The Board of Trustees of Barings Participation Investors (NYSE:
MPV) (the "Trust") met on February 26, 2024, and would like to
report its preliminary financial results for the fourth quarter of
2023.
Financial
Highlights(1)
Three Months Ended
December 31, 2023
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2022
Total Amount
Per Share(4)
Total Amount
Per Share(4)
Net investment income(2)
$
3,529,750
$
0.33
$
4,343,755
$
0.40
Net realized gains / (losses)(3)
$
198,004
$
0.02
$
(647,807
)
$
(0.06
)
Net unrealized appreciation
$
631,658
$
0.06
$
1,138,449
$
0.11
Net increase in net assets resulting from
operations
$
4,449,487
$
0.42
$
4,838,805
$
0.46
Total net assets (equity)
$
163,366,715
$
15.41
$
166,232,385
$
15.68
(1) All figures for 2023 are unaudited
(2) December 31, 2023 figures net of
approximately $0.04 per share of excise tax
(3) December 31, 2023 figures net of
approximately $0.01 per share of capital gains tax
(4) Based on shares outstanding at the end
of the period of 10,601,700
Key Highlights:
Commenting on the year, Christina Emery, President, stated, "We
are pleased to have grown net investment income, net of taxes,
during 2023 to $1.50 per share compared to $0.97 per share in 2022.
The increase is a function of both the sound credit quality and
diversity of the portfolio coupled with rising base rates. During
2023, Barings continued to drive origination flow into quality, 1st
lien senior secured middle-market investments. The Trust has
increased dividends for the last 6 quarters, which is further
confirmation of our credit philosophy, where we focus on leading
businesses backed by strong sponsor ownership and conservative
capital structures. This approach has historically generated stable
returns and relative stability during economic stress. When
constructing portfolios, we focus on investing in high-quality
businesses that are leaders in their space and offer defensive
characteristics that will allow them to perform through economic
cycles.”
In 2023, the Trust’s dividend increased by $0.02 per share in
the third quarter and $0.01 per share in the fourth quarter for a
total annual dividend of $1.29 per share, representing a 50.0%
increase to the 2022 total annual dividend of $0.86 per share.
Based on the Trust’s December 31, 2023, share price of $15.60 per
share, the most recent distribution of $0.35 per share represents
an annualized yield of 9.0%.
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Trust
reported total investment income of $5.0 million, net investment
income of $3.5 million, or $0.33 per share, and a net increase in
net assets resulting from operations of $4.4 million, or $0.42 per
share.
Net asset value ("NAV") per share as of December 31, 2023, was
$15.41, as compared to $15.68 as of September 30, 2023. The
decrease in NAV per share was primarily attributable to the payment
of a $0.35 per share dividend on November 17, 2023, and the
declaration of a $0.35 per share dividend which was paid on January
19, 2024, partially offset by net investment income of $0.33 per
share, net unrealized appreciation on investments of $0.05 per
share and net realized gains of approximately $0.03 per share.
Recent Portfolio
Activity
During the three months ended December 31, 2023, the Trust made
six new investments totaling $3.4 million and 23 add-on investments
in existing portfolio companies totaling $1.3 million. During the
three months ended December 31, 2023, the Trust had one loan repaid
at par totaling $0.4 million, one mezzanine debt investment repaid
at par totaling $1.3 million and realized four equity investments
totaling $1.4 million for a realized gain of $0.2 million, or
approximately $0.02 per share.
Liquidity and
Capitalization
As of December 31, 2023, the Trust had cash of $6.4 million and
$21.75 million of borrowings outstanding. The Trust had unfunded
commitments of $9.16 million as of December 31, 2023.
Net Capital Gains
The Trust realized net capital gains of $198,004 or $0.02 per
share during the quarter ended December 31, 2023, which resulted in
realized net capital losses for the year ended December 31, 2023,
of $333,114 or $0.03 per share. By comparison, for the year ended
December 31, 2022, the Trust realized net capital losses of
$437,446 or $0.04 per share. During the quarter ended September 30,
2023, the Trust realized net capital losses of $647,807 or $0.06
per share.
Annual Meeting
The Trust’s annual shareholders' meeting will be held on
Thursday, May 16, 2024. Shareholders of record at the close of
business on March 18, 2024, will be entitled to vote at the
meeting.
About Barings Participation
Investors
Barings Participation Investors is a closed-end management
investment company advised by Barings LLC. Its shares are traded on
the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol ("MPV").
About Barings LLC
Barings is a $381+ billion* global investment manager sourcing
differentiated opportunities and building long-term portfolios
across public and private fixed income, real estate, and specialist
equity markets. With investment professionals based in North
America, Europe and Asia Pacific, the firm, a subsidiary of
MassMutual, aims to serve its clients, communities and employees,
and is committed to sustainable practices and responsible
investment. Learn more at www.barings.com.
*Assets under management as of December 31, 2023
Per share amounts are rounded to the nearest cent.
PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE
RESULTS
Cautionary Notice: Certain statements contained in this press
release may be "forward looking" statements. Investors are
cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking
statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made
and which reflect management’s current estimates, projections,
expectations or beliefs, and which are subject to risks and
uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially.
These statements are subject to change at any time based upon
economic, market or other conditions and may not be relied upon as
investment advice or an indication of the fund's trading intent.
References to specific securities are not recommendations of such
securities, and may not be representative of the fund's current or
future investments. We undertake no obligation to publicly update
forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information,
future events, or otherwise.
View source
version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240226261703/en/
MediaRelations@barings.com
Barings Participation In... (NYSE:MPV)
Historical Stock Chart
From Oct 2024 to Nov 2024
Barings Participation In... (NYSE:MPV)
Historical Stock Chart
From Nov 2023 to Nov 2024
