SLRC SLR Investment Corporation

Solar Capital Ltd. (the “Company”) (NASDAQ:SLRC), today reported earnings of $13.8 million, or $0.31 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2014. Net investment income was $17.4 million, or $0.40 per average share, for the first quarter. At March 31, 2014, net asset value (NAV) per share was $22.43.

On May 5, 2014 the Company’s Board of Directors also declared a second quarter distribution of $0.40 per share payable on July 1, 2014 to stockholders of record on June 19, 2014. The specific tax characteristics will be reported to stockholders on Form 1099 after the end of the calendar year.

HIGHLIGHTS:

At March 31, 2014:

Investment Portfolio: $1.03 billionNumber of Portfolio Companies: 43Net Assets: $972.3 millionNet Asset Value per share: $22.43

Portfolio Activity for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2014:

Investments made during the quarter: $144.8 millionInvestments prepaid and sold during the quarter: $208.3 million

Operating Results for the Quarter Ended March 31, 2014:

Net investment income: $17.4 millionNet realized and unrealized losses: $3.7 millionNet increase in net assets from operations: $13.8 millionNet investment income per share: $0.40

“We are pleased with our strong originations this quarter. With the portfolio composition at its highest level of senior secured and floating rate investments, we believe Solar Capital is defensively positioned to preserve shareholder value while delivering strong risk-adjusted returns,” said Michael Gross, Chairman and CEO of Solar Capital Ltd. “Our objective is to grow our investment income per share by prudently deploying our substantial available capital into new investments that meet our strict underwriting criteria.”

Conference Call and Webcast

The company will host an earnings conference call and audio webcast at 10:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on Tuesday, May 6, 2014.

All interested parties may participate in the conference call by dialing (866) 953-6856 approximately 5-10 minutes prior to the call. International callers should dial (617) 399-3480. Participants should reference Solar Capital Ltd. and the participant passcode of 17500624 when prompted. This conference call also can be accessed by all interested parties through Solar Capital’s website, www.solarcapltd.com. Additionally, a replay dial-in will be available until May 20, 2014 and can be accessed by dialing (888) 286-8010 and using the passcode 27264588. International callers should dial (617) 801-6888 to listen to the replay.

Portfolio and Investment Activity

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, we invested $144.8 million across ten portfolio companies. Investments sold and prepaid during the quarter ended March 31, 2014 totaled $208.3 million.

At March 31, 2014, our portfolio consisted of 43 portfolio companies and was invested 47.0% in senior secured loans, 29.4% in Crystal Financial whose portfolio is 100% comprised of senior secured loans, 17.5% in subordinated debt, 2.2% in preferred equity and 3.9% in common equity and warrants excluding Crystal Financial, measured at fair value.

Crystal Financial’s $442.7 million of funded senior secured loans is across 25 issuers with an average balance outstanding of $17.0 million. All of the commitments from Crystal Financial are floating-rate, senior-secured loans. During the quarter ended March 31, 2014, Crystal Financial funded new loans totaling $55.9 million and had $77.4 million of funded loans repaid.

The fair value weighted average yield on our portfolio of income-producing investments was 10.9% at March 31, 2014.

At March 31, 2014, 69.8% or $689.9 million of our income producing investment portfolio* is floating rate and 30.2% or $297.9 million of our income producing portfolio is fixed rate, measured at fair value.

From inception in 2006 through March 31, 2014, Solar Capital Ltd. and its predecessor companies have invested approximately $3.4 billion in 107 portfolio companies. Over the same period, Solar Capital Ltd. has completed transactions with more than 80 different financial sponsors.

* We have included Crystal Financial as 100% floating rate.

Results of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2014 compared to the Three Months Ended March 31, 2013.

Investment Income

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, gross investment income totaled $32.6 million and $46.1 million, respectively. The decrease in gross investment income year over year was primarily due to a smaller income producing portfolio from the net effect of portfolio repayments, as well as portfolio yield compression.

Expenses

Expenses totaled $15.2 million and $20.6 million, respectively, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013. The decrease in expenses year over year was primarily due to a decrease in management and performance-based incentive fees on lower investment income and portfolio size, as well as decreases in debt expenses due to lower average borrowings.

Net Investment Income

The Company’s net investment income totaled $17.4 million and $25.5 million, or $0.40 and $0.58 per average share, for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.

Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) for the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013 totaled ($3.7) million and $10.3 million, respectively.

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations

For the three months ended March 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $13.8 million and $35.8 million, respectively. For the same periods, earnings per average share were $0.31 and $0.81, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At March 31, 2014, the Company had $198 million of cash and a total of $490 million of unused credit capacity, subject to borrowing base limitations.

During the three months ended March 31, 2014, the Company repurchased $19.6 million of its common stock at an average price of approximately $22.00 per share, representing a 1.9% discount to the NAV per share at March 31, 2014. Including additional share repurchases of $15.6 million since March 31, 2014, the Company has repurchased a total of $52.7 million out of $100 million authorized through May 2, 2014.

Financial Statements and Tables

       

SOLAR CAPITAL LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

(in thousands, except share amounts)

  March 31, 2014 (unaudited) December 31, 2013 Assets Investments at fair value: Companies less than 5% owned (cost: $657,796 and $688,685, respectively) $ 647,894 $ 680,720 Companies 5% to 25% owned (cost: $8,023 and $7,789, respectively) 8,023 7,789 Companies more than 25% owned (cost: $343,525 and $394,285, respectively)   371,848     399,890   Total investments (cost: $1,009,344 and $1,090,759, respectively) 1,027,765 1,088,399 Cash and cash equivalents 644,890 585,278 Foreign currency (cost: $3,095 and $1,702, respectively) 3,041 1,701 Interest and dividends receivable 14,284 14,228 Deferred financing costs 3,291 3,300 Derivatives — — Receivable for investments sold 15,531 14,870 Prepaid expenses and other assets   1,207     666   Total assets $ 1,710,009   $ 1,708,442     Liabilities Revolving credit facilities $ — $ — Unsecured senior notes 100,000 100,000 Senior secured notes 75,000 75,000 Term loan 50,000 50,000 Distributions payable 16,662 17,698 Payable for investments and cash equivalents purchased 479,633 454,887 Management fee payable 6,210 5,780 Performance-based incentive fee payable 3,213 4,633 Payable for common stock repurchased 2,567 — Administrative services expense payable 552 2,085 Interest payable 2,586 1,499 Other liabilities and accrued expenses   1,257     1,223   Total liabilities $ 737,680   $ 712,805       Net Assets Common stock, par value $0.01 per share, 200,000,000 and 200,000,000 common shares authorized, respectively, and 43,354,383 and 44,244,195 shares issued and outstanding, respectively $ 434 $ 442 Paid-in capital in excess of par 1,090,979 1,110,545 Distributions in excess of net investment income (17,404 ) (17,344 ) Accumulated net realized loss (119,059 ) (92,706 ) Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   17,379     (5,300 ) Total net assets $ 972,329   $ 995,637   Net Asset Value Per Share $ 22.43   $ 22.50            

SOLAR CAPITAL LTD.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)

(in thousands, except share amounts)

  Three months ended March 31, 2014 March 31, 2013 INVESTMENT INCOME: Interest: Companies less than 5% owned $ 23,015 $ 28,563 Companies 5% to 25% owned 235 7,060 Companies more than 25% owned 964 2,118 Dividends: Companies more than 25% owned   8,416     8,356   Total investment income   32,630     46,097     EXPENSES: Management fees $ 6,210 $ 7,134 Performance-based incentive fees 3,213 6,380 Interest and other credit facility expenses 3,592 4,823 Administrative services expense 1,169 727 Other general and administrative expenses   1,022     1,514   Total expenses   15,206     20,578   Net investment income $ 17,424   $ 25,519     REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS) ON INVESTMENTS, CASH EQUIVALENTS, FOREIGN CURRENCIES AND DERIVATIVES: Net realized gain (loss) on investments and cash equivalents: Companies less than 5% owned $ 8 $ 228 Companies 5% to 25% owned 928 — Companies more than 25% owned   (25,310 )   472   Net realized gain (loss) on investments and cash equivalents (24,374 ) 700 Net realized loss on foreign currencies and derivatives:   (1,979 )   (11 ) Net realized gain (loss)   (26,353 )   689   Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on investments and cash equivalents 20,782 8,568 Net change in unrealized gain (loss) on foreign currencies and derivatives   1,897     1,030   Net change in unrealized gain   22,679     9,598   Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments, cash equivalents, foreign currencies and derivatives   (3,674 )   10,287     NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $ 13,750   $ 35,806   EARNINGS PER SHARE $ 0.31   $ 0.81    

About Solar Capital Ltd.

Solar Capital Ltd. is a closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company invests primarily in leveraged, middle market companies in the form of senior secured loans, mezzanine loans, and equity securities.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein may constitute “forward-looking statements,” which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. These statements are not guarantees of future performance, conditions 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 our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Solar Capital Ltd. undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein.

Solar Capital Ltd.Investor RelationsRichard Pivirotto, 646-308-8770