Earnings Call: Great Elm Capital Corp. Reports Record-Breaking Third Quarter

image

Earnings Call: Great Elm Capital Corp. Reports Record-Breaking Third Quarter

Great Elm Capital Corp. (GECC) reported a record quarter for the third quarter of 2024, achieving the highest investment income in the company's history. This success was supported by increased cash flows from its CLO joint venture. The company reported a net investment income (NII) of $0.39 per share, surpassing the previous quarter's figure of $0.32 and the quarterly distribution of $0.35.

Despite expectations of a decrease in NII for the fourth quarter due to the early stages of CLO distributions, the company’s CEO expressed confidence in its ability to meet dividends and provide attractive returns. The company’s net asset value (NAV) remained stable at $12.04 per share as of September 30.

Key Points:

  • GECC reported a record third quarter with the highest investment income in its history.
  • NII for the quarter exceeded the quarterly distribution at $0.39 per share.
  • NAV remained stable at $12.04 per share as of September 30.
  • Accrued receivables decreased, falling to $1.3 million, which is less than 1% of the portfolio's fair value.
  • The company completed debt refinancing, extending maturities to 2026 and beyond.

Company Outlook:

  • A decline in NII is expected in Q4 due to the nature of CLO distributions.
  • GECC plans to continue expanding its asset base and CLO joint venture.
  • The company remains in a good position to meet its dividend obligations and grow its operations.

Notable Declines:

  • Although accrued receivables have decreased, they still remain in the portfolio.

Notable Increases:

  • Record investment income and strong cash generation quarter.
  • Successful additional $22 million investment into GECCI bonds in July.
  • Completion of the second CLO in the recently formed CLO JV.
  • GECCH bonds priced at a lower rate than other debt financings this year.

Missing Points:

  • NAV has essentially remained flat quarter-over-quarter.
  • A decline in NII is anticipated for the fourth quarter.

Q&A Highlights: No questions were asked regarding the earnings call, reflecting a potential wait-and-see approach from investors regarding the company’s strategy.

Great Elm Capital Corp.'s third-quarter performance demonstrated a significant achievement with record investment income and strong NII, indicating a solid financial position. The stability in NAV and reduction in accrued receivables reflect the company's prudent management and strategic initiatives. Despite an expected decrease in NII in the upcoming quarter, the company’s strategic moves, particularly in the CLO joint venture, present a positive outlook for sustaining dividends and facilitating long-term growth. Successful refinancing of debt instruments further strengthens the company’s balance sheet, providing financial flexibility and an extended maturity profile. The absence of questions in the Q&A session may indicate investor satisfaction or a cautious approach as the company continues to implement its strategy.

InvestingPro Forecasts: Great Elm Capital Corp.’s (GECC) recent performance aligns with several key metrics and forecasts obtained from InvestingPro. The company’s record-setting third quarter and robust net investment income are reflected in its financial data. According to InvestingPro, GECC's revenue growth stood at 20.0% for the twelve months ending in Q2 2024, with quarterly revenue growth of 6.36% for Q2 2024. This growth trend supports the highest investment income reported in the company’s history.

One InvestingPro Insight highlights that GECC has “paid significant dividends to shareholders,” consistent with the company’s focus on meeting dividend obligations. According to the latest data, the current dividend yield is an impressive 14.46%. This high yield aligns with the company’s commitment to providing attractive returns to its investors, as outlined in the earnings report.

Another related InvestingPro Insight notes that GECC has “maintained uninterrupted dividend payments for nine years.” This stable dividend history underscores the company’s ability to generate consistent cash flows and supports management’s confidence in meeting dividends, despite expectations for a downturn in NII in Q4.

The company's profitability is also validated by InvestingPro data, showing a P/E ratio of 8.06, indicating that the stock may be undervalued in relation to its earnings. This may attract value investors considering GECC’s potential for future growth and ongoing dividend payments.

It is worth noting that InvestingPro has provided six additional insights for GECC. These insights offer a more comprehensive analysis for investors seeking deeper insights into the company’s financial health and market position.