WALTHAM, Mass., Nov. 09, 2020 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Great Elm Capital Corp. (“we,” “us,” “our,” “GECC,” or “Great Elm BDC”), (NASDAQ: GECC), a business development company (BDC), today announced its financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2020.

Financial Highlights

Rights Offering

Management Commentary
Peter A. Reed, GECC’s Chief Executive Officer, stated, “This was an excellent turnaround quarter, as Great Elm BDC achieved NII growth during the quarter as a result of continued outperformance from specialty finance investments. We believe there are attractive new investment opportunities at compelling values on a risk-adjusted return basis during this period of dislocation in the market. We expect to utilize the proceeds from our recent rights offering to proactively seek investments in the specialty finance market. Since the beginning of our repositioning last quarter we have achieved a number of objectives: strengthening our capital base, which will allow us to grow our investment portfolio, monetizing and redeploying over $80 million of our portfolio, and covering our distribution through a combination of investment income and realized gains.” 

Portfolio and Investment Activity
As of September 30, 2020, we held 34 debt investments, totaling approximately $136.1 million and representing 80.3% of the fair market value of our total investments. First lien and/or secured debt investments comprised 98.5% of the fair market value of our debt investments.

As of the same date, we held 8 equity investments, totaling approximately $33.4 million and representing 19.7% of the fair market value of our total investments.

As of September 30, 2020, the weighted average current yield on our debt portfolio was 10.1%. Floating rate instruments comprised approximately 59.4% of the fair market value of debt investments.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2020, we deployed approximately $34.5 million into six investments(1), at a weighted average current yield of 12.3% The weighted average price of the debt deployment activity was 91% of par.

During the quarter ended September 30, 2020, we monetized, in part or in full, 12 investments for approximately $18.2 million(2), at a weighted average current yield of 9.6%. The weighted average realized price was 97% of par.

Financial Review
Total investment income for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 was approximately $6.0 million, or $0.56 per share. Total expenses for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 were approximately $4.0 million, or $0.38 per share.

Net realized losses for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 were approximately $0.1 million, or $0.02 per share. Net unrealized appreciation from investments for the quarter ended September 30, 2020 was approximately $6.0 million, or $0.56 per share.

Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of September 30, 2020, our cash balance was approximately $12.6 million, exclusive of holdings of United States Treasury Bills and restricted cash. Total debt outstanding as of September 30, 2020 was $118.7 million, comprised of our 6.50% senior notes due September 2022 (NASDAQ: GECCL), our 6.50% senior notes due June 2024 (NASDAQ: GECCN) and our 6.75% senior notes due January 2025 (NASDAQ: GECCM). During the quarter ended September 30, 2020, we repurchased $5.3 million in aggregate principal of our senior notes at a weighted average price of $21.30 per note. Importantly, as of September 30, 2020, we had no secured credit facility, which allows for greater flexibility in the use of our cash and other assets.

As of September 30, 2020, our asset coverage ratio was approximately 150.9%, up from 144.5% as of June 30, 2020 and 141.1% as of March 31, 2020.

Distributions
Great Elm BDC also announced this morning that its Board set the distribution for the quarter ending March 31, 2021 at $0.10 per quarter.

The distributions will be paid in cash and covered by net investment income. The record and payment dates for the distribution are expected to be set by GECC in December pursuant to authority granted by the Board.

Conference Call and Webcast
GECC will discuss these results in a conference call later this morning (Monday, November 9, 2020) at 11:00 a.m. ET.

Conference Call Details 
Date/Time: Monday, November 9, 2020 – 11:00 a.m. ET
  
Participant Dial-In Numbers: 
(United States):844-820-8297
(International):661-378-9758

To access the call, please dial-in approximately five minutes before the start time and, when asked, provide the operator with passcode "GECC". An accompanying slide presentation will be available in .pdf format via the “Investor Relations” section of Great Elm Capital Corp.’s website at http://www.investor.greatelmcc.com/events-and-presentations/presentations after the issuance of the earnings release.

Webcast
The call and presentation will also be simultaneously webcast over the Internet via the Investor Relations section of GECC’s website or by clicking on the conference call link: Great Elm Capital Corp (GECC) Q3 2020 Conference Call Webcast.

About Great Elm Capital Corp.
Great Elm Capital Corp. is an externally managed, specialty finance company focused on investing in debt instruments of middle market companies. GECC elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. GECC seeks to generate attractive, risk-adjusted returns through both current income and capital appreciation.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Statements in this communication that are not historical facts are “forward-looking” statements within the meaning of the federal securities laws. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “should,” “will,” “estimate,” “designed,” “seek,” “continue,” “upside,” “potential” and similar expressions. All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results expressed in the statements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements are: conditions in the credit markets, the price of GECC common stock, the performance of GECC’s portfolio and investment manager and risks associated with the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on GECC and its portfolio companies. Information concerning these and other factors can be found in GECC’s Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed with the SEC. GECC assumes no obligation to, and expressly disclaims any duty to, update any forward-looking statements contained in this communication or to conform prior statements to actual results or revised expectations except as required by law. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements that speak only as of the date hereof.

This press release does not constitute an offer of any securities for sale.

Endnotes:
(1) This includes new deals, additional fundings (inclusive of those on revolving credit facilities), refinancings and capitalized PIK income. Amounts included herein do not include investments in short-term securities, including United States Treasury Bills.
(2) This includes scheduled principal payments, prepayments, sales and repayments (inclusive of those on revolving credit facilities). Amounts included herein do not include investments in short-term securities, including United States Treasury Bills.

Media & Investor Contact:
Investor Relations                                                                 
+1 (617) 375-3006                                                                                         
investorrelations@greatelmcap.com

Adam Prior
The Equity Group Inc.
+1 (212) 836-9606
aprior@equityny.com


GREAT ELM CAPITAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (unaudited)
Dollar amounts in thousands (except per share amounts)

 September 30, 2020  December 31, 2019 
Assets       
Investments       
Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments, at fair value
   (amortized cost of $144,747 and $168,269, respectively)		$110,194  $147,412 
Non-affiliated, non-controlled short-term investments, at fair value
   (amortized cost of $74,983 and $85,733, respectively)		 74,980   85,733 
Affiliated investments, at fair value
   (amortized cost of $107,256 and $102,704, respectively)		 39,364   40,608 
Controlled investments, at fair value
   (amortized cost of $18,740 and $10,601, respectively)		 19,928   9,595 
Total investments 244,466   283,348 
        
Cash and cash equivalents 12,570   4,606 
Restricted cash 600   - 
Receivable for investments sold 1,531   - 
Interest receivable 4,091   2,350 
Dividends receivable -   14 
Due from portfolio company 750   617 
Due from affiliates -   15 
Prepaid expenses and other assets 497   89 
Total assets$264,505  $291,039 
        
Liabilities       
Notes payable 6.50% due September 18, 2022 (including unamortized discount
   of $566 and $839, respectively)		$29,727  $31,792 
Notes payable 6.75% due January 31, 2025 (including unamortized discount
   of $1,107 and $1,321, respectively)		 44,503   45,078 
Notes payable 6.50% due June 30, 2024 (including unamortized discount
   of $1,639 and $2,058, respectively)		 41,184   42,942 
Payable for investments purchased 77,120   72,749 
Interest payable 366   354 
Distributions payable 908   1,338 
Accrued incentive fees payable 8,967   8,157 
Due to affiliates 781   997 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 485   743 
Total liabilities$204,041  $204,150 
        
Commitments and contingencies $-  $- 
        
Net Assets       
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (100,000,000 shares authorized,
   10,941,770 shares issued and outstanding and 10,062,682 shares issued and
   outstanding, respectively)		$109  $101 
Additional paid-in capital 196,742   193,114 
Accumulated losses (136,387)  (106,326)
Total net assets$60,464  $86,889 
Total liabilities and net assets$264,505  $291,039 
Net asset value per share$5.53  $8.63 


GREAT ELM CAPITAL CORP.
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (unaudited)
Dollar amounts in thousands (except per share amounts)

 For the Three Months Ended
September 30,		  For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,		 
 2020  2019  2020  2019 
Investment Income:               
Interest income from:               
Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments$2,718  $4,477  $9,800  $11,999 
Affiliated investments 246   216   716   627 
Affiliated investments (PIK) 1,321   1,124   3,842   2,939 
Controlled investments 90   282   188   1,335 
Controlled investments (PIK) -   101   -   684 
Total interest income 4,375   6,200   14,546   17,584 
Dividend income from:               
Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments 401   196   404   407 
Controlled investments 880   480   1,760   1,280 
Total dividend income 1,281   676   2,164   1,687 
Other income from:               
Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments 295   5   351   137 
Affiliated investments -   -   -   2 
Affiliated investments (PIK) -   108   75   564 
Controlled investments -   13   12   52 
Total other income 295   126   438   755 
Total investment income$5,951  $7,002  $17,148  $20,026 
                
Expenses:               
Management fees$609  $759  $1,898  $2,207 
Incentive fees 482   654   810   2,099 
Administration fees 152   282   547   734 
Custody fees 20   15   59   45 
Directors’ fees 49   51   151   150 
Professional services 287   243   794   711 
Interest expense 2,225   2,308   6,920   5,333 
Other expenses 194   71   468   349 
Total expenses$4,018  $4,383  $11,647  $11,628 
Net investment income$1,933  $2,619  $5,501  $8,398 
                
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses):         
Net realized gain (loss) on investment transactions from:               
Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments$(262) $97  $(11,760) $1,115 
Controlled investments -   154   -   154 
Repurchase of debt 120   -   1,237   - 
Total net realized gain (loss) (142)  251   (10,523)  1,269 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investment transactions from:     
Non-affiliated, non-controlled investments 3,544   (8,075)  (13,699)  (7,357)
Affiliated investments 319   (4,096)  (5,796)  (7,666)
Controlled investments 2,050   (345)  2,194   (600)
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) 5,913   (12,516)  (17,301)  (15,623)
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses)$5,771  $(12,265) $(27,824) $(14,354)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations$7,704  $(9,646) $(22,323) $(5,956)
                
Net investment income per share (basic and diluted):$0.18  $0.26  $0.53  $0.81 
Earnings per share (basic and diluted):$0.72  $(0.96) $(2.17) $(0.58)
Weighted average shares outstanding (basic and diluted): 10,660,894   10,062,682   10,307,771   10,312,561 


GREAT ELM CAPITAL CORP.
Pro-Forma Balance Sheet Information (unaudited)
Dollar amounts in thousands (except per share amounts)

(Dollars are in ‘000s)9/30/2020
 Actual  Adjustments As Adjusted
Investments, at fair value$                        244,466    $                     244,466
Cash and cash equivalents                          13,170  30,357                           43,527
Other assets                            6,869                               6,869
Total Assets$                   264,505                    30,357   $                  294,862
       
Notes payable 6.50% due September 18, 2022 (including unamortized discount of $566 and $839, respectively)                          29,727                             29,727
Notes payable 6.75% due January 31, 2025 (including unamortized discount   of $1,107 and $1,321, respectively)                          44,503                             44,503
Notes payable 6.50% due June 30, 2024 (including unamortized discount   of $1,639 and $2,058, respectively)                          41,184                             41,184
Other liabilities                          88,627                             88,627
Total liabilities                        204,041                             -                           204,041
       
NET ASSETS                          60,464                    30,357                           90,821
       
Total liabilities and net assets                        264,505                    30,357                         294,862
       
Shares outstanding                  10,941,770             10,761,950                    21,703,720
       
NAV per Share$                              5.53   $                     (1.35)  $                            4.18