Investcorp Credit Management BDC, Inc. quarterly report, Q1 FY2016

Business Context and Reporting Period

Company: CM Finance Inc (Investcorp Credit Management BDC, Inc.)
Filing Type: Form 10-Q (Quarterly Report)
Period Ended: March 31, 2016
Business Overview: A closed-end, externally managed Business Development Company (BDC) regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company invests primarily in debt and related equity of privately held lower middle-market companies to fund acquisitions, growth, or refinancing.

Key Financial Metrics

Metric Three Months Ended Mar 31, 2016 Nine Months Ended Mar 31, 2016 As of Mar 31, 2016
Total Investment Income $7.94 million $27.77 million —
Net Investment Income $4.27 million $15.45 million —
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets $1.90 million $(13.33) million —
Net Asset Value (NAV) Per Share — — $11.96
Total Assets — — $320.36 million
Total Liabilities — — $156.80 million
Total Net Assets — — $163.56 million
Notes Payable (Gross) — — $141.52 million
Cash and Restricted Cash — — $32.20 million
Asset Coverage Ratio — — 2.16x

Material Changes vs. Prior Comparable Period

  • Net Asset Value Decline: NAV per share decreased from $14.41 as of June 30, 2015, to $11.96 as of March 31, 2016. This decline was driven primarily by a net change in unrealized depreciation of $29.07 million over the nine-month period.
  • Investment Portfolio Valuation: The fair value of the investment portfolio decreased from $330.32 million (June 30, 2015) to $276.51 million (March 31, 2016). Significant declines in fair value were noted for investments in Bird Electric Enterprises, LLC, AAR Intermediate Holdings, LLC, and YRC Worldwide, Inc.
  • Non-Accrual Status: Two investments were placed on non-accrual status as of March 31, 2016, contributing to a decrease in investment income for the quarter compared to the prior year.
  • Debt Levels: Total Notes Payable decreased slightly from $150.85 million (June 30, 2015) to $141.52 million (March 31, 2016), primarily due to repayments on the revolving credit facility.
  • Realized Gains/Losses: The Company recorded a net realized gain of $0.28 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2016, compared to a net realized loss of $1.31 million in the prior year period.

Guidance, Outlook, Risks, and Unusual Items

  • Management Commentary: Management attributes the decrease in net investment income for the quarter to two investments on non-accrual status. The significant unrealized depreciation is attributed to declines in the fair value of specific portfolio companies.
  • Distributions: The Board declared a quarterly distribution of $0.3516 per share for the quarter ending June 30, 2016. The Company intends to maintain its status as a Regulated Investment Company (RIC) by distributing at least 90% of its taxable income.
  • Fee Waivers: The Adviser has agreed to permanently waive portions of the incentive fee for 2016 to support an annualized dividend yield of 9.375% based on the IPO price. No incentive fees were incurred for the three months ended March 31, 2016.
  • Risks and Contingencies:
    • Credit Risk: The Company is exposed to credit risk due to its strategy of investing in leveraged companies. Two investments are currently on non-accrual.
    • Valuation Risk: All investments are classified as Level 3 fair value measurements, relying on unobservable inputs and management judgment, which introduces subjectivity.
    • Liquidity: The Company relies on its Financing Facility (Term and Revolving) with UBS. The Revolving Facility expires on December 4, 2016.
  • Unusual Items: The Company recorded a net change in unrealized depreciation of $29.07 million for the nine months ended March 31, 2016, which significantly impacted the net decrease in net assets.

Important Facts for Investor Verification

  • Non-Accrual Assets: Verify the specific identity and recovery prospects of the two investments placed on non-accrual status (AAR Intermediate Holdings, LLC and Bird Electric Enterprises, LLC are noted in the schedule as non-accrual).
  • Derivative Exposure: Confirm the impact of the Total Return Swaps (TRS) and embedded derivatives, which had a net fair value of zero but significant gross exposure ($8.75 million assets/liabilities each).
  • Debt Maturity: Note the maturity of the $50.0 million Revolving Financing facility on December 4, 2016, and the Company's ability to refinance or repay.
  • NAV vs. Market Price: The market value per share at the end of the period was $8.40, trading at a significant discount to the NAV of $11.96.
  • Fee Waiver Sustainability: Assess the long-term sustainability of the dividend yield given the permanent fee waivers and the current unrealized losses in the portfolio.