                                                    
     Cash                                                               
     Equivalents     $     2,146  $     3,907  $   294,863  $   441,364 
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
    Net Change in                                                       
     Unrealized                                                         
     Depreciation on                                                    
     Investments and                                                    
     Cash                                                               
     Equivalents     $(4,593,553) $(2,955,085) $(3,216,547) $(3,803,120)
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
    Benefit                                                             
     (provision) for                                                    
     taxes on                                                           
     unrealized gain                                                    
     on investments  $   147,439  $  (185,888) $    33,181  $  (185,888)
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
    Net Increase                                                        
     (Decrease) in                                                      
     Net Assets                                                         
     Resulting from                                                     
     Operations      $  (624,337) $ 2,113,431  $ 8,770,030  $ 9,168,759 
                     ========================= =========================
    Net Investment                                                      
     Income Per                                                         
     Share           $      0.31  $      0.42  $      0.93  $      1.04 
                     ========================= =========================
    Net Increase                                                        
     (Decrease) in                                                      
     Net Assets                                                         
     Resulting from                                                     
     Operations Per                                                     
     Share           $     (0.05) $      0.17  $      0.70  $      0.75 
                     ========================= =========================
    Weighted Average                                                    
     Shares of                                                          
     Common Stock                                                       
     Outstanding      12,479,962   12,404,485   12,479,962   12,214,875 
                     ------------------------- -------------------------
    Distributions                                                       
     Per Share       $      0.34  $      0.34  $      1.02  $      1.09 
                     ========================= =========================
                                                                          
                                                                          
                                                                          
                  STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION                  
                                                                          
       CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS (unaudited)       
                                                                          
                                                For the        For the    
                                              nine months    nine months  
                                                 ended          ended     
                                             September 30,  September 30, 
                                                  2015           2014     
                                             -------------- --------------
Increase in Net Assets Resulting from                                     
 Operations                                                               
Net investment income                        $  11,658,533  $  12,716,403 
Net realized gain on investments and cash                                 
 equivalents                                       294,863        441,364 
Net change in unrealized depreciation on                                  
 investments and cash equivalents               (3,216,547)    (3,803,120)
Benefit (provision) for taxes on unrealized                               
 appreciation on investments                        33,181       (185,888)
                                             -------------- --------------
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from                                 
 Operations                                  $   8,770,030  $   9,168,759 
Stockholder distributions                                                 
Net investment income                          (12,726,816)   (12,473,610)
Net realized capital gains                               -       (786,436)
                                             --------------  -------------
Total Distributions                          $ (12,726,816) $ (13,260,046)
Capital share transactions                                                
Issuance of common stock                                 -      5,087,335 
Reinvestments of stockholder distributions               -        313,113 
Sales load                                               -        (75,510)
Offering costs                                           -        (29,904)
                                             -------------- --------------
Net increase in net assets resulting from                                 
 capital share transactions                  $           -  $   5,295,034 
                                             -------------- --------------
Total increase (decrease) in net assets      $  (3,956,786) $   1,203,747 
                                             -------------- --------------
Net assets at beginning of period            $ 173,949,452  $ 175,891,514 
                                             -------------- --------------
Net assets at end of period (includes                                     
 $1,847,907 and $1,019,866 of distributions                               
 in excess of net investment income,                                      
 respectively)                               $ 169,992,666  $ 177,095,261 
                                             ============== ==============
                                                                            
                                                                            
                                                                            
                   STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION                   
                                                                            
              CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited)             
                                                                            
                                                 For the         For the    
                                               nine months     nine months  
                                                  ended           ended     
                                              September 30,   September 30, 
                                                   2015            2014     
                                             --------------- ---------------
Cash flows from operating activities                                        
Net increase in net assets resulting from                                   
 operations                                  $     8,770,030 $     9,168,759
  Adjustments to reconcile net increase in                                  
   net assets resulting from operations to                                  
   net cash used in operating activities:                                   
    Purchases of investments                    (85,108,716)    (58,454,022)
    Proceeds from sales and repayments of                                   
     investments                                  76,333,638      49,485,710
    Net change in unrealized depreciation on                                
     investments                                   3,216,547       3,803,220
    Deferred tax provision (benefit)                (33,181)         185,888
    Increase in investments due to PIK             (387,975)       (538,457)
    Amortization of premium and accretion of                                
     discount, net                                 (759,387)       (488,829)
    Amortization of loan structure fees              392,297         452,054
    Amortization of deferred financing costs         163,619          74,964
    Amortization of loan fees on SBIC                                       
     debentures                                      136,646               -
    Net realized gain on investments               (294,863)       (446,239)
  Changes in other assets and liabilities                                   
      Decrease (increase) in interest                                       
       receivable                                    736,112       (643,642)
      Decrease in receivable for affiliated                                 
       transaction                                         -          43,450
      Increase in accounts receivable                (6,988)        (31,013)
      Decrease in prepaid expenses and fees          278,779          29,522
      Increase in management fees payable            102,005         104,501
      Decrease in directors' fees payable                  -        (10,000)
      Increase (decrease) in incentive fees                                 
       payable                                         7,762       (841,055)
      Increase (decrease) in administrative                                 
       services payable                            (211,504)         288,157
      Increase (decrease) in interest                                       
       payable                                      (20,273)         102,224
      Decrease in unearned revenue                 (116,869)        (17,417)
      Increase (decrease) in other accrued                                  
       expenses and liabilities                      123,073       (161,558)
                                             --------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by operating activities    $     3,320,752 $     2,106,217
                                             --------------- ---------------
Cash flows from financing activities                                        
    Proceeds from notes issued                             -      25,000,000
    Proceeds from SBA Debentures                   9,750,000               -
    Financing costs paid on notes issued                   -       (997,317)
    Financing costs paid on SBA Debentures         (561,437)               -
    Proceeds from the issuance of common                                    
     stock                                                 -       5,116,989
    Sales load for common stock issued                     -        (75,510)
    Offering costs paid for common stock                                    
     issued                                                -       (116,149)
    Stockholder distributions paid              (12,726,816)    (11,533,709)
    Borrowings under credit facility              86,500,000      78,000,000
    Repayments of credit facility               (82,250,000)    (98,000,000)
    Repayments of short-term loan                          -     (9,000,000)
                                             --------------- ---------------
Net cash provided by (used in) financing                                    
 activities                                  $       711,747 $  (11,605,696)
                                             --------------- ---------------
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash                                    
 equivalents                                       4,032,499     (9,499,479)
Cash and cash equivalents balance at                                        
 beginning of period                               2,046,563      13,663,542
                                             --------------- ---------------
Cash and cash equivalents balance at end of                                 
 period                                      $     6,079,062 $     4,164,063
                                             =============== ===============
Supplemental and non-cash financing                                         
 activities                                                                 
    Accrued deferred offering costs          $             - $         4,752
    Shares issued pursuant to Dividend                                      
     Reinvestment Plan                       $             - $       313,113
    Interest expense paid                    $     3,844,890 $     3,206,081
                                                                            

About Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

The Company is an externally-managed, closed-end, non-diversified investment management company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in private middle-market companies (typically those with $5.0 million to $50.0 million of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)) through first lien, second lien, unitranche and mezzanine debt financing, and corresponding equity investments. The Company's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Stellus Capital Management. To learn more about Stellus Capital Investment Corporation, visit www.stelluscapital.com under the Stellus Capital Investment Corporation link.

Forward Looking Statements

Statements included herein may contain "forward-looking statements" which relate to future performance or financial condition. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings by the Company with the 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 press release.

Available Information

Stellus' filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, press releases, earnings release, and other financial information are available on its website at www.stelluscapital.com under the Stellus Capital Investment Corporation link.

Contact
Stellus Capital Investment Corporation
W. Todd Huskinson
(713) 292-5414
Chief Financial Officer
thuskinson@stelluscapital.com


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