Marble Point Loan Financing Limited Net Asset Value & Publication of Monthly Report (8470X)

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RNS Number : 8470X

Marble Point Loan Financing Limited

27 December 2023

27 December 2023

The net asset value ("NAV") of Marble Point Loan Financing Limited ("MPLF") as at the close of business on 30 November 2023 is as follows:

 
   Share class       November 2023     October 2023 NAV     Monthly Change 
                    NAV per Ordinary   per Ordinary Share     in NAV per 
                       Share (1)              (1)              Share (1) 
 Ordinary Shares      USD 0.5280          USD 0.5140          USD 0.0140 
                  ------------------  -------------------  --------------- 
 

PERFORMANCE

-- MPLF's ordinary share estimated NAV total return was 2.71% in November, compared to the total return of the Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index ("CSLLI") of 1.19%.

-- Secondary loan prices advanced in November as economic data indicated a moderating rate of inflation and broader markets rallied on the expectation of loosening monetary policy in 2024. In addition, the loan market technical remained supportive with consistent CLO demand and retail loan fund inflows. CLO equity valuations generally increased during the month in parallel with underlying loan price movements and a broader equity market rally.

-- As at 30 November 2023 MPLF had no exposure to CBS Radio, the one index constituent to default during the month. The index's lagging 12-month default rate by notional amount increased to 1.48% as at 30 November. As previously noted, while headline default rates remain below long term historical averages, we expect defaults to increase in coming quarters as the impact of higher rates on leveraged business models works through a cycle.

MARKET

-- The CSLLI delivered a 1.19% return in November as loan prices rallied on accommodating economic news and technical support in the market. The average indicative bid price of the CSLLI increased to 94.52% at 30 November from 94.12% at 31 October while the weighted average indicative bid price of MPLF's underlying loans increased to 94.48% at 30 November from 93.50% at 31 October.

-- November CLO issuance totaled $15.1 billion across 35 new issue CLOs, nearly eclipsing the $15.7 billion figure from February for the highest monthly figure for the year. CLO issuance was supported by increased domestic AAA participation as well as a desire to price incremental deals prior to the end of the year.

-- Institutional loan volume totaled $25.6 billion in November according to Pitchbook/LCD. Headline volumes increased slightly from October issuance figures, although the activity was still largely comprised of refinancing and add-on transactions as opposed to organic M&A activity.

-- Retail loan funds experienced an inflow of approximately $1.2 billion in November according to J.P. Morgan. While fund flows turned negative in October after three months of inflows, retail investors came back to the asset class amidst the stronger economic tone in November, further supporting secondary loan prices.

-- Since the end of November the average indicative bid price of the CSLLI has increased by 0.65% to 95.17% (as at 20 December 2023). Broader markets have rallied after dovish remarks from the Federal Reserve at their November meeting drove an increased expectation of rate cuts in 2024 and boosted risk assets.

INVESTMENT

-- As previously reported, during the month MPLF opportunistically sold $10.1 million notional of its investment in the Marble Point CLO XXV equity and $7.6 million notional of its investment in Marble Point CLO XXIII equity. A portion of the proceeds of the sales were made available for distribution to Liquidating Share Class holders.

-- During the month Investcorp priced and closed a reset of the Marble Point CLO XXV transaction. The existing transaction exited its non-call period in October and the reset includes a new five year reinvestment period while tightening the weighted average cost of debt by approximately 30 basis points from S+292 to S+267. Additionally, the reset upsized the target par amount of the transaction by $100 million. In connection with the closing of the reset MPLF invested an incremental $0.7 million in the equity tranche.

-- Subsequent to month end on 21 December, Investcorp priced Harvest US CLO 2023-1 ("HARUS231") a $400 million CLO, at which time MPLF committed to invest $6.2 million for a 17.1% interest in the equity tranche of the deal. The closing of HARUS231 is expected to occur on 1 February 2023.

   --      HARUS231 has the following features: 

o A reinvestment period of approximately five years

o A two year non-call period

o A 13 year final maturity

o An estimated effective yield of 12.0-14.0% as at the pricing date of the transaction

   MPLF's November 2023 Monthly Report is available on its website:   www.mplflimited.com 

Enquiries:

Marble Point Loan Financing Limited

Investor Relations

T: [phone]

   E:   [e-mail] 

Website: www.mplflimited.com

Corporate Broker :

Stifel Nicolaus Europe Limited

T: [phone]

(1) NAV figures are provided for informational purposes only and are unaudited, estimated by Marble Point Credit Management LLC ("Marble Point"), the investment manager of MPLF, and subject to adjustment. Marble Point estimates MPLF's NAV on a monthly basis as at the end of each month. Estimates with respect to a date falling on a calendar quarter end are subject to revision when the quarterly NAV is determined. NAV is calculated as the sum of the value of MPLF's investment portfolio, any cash or cash equivalents and other assets less liabilities. NAV is reduced by the amount of a dividend to the extent the ex-dividend date occurs during the period presented. NAV total return figures shown are estimated, unaudited and subject to adjustment and reflect the net total NAV return, inclusive of dividends, for the periods shown and as from MPLF's admission to the Specialist Fund Segment of the main market of the London Stock Exchange on 13 February 2018, after taking into account applicable listing and offering costs and pre-admission profits and loss. Monthly and cumulative performance figures are non-annualised and such results reflect the deductions of applicable management fees and expenses at the underlying investment levels.

(2) Figures shown for effective yield are estimated, unaudited, subject to change and based on the analysis of Marble Point Credit Management LLC, the investment manager of MPLF, as at the Closing Date. The estimated effective yield is provided for illustrative purposes only. The actual effective yield, as recorded by MPLF or other entity holding the investment may vary over time.

Past performance is not indicative or a guarantee of future performance.

This release contains inside information.

About Marble Point Loan Financing

Marble Point Loan Financing Ltd. (LSE Ticker: MPLF LN (USD); MPLS LN (GBX)) is a Guernsey-domiciled closed-ended investment company. MPLF's investment objective is to generate stable current income and grow net asset value by earning a return on equity in excess of the amount distributed as dividends.

MPLF is invested in a diversified portfolio of US dollar denominated, broadly syndicated floating rate senior secured corporate loans owned via collateralised loan obligations ("CLOs") and related vehicles managed by Marble Point Credit Management LLC.

About Marble Point Credit Management LLC

Marble Point Credit Management LLC ("Marble Point") is a specialist asset manager focused exclusively on leveraged loans. Marble Point is 100% owned by Investcorp International Holdings Inc. ("IIHI"), which is part of the Investcorp Group of companies. The Investcorp Group effectively operates as a management-controlled group, substantially all whose assets and operations are owned and controlled by Investcorp S.A., a company domiciled in the Cayman Islands. Investcorp Holdings B.S.C. ("Investcorp") a Bahrain based holding company is the parent company of Investcorp S.A. ("S.A."). Certain of the Investcorp Group's directors and senior executive officers have the ability to indirectly control Investcorp S.A.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION

Marble Point Loan Financing Limited (the "Company") is a closed-ended investment company incorporated in Guernsey with its ordinary shares ("Shares") admitted to trading on the Specialist Fund Segment of the Main Market of the London Stock Exchange (ticker: MPLF.LN). The Company is invested in a diversified portfolio of US dollar denominated, broadly syndicated floating rate senior secured corporate loans via CLOs, loan accumulation facilities and other vehicles managed by Marble Point Credit Management LLC ("Marble Point") or its affiliates. Marble Point is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

This document is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell any Shares, notes or other securities (collectively, "Securities") issued by the Company or a solicitation of an offer to purchase any such Securities in the United States, Australia, Canada, the Republic of South Africa, Japan or any other jurisdiction. This document may not be relied upon, and should not be used, for the purpose of making any investment decision. This document and the information and views included herein do not constitute investment advice or a recommendation or an offer to enter into any transaction with the Company or any of its affiliates. Any recipient of this document should make such investigations as it deems necessary to arrive at an independent evaluation of any investment and should consult its own legal counsel and financial, actuarial, accounting, regulatory and tax advisers to evaluate any such investment. This document has been issued by the Company and is the sole responsibility of the Company.

The Securities have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or with any securities regulatory authority of any state or other jurisdiction of the United States and may not be offered or sold in the United States to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons unless they are registered under applicable law or exempt from registration. The Company has not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Investment Company Act of 1940, and investors will not be entitled to the benefits of such Act.

The information shown herein is estimated, unaudited, for background purposes only, representative as of the dates specified herein, subject to adjustment and not purported to be full or complete. Nothing herein shall be relied upon as a representation as to the current or future performance or portfolio holdings of the Company or any strategy or investment vehicle. Certain information presented herein has been obtained from third party sources and is believed to be reliable. However, neither the Company nor Marble Point represents that the information contained in this document (including third party information) has been independently verified or is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such. Index information, if any, has been provided for illustration purposes only. Any such information does not reflect the effect of transaction costs, management fees or other costs which would reduce returns. An investor cannot invest directly in an index.

There is no guarantee that any of the goals, targets or objectives described in this document will be achieved. The investment strategies of the Company may not be suitable for all investors and are not intended to constitute a complete investment program. Neither Marble Point nor the Company makes any representation or warranty (express or implied) with respect to the information contained herein (including, without limitation, information obtained from third parties) and each of them expressly disclaims any and all liability based on or relating to the information contained in, or errors or omissions from, these materials; or based on or relating to the use of these materials; or any other written or oral communications transmitted to the recipient or any of its affiliates or representatives in the course of its evaluation of the information herein.

Any of the views or opinions expressed herein are current views and opinions only and may be subject to change. Statements made herein are as of the date of this document and should not be relied upon as of any subsequent date. All information is current as of the date of this document and is subject to change without notice.

Past performance is not a reliable indicator of current of future results. The value of investments may go down as well as up and investors may not get back any of the amount invested. The value of investments designated in another currency may rise and fall due to exchange rate fluctuations in respect of the relevant currencies. Adverse movements in currency exchange rates can result in a decrease in return and a loss of capital.

A Note on the Use of Indices as Benchmarks. The indices shown have not been selected to represent a benchmark for MPLF's performance, but rather to allow for comparison of MPLF's returns to those of known, recognized and/or similar indices. The Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index (CSLLI) tracks the investable universe of the U.S. leveraged loan market. The ICE BofAML US High Yield Index (ICE BAML HYI) tracks the performance of USD-denominated below investment grade corporate bonds publically issued in the U.S. domestic market. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index (S&P 500) tracks the performance of U.S. public equity markets and is based on the market capitalization of 500 large companies having common stock listed on NYSE or NASDAQ. The performance of any index is not an exact representation of any particular investment as you cannot invest directly in an index.

A Note on Forward Looking Statements. This document includes forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements include all matters that are not historical facts. Actual results may differ materially from any results projected in the forward-looking statements and are subject to risks and uncertainties. Such statements are based on current expectations, involve known and unknown risks, a reliance on third parties for information, and other factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from the anticipated results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company and Marble Point caution readers not to place undue reliance on such statements. Neither the Company nor Marble Point undertakes, and each specifically disclaims, any obligation or responsibility, to update any forward-looking statements to reflect occurrences, developments, unanticipated events or circumstances after the date of such statement. Actual results may differ materially from the Company's and/or Marble Point's expectations and estimates.

None of the Company, Marble Point or any of their respective parent or subsidiary undertakings, or the subsidiary undertaking of any such parent undertakings, or any of such person's respective partners, shareholders, directors, members, officers, affiliates, agents, advisors or representatives shall have any liability whatsoever (in negligence or otherwise) for any loss howsoever arising from any information or opinions presented or contained in this document nor shall they accept any responsibility whatsoever for, or make any warranty, express or implied, as to the truth, fullness, accuracy or completeness of the information in this document (or whether any information has been omitted from the document) or any other information relating to the Company, Marble Point or their respective subsidiaries or associated companies, in any form whatsoever, howsoever transmitted or made available or for any loss howsoever arising from any use of this document or its contents or otherwise arising in connection therewith. This shall not affect any liability any such person may have which may not be excluded under applicable law or regulation.

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December 27, 2023 02:00 ET (07:00 GMT)