Horizon Technology Finance Announces Second Quarter 2024 Financial Results

- Second Quarter 2024 Net Investment Income per Share of $0.36; NAV per Share of $9.12 -

- Debt Portfolio Yield of 15.9% -

- HRZN Ends Quarter with Committed Backlog of $138 Million -

- Declares Regular Monthly Distributions Totaling $0.33 per Share through December 2024 -

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: HRZN) (“Horizon” or the “Company”), an affiliate of Monroe Capital, and a leading specialty finance company that provides capital in the form of secured loans to venture capital-backed companies in the technology, life science, healthcare information and services, and sustainability industries, today announced its financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2024.

Second Quarter 2024 Highlights

• Net investment income (“NII”) of $12.9 million, or $0.36 per share, compared to $16.1 million, or $0.54 per share for the prior-year period
• Total investment portfolio of $646.9 million as of June 30, 2024
• Net asset value of $328.8 million, or $9.12 per share, as of June 30, 2024
• Annualized portfolio yield on debt investments of 15.9% for the quarter
• Horizon funded four loans totaling $11.5 million
• Raised total net proceeds of approximately $17.1 million with “at-the-market” (“ATM”) offering program
• Experienced liquidity events from one portfolio company
• Closed new $100 million senior secured credit facility led by large U.S.-based insurance company
• Cash of $116.9 million and credit facility capacity of $269.0 million as of June 30, 2024
• Held portfolio of warrant and equity positions in 99 companies as of June 30, 2024
• Undistributed spillover income of $1.28 per share as of June 30, 2024
• Subsequent to quarter end, declared distributions of $0.11 per share payable in October, November and December 2024

“We remained prudent with respect to new originations in the second quarter as we considerably focused our origination efforts on sourcing new high-quality investments to add to our investment portfolio in the back half of the year and our portfolio management efforts on maximizing the value of our investments,” said Robert D. Pomeroy, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon. “As a result, we’ve made notable progress and expect we will return to portfolio growth in the second half of 2024. Despite the challenges, we were pleased to generate net investment income in the quarter that exceeded our regular monthly distributions.

“We were also pleased to add in the quarter a new $100 million credit facility led by a large U.S.-based insurance company, which further strengthens our balance sheet and positions us well to execute on new originations,” added Mr. Pomeroy. “Moving ahead, we look forward to building our portfolio through select, quality investments and continuing to focus on maximizing NAV.”

Second Quarter 2024 Operating Results

Total investment income for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $25.7 million, compared to $28.1 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023, primarily due to lower interest income on investments from the debt investment portfolio.

The Company’s dollar-weighted annualized yield on average debt investments for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was 15.9% and 16.3%, respectively. The Company calculates the dollar-weighted annualized yield on average debt investments for any period measured as (1) total investment income (excluding dividend income) during the period divided by (2) the average of the fair value of debt investments outstanding on (a) the last day of the calendar month immediately preceding the first day of the period and (b) the last day of each calendar month during the period. The dollar-weighted annualized yield on average debt investments is higher than what investors will realize because it does not reflect expenses or any sales load paid by investors.

Total expenses for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 were $12.4 million, compared to $11.9 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2023. The increase was primarily due to a $0.8 million increase in interest expense, partially offset by a $0.2 million decrease in base management fee.

Net investment income for the quarter ended June 30, 2024 was $12.9 million, or $0.36 per share, compared to $16.1 million, or $0.54 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, net realized gain on investments was $2.5 million, or $0.07 per share, compared to net realized loss on investments of $16.5 million, or $0.55 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, net unrealized depreciation on investments was $24.5 million, or $0.69 per share, compared to net unrealized appreciation on investments of $0.6 million, or $0.02 per share, for the prior-year period.

Portfolio Summary and Investment Activity

As of June 30, 2024, the Company’s debt portfolio consisted of 54 secured loans with an aggregate fair value of $609.1 million. In addition, the Company’s total warrant, equity and other investments in 103 portfolio companies had an aggregate fair value of $37.8 million. Total portfolio investment activity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:

Portfolio Asset Quality

The following table shows the classification of Horizon’s loan portfolio at fair value by internal credit rating as of June 30, 2024, March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023:

As of June 30, 2024, March 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023, Horizon’s loan portfolio had a weighted average credit rating of 3.1, with 4 being the highest credit quality rating and 3 being the rating for a standard level of risk. A rating of 2 represents an increased level of risk and, while no loss is currently anticipated for a 2-rated loan, there is potential for future loss of principal. A rating of 1 represents deteriorating credit quality and high degree of risk of loss of principal.

As of June 30, 2024, there were five debt investments with an internal credit rating of 1, with an aggregate cost of $108.4 million and an aggregate fair value of $48.0 million. As of March 31, 2024, there were four debt investments with an internal credit rating of 1, with an aggregate cost of $96.0 million and an aggregate fair value of $51.0 million. As of December 31, 2023, there were four debt investments with an internal credit rating of 1, with an aggregate cost of $72.5 million and an aggregate fair value of $27.6 million.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of June 30, 2024, the Company had $150.3 million in available liquidity, consisting of $116.9 million in cash and money market funds, and $33.4 million in funds available under existing credit facility commitments.

As of June 30, 2024, there was no outstanding principal balance under the $150.0 million revolving credit facility (“Key Facility”). On June 20, 2024, the Company amended the Key Facility, among other things, (i) to extend the date on which the Company may request advances under the Key Facility to June 20, 2027 and to extend the maturity date to June 20, 2029 and (ii) to amend the interest rate to be based on the rate of interest published in The Wall Street Journal as the prime rate in the United States plus 0.10%, with a prime rate floor of 4.10%. The Key Facility allows for an increase in the total loan commitment up to an aggregate commitment of $300.0 million. There can be no assurance that any additional lenders will make any commitments under the Key Facility.

Additionally, as of June 30, 2024, there was $181.0 million in outstanding principal balance under the $250 million senior secured debt facility with a large U.S.-based insurance company at an interest rate of 6.34%. On May 6, 2024, the Company amended its NYL Facility to, among other things, extend the investment period to June 2025 and the maturity date of all advances to June 2030. In addition, the amendment amended the interest rate for advances made after May 6, 2024, fixing the interest rate at the greater of (i) 4.60% and (ii) the Three Year I Curve plus 3.20%, with the interest rate to be reset on any advance date.

On June 21, 2024, Horizon Funding II, LLC, Horizon’s wholly-owned subsidiary (“HFII”), closed a $100 million senior secured credit facility led by a large U.S.-based insurance company pursuant to which HFII may issue up to $100 million of secured notes. The capacity under the credit facility may be increased to $200 million with the mutual agreement of Horizon and the lenders. The new credit facility has a one-year funding period, during which time HFII may make additional borrowings under the credit facility, and a three-year investment period, during which time HFII may make additional loans. The credit facility has a maximum advance rate of 67.5% based on the number of distinct obligors whose loans serve as collateral for the credit facility. Borrowings bear interest, payable monthly, determined at a rate per annum equal to the greater of (i) the yield for the United States Treasury constant maturity 3-year and 5-year in the most recent statistical release published by the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System designated as “Selected Interest Rates (Daily) – H.15” interpolated to a 4.88-year weighted average life plus 3.15% and (ii) 5.00%. The credit facility is collateralized by certain of the Company’s assets and matures in June 2033. As of June 30, 2024, there was $50.0 million in outstanding principal balance at an interest rate of 7.38%.

Horizon Funding Trust 2022-1, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Horizon, previously issued $100.0 million of Asset-Backed Notes (the “2022 Notes”) rated A by a ratings agency. The 2022 Notes bear interest at a fixed interest rate of 7.56% per annum. The reinvestment period of the 2022 Notes ends November 15, 2024 and the stated maturity is November 15, 2030. As of June 30, 2024, the 2022 Notes had an outstanding principal balance of $100.0 million.

During the three months ended June 30, 2024, the Company sold 1,516,249 shares of common stock under its ATM offering program with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC and B. Riley FBR, Inc. For the same period, the Company received total accumulated net proceeds of approximately $17.1 million, including $0.4 million of offering expenses, from these sales.

As of June 30, 2024, the Company’s percentage of debt net of cash to equity was 100%, below the Company’s 120% target leverage. The asset coverage for borrowed amounts was 174%.

Liquidity Events

During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, Horizon experienced a liquidity event from one portfolio company. Liquidity events for Horizon may consist of the sale of warrants or equity in portfolio companies, loan prepayments, sale of owned assets or receipt of success fees.

In May, Divergent Technologies, Inc. (“Divergent”) paid its outstanding principal balance of $33.8 million on its venture loan, plus interest, end-of-term payment and prepayment fee. HRZN continues to hold warrants in Divergent.

Net Asset Value

At June 30, 2024, the Company’s net assets were $328.8 million, or $9.12 per share, compared to $355.4 million, or $11.07 per share, as of June 30, 2023, and $324.0 million, or $9.71 per share, as of December 31, 2023.

For the quarter ended June 30, 2024, net decrease in net assets resulting from operations was $9.1 million, or ($0.26) per share, compared to a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $0.2 million, or $0.01 per share, for the quarter ended June 30, 2023.

Stock Repurchase Program

On April 26, 2024, the Company’s board of directors extended the Company’s previously authorized stock repurchase program until the earlier of June 30, 2025 or the repurchase of $5.0 million of the Company's common stock. During the quarter ended June 30, 2024, the Company did not repurchase any shares of its common stock. From the inception of the stock repurchase program through June 30, 2024, the Company has repurchased 167,465 shares of its common stock at an average price of $11.22 on the open market at a total cost of $1.9 million.

Recent Developments

On July 10, 2024, MyForest Foods Co. prepaid its outstanding principal balance of $3.8 million on its venture loan, plus interest, end-of-term payment and prepayment fee. Horizon continues to hold warrants in MyForest Foods Co.

On July 11, 2024, Lemongrass Holdings, Inc. prepaid its outstanding principal balance of $6.3 million on its venture loan, plus interest, end-of-term payment and prepayment fee. Horizon continues to hold warrants in Lemongrass Holdings, Inc.

On July 12, 2024, Slingshot Aerospace, Inc. prepaid its outstanding principal balance of $20.0 million on its venture loan, plus interest, end-of-term payment and prepayment fee. Horizon continues to hold warrants in Slingshot Aerospace, Inc.

On July 24, 2024, Nexiican Holdings Inc. and its affiliates (“Nexiican”) and Nexii Building Solutions Inc. and its affiliates (“Nexii”) closed an Asset Purchase Agreement dated as of June 21, 2024 and approved by the Supreme Court of British Columbia in Vancouver on June 28, 2024 pursuant to which Nexiican purchased substantially all of the assets of Nexii, in consideration for, among other things, Nexiican’s assumption of a portion of Nexii’s obligations to Horizon and its affiliate’s issuance of equity to Horizon, which information Horizon included in its determination of the fair value of the investments as of June 30, 2024 at $10.9 million.

On July 30, 2024, the Company funded a $25.0 million debt investment to a new portfolio company providing innovative, home-based healthcare solutions.

Monthly Distributions Declared in Third Quarter 2024

On July 26, 2024, the Company’s board of directors declared monthly distributions of $0.11 per share payable in each of October, November and December 2024. The following tables show these monthly distributions, which total $0.33 per share:

Monthly Distributions

After paying distributions of $0.38 per share and earning net investment income of $0.36 per share for the quarter, the Company’s undistributed spillover income as of June 30, 2024 was $1.28 per share. Spillover income includes any ordinary income and net capital gains from the preceding tax years that were not distributed during such tax years.

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

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, July 31, 2024, at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss its latest corporate developments and financial results. To participate in the call, please dial (877) 407-9716 (domestic) or (201) 493-6779 (international). The access code for all callers is 13746848. The Company recommends joining the call at least 5 minutes in advance. In addition, a live webcast will be available on the Company’s website at www.horizontechfinance.com.

A webcast replay will be available on the Company’s website for 30 days following the call.

About Horizon Technology Finance

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: HRZN), externally managed by Horizon Technology Finance Management LLC, an affiliate of Monroe Capital, is a leading specialty finance company that provides capital in the form of secured loans to venture capital backed companies in the technology, life science, healthcare information and services, and sustainability industries. The investment objective of Horizon is to maximize its investment portfolio’s return by generating current income from the debt investments it makes and capital appreciation from the warrants it receives when making such debt investments. Horizon is headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, with a regional office in Pleasanton, California, and investment professionals located throughout the U.S. Monroe Capital is an $19.5 billion asset management firm specializing in private credit markets across various strategies, including direct lending, technology finance, venture debt, opportunistic, structured credit, real estate and equity. To learn more, please visit horizontechfinance.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein may constitute “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance, condition or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in Horizon’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Horizon undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation and Subsidiaries
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Horizon Technology Finance Corporation and Subsidiaries
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