Tortoise Capital Resources Corp. Releases Fiscal 2010 Financial Results
 
 
LEAWOOD, Kan.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tortoise Capital Resources Corp. (NYSE: TTO) (the company) today announced its financial results for the fiscal year ended Nov. 30, 2010, in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed Jan. 26, 2011.
 
 
Recent Highlights
 
·  
Maintained $0.10 per share distribution
·  
Net asset value of $10.44 per share as of Nov. 30, 2010, compared to $9.74 as of Aug. 31, 2010, and $9.29 per share as of Nov. 30, 2009
·  
Filed a preliminary proxy statement which includes a proposal to withdraw its election to be regulated as a business development company (BDC)
 
Performance Review
 
On Nov. 30, 2010, the company paid a distribution of $0.10 per common share, the same amount as the prior quarter. The company determines the amount of distributions paid to stockholders based on distributable cash flow (DCF), which is distributions received from investments less total expenses. The company believes it will have sufficient cash flow to pay a $0.10 per share distribution through the first quarter of 2011, subject to the Board of Directors approval and continued portfolio company distributions at current levels.
 
Net Asset Value
 
At Nov. 30, 2010, the company's net asset value was $10.44 per share, compared to $9.74 as of Aug. 31, 2010 and $9.29 per share at Nov. 30, 2009. Total investment return, based on net asset value and assuming reinvestment of distributions, was approximately 20 percent for the year ended Nov. 30, 2010.
 
Annual Portfolio Review
 
As of Nov. 30, 2010, the value of the company's investment portfolio (excluding short-term investments) was $93.7 million, with approximately 78 percent of the portfolio in private investments totaling $72.9 million and approximately 22 percent in publicly-traded investments totaling $20.8 million. The portfolio is diversified among approximately 43 percent midstream and downstream investments, 12 percent upstream, and 45 percent in aggregates and coal.
 
International Resource Partners' (IRP) fair value increased approximately $18 million this past year. Over the last twelve months there have been significant increases in comparable company valuations, two coal MLP IPOs and renewed M&A activity which, combined with IRP's improved financial performance, supported the significant increase in valuation. IRP also steadily increased its quarterly distribution this year, from $0.40 per unit in TTO's first quarter to $0.55 per unit in the fourth quarter.
 
In February 2010, Mowood, LLC (Mowood) closed the sale of Timberline to Landfill Energy Systems. TTO received $9.0 million in cash distributions from the sale and used the proceeds to pay off its credit facility and invest in publicly-traded securities. Subsequently, TTO received approximately $778,000 as a result of a contingent payment from the sale and carbon credit reimbursements. TTO may also receive additional contingent and escrow payments from the sale, currently expected to total up to $1.4 million. The fair value of the company's Mowood investment, including debt, equity and potential contingent payments, was approximately $9.3 million as of Nov. 30, 2010.
 
The fair value of VantaCore Partners LP (VantaCore) decreased approximately $2.4 million over this past year. VantaCore has struggled with lower than anticipated operating results, primarily attributed to its Southern Aggregates subsidiary, which has experienced a decrease in demand and pricing, and higher than expected costs, partially offset by better results from its Winn Materials and McIntosh operations. VantaCore was unable to meet its minimum quarterly distribution ("MQD") for the past two quarters. Common unit holders received a cash distribution equal to MQD of $0.475 for each of those two quarters, due to preferred unit holders' acceptance of a paid-in-kind distribution, and no distributions were made to the holders of subordinated units.
 
The fair value of High Sierra Energy, LP ("High Sierra") decreased by approximately $5 million over this past year. High Sierra's board elected not to declare a cash distribution for TTO's second, third and fourth quarters. High Sierra extended its existing credit facility through March 31, 2011.
 
Quest Midstream Partners completed its transformation into a publicly traded C-corp, PostRock Energy Corp. (NASDAQ: PSTR) in March 2010. PSTR was a new corporation formed for the purpose of wholly owning all three Quest entities. Upon closing of the merger, the company received 490,769 freely tradable common units of PSTR in exchange for its 1,216,881 common units of Quest Midstream. The company held 260,500 common units of PostRock as of Nov. 30, 2010 at a fair value of $3.65 per unit, the NASDAQ closing price on that date. Subsequent to its fiscal year end, the company sold all of its remaining PostRock units.
 
On Jan. 18, 2011, Abraxas Petroleum Corporation (NASDAQ: AXAS) (Abraxas) announced that it intends to offer 10,000,000 shares of common stock and certain selling stockholders intend to offer 8,503,347 shares of common stock, both subject to market conditions, in an underwritten offering. The selling stockholders received their shares of common stock in the merger of Abraxas Energy Partners, L.P. into a wholly-owned subsidiary of Abraxas in October 2009. TTO has elected to participate as a selling unit holder and include up to 1,646,376 common units in the offering. Abraxas intends to use the net proceeds from the offering to repay indebtedness outstanding under its credit facility, to increase its 2011 capital expenditure budget and for general corporate purposes.
 
Preliminary Proxy Statement
 
The company filed a preliminary proxy statement which includes a proposal to withdraw its election to be regulated as a business development company.
 
The Board of Directors believes it is in the best interests of the company and its stockholders to make this change for two primary reasons: 1) There are significant potential opportunities for investment in real assets in the energy infrastructure sector, but BDC constraints limit these types of direct investments; and 2) the company is expected to have greater access to capital and flexibility in raising capital for its investment strategy. The company's investment strategy will be very similar to the one it has historically followed, targeting investments in the energy infrastructure sector. However, the withdrawal will allow the company to expand its investment pool to invest in real, physical assets, rather than investment securities. The company will seek to identify and invest in energy infrastructure assets that have the potential to become real estate investment trust (REIT) qualified. The company may in the future elect to be taxed as a REIT, provided that it has qualifying assets and income to permit such election.
 
The company expects to file its definitive proxy statement soon. Stockholders should make no decision about this proposal or any other proposal until reviewing the definitive proxy statement. The company's Annual Meeting of Stockholders is April 8, 2011, and will be held in the company's office in Leawood, Kan.
 
Earnings Call
 
The company will host a conference call at 4 p.m. CST on Wednesday, Jan. 26, 2011 to discuss its financial results for the fiscal year. Please dial-in to the call at 480-629-9822 approximately five to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time.
 
The call will also be webcast in a listen-only format. A link to the webcast will be accessible at www.tortoiseadvisors.com.
 
A replay of the call will be available beginning at 6:00 p.m. CST on Jan. 26, 2011 and continuing until 11:59 p.m. CST Feb. 2, 2011, by dialing 800-406-7325. The replay access code is 4398228#. A replay of the webcast will also be available on the company's website at www.tortoiseadvisors.com through Jan. 26, 2012.
 
About Tortoise Capital Resources Corp.
 
Tortoise Capital Resources invests primarily in privately-held and micro-cap public companies operating in the U.S. energy infrastructure sector.
 
About Tortoise Capital Advisors, LLC
 
Tortoise is an investment manager specializing in listed energy infrastructure investments, such as pipeline and power companies. As of Dec. 31, 2010, the adviser had approximately $6.1 billion of assets under management in six NYSE-listed investment companies and private accounts. For more information, visit our Web site at www.tortoiseadvisors.com.
 
Safe Harbor Statement
 
This press release shall not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy, nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any state or jurisdiction in which such offer or solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the laws of such state or jurisdiction.
 
Forward-Looking Statement
 
This press release contains certain statements that may include "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, included herein are "forward-looking statements." Although the company and Tortoise Capital Advisors believe that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the company's reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Other than as required by law, the company and Tortoise Capital Advisors do not assume a duty to update this forward-looking statement. Any distribution paid in the future to our stockholders will depend on the actual performance of the company's investments, its costs of leverage and other operating expenses and will be subject to the approval of the company's Board and compliance with asset coverage requirements of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the leverage covenants.
 
 
 
 

 
 
Tortoise Capital Resources Corporation
           
STATEMENTS OF ASSETS & LIABILITIES
           
             
             
   
November 30, 2010
   
November 30, 2009
 
             
Assets
           
Investments at fair value, control (cost $18,122,054 and $28,180,070, respectively)
  $ 23,260,566     $ 33,458,046  
Investments at fair value, affiliated (cost $31,329,809 and $52,676,299, respectively)
    49,066,009       41,658,847  
Investments at fair value, non-affiliated (cost $21,628,965 and $9,568,566, respectively)
    22,875,848       8,865,047  
Total investments (cost $71,080,828 and $90,424,935, respectively)
    95,202,423       83,981,940  
Receivable for Adviser expense reimbursement
    109,145       49,843  
Receivable for investments sold
    5,198       -  
Interest receivable from control investments
    42,778       -  
 Dividends receivable
    83       87  
  Deferred tax asset
    656,743       5,429,391  
Prepaid expenses and other assets
    25,023       16,792  
  Total assets
    96,041,393       89,478,053  
                 
Liabilities
               
Base management fees payable to Adviser
    327,436       299,060  
Accrued expenses and other liabilities
    234,784       282,408  
 Short-term borrowings
    -       4,600,000  
  Total liabilities
    562,220       5,181,468  
Net assets applicable to common stockholders
  $ 95,479,173     $ 84,296,585  
                 
Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders Consist of:
               
Warrants, no par value; 945,594 issued and outstanding
               
at November 30, 2010 and November 30, 2009
               
(5,000,000 authorized)
  $ 1,370,700     $ 1,370,700  
Capital stock, $0.001 par value; 9,146,506 shares issued and outstanding at
               
 November 30, 2010 and 9,078,090 issued and outstanding at November 30, 2009
         
(100,000,000 shares authorized)
    9,147       9,078  
Additional paid-in capital
    98,444,952       101,929,307  
Accumulated net investment loss, net of income taxes
    (3,308,522 )     (3,304,416 )
Accumulated realized loss, net of income taxes
    (18,532,648 )     (14,041,614 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, net of income taxes
    17,495,544       (1,666,470 )
  Net assets applicable to common stockholders
  $ 95,479,173     $ 84,296,585  
                 
Net Asset Value per common share outstanding (net assets applicable
               
to common stock, divided by common shares outstanding)
  $ 10.44     $ 9.29  
                 
                 
                 
 
 

Distributable Cash Flow
 
Year Ended
November 30,
2010
   
Year Ended
November 30,
2009
   
Year Ended
November 30,
2008
 
                     
Total from Investments
                 
 
Distributions from investments
  $ 4,196,269     $ 7,724,577     $ 9,688,521  
 
Distributions paid in stock
    65,268       -       2,186,767  
 
Interest income from investments
    720,323       807,848       1,103,059  
 
Dividends from money market mutual funds
    859       1,986       18,205  
 
Other income
    38,580       61,514       28,987  
Total from Investments
    5,021,299       8,595,925       13,025,539  
                           
Operating Expenses Before Leverage Costs
                       
 
Advisory fees (net of expense reimbursement by Adviser)
    925,820       1,126,327       1,928,109  
 
Other operating expenses
    684,739       911,779       1,037,624  
Total Operating Expenses, before Leverage Costs
    1,610,559       2,038,106       2,965,733  
 
Distributable cash flow before leverage costs
    3,410,740       6,557,819       10,059,806  
 
Leverage costs
    45,619       627,707       1,650,926  
 
Distributable Cash Flow
  $ 3,365,121     $ 5,930,112     $ 8,408,880  
                           
 
Capital gain proceeds
    882,212       -       -  
 
Cash Available for Distribution
  $ 4,247,333     $ 5,930,112     $ 8,408,880  
                           
Distributions paid on common stock
  $ 3,915,124     $ 5,582,473     $ 9,265,351  
                           
Payout percentage for period (1)
    92 %     94 %     110 %
                           
DCF/GAAP Reconciliation
                       
 
Distributable Cash Flow
  $ 3,365,121     $ 5,930,112     $ 8,408,880  
 
Adjustments to reconcile to Net Investment Loss, before Income Taxes:
                       
 
   Distributions paid in stock (2)
    (65,268 )     -       (2,186,767 )
 
   Return of capital on distributions received from equity investments
    (3,064,204 )     (6,791,394 )     (7,894,819 )
 
   Capital gain incentive fees
    -       -       307,611  
 
   Non-recurring professional fees
    (242,198 )     -       -  
 
Net Investment Loss, before Income Taxes
  $ (6,549 )   $ (861,282 )   $ (1,365,095 )
                           
(1)
Distributions paid as a percentage of Cash Available for Distribution.
                       
(2)
Distributions paid in stock for the years ended November 30, 2010 and November 30, 2008 were paid as part of normal operations and are included in DCF.
 
                           

 
 
 

 
Tortoise Capital Resources Corporation
                 
STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                 
                   
   
Year Ended
November 30,
2010
     
Year Ended
November 30,
2009
   
Year Ended
November 30,
2008
 
Investment Income
                 
   Distributions from investments
                 
Control investments
  $ 2,021,943     $ 2,270,189     $ 1,576,716  
Affiliated investments
    1,606,891       3,379,159       4,699,082  
Non-affiliated investments
    567,435       2,075,229       3,412,723  
   Total distributions from investments
    4,196,269       7,724,577       9,688,521  
   Less return of capital on distributions
    (3,064,204 )     (6,791,394 )     (7,894,819 )
            Net distributions from investments
    1,132,065       933,183       1,793,702  
   Interest income from control investments
    720,323       807,848       1,103,059  
   Dividends from money market mutual funds
    859       1,986       18,205  
   Fee income
    38,580       61,514       -  
   Other income
    -       -       28,987  
Total Investment Income
    1,891,827       1,804,531       2,943,953  
                         
Operating Expenses
                       
   Base management fees
    1,233,823       1,351,593       2,313,731  
   Capital gain incentive fees (Note 4)
    -       -       (307,611 )
   Professional fees
    590,486       553,856       642,615  
   Directors' fees
    92,053       90,257       86,406  
   Stockholder communication expenses
    53,807       61,130       58,943  
   Administrator fees
    57,578       63,074       107,325  
   Fund accounting fees
    27,723       31,968       34,546  
   Registration fees
    25,889       31,306       29,668  
   Stock transfer agent fees
    13,421       13,506       13,538  
   Franchise tax expense
    9,470       -       -  
   Custodian fees and expenses
    6,361       16,928       17,426  
   Other expenses
    50,149       49,754       47,157  
Total Operating Expenses
    2,160,760       2,263,372       3,043,744  
   Interest expense
    45,619       627,707       1,650,926  
Total Expenses
    2,206,379       2,891,079       4,694,670  
   Less expense reimbursement by Adviser
    (308,003 )     (225,266 )     (385,622 )
Net Expenses
    1,898,376       2,665,813       4,309,048  
Net Investment Loss, before Income Taxes
    (6,549 )     (861,282 )     (1,365,095 )
   Current tax expense
    -       -       (6,881 )
   Deferred tax benefit
    2,443       101,133       393,483  
  Income tax benefit, net
    2,443       101,133       386,602  
Net Investment Loss
    (4,106 )     (760,149 )     (978,493 )
                         
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
                       
   Net realized gain on control investments
    2,356,404       -       112,500  
   Net realized gain (loss) on affiliated investments
    (9,520,748 )     (338,572 )     8,603,697  
   Net realized loss on non-affiliated investments
    (3,954,175 )     (22,782,176 )     -  
Net realized gain (loss), before income taxes
    (11,118,519 )     (23,120,748 )     8,716,197  
   Deferred tax benefit (expense)
    6,627,485       2,714,872       (2,512,409 )
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
    (4,491,034 )     (20,405,876 )     6,203,788  
   Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of control investments
    (139,464 )     5,483,497       (2,976,609 )
   Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of affiliated investments
    28,753,652       (2,371,877 )     (11,145,652 )
   Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of non-affiliated investments
    1,950,402       21,135,760       (27,458,859 )
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation), before income taxes
    30,564,590       24,247,380       (41,581,120 )
Deferred tax benefit (expense)
    (11,402,576 )     (3,070,361 )     11,985,592  
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments
    19,162,014       21,177,019       (29,595,528 )
Net Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) on Investments
    14,670,980       771,143       (23,391,740 )
                         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders
                       
   Resulting from Operations
  $ 14,666,874     $ 10,994     $ (24,370,233 )
                         
Net Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Applicable to Common Stockholders
                       
   Resulting from Operations Per Common Share:
                       
Basic and Diluted
  $ 1.61     $ 0.00     $ (2.74 )
                         
Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding:
                       
Basic and Diluted
    9,107,070       8,997,145       8,887,085  
                         
                         
(1)  Less than $0.01 per share.
                       
                         
 
 
 

Tortoise Capital Advisors, LLC
Pam Kearney, 866-362-9331
Investor Relations
pkearney@tortoiseadvisors.com
 
Source: Tortoise Capital Resources Corporation
 
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