Carlyle Secured Lending Inc (CGBD) Q4 2024 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Dividend Policy and ...

In This Article:

  • Net Investment Income: $0.47 per share, annualized yield over 11% based on 12/31 NAV.

  • Dividend: Total fourth quarter dividend of $0.45 per share, including a $0.40 base dividend and a $0.05 supplemental dividend.

  • Net Asset Value (NAV): $16.80 per share as of December 31, compared to $16.85 per share as of September 30.

  • Total Investment Income: $56 million for the fourth quarter.

  • Total Expenses: $31 million, flat versus prior quarter.

  • Portfolio Growth: Increased by about $100 million in the fourth quarter.

  • Credit Quality: Nonaccruals at 0.6% of total investments at fair value.

  • Leverage: Statutory average leverage about 1.2 times, within target range of 0.9 to 1.25 times.

  • Investment Portfolio: 189 investments in 135 companies across more than 25 industries.

  • Median Portfolio EBITDA: $88 million.

Release Date: February 26, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Carlyle Secured Lending Inc (NASDAQ:CGBD) generated a net investment income of $0.47 per share, representing an annualized yield of over 11%.

  • The company declared a total fourth quarter dividend of $0.45 per share, which includes a supplemental dividend, reflecting a strong dividend policy.

  • CGBD achieved record highs for deployment in both the fourth quarter and the full year of 2024, growing its portfolio by about $100 million.

  • The company maintained a high-quality portfolio with 94% of 2024 originations in first lien investments and an average loan-to-value under 40%.

  • CGBD obtained investment-grade ratings from both Fitch and Moody's, allowing it to issue its first-ever institutional bond deal, enhancing financial flexibility.

Negative Points

  • The net asset value (NAV) per share slightly decreased from $16.85 as of September 30 to $16.80 as of December 31.

  • Total aggregate realized and unrealized net loss was about $4 million for the quarter, with markdowns on certain investments.

  • Nonaccruals remained flat at 0.6% of total investments at fair value, indicating some ongoing credit challenges.

  • The restructuring of Jeg's Automotive remained on nonaccrual status, highlighting ongoing issues with specific investments.

  • The weighted average yield on debt investments showed a wider gap compared to income-producing investments, indicating potential yield compression.

Q & A Highlights

Q: Just a question on the JV. I think Tom, you said it will free the unqualified asset bucket capacity. Are you suggesting you might do something else there? A: Thomas Hennigan, CFO: Regarding the two JVs, MMCF II is a static vehicle, and taking those assets back on balance sheet reduces the non-qualifying bucket. For JV one, we plan to ramp up the facility materially in the future. We anticipate a return of capital from both JVs in the first quarter. We have flexibility for future strategic partnerships, but nothing imminent right now.