UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 8-K

 

CURRENT REPORT

 

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the

 

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): May 7, 2013

 

HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         
Delaware   814-00802   27-2114934

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

  (Commission File Number)   (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

 

312 Farmington Avenue

 

Farmington, CT 06032

 

(Address of principal executive offices and zip code)

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (860) 676-8654

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:

 

¨   Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
     
¨   Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
     
¨   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
     
¨   Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 

 
 

 

Section 2   Financial Information
Item 2.02   Results of Operations and Financial Condition

 

On May 7, 2013, Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2013. A copy of this press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.

 

The information in Item 2.02 of this Current Report on Form 8-K, including Exhibit 99.1 furnished herewith, is being furnished and shall not be deemed “filed” for any purpose of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to liabilities of such Section. The information in this Current Report on Form 8-K shall not be deemed to be incorporated by reference into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Section 9   Financial Statements and Exhibits
Item 9.01   Financial Statements and Exhibits

 

 (d) Exhibits.

 

99.1   Press release of the Company dated May 7, 2013.  

 

2
 

 

SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

 

Date: May 7, 2013 HORIZON TECHNOLOGY FINANCE CORPORATION
   
  By: /s/ Robert D. Pomeroy, Jr.
    Robert D. Pomeroy, Jr.
    Chief Executive Officer

  

3
 

 

Exhibit Index

 

Exhibit No.   Description
     
99.1   Press release of the Company dated May 7, 2013

 

4

 

 

 

Horizon Technology Finance Announces
First Quarter 2013 Financial Results

 

Investment Portfolio Grows to a Record $248 Million

 

FARMINGTON, Conn., May 7, 2013 – Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: HRZN) (the “Company” or “Horizon”), a leading specialty finance company that provides secured loans to venture capital and private equity-backed development-stage companies in the technology, life science, healthcare information and services, and cleantech industries, today announced its first quarter financial results for the three months ended March 31, 2013.

 

First Quarter 2013 Highlights

·Ended the quarter with an investment portfolio of a record $247.8 million
·Funded $28.5 million in venture loans to new and existing portfolio companies
·Closed loan commitments totaling $25.5 million
·Portfolio weighted average yield was 12.8% with no loan prepayments in the quarter
·Earned net investment income (“NII”) of $2.8 million, or $0.29 per share
·Increased net assets from operations by $3.0 million, or $0.31 per share
·Net asset value (“NAV”) equaled $144.8 million, or $15.12 per share
·On March 8, 2013, declared monthly dividends of $0.115 per share for each of April, May and June 2013
·Unfunded loan approvals and commitments totaled $15.6 million
·Debt to equity ratio as of March 31, 2013 reached 79.7%
·Total liquidity as of March 31, 2013 was approximately $34.0 million

 

“We are pleased to report the record size of our investment portfolio, which we expect will drive higher investment income in future quarters. Our pipeline in the first quarter was robust following a record level of originations in the fourth quarter,” said Robert D. Pomeroy, Jr., Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “As we steadily increase our earning assets in a competitive market environment, we are making effective use of our leverage to boost returns and deliver a strong portfolio yield. Because most of our first quarter investments funded in late March, our first quarter portfolio growth did not have a large impact on our net investment income, however, we expect our portfolio growth will have a larger impact on our future operating results.”

 

Mr. Pomeroy added, “Our strategy remains to provide monthly dividends that are covered by net investment income over time, thus, with the increased earning power of our larger portfolio, on May 3 we declared monthly dividends of $0.115 per share for each of July, August and September 2013. Our focus remains on taking advantage of select investments that meet management’s underwriting and return criteria as we continue to generate high current pay interest income and seek opportunities to monetize our expanding warrant portfolio for the benefit of stockholders.”

 

 
 

 

Operating Results

Total investment income increased 11.2% to $7.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2013 as compared to $6.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. For the three months ended March 31, 2013, total investment income consisted primarily of $7.3 million in interest income from investments, which included $1.2 million in income from the amortization of origination fees and end-of-term payments on investments. Interest income on investments and other investment income rose primarily due to the increased average size of the loan portfolio offset by lower fee income as there were no prepayments during the first quarter 2013. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, total investment income consisted primarily of $5.9 million in interest income from investments, which included $1.1 million in income from the amortization of origination fees and end-of-term payments on investments. Fee income of $0.7 million was primarily comprised of prepayment fees from four portfolio companies.

 

The Company’s dollar-weighted average annualized portfolio yield on average loans, excluding warrant gains, was 12.8% and 15.4% for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012, respectively. The portfolio weighted average yield for the three months ended March 31, 2012 reflects the higher than usual level of prepayment activity recorded during the first quarter of 2012. Horizon receives repayments of certain loans prior to their scheduled maturity date, of which the frequency or volume of such repayments typically fluctuate from quarter to quarter.

 

Total expenses for the three months ended March 31, 2013 were $4.6 million, as compared to $3.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2012. Total expenses for each period consisted primarily of interest expense, management fees, incentive and administrative fees and, to a lesser degree, professional fees and general and administrative expenses. Interest expense increased quarter-over-quarter primarily due to the increase in average debt outstanding, as well as an increase borrowing cost associated with our Fortress Facility and Senior Notes.

 

Net investment income for the three months ended March 31, 2013 was $2.8 million, or $0.29 per share, as compared to net investment income of $3.4 million, or $0.44 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the Company reported a net realized loss on investments of $0.2 million, or $0.02 per share, primarily due to the write-off of warrants in one portfolio company. For the three months ended March 31, 2012, the Company did not realize any gains or losses on investments.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the net unrealized appreciation on investments was $0.4 million, or $0.04 per share, as a result of the change in portfolio investment fair values during the quarter. This compares to net unrealized depreciation on investments of $0.8 million or $0.11 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2012, which was primarily due to $1.2 million of net unrealized depreciation on six debt investments, partially offset by unrealized appreciation on warrant and equity investments.

 

For the three months ended March 31, 2013, the net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $3.0 million, or $0.31 per share. This compares to a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $2.5 million, or $0.33 per share, for the three months ended March 31, 2012.

 

 
 

 

Portfolio Summary and Investment Activity

As of March 31, 2013, the Company’s debt portfolio consisted of 49 secured loans with an aggregate fair value of $238.7 million. In addition, the Company’s warrant portfolio had an aggregate fair value of $6.0 million as of March 31, 2013. Total portfolio investment activity as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2013 and 2012 was as follows:

 

   For the three months
ended March 31,
 
   2013   2012 
Beginning portfolio  $228,613   $178,013 
New loan funding   28,500    31,700 
Less refinanced balances and participation       (18,739)
Net new loan funding   28,500    12,961 
Principal payments received on investments   (9,962)   (9,120)
Early pay-offs       (14,205)
Accretion of loan fees   548    642 
New loan fees   (320)   (182)
New equity   73     
Net realized loss on investments   (18)    
Net appreciation (depreciation) on investments   420    (813)
Other   (73)    
Ending Portfolio  $247,781   $167,296 

 

Net Asset Value

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s net assets were approximately $144.8 million, an increase of 12.2% as compared to $129.0 million as of March 31, 2012, and a decrease of 0.1% as compared to $145.0 million as of December 31, 2012.

 

At March 31, 2013, the Company’s net asset value per share was $15.12 based on 9,574,445 shares outstanding, compared to $16.89 per share based on 7,640,049 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2012 and $15.15 per share based on 9,567,225 shares outstanding as of December 31, 2012. In July 2012, the Company completed a public offering of 1,909,000 shares of its common stock that generated total gross proceeds of approximately $30.9 million.

 

Portfolio Asset Quality

The following table shows the classification of our loan portfolio at fair value by credit rating as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012:

 

   March 31, 2013   December 31, 2012 
   Loans at
Fair
Value
   Percentage
of Loan
Portfolio
   Loans at
Fair
Value
   Percentage
of Loan
Portfolio
 
                 
Credit Rating                    
4  $33,696    14.1%  $30,818    14.0%
3   180,859    75.8%   181,019    82.2%
2   18,914    7.9%   3,560    1.6%
1   5,280    2.2%   4,900    2.2%
Total  $238,749    100.0%  $220,297    100.0%

 

As of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, the Company’s loan portfolio had a weighted average credit rating of 3.1 and 3.2, respectively, 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. As of March 31, 2013, there were four investments with a credit rating of 2. As of December 31, 2012, there was one investment with a credit rating of 2. As of both March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, there were three investments with a credit rating of 1, all of which were on non-accrual status.

 

 
 

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of March 31, 2013, the Company had approximately $34.0 million in available liquidity, including cash and investments in money market funds totaling $4.6 million, and approximately $29.4 million in funds available under existing credit facility commitments.

 

Borrowings outstanding under the Company’s revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo, which contains an initial commitment of $75 million, totaled $67.0 million as of March 31, 2013. Borrowings outstanding under the Company’s term loan credit facility of $75 million with Fortress Credit totaled $10.0 million as of March 31, 2013.

 

At March 31, 2013, the Company's debt to equity leverage ratio was 79.7%.

 

Monthly Dividends Declared in Second Quarter 2013

On May 3, 2013, the Company’s Board of Directors declared monthly dividends of $0.115 per share for each of July, August and September 2013 pursuant to the Company’s dividend strategy. These monthly dividends, as set forth in the table below, total $0.345 per share:

 

Declared  Ex-Dividend Date  Record Date  Payment Date   Amount Per Share 
May 3, 2013  June 18, 2013  June 20, 2013  July 15, 2013  $0.115 
May 3, 2013  July 15, 2013  July 17, 2013  August 15, 2013  $0.115 
May 3, 2013  August 15, 2013  August 19, 2013  September 16, 2013  $0.115 
         Total:  $0.345 

 

When declaring dividends, 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.

 

Conference Call

The Company will host a conference call on Wednesday, May 8, 2013 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 41180360.

 

A live webcast will also be available on the Company’s website at horizontechnologyfinancecorp.com.

 

A replay of the call will be available through May 10, 2013. To access the replay, please dial (855) 859-2056 in the U.S. and (404) 537-3406 outside the U.S., and then enter the access code 41180360. 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 business development company that provides secured loans to development-stage companies backed by established venture capital and private equity firms within the technology, life science, healthcare information and services, and clean-tech industries. The investment objective of Horizon Technology Finance is to maximize total risk-adjusted returns by generating current income from a portfolio of directly originated secured loans as well as capital appreciation from warrants to purchase the equity of portfolio companies. Headquartered in Farmington, Connecticut, with regional offices in Walnut Creek, California and Reston, Virginia, the Company is externally managed by its investment advisor, Horizon Technology Finance Management LLC. Horizon’s common stock trades on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the ticker symbol, “HRZN”. In addition, the Company’s 7.375% Senior Notes due 2019 trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol “HTF.” To learn more about the Company, please visit 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. The Company 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.

 

Contacts:

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation Investor Relations and Media Contacts:
Christopher M. Mathieu The IGB Group
Chief Financial Officer Michael Cimini / Leon Berman
(860) 676-8653 (212) 477-8261 / (212) 477-8438
chris@horizontechfinance.com mcimini@igbir.com / lberman@igbir.com

 

 
 

 

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)

 

   March 31,
2013
   December
31, 2012
 
Assets          
Non-affiliate investments at fair value (cost of $258,133 and $239,385, respectively)  $247,781   $228,613 
Investment in money market funds   4,119    2,560 
Cash   478    1,048 
Interest receivable   3,513    2,811 
Other assets   4,244    4,626 
Total assets  $260,135   $239,658 
           
Liabilities          
Borrowings  $110,037   $89,020 
Dividends payable   3,303    3,301 
Base management fee payable   433    402 
Incentive fee payable   693    855 
Other accrued expenses   909    1,108 
Total liabilities   115,375    94,686 
           
Net assets          
Preferred stock, par value $0.001 per share, 1,000,000 shares authorized, zero shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012        
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 9,574,445 and 9,567,225 shares outstanding as of March 31, 2013 and December 31, 2012, respectively   10    10 
Paid-in capital in excess of par   154,492    154,384 
Accumulated undistributed net investment income   898    1,428 
Net unrealized depreciation on investments   (10,352)   (10,772)
Net realized loss on investments   (288)   (78)
Total net assets   144,760    144,972 
Total liabilities and net assets  $260,135   $239,658 
Net asset value per common share  $15.12   $15.15 

 

 
 

 

Horizon Technology Finance Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited)
(In thousands, except share data)

 

   For the Three Months Ended 
   March 31, 
   2013   2012 
Investment income          
Interest income on non-affiliate investments  $7,346   $5,910 
Fee income on non-affiliate investments   22    715 
Total investment income   7,368    6,625 
           
Expenses          
Interest expense   1,773    675 
Base management fee   1,241    994 
Performance based incentive fee   693    838 
Administrative fee   285    256 
Professional fees   382    307 
General and administrative   221    203 
Total expenses   4,595    3,273 
           
Net investment income   2,773    3,352 
           
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments          
Net realized loss on investments   (210)    
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments   420    (813)
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments   210    (813)
           
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations  $2,983   $2,539 
Net investment income per common share  $0.29   $0.44 
Net increase in net assets per common share  $0.31   $0.33 
Dividends declared per share  $0.345   $0.45 
Weighted average shares outstanding   9,570,789    7,636,609