Oaktree Specialty Lending (OCSL) - 2026 Q1 - Earnings Call Transcript

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Adjusted Net Investment Income for Q1 2026 was $36.1 million, or $0.41 per share, up from $35.4 million or $0.40 per share in the prior quarter [4][21] - NAV per share decreased to $16.30 from $16.64 in the previous quarter due to unrealized depreciation on certain investments [21] - Adjusted total investment income decreased to $74.5 million from $76.9 million, primarily due to lower interest income [22][23] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - New funded investments totaled $314 million, up from $220 million in the prior quarter, reflecting a 42% sequential increase [6][17] - Non-accruals represented 3.1% of the total debt portfolio, stable sequentially and down nearly 85 basis points year-over-year [7][20] - The average all-in spread and yield of new private investments was 525 basis points and 9%, respectively [6] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Current trends in private credit show a bifurcation in the economy, with companies of scale having ample access to capital while struggling companies face limited access [9] - After the Fed rate cut in September, spreads in private credit have stabilized at SOFR plus 450-475 basis points [10] - The median portfolio EBITDA increased from $150 million to $190 million sequentially, driven by new originations in larger companies [34] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on deploying capital into income-generating assets and reducing non-accruals to improve earnings power [5][6] - There is a commitment to disciplined underwriting and selectivity in investment opportunities, particularly in resilient market-leading businesses [11][12] - The company is monitoring the impact of AI on private credit and the broader economy, emphasizing the importance of execution and speed of adoption [11][12] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed cautious optimism regarding the stability of spreads in 2026 and the potential for increased middle-market M&A activity [10][12] - Concerns were raised about the long-term impact of AI on software companies, particularly regarding their refinanceability [40][42] - The company remains constructive on the long-term outlook for private credit, emphasizing the importance of active portfolio management [13] Other Important Information - The company declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.40 per share, payable on March 31, 2026 [5] - The weighted average interest rate on debt outstanding was 6.1%, down from 6.5% in the prior quarter [24] - The company has approximately $576 million in liquidity, including $81 million in cash and $495 million in undrawn capacity on its credit facility [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you provide insight into the portion of the portfolio that is underperforming? - Management indicated that underperforming assets include non-accruals and positions trading below par, with most below-par loans being public positions [27][28] Question: What drove the increase in median portfolio EBITDA? - The increase was primarily driven by new originations funded in the fourth quarter, which were larger companies, contributing to a mix shift [34][35] Question: Can you discuss the unrealized appreciation and markdowns in the quarter? - The largest driver of unrealized depreciation was Pluralsight, accounting for about 38% of the total mark, with some smaller marks in other private positions [36][37] Question: How does the company view top-line growth and EBITDA trends in the software sector? - Management believes it is too early to see performance degradation in software names, but concerns exist regarding long-term refinanceability due to potential AI disruption [40][42]