Saratoga Investment Corp. Q1 2026: Navigating Contradictions in Growth, Dividends, and Market Challenges

Portfolio growth and quality, dividend and capital management strategy, deal activity and market environment, BB investments strategy, dividend coverage and earnings impact are the key contradictions discussed in Saratoga Investment Corp.'s latest 2026Q1 earnings call.



Net Asset Value (NAV) and Dividend Growth:
- Saratoga Investment Corp's NAV was $396.4 million at the end of Q1 2026, reflecting a 7.8% increase from the previous year and 0.9% from the previous quarter.
- The company declared a base dividend of $0.75 per share, representing an 11.8% yield based on a stock price of $25.44.
- This growth was supported by a strong performance in the core BDC portfolio, despite a decrease in adjusted net interest income (NII) per share due to lower interest rates and spreads on floating-rate assets.

Credit Quality and Portfolio Performance:
- The company's overall credit quality remained steady, with 99.7% of credits rated in the highest category, and only 0.6% of fair value in nonaccrual investments.
- The portfolio's strong performance was driven by strong underwriting standards and the resilience of high-quality investments, with 7.9% of the investment portfolio consisting of equity interest.

Asset Deployment and Recovery:
- Saratoga Investment Corp reported $2.9 million of realized gains and $50.1 million invested in new portfolio companies during Q1.
- The investments were made despite a slower level of deal volume and M&A activity, reflecting a focus on high-quality opportunities and a disciplined approach to new commitments.

Liquidity Management:
- The company maintained significant liquidity with $430 million in available investments, including $224 million in cash, $136 million from the SBIC III facility, and $70 million from revolving credit facilities.
- This liquidity position is designed to support portfolio growth and manage regulatory leverage, enhancing the company's flexibility in a volatile macro environment.