Horizon Technology Finance Announces Third Quarter 2018 Financial Results

FARMINGTON, Conn., Oct. 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: HRZN) (the "Company" or "Horizon"), a leading specialty finance company that provides capital in the form of secured loans to venture capital backed companies in the technology, life science, healthcare information and services, and cleantech industries, today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018.

Third Quarter 2018 Highlights

• Earned net investment income of $3.4 million, or $0.30 per share, for the quarter
• Net asset value equaled $134.5 million, or $11.66 per share, at quarter end
• Funded $24.2 million in loans to seven companies
• Achieved an annualized portfolio yield on debt investments of 14.8% for the quarter
• Ended the quarter with an investment portfolio of $239.8 million
• Experienced liquidity events from four portfolio companies
• Total liquidity as of September 30, 2018 was $20.1 million
• Floating rate loans comprised 99% of the outstanding principal of the loan portfolio, at quarter end
• At quarter end, held a portfolio of warrant and equity positions in 78 portfolio companies
• Asset coverage for borrowed amounts of 219% as of September 30, 2018
• Declared distributions of $0.10 per share payable in each of January, February and March 2019
• Received shareholder approval to reduce the asset coverage requirements applicable to the Company from 200% to 150% as permitted by the Small Business Credit Availability Act
• Shareholders approved new investment management agreement, which reduced the base management fee on gross assets less cash and cash equivalents in excess of $250 million from 2.00% to 1.60%

"We generated strong results in the third quarter, continuing the positive momentum we established in the first half of 2018," said Robert D. Pomeroy, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon. "Specifically, we grew the portfolio for the second consecutive quarter and increased net investment income for the third consecutive quarter, while achieving a loan portfolio yield of 14.8%, one of the highest yielding floating rate loan portfolios in the BDC industry. Consistent with our focus on enhancing Horizon's liquidity and growth potential, we are pleased to have received shareholder approval to increase our leverage ratio, which will provide us increased flexibility to grow and diversify our investment portfolio."

Mr. Pomeroy added, "We continue to experience strong demand for our venture debt products as highlighted by our larger portfolio and increased backlog, which we believe positions Horizon well for further success. We remain committed to pursuing additional investment opportunities with an emphasis on credit quality and providing stable distributions and long-term value to shareholders.

Operating Results
Total investment income was $7.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2018, as compared to $6.8 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. The year-over-year increase in total investment income is primarily due to higher interest income on investments resulting from the larger average size of the loan portfolio. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, total investment income was $22.3 million and $19.6 million, respectively.

The Company's dollar-weighted annualized yield on average debt investments for the three months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was 14.8% and 16.5%, respectively. Horizon's dollar-weighted annualized yield on average debt investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was 14.8% and 15.5%, respectively.

The Company calculates the dollar-weighted annualized yield on average debt investments for any period measured as (1) total investment income (excluding dividend income) during the period divided by (2) the average of the fair value of debt investments outstanding on (a) the last day of the calendar month immediately preceding the first day of the period and (b) the last day of each calendar month during the period. The dollar-weighted annualized yield on average debt investments is higher than what investors will realize because it does not reflect expenses or any sales load paid by investors.

Total net expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2018 were $4.4 million, as compared to $3.0 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. Interest expense increased year-over-year primarily due to an increase in average borrowings. Base management fee increased year-over-year primarily due to an increase in the average size of the investment portfolio. For the three months ended September 30, 2018, incentive fee expense was $0.9 million, as compared to $0.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017. During the three months ended September 30, 2018, our Advisor waived performance based incentive fees of $0.4 million which resulted in $0.4 million of reduced expense and additional net investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2018.

Net investment income for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $3.4 million, or $0.30 per share, as compared to $3.8 million, or $0.33 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 net investment income totaled $9.9 million, or $0.86 per share.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the net realized gain on investments was $0.1 million, or $0.01 per share, as compared to net realized loss on investments of $0.4 million, or $0.04 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017, the net realized loss on investments was $0.2 million, or $0.02 per share, and $11.1 million, or $0.96 per share, respectively.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the net unrealized appreciation on investments was $0.8 million, or $0.06 per share, as compared to net unrealized depreciation on investments of $0.7 million, or $0.06 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017. For the nine months ended September 30, 2018, net unrealized appreciation on investments was $0.1 million, or $0.01 per share, as compared to net unrealized appreciation on investments of $8.3 million, or $0.72 per share, for the nine months ended September 30, 2017.

Portfolio Summary and Investment Activity
As of September 30, 2018, the Company's debt portfolio consisted of 33 secured loans with an aggregate fair value of $215.1 million. In addition, the Company's total warrant, equity and other investments in 82 portfolio companies had an aggregate fair value of $20.2 million as of September 30, 2018. Total portfolio investment activity as of and for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018 and 2017 was as follows:

Net Asset Value
At September 30, 2018, the Company's net assets were $134.5 million, or $11.66 per share, as compared to $136.0 million, or $11.81 per share, as of September 30, 2017, and $135.1 million, or $11.72 per share, as of December 31, 2017.

For the three months ended September 30, 2018, the net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $4.3 million, or $0.37 per share, compared to a net increase in net assets of $2.7 million, or $0.24 per share, for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Portfolio Asset Quality
The following table shows the classification of Horizon's loan portfolio at fair value by internal credit rating as of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017:

As of September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, Horizon's loan portfolio had a weighted average credit rating of 3.0, with 4 being the highest credit quality rating and 3 being the rating for a standard level of risk. A rating of 2 represents an increased level of risk and, while no loss is currently anticipated for a 2-rated loan, there is potential for future loss of principal. A rating of 1 represents a deteriorating credit quality and high degree of risk of loss of principal. As of September 30, 2018, there were no debt investments with an internal credit rating of 1. As of December 31, 2017, there was one debt investment with an internal credit rating of 1, with a cost of $3.0 million and a fair value of $2.9 million.

Liquidity Events
During the quarter ended September 30, 2018, Horizon experienced liquidity events from four portfolio companies. Liquidity events for Horizon may consist of the sale of warrants or equity in portfolio companies, loan prepayments, sale of owned assets or receipt of success fees.

In July, WebLinc Corporation ("WebLinc") prepaid the outstanding principal balance of $3.0 million on its venture loan, plus interest, end-of-term payment and prepayment fee. Horizon continues to hold warrants in WebLinc.

In August, SavingStar, Inc. prepaid the outstanding principal balance of $3.6 million on its venture loan, plus interest, end-of-term payment and prepayment fee.

In August, eAsic Corporation ("eAsic") closed a sale transaction from which Horizon received proceeds of approximately $0.1 million in connection with Horizon's surrender of its warrants in eAsic.

In September, Spring CM, Inc. ("SpringCM") closed a sale transaction from which Horizon received proceeds of approximately $0.2 million in connection with Horizon's termination of its warrants in SpringCM.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2018, the Company had $20.1 million in available liquidity, including $5.9 million in cash and $14.2 million in funds available under existing credit facility commitments.

At September 30, 2018, there was $76.0 million outstanding principal balance under the $100.0 million revolving credit facility (the "Key Facility"). The Key Facility allows for an increase in the total loan commitment up to an aggregate commitment of $150.0 million. There can be no assurance that any additional lenders will make any commitments under the Key Facility.

As of September 30, 2018, the Company's debt to equity leverage ratio was 84%, and the asset coverage ratio for borrowed amounts was 219%.

Stock Repurchase Program
On April 27, 2018, the Company's board of directors extended the Company's previously authorized stock repurchase program until the earlier of June 30, 2019 or the repurchase of $5.0 million of the Company's common stock. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2018, the Company did not make any repurchases of its common stock. From the inception of the stock repurchase program through September 30, 2018, the Company has repurchased 167,465 shares of its common stock at an average price of $11.22 on the open market at a total cost of $1.9 million.

Monthly Distributions Declared in Fourth Quarter 2018
On October 26, 2018, the Company's board of directors declared monthly distributions of $0.10 per share payable in each of January, February and March 2019. The following table shows these monthly distributions, which total $0.30 per share:

After paying distributions of $0.30 per share and earning $0.30 per share for the quarter, the Company's undistributed spillover income as of September 30, 2018 was $0.05 per share. Spillover income includes any ordinary income and net capital gains from the preceding tax years that were not distributed during such tax years.

When declaring distributions, the Horizon board of directors reviews estimates of taxable income available for distribution, which may differ from consolidated net income under generally accepted accounting principles due to (i) changes in unrealized appreciation and depreciation, (ii) temporary and permanent differences in income and expense recognition, and (iii) the amount of spillover income carried over from a given year for distribution in the following year. The final determination of taxable income for each tax year, as well as the tax attributes for distributions in such tax year, will be made after the close of the tax year.

Conference Call
The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, October 31, 2018, at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss its latest corporate developments and financial results. The dial-in number for callers in the U.S. is (877) 677-9112, and the dial-in number for international callers is (708) 290-1396. The access code for all callers is 2584208.

A live webcast will be available on the Company's website at www.horizontechfinance.com.

A replay of the call will be available through November 2, 2018. To access the replay, please dial (855) 859-2056 in the United States and (404) 537-3406 outside the United States, and then enter the access code 2584208. An online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for 30 days following the call.

About Horizon Technology Finance
Horizon Technology Finance Corporation is a leading specialty finance company that provides capital in the form of secured loans to venture capital backed companies in the technology, life science, healthcare information and services, and cleantech industries. The investment objective of Horizon is to maximize its investment portfolio's return by generating current income from the debt investments it makes and capital appreciation from the warrants it receives when making such debt investments. Headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, Horizon has regional offices in Pleasanton, California, Reston, Virginia and Boston, Massachusetts. Horizon's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "HRZN". To learn more, please visit www.horizontechfinance.com.

Forward-Looking Statements
Statements included herein may constitute "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance, condition 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. Horizon undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

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SOURCE Horizon Technology Finance Corporation