FARMINGTON, Conn., May 5, 2015 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (Nasdaq:HRZN) (the "Company" or "Horizon"), 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 cleantech industries, today announced its financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2015.

First Quarter 2015 Highlights

• Earned net investment income of $2.9 million, or $0.30 per share
• Achieved an annualized portfolio yield of 15.0% for the quarter
• Increased net assets from operations by $3.8 million, or $0.39 per share
• Net asset value equaled $165.0 million, or $14.19 per share, as of March 31, 2015
• Experienced liquidity events from four portfolio companies
• Investment portfolio, at fair value, was $204.3 million as of March 31, 2015
• Total liquidity as of March 31, 2015 was $70.2 million
• Asset coverage for borrowed amounts of 322% as of March 31, 2015
• Funded $23.9 million in loans to nine companies
• 74% of the outstanding principal amount of the loan portfolio bore interest at floating rates as of March 31, 2015
• Increased liquidity by completing a public offering of 2,000,000 shares of common stock with net proceeds of $26.7 million
• Declared distributions of $0.115 per share payable in each of July, August and September 2015, increasing cumulative declared distributions to $6.995 per share since going public in October 2010

"During the first quarter, we successfully deployed capital from portfolio liquidity events and achieved solid origination activity in a historically slow period," said Robert D. Pomeroy, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Horizon. "We continued to capitalize on the robust demand for our venture debt products and funded nine portfolio companies with attractive and consistent on-boarding yields."

Mr. Pomeroy continued, "In the first quarter, the credit quality of our portfolio remained strong and we took important steps to enhance our liquidity and financial flexibility. Our recent equity offering has positioned the Company to take advantage of its strong pipeline and achieve quality portfolio growth. We also continue to provide shareholders with a stable distribution and added upside from our growing and maturing warrant portfolio."

Operating Results

Total investment income was $7.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015, as compared to $7.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. The year-over-year decrease in total investment income is due to a decrease in average investments.

The Company's dollar-weighted annualized portfolio yield on average loans for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was 15.0% and 13.6%, respectively.

Total net expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2015 decreased to $4.3 million, as compared to $5.0 million for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Interest expense decreased year-over-year primarily due to a decrease in average borrowings. Base management fee expense decreased year-over-year primarily due to a decrease in average gross assets.

Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2015 was $2.9 million, or $0.30 per share, as compared to $2.5 million, or $0.26 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the net realized loss on investments was $0.2 million, or $0.02 per share, as compared to $5.9 million, or $0.61 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015, the net unrealized appreciation on investments was $1.1 million, or $0.11 per share, as compared to $8.5 million, or $0.88 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2014.

Portfolio Summary and Investment Activity

As of March 31, 2015, the Company's debt portfolio consisted of 50 secured loans with an aggregate fair value of $197.6 million. In addition, the Company's total warrant and equity investments in 82 portfolio companies had an aggregate fair value of $6.4 million as of March 31, 2015. Total portfolio investment activity as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 was as follows:

Net Asset Value

At March 31, 2015, the Company's net assets were $165.0 million, or $14.19 per share, as compared to $137.8 million, or $14.32 per share, as of March 31, 2014, and $138.2 million, or $14.36 per share, as of December 31, 2014.

For the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, the net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $3.8 million, or $0.39 per share, and $5.1 million, or $0.53 per share, respectively.

Portfolio Asset Quality

The following table shows the classification of Horizon's loan portfolio at fair value by internal credit rating as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014: 

As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, 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 a deteriorating credit quality and increased risk.

Liquidity Events

Horizon experienced liquidity events from four portfolio companies in the quarter ended March 31, 2015. 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 January, Radisphere National Radiology Group, Inc., now known as Candescent Health, Inc., prepaid the outstanding principal balance of $9.1 million on its venture loan, plus interest, end-of-term payment ("ETP") and prepayment fee. Horizon continues to hold warrants in this company.

In February, Courion Corporation prepaid the outstanding principal balance of $2.1 million on its venture loan, plus interest and prepayment fee.

In February, Inotek Pharmaceuticals Corporation ("Inotek") prepaid the outstanding principal balance of $2.7 million on its venture loan, plus interest, ETP and prepayment fee. Horizon continues to hold warrants in Inotek.

In March, Kaminario, Inc. ("Kaminario") prepaid the outstanding principal balance of $4.2 million on its venture loan, plus interest, ETP and prepayment fee. Horizon continues to hold warrants in Kaminario.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2015, the Company had $70.2 million in available liquidity, including cash and investments in money market funds totaling $30.2 million and $40.0 million in funds available under existing credit facility commitments.

As of March 31, 2015, there was $10 million outstanding under the Company's $50 million revolving credit facility which contains an accordion feature allowing for an increase in the total loan commitment up to an aggregate commitment of $150 million. As of March 31, 2015, 86.5% of the Company's total borrowings outstanding were at a fixed interest rate, with 42.2% of the Company's total borrowings outstanding fixed at an interest rate of 3.0%.

On March 24, 2015, Horizon increased its liquidity and improved its overall capitalization by completing a follow-on public equity offering of its common stock. Upon completion of the offering, the Company issued 2,000,000 shares of common stock at a public offering price of $13.95 per share. Net proceeds to Horizon from the offering, after deducting underwriting discounts and offering expenses payable by Horizon, were approximately $26.7 million.

As of March 31, 2015, the Company's debt to equity leverage ratio was 49%, and the asset coverage ratio for borrowed amounts was 322%.

Monthly Distributions Declared in Second Quarter 2015

On May 1, 2015, the Company's board of directors declared monthly distributions of $0.115 per share payable in each of July, August and September 2015. The following table shows these monthly distributions, which total $0.345 per share:

After paying first quarter distributions of $0.345 per share and earning $0.30 per share for the first quarter, the Company's undistributed spillover income, as of March 31, 2015, was $0.31 per share. Spillover income includes any ordinary income and net capital gains from the preceding years that were not distributed during such years.

When declaring distributions, the Company'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 dividends in such tax year, will be made after the close of the tax year.

Recent Events

The Company holds warrant positions in two portfolio companies that have filed registration statements in connection with their potential initial public offerings ("IPO"):

• eASIC Corporation filed a Registration Statement on Form S-1 on February 19, 2015; and
• A portfolio company confidentially submitted a Draft Registration Statement on Form S-1 under the JOBS Act.

There can be no assurances that these companies will complete their IPOs in a timely manner or at all.

On February 23, 2015, Inotek (Nasdaq:ITEK), a portfolio company, completed its IPO.

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 6, 2015 at 9:00 a.m. ET to discuss its latest corporate developments and financial results. The dial-in number for callers in the U.S. is (877) 677-9112, and the dial-in number for international callers is (708) 290-1396. The access code for all callers is 26839624.

A live webcast will be available on the Company's website at www.horizontechnologyfinancecorp.com.

A replay of the call will be available through May 8, 2015. To access the replay, please dial (855) 859-2056 in the United States and (404) 537-3406 outside the United States, and then enter the access code 26839624. An online archive of the webcast will be available on the Company's website for 30 days following the call.

About Horizon Technology Finance

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation is a leading specialty finance company that provides capital in the form of secured loans to companies backed by venture capital firms within the technology, life science, healthcare information and services and cleantech industries. The investment objective of Horizon is to maximize total returns by generating current income from a portfolio of directly originated secured loans as well as capital appreciation from warrants that it receives when making such loans. Headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, Horizon has regional offices in Walnut Creek, California and Reston, Virginia. Horizon's common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol "HRZN". To learn more, please visit www.horizontechnologyfinancecorp.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 our 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.

CONTACT: Horizon Technology Finance

         Christopher M. Mathieu

         Chief Financial Officer

         (860) 676-8653

         chris@horizontechfinance.com



         Investor Relations and Media Contacts:

         The IGB Group

         Matt Steinberg / Leon Berman

         (212) 477-8261 / (212) 477-8438

         msteinberg@igbir.com / lberman@igbir.com

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