WhiteHorse Finance(US:WHF)2025-05-13 21:32Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The first quarter results for 2025 were disappointing, with GAAP net investment income and core NII at $6,800,000 or $0.02 per share, down from $8,000,000 or $0.03 per share in Q4 2024 [6][19] - NAV per share decreased by approximately 1.6% to $12.11 from the prior quarter, impacted by net realized losses and markdowns totaling $2,600,000 [6][19] - The weighted average effective yield on income-producing debt investments decreased to 12.1% from 12.5% in the previous quarter [9][19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Gross capital deployments in Q1 totaled $45,500,000, with net deployments of $26,100,000 after repayments and sales of $19,400,000 [6][9] - The portfolio mix at the end of Q1 was approximately 90.3% first lien, senior secured debt, with a mix of 2:3 sponsor to non-sponsor deals [8][9] - Nonaccrual investments increased to 8.8% of the debt portfolio from 7.2% in the prior quarter [13][19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The STRS JV portfolio had an aggregate fair value of $310,200,000, with an average effective yield of 10.8%, down from 11.1% in Q4 [9][21] - The lending market has seen increased volatility, with a 25 to 50 basis point increase in direct lending market prices, although most of that premium has dissipated [15][19] - The M&A market has slowed significantly, with many deals being put on hold due to negative sentiment and tariff negotiations [14][45] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on the non-sponsor market, where there are better risk-return profiles and less competition [16][19] - A new coverage region was added in Nashville, Tennessee, to enhance non-sponsor and off-the-run sponsor origination capabilities [16][19] - The company is actively monitoring tariff risks and has expanded its analysis to include other countries with potential tariffs [11][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted that challenges in the quarter were more company-specific rather than related to the overall economy, with no signs of a recession yet in the portfolio [10][19] - The company expects a decent amount of refinancing activity in the second half of the year as prepayment penalties on higher-rate deals expire [51][19] - Management is cautious about the environment for deal closures in Q3, anticipating a relative quiet period [46][19] Other Important Information - The company declared a first-quarter distribution of $0.03 per share, consistent with the prior quarter, and will continue to evaluate quarterly distributions based on core earnings power [24][19] - Cash resources at the end of Q1 were approximately $19,600,000, with an asset coverage ratio of 177.2%, above the minimum requirement [22][19] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on Telestream and its return to accrual status - Management indicated progress on restructuring Telestream, hoping to complete it by May, which would allow a portion of the existing debt to return to cash-paying status [28][19] Question: Insights on dividend and spillover income - Spillover income was approximately $28,400,000, with a current dividend run rate equating to about $8,950,000 in distributions, highlighting a shortfall in Q1 [39][19] Question: Market conditions regarding bid-ask spreads - Management noted that good companies without significant risks are trading at high multiples, while those with recession or tariff risks are seeing buyers being cautious [44][19] Question: Expectations on repayment activity - Management observed a slowdown in repayment activity due to recent market volatility, with a light visible repayment pipeline currently [53][19]