RAND Rand Capital Corporation

 

 

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 13, 2024

 

RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)

 

New York		814-00235		16-0961359
(State or Other Jurisdiction of Incorporation)		(Commission File Number)		(I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)

 

1405 Rand Building, Buffalo, NY 14203

(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)

 

(716) 853-0802

(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)

 

Not Applicable

(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)

 

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing 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))

 

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

 

Title of each class		Trading Symbol(s)		Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, $0.10 par value		RAND		Nasdaq Capital Market

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (17 CFR §230.405) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (17 CFR §240.12b-2).

 

Emerging growth company ☐

 

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐

 

 

 

Item 2.02. Results of Operations and Financial Condition.

 

On May 13, 2024, Rand Capital Corporation (the “Company”) issued a press release announcing its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. A copy of the release is furnished with this report as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference into this Item 2.02.

 

The information contained in this report under Item 2.02 is being furnished and shall not be deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), or otherwise subject to the liabilities of that section. The information contained in this report under Item 2.02 shall not be incorporated by reference into any registration statement or other document filed pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.

 

Item 7.01. Regulation FD Disclosure.

 

The Company has updated its earnings conference call slide presentation for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, and will make it available on the Company’s website at www.randcapital.com, under “Investors”. The slide presentation will be referenced during the Company’s earnings conference call. The information found on, or otherwise accessible through, the Company’s website is not incorporated by reference herein.

 

Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.

 

(d)

Exhibits

 

Exhibit Number		Description of Exhibit
99.1		Press Release, dated May 13, 2024.
104		Cover Page Interactive Data File (the cover page XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document)

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

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.

 

	RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION
Date: May 13, 2024
	By:	/s/ Margaret Brechtel
		Name: Margaret Brechtel
		Title: Chief Financial Officer

 

 

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.1

 

NEWS RELEASE

 

 

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

 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 

Rand Capital Reports 12% Increase in Total Investment Income for
First Quarter 2024

 

	●	Strategy focused on expanding portfolio composition with new debt investments drives total investment income growth of 12% to $2.1 million for the first quarter of 2024
	●	Investment portfolio comprised of 70% interest yielding debt instruments at quarter-end compared with 64% at the end of 2023, improving portfolio yield and net interest income
	●	Net asset value per share (“NAV”) was $23.85 at March 31, 2024, up 1% from year-end 2023
	●	Sold remaining ACV Auctions stock, netting a realized gain of $3.5 million
	●	Invested $10.8 million in new and follow on investments during the first quarter
	●	Increased regular quarterly dividend 16% to $0.29 per share for second quarter 2024

 

BUFFALO, NY, May 13, 2024 – 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 first quarter ended March 31, 2024.

 

Daniel P. Penberthy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Rand, commented, “Our continued deployment of capital, primarily directed towards debt investments, has proven to be a successful strategy that yielded strong results in the first quarter of 2024. The first quarter was a busy period in our portfolio, marked by new and follow-on investments and portfolio repayments, underscoring the strength and agility of our investment approach. Furthermore, we capitalized on market opportunities by realizing $3.5 million on the sale of our ACV Auctions stock. This exit, coupled with the utilization of our credit facility, enabled us to deploy over $10 million during the quarter, further strengthening our interest yielding portfolio.

 

“Looking ahead, we remain committed to our strategy and are focused on driving investment income growth, which is a vital catalyst in supporting our ability to generate sustainable dividends for our shareholders in the future.”

 

First Quarter Highlights (compared with the prior-year period unless otherwise noted)

 

●

Total investment income grew $216,000, or 12%, to $2.1 million, which reflected a 40% increase in interest from portfolio companies, partially offset by lower dividend income.

 

●

Total expenses were $1.2 million compared with $1.0 million in last year’s first quarter. The change reflects a $232,000 increase in interest expense on borrowings under the senior revolving credit facility, partially offset by a decrease in capital gains incentive fees to the Company’s external investment adviser. The first quarter of 2024 included an expense of $112,000 in capital gains incentive fees compared with $291,000 for the first quarter of 2023.

 

●

Adjusted expenses, which exclude capital gains incentive fees and is a non-GAAP financial measure, were $1.1 million compared with $757,000 in the first quarter of 2023. See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted expenses.

 

 

●

Net investment income grew 17% to $840,000, or $0.33 per share, from $715,000, or $0.28 per share, in the first quarter of 2023. Adjusted net investment income per share, a non-GAAP financial measure, which excludes the capital gains incentive fee accrual expense, was $0.37 per share compared with $0.39 in last year’s first quarter. See the attached description of this non-GAAP financial measure and reconciliation table for adjusted net investment income per share.

 

Portfolio and Investment Activity

 

As of March 31, 2024, Rand’s portfolio included investments with a fair value of $82.8 million across 30 portfolio businesses. This was an increase of $5.6 million, or 7%, from December 31, 2023, and reflected new and follow on investments and valuation adjustments in multiple portfolio companies, partially offset by the ACV Auctions stock sale and other portfolio company loan repayments. At March 31, 2024, Rand’s portfolio was comprised of approximately 70% in debt investments, 25% in equity investments in private companies, and 5% in publicly traded equities consisting of other BDCs. The annualized weighted average yield of debt investments, which includes PIK interest, was 13.7% at March 31, 2024, compared with 13.6% at the end of 2023.

 

First quarter 2024:

 

●

Funded a new investment of $3.2 million in Mountain Regional Equipment Solutions (MRES), which consisted of a $3.0 million term loan at 14% and a $205,000 equity investment. MRES supplies automated lubrication systems, active and passive safety systems and maintenance products for mobile heavy equipment, on-highway and vocational transport equipment, stationary and mobile industrial equipment, and cranes.

 

●

Mattison Avenue Holdings repaid its existing $1.9 million loan during the quarter. Subsequently, Rand funded a new debt investment of $5.5 million in Mattison Avenue Holdings, which will carry a rate of 14%, including PIK interest.

 

●

Funded a follow-on debt investment of $1.8 million in Seybert’s Billiards Corporation. Rand’s total debt and equity investment in Seybert’s had a fair value of $7.8 million at quarter-end.

 

●

Sold remaining 194,934 shares of ACV Auctions at an average price of $18.02 per share, realizing $3.5 million. The ACV shares had been previously valued at $2.95 million on December 31, 2023.

 

●

Received $687,000 principal loan repayment from Pressure Pro, Inc. At quarter-end, Rand’s total debt and equity investment in Pressure Pro had a fair value of $2.4 million.

 

Liquidity and Capital Resources

 

Cash was $759,000 at March 31, 2024. The Company also held shares valued at approximately $4.5 million in other publicly traded BDCs, which are available for future liquidity needs including dividends and portfolio investments.

 

At March 31, 2024, Rand had outstanding borrowings of $19.2 million on its existing $25.0 million senior secured revolving credit facility. The outstanding borrowings carried an interest rate of 8.8% at quarter-end.

 

The Company did not repurchase any outstanding common stock during the first quarter of 2024.

 

Rand’s Board of Directors renewed the share repurchase program authorizing the purchase of up to $1.5 million in additional Rand common stock. The shares may be repurchased from time to time in the open market and in accordance with applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The stock repurchase program does not obligate the Company to purchase any shares, and the timing and exact amount of any repurchases will depend on various factors, including the performance of the Company’s stock price, general market and other conditions, applicable legal requirements and other factors. The renewed stock repurchase program expires on May 7, 2025, and may be suspended, terminated or amended by the Board at any time prior to the expiration date.

 

 

Dividends

 

On February 26, 2024, Rand declared its regular quarterly cash dividend distribution of $0.25 per share, which was paid during the first quarter to shareholders of record as of March 13, 2024.

 

On May 8, 2024, Rand declared its regular quarterly cash dividend distribution of $0.29 per share, which was increased by $0.04 per share or 16%. The cash dividend will be distributed on or about June 14, 2024, to shareholders of record as of May 31, 2024.

 

Webcast and Conference Call

 

Rand will host a conference call and webcast on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 1:30 p.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 5:00 p.m. ET on the day of the call through Monday, May 27, 2024. To listen to the archived call, dial (412) 317-6671 and enter replay pin number 13745657. 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 businesses that have sustainable, differentiated and market-proven products, revenue of more than $10 million and EBITDA in excess of $1.5 million. 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/.

 

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; statements regarding the implementation of the Company’s strategy and the growth of its dividend; 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, 2023, 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

 

 

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

		March 31, 2024 (Unaudited)				December 31, 2023
ASSETS
Investments at fair value:
Control investments (cost of $5,661,245 and $5,272,770, respectively)		$	4,537,435			$	4,148,960
Affiliate investments (cost of $46,960,202 and $45,720,974, respectively)			54,638,600				53,499,372
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments (cost of $24,282,868 and $17,371,862, respectively)			23,598,090				19,477,380
Total investments, at fair value (cost of $76,904,315 and $68,365,606, respectively)			82,774,125				77,125,712
Cash			759,183				3,295,321
Interest receivable			347,755				244,600
Prepaid income taxes			154,404				127,869
Deferred tax asset, net			65,815				39,179
Other assets			253,848				189,301
Total assets		$	84,355,130			$	81,021,982
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY (NET ASSETS)
Liabilities:
Due to investment adviser		$	302,480			$	979,297
Accounts payable and accrued expenses			272,086				145,516
Line of credit			19,200,000				16,250,000
Capital gains incentive fees			2,392,000				2,279,700
Deferred revenue			619,225				552,256
Total liabilities			22,785,791				20,206,769
Stockholders’ equity (net assets):
Common stock, $0.10 par; shares authorized 100,000,000; shares issued: 2,648,916; shares outstanding: 2,581,021 at 3/31/24 and 12/31/23			264,892				264,892
Capital in excess of par value			55,801,170				55,801,170
Treasury stock, at cost: 67,895 shares at 3/31/24 and 12/31/23			(1,566,605	)			(1,566,605	)
Total distributable earnings			7,069,882				6,315,756
Total stockholders’ equity (net assets) (per share – 3/31/24: $23.85;  12/31/23: $23.56)			61,569,339				60,815,213
Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity (net assets)		$	84,355,130			$	81,021,982

 

 

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Operations

(Unaudited)

		Three months ended March 31, 2024				Three months ended March 31, 2023
Investment income:
Interest from portfolio companies:
Control investments		$	187,483			$	150,916
Affiliate investments			1,166,085				787,821
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments			460,080				358,166
Total interest from portfolio companies			1,813,648				1,296,903
Interest from other investments:
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments			1,914				132
Total interest from other investments			1,914				132
Dividend and other investment income:
Affiliate investments			13,125				347,148
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments			138,710				127,595
Total dividend and other investment income			151,835				474,743
Fee income:
Control investments			4,516				3,900
Affiliate investments			73,720				67,842
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments			21,586				7,978
Total fee income			99,822				79,720
Total investment income			2,067,219				1,851,498
Expenses:
Base management fee			302,595				245,393
Capital gains incentive fees			112,300				291,000
Interest expense			390,020				158,400
Professional fees			232,307				170,975
Stockholders and office operating			69,028				64,304
Directors’ fees			63,850				63,850
Administrative fees			38,167				37,250
Insurance			13,044				12,960
Corporate development			5,545				3,713
Total expenses			1,226,856				1,047,845
Net investment income before income taxes:			840,363				803,653
Income taxes, including excise tax expense			778				88,737
Net investment income			839,585				714,916
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments:
Affiliate investments			—				58,329
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments			3,450,092				(4,941	)
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments			3,450,092				53,388
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation  on investments:
Affiliate investments			(100,000	)			—
Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments			(2,790,296	)			1,401,973
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments			(2,890,296	)			1,401,973
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments			559,796				1,455,361
Net increase in net assets from operations		$	1,399,381			$	2,170,277
Weighted average shares outstanding			2,581,021				2,581,021
Basic and diluted net increase in net assets from operations per share		$	0.54			$	0.84

 

 

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets
(Unaudited)

 

		Three months ended March 31, 2024				Three months ended March 31, 2023
Net assets at beginning of period		$	60,815,213			$	57,721,320
Net investment income			839,585				714,916
Net realized gain on sales and dispositions of investments			3,450,092				53,388
Net change in unrealized appreciation/depreciation on investments			(2,890,296	)			1,401,973
Net increase in net assets from operations			1,399,381				2,170,277
Declaration of dividend			(645,255	)			(516,204	)
Net assets at end of period		$	61,569,339			$	59,375,393

 

 

Rand Capital Corporation and Subsidiaries

Reconciliation of GAAP Total Expense 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 expenses for capital gains incentive fees accrual. 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 March 31, 2024				Three months ended March 31, 2023
Total expenses		$	1,226,856			$	1,047,845
Exclude expenses for capital gains incentive fees			112,300				291,000
Adjusted total expenses		$	1,114,556			$	756,845

 

 

Reconciliation of GAAP Net Investment Income per Share to
Adjusted Net Investment Income per Share

(Unaudited)

 

In addition to reporting Net Investment Income per Share, which is a 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 per Share removing the effect of any expenses for capital gains incentive fees. GAAP Net Investment Income 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 March 31, 2024				Three months ended March 31, 2023
Net investment income per share		$	0.33			$	0.28
Exclude expenses for capital gains incentive fees per share			0.04				0.11
Adjusted net investment income per share		$	0.37			$	0.39

 

###

 

 

v3.24.1.1.u2

Cover	May 13, 2024
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	8-K
Amendment Flag	false
Document Period End Date	May 13, 2024
Entity File Number	814-00235
Entity Registrant Name	RAND CAPITAL CORPORATION
Entity Central Index Key	0000081955
Entity Tax Identification Number	16-0961359
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	NY
Entity Address, Address Line One	1405 Rand Building
Entity Address, City or Town	Buffalo
Entity Address, State or Province	NY
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	14203
City Area Code	(716)
Local Phone Number	853-0802
Written Communications	false
Soliciting Material	false
Pre-commencement Tender Offer	false
Pre-commencement Issuer Tender Offer	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, $0.10 par value
Trading Symbol	RAND
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Information, Former Legal or Registered Name	Not Applicable

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