Gladstone Investment Corporation Reports Financial Results for the Fourth Quarter and Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2011

- Net Investment Income for the quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 was $1.9 million and $16.2 million, or $0.09 and $0.73 per share, respectively.

- Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations for the quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 was $2.8 million and $16.4 million, or $0.13 and $0.74 per share, respectively.

MCLEAN, Va., May 23, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Gladstone Investment Corporation (Nasdaq: GAIN) (the "Company") today announced earnings for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.  All per share references are per basic and diluted weighted average common share outstanding, unless noted otherwise.

(Logo:  https://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20101005/GLADSTONEINVESTMENT )

Net Investment Income for the Quarter:  Net Investment Income for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $1.9 million, or $0.09 per share, and $2.7 million, or $0.12 per share, respectively, a decrease in Net Investment Income of 28.7%.  The decrease in Net Investment Income was primarily driven by lower interest income resulting from a reduction in the size of the Company's investment portfolio subsequent to March 31, 2010.

Net Investment Income for the Fiscal Year:  Net Investment Income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $16.2 million, or $0.73 per share, and $10.6 million, or $0.48 per share, respectively, an increase in Net Investment Income of 52.6%. The increase in Net Investment Income was primarily driven by dividend and success fee income recognized during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, most notably from the sales of investments in two portfolio companies, A. Stucki Holding Corp. ("A. Stucki") and Chase II Holdings Corp. ("Chase"), partially offset by lower interest income resulting from a reduction in the size of the Company's investment portfolio.

Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations for the Quarter:  Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations for the quarters ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $2.8 million, or $0.13 per share, and $20.6 million, or $0.93 per share, respectively. The decrease in the Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations between the quarter ended March 31, 2011 and the prior year's period was primarily due to significant net unrealized appreciation on the Company's investment portfolio in the quarter ended March 31, 2010, most notably in A. Stucki.  The Company recorded net unrealized appreciation on investments of $0.9 million in the quarter ended March 31, 2011, compared to $17.8 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2010.

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations for the Fiscal Year:  Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was $16.4 million, or $0.74 per share, and ($11.1) million, or ($0.50) per share, respectively. The increase in the Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations between the fiscal years ended March 31, 2011 and 2010 was primarily due to the significant profits realized on the sale of investments in A. Stucki and Chase during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, coupled with the significant net loss recorded on the Company's investment portfolio during the prior year.  The Company recorded a net gain on investments of $0.3 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, compared to a net loss on investments of $21.7 million for the prior fiscal year, which was largely caused by the realized loss of $35.9 million that was recorded related to the sale or partial sale of 31 senior syndicated loans.

Investment Portfolio Fair Value:  As of March 31, 2011, the entire portfolio was fair valued at 77.7% of cost, as compared to 90.9% as of March 31, 2010.  The aggregate investment portfolio depreciated during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, primarily due to the sale of A. Stucki and Chase for cash, both of which had significant unrealized appreciation recorded at March 31, 2010, which was reversed in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011.  Excluding reversals, net unrealized depreciation for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011 was $1.3 million.  

Net Asset Value:  Net asset value was $9.00 per share outstanding at March 31, 2011, as compared to $8.74 per share outstanding at March 31, 2010.  Even though the Company's investment portfolio size decreased year over year, the Company's cash position, net of total borrowings, increased to $40.6 million as of March 31, 2011, compared to a cash position, net of total borrowings, of $(15.1) million as of March 31, 2010, primarily due to the sale of investments in A. Stucki and Chase for cash.

Asset Characteristics:  Total assets were $241.1 million at March 31, 2011, as compared to $297.2 million at March 31, 2010. At March 31, 2011, the Company had investments in 17 portfolio companies with an aggregate cost basis of $197.2 million and an aggregate fair value of $153.3 million.  As of March 31, 2011, the Company's investment portfolio at fair value was comprised of 79.2% in debt securities and 20.8% in equity securities.  Additionally, the Company held $80.6 million in cash and cash equivalents at March 31, 2011, including $40.0 million from a short-term loan that was subsequently repaid.

Investment Yield:  The weighted average yield on the Company's interest-bearing portfolio, excluding cash and cash equivalents, was 11.4% for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, as compared to 11.0% for the prior year fiscal year ended March 31, 2010.  The increase in the weighted average yield for the current year ended March 31, 2011 resulted primarily from the sale of lower interest-bearing senior syndicated loans.

Highlights for Quarter:  During the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the following significant events occurred:

    --  Investment Activity: Funded $2.0 million of investments to existing
        portfolio companies, through revolver draws or addition of new term
        notes, and received scheduled repayments of $0.7 million.
    --  Distributions: Paid monthly cash distributions to stockholders of $0.04
        per common share for each of January, February and March 2011.


Comments from President Dave Dullum:  "During the year, we achieved strong capital gains from the sale of investments in two of our portfolio companies, invested additional capital in certain of our existing portfolio companies and invested capital in some new portfolio companies.  In addition, many of our existing portfolio companies experienced improved performance. After year end, we achieved further strong capital gains through a partial sale of one investment and invested capital in new investment. All of this activity and effort enabled us to increase the monthly dividend by 12.5% for the months of April, May and June. We hope to continue this healthy investment activity and to carry that momentum throughout this new fiscal year."

Subsequent Events:  After March 31, 2011, the following occurred:

    --  Investment Recapitalization: In April 2011, the Company recapitalized
        its investment in Cavert II Holding Corp. ("Cavert"), in which the
        Company received gross cash proceeds of $5.6 million from the sale of
        its common equity, resulting in a realized gain of $5.5 million, $2.3
        million in a partial redemption of its preferred stock and $0.7 million
        in preferred dividends. At the same time, the Company invested $5.7
        million in new subordinated debt in Cavert.
    --  New Investment: In April 2011, the Company invested $16.4 million in a
        new control investment, Mitchell Rubber Products, Inc. ("Mitchell"),
        consisting of subordinated debt and preferred and common equity.
        Mitchell, headquartered in Mira Loma, California, develops, mixes and
        molds rubber compounds for specialized applications in the non-tire
        rubber market.
    --  Increased Dividends Declared: The Company's Board of Directors increased
        the monthly distribution by $0.005, or 12.5%, and declared the following
        monthly distributions to stockholders:





Declared       Record Date    Payment Date   Cash Distribution

April 12, 2011 April 22, 2011 April 29, 2011 $ 0.045

April 12, 2011 May 20, 2011   May 31, 2011   0.045

April 12, 2011 June 20, 2011  June 30, 2011  0.045

Total for the Quarter:                       $ 0.135







While the Company's net investment income was $0.09 per share for the quarter ended March 31, 2011, the Company's Board of Director's determined to increase the monthly distribution based on estimated taxable income for the fiscal year ending March 31, 2012.

Summary Information:  The following chart is a summary of some of the information reported above (dollars in thousands, except per share data) (unaudited):




                                                 March 31, 2011  March 31, 2010

For year ended:

Net investment income                            $ 16,171        $ 10,598

Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting
from operations                                  16,439          (11,071)

Average yield on interest-bearing investments    11.39%          11.02%

Total dollars invested                           $ 43,634        $ 4,788

Total dollars repaid                             97,491          90,240



For quarter ended:

Net investment income                            1,932           2,709

Net increase in net assets resulting from
operations                                       2,795           20,629

Average yield on interest-bearing investments    11.82%          11.13%

Total dollars invested                           $ 2,018         $ 2,375

Total dollars repaid                             708             706



As of:

Fair value as a percent of cost                  77.7%           90.9%

Net asset value per share                        $ 9.00          $ 8.74

Number of portfolio companies                    17              16

Total assets                                     $ 241,109       $ 297,161







Conference Call for Stockholders: The Company will hold a conference call Tuesday, May 24, 2011 at 8:30 am EDT.  Please call (800) 860-2442 to enter the conference.  An operator will monitor the call and set a queue for the questions. A replay of the conference call will be available through June 27, 2011.  To hear the replay, please dial (877) 344-7529 and use conference number 449399.  The replay will be available approximately one hour after the call concludes.

The live audio broadcast of the Company's quarterly conference call will be available online at www.GladstoneInvestment.com. The event will be archived and available for replay on the Company's website through July 25, 2011.

Warning: The financial statements below are without footnotes, so readers should obtain and carefully review the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, including the footnotes to the financial statements contained therein. The Company has filed the Form 10-K today with the SEC, which can be retrieved from the SEC's website at www.sec.gov or from the Company's website at www.GladstoneInvestment.com. To obtain a paper copy from us, please contact us at 1521 Westbranch Drive, Suite 200, McLean, VA 22102.

Who we are:  Gladstone Investment Corporation is a publicly traded business development company that seeks to make debt and equity investments in small and mid-sized businesses in the United States in connection with acquisitions, changes in control and recapitalizations. Information on the business activities of all the Gladstone funds can be found at www.gladstonecompanies.com.

For Investor Relations inquiries related to any of the monthly dividend paying Gladstone funds, please visit www.gladstone.com.

The statements in this press release regarding the improved performance of the Company's portfolio and the Company's projected investment activities and other such statements are "forward-looking statements." These forward-looking statements inherently involve certain risks and uncertainties, although they are based on the Company's current plans that are believed to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. Factors that may cause the Company's actual results to differ from these forward-looking statements include, among others, the duration and effects of current economic instability, the Company's ability to access debt and equity capital and those factors listed under the caption "Risk Factors" of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, as filed with the SEC on May 23, 2011. The risk factors set forth in the Form 10-K under the caption "Risk Factors" are specifically incorporated by reference into this press release. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.


GLADSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

                                                        March 31,

                                                        2011       2010



ASSETS

Investments at fair value

Control investments (Cost of $136,306 and $152,166,
respectively)                                           $ 104,062  $ 148,248

Affiliate investments (Cost of $45,145 and $52,727,
respectively)                                           34,556     37,664

Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments (Cost of $15,741
and $22,674, respectively)                              14,667     20,946

Total investments (Cost of $197,192 and $227,567,
respectively)                                           153,285    206,858

Cash and cash equivalents                               80,580     87,717

Restricted cash                                         4,499      --

Interest receivable                                     737        1,234

Due from Custodian                                      859        935

Deferred financing fees                                 373        83

Prepaid assets                                          224        221

Other assets                                            552        113

TOTAL ASSETS                                            $ 241,109  $ 297,161



LIABILITIES

Borrowings at fair value

Short-term loan (Cost of $40,000 and $75,000,
respectively)                                           $ 40,000   $ 75,000

Credit Facility (Cost of $0 and $27,800, respectively)  --         27,812

Total borrowings (Cost of $40,000 and $102,800,
respectively)                                           40,000     102,812

Accounts payable and accrued expenses                   201        206

Fees due to Adviser                                     499        721

Fee due to Administrator                                171        149

Other liabilities                                       1,409      295

TOTAL LIABILITIES                                       42,280     104,183

NET ASSETS                                              $ 198,829  $ 192,978



ANALYSIS OF NET ASSETS

Common stock, $0.001 par value per share, 100,000,000
shares authorized, 22,080,133 shares issued and
outstanding at March 31, 2011 and 2010                  $ 22       $ 22

Capital in excess of par value                          257,192    257,206

Net unrealized depreciation of investment portfolio     (43,907)   (20,710)

Net unrealized depreciation of other, net               (76)       (51)

Undistributed net investment income                     165        --

Accumulated net realized investment loss                (14,567)   (43,489)

TOTAL NET ASSETS                                        $ 198,829  $ 192,978



NET ASSETS PER SHARE                                    $ 9.00     $ 8.74








GLADSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA)

(UNAUDITED)



                                                     Quarter Ended March 31,

                                                     2011        2010

INVESTMENT INCOME

Interest income

Control investments                                  $  2,407    $  3,152

Affiliate investments                                972         1,144

Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments                403         553

Cash and cash equivalents                            12          1

Total interest income                                3,794       4,850

Other Control investment income                      (16)        (98)

Total investment income                              3,778       4,752



EXPENSES

Loan servicing fee                                   619         855

Base management fee                                  390         149

Administration fee                                   171         149

Interest expense                                     143         348

Amortization of deferred financing fees              108         431

Professional fees                                    167         124

Stockholder related costs                            28          19

Insurance expense                                    74          72

Directors fees                                       49          49

Other expenses                                       146         82

Expenses before credit from Adviser                  1,895       2,278

Credit to fees from Adviser                          (49)        (235)

Total expenses net of credits to fees                1,846       2,043



NET INVESTMENT INCOME                                1,932       2,709



UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS):

Net unrealized appreciation of investment portfolio  866         17,804

Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation of other,
net                                                  (3)         116

Net gain on investments and other                    863         17,920



NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS $ 2,795     $ 20,629



NET INCREASE IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS
PER COMMON SHARE:

Basic and diluted                                    $ 0.13      $ 0.93



WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING:

Basic and diluted weighted average shares            22,080,133  22,080,133








GLADSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS)



                                                      Year Ended March 31,

                                                      2011        2010

INVESTMENT INCOME

Interest income

Control investments                                   $ 10,108    $ 11,745

Affiliate investments                                 4,003       5,677

Non-Control/Non-Affiliate investments                 1,578       2,393

Cash and cash equivalents                             33          2

Total interest income                                 15,722      19,817

Other Control investment income                       10,342      968

Total investment income                               26,064      20,785



EXPENSES

Loan servicing fee                                    2,743       3,747

Base management fee                                   1,236       737

Incentive fee                                         2,949       588

Administration fee                                    753         676

Interest expense                                      701         1,988

Amortization of deferred financing fees               491         1,618

Professional fees                                     473         626

Stockholder related costs                             273         295

Insurance expense                                     293         262

Directors fees                                        201         196

Other expenses                                        460         280

Expenses before credits from Adviser                  10,573      11,013

Credits to fees from Adviser                          (680)       (826)

Total expenses net of credits to fees                 9,893       10,187



NET INVESTMENT INCOME                                 16,171      10,598



REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)

Realized gain (loss) on sale of investments           23,489      (35,923)

Realized loss on other                                --          (53)

Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation of
investment portfolio                                  (23,197)    14,305

Net unrealized (depreciation) appreciation of other,
net                                                   (24)        2

Net gain (loss) on investments and other              268         (21,669)



NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
OPERATIONS                                            $ 16,439    $ (11,071)



NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM
OPERATIONS PER COMMON SHARE

Basic and diluted                                     $ 0.74      $ (0.50)



WEIGHTED AVERAGE SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OUTSTANDING

Basic and diluted weighted average shares             22,080,133  22,080,133








GLADSTONEINVESTMENT CORPORATION

CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT DATA)

(UNAUDITED)




                                                      Quarter Ended March 31,

                                                      2011        2010

Per Share Data (1)

Net asset value at beginning of period                $ 9.00      $ 7.93



Income from investment operations:

Net investment income(2)                              0.08        0.12

Net unrealized appreciation of investments(2)         0.04        0.81

Total from investment operations                      0.12        0.93



Distributions to stockholders:(3)                     (0.12)      (0.12)



Net asset value at end of period                      $ 9.00      $ 8.74



Per share market value at beginning of period         $ 7.71      $ 4.66

Per share market value at end of period               7.76        5.98

Total return for the period(4)                        2.23%       31.24%

Shares outstanding at end of period                   22,080,133  22,080,133



Statement of Assets and Liabilities Data:

Net assets at end of period                           $ 198,829   $ 192,978

Average net assets(5)                                 197,674     180,099



Senior Securities Data:

Total borrowings                                      $ 40,000    $ 102,812

Asset coverage ratio(6)(7)                            534%        281%

Average coverage per unit(7)                          $ 5,344     $ 2,814



Ratios/Supplemental Data:

Ratio of expenses to average net assets(8)(9)         3.83%       5.06%

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(8)(10)    3.74%       4.54%

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
(8)                                                   3.91%       6.02%










      Based on actual shares outstanding at the end of the corresponding
(1)   period.

(2)   Based on weighted average basic per share data.

(3)   Distributions are determined based on taxable income calculated in
      accordance with income tax regulations which may differ from amounts
      determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United
      States of America.

(4)   Total return equals the change in the market value of the Company's
      common stock from the beginning of the period taking into account
      distributions reinvested in accordance with the terms of our dividend
      reinvestment plan.

      Calculated using the average of the ending monthly net assets for the
(5)   respective periods.

(6)   As a business development company, the Company is generally required to
      maintain a ratio of at least 200% of total assets to total borrowings.

(7)   Asset coverage ratio is the ratio of the carrying value of the Company's
      total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not
      represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior
      securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is
      expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness.

(8)   Amounts are annualized.

      Ratio of expenses to average net assets is computed using expenses before
(9)   credit from the Adviser.

      Ratio of net expenses to average net assets is computed using total
(10)  expenses net of credits to the management fee.








GLADSTONE INVESTMENT CORPORATION

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

(DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE AND PER UNIT DATA)

(UNAUDITED)



                                                      Year Ended March 31,

                                                      2011        2010

Per Share Data (1)

Net asset value at beginning of year                  $ 8.74      $ 9.73



Income from investment operations:

Net investment income(2)                              0.73        0.48

Realized loss on sale of investments(2)               1.06        (1.63)

Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of
investments(2)                                        (1.05)      0.65

Total from investment operations                      0.74        (0.50)



Distributions from:

Net investment income                                 (0.48)      (0.48)

Tax return on capital                                 --          --

Total distributions(3)                                (0.48)      (0.48)



Effect of shelf offering:

Shelf registration offering costs                     --          (0.01)



Net asset value at end of year                        $ 9.00      $ 8.74



Per share market value at beginning of year           $ 6.01      $ 3.67

Per share market value at end of year                 7.76        5.98

Total return for the year(5)                          38.56%      79.80%

Shares outstanding at end of year                     22,080,133  22,080,133



Statement of Assets and Liabilities Data:

Net assets at end of year                             $ 198,829   $ 192,978

Average net assets(6)                                 192,893     191,112



Senior Securities Data:

Total borrowings                                      $ 40,000    $ 102,812

Asset coverage ratio(7)(8)                            534%        281%

Average coverage per unit(8)                          $ 5,344     $ 2,814



Ratios/Supplemental Data:

Ratio of expenses to average net assets (9)           5.48%       5.76%

Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(10)       5.13%       5.33%

Ratio of net investment income to average net assets  8.38%       5.55%










      Based on actual shares outstanding at the end of the corresponding
(1)   period.

(2)   Based on weighted average basic per share data.

(3)   Distributions are determined based on taxable income calculated in
      accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from amounts
      determined under accounting principles generally accepted in the United
      States of America.

(4)   The effect of distributions from the stock rights offering after the
      record date represents the effect on net asset value of issuing
      additional shares after the record date of a distribution.

(5)   Total return equals the change in the market value of the Company's
      common stock from the beginning of the period, taking into account
      dividends reinvested in accordance with the terms of the Company's
      dividend reinvestment plan.

      Calculated using the average of the balance of net assets at the end of
(6)   each month of the reporting period.

(7)   As a business development company, the Company is generally required to
      maintain an asset coverage ratio of at least 200% of total consolidated
      assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior
      securities, to total borrowings and guaranty commitments.

(8)   Asset coverage ratio is the ratio of the carrying value of the Company's
      total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not
      represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior
      securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is the
      asset coverage ratio expressed in terms of dollar amounts per one
      thousand dollars of indebtedness.

      Ratio of expenses to average net assets is computed using expenses before
(9)   credits from the Adviser.

      Ratio of net expenses to average net assets is computed using total
(10)  expenses net of credits to the management fee.







SOURCE Gladstone Investment Corporation