Marble Point Loan Financing — Dividend suspended

Marble Point Loan Financing (MPLF)

Last close As at 27/03/2024

0.63

0.00 (0.00%)

Market capitalisation

129m

More on this equity

Research: Investment Companies

Marble Point Loan Financing — Dividend suspended

Marble Point Loan Financing (MPLF) is temporarily suspending its dividend due to the impact of COVID-19.The recent economic disruption has resulted in rating agencies downgrading the underlying collateral of MPLF’s collateralised loan obligations (CLOs) at a pace that could trigger its need to make provisions. The heightened risk is above that modelled by MPLF and could affect cash flow. MPLF’s policy is to maintain a well-funded dividend. In the last five quarters cash distributions have exceeded dividends by a good margin. With the total impact of COVID-19 uncertain, management believes it is prudent to preserve cash now, which will provide more flexibility for when dislocations in the credit market provide good investment opportunities.

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Investment Companies

Marble Point Loan Financing

Dividend suspended

COVID-19 uncertainty

Investment trusts

15 April 2020

Price

$0.46

Market cap

$95m

NAV per share*

$0.71

*NAV as of 29 February

Annualised current yield*

16.4%

*Currently suspended. Rate assumes dividend is reinstated at previous level ($0.10 annualised)

Shares in issue

205.7m

Code

MPLF

Primary exchange

LSE Specialist Fund Segment

AIC sector

Sector Specialist: Debt

Share price performance

Gearing

Gross* 16.1%

Net* 3.8%

As at 30 June 2019. Excluding MPLF Funding debt

Next events

NAV update

April 2020

Analyst

Pedro Fonseca

+44 (0)20 3077 5700

Marble Point Loan Financing is a research client of Edison Investment Research Limited

Marble Point Loan Financing (MPLF) is temporarily suspending its dividend due to the impact of COVID-19.The recent economic disruption has resulted in rating agencies downgrading the underlying collateral of MPLF’s collateralised loan obligations (CLOs) at a pace that could trigger its need to make provisions. The heightened risk is above that modelled by MPLF and could affect cash flow. MPLF’s policy is to maintain a well-funded dividend. In the last five quarters cash distributions have exceeded dividends by a good margin. With the total impact of COVID-19 uncertain, management believes it is prudent to preserve cash now, which will provide more flexibility for when dislocations in the credit market provide good investment opportunities.

6 months to

Share price
(%)

NAV
(%)

S&P Lev Loan
(%)

Credit Suisse
HY Value (%)

S&P 500
(%)

31/08/18

3.0

(1.3)

2.1

1.9

7.8

28/02/19

(16.1)

(3.9)

1.3

(3.8)

(2.9)

31/08/19

6.2

(3.4)

2.0

10.3

6.2

29/02/20

(0.5)

(6.2)

1.4

(5.2)

1.9

Note: *Refinitiv. All % on a total return basis in US dollars.

In February, MPLF’s NAV per share dropped 7.1% to $0.71 as concerns mounted about the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. The concerns are industry-wide; in the same month the leveraged loan market saw retail outflows of $2.6bn. By the end of February, MPLF’s lagging 12-month default rate had remained constant at 1.83% and MPLF had no exposure to the five constituents of the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index that defaulted that month. However, the economic impact of the pandemic has worsened and the leveraged investment default rate is likely to increase. The Federal Reserve rate cut in March 2020 also dented investor demand for CLOs as they pay a floating rate which tracks the Fed’s policy rate.

On 2 January 2020, the company’s continued good performance led MPLF to significantly increase its quarterly dividend from $0.020 per share to $0.025. The dividend was paid on 30 January. The annualised yield would be 16.4% if MPLF retains the quarterly dividend of $0.025 per share when it is reinstated.

At the end of February, MPLF’s investment portfolio was $171.8m, of which 69% was in equity tranches of 10 different Marble Point CLO issues. The remaining portfolio was split between CLO debt tranches (9%), CLO fee participations (2.8%), the NAV of the funding subsidiary (11.2%) and the Marble Point loan accumulation facility (8%). It also had $2.9m in other assets. Subsequent to month end on 24 March, MPLF invested approximately $20m in the equity of MarblePoint CLO XVII. The equity tranches had an effective yield of 8.6%, the debt had an all-in yield of 3.7% and fee participations were 18.2%.

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Marble Point Loan Financing and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Marble Point Loan Financing. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

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Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

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Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

General disclaimer and copyright

This report has been commissioned by Marble Point Loan Financing and prepared and issued by Edison, in consideration of a fee payable by Marble Point Loan Financing. Edison Investment Research standard fees are £49,500 pa for the production and broad dissemination of a detailed note (Outlook) following by regular (typically quarterly) update notes. Fees are paid upfront in cash without recourse. Edison may seek additional fees for the provision of roadshows and related IR services for the client but does not get remunerated for any investment banking services. We never take payment in stock, options or warrants for any of our services.

Accuracy of content: All information used in the publication of this report has been compiled from publicly available sources that are believed to be reliable, however we do not guarantee the accuracy or completeness of this report and have not sought for this information to be independently verified. Opinions contained in this report represent those of the research department of Edison at the time of publication. Forward-looking information or statements in this report contain information that is based on assumptions, forecasts of future results, estimates of amounts not yet determinable, and therefore involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of their subject matter to be materially different from current expectations.

Exclusion of Liability: To the fullest extent allowed by law, Edison shall not be liable for any direct, indirect or consequential losses, loss of profits, damages, costs or expenses incurred or suffered by you arising out or in connection with the access to, use of or reliance on any information contained on this note.

No personalised advice: The information that we provide should not be construed in any manner whatsoever as, personalised advice. Also, the information provided by us should not be construed by any subscriber or prospective subscriber as Edison’s solicitation to effect, or attempt to effect, any transaction in a security. The securities described in the report may not be eligible for sale in all jurisdictions or to certain categories of investors.

Investment in securities mentioned: Edison has a restrictive policy relating to personal dealing and conflicts of interest. Edison Group does not conduct any investment business and, accordingly, does not itself hold any positions in the securities mentioned in this report. However, the respective directors, officers, employees and contractors of Edison may have a position in any or related securities mentioned in this report, subject to Edison's policies on personal dealing and conflicts of interest.

Copyright: Copyright 2020 Edison Investment Research Limited (Edison).

Australia

Edison Investment Research Pty Ltd (Edison AU) is the Australian subsidiary of Edison. Edison AU is a Corporate Authorised Representative (1252501) of Crown Wealth Group Pty Ltd who holds an Australian Financial Services Licence (Number: 494274). This research is issued in Australia by Edison AU and any access to it, is intended only for "wholesale clients" within the meaning of the Corporations Act 2001 of Australia. Any advice given by Edison AU is general advice only and does not take into account your personal circumstances, needs or objectives. You should, before acting on this advice, consider the appropriateness of the advice, having regard to your objectives, financial situation and needs. If our advice relates to the acquisition, or possible acquisition, of a particular financial product you should read any relevant Product Disclosure Statement or like instrument.

New Zealand

The research in this document is intended for New Zealand resident professional financial advisers or brokers (for use in their roles as financial advisers or brokers) and habitual investors who are “wholesale clients” for the purpose of the Financial Advisers Act 2008 (FAA) (as described in sections 5(c) (1)(a), (b) and (c) of the FAA). This is not a solicitation or inducement to buy, sell, subscribe, or underwrite any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. For the purpose of the FAA, the content of this report is of a general nature, is intended as a source of general information only and is not intended to constitute a recommendation or opinion in relation to acquiring or disposing (including refraining from acquiring or disposing) of securities. The distribution of this document is not a “personalised service” and, to the extent that it contains any financial advice, is intended only as a “class service” provided by Edison within the meaning of the FAA (i.e. without taking into account the particular financial situation or goals of any person). As such, it should not be relied upon in making an investment decision.

United Kingdom

This document is prepared and provided by Edison for information purposes only and should not be construed as an offer or solicitation for investment in any securities mentioned or in the topic of this document. A marketing communication under FCA Rules, this document has not been prepared in accordance with the legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and is not subject to any prohibition on dealing ahead of the dissemination of investment research.

This Communication is being distributed in the United Kingdom and is directed only at (i) persons having professional experience in matters relating to investments, i.e. investment professionals within the meaning of Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005, as amended (the "FPO") (ii) high net-worth companies, unincorporated associations or other bodies within the meaning of Article 49 of the FPO and (iii) persons to whom it is otherwise lawful to distribute it. The investment or investment activity to which this document relates is available only to such persons. It is not intended that this document be distributed or passed on, directly or indirectly, to any other class of persons and in any event and under no circumstances should persons of any other description rely on or act upon the contents of this document.

This Communication is being supplied to you solely for your information and may not be reproduced by, further distributed to or published in whole or in part by, any other person.

United States

Edison relies upon the "publishers' exclusion" from the definition of investment adviser under Section 202(a)(11) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940 and corresponding state securities laws. This report is a bona fide publication of general and regular circulation offering impersonal investment-related advice, not tailored to a specific investment portfolio or the needs of current and/or prospective subscribers. As such, Edison does not offer or provide personal advice and the research provided is for informational purposes only. No mention of a particular security in this report constitutes a recommendation to buy, sell or hold that or any security, or that any particular security, portfolio of securities, transaction or investment strategy is suitable for any specific person.

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

Frankfurt +49 (0)69 78 8076 960

Schumannstrasse 34b

60325 Frankfurt

Germany

London +44 (0)20 3077 5700

280 High Holborn

London, WC1V 7EE

United Kingdom

New York +1 646 653 7026

1,185 Avenue of the Americas

3rd Floor, New York, NY 10036

United States of America

Sydney +61 (0)2 8249 8342

Level 4, Office 1205

95 Pitt Street, Sydney

NSW 2000, Australia

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