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

March 9, 2022

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)CostFair Value% of Total Portfolio
Course Hero, Inc.$15.0$87.833.8%
Forge Global, Inc. 2.5 21.08.1 
Blink Health, Inc. 15.0 14.35.5 
Nextdoor Holdings, Inc. 10.0 12.44.8 
Stormwind, LLC 6.4 11.84.5 
Total (rounded)$48.9$147.456.7%


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 CompanyInvestmentTransaction DateAmount
Course Hero, Inc.Series C Preferred Shares11/5/2021$10.0 million
SuRo Capital Sports, LLC(1)Series Seed-4 Preferred Shares10/12/2021$1.0 million

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(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 CompanyTransaction DateShares SoldAverage Net
Share Price
(1)
Net ProceedsRealized Gain
Coursera, Inc.(2)Various1,509,090$34.35$51.8 million$42.4 million
Tynker (f/k/a Neuron Fuel Inc.)12/6/2021534,162$5.44$2.9 million(3)$2.6 million(3)
NewLake Capital Partners, Inc.(4)Various167,755$28.30$4.7 million$1.4 million
Skillsoft Corp.(5)Various18,157$12.63$0.2 million<$0.1 million
Residential Homes for Rent, LLC (d/b/a Second Avenue)(6)VariousN/AN/A$0.3 million-

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(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 CompanyTransaction DateShares SoldAverage Net
Share Price
(1)
Net ProceedsRealized Gain
NewLake Capital Partners, Inc.(2)Various27,352$27.76$0.8 million$0.2 million
Rover Group, Inc.(3)1/31/202242,744$6.52$0.3 million$0.2 million
Residential Homes for Rent, LLC (d/b/a Second Avenue)(4)VariousN/AN/A$0.2 million-

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(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 millionsper share(1)$ in millionsper 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 

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(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 millionsper share(1)$ in millionsper 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 

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(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 

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(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 

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(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%

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(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.