May 19, 2022

Barings Corporate Investors Reports Preliminary First Quarter 2022 Results and Announces Quarterly Cash Dividend of $0.24 Per Share

The Board of Trustees of Barings Corporate Investors (NYSE: MCI) (the "Trust") met on May 19, 2022 and would like to report its preliminary financial results for the first quarter of 2022.

Financial Highlights

Three Months Ended
March 31, 2022

Three Months Ended
December 31, 2021

 

Total Amount

Per Share(3)

Total Amount

Per Share(3)

Net investment income(1)

$ 4,284,605

$ 0.21

$ 6,054,093

$ 0.30

Net realized gains / (losses)(2)

$ 293,278

$ 0.01

$ (3,287,600)

$ (0.16)

Net unrealized appreciation /(depreciation)

$ (1,362,060)

$ (0.07)

$ 3,138,727

$ 0.15

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations

$ 3,215,823

$ 0.16

$ 5,905,220

$ 0.29

Total net assets (equity)

$ 341,256,927

$ 16.84

$ 338,041,104

$ 16.68

  1. December 31, 2021 figures net of approximately $0.03 per share of excise tax. March 31, 2022 figures net of approximately $0.01 per share of excise tax.
  2. December 31, 2021 figures net of approximately $0.10 per share of capital gains tax.
  3. Based on shares outstanding at the end of the period of 20,261,719

Key Highlights:
Commenting on the quarter, Christina Emery, President, stated, "During the first quarter, Barings continued to drive origination flow into high quality, 1st lien senior secured middle-market investments. When constructing portfolios, we focus on investing in high-quality businesses that are leaders in their space and offer defensive characteristics that will allow them to perform through cycles.”

During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Trust reported total investment income of $6.0 million, net investment income of $4.3 million, or $0.21 per share, and a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $3.2 million, or $0.16 per share.

Net asset value ("NAV") per share as of March 31, 2022 was $16.84, as compared to $16.68 as of December 31, 2021. The increase in NAV per share was primarily attributable to net investment income of $0.21 per share, partially offset by unrealized depreciation of $0.07 per share.

The Board of Trustees declared a quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share payable on June 10, 2022 to shareholders of record on May 31, 2022. 

On April 18, 2022, the Board of Trustees also approved the continuance of the Trust’s current Investment Services Contract with Barings LLC.

The next scheduled meeting of the Board of Trustees will be held on August 18, 2022.

Recent Portfolio Activity
During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Trust made eight new investments totaling $13.2 million and 10 add-on investments in existing portfolio companies totaling $2.2 million. During the three months ended March 31, 2022, the Trust had one mezzanine term loan repaid at par totaling $0.5 million and realized two equity investments totaling less than $0.1 million.

Liquidity and Capitalization
As of March 31, 2022, the Trust had cash of $14.6 million and $42.0 million of borrowings outstanding. The Trust had unfunded commitments of $23.8 million as of March 31, 2022.  

Net Capital Gains
The Trust realized net capital gains of $0.3 million or $0.01 per share during the quarter ended March 31, 2022. During the quarter ended December 31, 2021, the Trust realized net capital losses of $3.3 million or $0.16 per share.

Annual Meeting
At the Annual Meeting, which was held virtually on May 19, 2022, shareholders elected Susan B. Sweeney as an Independent Trustee and David M. Mihalick as an Interested Trustee for three-year terms.

About Barings Corporate Investors
Barings Corporate Investors is a closed-end management investment company advised by Barings LLC.  Its shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol ("MCI").

About Barings LLC
Barings is a $371+ billion* global investment manager sourcing differentiated opportunities and building long-term portfolios across public and private fixed income, real estate, and specialist equity markets. With investment professionals based in North America, Europe and Asia Pacific, the firm, a subsidiary of MassMutual, aims to serve its clients, communities and employees, and is committed to sustainable practices and responsible investment. Learn more at www.barings.com.

*Assets under management as of March 31, 2022

Contact
MediaRelations@barings.com

Per share amounts are rounded to the nearest cent.

PAST PERFORMANCE IS NOT NECESSARILY INDICATIVE OF FUTURE RESULTS

Cautionary Notice: Certain statements contained in this press release may be "forward looking" statements.  Investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date on which they are made and which reflect management’s current estimates, projections, expectations or beliefs, and which are subject to risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially.  These statements are subject to change at any time based upon economic, market or other conditions and may not be relied upon as investment advice or an indication of the fund's trading intent.  References to specific securities are not recommendations of such securities, and may not be representative of the fund's current or future investments.  We undertake no obligation to publicly update forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.