Runway Growth Finance (RWAY) - 2025 Q3 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Total investment income for Q3 2025 was $36.7 million, an increase from $35.1 million in Q2 2025, while net investment income rose to $15.7 million from $13.9 million [15][16] - The weighted average portfolio risk rating increased to 2.42 from 2.33 in the previous quarter [15] - The dollar-weighted loan-to-value ratio increased from 29.6% to 31.4% [15] - The total investment portfolio's fair value decreased by 7.7% to $946 million from $1.02 billion [16] - NAV per share decreased by 1.9% to $13.55 from $13.66 [18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company completed 11 investments totaling $128.3 million in Q3 2025, including new investments in Federal Hearings and Appeals Services and DigiCert Inc. [10][11] - The acquisition of SWK Holdings is expected to scale the portfolio by approximately $242 million, increasing exposure in healthcare and life sciences from 14% to 31% [9][11] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The debt portfolio generated a dollar-weighted average annualized yield of 16.8%, up from 15.4% in the previous quarter [16] - Total available liquidity was $371.9 million, including unrestricted cash and cash equivalents [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on both organic and inorganic growth, with a definitive merger agreement to acquire SWK Holdings to enhance its portfolio and earnings power [5][9] - The strategy includes diversifying the portfolio through smaller position sizes and expanding financing solutions [7][11] - The company aims to maintain a disciplined approach to growth while leveraging the BC Partners credit platform for sourcing opportunities [6][10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the merger with SWK Holdings, anticipating it will enhance earnings power and financial profile [20][21] - The company expects to see a normal course of prepayments and is optimistic about origination activity in Q4 2025 [26][33] - Management acknowledged competitive dynamics in the venture debt space, noting some spread compression but not as severe as in broader markets [37] Other Important Information - The company declared a regular distribution for Q4 2025 of $0.33 per share, with net investment income of $0.43 per share [24][42] - The merger is structured as a NAB-for-NAB transaction with an estimated purchase price of approximately $220 million [21] Q&A Session Summary Question: What should be expected regarding origination and repayment activity in Q4? - Management indicated that repayments would likely be muted compared to Q3, with ongoing origination opportunities available [26] Question: What is the yield profile expected after integrating the SWK portfolio? - The SWK portfolio is expected to have a slightly higher yield than the current portfolio, with pro formas to be provided in future filings [27][28] Question: What drove the realized loss and unrealized portfolio depreciation? - Losses were primarily in the equity portfolio, attributed to idiosyncratic factors rather than sector-wide issues [31][32] Question: What is driving prepayment activity, and is it expected to continue? - Prepayment activity is driven by M&A activity and companies finding cheaper refinancing options, with expectations for normal prepayment rates moving forward [33] Question: How will the SWK team be integrated into the company? - The SWK team will assist with the transition and new originations during the integration period [38] Question: Will the merger be accretive in 2026? - Management expects the merger to be accretive in the first full quarter after closing [59] Question: What stage of development do typical SWK investments target? - SWK targets growth-stage companies that are generating revenue but are generally pre-profit [62]