BUFFALO, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rand Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: RAND) (“Rand” or the “Company”), a business development company providing alternative financing for lower middle market companies, announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2024.

"Our third quarter results reflect the strength of our investment strategy, highlighted by a 27% increase in total investment income, driven by the growth in our debt portfolio,” commented Daniel P. Penberthy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rand. “The sale of SciAps, which netted us $13.1 million in total proceeds, and the sale of our remaining BDC holdings, which generated a realized gain, not only delivered substantial returns but also allowed us to reduce debt and improve liquidity. With over $24 million in total liquidity, we are well-positioned to capitalize on future opportunities. Following the closing of the SciAps transaction, we have further transitioned the portfolio closer to a targeted debt-focused portfolio, and will continue to focus on mezzanine debt investments, which we believe will help in delivering strong returns and supporting consistent shareholder dividends.”

Third Quarter Highlights (compared with the prior-year period unless otherwise noted)

• Total investment income grew $477,000, or 27%, to $2.2 million, which reflected strong growth of interest from portfolio companies given the origination of five new debt instruments over the last year. Also contributing to the total investment income growth was an increase in fee income.
• Total expenses were $1.3 million compared with $810,000 in last year’s third quarter. The change largely reflects a $354,000 increase in capital gains incentive fee expense and a $178,000 increase in the income based incentive fee expense payable to the Company’s external investment advisor. The Company had lower interest expense of $46,000 given the debt pay down during the quarter.
• Adjusted expenses, which exclude capital gains incentive fees and is a non-GAAP financial measure, were $1.0 million compared with $851,000 in the third quarter of 2023. See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted expenses.
• Net investment income was $887,000, or $0.34 per share, compared with $799,000, or $0.31 per share, in the third quarter of 2023. Adjusted net investment income per share, a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the capital gains incentive fee accrual expense, was $0.46 per share, up 59% from $0.29 per share in last year’s third quarter. See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted net investment income per share.

Portfolio and Investment Activity

As of September 30, 2024, Rand’s portfolio included investments with a fair value of $75.0 million across 22 portfolio businesses. This was a decrease of $2.1 million, or 3%, from December 31, 2023, and reflected new and follow-on investments and valuation adjustments in multiple portfolio companies, offset by the SciAps exit, stock sales and other portfolio company loan repayments. At September 30, 2024, Rand’s portfolio was comprised of approximately 74% in debt investments and 26% in equity investments in private companies. The annualized weighted average yield of debt investments, which includes PIK interest, was 13.8% at September 30, 2024, compared with 13.6% at the end of 2023.

Third quarter 2024:

• Funded a follow-on debt investment of $125,000 in ITA Acquisition, LLC. Rand’s total debt and equity investment in ITA Acquisition, LLC had a fair value of $4.9 million at quarter-end.
• Received $13.1 million from the previously announced sale of portfolio company SciAps, Inc., which included a realized gain of $7.7 million. The proceeds from the sale payable at closing to Rand consisted of $2.1 million in debt repayment, $165,000 in interest income and loan-related fees, and $10.8 million in equity return. These totals reflect $244,000 held in transaction-related escrows.
• Sold remaining shares in two publicly traded BDCs for total proceeds of $1.3 million, which netted a realized gain of $249,000.
• Exited investment in Mezmeriz, realizing a tax loss on an equity investment having a fair value of zero.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Cash was $3.4 million at September 30, 2024. During the quarter, Rand utilized the proceeds from the portfolio company sale and cash on hand to reduce its outstanding borrowings by $13.3 million, leaving a principal balance of $3.9 million on its existing $25.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility at September 30, 2024. The outstanding borrowings carried an interest rate of 8.46% at quarter-end.

The Company did not repurchase any outstanding common stock during the third quarter of 2024.

Dividends

On July 31, 2024, Rand declared its regular quarterly cash dividend distribution of $0.29 per share. The cash dividend was paid during the third quarter to shareholders of record as of August 30, 2024. Rand’s fourth quarter dividend announcement is expected in early December.

Webcast and Conference Call

Rand will host a conference call and webcast on Wednesday November 6, 2024, at 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time, to review its financial results. The review will be accompanied by a slide presentation, which will be available on Rand’s website at www.randcapital.com in the “Investor Relations” section. Rand’s conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8263. Alternatively, the webcast can be monitored on Rand’s website at www.randcapital.com under “Investors” where the replay will also be available.

A telephonic replay will be available from 5:30 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Wednesday, November 20, 2024. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter replay pin number 13749407. A transcript of the call will also be posted once available.

ABOUT RAND CAPITAL

Rand Capital (Nasdaq: RAND) is an externally managed business development company (BDC). The Company’s investment objective is to maximize total return to its shareholders with current income and capital appreciation by focusing its debt and related equity investments in privately-held, lower middle market companies with committed and experienced managements in a broad variety of industries. Rand primarily invests in businesses that have sustainable, differentiated and market-proven products, revenue of more than $10 million and EBITDA in excess of $1.5 million. The Company’s investment activities are managed by its external investment adviser, Rand Capital Management, LLC. Additional information can be found at the Company’s website where it regularly posts information: randcapital.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than historical facts, including but not limited to statements regarding the strategy of the Company and its outlook; statements regarding the implementation of the Company’s strategy and the growth of its dividend and the timing for the Company’s fourth quarter dividend announcement; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts and are sometimes identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue,” “target” or other similar words or expressions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (2) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions; and (3) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Rand’s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Rand’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed with the SEC. Consequently, such forward-looking statements should be regarded as Rand’s current plans, estimates and beliefs. Except as required by applicable law, Rand assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries
Reconciliation of GAAP Total Expense to Non-GAAP Adjusted Expenses
(Unaudited)

In addition to reporting total expenses, which is a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) financial measure, Rand presents adjusted expenses, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted expenses is defined as GAAP total expenses removing the effect of any expenses/(credits) for capital gains incentive fees accrual. GAAP total expenses is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Rand believes that adjusted expenses provides useful information to investors regarding financial performance because it is a method the Company uses to measure its financial and business trends related to its results of operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Investment Income per Share to
Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share
(Unaudited)

In addition to reporting Net Investment Income per Share, which is a GAAP financial measure, the Company presents Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share is defined as GAAP Net Investment Income per Share removing the effect of any expenses/(credits) for capital gains incentive fees. GAAP Net Investment Income per Share is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Rand believes that Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share provides useful information to investors regarding financial performance because it is a method the Company uses to measure its financial and business trends related to its results of operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

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