Exhibit 99.1

 

 

14 Lafayette Square, Suite 1405 ● Buffalo, New York 14203

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Rand Capital Reports 40% Increase in Total Investment Income

for Fourth Quarter 2022

 

Advanced portfolio transformation: Total investment income increased 40% to $1.7 million in the fourth quarter; Full year 2022 grew 41% to $5.8 million

 

Fourth quarter net investment income per share increased to $0.48 from $0.12 in the prior-year period; Adjusted net investment income per share for the quarter increased $0.25 to $0.41

 

Full year 2022 net investment income per share was $1.72 compared with a net investment loss per share of $1.01 in 2021

 

2022 non-GAAP adjusted net investment income per share more than doubled to $1.31 from $0.62 per share in 2021

 

Net asset value per share (“NAV”) was $22.36 at year-end, compared with $22.62 at September 30, 2022 and $23.54 at December 31, 2021

 

Declared total dividends of $0.83 per share in 2022, up nearly 90%

 

$3.9 million in new and follow on investments during the fourth quarter; Full year 2022 investments totaled $7.0 million

 

BUFFALO, NY, March 10, 2023 – Rand Capital Corporation (Nasdaq: RAND) (“Rand” or the “Company”), a business development company providing alternative financing for lower middle market companies, announced its results for the fourth quarter ended December 31, 2022.

 

“2022 was a strong year and continued to demonstrate the execution of our strategy. We advanced our investment portfolio composition towards more debt instruments with the addition of four interest yielding investments over the past year. In total, our debt portfolio now makes up more than half of our total portfolio mix at 56% compared with 46% at the end of 2021,” commented Daniel P. Penberthy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rand. “Equally important has been our focus on expense management, which translated into strong net investment income growth for the year and enabled us to increase our return to shareholders. During 2022, we paid total dividends of $0.83 per share, which represented an increase of nearly 90% over our 2021 distributions. This included raising our regular quarterly cash dividend by 33%, or $0.05 per share, to $0.20 per share in the fourth quarter.

 

“With the support of our strong liquidity position, we believe we can continue to execute our strategy to grow our portfolio, drive investment income and support a growing dividend.”

 

Fourth Quarter Highlights

 

Total investment income grew $496,000, or 40%, to $1.7 million primarily due to increased interest income from portfolio companies and higher portfolio dividend income.

 

Total expenses were $371,000 compared with $923,000 in the prior-year period. The decrease reflects lower interest expense and a credit of accrued capital gain incentive fees of $168,000 for the fourth quarter of 2022 compared with $86,000 of expense for the fourth quarter of 2021. Excluding capital gains incentive fees, adjusted expenses, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, were $539,000, down $298,000, or 36%, from the prior-year period. See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted expenses.

 

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Rand Capital Reports 40% Increase in Total Investment Income for Fourth Quarter 2022

March 10, 2023

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Net investment income was $1.2 million, or $0.48 per share, compared with $320,000, or $0.12 per share, in the prior-year period. Adjusted net investment income per share, a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the capital gains incentive fee accrual, was $0.41 per share, up from $0.16 per share in the fourth quarter of 2021. See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted net investment income per share.

 

2022 Highlights

 

Total investment income of $5.8 million increased $1.7 million or 41%.

 

Total expenses were $1.1 million compared with $6.7 million in the prior year. The decrease was largely due to the accrual of $4.2 million of capital gains incentive fees during 2021 compared with a reversal of $1.0 million in accrual of fees during the current year. Also reflected was lower interest expense of $547,000 given the Company’s SBA indebtedness was paid off in full in November 2021.

 

Excluding the capital gains incentive fee accrual, adjusted expenses, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, decreased $302,000, or 12%, to $2.2 million. See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted expenses.

 

Net investment income per share was $1.72 for the year compared with net investment loss of $1.01 per share in the prior year. Excluding the capital gains incentive fee accrual, adjusted net investment income per share was $1.31 for 2022 compared with $0.62 for 2021. See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted net investment income per share.

 

Net assets at December 31, 2022 were $57.7 million, down 5% from year-end 2021, which reflected new and follow on investments offset by fair market value changes across a number of portfolio companies during the year.

 

Portfolio and Investment Activity

 

As of December 31, 2022, Rand’s portfolio included investments with a fair value of $61.5 million across 29 portfolio businesses. This was up $1.8 million, or 3%, from September 30, 2022, which reflected new and follow on investments partially offset by valuation adjustments to several portfolio companies. At December 31, 2022, the portfolio was comprised of approximately 56% in debt investments, 34% in equity investments in private companies, and 10% in publicly traded equities consisting of other BDCs and ACV Auctions. The annualized weighted average yield of debt investments was 12.6%.

 

Fourth quarter 2022:

 

Funded $3.1 million to Food Service Supply (FSS), consisting of $2.5 million of senior subordinated debt and $600,000 of preferred equity. FSS provides design, distribution and installation services for commercial kitchens, renovations and new builds.

 

Follow on debt investment of $590,000 in SciAps, Inc., an instrumentation company specializing in portable analytical instruments to identify compounds, minerals and elements. Rand’s total debt and equity investment in SciAps had a fair value of $5.2 million at year-end.

 

Follow on equity investment of $194,000 in Seybert’s Billiards Corporation, a billiard supply company. Rand’s total debt and equity investment in Seybert’s had a fair value of $5.9 million at year-end.

 

Full year 2022:

 

Invested a total of $7.0 million across seven transactions, which largely consisted of interest yielding assets

 

Sold BDC and ACV Auctions public securities for $2.0 million in gains

 

Received $1.6 million from repaid loans

 

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Rand Capital Reports 40% Increase in Total Investment Income for Fourth Quarter 2022

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Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash at year-end was $1.4 million compared with $834,000 at the end of 2021. The Company held approximately $3.9 million in publicly traded equities of other BDCs and $2.5 million of ACV Auctions shares, all of which are available for future liquidity requirements including dividends and portfolio investments.

 

At December 31, 2022, Rand had outstanding borrowings of $2.6 million on its existing $25.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility.

 

The Company did not repurchase any outstanding common stock during 2022.

 

Dividends

 

On December 6, 2022, the Board declared an aggregate of $0.38 per share cash dividend distribution, which was paid during the fourth quarter, to shareholders of record as of December 19, 2022. The dividends consisted of a regular quarterly dividend of $0.20 per share, which was an increase of $0.05, or 33%, and a supplemental dividend of $0.18 per share.

 

During 2022, Rand paid a total of $2.1 million in dividends, which included the four regular quarterly dividends, and the year-end 2022 supplemental dividend.

 

On February 28, 2023, Rand declared its regular quarterly cash dividend distribution of $0.20 per share. The cash dividend will be distributed on or about March 27, 2023, to shareholders of record as of March 13, 2023.

 

Webcast and Conference Call

 

Rand will host a conference call and webcast on Friday, March 10, 2023, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time, to review its financial results. The review will be accompanied by a slide presentation, which will be available on Rand’s website at www.randcapital.com in the “Investor Relations” section. Rand’s conference call can be accessed by calling (201) 689-8263. Alternatively, the webcast can be monitored on Rand’s website at www.randcapital.com under “Investor Relations” where the replay will also be available.

 

A telephonic replay will be available from 2:00 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Friday, March 17, 2023. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter replay pin number 13735032. A transcript of the call will also be posted once available.

 

ABOUT RAND CAPITAL

 

Rand Capital (Nasdaq: RAND) is an externally managed business development company (BDC). The Company’s investment objective is to maximize total return to its shareholders with current income and capital appreciation by focusing its debt and related equity investments in privately-held, lower middle market companies with committed and experienced managements in a broad variety of industries. Rand invests in early to later stage businesses that have sustainable, differentiated and market-proven products, revenue of more than $2 million and a path to free cash flow or up to $5 million in EBITDA. The Company’s investment activities are managed by its external investment adviser, Rand Capital Management, LLC. Additional information can be found at the Company’s website where it regularly posts information: https://www.randcapital.com/.

 

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Rand Capital Reports 40% Increase in Total Investment Income for Fourth Quarter 2022

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Safe Harbor Statement

 

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. All statements, other than historical facts, including but not limited to statements regarding the strategy of the Company and its outlook; and any assumptions underlying any of the foregoing, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements concern future circumstances and results and other statements that are not historical facts and are sometimes identified by the words “may,” “will,” “should,” “potential,” “intend,” “expect,” “endeavor,” “seek,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “overestimate,” “underestimate,” “believe,” “could,” “project,” “predict,” “continue,” “target” or other similar words or expressions. Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those indicated or anticipated by such forward-looking statements. The inclusion of such statements should not be regarded as a representation that such plans, estimates or expectations will be achieved. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such plans, estimates or expectations include, among others, (1) evolving legal, regulatory and tax regimes; (2) changes in general economic and/or industry specific conditions; and (3) other risk factors as detailed from time to time in Rand ‘s reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including Rand’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and other documents filed with the SEC. Consequently, such forward-looking statements should be regarded as Rand’s current plans, estimates and beliefs. Except as required by applicable law, Rand assumes no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.

 

Contacts:

 

Company: Investors:
Daniel P. Penberthy Deborah K. Pawlowski / Craig P. Mychajluk
President and CEO Kei Advisors LLC
716.853.0802 716-843-3908 / 716-843-3832
dpenberthy@randcapital.com dpawlowski@keiadvisors.com / cmychajluk@keiadvisors.com

 

FINANCIAL TABLES FOLLOW.

 

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Rand Capital Reports 40% Increase in Total Investment Income for Fourth Quarter 2022

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Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

(Audited)

 

   December 31, 
   2022   2021 
ASSETS        
Investments at fair value:          
Control investments (cost of $4,660,017 and $0, respectively)  $3,536,207   $- 
Affiliate investments (cost of $30,204,160 and $27,357,797, respectively)   38,241,589    30,279,873 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments (cost of $20,852,060 and $25,012,871, respectively)   19,726,463    33,788,589 
Total investments, at fair value (cost of $55,716,237 and $52,370,668, respectively)   61,504,259    64,068,462 
Cash   1,368,996    833,875 
Interest receivable   208,338    128,047 
Prepaid income taxes   76,396    252,010 
Deferred tax asset   28,160    181,003 
Other assets   295,043    181,457 
Total assets  $63,481,192   $65,644,854 
           
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (NET ASSETS)          
Liabilities:          
Due to investment adviser  $562,221   $891,102 
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   66,680    51,689 
Line of credit   2,550,000    - 
Capital gains incentive fees   2,167,000    3,547,760 
Deferred revenue   413,971    408,887 
Total liabilities   5,759,872    4,899,438 
           
Stockholders’ equity (net assets):          
Common stock, $0.10 par; shares authorized 100,000,000; shares issued: 2,648,916; shares outstanding: 2,581,021   264,892    264,892 
Capital in excess of par value   51,464,267    51,679,809 
Treasury stock, at cost: 67,895 shares   (1,566,605)   (1,566,605)
Total distributable earnings   7,558,766    10,367,320 
Total stockholders’ equity (net assets) (per share - 2022: $22.36, 2021: $23.54)   57,721,320    60,745,416 
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (net assets)  $63,481,192   $65,644,854 

 

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Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

   (Unaudited)   (Audited) 
  

For the Quarter Ended

December 31,

  

For the Year Ended

December 31,

 
   2022   2021   2022   2021 
Investment income:                    
Interest from portfolio companies:                    
Control investments  $154,647   $11,303   $279,055   $23,068 
Affiliate investments   599,931    517,539    2,366,955    1,541,507 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   381,248    378,043    1,506,792    1,453,059 
Total interest from portfolio companies   1,135,826    906,885    4,152,802    3,017,634 
                     
Interest from other investments:                    
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   82    533    131    13,876 
Total interest from other investments   82    533    131    13,876 
                     
Dividend and other investment income:                    
Affiliate investments   422,200    145,589    974,669    354,536 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   122,965    128,965    481,665    533,643 
Total dividend and other investment income   545,165    274,554    1,456,334    888,179 
                     
Fee income:                    
Control investments   3,900    -    7,800    - 
Affiliate investments   20,371    36,912    92,531    114,697 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   27,642    17,647    55,583    41,917 
Total fee income   51,913    54,559    155,914    156,614 
Total investment income   1,732,986    1,236,531    5,765,181    4,076,303 
                     
Expenses:                    
Base management fee   230,454    238,904    927,226    858,144 
Capital gains incentive fees   (168,000)   86,000    (1,048,760)   4,200,000 
Professional fees   160,657    200,195    729,967    578,577 
Shareholders and office operating   41,756    38,878    205,083    223,381 
Directors’ fees   50,050    39,050    187,833    153,500 
Interest expense   43,918    304,700    69,960    617,270 
Insurance   11,238    9,698    43,026    38,635 
Corporate development   -    4,372    3,753    14,702 
Other operating   1,017    998    1,141    1,106 
Bad debt recovery   -    -    -    (15,000)
Total expenses   371,090    922,795    1,119,229    6,670,315 
Net investment income (loss) before income taxes   1,361,896    313,736    4,645,952    (2,594,012)
Income tax expense (benefit)   131,792    (6,119)   215,542    10,896 
Net investment income (loss)   1,230,104    319,855    4,430,410    (2,604,908)
                     
Net realized gain (loss) on sales and dispositions of investments:                    
Control investments   -    (308,676)   -    (308,676)
Affiliate investments   -    57,215    167,159    192,645 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   14,902    1,342,349    538,334    5,936,385 
Net realized gain (loss) on sales and dispositions of investments   14,902    1,090,888    705,493    5,820,354 
                     
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments:                    
Control investments   (748,810)   1,151,021    (748,810)   1,151,021 
Affiliate investments   4,692,512    (233,249)   4,740,353    3,414,050 
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments   (4,760,553)   (1,597,207)   (9,901,315)   7,804,535 
Change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation before income taxes   (816,851)   (679,435)   (5,909,772)   12,369,606 
Deferred income tax expense (benefit)   107,980    (213,327)   107,980    (212,376)
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments   (924,831)   (466,108)   (6,017,752)   12,581,982 
                     
Net realized and unrealized (losses) gains on investments   (909,929)   624,780    (5,312,259)   18,402,336 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations  $320,175   $944,635   $(881,849)  $15,797,428 
Weighted average shares outstanding   2,581,021    2,581,021    2,581,021    2,581,707 
Basic and diluted net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations per share  $0.12   $0.37   $(0.34)  $6.12 

 

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Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets

For The Years Ended December 31, 2022 and 2021

(Audited)

 

   2022   2021 
Net assets at beginning of year  $60,745,416   $46,104,830 
           
Net investment income (loss)   4,430,410    (2,604,908)
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments   705,493    5,820,354 
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments   (6,017,752)   12,581,982 
Net (decrease) increase in net assets from operations   (881,849)   15,797,428 
           
Declaration of dividends   (2,142,247)   (1,136,071)
Purchase of treasury shares   -    (20,771)
Net assets at end of year  $57,721,320   $60,745,416 

 

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Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP Total Expenses to Non-GAAP Adjusted Expenses

(Unaudited)

 

In addition to reporting total expenses, which is a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) financial measure, Rand presents adjusted expenses, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted expenses is defined as GAAP total expenses removing the effect of any (credits)/expenses for capital gains incentive fees. GAAP total expenses is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Rand believes that adjusted expenses provides useful information to investors regarding financial performance because it is a method the Company uses to measure its financial and business trends related to its results of operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

  

Three months ended

December 31, 2022

  

Three months ended

December 31, 2021

  

Year ended

December 31, 2022

  

Year ended

December 31, 2021

 
                 
Total expenses  $371,090   $922,795   $1,119,229   $6,670,315 
Exclude (credits)/expenses for capital gains incentive fees   (168,000)   86,000    (1,048,760)   4,200,000 
Adjusted expenses  $539,090   $836,795   $2,167,989   $2,470,315 

 

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Investment Income (Loss) per Share to

Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share

(Unaudited)

 

In addition to reporting Net Investment Income per Share, which is a U.S. generally accepted accounting principle (“GAAP”) financial measure, the Company presents Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share, which is a non-GAAP financial measure. Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share is defined as GAAP Net Investment Income (Loss) per Share removing the effect of any (credits)/expenses for capital gains incentive fees. GAAP Net Investment Income (Loss) per Share is the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure. Rand believes that Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share provides useful information to investors regarding financial performance because it is a method the Company uses to measure its financial and business trends related to its results of operations. The presentation of this additional information is not meant to be considered in isolation or as a substitute for financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.

 

  

Three months ended

December 31, 2022

  

Three months ended

December 31, 2021

  

Year ended

December 31, 2022

  

Year ended

December 31, 2021

 
                 
Net Investment Income (Loss) per Share  $0.48   $0.12   $1.72   $(1.01)
Exclude (credits)/expenses for capital gains incentive fees per share   (0.07)   0.04    (0.41)   1.63 
Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share  $0.41   $0.16   $1.31   $0.62 

 

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