Blackstone Secured Lending Fund(BXSL) - 2025 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The net investment income (NII) for Q1 2025 was $189 million or $0.83 per share, representing a year-over-year increase of over 14% and the highest dollar amount since inception [25] - Total investment income for the quarter reached a record $354 million, up $54 million or 18% year-over-year, driven by increased interest income [25] - The net asset value (NAV) per share remained flat at $27.39 quarter over quarter, supported by $0.06 per share of excess earnings and $1.01 from share issuance at a premium to NAV [26][27] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - BXSL ended the quarter with $12.8 billion of investments at fair value, a 20% increase from $10.4 billion year-over-year [14] - The weighted average yield on performing debt investments at fair value was 10.2%, down from 10.4% in the previous quarter [15] - 98% of BXSL investments are in first lien senior secured loans, with an average loan-to-value (LTV) of 47.4% [15][18] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company issued $500 million of new debt at a coupon of 5.3%, the tightest spread compared to traded BDC peers in 2025 [12] - The total weighted average interest rate on drawn debt decreased to 5.01% in Q1, down from 5.17% in the previous quarter [28] - The repayment rate for the portfolio was 28% at fair value, significantly up from 6% in the prior quarter [28] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on investing in sectors that are more resilient during periods of volatility, emphasizing first lien senior secured lending to larger companies [16][56] - The value creation program is actively helping portfolio companies manage tariff impacts and enhance revenue while lowering costs [22][63] - The management team remains cautious in deploying capital, preferring to maintain quality over taking on additional risk in uncertain economic conditions [56][78] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that uncertainty around tariffs has impacted investor sentiment, but the company believes it is in a fundamentally strong position [7] - The management team is optimistic about the potential for increased deal activity in the latter half of 2025, despite current market volatility [11][12] - The company is focused on maintaining a senior secured portfolio and has identified a small group of companies that may be impacted by tariffs [16][60] Other Important Information - The company reported a realization on an equity position, contributing positively to NAV, with a gain of over $7 million from a $2.9 million investment [20] - The company has a diverse liability profile, with 38% of drawn debt in unsecured bonds, contributing to a competitive overall cost of debt [28][30] Q&A Session Summary Question: Dividend coverage and spillover policy - Management acknowledged the potential impact of falling rates on earnings and discussed strategies to manage this, including maintaining low expenses and focusing on quality assets [34][36] Question: Refinance of a large deal - Management indicated that the deal was refinanced through securitization, limiting their ability to retain the asset, but they aim to hold onto good assets while allowing weaker ones to be repaid [42] Question: Leverage and capital deployment - Management confirmed that they had excess cash at the end of the quarter and are well-capitalized to take advantage of market opportunities as they arise [46][48] Question: Shift in investment strategy - Management emphasized a focus on higher quality assets during periods of volatility, avoiding riskier investments [56][78] Question: Impact of tariffs on portfolio companies - Management stated that 90% of the portfolio is in less impacted sectors, and they are actively monitoring potential tariff impacts on a small group of companies [58][60] Question: NAV decline and credit specifics - Management explained that the NAV remained flat, with unrealized losses primarily driven by repayments and one specific company, Medallia, being marked down due to competitive pricing [70][72]