UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
Form 10-Q
(Mark One)
For the quarterly period ended March 31, 2012
OR
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 814-00733
Triangle Capital Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
3700 Glenwood Avenue, Suite 530
Raleigh, North Carolina
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (919) 719-4770
Former Name, Former Address and Former Fiscal Year, if Changed Since Last Report: N/A
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes x No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files). Yes ¨ No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ¨ No x
The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s Common Stock on May 2, 2012 was 27,263,151.
TRIANGLE CAPITAL CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
Financial Statements
Unaudited Consolidated Balance Sheet as of March 31, 2012 and Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2011
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Three Months Ended March 31, 2012 and 2011
Unaudited Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of March 31, 2012
Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2011
Notes to Unaudited Consolidated Financial Statements
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
Controls and Procedures
Legal Proceedings
Risk Factors
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosures
Other Information
Exhibits
2
PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Assets
Investments at fair value:
Non–Control / Non–Affiliate investments (cost of $424,962,392 and $389,312,451 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
Affiliate investments (cost of $98,502,634 and $97,751,264 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
Control investments (cost of $11,464,968 and $11,278,339 at March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
Total investments at fair value
Cash and cash equivalents
Interest and fees receivable
Prepaid expenses and other current assets
Deferred financing fees
Property and equipment, net
Total assets
Liabilities
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities
Interest payable
Taxes payable
Deferred income taxes
Borrowings under credit facility
Senior notes
SBA-guaranteed debentures payable
Total liabilities
Net Assets
Common stock, $0.001 par value per share (150,000,000 shares authorized, 27,263,151 and 22,774,726 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively)
Additional paid-in-capital
Investment income in excess of distributions
Accumulated realized gains on investments
Net unrealized appreciation of investments
Total net assets
Total liabilities and net assets
Net asset value per share
See accompanying notes.
3
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Operations
Investment income:
Loan interest, fee and dividend income:
Non–Control / Non–Affiliate investments
Affiliate investments
Control investments
Total loan interest, fee and dividend income
Paid–in–kind interest income:
Total paid–in–kind interest income
Interest income from cash and cash equivalent investments
Total investment income
Expenses:
Interest and credit facility fees
Amortization of deferred financing fees
General and administrative expenses
Total expenses
Net investment income
Total net gain on investments before income taxes
Loss on extinguishment of debt
Income tax benefit
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
Net investment income per share—basic and diluted
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per share—basic and diluted
Dividends declared per common share
Weighted average number of shares outstanding—basic and diluted
4
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Balance, January 1, 2011
Stock-based compensation
Net unrealized gains on investments
Dividends/distributions declared
Public offering of common stock
Issuance of restricted stock
Common stock withheld for payroll taxes upon vesting of restricted stock
Balance, March 31, 2011
Balance, January 1, 2012
Balance, March 31, 2012
5
Unaudited Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets resulting from operations to net cash used in operating activities:
Purchases of portfolio investments
Repayments received/sales of portfolio investments
Loan origination and other fees received
Payment–in–kind interest accrued, net of payments received
Accretion of loan origination and other fees
Accretion of loan discounts
Accretion of discount on SBA-guaranteed debentures payable
Depreciation expense
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Prepaid expenses
Deferred revenue
Net cash used in operating activities
Cash flows from investing activities:
Purchases of property and equipment
Net cash used in investing activities
Cash flows from financing activities:
Borrowings under SBA-guaranteed debentures payable
Repayments of SBA-guaranteed debentures payable
Repayments of credit facility
Proceeds from senior notes
Financing fees paid
Proceeds from public stock offerings, net of expenses
Cash dividends paid
Net cash provided by financing activities
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Cash paid for interest
6
Unaudited Consolidated Schedule of Investments
March 31, 2012
Portfolio Company
Industry
Type of Investment(1)(2)
Non–Control / Non–Affiliate Investments:
Ambient Air Corporation (“AA”) and Peaden-Hobbs Mechanical, LLC (“PHM”) (1%)*
Ann’s House of Nuts, Inc. (3%)*
Aramsco, Inc. (0%)
Assurance Operations Corporation (0%)*
BioSan Laboratories, Inc. (1%)*
Botanical Laboratories, Inc. (2%)*
Capital Contractors, Inc. (2%)*
Carolina Beverage Group, LLC (3%)*
Continental Anesthesia Management, LLC (2%)*
CRS Reprocessing, LLC (6%)*
CV Holdings, LLC (4%)*
DLR Restaurants, LLC (3%)*
Electronic Systems Protection, Inc. (1%)*
Frozen Specialties, Inc. (2%)*
7
Garden Fresh Restaurant Corp. (0%)*
Membership Units (5,000 units)
Grindmaster-Cecilware Corp. (1%)*
Hatch Chile Co., LLC (1%)*
Home Physicians, LLC (“HP”) and Home Physicians Holdings, LP (“HPH”) (2%)*
Infrastructure Corporation of America, Inc. (3%)*
Inland Pipe Rehabilitation Holding Company LLC(5%)*
Library Systems & Services, LLC (1%)*
Magpul Industries Corp. (4%)
Media Storm, LLC (2%)*
Media Temple, Inc. (4%)*
Minco Technology Labs, LLC (1%)*
National Investment Managers Inc. (3%)*
Novolyte Technologies, Inc. (3%)*
Pomeroy IT Solutions (2%)*
PowerDirect Marketing, LLC (2%)*
8
Renew Life Formulas, Inc. (3%)*
ROM Acquisition Corporation (2%)*
Sheplers, Inc. (3%)*
SRC, Inc. (2%)*
Stella Environmental Services, LLC (1%)*
Syrgis Holdings, Inc. (1%)*
The Krystal Company (3%)*
TMR Automotive Service Supply, LLC (1%)
Top Knobs USA, Inc. (3%)
Trinity Consultants Holdings, Inc. (2%)*
TrustHouse Services Group, Inc. (3%)*
Tulsa Inspection Resources, Inc. (2%)*
Twin-Star International, Inc. (1%)*
United Biologics, LLC (3%)*
Wholesale Floors, Inc. (1%)*
9
Workforce Software, LLC (2%)*
Yellowstone Landscape Group, Inc. (3%)*
Subtotal Non–Control / Non–Affiliate Investments
Affiliate Investments:
American De-Rosa Lamparts, LLC and Hallmark Lighting (1%)*
AP Services, Inc. (1%)*
Asset Point, LLC (1%)*
Axxiom Manufacturing, Inc. (0%)*
Brantley Transportation, LLC (“Brantley Transportation”) and Pine Street Holdings, LLC (“Pine Street”) (4) (1%)*
Captek Softgel International, Inc. (2%)*
Dyson Corporation (1%)*
Equisales, LLC (0%)*
Fischbein Partners, LLC (2%)*
Main Street Gourmet, LLC (1%)*
Plantation Products, LLC (3%)*
QC Holdings, Inc. (0%)*
Technology Crops International (2%)*
10
Venture Technology Groups, Inc. (1%)*
Waste Recyclers Holdings, LLC (1%)*
Wythe Will Tzetzo, LLC (3%)*
Subtotal Affiliate Investments
Control Investments:
FCL Graphics, Inc. (“FCL”) andFCL Holding SPV, LLC (“SPV”) (1%)*
Fire Sprinkler Systems, Inc. (0%)*
Fischbein, LLC (1%)*
Gerli & Company (0%)*
Subtotal Control Investments
Total Investments, March 31, 2012 (132%)*
11
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2011
Aramsco, Inc. (1%)
BioSan Laboratories, Inc. (2%)*
Botanical Laboratories, Inc. (3%)*
Capital Contractors, Inc. (3%)*
Carolina Beverage Group, LLC (4%)*
CRS Reprocessing, LLC (8%)*
CV Holdings, LLC (5%)*
Electronic Systems Protection, Inc. (2%)*
Frozen Specialties, Inc. (3%)*
Grindmaster-Cecilware Corp. (2%)*
12
Hatch Chile Co., LLC (2%)*
Home Physicians, LLC (“HP”) and Home Physicians Holdings, LP (“HPH”) (3%)*
Inland Pipe Rehabilitation Holding Company LLC(7%)*
Library Systems & Services, LLC (2%)*
McKenzie Sports Products, LLC (2%)*
Media Storm, LLC (3%)*
Media Temple, Inc. (5%)*
Minco Technology Labs, LLC (2%)*
National Investment Managers Inc. (4%)*
Novolyte Technologies, Inc. (4%)*
Pomeroy IT Solutions (3%)*
Renew Life Formulas, Inc. (4%)*
13
Sheplers, Inc. (4%)*
SRC, Inc. (3%)*
TBG Anesthesia Management, LLC (3%)*
TMR Automotive Service Supply, LLC (2%)
TrustHouse Services Group, Inc. (4%)*
Twin-Star International, Inc. (2%)*
Yellowstone Landscape Group, Inc. (4%)*
14
American De-Rosa Lamparts, LLC and Hallmark Lighting (2%)*
AP Services, Inc. (2%)*
Asset Point, LLC (2%)*
Brantley Transportation, LLC (“Brantley Transportation”) and Pine Street Holdings, LLC (“Pine Street”) (4)(2%)*
Captek Softgel International, Inc. (3%)*
Equisales, LLC (1%)*
Fischbein Partners, LLC (3%)*
Plantation Products, LLC (5%)*
15
Venture Technology Groups, Inc. (2%)*
Waste Recyclers Holdings, LLC (2%)*
Wythe Will Tzetzo, LLC (4%)*
FCL Graphics, Inc. (“FCL”) and FCL Holding SPV, LLC (“SPV”) (1%)*
Gerli & Company (1%)*
Total Investments, December 31, 2011(152%)*
16
1. ORGANIZATION, BASIS OF PRESENTATION AND BUSINESS
Organization
Triangle Capital Corporation and its wholly owned subsidiaries, including Triangle Mezzanine Fund LLLP ( “Triangle SBIC”) and Triangle Mezzanine Fund II LP (“Triangle SBIC II”) (collectively, the “Company”), operates as a Business Development Company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the “1940 Act”). Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II are specialty finance limited partnerships formed to make investments primarily in middle market companies located throughout the United States. On September 11, 2003, Triangle SBIC was licensed to operate as a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) under the authority of the United States Small Business Administration (“SBA”). On May 26, 2010, Triangle SBIC II obtained its license to operate as an SBIC. As SBICs, both Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II are subject to a variety of regulations concerning, among other things, the size and nature of the companies in which they may invest and the structure of those investments.
The Company currently operates as a closed–end, non–diversified investment company and has elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. The Company is internally managed by its executive officers under the supervision of its Board of Directors. The Company does not pay management or advisory fees, but instead incurs the operating costs associated with employing executive management and investment and portfolio management professionals.
Basis of Presentation
The financial statements of the Company include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II. Neither Triangle SBIC nor Triangle SBIC II consolidates portfolio company investments. The effects of all intercompany transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries have been eliminated in consolidation.
The accompanying unaudited financial statements are presented in conformity with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim financial information and pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X. Accordingly, certain disclosures accompanying annual consolidated financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. GAAP are omitted. In the opinion of management, all adjustments, consisting solely of normal recurring adjustments necessary for the fair presentation of financial statements for the interim period, have been reflected in the unaudited consolidated financial statements. The current period’s results of operations are not necessarily indicative of results that ultimately may be achieved for the year. Additionally, the unaudited financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the period ended December 31, 2011. Financial statements prepared on a U.S. GAAP basis require management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts and disclosures reported in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. Such estimates and assumptions could change in the future as more information becomes known, which could impact the amounts reported and disclosed herein.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, or ASU 2011-04. ASU 2011-04 clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, changes the application of some requirements for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosure for fair value measurements categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. The Company adopted this standard on January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on the Company’s process for measuring fair values or on its financial statements, other than the inclusion of additional required disclosures.
Reclassifications
Certain reclassifications have been made in the consolidated financial statements for the quarter ended March 31, 2011 in order to conform to current presentation. The Company had historically included losses realized on the extinguishment of debt in “Amortization of deferred financing fees” in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. Effective January 1, 2012, the Company records losses on the extinguishment of debt as a separate line item in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. See Note 4 to the Consolidated Financial Statements for further discussion of deferred financing fees.
17
2. INVESTMENTS
The Company primarily invests in subordinated debt (or 2nd lien notes) of privately held companies. These subordinated debt investments generally are secured by a second priority security interest in the assets of the borrower. In addition, the Company generally invests in an equity instrument of the borrower, such as warrants to purchase common stock in the portfolio company or direct preferred or common equity interests. The Company also invests in senior debt (or 1stlien notes) on a more limited basis.
The cost basis of our debt investments include any unamortized original issue discount, unamortized loan origination fees and payment–in–kind (“PIK”) interest, if any. Summaries of the composition of the Company’s investment portfolio at cost and fair value, and as a percentage of total investments, are shown in the following tables:
March 31, 2012:
Subordinated debt and 2nd lien notes
Senior debt and 1st lien notes
Equity shares
Equity warrants
Royalty rights
December 31, 2011:
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company made four new investments totaling approximately $41.0 million and investments in three existing portfolio companies totaling approximately $1.0 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, the Company made five new investments totaling approximately $51.5 million and investments in four existing portfolio companies totaling approximately $16.8 million.
Investment Valuation Process
The Company has established and documented processes and methodologies for determining the fair values of portfolio company investments on a recurring basis in accordance with the 1940 Act and FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”). Under ASC Topic 820, a financial instrument is categorized within the ASC Topic 820 valuation hierarchy based upon the lowest level of input to the valuation process that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of valuation inputs established by ASC Topic 820 are as follows:
Level 1 Inputs – quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 Inputs – include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 Inputs – include inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
The Company’s investment portfolio is comprised of debt and equity instruments of privately held companies for which quoted prices or other inputs falling within the categories of Level 1 and Level 2 are not available. Therefore, the Company determines the fair value of its investments in good faith using level 3 inputs, pursuant to a valuation policy and process that is established by the management of the Company with the assistance of certain third-party advisors and subsequently approved by the Company’s Board of Directors. There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith, as fair value depends upon the specific circumstances of each individual investment. The recorded fair values of the Company’s investments may differ significantly from fair values that would have been used had an active market for the securities existed. In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently assigned.
18
The Company’s valuation process is led by the Company’s executive officers and managing directors. The Company’s valuation process begins with a quarterly review of each investment in the Company’s investment portfolio by the Company’s executive officers and investment committee. Valuations of each portfolio security are then prepared by the Company’s investment professionals, who have direct responsibility for the origination, management and monitoring of each investment. Under the Company’s valuation policy, each investment valuation is subject to (i) a review by the lead investment officer responsible for the portfolio company investment and (ii) a peer review by a second investment officer or executive officer of the Company. Generally, any investment that is valued below cost is subjected to review by one of the Company’s executive officers. After the peer review is complete, the Company engages Duff & Phelps, LLC (“Duff & Phelps”), an independent valuation firm, to provide a third-party review of certain investments, as described further below. In addition, all investment valuations are provided to the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm each quarter in connection with quarterly review procedures and the annual audit of our financial statements. Finally, the Board of Directors has the responsibility for reviewing and approving, in good faith, the fair value of the Company’s investments in accordance with the 1940 Act.
Duff & Phelps provides third party valuation consulting services to the Company which consist of certain limited procedures that the Company identified and requested Duff & Phelps to perform (hereinafter referred to as the “procedures”). The Company generally requests Duff & Phelps to perform the procedures on each portfolio company at least once in every calendar year and for new portfolio companies, at least once in the twelve-month period subsequent to the initial investment. In addition, the Company generally requests Duff & Phelps to perform the procedures on a portfolio company when there has been a significant change in the fair value of the investment. In certain instances, the Company may determine that it is not cost-effective, and as a result is not in the Company’s stockholders’ best interest, to request Duff & Phelps to perform the procedures on one or more portfolio companies. Such instances include, but are not limited to, situations where the fair value of the investment in the portfolio company is determined to be insignificant relative to the total investment portfolio.
The total number of investments and the percentage of the investment portfolio on which the Company asked Duff & Phelps to perform such procedures are summarized below by period:
For the quarter ended:
March 31, 2011
June 30, 2011
September 30, 2011
Exclusive of the fair value of new investments made during the quarter
Upon completion of the procedures, Duff & Phelps concluded that the fair value of those investments subjected to the procedures appeared reasonable. The Company’s Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for determining the fair value of the Company’s investments in good faith.
Investment Valuation Inputs
Under ASC Topic 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. For the Company’s portfolio securities, fair value is generally the amount that the Company might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale of the security. Under ASC Topic 820, the fair value measurement assumes that the sale occurs in the principal market for the security, or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the security. Under ASC Topic 820, if no market for the security exists or if the Company does not have access to the principal market, the security should be valued based on the sale occurring in a hypothetical market. The securities in which the Company invests are generally only purchased and sold in merger and acquisition transactions, in which case the entire portfolio company is sold to a third-party purchaser. As a result, unless the Company has the ability to control such a transaction, the assumed principal market for the Company’s securities is a hypothetical secondary market. The level 3 inputs to the Company’s valuation process reflect the Company’s best estimate of the assumptions that would be used by market participants in pricing the investment in a transaction in a hypothetical secondary market.
Enterprise Value Waterfall Approach
In valuing equity securities (including warrants), the Company estimates fair value using an “Enterprise Value Waterfall” valuation model. The Company estimates the enterprise value of a portfolio company and then allocates the enterprise value to the portfolio company's securities in order of their relative liquidation preference. In addition, the Company assumes that any outstanding debt or other securities that are senior to the Company’s equity securities are required to be repaid at par.
19
To estimate the enterprise value of the portfolio company, the Company primarily uses a valuation model based on a transaction multiple, which generally is the original transaction multiple, and measures of the portfolio company’s financial performance. In addition, the Company considers other factors, including but not limited to (i) offers from third-parties to purchase the portfolio company, (ii) the implied value of recent investments in the equity securities of the portfolio company, (iii) publicly available information regarding recent sales of private companies in comparable transactions and, (iv) when the Company believes there are comparable companies that are publicly traded, a review of these publicly traded companies and the market multiple of their equity securities.
The significant Level 3 inputs to the Enterprise Value Waterfall model are (i) an appropriate transaction multiple and (ii) a measure of the portfolio company’s financial performance, which generally is either earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted (“Adjusted EBITDA”) or revenues. Such inputs can be based on historical operating results, projections of future operating results, or a combination thereof. The operating results of a portfolio company may be unaudited, projected or pro forma financial information and may require adjustments for certain non-recurring items. In determining the operating results input, the Company utilizes the most recent portfolio company financial statements and forecasts available as of the valuation date. The Company also consults with the portfolio company’s senior management to obtain updates on the portfolio company’s performance, including information such as industry trends, new product development, loss of customers and other operational issues. Fair value measurements using the Enterprise Value Waterfall model can be sensitive to significant changes in one or more of the inputs. A significant increase in either the transaction multiple, Adjusted EBITDA or revenues for a particular equity security would result in a higher fair value for that security.
Income Approach
In valuing debt securities, the Company utilizes an “Income Approach” model that considers factors including, but not limited to, (i) the stated yield on the debt security, (ii) the portfolio company’s current trailing twelve months’ (“TTM”) Adjusted EBITDA as compared to the portfolio company’s historical or projected Adjusted EBITDA as of the date the investment was made and the portfolio company’s anticipated Adjusted EBITDA for the next twelve months of operations, (iii) the portfolio company’s current Leverage Ratio (defined as the portfolio company’s total indebtedness divided by Adjusted EBITDA) as compared to its Leverage Ratio as of the date the investment was made, (iv) publicly available information regarding current pricing and credit metrics for similar proposed and executed investment transactions of private companies and (v) when the Company believes a relevant comparison exists, current pricing and credit metrics for similar proposed and executed investment transactions of publicly traded debt. In addition, the Company uses a risk rating system to estimate the probability of default on the debt securities and the probability of loss if there is a default. This risk rating system covers both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the business and the securities held.
The Company considers the factors above, particularly any significant changes in the portfolio company’s results of operations and leverage, and develops an expectation of the yield that a hypothetical market participant would require when purchasing the debt investment (the “Required Rate of Return”). The Required Rate of Return, along with the Leverage Ratio and Adjusted EBITDA are the significant Level 3 inputs to the Income Approach model. For investments where the Leverage Ratio and Adjusted EBITDA have not fluctuated significantly from the date the investment was made or have not fluctuated significantly from the Company’s expectations as of the date the investment was made, and where there have been no significant fluctuations in the market pricing for such investments, the Company may conclude that the Required Rate of Return is equal to the stated rate on the investment and therefore, the debt security is appropriately priced. In instances where the Company determines that the Required Rate of Return is different from the stated rate on the investment, the Company discounts the contractual cash flows on the debt instrument using the Required Rate of Return in order to estimate the fair value of the debt security.
Fair value measurements using the Income Approach model can be sensitive to significant changes in one or more of the inputs. A significant increase (decrease) in the Required Rate of Return or Leverage Ratio inputs for a particular debt security may result in a lower (higher) fair value for that security. A significant increase (decrease) in the Adjusted EBITDA input for a particular debt security may result in a higher (lower) fair value for that security.
The fair value of the Company’s royalty rights are calculated based on specific provisions contained in the pertinent operating or royalty agreements. The determination of the fair value of such royalty rights is not a significant component of the Company’s valuation process.
20
The ranges and weighted-average values of the significant Level 3 inputs used in the valuation of the Company’s debt and equity securities as of March 31, 2012 are summarized as follows:
Level 3
Input
Range of
Inputs
Required Rate of Return
Leverage Ratio
Adjusted EBITDA
Equity shares and warrants
Adjusted EBITDA Multiple
Revenue Multiple
Revenues
The following table presents the Company’s investment portfolio at fair value as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, categorized by the ASC Topic 820 valuation hierarchy, as previously described:
21
The following tables reconcile the beginning and ending balances of the Company’s investment portfolio measured at fair value on a recurring basis using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:
Three Months Ended
Fair value, beginning of period
New investments
Loan origination fees received
Principal repayments received
PIK interest earned
PIK interest payments received
Accretion of deferred loan origination revenue
Unrealized gain (loss)
Fair value, end of period
March 31, 2011:
All realized and unrealized gains and losses are included in earnings (changes in net assets) and are reported on separate line items within the Company’s statements of operations. Pre-tax net unrealized gains on investments of $0.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2012 are related to portfolio company investments that were still held by the Company as of March 31, 2012. Pre-tax net unrealized gains on investments of $4.8 million during the three months ended March 31, 2011 are related to portfolio company investments that were still held by the Company as of March 31, 2011.
Warrants
When originating a debt security, the Company will sometimes receive warrants or other equity–related securities from the borrower. The Company determines the cost basis of the warrants or other equity–related securities received based upon their respective fair values on the date of receipt in proportion to the total fair value of the debt and warrants or other equity–related securities received. Any resulting difference between the face amount of the debt and its recorded fair value resulting from the assignment of value to the warrant or other equity instruments is treated as original issue discount and accreted into interest income over the life of the loan.
Realized Gain or Loss and Unrealized Appreciation or Depreciation of Portfolio Investments
Realized gains or losses are recorded upon the sale or liquidation of investments and are calculated as the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or liquidation, if any, and the cost basis of the investment using the specific identification method. Unrealized appreciation or depreciation reflects the difference between the fair value of the investments and the cost basis of the investments.
Investment Classification
In accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Company classifies investments by level of control. As defined in the 1940 Act, “Control Investments” are investments in those companies that the Company is deemed to “Control.” “Affiliate Investments” are investments in those companies that are “Affiliated Companies” of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act, other than Control Investments. “Non–Control/Non–Affiliate Investments” are those that are neither Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.
22
Generally, under the 1940 Act, the Company is deemed to control a company in which it has invested if the Company owns more than 25.0% of the voting securities of such company or has greater than 50.0% representation on its board. The Company is deemed to be an affiliate of a company in which the Company has invested if it owns between 5.0% and 25.0% of the voting securities of such company.
Investment Income
Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue discount, is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. Generally, when interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if the Company otherwise does not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, the Company will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing interest income on that loan until all principal and interest has been brought current through payment or due to a restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. The Company writes off any previously accrued and uncollected interest when it is determined that interest is no longer considered collectible. Dividend income is recorded on the ex–dividend date.
Fee Income
Origination, facility, commitment, consent and other advance fees received in connection with loan agreements (“Loan Origination Fees”) are recorded as deferred income and recognized as investment income over the term of the loan. Upon prepayment of a loan, any unamortized loan origination fees are recognized as investment income. In the general course of its business, the Company receives certain fees from portfolio companies, which are non-recurring in nature. Such fees include loan prepayment penalties, certain investment banking and structuring fees and loan waiver and amendment fees, and are recorded as investment income when received.
Payment-in-Kind Interest
The Company currently holds, and expects to hold in the future, some loans in its portfolio that contain a payment–in–kind (“PIK”) interest provision. The PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, is added to the principal balance of the loan, rather than being paid to us in cash, and is recorded as interest income. Thus, the actual collection of PIK interest may be deferred until the time of debt principal repayment.
To maintain the Company’s status as a Regulated Investment Company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as Amended (the “Code”), PIK interest, which is a non-cash source of income, is included in the Company’s taxable income and therefore affects the amount it is required to pay to stockholders in the form of dividends, even though the Company has not yet collected the cash. Generally, when current cash interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if the Company otherwise does not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, the Company will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing PIK interest income on that loan for financial reporting purposes until all principal and interest have been brought current through payment or due to a restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. The Company writes off any accrued and uncollected PIK interest when it is determined that the PIK interest is no longer collectible.
Concentration of Credit Risk
The Company’s investments are generally in lower middle–market companies in a variety of industries. At both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, there were no individual investments greater than 10% of the fair value of the Company’s portfolio. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, the Company’s largest single portfolio company investment represented approximately 4.7% and 5.0%, respectively, of the fair value of the Company’s portfolio. Income, consisting of interest, dividends, fees, other investment income, and realization of gains or losses on equity interests, can fluctuate dramatically upon repayment of an investment or sale of an equity interest and in any given year can be highly concentrated among several portfolio companies.
The Company’s investments carry a number of risks including, but not limited to: 1) investing in lower middle market companies which have limited operating histories and financial resources; 2) investing in senior subordinated debt which ranks equal to or lower than debt held by other investors; and 3) holding investments that are not publicly traded and are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale, as well as other risks common to investing in below investment grade debt and equity instruments.
3. INCOME TAXES
The Company has elected for federal income tax purposes to be treated as a RIC under the Code, and intends to make the required distributions to its stockholders as specified therein. In order to qualify as a RIC, the Company must meet certain minimum distribution, source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. If such requirements are met, then the Company is generally required to pay income taxes only on the portion of its taxable income and gains it does not distribute (actually or constructively) and certain built-in gains. The Company met its minimum distribution requirements for 2011, 2010 and 2009 and continually monitors its distribution requirements with the goal of ensuring compliance with the Code.
23
The minimum distribution requirements applicable to RICs require the Company to distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of its investment company taxable income (“ICTI”), as defined by the Code, each year. Depending on the level of ICTI earned in a tax year, the Company may choose to carry forward ICTI in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such excess. Any such carryover ICTI must be distributed before the end of that next tax year through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year which generated such ICTI.
ICTI generally differs from net investment income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses. The Company may be required to recognize ICTI in certain circumstances in which it does not receive cash. For example, if the Company holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments issued with warrants), the Company must include in ICTI each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Company in the same taxable year. The Company may also have to include in ICTI other amounts that it has not yet received in cash, such as (i) PIK interest income and (ii) interest income from investments that have been classified as non-accrual for financial reporting purposes. Interest income on non-accrual investments is not recognized for financial reporting purposes, but generally is recognized in ICTI. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in the Company’s ICTI for the year of accrual, the Company may be required to make a distribution to its stockholders in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements, even though the Company will not have received and may not ever receive any corresponding cash amount. ICTI also excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as investment gains or losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized.
The Company has certain wholly owned taxable subsidiaries (the “Taxable Subsidiaries”) each of which holds one or more of the Company’s portfolio investments that are listed on the Consolidated Schedule of Investments. The Taxable Subsidiaries are consolidated for financial reporting purposes, such that the Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect the Company’s investments in the portfolio companies owned by the Taxable Subsidiaries. The purpose of the Taxable Subsidiaries is to permit the Company to hold certain portfolio companies that are organized as limited liability companies (“LLCs”) (or other forms of pass–through entities) while satisfying the RIC tax requirement that at least 90% of the RIC’s gross revenue for income tax purposes must consist of qualifying investment income. Absent the Taxable Subsidiaries, a proportionate amount of any gross income of an LLC (or other pass–through entity) portfolio investment would flow through directly to the RIC. To the extent that such income did not consist of qualifying investment income, it could jeopardize the Company’s ability to qualify as a RIC and therefore cause the Company to incur significant amounts of federal income taxes. When LLCs (or other pass-through entities) are owned by the Taxable Subsidiaries, their income is taxed to the Taxable Subsidiaries and does not flow through to the RIC, thereby helping the Company preserve its RIC status and resultant tax advantages. The Taxable Subsidiaries are not consolidated for income tax purposes and may generate income tax expense as a result of their ownership of the portfolio companies. This income tax expense is reflected in the Company’s Statements of Operations.
For federal income tax purposes, the cost of investments owned at March 31, 2012 was approximately $537.4 million.
4. LONG–TERM DEBT
The Company had the following borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011:
Issuance/Pooling Date
Maturity Date
SBA Debentures:
March 28, 2007
March 26, 2008
September 24, 2008
March 25, 2009
March 24, 2010
September 22, 2010
March 29, 2011
September 21, 2011
SBA LMI Debentures:
September 14, 2010
Credit Facility
May 9, 2011
Senior Notes
March 2, 2012
24
SBA and SBA LMI Debentures
Interest payments on SBA debentures are payable semi–annually and there are no principal payments required on these debentures prior to maturity, nor do the debentures carry any prepayment penalties. The Company’s SBA Low or Moderate Income (“LMI”) debentures are five-year deferred interest debentures that are issued at a discount to par. The accretion of discount on SBA LMI debentures is classified as interest expense in the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Under the Small Business Investment Act and current SBA policy applicable to SBICs, an SBIC (or group of SBICs under common control) can have outstanding at any time, SBA-guaranteed debentures up to two times (and in certain cases, up to three times) the amount of its regulatory capital. As of March 31, 2012, the maximum statutory limit on the dollar amount of outstanding SBA-guaranteed debentures that can be issued by a single SBIC is $150.0 million and by a group of SBICs under common control is $225.0 million. As of March 31, 2012, Triangle SBIC has issued $139.6 million of SBA-guaranteed debentures and has the current capacity to issue up to the statutory maximum of $150.0 million, subject to SBA approval. As of March 31, 2012, Triangle SBIC II has issued $75.0 million in face amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures. The weighted average interest rates for all SBA-guaranteed debentures as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 were 4.76% and 4.83%, respectively.
In addition to a one–time 1.0% fee on the total commitment from the SBA, the Company also pays a one–time 2.425% fee on the amount of each SBA-guaranteed debenture issued and a one-time 2.0% fee on the amount of each SBA-guaranteed LMI debenture issued. These fees are capitalized as deferred financing costs and are amortized over the term of the debt agreements using the effective interest method. Upon prepayment of an SBA-guaranteed debenture, any unamortized deferred financing costs related to the SBA-guaranteed debenture are written off and recognized as a loss on extinguishment of debt in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. In the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company prepaid approximately $10.4 million and $9.5 million, respectively, of SBA-guaranteed debentures and recognized losses on extinguishment of debt of approximately $0.2 million in each respective period.
In May 2011, the Company entered into a three-year senior secured credit facility with an initial commitment of $50.0 million (the “Credit Facility”). In November 2011, we closed an expansion of the Credit Facility, which included the addition of one new lender, from $50.0 million to $75.0 million. The purpose of the Credit Facility is to provide additional liquidity in support of future investment and operational activities. The Credit Facility was arranged by BB&T Capital Markets and Fifth Third Bank and has an accordion feature which allows for an increase in the total loan size up to $90.0 million and also contains two one-year extension options, bringing the total potential commitment and funding period to five years from closing. The Credit Facility, which is structured to operate like a revolving credit facility, is secured primarily by Triangle Capital Corporation’s assets, excluding the assets of Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, subject to the Company’s election, on a per annum basis equal to (i) the applicable base rate plus 1.95% or (ii) the applicable LIBOR rate plus 2.95%. The applicable base rate is equal to the greater of (i) prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or (iii) the adjusted one-month LIBOR plus 2.0%. The Company pays unused commitment fees of 0.375% per annum, which are included with Interest and other credit facility fees on the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2011, the Company had $15.0 million in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility with an interest rate of 5.2%.
The Credit Facility contains certain affirmative and negative covenants, including but not limited to (i) maintaining a minimum interest coverage ratio, (ii) maintaining a minimum liquidity ratio and (iii) maintaining minimum consolidated tangible net worth. As of March 31, 2012, the Company was in compliance with all covenants of the Credit Facility.
Senior Notes Due 2019
In March 2012, the Company issued $69.0 million of senior unsecured notes (the “Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes mature on March 15, 2019, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option on or after March 15, 2015. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.00% per year payable quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning June 15, 2012. The net proceeds to the Company from the sale of the Senior Notes, after underwriting discounts and offering expenses, were approximately $66.8 million.
25
5. EQUITY-BASED AND OTHER COMPENSATION PLANS
The Company’s Board of Directors and stockholders have approved the Triangle Capital Corporation Amended and Restated 2007 Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”), under which there are 900,000 shares of the Company’s Common Stock authorized for issuance. Under the Plan, the Board of Directors (or Compensation Committee, if delegated administrative authority by the Board of Directors) may award stock options, restricted stock or other stock based incentive awards to executive officers, employees and directors. Equity-based awards granted under the Plan to independent directors generally will vest over a one-year period and equity-based awards granted under the Plan to executive officers and employees generally will vest ratably over a four-year period.
The Company accounts for its equity-based compensation plan using the fair value method, as prescribed by ASC Topic 718, Stock Compensation. Accordingly, for restricted stock awards, we measure the grant date fair value based upon the market price of our common stock on the date of the grant and amortize this fair value to compensation expense over the requisite service period or vesting term.
The following table presents information with respect to the Plan for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:
Unvested shares, beginning of period
Shares granted during the period
Shares vested during the period
Unvested shares, end of period
In the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, the Company recognized equity-based compensation expense of approximately $0.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively. This expense is included in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. As of March 31, 2012, there was approximately $7.5 million of total unrecognized compensation cost, related to the Company’s non-vested restricted shares. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 2.2 years.
The Company’s Board of Directors has adopted a nonqualified deferred compensation plan covering the Company’s executive officers and key employees. Any compensation deferred and the Company’s contributions will earn a return based on the returns on certain investments designated by the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors. Participants are 100% vested in amounts deferred under the plan and the earnings thereon. Contributions to the plan and earnings thereon vest ratably over a four-year period.
The Company maintains a 401(k) plan in which all full-time employees who are at least 21 years of age and have 90 days of service are eligible to participate and receive employer contributions. Eligible employees may contribute a portion of their compensation on a pretax basis into the 401(k) plan up to the maximum amount allowed under the Code, and direct the investment of their contributions.
26
6. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The following is a schedule of financial highlights for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011:
Per share data:
Net asset value at beginning of period
Net investment income(1)
Net unrealized appreciation on investments(1)
Total increase from investment operations(1)
Cash dividends/distributions declared
Shares issued pursuant to Dividend Reinvestment Plan
Common stock offerings
Loss on extinguishment of debt(1)
Income tax provision(1)
Other(2)
Net asset value at end of period
Market value at end of period(3)
Shares outstanding at end of period
Net assets at end of period
Average net assets
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets (annualized)
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (annualized)
Portfolio turnover ratio
Total Return(4)
Efficiency Ratio(5)
7. SUBSEQUENT EVENTS
In April 2012, the Company invested $23.0 million in subordinated debt and equity of WSO Holdings, LP (“WSO”), a producer of organic and fair trade sugars, syrups, nectars and honeys. Under the terms of the investment, WSO will pay interest on the subordinated debt at a rate of 14% per annum.
In April 2012, the Company received a full repayment of its subordinated debt investments in Novolyte Technologies, Inc. (“Novolyte”). In addition, the Company sold its preferred and common equity interests in Novolyte for net proceeds of approximately $3.2 million, resulting in a realized gain of approximately $2.4 million.
In April 2012, the Company invested $7.0 million in subordinated debt of Tomich Brothers, LLC (“Tomich”), a processor and world-wide distributor of seafood indigenous to the waters of California. Under the terms of the investment, Tomich will pay interest on the subordinated debt at a rate of 15% per annum.
In April 2012, the Company invested $18.5 million in senior subordinated debt and equity of Chromaflo Technologies, LLC. (“Chromaflo”), a developer, manufacturer and distributor of architectural and industrial colorants for the paint and coatings industries. Under the terms of the investment, Chromaflo will pay interest on the senior subordinated debt at a rate of 14% per annum.
27
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion is designed to provide a better understanding of our unaudited consolidated financial statements, including a brief discussion of our business, key factors that impacted our performance and a summary of our operating results. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Unaudited Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and the Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto and Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Historical results and percentage relationships among any amounts in the financial statements are not necessarily indicative of trends in operating results for any future periods.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this Quarterly Report constitute forward-looking statements because they relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. Forward-looking statements may include, among other things, statements as to our future operating results, our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies, the impact of the investments that we expect to make, the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives, our expected financings and investments, the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital, and the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies. Words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “target,” “goals,” “project,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “estimate,” “continue,” “forecast,” “may,” “should,” “potential,” variations of such words, and similar expressions indicate a forward-looking statement, although not all forward-looking statements include these words. Readers are cautioned that the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report are only predictions, are not guarantees of future performance, and are subject to risks, events, uncertainties and assumptions that are difficult to predict. Our actual results could differ materially from those implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors discussed herein and in Item 1A entitled “Risk Factors” in Part I of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2011. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially include changes in the economy, risks associated with possible disruption due to terrorism in our operations or the economy generally, and future changes in laws or regulations and conditions in our operating areas. These statements are based on our current expectations, estimates, forecasts, information and projections about the industry in which we operate and the beliefs and assumptions of our management as of the date of this Quarterly Report. We assume no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, unless we are required to do so by law. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we in the future may file with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
Overview of Our Business
We are a Maryland corporation which has elected to be treated and operates as an internally managed business development company, or BDC, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or 1940 Act. Our wholly-owned subsidiaries, Triangle Mezzanine Fund LLLP, or Triangle SBIC, and Triangle Mezzanine Fund II LP, or Triangle SBIC II, are licensed as small business investment companies, or SBICs, by the United States Small Business Administration, or SBA. In addition, Triangle SBIC has also elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We, Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II invest primarily in debt instruments, equity investments, warrants and other securities of lower middle market privately held companies located in the United States.
Our business is to provide capital to lower middle market companies in the United States. We focus on investments in companies with a history of generating revenues and positive cash flows, an established market position and a proven management team with a strong operating discipline. Our target portfolio company has annual revenues between $20.0 million and $200.0 million and annual earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, between $3.0 million and $20.0 million.
We invest primarily in subordinated debt securities secured by second lien security interests in portfolio company assets, coupled with equity interests. On a more limited basis, we also invest in senior debt securities secured by first lien security interests in portfolio companies. Our investments generally range from $5.0 million to $25.0 million per portfolio company. In certain situations, we have partnered with other funds to provide larger financing commitments.
We generate revenues in the form of interest income, primarily from our investments in debt securities, loan origination and other fees and dividend income. Loan origination fees received in connection with our debt investments are recognized as investment income over the life of the loan using the effective interest method or, in some cases, recognized as earned. We also receive fees from our portfolio companies, which are non-recurring in nature. Such fees include loan prepayment penalties, certain investment banking and structuring fees and loan waiver and amendment fees, and are recorded as investment income when received. In addition, we generate revenue in the form of capital gains, if any, on warrants or other equity-related securities that we acquire from our portfolio companies. Our debt investments generally have a term of between three and seven years and typically bear interest at fixed rates between 12.0% and 17.0% per annum. Certain of our debt investments have a form of interest, referred to as payment in kind, or PIK, interest, that is not paid currently but is instead accrued and added to the loan balance and paid at the end of the term. In our
28
negotiations with potential portfolio companies, we generally seek to minimize PIK interest. Cash interest on our debt investments is generally payable monthly; however, some of our debt investments pay cash interest on a quarterly basis. As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011 the weighted average yield on our outstanding debt investments other than non-accrual debt investments (including PIK interest) was approximately 15.1% and 15.0%, respectively. The weighted average yield on all of our outstanding investments (including equity and equity-linked investments but excluding non-accrual debt investments) was approximately 14.0% and 13.9% as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively. The weighted average yield on all of our outstanding investments (including equity and equity-linked investments and non-accrual debt investments) was approximately 13.8% and 13.6% as of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, respectively.
Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II are eligible to issue debentures to the SBA, which pools these with debentures of other SBICs and sells them in the capital markets at favorable interest rates, in part as a result of the guarantee of payment from the SBA. Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II invest these funds in portfolio companies. We intend to continue to operate Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II as SBICs, subject to SBA approval, and to utilize the proceeds from the issuance of SBA-guaranteed debentures, referred to herein as SBA leverage, to enhance returns to our stockholders.
Portfolio Composition
The total value of our investment portfolio was $544.4 million as of March 31, 2012, as compared to 507.1 million as of December 31, 2011. As of March 31, 2012, we had investments in 66 portfolio companies with an aggregate cost of $534.9 million. As of December 31, 2011, we had investments in 63 portfolio companies with an aggregate cost of $498.3 million. As of both March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, none of our portfolio investments represented greater than 10% of the total fair value of our investment portfolio.
As of March 31, 2012 and December 31, 2011, our investment portfolio consisted of the following investments:
Investment Activity
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company made four new investments totaling approximately $41.0 million, debt investments in two existing portfolio companies totaling approximately $0.8 million and one equity investment in an existing portfolio company totaling approximately $0.2 million. We had two portfolio company loans repaid at par totaling approximately $6.7 million and received normal principal repayments and partial loan prepayments totaling approximately $1.6 million in the three months ended March 31, 2012.
During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we made five new investments totaling approximately $51.5 million, debt investments in three existing portfolio companies totaling approximately $16.6 million and two equity investments in existing portfolio companies totaling approximately $0.1 million. We had two portfolio company loans repaid at par totaling approximately $11.5 million and received normal principal repayments and partial loan prepayments totaling approximately $3.4 million in the three months ended March 31, 2011.
29
Total portfolio investment activity for the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011 was as follows:
Weighted average yield on debt investments at end of period(1)
Weighted average yield on total investments at end of period(1)
Weighted average yield on total investments at end of period
Non-Accrual Assets
Generally, when interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if we otherwise do not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, we will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing interest income on that loan for financial reporting purposes until all principal and interest have been brought current through payment or due to a restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. As of December 31, 2011, the fair value of our non-accrual assets was approximately $7.6 million, which comprised 1.5% of the total fair value of our portfolio, and the cost of our non-accrual assets was approximately $11.0 million, which comprised 2.2% of the total cost of our portfolio. As of March 31, 2012, the fair value of our non-accrual assets was approximately $2.2 million, which comprised 0.4% of the total fair value of our portfolio, and the cost of our non-accrual assets was approximately $6.0 million, which comprised 1.1% of the total cost of our portfolio.
Our non-accrual assets as of March 31, 2012 are as follows:
Gerli and Company
In November 2008, we placed our debt investment in Gerli and Company, or Gerli, on non-accrual status. As a result, under generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, or U.S. GAAP, we no longer recognize interest income on our debt
30
investment in Gerli for financial reporting purposes. During the first quarter of 2011, we restructured our investment in Gerli. As a result of the restructuring, we received a new note from Gerli with a face amount of $3.0 million and a fair value of approximately $2.3 million and preferred stock with a liquidation preference of $0.4 million. Under the terms of the new note, interest on the note is payable only if Gerli meets certain covenants, which they were not compliant with as of March 31, 2012. In the three months ended March 31, 2012, we recognized unrealized appreciation on our debt investment in Gerli of approximately $0.1 million. As of March 31, 2012, the cost of our debt investment in Gerli was $3.0 million and the fair value was $2.0 million.
Fire Sprinkler Systems, Inc.
In October 2008, we placed our debt investment in Fire Sprinkler Systems, Inc., or Fire Sprinkler Systems, on non-accrual status. As a result, under U.S. GAAP, we no longer recognize interest income on our debt investment in Fire Sprinkler Systems for financial reporting purposes. In the three months ended, March 31, 2011, we recorded unrealized depreciation of $0.4 million on our debt investment in Fire Sprinkler Systems. As of March 31, 2012, the cost of our debt investment in Fire Sprinkler Systems was $3.0 million and the fair value of such investment was $0.2 million.
PIK Non-Accrual Asset
In addition, in certain circumstances, we may receive current cash interest payments related to a loan, but because we do not expect the borrower to be able to meet its debt obligations with respect to PIK interest, we will not recognize contractual PIK interest on the loan for financial reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2011, there were no investments on PIK non-accrual status. As of March 31, 2012, both the fair value and cost of our “PIK non-accrual asset” were approximately $5.2 million, which comprised 1.0% of both the total fair value of our portfolio and the cost of our portfolio.
Our PIK non-accrual asset as of March 31, 2012 is as follows:
American De-Rosa Lamparts, LLC and Hallmark Lighting
In September 2009, we received notification from ADL’s senior lender that ADL was blocked from making interest payments to us. As a result, we placed our investment in ADL on non-accrual status and, under U.S. GAAP, we no longer recognized interest income on our investment in ADL for financial reporting purposes. In June 2010, we converted approximately $3.0 million of our subordinated debt in ADL to equity as part of a restructuring, resulting in realized loss of approximately $3.0 million. In addition, as part of the 2010 restructuring agreement, in January 2012, ADL began making cash interest payments at a rate of 12% on our subordinated note.
Results of Operations
Comparison of three months ended March 31, 2012 and March 31, 2011
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total investment income was $19.1 million, a 54% increase from $12.4 million of total investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2011. This increase was primarily attributable to a $6.7 million increase in total loan interest, fee and dividend income (including PIK interest income) due to a net increase in our portfolio investments from March 31, 2011, to March 31, 2012, partially offset by a decrease in non-recurring fee income of approximately $0.1 million. Non-recurring fee income was approximately $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Expenses
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, expenses increased by 52% to $6.9 million from $4.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011. The increase in expenses was attributable to a $1.1 million increase in interest and credit facility fees, a $0.1 million increase in amortization of deferred financing fees and a $1.2 million increase in general and administrative expenses. The increase in interest and credit facility fees is related to (i) interest on our 7.00% Senior Notes due 2019, or Senior Notes, of approximately $0.4 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2012, (ii) credit facility fees of approximately $0.1 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2012, and (iii) higher weighted-average rates on outstanding SBA-guaranteed debentures in the quarter ended March 31, 2012 as compared to weighted-average rates on outstanding SBA-guaranteed debentures in the quarter ended March 31, 2011. The increase in general and administrative expenses in the quarter ended March 31, 2012 was primarily related to increased salary and incentive compensation costs, as well as increased non-cash compensation expenses.
31
Net Investment Income
As a result of the $6.7 million increase in total investment income and the $2.4 million increase in expenses, net investment income increased by 55% to $12.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to net investment income of $7.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Net Increase/Decrease in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, we recorded net unrealized appreciation of investments totaling approximately $0.6 million, comprised of unrealized appreciation on 33 investments totaling approximately $5.7 million and unrealized depreciation on 12 investments totaling approximately $5.1 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2011, we recorded net unrealized appreciation of investments totaling approximately $4.6 million, comprised of unrealized appreciation on 17 investments totaling approximately $7.0 million and unrealized depreciation on 17 investments totaling approximately $2.4 million.
During both the three months ended March 31, 2012 and 2011, we recognized losses on extinguishment of debt of approximately $0.2 million related to prepayments of SBA-guaranteed debentures.
As a result of these events, our net increase in net assets from operations was $12.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012 as compared to a net increase in net assets from operations of $12.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2011.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents on hand, our available leverage under our line of credit and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be adequate to meet our cash needs for our daily operations for at least the next twelve months.
In the future, depending on the valuation of Triangle SBIC’s assets and Triangle SBIC II’s assets pursuant to SBA guidelines, Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II may be limited by provisions of the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and SBA regulations governing SBICs, from making certain distributions to Triangle Capital Corporation that may be necessary to enable Triangle Capital Corporation to make the minimum required distributions to its stockholders and qualify as a RIC.
Cash Flows
For the three months ended March 31, 2012, we experienced a net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $75.6 million. During that period, our operating activities used $30.3 million in cash, consisting primarily of new portfolio investments of $42.0 million, partially offset by repayments received from portfolio companies of approximately $8.3 million. In addition, financing activities provided $105.9 million of cash, consisting primarily of proceeds from a public common stock offering of $77.2 million and net proceeds from a public offering of Senior Notes of $66.8 million, partially offset by cash dividends paid in the amount of $11.8 million, repayments of SBA-guaranteed debentures of $10.4 million, and a repayment of borrowings under the Credit Facility of $15.0 million. At March 31, 2012, we had $142.5 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand.
For the three months ended March 31, 2011, we experienced a net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $18.6 million. During that period, our operating activities used $48.9 million in cash, consisting primarily of new portfolio investments of $68.3 million, partially offset by repayments received from portfolio companies and proceeds from the sale of investments totaling $14.9 million. In addition, financing activities provided $67.5 million of cash, consisting primarily of proceeds from a public common stock offering of $63.1 million, borrowings under SBA-guaranteed debentures payable of $21.6 million, offset by cash dividends paid in the amount of $6.7 million, repayments of SBA-guaranteed debentures of $9.5 million and financing fees paid in the amount of $0.5 million. At March 31, 2011, we had $73.4 million of cash and cash equivalents on hand.
Financing Transactions
Due to Triangle SBIC’s and Triangle SBIC II’s status as licensed SBICs, Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II have the ability to issue debentures guaranteed by the SBA at favorable interest rates. Under the Small Business Investment Act and the SBA rules applicable to SBICs, an SBIC (or group of SBICs under common control) can have outstanding at any time debentures guaranteed by the SBA up to two times (and in certain cases, up to three times) the amount of its regulatory capital, which generally is the amount raised from private investors. As of March 31, 2012, the maximum statutory limit on the dollar amount of outstanding debentures guaranteed by the SBA issued by a single SBIC is $150.0 million and by a group of SBICs under common control is $225.0 million. Debentures guaranteed by the SBA have a maturity of ten years, with interest payable semi-annually. The principal amount of the debentures is not required to be paid before maturity but may be pre-paid at any time, without penalty.
As of March 31, 2012, Triangle SBIC has issued $139.6 million of SBA-guaranteed debentures and has the current capacity to issue up to the statutory maximum of $150.0 million, subject to SBA approval. As of March 31, 2012, Triangle SBIC II has issued $75.0 million in face amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures. In addition to the one-time 1.0% fee on the total commitment from the
32
SBA, the Company also pays a one-time 2.425% fee on the amount of each debenture issued (2.0% for SBA LMI debentures). These fees are capitalized as deferred financing costs and are amortized over the term of the debt agreements using the effective interest method. The weighted average interest rate for all SBA-guaranteed debentures as of March 31, 2012 was 4.76%.
In May 2011, we entered into a three-year senior secured credit facility (the “Credit Facility”) with an initial commitment of $50.0 million. In November 2011, we closed an expansion of the Credit Facility from $50.0 million to $75.0 million, which included the addition of one new lender. The purpose of the Credit Facility is to provide additional liquidity in support of future investment and operational activities. The Credit Facility was arranged by BB&T Capital Markets and Fifth Third Bank and has an accordion feature which allows for an increase in the total loan size up to $90.0 million and also contains two one-year extension options, bringing the total potential commitment and funding period to five years from the closing date. The Credit Facility, which is structured to operate like a revolving credit facility, is secured primarily by Triangle Capital Corporation’s assets, excluding the assets of Triangle SBIC and Triangle SBIC II.
Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, subject to our election, on a per annum basis equal to (i) the applicable base rate plus 1.95% or (ii) the applicable LIBOR rate plus 2.95%. The applicable base rate is equal to the greater of (i) prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or (iii) the adjusted one-month LIBOR plus 2.0%. We pay unused commitment fees of 0.375% per annum, which are included in “Interest and credit facility fees” on our Consolidated Statement of Operations. As of March 31, 2012, the Company had no borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility.
In March 2012, we issued $69.0 million of Senior Notes. The Senior Notes mature on March 15, 2019, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option on or after March 15, 2015. The Senior Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.00% per year payable quarterly on March 15, June 15, September 15 and December 15 of each year, beginning June 15, 2012. The net proceeds from the sale of the Senior Notes, after underwriting discounts and offering expenses, were approximately $66.8 million.
Distributions to Stockholders
We have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” and intend to make the required distributions to our stockholders as specified therein. In order to qualify as a RIC and to obtain RIC tax benefits, we must meet certain minimum distribution, source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. If such requirements are met, then we are generally required to pay income taxes only on the portion of our taxable income and gains we do not distribute (actually or constructively) and certain built-in gains. We met our minimum distribution requirements for 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008 and 2007 and continually monitor our distribution requirements with the goal of ensuring compliance with the Code.
The minimum distribution requirements applicable to RICs require us to distribute to our stockholders each year at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, or “ICTI,” as defined by the Code. Depending on the level of ICTI earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward ICTI in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such excess. Any such carryover ICTI must be distributed before the end of the next tax year through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year which generated such ICTI.
ICTI generally differs from net investment income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses. We may be required to recognize ICTI in certain circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments issued with warrants), we must include in ICTI each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in ICTI other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as (i) PIK interest income and (ii) interest income from investments that have been classified as non-accrual for financial reporting purposes. Interest income on non-accrual investments is not recognized for financial reporting purposes, but generally is recognized in ICTI. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our ICTI for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements, even though we will not have received and may not ever receive any corresponding cash amount. ICTI also excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as investment gains or losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized.
Current Market Conditions
Beginning in 2008, the debt and equity capital markets in the United States were severely impacted by significant write-offs in the financial services sector relating to subprime mortgages and the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated bank loan market, among other factors. These events, along with the deterioration of the housing market, led to an economic recession in the U.S. and abroad. Banks, investment companies and others in the financial services industry reported significant write-downs in the fair value of their assets, which led to the failure of a number of banks and investment companies, a number of distressed mergers and acquisitions, the government take-over of the nation’s two largest government-sponsored mortgage companies, the passage of the $700 billion Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 in October 2008 and the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, or the Stimulus Bill, in February 2009. These events significantly impacted the financial and credit markets and reduced the
33
availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole, and for financial firms in particular. Notwithstanding recent gains across both the equity and debt markets, these conditions may reoccur in the future and could then continue for a prolonged period of time. Although we have been able to secure access to additional liquidity, including our recent public offerings of common stock and debt securities, increased leverage available through the SBIC program as a result of the Stimulus Bill and our $75.0 million Credit Facility, there is no assurance that debt or equity capital will be available to us in the future on favorable terms, or at all.
Recent Developments
In April 2012, we invested $23.0 million in subordinated debt and equity of WSO Holdings, LP (“WSO”), a producer of organic and fair trade sugars, syrups, nectars and honeys. Under the terms of the investment, WSO will pay interest on the subordinated debt at a rate of 14% per annum.
In April 2012, we received a full repayment of our subordinated debt investments in Novolyte Technologies, Inc. (“Novolyte”). In addition, we sold our preferred and common equity interests in Novolyte for net proceeds of approximately $3.2 million, resulting in a realized gain of approximately $2.4 million.
In April 2012, we invested $7.0 million in subordinated debt of Tomich Brothers, LLC (“Tomich”), a processor and world-wide distributor of seafood indigenous to the waters of California. Under the terms of the investment, Tomich will pay interest on the subordinated debt at a rate of 15% per annum.
In April 2012, we invested $18.5 million in senior subordinated debt and equity of Chromaflo Technologies, LLC. (“Chromaflo”), a developer, manufacturer and distributor of architectural and industrial colorants for the paint and coatings industries. Under the terms of the investment, Chromaflo will pay interest on the senior subordinated debt at a rate of 14% per annum.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
The preparation of our unaudited financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the periods covered by such financial statements. We have identified investment valuation and revenue recognition as our most critical accounting estimates. On an on-going basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the matters described below. These estimates are based on the information that is currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. A discussion of our critical accounting policies follows.
Investment Valuation
The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of our financial statements is the valuation of investments and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments recorded. We have established and documented processes and methodologies for determining the fair values of portfolio company investments on a recurring basis in accordance with the 1940 Act and FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, or ASC Topic 820. Under ASC Topic 820, a financial instrument is categorized within the ASC Topic 820 valuation hierarchy based upon the lowest level of input to the valuation process that is significant to the fair value measurement. The three levels of valuation inputs established by ASC Topic 820 are as follows:
Our investment portfolio is comprised of debt and equity instruments of privately held companies for which quoted prices or other inputs falling within the categories of Level 1 and Level 2 are not available. Therefore, we determine the fair value of our investments in good faith using level 3 inputs, pursuant to a valuation policy and process that is established by our management with the assistance of certain third-party advisors and subsequently approved by our Board of Directors. There is no single standard for determining fair value in good faith, as fair value depends upon the specific circumstances of each individual investment. The recorded fair values of our investments may differ significantly from fair values that would have been used had an active market for the securities existed. In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently assigned.
Our valuation process is led by our executive officers and managing directors. The valuation process begins with a quarterly review of each investment in our investment portfolio by our executive officers and our investment committee. Valuations of each portfolio security are then prepared by our investment professionals, who have direct responsibility for the origination, management and monitoring of each investment. Under our valuation policy, each investment valuation is subject to (i) a review by the lead investment officer responsible for the portfolio company investment and (ii) a peer review by a second investment officer or executive officer. Generally, any investment that is valued below cost is subjected to review by one of our executive officers. After the peer review is complete, we engage Duff & Phelps, LLC (“Duff & Phelps”), an independent valuation firm, to provide a third-party review of certain investments, as described further below. In addition, all investment valuations are provided to our independent registered public accounting firm in connection with quarterly review procedures and the annual audit of our financial statements. Finally, the Board of Directors has the responsibility for reviewing and approving, in good faith, the fair value of our investments in accordance with the 1940 Act.
34
Duff & Phelps provides third party valuation consulting services to us which consist of certain limited procedures that we identified and requested Duff & Phelps to perform (hereinafter referred to as the “procedures”). We generally requests Duff & Phelps to perform the procedures on each portfolio company at least once in every calendar year and for new portfolio companies, at least once in the twelve-month period subsequent to the initial investment. In addition, we generally requests Duff & Phelps to perform the procedures on a portfolio company when there has been a significant change in the fair value of the investment. In certain instances, we may determine that it is not cost-effective, and as a result is not in our stockholders’ best interest, to request Duff & Phelps to perform the procedures on one or more portfolio companies. Such instances include, but are not limited to, situations where the fair value of the investment in the portfolio company is determined to be insignificant relative to the total investment portfolio.
The total number of investments and the percentage of our portfolio on which we asked Duff & Phelps to perform such procedures are summarized below by period:
Upon completion of the procedures, Duff & Phelps concluded that the fair value of those investments subjected to the procedures appeared reasonable. Our Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for determining the fair value of our investments in good faith.
Under ASC Topic 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. For our portfolio securities, fair value is generally the amount that we might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale of the security. Under ASC Topic 820, the fair value measurement assumes that the sale occurs in the principal market for the security, or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the security. Under ASC Topic 820, if no market for the security exists or if we do not have access to the principal market, the security should be valued based on the sale occurring in a hypothetical market. The securities in which we invest are generally only purchased and sold in merger and acquisition transactions, in which case the entire portfolio company is sold to a third-party purchaser. As a result, unless we have the ability to control such a transaction, the assumed principal market for our securities is a hypothetical secondary market. The level 3 inputs to our valuation process reflect management’s best estimate of the assumptions that would be used by market participants in pricing the investment in a transaction in a hypothetical secondary market.
In valuing equity securities (including warrants), we estimate fair value using an “Enterprise Value Waterfall” valuation model. We estimate the enterprise value of a portfolio company and then allocate the enterprise value to the portfolio company’s securities in order of their relative liquidation preference. In addition, the model assumes that any outstanding debt or other securities that are senior to our equity securities are required to be repaid at par.
To estimate the enterprise value of the portfolio company, we primarily use a valuation model based on a transaction multiple, which generally is the original transaction multiple, and measures of the portfolio company’s financial performance. In addition, we consider other factors, including but not limited to (i) offers from third-parties to purchase the portfolio company, (ii) the implied value of recent investments in the equity securities of the portfolio company, (iii) publicly available information regarding recent sales of private companies in comparable transactions and, (iv) when management believes there are comparable companies that are publicly traded, a review of these publicly traded companies and the market multiple of their equity securities.
35
The significant Level 3 inputs to the Enterprise Value Waterfall model are (i) an appropriate transaction multiple and (ii) a measure of the portfolio company’s financial performance, which generally is either earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted, or Adjusted EBITDA, or revenues. Such inputs can be based on historical operating results, projections of future operating results, or a combination thereof. The operating results of a portfolio company may be unaudited, projected or pro forma financial information and may require adjustments for certain non-recurring items. In determining the operating results input, we utilize the most recent portfolio company financial statements and forecasts available as of the valuation date. Management also consults with the portfolio company’s senior management to obtain updates on the portfolio company’s performance, including information such as industry trends, new product development, loss of customers and other operational issues. Additionally, we consider some or all of the following factors:
financial standing of the issuer of the security;
comparison of the business and financial plan of the issuer with actual results;
the size of the security held as it relates to the liquidity of the market for such security;
pending public offering of common stock by the issuer of the security;
pending reorganization activity affecting the issuer, such as merger or debt restructuring;
ability of the issuer to obtain needed financing;
changes in the economy affecting the issuer;
financial statements and reports from portfolio company senior management and ownership;
the type of security, the security’s cost at the date of purchase and any contractual restrictions on the disposition of the security;
special reports prepared by analysts;
information as to any transactions or offers with respect to the security and/or sales to third parties of similar securities;
the issuer’s ability to make payments and the type of collateral;
the current and forecasted earnings of the issuer;
statistical ratios compared to lending standards and to other similar securities; and
other pertinent factors.
Fair value measurements using the Enterprise Value Waterfall model can be sensitive to significant changes in one or more of the inputs. A significant increase in either the transaction multiple, Adjusted EBITDA or revenues for a particular equity security would result in a higher fair value for that security.
In valuing debt securities, we utilize an “Income Approach” model that considers factors including, but not limited to, (i) the stated yield on the debt security, (ii) the portfolio company’s current trailing twelve months, or TTM Adjusted EBITDA as compared to the portfolio company’s historical or projected Adjusted EBITDA as of the date the investment was made and the portfolio company’s anticipated Adjusted EBITDA for the next twelve months of operations, (iii) the portfolio company’s current Leverage Ratio (defined as the portfolio company’s total indebtedness divided by Adjusted EBITDA) as compared to its Leverage Ratio as of the date the investment was made, (iv) publicly available information regarding current pricing and credit metrics for similar proposed and executed investment transactions of private companies and (v) when management believes a relevant comparison exists, current pricing and credit metrics for similar proposed and executed investment transactions of publicly traded debt. In addition, we use a risk rating system to estimate the probability of default on the debt securities and the probability of loss if there is a default. This risk rating system covers both qualitative and quantitative aspects of the business and the securities held.
We consider the factors above, particularly any significant changes in the portfolio company’s results of operations and leverage, and develop an expectation of the yield that a hypothetical market participant would require when purchasing the debt investment (the “Required Rate of Return”). The Required Rate of Return, along with the Leverage Ratio and Adjusted EBITDA are the significant Level 3 inputs to the Income Approach model. For investments where the Leverage Ratio and Adjusted EBITDA have not fluctuated significantly from the date the investment was made or have not fluctuated significantly from management’s expectations as of the date the investment was made, and where there have been no significant fluctuations in the market pricing for such investments, we may conclude that the Required Rate of Return is equal to the stated rate on the investment and therefore, the debt security is appropriately priced. In instances where we determine that the Required Rate of Return is different from the stated rate on the investment, we discount the contractual cash flows on the debt instrument using the Required Rate of Return in order to estimate the fair value of the debt security.
36
The fair value of our royalty rights are calculated based on specific provisions contained in the pertinent operating or royalty agreements. The determination of the fair value of such royalty rights is not a significant component of our valuation process.
Revenue Recognition
Interest and Dividend Income
Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premium and accretion of original issue discount, is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. Generally, when interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if we otherwise do not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, we will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing interest income on that loan for financial reporting purposes until all principal and interest have been brought current through payment or due to a restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. The cessation of recognition of such interest will negatively impact the reported fair value of the investment. We write off any previously accrued and uncollected interest when it is determined that interest is no longer considered collectible. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
We may have to include in our ICTI, interest income, including amortization of original issue discount, or OID, from investments that have been classified as non-accrual for financial reporting purposes. Interest income on non-accrual investments is not recognized for financial reporting purposes, but generally is recognized in ICTI. As a result, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements to maintain our RIC status, even though we will not have received and may not ever receive any corresponding cash amount. Additionally, any loss recognized by us for federal income tax purposes on previously accrued interest income will be treated as a capital loss.
Origination, facility, commitment, consent and other advance fees received in connection with loan agreements, or “loan origination fees,” are recorded as deferred income and recognized as investment income over the term of the loan. Upon prepayment of a loan, any unamortized loan origination fees are recognized as investment income. In the general course of our business, we receive certain fees from portfolio companies, which are non-recurring in nature. Such fees include loan prepayment penalties, certain investment banking and structuring fees and loan waiver and amendment fees, and are recorded as investment income when received.
Payment-in-Kind Interest (PIK)
We currently hold, and we expect to hold in the future, some loans in our portfolio that contain a PIK interest provision. PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, is periodically added to the principal balance of the loan, rather than being paid to us in cash, and is recorded as interest income. Thus, the actual collection of PIK interest may be deferred until the time of debt principal repayment.
To maintain our status as a RIC, PIK interest, which is a non-cash source of income, is included in our taxable income and therefore affects the amount we are required to pay to stockholders in the form of dividends, even though we have not yet collected the cash. Generally, when current cash interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if we otherwise do not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, we will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing PIK interest income on that loan for financial reporting purposes until all principal and interest have been brought current through payment or due to a restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. We write off any previously accrued and uncollected PIK interest when it is determined that the PIK interest is no longer collectible.
We may have to include in our ICTI, PIK interest income from investments that have been classified as non-accrual for financial reporting purposes. Interest income on non-accrual investments is not recognized for financial reporting purposes, but generally is recognized in ICTI. As a result, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements, even though we will not have received and may not ever receive any corresponding cash amount.
37
In May 2011, the FASB issued ASU No. 2011-04, Fair Value Measurements (Topic 820), Amendments to Achieve Common Fair Value Measurement and Disclosure Requirements in U.S. GAAP and IFRSs, or ASU 2011-04. ASU 2011-04 clarifies the application of existing fair value measurement and disclosure requirements, changes the application of some requirements for measuring fair value and requires additional disclosure for fair value measurements categorized in Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. ASU 2011-04 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2011. We adopted this standard on January 1, 2012. The adoption of ASU 2011-04 did not have a material impact on our process for measuring fair values or on our financial statements, other than the inclusion of additional required disclosures.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We currently have no off-balance sheet arrangements.
Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
During 2011 and the first quarter of 2012, the United States economy continued to show modest improvements; however, during the third quarter of 2011, the financial markets experienced increased volatility and economic indicators suggested a further slowdown of the United States and European economies potentially leading to another recession. A prolonged slowdown in economic activity would likely have an adverse effect on a number of the industries in which some of our portfolio companies operate, and on certain of our portfolio companies as well. In addition, the recent sovereign debt crises may continue to impact the broader financial and credit markets and may continue to reduce the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial firms in particular.
During 2010, we experienced a $10.9 million increase in the fair value of our investment portfolio related to unrealized appreciation of investments. In 2011, we experienced a $6.4 million increase in the fair value of our investment portfolio related to unrealized appreciation of investments and in the first quarter of 2012, we experienced a slight increase of $0.6 million in the fair value of our investment portfolio related to unrealized appreciation of investments.
As of March 31, 2012, the fair value of our non-accrual assets was approximately $2.2 million, which comprised approximately 0.4% of the total fair value of our portfolio, and the cost of our non-accrual assets was approximately $6.0 million, or 1.1% of the total cost of our portfolio. We also had one asset as of March 31, 2012 that was on non-accrual with respect to the PIK interest component of the loan. Both the fair value and the cost of this asset as of March 31, 2012 was approximately $5.2 million, which comprised approximately 1.0% of both the total fair value of our portfolio and the cost of our portfolio. In addition to these non-accrual assets, as of March 31, 2012, we had, on a fair value basis, approximately $23.8 million of debt investments, or 4.4% of the total fair value of our portfolio, which were current with respect to scheduled principal and interest payments, but which were carried at less than cost. The cost of these assets as of March 31, 2012 was approximately $31.4 million, or 5.9% of the total cost of our portfolio.
The volatile and stressed conditions of the equity and debt markets may continue for a prolonged period of time or worsen in the future. To the extent that recessionary conditions recur, the economy remains stagnate, any further downgrades to the U.S. government’s sovereign credit rating occur, the European credit crisis continues, or the economy fails to return to pre-recession levels, the financial position and results of operations of certain of the middle-market companies in our portfolio could be further affected adversely, which ultimately could lead to difficulty in our portfolio companies meeting debt service requirements and lead to an increase in defaults. There can be no assurance that the performance of our portfolio companies will not be further impacted by economic conditions, which could have a negative impact on our future results.
In addition, we are subject to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is defined as the sensitivity of our current and future earnings to interest rate volatility, variability of spread relationships, the difference in re-pricing intervals between our assets and liabilities and the effect that interest rates may have on our cash flows. Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on interest earning assets and our interest expense incurred in connection with our interest-bearing debt and liabilities. Changes in interest rates can also affect, among other things, our ability to acquire and originate loans and securities and the value of our investment portfolio. Our investment income is affected by fluctuations in various interest rates, including LIBOR and prime rates. We regularly measure exposure to interest rate risk and determine whether or not any hedging transactions are necessary to mitigate exposure to changes in interest rates. As of March 31, 2012, we were not a party to any hedging arrangements.
As of March 31, 2012, approximately 96.5%, or $469.1 million (at cost) of our debt portfolio investments bore interest at fixed rates and approximately 3.5%, or $16.9 million (at cost) of our debt portfolio investments bore interest at variable rates, which are either Prime-based or LIBOR-based. A 200 basis point increase or decrease in the interest rates on our variable-rate debt investments
38
would increase or decrease, as applicable, our investment income by approximately $0.3 million on an annual basis. All of our pooled SBA-guaranteed debentures and our Senior Notes bear interest at fixed rates. Our Credit Facility bears interest, subject to our election, on a per annum basis equal to (i) the applicable base rate plus 1.95% or (ii) the applicable LIBOR rate plus 2.95%. The applicable base rate is equal to the greater of (i) prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or (iii) the adjusted one-month LIBOR plus 2.0%.
Because we currently borrow, and plan to borrow in the future, money to make investments, our net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest the funds borrowed. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income if there is not a corresponding increase in interest income generated by our investment portfolio.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the first quarter of 2012 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II – OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
Neither Triangle Capital Corporation nor any of its subsidiaries is currently a party to any material pending legal proceedings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
In addition to the other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in Part I., “Item 1A. Risk Factors” in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2011, which could materially affect our business, financial condition or operating results. The risks described in our Annual Report on Form 10-K are not the only risks facing our Company. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Sales of Unregistered Securities
During the quarter ended March 31, 2012, we issued a total of 52,717 shares of our common stock under our dividend reinvestment plan pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933. The aggregate offering price for the shares of common stock sold under the dividend reinvestment plan was $1.0 million.
39
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
During the three months ended March 31, 2012, there were elections by employees to surrender shares of stock upon vesting of shares of restricted stock to cover tax withholding obligations. The following chart summarizes repurchases of our common stock for the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Period
January 1-31, 2012
February 1-29, 2012
March 1-31, 2012
Total
Represents shares of our common stock delivered to us in satisfaction of certain tax withholding obligations of holders of restricted shares that vested during this period.
Pursuant to Section 23(c)(1) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, we intend to purchase our common stock in the open market in order to satisfy our dividend reinvestment plan obligations if, at the time of the distribution of any dividend, our common stock is trading at a price per share below net asset value. We did not purchase any shares of our common stock to satisfy our dividend reinvestment plan obligations during the three months ended March 31, 2012.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Not applicable.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Item 5. Other Information.
40
Item 6. Exhibits.
Number
Exhibit
41
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
/s/ Garland S. Tucker, III
/s/ Steven C. Lilly
/s/ C. Robert Knox, Jr.
42
EXHIBIT INDEX