CHICAGO, March 7, 2014 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Monroe Capital Corporation (Nasdaq:MRCC) ("Monroe") today announced that the Board of Directors has declared a first quarter 2014 dividend of $0.34 per share, payable on March 28, 2014 to stockholders of record on March 18, 2014. Monroe Capital Corporation also announced financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2013.

Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms "Monroe," "we," "us," "our," and "Company" refer to Monroe Capital Corporation.

Fourth Quarter 2013 Financial Highlights

• Net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $2.5 million, or $0.25 per share
• Net investment income of $3.2 million, or $0.32 per share
• Adjusted Net Investment Income (a non-GAAP measure described below) of $3.1 million, or $0.31 per share
• Net asset value ("NAV") of $138.1 million, or $13.92 per share
• Paid quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share on December 27, 2013

Chief Executive Officer Theodore L. Koenig commented, "We are pleased to report strong performance for the fourth quarter of 2013, evidenced by the growth in our net investment income per share to $0.32 per share from $0.27 per share in the third quarter of 2013. We were able to significantly grow our investment portfolio during both the quarter and year, as we leveraged Monroe Capital's robust national loan origination platform. Our principal amount of invested assets increased to $211.4 million as of December 31, 2013, an increase of $41.6 million for the quarter and $77.4 million for the year. We expect to continue to grow the portfolio throughout 2014, including in our newly-licensed SBIC subsidiary, as we remain focused on creating long-term value for our shareholders."

Growth of the Investment Portfolio

The following charts depict the significant growth of the Company's investment portfolio since the pricing of its initial public offering on October 24, 2012:

http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/23734/file/25052.pdf

http://media.globenewswire.com/cache/23734/file/25053.pdf

Portfolio Review

The Company had debt and equity investments in 42 portfolio companies, with a total fair value of $207.9 million, as of December 31, 2013 as compared to debt and equity investments in 39 portfolio companies, with a total fair value of $169.4 million, as of September 30, 2013. As of December 31, 2013, the weighted average contractual yield on the Company's investments was 9.9% and the effective yield was 10.7% as compared to the weighted average contractual yield of 9.5% and effective yield of 10.5% as of September 30, 2013.

Financial Review

Results of Operations: Fourth Quarter 2013

Net investment income was $3.2 million, or $0.32 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $0.8 million over the $2.4 million of net investment income, or $0.27 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. Adjusted net investment income was $3.1 million, or $0.31 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, an increase of $0.6 million over the $2.5 million of adjusted net investment income, or $0.27 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. The increase in adjusted net investment income per share was primarily attributable to increases in interest income as the Company continued to deploy the proceeds from the capital raised during the second quarter into new portfolio investments. 

Net gain (loss) on investments and secured borrowings was $(0.7) million for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, an increase in losses of $0.3 million, from the $(0.4) million of net gain (loss) on investments and secured borrowings for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. 

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $2.5 million, or $0.25 per share, for the quarter ended December 31, 2013, compared to $2.0 million of net increase in net assets resulting from operations, or $0.22 per share, for the quarter ended September 30, 2013. This increase is primarily the result of increases in interest income as the Company continued to deploy proceeds from the capital raised in the second quarter into portfolio investments, partially offset by declines in certain portfolio company valuations. The Company's NAV per share declined to $13.92 per share at December 31, 2013 from $14.01 per share at September 30, 2013. 

Results of Operations: Full Year 2013

Net investment income was $8.7 million, or $1.13 per share, and adjusted net investment income was $8.9 million, or $1.17 per share for the year ended December 31, 2013 (see "Non-GAAP Financial Measure -Adjusted Net Investment Income" below). Net gain (loss) on investments and secured borrowings was $1.1 million and net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $9.8 million, or $1.28 per share, for the year ended December 31, 2013. As the Company had no substantive activities prior to October 24, 2012, the date of its initial public offering, comparable full year data is not presented.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

At December 31, 2013, the Company had $14.6 million in cash and cash equivalents and $76.0 million of total debt outstanding on its revolving credit facility. On December 19, 2013, the Company amended its revolving credit facility to increase aggregate commitments under the facility from $95.0 million to $110.0 million and expand the accordion feature to $200.0 million from $100.0 million. The amended facility also reduces pricing by 50 basis points, to LIBOR plus 3.25% per annum, with a further step down to LIBOR plus 3.00% when equity capitalization exceeds $175.0 million, and extends the maturity date to December 19, 2017. As of December 31, 2013, the Company had $34.0 million available for additional borrowings on its revolving credit facility.

The Company began making repurchases under the previously announced share repurchase plan ("Plan") during December and as of December 31, 2013, the Company had repurchased 84,803 shares for a total cost of $1.0 million. Under the Plan, the Company may acquire up to $7.5 million of its outstanding common stock in the open market at prices below its NAV as reported in its then most recently published financial statements.

Non-GAAP Financial Measure - Adjusted Net Investment Income

On a supplemental basis, the Company discloses Adjusted Net Investment Income (including on a per share basis) which is a financial measure that is calculated and presented on a basis of methodology other than in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles of the United States of America ("non-GAAP"). Adjusted Net Investment Income represents net investment income, excluding the net capital gains incentive fee. The management agreement with the Company's advisor provides that a capital gains incentive fee is determined and paid annually with respect to realized capital gains (but not unrealized capital gains) to the extent such realized capital gains exceed realized and unrealized capital losses for such year. Management believes that Adjusted Net Investment Income is a useful indicator of operations exclusive of any net capital gains incentive fee as net investment income does not include gains associated with the capital gains incentive fee. 

The following table provides a reconciliation from net investment income (the most comparable GAAP measure) to Adjusted Net Investment Income for the periods presented:

Adjusted Net Investment Income may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies, as it is a non-GAAP financial measure that is not based on a comprehensive set of accounting rules or principles and therefore may be defined differently by other companies. In addition, Adjusted Net Investment Income should be considered in addition to, not as a substitute for, or superior to, financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP.

Quarterly Dividend of $0.34 Per Share Declared

Monroe announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly dividend of $0.34 per share for the first quarter of 2014, payable on March 28, 2014 to stockholders of record on March 18, 2014. The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of dividends on behalf of its stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash prior to the record date. As a result, when the Company declares a cash dividend, stockholders who have not opted out of the dividend reinvestment plan prior to the record date will have their dividend automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Company's capital stock. The specific tax characteristics of the dividend will be reported to stockholders on Form 1099 after the end of the calendar year and in the Company's periodic report filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Subsidiary SBIC License Approval

On February 28, 2014, the Company's wholly-owned subsidiary, Monroe Capital Corporation SBIC, LP, received approval for a license from the United States Small Business Administration to operate a Small Business Investment Company.

Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2013 Financial Results Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call to discuss these operating and financial results on Friday, March 7, 2014 at 11:00am ET. To participate in the conference call, please dial (877) 312-8807 approximately 10 minutes prior to the call. Please reference conference ID # 4466394.

A telephone replay of the conference call will be available from 2:00pm ET on March 7, 2014 until 11:59pm ET on March 15, 2014 and may be accessed by calling (855) 859-2056 (domestic dial-in) or (404) 537-3406 (international dial-in) and reference conference ID # 4466394.

For a more detailed discussion of the financial and other information included in this press release, please also refer to the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2013 to be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (www.sec.gov) on March 7, 2014.

ABOUT MONROE CAPITAL CORPORATION

Monroe Capital Corporation is a publicly-traded specialty finance company that principally invests in senior, unitranche and junior secured debt and, to a lesser extent, unsecured debt and equity investments in middle-market companies. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation. The Company's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Monroe Capital BDC Advisors, LLC, which is an investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and an affiliate of Monroe Capital LLC. To learn more about Monroe Capital Corporation, visit www.monroebdc.com.

ABOUT MONROE CAPITAL LLC

Monroe Capital LLC is a leading provider of senior and junior debt and equity co-investments to middle-market companies in the U.S. and Canada. Investment types include unitranche financings, cash flow and enterprise value based loans, acquisition facilities, mezzanine debt, second lien or last-out loans and equity co-investments. Monroe Capital LLC prides itself on its flexible investment approach and its ability to close and fund transactions quickly. Monroe Capital LLC is committed to being a value-added and user-friendly partner to owners, senior management and private equity sponsors. To learn more about Monroe Capital LLC, visit www.monroecap.com.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under the Company's control, and that the Company may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from these estimates and projections of the future. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future.

CONTACT: Investor Contact:

         Aaron D. Peck

         Chief Investment Officer and Chief Financial Officer

         Monroe Capital Corporation

         (312) 523-2363

         Email: apeck@monroecap.com

         

         Media Contact:

         Kelly Holman

         BackBay Communications

         (212) 209-3844

         Email: kelly.holman@backbaycommunications.com