Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the quarter ending March 31, 2025, the company reported net investment income before taxes of $700,000 or $0.05 per share, down from $0.06 per share in the prior quarter [4] - The net asset value per share increased by $0.02 to $5.42 compared to $5.39 as of September 30, 2024 [5] - The fair value of the portfolio was $192.4 million, up from $191.6 million on December 31 [14] - Net assets increased by $500,000 from the prior quarter to $78.1 million [14] - The weighted average yield of the debt portfolio increased to 10.8% from 10.4% in the previous quarter [14] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company invested in one new portfolio company and two existing portfolio companies during the quarter, with total fundings for new investments amounting to $5.1 million [10] - Realized investments totaled $7.3 million with an internal rate of return (IRR) of approximately 9.6% [10] - The largest industry concentrations by fair market value included professional services at 15.5%, containers and packaging at 9.2%, and trading companies and distributors at 8.6% [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted a noticeable slowdown in new deal activity, particularly in M&A volume and sponsor-less financing [6] - Less than 20% of the portfolio may experience moderate direct effects from tariffs, with proactive measures being implemented to mitigate impacts [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company remains focused on maintaining net asset value stability and sustainable net investment income while selectively deploying capital in high-quality opportunities [17] - The management expressed cautious optimism about potential investment opportunities in the second half of 2025 as market volatility decreases [17] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management highlighted that the portfolio remains stable despite reduced investment activity and prepayment trends, with a significant reduction in non-accrual investments [5][6] - The company expects more stabilized profiles for the remainder of 2025, notwithstanding any macroeconomic shocks [6] - Management is optimistic about the potential for increased net investment income in the second quarter due to spread widening in new opportunities [32] Other Important Information - The Board of Directors declared a distribution of $0.12 per share payable in cash on June 14, 2025 [16] - As of March 31, the company had approximately $13 million in cash, with $10.7 million being restricted cash [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: How can the adviser scale or provide benefits to the BDC? - Management indicated that waiving fees is always a consideration and that scaling the private credit platform is an ongoing effort that will help absorb overhead and expenses [20][22] Question: What is the timeline for capital raising? - Management confirmed that they are currently in the process of raising another pool of capital, expected to benefit shareholders in the second half of 2025 [26][27] Question: Why not consider share repurchases given the current stock price? - Management acknowledged that share repurchases are a tool they consider but have no immediate plans in place [30] Question: Should there be an increase in net investment income in the second quarter? - Management suggested that there could be an increase in net investment income due to spread widening, holding other factors constant [32]

Core Insights - Identifying stocks with healthy returns can be challenging, and liquidity levels serve as a good indicator of a company's financial health [1][2] - High liquidity stocks are in demand due to their potential for maximum returns, but investors should also consider asset utilization efficiency [2][3] Liquidity Measures - **Current Ratio**: Measures current assets against current liabilities; a ratio below 1 indicates more liabilities than assets, while a range of 1-3 is ideal [4] - **Quick Ratio**: Indicates a company's ability to pay short-term obligations, with a desirable ratio of more than 1 [5] - **Cash Ratio**: The most conservative measure, focusing on cash and equivalents relative to current liabilities; a ratio greater than 1 is desirable but may indicate inefficiency [6] Screening Parameters - Asset utilization is included as a screening criterion, defined as total sales over the last 12 months divided by the average total assets over the last four quarters; a higher ratio than the industry average indicates efficiency [7][8] - Stocks are further screened using a proprietary Growth Score, with a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) and a Growth Score of A or B to ensure solid growth potential [9] Selected Stocks - **Avino Silver & Gold Mines Ltd. (ASM)**: Reported an 8% increase in silver equivalent production year-over-year, with Q4 2024 revenues surging 95% to $24 million, surpassing estimates [11] - **Pagaya Technologies Ltd. (PGY)**: Achieved total revenues of $290 million, an 18% increase year-over-year, and raised $1.4 billion through three transactions [13][14] - **EverQuote, Inc. (EVER)**: Total revenues increased 83% year-over-year to $166.6 million, with automotive insurance revenues rising 97% [15][16] - **Sezzle Inc. (SEZL)**: Reported a 123.3% year-over-year revenue increase, raising its 2025 outlook due to strong demand [17][18]

Core Viewpoint - Hercules Capital Inc. (HTGC) reported a first-quarter 2025 net investment income of 45 cents per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate by one cent and reflecting a 10% decline year-over-year due to weak performance in interest, dividend, and fee income [1] Group 1: Financial Performance - Total investment income for the first quarter was $119.5 million, down 1.7% from the previous year, primarily due to a lower-weight average yield on the debt investment portfolio, and also lagged behind the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $121.8 million [2] - Net investment income was $77.5 million, a decrease of 2.2% year-over-year [1] - Total gross operating expenses increased slightly to $45.3 million, attributed to rising interest costs [2] Group 2: Portfolio and Commitments - The fair value of Hercules Capital's total investment portfolio stood at $3.92 billion as of March 31, 2025, with early loan repayments realized at $131.8 million [3] - The company delivered $1.02 billion in gross new debt and equity commitments and $539.1 million in gross new funding during the first quarter [3] Group 3: Balance Sheet and Liquidity - As of March 31, 2025, Hercules Capital's net asset value was $11.55 per share, down from $11.66 as of December 31, 2024 [4] - The company had $615.6 million in liquidity, which included $51.2 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents, and $564.5 million in credit facilities and SBA debentures [4] Group 4: Cost of Debt - The weighted average cost of debt, including interest and fees, remained stable at 4.9% compared to the prior-year quarter [5] Group 5: Strategic Outlook - The company's lack of global diversification may limit growth prospects, while efforts to enhance originations could keep expenses elevated; however, rising demand for customized financing and stable debt expenses are expected to support total investment income [6]

Core Insights - Berry Corporation has strengthened its hedge and liquidity position, raising the average hedged price for 2026 and 2027 by $6 per barrel on 2.3 million barrels per day (MBbls/d) [1][6] - The company is 73% hedged for the remainder of 2025 and 63% hedged for 2026 based on its production guidance [1][6] - As of March 31, 2025, Berry had $120 million in liquidity, which includes $39 million in cash, $49 million available for borrowings, and $32 million for delayed draw borrowings [3] Hedging and Financial Position - Berry's hedging strategy has resulted in a favorable position, with a balance of 2025 oil hedged at an average price of $74.69 per barrel Brent [6] - The company has converted 2.3 MBbls/d of collars and puts into swaps, raising the floor price by $6 per barrel on average [6] - The mark-to-market (MTM) value for crude oil as of April 21, 2025, is $105 million [6] Liquidity and Upcoming Events - As of April 22, 2025, Berry's liquidity position is $119 million, with $14 million in letters of credit and no outstanding borrowings under its credit facility [3] - Berry's executives will participate in several upcoming investor events, including the ONE Houlihan Lokey Global Conference and the Louisiana Energy Conference [7]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total assets increased by approximately $37 million during Q1 2025 [8] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $8.6 million, equating to $0.76 per basic share, down from $0.88 per share in the previous quarter but up from $0.58 per share in Q1 2024 [12] - The net interest margin (NIM) improved to 0.7% in Q1 2025, up from 0.54% in Q4 2024 and 0.16% in Q1 2024 [13] - Return on average assets was 0.13% for the quarter, compared to 0.27% last quarter, while return on average equity was 0.83%, up from 0.68% in Q4 [12] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The loan book decreased by $23 million in Q1 2025, with a strong loan pipeline anticipated for Q2 [5][22] - Non-interest income decreased by $693,000 compared to the previous quarter, primarily due to elevated non-interest income in Q4 2024 [17] - Non-interest expense increased by $1.3 million in Q1 2025, mainly due to employee compensation and related benefits [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Texas economy remains strong and growing, with no significant negative impacts observed from national economic uncertainties [3][4] - Non-performing assets to total assets ratio was 0.15% at March 31, compared to 0.16% at year-end [24] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on maintaining a granular and historically stable core deposit base, with an anticipated net growth of 2% to 5% in the deposit book for the year [61] - Plans to utilize cash flows from maturing securities for loan growth or reinvestment in securities [66] - The company aims to continue share repurchases as a good utilization of excess capital [80] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength of the loan portfolio and the quality of the customer base, despite uncertainties related to tariffs and the national economy [70][72] - The company is prepared for potential economic slowdowns while also being positioned for future growth [7] Other Important Information - The company increased its dividend to $0.25 per share in Q1 2025, up from $0.24 per share in 2024 [12] - Total equity increased by $6.7 million, primarily due to net income and employee stock option exercises [11] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide insights on the loan pipeline and its composition? - The loan pipeline is similar to the current composition of the loan portfolio, with a strong uptick in opportunities observed post-November election [39] Question: What are clients looking for to feel comfortable in the current environment? - Clients are cautious due to national uncertainties but see strength in local markets [44] Question: What is the outlook for reserves based on current economic conditions? - No expectation to build reserves unless there is a significant systemic concern; qualitative factors remain elevated [46][50] Question: Can you elaborate on the CNI loan portfolio and its recent contraction? - The contraction was primarily due to lower utilization and paydowns in CNI lines [58] Question: What is the strategy for deposit growth moving forward? - The company aims for a 2% to 5% net growth in deposits, focusing on core deposit relationships [61] Question: How does the company plan to utilize cash flows from securities? - Plans to systematically add to the bond portfolio as opportunities arise [66] Question: What is the company's approach to share repurchases? - The company views share repurchases as a good use of excess capital and plans to continue this strategy [80]