SuRo Capital(SSSS) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company ended the quarter with a net asset value (NAV) of $156.8 million or $6.66 per share, a slight decrease from $6.68 per share at the end of the previous year [20][38] - The decrease in NAV per share was primarily driven by a net investment loss, offset by an increase in unrealized appreciation of investments [38] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The top five positions as of March 31 accounted for approximately 46% of the investment portfolio at fair value, with the top 10 positions representing about 70% [21] - CoreWeave's stock price increased over 35% since its IPO, significantly outperforming broader market indices [14] - Canva reported over $6 billion in annualized revenue, marking an increase of more than 30% year-over-year [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter of 2025 saw significant declines in major indices, including the Nasdaq, Russell 2000, and Dow Jones Industrial Average, due to ongoing global trade tensions and new tariffs [6][7] - The S&P 500 experienced extreme volatility, with a drop of as much as 12% before rebounding [8] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on AI infrastructure and applications, with significant investments in companies like OpenAI and CoreWeave, which are positioned for future growth [24] - The company continues to explore opportunities in fintech and consumer sectors, with a strong emphasis on AI and AI-adjacent companies [42] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism about the portfolio's positioning despite market challenges, highlighting the ongoing commitment of major tech companies to capital spending [8] - The company believes its portfolio is well-positioned for when the IPO window reopens, with many companies building fundamental momentum [8] Other Important Information - The company made a $5 million investment in Plaid, which is expected to be its last private financing before going public [17] - The company has a note repurchase program for its 6% notes due 2026, having repurchased $35.3 million in aggregate principal amount [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Plans for ServiceTitan position post-lockup expiration - Management indicated that they do not view themselves as holders of public securities and would exit the position in normalized market conditions [42] Question: Discount applied to unregistered shares - The discount is related to the shares not being registered at the time of reporting, and it will be removed once the shares are registered [48] Question: Return of capital to shareholders - Management stated that if net realized gains are achieved by the end of the year, a distribution would be made by year-end or early in the next quarter [52] Question: OpenAI's valuation and investment mark-up - The investment in OpenAI was marked up approximately 60%, reflecting a more complex valuation increase than a simple doubling [56]