Apollo Investment Corporation Reports Financial Results for the Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2018, Announces Executive Officer Appointments, and Announces Changes to Fee Structure

By: Apollo Investment Corporation via Business Wire News Releases

May 18, 2018 at 07:30 AM EDT

Apollo Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:AINV) or the “Company,” or “Apollo Investment,” today announced financial results for its fourth fiscal quarter ended March 31, 2018. The Company’s net investment income was $0.15 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2018, compared to $0.16 per share for the quarter ended December 31, 2017. The Company’s net asset value (“NAV”) was $6.56 per share as of March 31, 2018, compared to $6.60 as of December 31, 2017.

On May 17, 2018, the Board of Directors declared a distribution of $0.15 per share, payable on July 6, 2018 to shareholders of record as of June 21, 2018.

Mr. James Zelter, Director, commented, “Today’s executive officer appointments reflect the valuable contributions that Howard and Tanner have made implementing AINV's portfolio repositioning strategy over the past two years. I look forward to continuing to work with them as a Director of the Company and as Co-President of Apollo Global Management.” Mr. Zelter continued, “We are happy to announce changes to our fee structure which we believe more closely aligns the incentives of our manager with the interests of our shareholders and reflects our confidence in the strength of our business. The combination of our new fee structure and our active stock repurchase program demonstrate our commitment to creating value for our shareholders.”

Mr. Howard Widra, Apollo Investment’s newly appointed Chief Executive Officer commented, “I am very pleased to be taking on the CEO role as we near the completion of our portfolio repositioning plan. We thank Jim for his contributions as CEO and we are delighted that we will continue to benefit from his strategic insights and counsel as a Director of the company.” Mr Widra continued, “With the recent passage of The Small Business Credit Availability Act, we believe that we will be able to accelerate our de-risking investment strategy. As previously announced, we intend to use the incremental investment capacity to invest in lower risk assets which we believe to be in the best interests of all of our constituents.”

EXECUTIVE OFFICER APPOINTMENTS

The Company announced today that it has made two executive officer appointments. Mr. Howard Widra, who has served as President of the Company since June 2016 has been appointed Chief Executive Officer, succeeding Mr. James Zelter, who has served as Chief Executive Officer since 2006. Mr. Zelter will continue to serve as a Director and Mr. Widra has been named a Director. Mr. Tanner Powell has been appointed President of Company filling the vacancy created by Mr. Widra’s appointment. Mr. Powell will also continue to serve as Chief Investment Officer for the Company’s Investment Adviser. These appointments reflect Messrs. Widra and Powell’s ongoing contributions to the successful execution of the Company’s portfolio repositioning plan over the past two years.

Howard Widra

Mr. Howard Widra has been with Apollo Global Management, LLC and/or its affiliates since 2013. He was appointed Chief Executive Officer of Apollo Investment Corporation in May 2018 and previously served as President of Apollo Investment Corporation since June 2016. Mr. Widra is a co-founder of MidCap Financial, an $8 billion specialty finance business, and was formerly its Chief Executive Officer. Prior to MidCap, Mr. Widra was the founder and President of Merrill Lynch Capital Healthcare Finance. Prior to Merrill Lynch, Mr. Widra was President of GE Capital Healthcare Commercial Finance and held senior roles in its predecessor entities including President of Heller Healthcare Finance, and COO of Healthcare Financial Partners. Mr. Widra holds a J.D., Cum Laude, from the Harvard Law School and a B.A. from the University of Michigan.

Tanner Powell

Mr. Tanner Powell has been with Apollo Global Management, LLC since 2006. He was appointed President of Apollo Investment Corporation in May 2018 and has served as Chief Investment Officer for Apollo Investment Management, L.P., the Investment Adviser for Apollo Investment Corporation since June 2016. From 2004 to 2006, Mr. Powell served as an analyst in Goldman Sachs’ Principal Investment Area (PIA), concentrating on mezzanine investing. From 2002 to 2004, Mr. Powell was an analyst in the Industrials group at Deutsche Bank. Mr. Powell holds a B.A. from Princeton University.

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(1)		The Company announced that on April 4, 2018, its board of directors approved the application of the modified asset coverage requirements set forth in new Section 61(a)(2) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended by The Small Business Credit Availability Act (“SBCAA”). As a result, the asset coverage ratio test applicable to the Company will be decreased from 200% to 150%, effective April 4, 2019.
(2)		Core strategies include corporate lending, aviation, life sciences, asset based and lender finance.
(3)		The Company’s net leverage ratio is defined as debt outstanding plus payable for investments purchased, less receivable for investments sold, less cash and cash equivalents, less foreign currencies, divided by net assets.


FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

($ in billions, except per share data)	March 31, 2018			December 31, 2017			September 30, 2017			June 30, 2017			March 31, 2017
Total assets	$	2.31		$	2.42		$	2.45		$	2.49		$	2.41
Investment portfolio (fair value)	$	2.25		$	2.35		$	2.36		$	2.42		$	2.32
Debt outstanding	$	0.79		$	0.88		$	0.86		$	0.92		$	0.85
Net assets	$	1.42		$	1.44		$	1.47		$	1.48		$	1.48
Net asset value per share	$	6.56		$	6.60		$	6.72		$	6.73		$	6.74

Debt-to-equity ratio	0.56		x	0.61		x	0.59		x	0.62		x	0.57		x
Net leverage ratio (1)	0.57		x	0.62		x	0.59		x	0.62		x	0.55		x

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(1)	The Company’s net leverage ratio is defined as debt outstanding plus payable for investments purchased, less receivable for investments sold, less cash and cash equivalents, less foreign currencies, divided by net assets.


PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Year Ended March 31,
(in millions)*	2018			2017			2018			2017
Investments made in portfolio companies	$	243.3		$	149.4		$	1,049.4		$	601.1
Investments sold	(119.3		)	(38.4		)	(189.0		)	(219.5		)
Net activity before repaid investments	124.0			111.0			860.3			381.6
Investments repaid	(238.1		)	(306.4		)	(964.9		)	(875.2		)
Net investment activity	$	(114.1	)	$	(195.4	)	$	(104.6	)	$	(493.6	)

Portfolio companies at beginning of period	86			85			86			89
Number of new portfolio companies	8			13			39			37
Number of exited portfolio companies	(4		)	(12		)	(35		)	(40		)
Portfolio companies at end of period	90			86			90			86

Number of investments made in existing portfolio companies	19			10			28			26

____________________
*	Totals may not foot due to rounding.


OPERATING RESULTS

	Three Months Ended March 31,						Year Ended March 31,
(in millions)*	2018			2017			2018			2017
Net Investment Income	$	31.9		$	37.3		$	133.4		$	149.2
Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Losses	(11.3		)	(29.2		)	(46.4		)	(130.9		)
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations	$	20.6		$	8.1		$	87.0		$	18.4

*(per share) (1)**
Net Investment Income	$	0.15		$	0.17		$	0.61		$	0.67
Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Losses	$	(0.05	)	$	(0.13	)	$	(0.21	)	$	(0.59	)
Earnings per share — basic	$	0.10		$	0.04		$	0.40		$	0.08

____________________
* Totals may not foot due to rounding.

(1)		Based on the weighted average number of shares outstanding for the period presented.

SHARE REPURCHASE PROGRAM

During the three months ended March 31, 2018, the Company repurchased 1,943,858 shares at a weighted average price per share of $5.73, inclusive of commissions, for a total cost of $11.1 million.

Since the inception of the share repurchase program and through May 17, 2018, the Company repurchased 20,429,255 shares at a weighted average price per share of $5.88, inclusive of commissions, for a total cost of $120.1 million, leaving a maximum of $29.9 million available for future purchases under the current Board authorization of $150 million.

CONFERENCE CALL / WEBCAST AT 10:00 AM EDT ON MAY 18, 2018

The Company will host a conference call on Friday, May 18, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. Eastern Time. All interested parties are welcome to participate in the conference call by dialing (888) 802-8579 approximately 5-10 minutes prior to the call; international callers should dial (973) 633-6740. Participants should reference Apollo Investment Corporation or Conference ID #8595008 when prompted. A simultaneous webcast of the conference call will be available to the public on a listen-only basis and can be accessed through the Event Calendar in the Investor Relations section of our website at www.apolloic.com. Following the call, you may access a replay of the event either telephonically or via audio webcast. The telephonic replay will be available approximately two hours after the live call and through June 8, 2018 by dialing (800) 585-8367; international callers please dial (404) 537-3406, reference Conference ID # 8595008. A replay of the audio webcast will also be available later that same day. To access the audio webcast please visit the Event Calendar in the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.apolloic.com.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION

The Company provides a supplemental information package to offer more transparency into its financial results and make its reporting more informative and easier to follow. The supplemental package is available on the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website at www.apolloic.com.

Our portfolio composition and weighted average yields as of March 31, 2018, December 31, 2017, September 30, 2017, June 30, 2017, and March 31, 2017, were as follows:


	March 31, 2018	December 31, 2017	September 30, 2017	June 30, 2017	March 31, 2017
Portfolio composition, at fair value:
Secured debt	82%	81%	80%	77%	75%
Unsecured debt	5%	5%	5%	7%	7%
Structured products and other	3%	4%	5%	6%	7%
Preferred equity	1%	1%	1%	1%	1%
Common equity/interests and warrants	9%	9%	9%	9%	10%
Weighted average yields, at amortized cost (1):
Secured debt portfolio (2)	10.7%	10.5%	10.3%	10.2%	10.2%
Unsecured debt portfolio (2)	11.3%	11.2%	11.2%	11.1%	11.1%
Total debt portfolio (2)	10.7%	10.5%	10.3%	10.3%	10.3%
Total portfolio (3)	9.6%	9.6%	9.7%	9.7%	8.7%
Interest rate type, at fair value (4):
Fixed rate amount	$0.1 billion	$0.1 billion	$0.1 billion	$0.2 billion	$0.2 billion
Floating rate amount	$1.2 billion	$1.3 billion	$1.2 billion	$1.2 billion	$1.1 billion
Fixed rate, as percentage of total	8%	8%	9%	14%	16%
Floating rate, as percentage of total	92%	92%	91%	86%	84%
Interest rate type, at amortized cost (4):
Fixed rate amount	$0.1 billion	$0.1 billion	$0.1 billion	$0.2 billion	$0.2 billion
Floating rate amount	$1.2 billion	$1.2 billion	$1.2 billion	$1.1 billion	$1.0 billion
Fixed rate, as percentage of total	8%	9%	9%	15%	17%
Floating rate, as percentage of total	92%	91%	91%	85%	83%

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(1)		An investor’s yield may be lower than the portfolio yield due to sales loads and other expenses.
(2)		Exclusive of investments on non-accrual status.
(3)		Inclusive of all income generating investments, non-income generating investments and investments on non-accrual status.
(4)		The interest rate type information is calculated using the Company’s corporate debt portfolio and excludes aviation, oil and gas, structured credit, renewables, shipping, commodities and investments on non-accrual status.

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES (In thousands, except share and per share data)

	March 31, 2018			March 31, 2017

Assets
Investments at fair value:
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments (cost — $1,471,492 and $1,510,980, respectively)	$	1,450,033		$	1,402,409
Non-controlled/affiliated investments (cost — $73,943 and $417,471, respectively)	68,954			239,050
Controlled investments (cost — $723,161 and $676,972, respectively)	729,060			675,249
Cash and cash equivalents	14,035			9,783
Foreign currencies (cost — $1,292 and $1,494, respectively)	1,298			1,497
Cash collateral on option contracts	5,016			—
Receivable for investments sold	2,190			40,226
Interest receivable	22,272			17,072
Dividends receivable	2,550			6,489
Deferred financing costs	14,137			17,632
Variation margin receivable	1,846			—
Prepaid expenses and other assets	419			713
Total Assets	$	2,311,810		$	2,410,120

Liabilities
Debt	$	789,846		$	848,449
Payable for investments purchased	41,827			13,970
Distributions payable	32,447			32,954
Management and performance-based incentive fees payable	16,585			16,306
Interest payable	5,310			7,319
Accrued administrative services expense	2,507			2,250
Other liabilities and accrued expenses	5,202			7,075
Total Liabilities	$	893,724		$	928,323

Net Assets	$	1,418,086		$	1,481,797

Net Assets
Common stock, $0.001 par value (400,000,000 shares authorized; 216,312,096 and 219,694,654 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)	$	216		$	220
Paid-in capital in excess of par	2,636,507			2,924,775
Accumulated under-distributed (over-distributed) net investment income	(10,229		)	88,134
Accumulated net realized loss	(1,166,471		)	(1,277,625		)
Net unrealized loss	(41,937		)	(253,707		)
Net Assets	$	1,418,086		$	1,481,797

Net Asset Value Per Share	$	6.56		$	6.74

APOLLO INVESTMENT CORPORATION STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (In thousands, except per share data)

	Three Months Ended
	March 31,						Year Ended March 31,
	2018			2017			2018			2017
	(Unaudited)			(Unaudited)
Investment Income
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments:
Interest income (excluding Payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest income)	$	40,537		$	38,369		$	157,076		$	160,457
Dividend income	—			—			—			2,066
PIK interest income	1,250			2,027			7,176			7,824
Other income	1,284			1,568			6,548			4,551
Non-controlled/affiliated investments:
Interest income (excluding PIK interest income)	152			1,195			266			1,914
Dividend income	67			2,173			2,528			14,485
PIK interest income	44			2,513			7,626			2,809
Other income	—			—			(306		)	70
Controlled investments:
Interest income (excluding PIK interest income)	13,012			12,974			55,781			50,405
Dividend income	3,750			3,900			17,153			17,750
PIK interest income	1,393			1,577			5,439			17,531
Total Investment Income	$	61,489		$	66,296		$	259,287		$	279,862
Expenses
Management fees	$	11,474		$	12,256		$	47,937		$	52,934
Performance-based incentive fees	5,277			2,713			28,710			18,776
Interest and other debt expenses	12,560			14,061			53,039			59,765
Administrative services expense	1,854			1,746			6,915			7,513
Other general and administrative expenses	3,161			3,283			9,599			13,200
Total expenses	34,326			34,059			146,200			152,188
Management and performance-based incentive fees waived	(4,641		)	(4,969		)	(19,718		)	(21,233		)
Expense reimbursements	(138		)	(84		)	(582		)	(336		)
Net Expenses	$	29,547		$	29,006		$	125,900		$	130,619
Net Investment Income	$	31,942		$	37,290		$	133,387		$	149,243
Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
Net realized gains (losses):
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments	$	206		$	(61,580	)	$	(96,498	)	$	(97,774	)
Non-controlled/affiliated investments	(25,944		)	(31,032		)	(167,416		)	50,014
Controlled investments	—			—			—			(2,173		)
Option contracts	(3,656		)	752			(4,275		)	752
Credit default swaps	—			(878		)	—			(878		)
Foreign currency transactions	9,216			6,222			15,851			8,236
Extinguishment of debt	—			—			(5,790		)	—
Net realized losses	(20,178		)	(86,516		)	(258,128		)	(41,823		)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses):
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments	(1,915		)	63,880			86,870			134,198
Non-controlled/affiliated investments	22,846			(2,249		)	173,674			(185,926		)
Controlled investments	8,418			340			7,622			(55,689		)
Option contracts	(5,172		)	3,258			(19,145		)	—
Credit default swaps	—			788			—			—
Foreign currency translations	(15,314		)	(8,739		)	(37,251		)	18,367
Net change in unrealized losses	8,863			57,278			211,770			(89,050		)
Net Realized and Change in Unrealized Losses	$	(11,315	)	$	(29,238	)	$	(46,358	)	$	(130,873	)
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations	$	20,627		$	8,052		$	87,029		$	18,370
Earnings Per Share	$	0.10		$	0.04		$	0.40		$	0.08

About Apollo Investment Corporation

Apollo Investment Corporation (NASDAQ:AINV) is a closed-end investment company that has elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company invests primarily in various forms of debt investments, including secured and unsecured debt, loan investments, and/or equity in private middle-market companies. The Company may also invest in the securities of public companies and structured products and other investments such as collateralized loan obligations and credit-linked notes. The Company seeks to provide private financing solutions for private companies that do not have access to the more traditional providers of credit. Apollo Investment Corporation is managed by Apollo Investment Management, L.P., an affiliate of Apollo Global Management, LLC, a leading global alternative investment manager. For more information, please visit www.apolloic.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, statements as to our future operating results; our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies; the impact of investments that we expect to make; our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties; the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest; the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives; our expected financings and investments; the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; and the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies.

We may use words such as “anticipates,” “believes,” “expects,” “intends,” “will,” “should,” “may” and similar expressions to identify forward-looking statements. Such statements are based on currently available operating, financial and competitive information and are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from our historical experience and our present expectations. Statements regarding the following subjects, among others, may be forward-looking: the return on equity; the yield on investments; the ability to borrow to finance assets; new strategic initiatives; the ability to reposition the investment portfolio; the market outlook; future investment activity; and risks associated with changes in business conditions and the general economy. Undue reliance should not be placed on such forward-looking statements as such statements speak only as of the date on which they are made. We do not undertake to update our forward-looking statements unless required by law.

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Contacts:

Apollo Investment Corporation
Elizabeth Besen, 212.822.0625
Investor Relations Manager
[email protected]