DIVIDEND DECLARATIONS
Ares Capital Corporation (“Ares Capital”) (NASDAQ: ARCC)
announced that its Board of Directors has declared a first quarter
2023 dividend of $0.48 per share. The first quarter 2023 dividend
is payable on March 31, 2023 to stockholders of record as of March
15, 2023.
DECEMBER 31, 2022 FINANCIAL RESULTS
Ares Capital also announced financial results for its fourth
quarter and year ended December 31, 2022.
OPERATING RESULTS
Q4-22(1)
Q4-21(1)
FY-22
FY-21
(dollar amounts in millions, except per
share data)
Total Amount
Per Share
Total Amount
Per Share
Total Amount
Per Share
Total Amount
Per Share
Core EPS(3)
$
0.63
$
0.58
$
2.02
$
2.02
GAAP net income per share(2)(4)
$
0.34
$
0.83
$
1.21
$
3.51
Net investment income(2)
$
349
$
0.68
$
242
$
0.52
$
1,092
$
2.19
$
741
$
1.66
Net realized gains (losses)(2)
$
26
$
0.05
$
16
$
0.04
$
33
$
0.07
$
240
$
0.54
Net unrealized gains (losses)(2)
$
(201
)
$
(0.39
)
$
124
$
0.27
$
(525
)
$
(1.05
)
$
586
$
1.31
GAAP net income(2)(4)
$
174
$
0.34
$
382
$
0.83
$
600
$
1.21
$
1,567
$
3.51
Dividends declared and payable
$
0.51
(5
)
$
0.41
$
1.87
(6
)
$
1.62
As of
(dollar amounts in millions, except per
share data)
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Portfolio investments at fair value
$
21,780
$
20,009
Total assets
$
22,398
$
20,843
Stockholders’ equity
$
9,555
$
8,868
Net assets per share
$
18.40
$
18.96
Debt/equity ratio
1.29x
1.26x
Debt/equity ratio, net of available cash
(7)
1.26x
1.21x
(1) Net income can vary substantially from period to period due
to various factors, including the level of new investment
commitments, the recognition of realized gains and losses and
unrealized appreciation and depreciation. As a result, quarterly
comparisons of net income may not be meaningful.
(2) All per share amounts and weighted average shares
outstanding are basic. The basic weighted average shares
outstanding for the three months and year ended December 31, 2022
were approximately 514 million and 498 million, respectively, and
approximately 463 million and 446 million, respectively, for the
comparable periods in 2021.
(3) Core EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure. Core EPS is the
net increase (decrease) in stockholders’ equity resulting from
operations less net realized and unrealized gains and losses, any
capital gains incentive fees attributable to such net realized and
unrealized gains and losses and any income taxes related to such
net realized gains and losses, divided by the basic weighted
average shares outstanding for the relevant period. Basic GAAP net
income (loss) per share is the most directly comparable GAAP
financial measure. Ares Capital believes that Core EPS provides
useful information to investors regarding financial performance
because it is one method Ares Capital uses to measure its financial
condition and 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. Reconciliations of Core EPS to the most directly
comparable GAAP financial measure are set forth in Schedule 1
hereto.
(4) In the first quarter of 2022, Ares Capital adopted
Accounting Standards Update (ASU) 2020-06, “Accounting for
Convertible Instruments and Contracts in an Entity’s Own Equity”
(“ASU 2020-06”), which requires the use of the if-converted method
when calculating the dilutive impact of outstanding convertible
notes on diluted earnings per share. As a result, Ares Capital’s
diluted GAAP net income per share for the three months and year
ended December 31, 2022 was $0.34 and $1.19, respectively. The
weighted average shares outstanding for purpose of calculating the
diluted GAAP net income per share for the three months and year
ended December 31, 2022 was approximately 534 million and 518
million, respectively, which includes approximately 20 million
shares for each period related to the assumed conversion of
outstanding convertible notes. Under the allowed modified
retrospective method, diluted GAAP net income per share for the
prior periods presented were not restated to reflect the impact of
ASU 2020-06. As such, diluted GAAP net income per share amount for
the prior periods presented are the same as the basic GAAP net
income per share amount.
(5) Includes an additional dividend of $0.03 per share paid on
December 29, 2022 to stockholders of record as of December 15,
2022.
(6) Includes additional dividends of $0.12 per share in the
aggregate paid during the year ended December 31, 2022.
(7) Computed as total principal debt outstanding less available
cash divided by stockholders’ equity. Available cash excludes
restricted cash as well as cash held for uses specifically
designated for paying interest and expenses on certain debt.
“Our record fourth quarter core earnings concluded another great
year for Ares Capital where we generated strong results and paid
record dividends while maintaining stable credit quality,” said
Kipp deVeer, Chief Executive Officer of Ares Capital. “The
significant amount of volatility in the capital markets brought
more favorable competitive dynamics, and we are seeing a
meaningfully more attractive risk reward market environment.
Looking forward, we believe we are well positioned to continue to
generate attractive returns and dividends for shareholders given
our healthy portfolio, experienced team and robust investment
process.”
“We believe that our long-term approach of maintaining a strong
balance sheet with a high proportion of longer dated, unsecured
debt along with significant available liquidity continues to be a
significant competitive advantage for us,” said Penni Roll, Chief
Financial Officer of Ares Capital. “Our conservative balance sheet
management has supported our ability to perform well in a variety
of market and economic conditions and to pay stable to growing
quarterly dividends for our shareholders for more than 13
years.”
PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY
(dollar amounts in millions)
Q4-22
Q4-21
FY-22
FY-21
Portfolio Activity During the Period:
Gross commitments
$
2,519
$
5,866
$
9,870
$
15,573
Exits of commitments
$
2,333
$
3,869
$
7,953
$
11,195
As of December 31,
2022
2021
Portfolio Information:
Portfolio investments at fair value
$
21,780
$
20,009
Fair value of accruing debt and other
income producing securities(8)
$
19,493
$
18,182
Number of portfolio company
investments
466
387
Percentage of floating rate securities at
fair value(9)
71
%
77
%
Weighted average yields on debt and other
income producing securities(10):
At amortized cost
11.6
%
8.7
%
At fair value
11.9
%
8.7
%
Weighted average yields on total
investments(11):
At amortized cost
10.5
%
7.9
%
At fair value
10.6
%
7.9
%
Asset class percentage at fair value
First lien senior secured loans
43
%
47
%
Second lien senior secured loans
18
%
23
%
Subordinated certificates of the SDLP
6
%
5
%
Senior subordinated loans
5
%
4
%
Preferred equity
9
%
8
%
Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P.(12)
10
%
5
%
Other equity
9
%
8
%
(8) Including the fair value of Ares Capital’s equity investment
in Ivy Hill Asset Management, L.P. (“IHAM”)
(9) Including Ares Capital's investment in the subordinated
certificates of the SDLP (as defined below).
(10) Weighted average yields on debt and other income producing
securities are computed as (a) the annual stated interest rate or
yield earned plus the net annual amortization of original issue
discount and market discount or premium earned on accruing debt and
other income producing securities (including the annualized amount
of the dividend received by Ares Capital related to its equity
investment in IHAM during the most recent quarter end), divided by
(b) the total accruing debt and other income producing securities
at amortized cost or at fair value (including the amortized cost or
fair value of Ares Capital’s equity investment in IHAM as
applicable), as applicable.
(11) Weighted average yields on total investments are computed
as (a) the annual stated interest rate or yield earned plus the net
annual amortization of original issue discount and market discount
or premium earned on accruing debt and other income producing
securities (including the annualized amount of the dividend
received by Ares Capital related to its equity investment in IHAM
during the most recent quarter end), divided by (b) total
investments at amortized cost or at fair value, as applicable.
(12) Includes Ares Capital’s equity and subordinated loan
investments in IHAM, as applicable.
In the fourth quarter of 2022, Ares Capital made new investment
commitments of approximately $2.5 billion, including $283 million
of new investment commitments to IHAM, of which approximately $2.2
billion were funded. New investment commitments included 19 new
portfolio companies and 22 existing portfolio companies and one
additional portfolio company through the Senior Direct Lending
Program (the “SDLP”), through which Ares Capital co-invests with
Varagon Capital Partners, and its clients, to fund first lien
senior secured loans. As of December 31, 2022, 222 separate private
equity sponsors were represented in Ares Capital’s portfolio. Of
the $2.5 billion in new commitments made during the fourth quarter
of 2022, 61% were in first lien senior secured loans, 14% were in
second lien senior secured loans, 6% were in were subordinated
certificates of the SDLP, 3% were in senior subordinated loans, 2%
were in preferred equity, 11% were for Ares Capital’s equity and
subordinated loan investments in IHAM and 3% were in other equity.
Of these commitments, 84% were in floating rate debt securities, of
which 89% contained interest rate floors. Ares Capital may seek to
sell all or a portion of these new investment commitments, although
there can be no assurance that Ares Capital will be able to do so.
Also in the fourth quarter of 2022, Ares Capital funded
approximately $0.5 billion related to previously existing unfunded
revolving and delayed draw loan commitments.
Also in the fourth quarter of 2022, Ares Capital exited
approximately $2.3 billion of investment commitments, including
approximately $943 million of loans sold to IHAM or certain
vehicles managed by IHAM. Of the total investment commitments
exited, 83% were first lien senior secured loans, 8% were second
lien senior secured loans, 4% were preferred equity, 2% were Ares
Capital’s subordinated loan in IHAM and 3% were other equity. Of
the approximately $2.3 billion of exited investment commitments,
91% were floating rate, 4% were fixed rate, 3% were on non-accrual
status and 2% were non-income producing.
As of December 31, 2022 and 2021, the weighted average grade of
the portfolio at fair value was 3.2 and 3.1, respectively, and
loans on non-accrual status represented 1.7% of the total
investments at amortized cost (or 1.1% at fair value) and 0.8% at
amortized cost (or 0.5% at fair value), respectively. For more
information on Ares Capital’s portfolio investment grades and loans
on non-accrual status, see “Part II—Item 7. Management’s Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—
Portfolio and Investment Activity” in Ares Capital’s Annual Report
on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 7, 2023.
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
As of December 31, 2022, Ares Capital had $303 million in cash
and cash equivalents and $12.2 billion in total aggregate principal
amount of debt outstanding ($12.2 billion at carrying value).
Subject to borrowing base and other restrictions, Ares Capital had
approximately $3.9 billion available for additional borrowings
under its existing credit facilities as of December 31, 2022.
During the three months ended December 31, 2022, Ares Capital
issued and sold approximately 0.9 million shares of common stock
under its equity distribution agreements, with net proceeds
totaling approximately $18.2 million, after giving effect to sales
agents’ commissions and certain estimated offering expenses.
In November 2022, Ares Capital completed a public underwritten
equity offering pursuant to which Ares Capital sold 9.2 million
shares of common stock at a price of $18.87 per share to the
participating underwriters, with net proceeds totaling
approximately $173.2 million, after giving effect to offering
expenses. In addition, Ares Capital’s investment adviser paid the
underwriters approximately $2.2 million, or $0.24 per share, in
connection with this offering. This payment is not subject to
reimbursement by Ares Capital.
FOURTH QUARTER 2022 DIVIDENDS PAID
On October 25, 2022, Ares Capital announced that its Board of
Directors declared a fourth quarter 2022 dividend of $0.48 per
share for a total of approximately $249 million. On February 9,
2022, Ares Capital announced that its Board of Directors declared
an additional fourth quarter 2022 dividend of $0.03 per share for a
total of approximately $15 million. The fourth quarter dividends
were paid on December 29, 2022 to stockholders of record as of
December 15, 2022.
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
In January 2023, Ares Capital and ARCC FB Funding LLC, a wholly
owned subsidiary of Ares Capital, entered into an agreement to
amend ARCC FB Funding LLC’s revolving funding facility (the “BNP
Funding Facility”) that among other things, (a) increased the
commitments under the facility from $300 million to $500 million
and (b) adjusted the interest rate charged on the BNP Funding
Facility from an applicable LIBOR (subject to a floor of 0.00%) or
a "base rate" plus a margin of (i) 1.80% during the reinvestment
period and (ii) 2.30% following the reinvestment period to an
applicable SOFR (subject to a floor of 0.00%) plus a credit spread
adjustment of 0.10% or a "base rate" plus a margin of (i) 2.30%
during the reinvestment period and (ii) 2.80% following the
reinvestment period.
In January 2023, Ares Capital completed a public equity offering
pursuant to which Ares Capital sold approximately 12.1 million
shares of common stock at a price of $18.53 per share to the
participating underwriters, with net proceeds totaling
approximately $223.4 million, after giving effect to underwriting
fees and estimated offering expenses.
From January 1, 2023 through February 1, 2023, Ares Capital made
new investment commitments of approximately $226 million, of which
$158 million were funded. Of these new commitments, 90% were in
first lien senior secured loans, 6% were in preferred equity and 4%
were in other equity. Of the approximately $226 million of new
investment commitments, 90% were floating rate, 4% were fixed rate,
4% were non-income producing and 2% were on non-accrual status. The
weighted average yield of debt and other income producing
securities funded during the period at amortized cost was 11.4% and
the weighted average yield on total investments funded during the
period at amortized cost was 10.4%. Ares Capital may seek to sell
all or a portion of these new investment commitments, although
there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.
From January 1, 2023 through February 1, 2023, Ares Capital
exited approximately $372 million of investment commitments,
including $23 million of loans sold to IHAM or certain vehicles
managed by IHAM. Of the total investment commitments exited, 89%
were first lien senior secured loans and 11% were subordinated
certificates of the SDLP. All of the approximately $372 million of
exited investment commitments were floating rate. The weighted
average yield of debt and other income producing securities exited
or repaid during the period at amortized cost was 10.9% and the
weighted average yield on total investments exited or repaid during
the period at amortized cost was 10.9%. Of the approximately $372
million of investment commitments exited from January 1, 2023
through February 1, 2023, Ares Capital recognized total net
realized gains of approximately $1 million, with no realized gains
or losses recognized from the sale of loans to IHAM or certain
vehicles managed by IHAM.
In addition, as of February 1, 2023, Ares Capital had an
investment backlog and pipeline of approximately $210 million and
$55 million, respectively. Investment backlog includes transactions
approved by Ares Capital’s investment adviser’s investment
committee and/or for which a formal mandate, letter of intent or a
signed commitment have been issued, and therefore Ares Capital
believes are likely to close. Investment pipeline includes
transactions where due diligence and analysis are in process, but
no formal mandate, letter of intent or signed commitment have been
issued. The consummation of any of the investments in this backlog
and pipeline depends upon, among other things, one or more of the
following: satisfactory completion of Ares Capital due diligence
investigation of the prospective portfolio company, Ares Capital’s
acceptance of the terms and structure of such investment and the
execution and delivery of satisfactory transaction documentation.
In addition, Ares Capital may sell all or a portion of these
investments and certain of these investments may result in the
repayment of existing investments. Ares Capital cannot assure you
that it will make any of these investments or that Ares Capital
will sell all or any portion of these investments.
WEBCAST / CONFERENCE CALL
Ares Capital will host a webcast/conference call on Tuesday,
February 7, 2023 at 12:00 p.m.(Eastern Time) to discuss its quarter
and year ended December 31, 2022 financial results. PLEASE VISIT
ARES CAPITAL’S WEBCAST LINK LOCATED ON THE HOME PAGE OF THE
INVESTOR RESOURCES SECTION OF ARES CAPITAL’S WEBSITE FOR A SLIDE
PRESENTATION THAT COMPLEMENTS THE EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL.
All interested parties are invited to participate via telephone
or the live webcast, which will be hosted on a webcast link located
on the Home page of the Investor Resources section of Ares
Capital’s website at www.arescapitalcorp.com. Please visit the website
to test your connection before the webcast. Domestic callers can
access the conference call toll free by dialing +1 (844) 200-6205.
International callers can access the conference call by dialing +1
(929) 526-1599. All callers will need to enter access code 584901.
All callers are asked to dial in 10-15 minutes prior to the call so
that name and company information can be collected. For interested
parties, an archived replay of the call will be available
approximately one hour after the end of the call through February
21, 2023 at 5:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) to domestic callers by dialing
toll free +1 (866) 813-9403 and to international callers by dialing
+44 204 525 0658. For all replays, please reference access code
582648. An archived replay will also be available through February
21, 2023 on a webcast link located on the Home page of the Investor
Resources section of Ares Capital’s website.
ABOUT ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION
Founded in 2004, Ares Capital is a leading specialty finance
company focused on providing direct loans and other investments in
private middle market companies in the United States. Ares
Capital’s objective is to source and invest in high-quality
borrowers that need capital to achieve their business goals, which
often leads to economic growth and employment. Ares Capital
believes its loans and other investments in these companies can
generate attractive levels of current income and potential capital
appreciation for investors. Ares Capital, through its investment
manager, utilizes its extensive, direct origination capabilities
and incumbent borrower relationships to source and underwrite
predominantly senior secured loans but also subordinated debt and
equity investments. Ares Capital has elected to be regulated as a
business development company (“BDC”) and is the largest publicly
traded BDC by market capitalization as of December 31, 2022. Ares
Capital is externally managed by a subsidiary of Ares Management
Corporation (NYSE: ARES), a publicly traded, leading global
alternative investment manager. For more information about Ares
Capital, visit www.arescapitalcorp.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Statements included herein or on the webcast/conference call may
constitute “forward-looking statements,” which relate to future
events or Ares Capital’s future performance or financial condition.
These statements are not guarantees of future performance,
condition or results and involve a number of risks and
uncertainties. Actual results and conditions 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
Ares Capital’s filings with the SEC. Ares Capital undertakes no
duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein or on the
webcast/conference call.
ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE
SHEET
(in millions, except per share
data)
As of December 31,
2022
2021
ASSETS
Total investments at fair value (amortized
cost of $22,043 and $19,810, respectively)
$
21,780
$
20,009
Cash and cash equivalents
303
372
Restricted cash
34
114
Interest receivable
176
142
Receivable for open trades
4
80
Other assets
81
99
Operating lease right-of-use asset
20
27
Total assets
$
22,398
$
20,843
LIABILITIES
Debt
$
12,210
$
11,020
Base management fees payable
79
69
Income based fees payable
81
67
Capital gains incentive fees payable
35
161
Interest and facility fees payable
105
100
Payable to participants
34
114
Payable for open trades
22
216
Accounts payable and other liabilities
167
111
Secured borrowings
79
74
Operating lease liabilities
31
43
Total liabilities
12,843
11,975
STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share,
700 and 600 common shares authorized, respectively; 519 and 468
common shares issued and outstanding, respectively
1
—
Capital in excess of par value
9,556
8,553
Accumulated (overdistributed)
undistributed earnings
(2
)
315
Total stockholders’ equity
9,555
8,868
Total liabilities and stockholders’
equity
$
22,398
$
20,843
NET ASSETS PER SHARE
$
18.40
$
18.96
ARES CAPITAL CORPORATION AND
SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF
OPERATIONS
(in millions, except per share
data)
For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
For the Years Ended December
31,
2022
2021
2022
2021
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
INVESTMENT INCOME
Interest income from investments
$
456
$
336
$
1,470
$
1,247
Capital structuring service fees
59
116
153
306
Dividend income
110
64
424
222
Other income
15
13
49
45
Total investment income
640
529
2,096
1,820
EXPENSES
Interest and credit facility fees
141
105
455
372
Base management fees
79
69
305
253
Income based fees
81
67
252
225
Capital gains incentive fees
(37
)
28
(101
)
161
Administrative fees
2
4
11
15
Other general and administrative
7
6
27
24
Total expenses
273
279
949
1,050
NET INVESTMENT INCOME BEFORE INCOME
TAXES
367
250
1,147
770
Income tax expense, including excise
tax
18
8
55
29
NET INVESTMENT INCOME
349
242
1,092
741
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAINS (LOSSES) ON
INVESTMENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCY AND OTHER TRANSACTIONS:
Net realized gains
26
16
81
283
Net unrealized gains (losses)
(201
)
124
(525
)
586
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)
on investments, foreign currency and other transactions
(175
)
140
(444
)
869
REALIZED LOSS ON EXTINGUISHMENT OF
DEBT
—
—
(48
)
(43
)
NET INCREASE IN STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
$
174
$
382
$
600
$
1,567
NET INCOME PER COMMON SHARE:
Basic
$
0.34
$
0.83
$
1.21
$
3.51
Diluted
$
0.34
$
0.83
$
1.19
$
3.51
WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK
OUTSTANDING:
Basic
514
463
498
446
Diluted
534
463
518
446
SCHEDULE 1
Reconciliations of Core EPS to basic GAAP
net income per share
Reconciliations of Core EPS to basic GAAP net income per share,
the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for the three
months and years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 are provided
below.
For the Three Months Ended
December 31,
For the Years Ended December
31,
2022
2021
2022
2021
(unaudited)
(unaudited)
Core EPS(1)
$
0.63
$
0.58
$
2.02
$
2.02
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses)(2)
(0.34
)
0.31
(0.98
)
1.85
Capital gains incentive fees attributable
to net realized and unrealized gains and losses(2)
0.07
(0.06
)
0.20
(0.36
)
Income tax expense related to net realized
gains and losses(2)
(0.02
)
—
(0.03
)
—
GAAP net income per share(2)(3)
$
0.34
$
0.83
$
1.21
$
3.51
(1) Core EPS is a non-GAAP financial measure. Core EPS is the
net increase (decrease) in stockholders’ equity resulting from
operations less net realized and unrealized gains and losses, any
capital gains incentive fees attributable to such net realized and
unrealized gains and losses and any income taxes related to such
net realized gains and losses, divided by the basic weighted
average shares outstanding for the relevant period. Basic GAAP net
income (loss) per share is the most directly comparable GAAP
financial measure. Ares Capital believes that Core EPS provides
useful information to investors regarding financial performance
because it is one method Ares Capital uses to measure its financial
condition and 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.
(2) All per share amounts and weighted average shares
outstanding are basic. The basic weighted average shares
outstanding for the three months and year ended December 31, 2022
were approximately 514 million and 498 million, respectively, and
approximately 463 million and 446 million, respectively, for the
comparable periods in 2021.
(3) In the first quarter of 2022, Ares Capital adopted ASU
2020-06, which requires the use of the if-converted method when
calculating the dilutive impact of outstanding convertible notes on
diluted earnings per share. As a result, Ares Capital’s diluted
GAAP net income per share for the three months and year ended
December 31, 2022 was $0.34 and $1.19, respectively. The weighted
average shares outstanding for purpose of calculating the diluted
GAAP net income per share for the three months and year ended
December 31, 2022 was approximately 534 million and 518 million,
respectively, which includes approximately 20 million shares for
each period related to the assumed conversion of outstanding
convertible notes. Under the allowed modified retrospective method,
diluted GAAP net income per share for the prior periods presented
were not restated to reflect the impact of ASU 2020-06. As such,
diluted GAAP net income per share amount for the prior periods
presented are the same as the basic GAAP net income per share
amount.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230206005722/en/
INVESTOR RELATIONS
Ares Capital Corporation Carl G. Drake or John Stilmar (888)
818-5298 irarcc@aresmgmt.com
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