SuRo Capital Corp. Reports Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results

In this article:
SuRo Capital Corp.SuRo Capital Corp.
SuRo Capital Corp.

Net Asset Value of $11.72 Per Share as of December 31, 2021

Board of Directors Declares $0.11 Per Share Cash Dividend

NEW YORK, March 09, 2022 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- SuRo Capital Corp. (“SuRo Capital”, the “Company”, “we”, “us”, and “our”) (Nasdaq: SSSS) today announced its financial results for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. Net assets totaled approximately $364.8 million, or $11.72 per share, at December 31, 2021, inclusive of dividends totaling $2.75 per share declared during the fourth quarter, as compared to a dividend-adjusted $12.04 per share at September 30, 2021 and dividend-adjusted $7.14 per share at December 31, 2020.

“2021 was a momentous year for SuRo Capital, as we achieved many milestones as a firm. We reached our highest ever NAV per share, our highest dividend-adjusted NAV per share, and our highest year-end net assets under management in firm history. We were able to take advantage of both a strong demand for high growth technology businesses as well as a strong IPO market and M&A environment to monetize over $258 million of our portfolio assets. As a result, we had the most successful year for shareholder return in our history, declaring a total of $8.00 per share for over $212 million in total distributions,” said Mark Klein, President and Chief Executive Officer of SuRo Capital.

Mr. Klein continued, “In addition to the monetization and distribution activities during 2021, we were also able to access the non-convertible debt markets for the first time, raising $75.0 million of 6% Notes. This capital raise, in addition to the proceeds we retained after our monetizations, provides our team with significant investable capital to continue selectively leveraging our robust investment pipeline.”

“Consistent with our desire to be shareholder friendly and our continued practice of distributing net realized gains, on March 8, 2022, SuRo Capital’s Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.11 per share,” said Mr. Klein.

Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2021

At December 31, 2021, SuRo Capital held positions in 38 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of approximately $260.1 million. The Company’s top five portfolio company investments accounted for approximately 57% of the total investment portfolio at fair value as of December 31, 2021.

Top Five Investments as of December 31, 2021

Portfolio Company ($ in millions)

Cost

Fair Value

% of Total Portfolio

Course Hero, Inc.

$

15.0

$

87.8

33.8

%

Forge Global, Inc.

2.5

21.0

8.1

Blink Health, Inc.

15.0

14.3

5.5

Nextdoor Holdings, Inc.

10.0

12.4

4.8

Stormwind, LLC

6.4

11.8

4.5

Total (rounded)

$

48.9

$

147.4

56.7

%


Fourth Quarter 2021 Investment Portfolio Activity

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, SuRo Capital funded the following new and follow-on investments:

Portfolio Company

Investment

Transaction Date

Amount

Course Hero, Inc.

Series C Preferred Shares

11/5/2021

$10.0 million

SuRo Capital Sports, LLC(1)

Series Seed-4 Preferred Shares

10/12/2021

$1.0 million

__________________
(1) Represents an investment made in Rebric, Inc. (d/b/a Compliable).

During the three months ended December 31, 2021, SuRo Capital exited or received proceeds from the following investments:

Portfolio Company

Transaction Date

Shares Sold

Average Net
Share Price
(1)

Net Proceeds

Realized Gain

Coursera, Inc.(2)

Various

1,509,090

$34.35

$51.8 million

$42.4 million

Tynker (f/k/a Neuron Fuel Inc.)

12/6/2021

534,162

$5.44

$2.9 million(3)

$2.6 million(3)

NewLake Capital Partners, Inc.(4)

Various

167,755

$28.30

$4.7 million

$1.4 million

Skillsoft Corp.(5)

Various

18,157

$12.63

$0.2 million

<$0.1 million

Residential Homes for Rent, LLC (d/b/a Second Avenue)(6)

Various

N/A

N/A

$0.3 million

-

__________________

(1) The average net share price is the net share price realized after deducting all commissions and fees on the sale(s), if applicable.
(2) As of November 4, 2021, SuRo Capital had sold all its shares of Coursera, Inc.
(3) Net proceeds includes approximately $0.4 million in additional proceeds held in escrow.
(4) As of December 31, 2021, SuRo Capital held 278,471 remaining NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. common shares.
(5) As of December 31, 2021, SuRo Capital held 981,843 remaining Skillsoft Corp. common shares.
(6) During the quarter ended December 31, 2021, $0.3 million was received from Residential Homes for Rent, LLC (d/b/a Second Avenue) related to the 15% term loan due December 23, 2023. Of the proceeds received, $250,000 repaid a portion of the outstanding principal and the remaining proceeds were attributed to interest.


Subsequent to year-end, through March 9, 2022, SuRo Capital sold or received proceeds from the following investments:

Portfolio Company

Transaction Date

Shares Sold

Average Net
Share Price
(1)

Net Proceeds

Realized Gain

NewLake Capital Partners, Inc.(2)

Various

27,352

$27.76

$0.8 million

$0.2 million

Rover Group, Inc.(3)

1/31/2022

42,744

$6.52

$0.3 million

$0.2 million

Residential Homes for Rent, LLC (d/b/a Second Avenue)(4)

Various

N/A

N/A

$0.2 million

-

__________________

(1) The average net share price is the net share price realized after deducting all commissions and fees on the sale(s), if applicable.
(2) As of March 9, 2022, SuRo Capital held 251,119 remaining NewLake Capital Partners, Inc. common shares.
(3) As of March 9, 2022, SuRo Capital held 795,637 remaining Rover Group, Inc. common shares.
(4) Subsequent to December 31, 2021, $0.2 million was received from Residential Homes for Rent, LLC (d/b/a Second Avenue) related to the 15% term loan due December 23, 2023. Of the proceeds received, $166,667 repaid a portion of the outstanding principal and the remaining proceeds were attributed to interest.

Fourth Quarter 2021 Financial Results

Quarter Ended
December 31, 2021

Quarter Ended
December 31, 2020

$ in millions

per share(1)

$ in millions

per share(1)

Net investment loss

$

(2.8

)

$

(0.09

)

$

(4.3

)

$

(0.21

)

Net realized gain on investments

46.4

1.43

7.1

0.36

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments

(53.1

)

(2.04

)

58.4

2.92

Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations – basic(3)

$

(9.5

)

$

(0.70

)

$

61.2

$

3.07

Dividends declared

(80.9

)

(2.75

)

(9.4

)

(0.47

)

Issuance of common stock from stock dividends

29.1

0.36

-

-

Issuance of common stock from public offering

0.1

0.01

-

-

Issuance of common stock from
conversion of 4.75% Convertible Notes due 2023

-

-

0.0

(0.00

)

Stock-based compensation

0.4

0.01

-

-

Repurchase of common stock(2)

-

-

(3.1

)

0.08

Increase/(decrease) in net asset value(3)

$

(60.9

)

$

(3.07

)

$

48.7

$

2.68

__________________

(1) Based on weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the relevant period.
(2) During the quarter ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 371,283 shares of SuRo Capital common stock for approximately $3.1 million in cash under its Share Repurchase Program. The use of cash in connection with the repurchases decreased net asset value as of period end; however, the reduction in shares outstanding as of period end resulted in an increase in the net asset value per share.
(3) Total may not sum, due to rounding.


Fiscal Year 2021 Financial Results

Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2021

Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2020

$ in millions

per share(1)

$ in millions

per share(1)

Net investment loss

$

(9.9

)

$

(0.38

)

$

(14.5

)

$

(0.81

)

Net realized gain on investments

218.7

8.46

16.4

0.92

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments

(61.7

)

(2.39

)

73.4

3.78

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations – basic(4)

$

147.1

$

5.69

$

75.3

$

3.89

Dividends declared

(212.2

)

(8.00

)

(16.9

)

(0.87

)

Issuance of common stock from stock dividends

89.7

0.74

-

-

Issuance of common stock from public offering

0.1

0.01

49.9

0.30

Issuance of common stock from
conversion of 4.75% Convertible Notes due 2023

37.3

(1.91

)

1.8

(0.11

)

Stock-based compensation(2)

1.3

0.05

2.0

0.12

Repurchase of common stock(3)

-

-

(10.4

)

0.43

Increase in net asset value(4)

$

63.3

$

(3.42

)

$

101.7

$

3.76

__________________
(1) Based on weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the relevant period.
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2020, this balance includes $2.0 million of accelerated recognition of compensation cost related to the cancellation of unvested options on April 28, 2020.
(3) During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased 1,655,848 shares of SuRo Capital common stock for approximately $10.4 million in cash under its Share Repurchase Program. The use of cash in connection with the repurchases decreased net asset value as of period end; however, the reduction in shares outstanding as of period end resulted in an increase in the net asset value per share.
(4) Total may not sum, due to rounding.


Weighted-average common basic shares outstanding were approximately 25.9 million and 17.9 million for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. As of December 31, 2021, there were 31,118,556 shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding.

SuRo Capital’s liquid assets were approximately $215.4 million as of December 31, 2021, consisting of cash and securities of publicly traded portfolio companies not subject to lock-up restrictions at quarter end.

Recent Dividend Declarations

On November 2, 2021, SuRo Capital’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $2.00 per share paid on December 30, 2021 to the Company’s common stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 17, 2021. The dividend was paid in cash and shares of the Company’s common stock.

On December 20, 2021, SuRo Capital’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.75 per share paid on January 14, 2022 to the Company’s stockholders of record as of the close of business on December 31, 2021. The dividend was paid in cash.

Subsequent to year-end, on March 8, 2022, SuRo Capital’s Board of Directors declared a dividend of $0.11 per share payable on April 15, 2022 to the Company’s stockholders of record as of the close of business on March 25, 2022. The dividend will be paid in cash.

6.00% Notes due 2026

On December 17, 2021, we issued $70.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Notes due 2026 (“6.00% Notes due 2026”), which bear interest at a fixed rate of 6.00% per year, payable quarterly in arrears on March 31, June 30, September 30, and December 30 of each year, commencing on March 30, 2022. On December 21, 2021, we issued an additional $5.0 million aggregate principal amount of 6.00% Notes due 2026. We received approximately $72.8 million in proceeds from the offering, net of underwriting discounts and commissions and other offering expenses. The 6.00% Notes due 2026 have a maturity date of December 30, 2026, unless previously repurchased or redeemed in accordance with their terms. We have the right to redeem the 6.00% Notes due 2026, in whole or in part, at any time or from time to time, on or after December 30, 2024 at a redemption price of 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest.

The 6.00% Notes due 2026 are listed for trading on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol “SSSSL”.

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will hold a conference call and webcast for investors on March 9, 2022 at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET). The conference call access number for U.S. participants is (323) 701-0160, and the conference call access number for participants outside the U.S. is (800) 289-0720. The conference ID number for both access numbers is 6021383. Additionally, interested parties can listen to a live webcast of the call from the "Investor Relations" section of SuRo Capital’s website at www.surocap.com. An archived replay of the webcast will also be available for 12 months following the live presentation.

A replay of the conference call may be accessed until 5:00 p.m. PT (8:00 p.m. ET) on March 16, 2022 by dialing (888) 203-1112 (U.S.) or +1 (719) 457-0820 (International) and using conference ID number 6021383.

Certain Information Regarding the Dividends

The date of declaration and amount of any dividends, including any future dividends, are subject to the sole discretion of SuRo Capital’s Board of Directors. The aggregate amount of the dividends declared and paid by SuRo Capital will be fully taxable to stockholders. The tax character of SuRo Capital’s dividends cannot be finally determined until the close of SuRo Capital’s taxable year (December 31). SuRo Capital will report the actual tax characteristics of each year’s dividends annually to stockholders and the IRS on Form 1099-DIV subsequent to year-end.

Registered stockholders with questions regarding declared dividends may call American Stock Transfer at 800-937-5449.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein, including statements regarding SuRo Capital's beliefs, expectations, intentions, or strategies for the future, may constitute "forward-looking statements". SuRo Capital cautions you that forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those projected or implied in these statements. All forward-looking statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties, including the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and any market volatility that may be detrimental to our business, our portfolio companies, our industry, and the global economy, that could cause actual results to differ materially from the plans, intentions, and expectations reflected in or suggested by the forward-looking statements. Risk factors, cautionary statements, and other conditions which could cause SuRo Capital's actual results to differ from management's current expectations are contained in SuRo Capital's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. SuRo Capital undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances that may arise after the date of this press release.

About SuRo Capital Corp.

SuRo Capital Corp. (Nasdaq: SSSS) is a publicly traded investment fund that seeks to invest in high-growth, venture-backed private companies. The fund seeks to create a portfolio of high-growth emerging private companies via a repeatable and disciplined investment approach, as well as to provide investors with access to such companies through its publicly traded common stock. SuRo Capital is headquartered in New York, NY and has offices in San Francisco, CA. Connect with the company on Twitter, LinkedIn, and at www.surocap.com.

Contact
SuRo Capital Corp.
(212) 931-6331
IR@surocap.com

Media Contact
Bill Douglass
Gotham Communications, LLC
Communications@surocap.com


SURO CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

December 31, 2021

December 31, 2020

ASSETS

Investments at fair value:

Non-controlled/non-affiliate investments (cost of $146,360,300 and $105,339,169, respectively)

$

231,768,290

$

249,804,803

Non-controlled/affiliate investments (cost of $41,211,183 and $53,865,346, respectively)

14,609,089

30,165,773

Controlled investments (cost of $19,883,894 and $7,161,412, respectively)

13,758,874

809,198

Total Portfolio Investments

260,136,253

280,779,774

Investments in U.S. Treasury bills (cost of $0 and $150,000,000, respectively)

150,000,000

Total Investments (cost of $207,455,377 and $316,365,927, respectively)

260,136,253

430,779,774

Cash

198,437,078

45,793,724

Proceeds receivable

52,493

Escrow proceeds receivable

2,046,645

852,462

Interest and dividends receivable

83,655

166,998

Deferred financing costs

621,719

297,196

Prepaid expenses and other assets(1)

937,984

985,550

Total Assets

462,315,827

478,875,704

LIABILITIES

Accounts payable and accrued expenses(1)

875,047

762,312

Accrued interest payable

175,000

453,803

Dividends payable

23,390,048

4,395,229

Payable for securities purchased

134,250,000

Income tax payable

35,850

4.75% Convertible Senior Notes due March 28, 2023(2)

37,395,437

6.00% Notes due December 30, 2026(3)

73,029,108

Total Liabilities

97,469,203

177,292,631

Net Assets

$

364,846,624

$

301,583,073

NET ASSETS

Common stock, par value $0.01 per share (100,000,000 authorized; 31,118,556 and 19,914,023 issued and outstanding, respectively)

$

311,185

$

199,140

Paid-in capital in excess of par

350,079,409

221,802,592

Accumulated net investment loss

(50,124,597

)

(40,193,778

)

Accumulated net realized gain on investments, net of distributions

11,899,742

5,361,270

Accumulated net unrealized appreciation of investments

52,680,885

114,413,849

Net Assets

$

364,846,624

$

301,583,073

Net Asset Value Per Share

$

11.72

$

15.14

__________________________________________________

(1) This balance includes a right of use asset and corresponding operating lease liability, respectively.
(2) As of December 31, 2021, the 4.75% Convertible Senior Notes due March 28, 2023 had been fully converted into the Company's common stock or redeemed in cash by the Company. As of December 31, 2020, the 4.75% Convertible Senior Notes due March 28, 2023 (effective interest rate of 5.57%) had a face value $38,215,000.
(3) As of December 31, 2021, the 6.00% Notes due December 30, 2026 (effective interest rate of 6.13%) had a face value $75,000,000.


SURO CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

INVESTMENT INCOME

Non-controlled/non-affiliate investments:

Interest income

$

507,772

$

1,035,694

$

828,392

Dividend income

470,438

50,000

100,000

Non-controlled/affiliate investments:

Interest income/(reversal of accrued interest)

(29,184

)

108,395

Dividend income

102,632

317,617

Controlled investments:

Interest income

390,000

58,937

Dividend income

450,000

400,000

Total Investment Income

1,470,842

1,824,127

1,495,724

OPERATING EXPENSES

Management fees(1)

848,723

Incentive fees/(reversal of incentive fee accrual)(1)

(4,660,472

)

Costs incurred under Administration Agreement(1)

306,084

Compensation expense(2)

6,162,716

8,801,841

4,286,972

Directors’ fees(3)

752,442

445,000

383,370

Professional fees

2,665,689

2,962,781

5,290,329

Interest expense

693,526

2,247,817

2,372,570

Income tax expense

9,347

43,574

33,825

Other expenses

1,117,941

1,837,530

2,085,391

Total Operating Expenses

11,401,661

16,338,543

10,946,792

Net Investment Loss

(9,930,819

)

(14,514,416

)

(9,451,068

)

Realized Gain/(Loss) on Investments:

Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

216,870,940

16,441,223

32,625,663

Non-controlled/affiliate investments

1,864,564

(13,446,323

)

Net Realized Gain on Investments

218,735,504

16,441,223

19,179,340

Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) of Investments:

Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments

(59,057,641

)

82,163,227

(1,907,148

)

Non-controlled/affiliate investments

(2,902,517

)

(8,786,596

)

21,489,014

Controlled investments

227,194

34,000

(6,242,007

)

Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) of Investments

(61,732,964

)

73,410,631

13,339,859

Benefit from taxes on unrealized depreciation of investments

885,566

Net Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations

$

147,071,721

$

75,337,438

$

23,953,697

Net Change in Net Assets Resulting from Operations per Common Share:

Basic

$

5.69

$

4.21

$

1.24

Diluted

$

5.52

$

3.56

$

1.14

Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding

Basic

25,861,642

17,910,353

19,328,414

Diluted

26,758,367

21,790,898

23,069,622

__________________________________________________

(1) This balance references a related-party transaction.
(2) For the year ended December 31, 2020, this balance includes $1,962,431 of accelerated recognition of compensation cost related to the cancellation of unvested options on April 28, 2020.
(3) For the year ended December 31, 2021, this balance includes $209,360 of stock-based compensation expense related to the 2020 annual non-employee director grants.


SURO CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

Year Ended December 31,

2021

2020

2019

2018

2017

Per Basic Share Data

Net asset value at beginning of the year

$

15.14

$

11.38

$

9.89

$

9.64

$

8.66

Net investment loss(1)

(0.38

)

(0.81

)

(0.49

)

(0.37

)

(0.95

)

Net realized gain/(loss) on investments(1)

8.46

0.92

0.99

(0.36

)

0.04

Realized loss on partial repurchase of 5.25% Convertible Senior Notes due 2018(1)

(0.02

)

Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments(1)

(2.39

)

3.78

0.69

0.47

1.59

Benefit from taxes on unrealized depreciation of investments(1)

0.05

0.33

0.13

Dividends declared

(8.00

)

(0.87

)

(0.32

)

Issuance of common stock from stock dividend(1)

0.74

Issuance of common stock from public offering

0.01

0.30

Issuance of common stock from conversion of 4.75% Convertible Notes due 2023(1)

(1.91

)

(0.11

)

Repurchase of common stock(1)

0.43

0.52

0.20

0.18

Stock-based compensation(1)

0.05

0.12

0.05

Net asset value at end of year

$

11.72

$

15.14

$

11.38

$

9.89

$

9.64

Per share market value at end of year

$

12.95

$

13.09

$

6.55

$

5.22

$

5.45

Total return based on market value(2)

179.33

%

99.85

%

31.61

%

(4.22

)%

8.35

%

Total return based on net asset value(2)

30.25

%

33.04

%

15.08

%

2.59

%

11.32

%

Shares outstanding at end of year

31,118,556

19,914,023

17,564,244

19,762,647

21,246,345

Ratios/Supplemental Data:

Net assets at end of year

$

364,846,624

$

301,583,073

$

199,917,289

$

195,378,159

$

204,762,866

Average net assets

$

396,209,139

$

205,430,809

$

209,261,190

$

208,678,731

$

199,457,678

Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets(3)

2.88

%

7.95

%

6.08

%

7.09

%

11.25

%

Ratio of incentive fee waiver to average net assets

%

%

%

(2.40

)%

%

Ratio of management fee waiver to average net assets

%

%

%

(0.43

)%

(0.36

)%

Ratio of income tax provision to average net assets

%

%

(0.42

)%

(3.22

)%

(1.38

)%

Ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets(3)

2.88

%

7.95

%

5.66

%

1.04

%

9.51

%

Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets(3)

(2.51

)%

(7.07

)%

(4.52

)%

(3.66

)%

(10.47

)%

Portfolio Turnover Ratio

28.34

%

14.87

%

12.95

%

5.01

%

0.07

%

​__________________________________________________

(1) Based on weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the relevant period.
(2) Total return based on market value is based upon the change in market price per share between the opening and ending market values per share in the period, adjusted for dividends and equity issuances. Total return based on net asset value is based upon the change in net asset value per share between the opening and ending net asset values per share in the period, adjusted for dividends and equity issuances.
(3) For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company excluded $100,274 of non-recurring expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company excluded $1,962,431 of non-recurring expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Company excluded $1,769,820 of non-recurring expenses. For the year ended December 31, 2018, the Company excluded $352,667 of non-recurring expenses. Because the ratios are calculated for the Company’s common stock taken as a whole, an individual investor’s ratios may vary from these ratios.


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