NEW YORK, April 30, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- StoneCastle Financial Corp. (Nasdaq: BANX ) ("StoneCastle Financial" or the "Company"), an investment company registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), today announced results for the first fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2015.
First Quarter 2015 Investment Highlights:
- Invested $55.2 million in debt, preferred stock and equity in 17 investments
- Sold $15.9 million of Preferred Term Securities, Ltd., Fixed Rate Mezzanine Notes
- Received repayment of $20.6 million from 7 investments
Highlighted investment activity in the first quarter 2015 included:
- $7.6 million in Amboy Capital Trust I, 9.00% Trust Preferred Security
- $5.0 million in Cornerstone Community Bancorp Subordinated Debenture, due 2/28/2025, 8.80%
- $4.9 million in Mercantil Trust Preferred Series 2015, 9.74% Notes
- $4.4 million in National Bank of Indianapolis Trust Preferred Series 2015, 9.74% Notes
- $3.2 million in Freeport Bancshares Subordinated Debenture, due 2/17/2025, 8.875%
A complete listing of investments as of the end of the quarter can be found in the Company's N-Q report.
At March 31, 2015, the estimated current yield generated by the Invested Portfolio (excluding cash and cash equivalents) was approximately 8.45%.
"As we have consistently stated, we are focused on building our business for the long term, with a particular focus on credit quality in the portfolio" stated Joshua Siegel, StoneCastle Financial's Chairman & CEO, "and we believe credit quality will ultimately differentiate our company in the market."
First Quarter 2015 Financial Results
Net investment income was $1,858,317 or $0.29 per share, comprised of $3,223,384 in gross income and $1,365,067 of expenses. Realized gains were $942,849 or $0.14 per share resulting in total distributable ordinary income of $0.43 per share. The change in unrealized appreciation of the portfolio investments totaled $732,212 or $0.11 per share. Total net realized and unrealized gains on investments were $0.25 per share.
For the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company's net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $3,533,378.
The Company paid a quarterly cash distribution of $0.50 per share on March 30, 2015 to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 20, 2015.
At March 31, 2015, the Company had Net Assets of $142.5 million, and the Company's Net Asset Value was $21.90 per share. The Company had drawn $33.0 million on its total $70 million credit facility, which represents approximately 18% of total assets. According to the current regulated investment company rules, the Company may borrow only up to 33.3% of its total assets.
Portfolio and Investment Summary
As of the close of business on March 31, 2015, the Company had total assets of $186.2 million, consisting of investments with a fair value of $167.3 million ("Invested Portfolio"), cash and money market fund investments of $8.6 million, and other assets of $10.3 million. "Total Assets" includes long term investments at market value, cash, interest and dividends receivable, receivables for securities sold, other assets, and any proceeds from borrowings used to make a portfolio investment.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2015, the Company invested $55.2 million in debt, preferred stock and equity. The Company received repayment from calls totaling $20.6 million.
Quarterly Conference Call
StoneCastle Financial will host a webcast and conference call April 30, 2015 at 5:00 pm Eastern time.
The conference call can be accessed by dialing 1-877-407-9039 for domestic callers or 1-201-689-8470 for international callers. Participants may also access the call via live webcast by visiting StoneCastle Financial's investor relations website at www.stonecastle-financial.com . To listen to a live broadcast, go to the website at least 15 minutes prior to the scheduled start time in order to register, download and install any necessary audio software. A replay will be available shortly after the call and be available through midnight (Eastern Time) on May 14, 2015. The replay can be accessed by dialing 1-877-870-5176 for domestic callers or 1-858-384-5517 for international callers. The passcode for the replay is 13604252. The archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for a limited time.
About StoneCastle Financial Corp.
StoneCastle Financial is an SEC registered non-diversified, closed-end management investment company listed on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol "BANX." StoneCastle Financial intends to make long-term, passive, non-control investments in community banks seeking capital for organic growth, acquisitions, share repurchases and other refinancing activities. Its investment objective is to provide current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation. StoneCastle Financial is managed by StoneCastle Asset Management LLC.
Disclaimer and Risk Factors:
There is no assurance that StoneCastle Financial will achieve its investment objective. StoneCastle Financial is subject to numerous risks, including investment and market risks, management risk, income and interest rate risks, banking industry risks, preferred stock risk, convertible securities risk, debt securities risk, liquidity risk, valuation risk, leverage risk, non-diversification risk, credit and counterparty risks, market discount from net asset value risk and market disruption risk. Shares of closed-end investment companies may trade above (a premium) or below (a discount) their net asset value. Shares of StoneCastle Financial may not be appropriate for all investors. Investors should review and consider carefully StoneCastle Financial's investment objective, risks, charges and expenses. Past performance does not guarantee future results. Learn more at www.stonecastle-financial.com .
The Annual Report, Semi-Annual Report and other regulatory filings of the Company with the SEC are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov and on the Company's website at www.stonecastle-financial.com , and may discuss these or other factors that affect the Company.
| STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP. | ||||
| Statement of Assets and Liabilities | ||||
| (unaudited) | ||||
| March 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | |||
| Assets | ||||
| Long-Term investments, at fair value (cost: $166,799,538 and $170,437,641 respectively) | $ 167,342,080 | $ 170,247,971 | ||
| Receivable for securities sold | 8,018,440 | -- | ||
| Cash and cash equivalents | 8,568,826 | 10,714,128 | ||
| Interest and dividends receivable | 1,330,453 | 1,350,047 | ||
| Prepaid assets | 916,789 | 714,507 | ||
| Total assets | 186,176,588 | 183,026,653 | ||
| Liabilities | ||||
| Loan payable | 33,000,000 | 22,500,000 | ||
| Payable for securities purchased | 9,328,625 | 13,923,525 | ||
| Dividends payable | -- | 3,250,518 | ||
| Investment advisory fee payable | 631,676 | 589,632 | ||
| Offering expenses payable | 48,047 | 58,047 | ||
| Directors fee payable | 3,250 | -- | ||
| Loan interest payable | 2,753 | 52,090 | ||
| Accrued expenses payable | 660,672 | 521,056 | ||
| Total liabilities | 43,675,023 | 40,894,868 | ||
| Net Assets | 142,501,565 | $ 142,131,785 | ||
| Net Assets consist of: | ||||
| Common stock at par ($0.001 per share) | 6,506 | 6,501 | ||
| Paid-in-capital | 145,653,043 | 145,565,472 | ||
| Distributions in excess of net investment income | (3,700,526) | * | (3,250,518) | * |
| Net unrealized appreciation / (depreciation) on investments | 542,542 | (189,670) | ||
| Net Assets | $ 142,501,565 | $ 142,131,785 | ||
| Net Asset Value Per Share: | ||||
| Common Stock Shares Outstanding | 6,505,767 | 6,501,035 | ||
| Net asset value per common share | $ 21.90 | $ 21.86 | ||
| Market price per share | $ 17.97 | $ 19.47 | ||
| Market price discount to net asset value per share | -17.95% | -10.93% | ||
| * Includes accumulated net realized gain on investments. | ||||
| STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP. | |
| Statement of Operations | |
| (unaudited) | |
| For The Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 | |
| Investment Income | |
| Dividends | $ 1,762,479 |
| Interest | 1,417,950 |
| Origination fee income | 14,945 |
| Other income | 28,010 |
| Total Investment Income | 3,223,384 |
| Expenses | |
| Investment advisory fees | 631,676 |
| Interest expense | 244,383 |
| ABA marketing and licensing fees | 125,000 |
| Professional fees | 79,261 |
| Transfer agent, custodian fees and administrator fees | 66,533 |
| Directors' fees | 45,000 |
| Bank fees | 41,118 |
| Investor relations fees | 29,700 |
| Due diligence expense | 28,010 |
| Insurance expense | 22,500 |
| Miscellaneous fees | 51,886 |
| Total expenses | 1,365,067 |
| Net Investment Income | 1,858,317 |
| Realized and Unrealized Gain on Investments | |
| Net realized gain on investments | 942,849 |
| Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments | 732,212 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | $ 1,675,061 |
| Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations | $ 3,533,378 |
| STONECASTLE FINANCIAL CORP. | |
| Financial Highlights | |
| (unaudited) | |
| For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2015 | |
| Per Share Operating Performance | |
| Net Asset Value, beginning of period | $ 21.86 |
| Net investment income (1) | 0.29 |
| Net realized and unrealized gain on investments (1) | 0.25 |
| Total from investment operations | 0.54 |
| Less distributions to shareholders | |
| From net investment income | (0.50) |
| Total distributions | (0.50) |
| Net asset value, end of period | $ 21.90 |
| Per share market value, end of period | $ 17.97 |
| Total investment return based on market value (2) | -5.17% |
| Ratios and Supplemental Data | |
| Net assets, end of period (in millions) | $ 142.5 |
| Expenses (3)(4) | 3.89% |
| Net investment income (3) | 1.31% |
| Portfolio turnover rate (5) | 33% |
| (1) Based on the average shares outstanding during quarter. | |
| (2) Based on share market price and reinvestment of distributions at the price obtained under the Dividend Reinvestment Plan. Total return does not include sales load and offering expenses. | |
| (3) Annualized | |
| (4) Excluding interest expense, operating expenses would have been 3.19%. | |
| (5) Not annualized | |
Investor Contact: Julie Muraco 347-887-0324
