On Thursday, Ares Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:ARCC) received approval from its shareholders to issue shares below the company's current net asset value (NAV). The authorization, which came during a special meeting, allows the board of directors to sell or issue additional common stock at prices below the NAV with certain restrictions.
The proposal was passed with 238,985,496 votes in favor, 63,101,392 against, and 11,292,362 abstentions. When excluding votes from affiliated persons, the results remained substantially the same.
This measure grants the company flexibility to issue up to 25% of its currently outstanding common stock, which totals 611,124,993 shares. The authorization is valid for a period of twelve months, expiring on August 8, 2025.
Ares Capital Corporation, based in New York, is a specialty finance company that provides funding for middle-market companies. By allowing the issuance of stock below NAV, Ares Capital potentially positions itself to raise capital more swiftly if needed, albeit at a potential cost to existing shareholders' value.
In other recent news, Ares Capital Corporation has posted a robust second quarter, marked by record net asset value (NAV) and dividends. The company's core earnings per share (EPS) and NAV per share both demonstrated significant year-over-year growth, thanks in part to a fruitful approach to deal origination that resulted in an increase in new transaction reviews and a record number of new investment commitments. The firm's strategic investments and strong liquidity position have also contributed to a consistent and growing dividend, a trend that has been maintained for 15 years.
Recent developments include a 3% increase in core EPS from the previous quarter and a 5% increase from the previous year. NAV per share also grew by 6% year-over-year, setting a new company record. Ares Capital reviewed 40% more new transactions compared to the previous quarter and issued $850 million in long 5-year unsecured notes.
Investment activity remained strong with $3.9 billion of new commitments and a portfolio valued at approximately $25 billion. However, post-quarter commitment yields slightly decreased to 10.6% due to modest spread compression. Looking ahead, Ares Capital anticipates a more normalized environment with potential increases in volume, and the unlocking of $3 trillion of unrealized NAV in private equity.
InvestingPro Insights
Ares Capital Corporation (NASDAQ:ARCC) recently secured shareholder approval to issue shares below its net asset value, potentially impacting its financial agility and market perception. According to InvestingPro data, ARCC boasts a robust market capitalization of $12.89 billion, underlining its substantial presence in the industry. The company's price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio stands at an attractive 7.13, which may appeal to value investors looking for potentially undervalued stocks.
InvestingPro Tips highlight that ARCC has shown impressive revenue growth, with a 16.01% increase in the last twelve months as of Q2 2024, and even more remarkable quarterly revenue growth of 19.09% for the same period. Such figures suggest a strong operational performance, which could reassure investors concerned about the dilution of shares. Furthermore, the company's solid gross profit margin at 100% reflects its ability to maintain profitability.
For investors seeking income-generating assets, ARCC's dividend yield stands at a significant 9.4%, supported by consistent earnings, as evidenced by a Basic EPS (Continued Operations) of $2.88. Investors considering ARCC's stock will find additional insights on InvestingPro, which features a total of 15 more InvestingPro Tips to help guide investment decisions. The platform also indicates a fair value analyst target of $22, suggesting potential upside from the previous close price of $20.43.
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