Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - SLR Investment Corp reported net investment income of $0.40 per share and net income of $0.43 per share for Q3 2025, with net asset value per share increasing slightly to $18.21 [4][14] - The company's net income for the quarter equates to a 9.4% annualized return on equity, with net investment per share being a penny below the base dividend of $0.41 [4][16] - Gross investment income totaled $57 million, up from $53.9 million in the previous quarter, while net expenses increased to $35.4 million from $32.3 million [16] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - During Q3, SLR originated $447 million in new investments, a 12.7% increase year-over-year, and received repayments of $419 million [5][10] - Approximately 93% of Q3 originations were in specialty finance, reflecting a strategic shift towards this area due to more attractive risk-adjusted returns [10][11] - The asset-based lending (ABL) portfolio totaled over $1.4 billion, representing 44% of the total portfolio, with a weighted average asset-level yield of 13.4% [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted strong demand for corporate asset-based lending solutions as companies seek liquidity amid uncertain economic conditions [9] - The weighted average yield on the comprehensive portfolio was 12.2%, consistent with the prior quarter, indicating stability in the portfolio's performance [21] - The portfolio's risk profile remains strong, with 99.5% of investments performing and only one investment on non-accrual [22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - SLR continues to focus on specialty finance strategies due to their higher pricing and greater downside protection [18] - The company is strategically hiring to expand its asset-based lending capabilities, with over 100 new hires in the past two years [9][40] - SLR's multi-strategy approach to private credit investing is designed to preserve capital and provide a diversified investment portfolio [34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed awareness of elevated concerns regarding credit quality in the private credit industry but emphasized SLR's conservative approach to cash flow lending [6][7] - The company believes that ABL remains the most compelling risk-adjusted opportunity in private credit heading into 2026 [20] - Management highlighted the importance of rigorous underwriting practices in light of recent market scrutiny and failures in the asset-backed finance market [19] Other Important Information - SLR's investment portfolio had a fair market value of approximately $2.1 billion, with 109 portfolio companies across 31 industries [14] - The company has over $850 million of available capital to deploy, positioning it well for both stable and softening economic conditions [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Did you mention that you had hired 100 new people over the past two years? - Yes, primarily in our asset-based and special lending strategies [39] Question: Is there something specific that you do to ensure 100% of your assets are qualified? - 100% are qualified assets, and we have not been limited in growing our special finance and asset-based lending strategies [41] Question: Can you dig into the asset-based lending churn? - The churn is often due to companies in transition, with asset-based structures typically having a two to three-year duration [42] Question: How do you adjust underwriting for depreciating equipment in equipment finance? - Extensions of existing leases are effectively profit to the bottom line for us, as we have already amortized out the equipment [43] Question: What do you think about the attractiveness of ABL going into 2026? - ABL is viewed as a manufacturing business requiring significant infrastructure, making it difficult for new entrants [45] Question: Is the dividend sustainable given the forward curve? - The last several quarters have seen fluctuations around the dividend, and adjustments will be made based on portfolio performance [47]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The statutory profit after tax for FY '25 was $36.9 million, while cash profit after tax was $52.9 million, reflecting a refined measure of performance [3][15] - Cash earnings per share was $0.01, and return on cash equity for the year was 10% [4] - Operating expenses decreased by 6%, resulting in a cost to income ratio of 51.7% [4][19] - Total dividends declared for FY '25 were $2.00 per share, consistent with FY '24, representing a 4.8% return to shareholders [5][9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The commercial business generated a cash profit of $45.3 million, with assets under management growing by 12% and net operating income up 11% [23] - The consumer finance segment delivered a cash profit of $24.8 million, significantly up from $8.6 million in the prior period [25] - The Australian consumer business improved credit performance due to actions taken 18 months prior, while the Cards New Zealand business generated $15.7 million in cash profit [26][27] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Irish business reported a profit of $11.2 million with a return on cash equity of 29.7%, while the UK business broke even in June [13][40] - The Canadian business underwent an operating model reset, resulting in $4.4 million in cost reductions expected in FY '26 [22][41] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on profitable growth and enhancing customer experience through investments in technology and product platforms [35] - A transformation strategy is underway, with significant CapEx investments aimed at modernizing IT infrastructure and product offerings [12][20] - The company aims to balance shareholder returns with investments in technology to improve operational efficiency [8][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management anticipates continued elevated losses in the commercial business in H1 FY '26, with expectations for normalization in the latter half of the year [36][50] - The company is optimistic about restoring volumes in the HUM AU business and refining the new regulated HUM loan offering [36][37] - Management expressed confidence in the performance of the Irish business and the potential for growth in the UK market [40][77] Other Important Information - The company has introduced a new reporting segment for corporate costs to enhance transparency [20][29] - The repayment of perpetual notes is expected to save approximately $7.7 million in future periods [9][70] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you tell me about the offshore investment and the progress you are making? - The Irish business is performing well with low credit losses, and the UK business has achieved breakeven growth [40][41] Question: Commercial equipment finance system growth has been slower. How is flexi commercial performing? - The commercial business has maintained flat volume growth year-on-year despite market conditions, and the team is diversifying product offerings [43][44] Question: What is the outlook for volume in the commercial business for FY 2026? - An increase in volume is expected over the full year, with a potential turnaround in the second half [48][49] Question: What is driving confidence for improvement in the second half? - Confidence is based on understanding the sources of arrears linked to specific loan vintages, with expectations for losses to normalize [50][51] Question: What is the status of corporate costs and potential for further reductions? - Corporate costs include various central expenses, and while improvements have been made, there is potential for further efficiency [60][62] Question: What is the expected net loss to ANR ratio normalization? - The target remains around 1%, which is considered exceptional compared to market standards [63][65] Question: How will the funds from the repayment of perpetual notes be deployed? - The company will work with the Board to determine the capital management strategy, including potential dividends or share buybacks [69][70]