PennantPark Floating Rate Capital .(PFLT) - 2025 Q2 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the quarter ended March 31, GAAP net investment income was $0.28 per share, and core net investment income was also $0.28 per share. Adjusted for additional shares issued, core NII would have been $0.30 per share [24] - As of March 31, NAV was $11.7 per share, down 2.4% from $11.34 per share last quarter [24] - The debt to equity ratio was 1.3 times, indicating a diversified capital structure across multiple funding sources [24] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The portfolio grew to $2.3 billion, up 7% from the prior quarter, with $293 million invested in three new and 54 existing portfolio companies at a weighted average yield of 9.9% [17] - The weighted average debt to EBITDA ratio for new portfolio investments was 4.3 times, with an interest coverage of 2.3 times [9][11] - Nonaccruals represented only 2.2% of the portfolio at cost and 1.2% at market value, which improved to 1% at cost and 0.5% at market value after two nonaccruals were put back on accrual [14][25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Approximately 80% of originations came from existing borrowers, while 20% were from new platform investments, indicating a strong focus on existing relationships [7] - The pricing on first lien term loans stabilized in the SERFR plus 500 to $5.50 range for high-quality assets [10] - The core middle market remains attractive, with lower leverage and higher spreads compared to the upper middle market [10][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on the core middle market, providing strategic capital to borrowers in five key sectors: business services, consumer, government services and defense, healthcare, and software and technology [12] - The company has taken significant steps to strengthen its balance sheet and enhance liquidity, positioning itself to take advantage of market opportunities [8][21] - The strategy includes maintaining rigorous underwriting standards and being selective in pursuing new investments [8] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that despite market volatility, the company had a solid quarter and expects originations to remain concentrated among existing portfolio companies [7] - The management anticipates that pricing will likely increase and leverage will moderate as buyers and lenders adjust to a new risk framework [8] - The company is optimistic about the upcoming vintage of loans, which is expected to be particularly attractive [8] Other Important Information - The company raised $163 million during the quarter through its ATM program, issuing 14.4 million shares at an average price of $11.33 per share [21] - The joint venture (JV) portfolio totaled $1.1 billion, with $60 million invested during the quarter at a weighted average yield of 9.8% [20] - The company has over $500 million of available capital, enhancing its ability to capitalize on market opportunities [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: On the equity raising during the quarter, was this a long-term capital build or an increase in pipeline activity? - Management indicated that the capital raised was part of preparing for a robust 2025, despite a slowdown in activity due to recent market events [29] Question: What is necessary to unlock new M&A activity in the market? - Management stated that certainty in tariffs and a stable environment are crucial for unlocking new M&A activity, with limited exposure to tariffs in their portfolio [33] Question: How much of the existing borrower activity is repricing versus growth capital? - Management noted that most activity is from existing platforms growing, with repricing having ended due to recent market changes [40] Question: How does the company view the equilibrium in the private credit market? - Management expressed that the focus on the core middle market remains strong, with larger players moving upmarket, creating more opportunities for the company [49]