Full Circle Capital Corporation Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2012 Earnings

RYE BROOK, N.Y., Nov. 9, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Full Circle Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: FULL) (the "Company") today announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 ended September 30, 2011.

For the quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded net investment income of $1.5 million, or $0.25 per share, and a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $1.6 million, or $0.26 per share. Net asset value was $9.11 per share at September 30, 2011 compared to $9.08 per share at June 30, 2011.

On November 7, 2011, the Board of Directors declared monthly distributions for the third quarter of fiscal 2012 as follows:

These monthly distributions equate to a $0.924 annualized distribution rate or a current annualized yield of 13.0%, based on the closing price of the Company's common stock of $7.10 per share on November 8, 2011.

Financial Highlights for the First Quarter of Fiscal 2012

• Net asset value was $9.11 per share at September 30, 2011.
• Weighted average portfolio interest rate increased to 12.89% at September 30, 2011 from 12.68% at June 30, 2011.
• Total investment income was $2.6 million.
• Net investment income was $1.5 million, or $0.25 per share.
• Net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $1.6 million, or $0.26 per share.
• Total portfolio investments at September 30, 2011 were $68.9 million (excluding U.S. treasury bills of $35.0 million), compared to $56.8 million (excluding U.S. treasury bills of $26.0 million) at June 30, 2011.
• New originations totaling $30.3 million to four companies, of which $24.8 million was funded. These consist of new facilities of $8.25 million to Pro Grade Ammo Group LLC, $10.5 million to Coast Plating, Inc., $4.5 million to iMedX Inc. and $7.0 million to The Finance Company, LLC.
• The Company received $12.0 million in payoffs at par, plus fees, from two portfolio companies.
• At September 30, 2011, excluding U.S. Treasury bills, 92% of investments were first lien senior secured loans.
• At September 30, 2011, debt outstanding was $16.1 million consisting of $12.7 million drawn under the Company's $35.0 million senior leverage facility and $3.4 million under its senior unsecured notes.
• Full Circle paid monthly distributions of $0.075 per share on August 15, 2011, September 15, 2011 and October 14, 2011.
• Per share amounts for the quarter ended September 30, 2011 are based on approximately 6.2 million weighted average shares outstanding.

Management Commentary

"Our first quarter results gave us a strong start to our new fiscal year," said John Stuart, chairman and chief executive officer of Full Circle Capital Corp. "During the quarter we closed four originations and recorded two loan payoffs at par. We have now reinvested substantially all the proceeds from the 50% portfolio turnover we experienced during the last year. Our deal pipeline remains strong, positioning us to expand our portfolio as the fiscal year progresses.

"Our strategy to make first lien senior secured loans to growing companies, with a significant level of risk protection and a desirable yield, has resulted in improved portfolio metrics. The payoffs from older, lower yielding loans have been redeployed into higher yielding assets which has improved our portfolio yield from 12.68% at June 30, 2011 to 12.89% at September 30, 2011. First lien senior secured loans represent 92% of the portfolio, which carries an aggregate loan-to-value ratio of 53%. Floating rate loans now account for 81% of the portfolio compared to 79% at June 30, 2011, which we believe is relatively high compared to our BDC peers, and positions us well for an eventual rise in interest rates.

"Over the past two quarters, demand from lower middle and smaller market borrowers for our uni-tranche, or stretch senior, secured debt has driven our origination activity. Due to this strong demand, we can remain highly selective in our investments and we believe that the overall return profile of our investment portfolio will continue to improve as the portfolio expands," concluded Mr. Stuart.

First Quarter Fiscal 2012 Results

Full Circle Capital Corporation was formed on April 16, 2010 and commenced operations on August 31, 2010 with the purchase of a seasoned portfolio consisting of approximately $72.3 million of debt and equity investments from two existing private funds, Full Circle Partners, LP and Full Circle Fund, Ltd., formed in 2005 and 2007, respectively. As a result, the comparable period for the first quarter of fiscal 2012 ended September 30, 2011 consists of one month of operations from August 31, 2010 to September 30, 2010. Full Circle Capital completed its initial public offering on August 31, 2010.

The Company's net asset value at September 30, 2011 was $9.11 per share. For the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2011, the Company recorded net unrealized depreciation of $71,000 resulting primarily from fair value adjustments and realized gain on investments of $125,000.

The Company generated $2.1 million of interest income during the period, of which approximately 97% was paid in cash with the remaining 3% paid in payment-in-kind ("PIK") interest. Fee income from structuring fees and other sources totaled $0.5 million. The Company recorded net investment income of $1.5 million, or $0.25 per share, and a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $1.6 million, or $0.26 per share.

During the quarter, the Company originated 4 new loan facilities for $30.3 million (of which it funded $24.8 million) and existing borrowers drew $3.6 million on existing loan facilities. Repayments and amortization of principal under existing loan facilities and loan and investment realizations totaled $15.9 million. All repayments and realizations were recorded at par.

At September 30, 2011, the Company's portfolio (excluding U.S. Treasury bills and money market funds) included investments in 17 companies of which 14 were debt investments. The average portfolio company debt investment at September 30, 2011 was $4.8 million.  The weighted average interest rate on investments was 12.89%. At fair value, 92% of portfolio investments were first lien loans, 5% were second lien loans and 3% were equity investments. Approximately 81% of the debt investment portfolio, at fair value, bore interest at floating rates.  A portion of the floating rate loans carry a minimum interest rate floor which protects the Company's return in a low rate environment. The loan-to-value ratio on the Company's loans was 53% at September 30, 2011 compared to 55% at June 30, 2011.

Conference Call Details

Management will host a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, November 10 at 10:00 a.m. ET.  To participate in the conference call, please call 866-305-6438 (domestic call-in) or 706-679-7161 (international call-in) and reference code # 22331284.

A live webcast of the conference call and the accompanying slide presentation will be available at http://ir.fccapital.com/CorporateProfile.aspx?iid=4151676. All participants should call or access the website approximately 10 minutes before the conference begins.  

A telephone replay of the conference call will be available from 1:00 p.m. ET on November 10 until 11:59 p.m. ET on November 16 by calling 855-859-2056 (domestic) or 404-537-3406 (international) and entering confirmation # 22331284.  An archived replay of the conference call and slide presentation will also be available in the investor relations section of the company's website.

About Full Circle Capital Corporation

Full Circle Capital Corporation (www.fccapital.com) is a closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. Full Circle lends to and invests in senior secured loans and, to a lesser extent, mezzanine loans and equity securities issued by smaller and lower middle-market companies that operate in a diverse range of industries. Full Circle's investment objective is to generate both current income and capital appreciation through debt and equity investments. For additional information visit the company's web site www.fccapital.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements which relate to future events or Full Circle's future performance or financial condition. Any statements that are not statements of historical fact (including statements containing the words "believes," "plans," "anticipates," "expects," "estimates" and similar expressions) should also be considered to be forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in Full Circle's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Full Circle undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein.

SOURCE Full Circle Capital Corporation