WOODSIDE, Calif., March 13, 2018 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — GSV Capital Corp. (“GSV Capital” or the “Company”) (Nasdaq:GSVC) today announced financial results for the quarter and fiscal year ended December 31, 2017. Net assets totaled approximately $204.8 million, or $9.64 per share, at December 31, 2017, as compared to $9.69 per share at September 30, 2017 and $8.66 per share at December 31, 2016.

“In 2017, the GSV Capital team executed a range of proactive measures to enhance shareholder value,” said Michael Moe, Executive Chairman of GSV Capital. “Key initiatives included reducing expenses, implementing a share repurchase program, initiating a tender offer for our convertible debt, and adjusting the Company’s advisory fee structure. We anticipate a positive impact to NAV resulting from GSV Asset Management’s forfeiture of $5 million of its previously accrued, but unearned incentive fee, which will be reflected in GSV Capital’s first quarter 2018 earnings.”

“Entering 2018, we anticipate significant events in the coming weeks that will impact the valuation of GSV Capital’s portfolio, including imminent public listings from Spotify and Dropbox – our second and fourth largest positions, respectively,” Moe continued. “Looking ahead, we believe the fundamentals of the GSV Capital portfolio and the opportunity for investors are as strong as they have ever been.”

Investment Portfolio as of December 31, 2017

At December 31, 2017, GSV Capital held positions in 31 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of approximately $220.6 million. As a result of the Company’s continued strategy to increase the size of its investments in individual portfolio companies, GSV Capital’s investment portfolio has consolidated around top positions. For example, the Company’s top five portfolio company investments accounted for 52.4% of the total portfolio at fair value as of December 31, 2017, compared to 39.0% as of December 31, 2016.

       
Top Five Investments at December 31, 2017      
       
$ in millions (rounded) Fair Value   % of Total Portfolio
Palantir Technologies, Inc. $ 35.1   15.9 %
Spotify Technology S.A.   30.7   13.9  
Coursera, Inc.   18.4   8.3  
Dropbox, Inc.   17.9   8.1  
StormWind, LLC   13.5   6.1  
Total (rounded) $ 115.5   52.4 %
           

Fourth Quarter 2017 Portfolio Investment Activity

During 2017, GSV Capital did not fund any new investments.

During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, GSV Capital sold or wrote off securities in the following portfolio companies:

                   
      Shares   Average   Net   Realized
      Sold/   Net Share   Proceeds   Gain/(Loss)(2)
Portfolio Company      Written Off   Price (1)   (in millions)   (in millions)
                   
JAMF Holdings, Inc.     1,468,800   $23.78   $34.9   $25.5
Spotify Technology S.A.     3,657   $3,800   $13.9   $10.3
Dataminr, Inc.     1,206,346   $3.98   $4.8   $1.6
Whittle Schools, LLC     3,000,229   $1.52   $4.6   $(0.2)
Chegg, Inc.     282,192   $15.97   $4.5   $1.2
Strategic Data Command, LLC     2,400,000   $1.02   $2.5   $1.5
Palantir Technologies, Inc.     326,797   $6.40   $2.1   $1.1
Handle Financial, Inc.     548,034   $0.00     $(14.0)
Circle Media (2)     2,745,070   $0.00     $(1.8)

__________
(1) The average net share price is the net share price realized after deducting all commissions and fees on the sale(s), if applicable.
(2) Write-off includes a promissory note with principal value of $25,008.

Subsequent to quarter-end, through March 13, 2018, GSV Capital sold positions in the following portfolio companies:

          Average   Net   Realized
      Shares   Net Share   Proceeds   Gain/(Loss)
Portfolio Company     Sold   Price (1)   (in millions)   (in millions)
                   
Chegg, Inc.     500,000   $18.89   $9.4   $3.4
NestGSV, Inc. (d/b/a GSV Labs, Inc.)     N/A   N/A   $0.6   $(0.0)
Avenues Global Holdings, LLC     10,014,270   $0.59   $5.9   $(4.2)

__________
(1) The average net share price is the net share price realized after deducting all commissions and fees on the sale(s), if applicable.

     
     
Fourth Quarter 2017 Financial Results    
     
  Quarter Ended
December 31, 2017
Quarter Ended
December 31, 2016
   $ in millions per share  $ in millions  per share
         
Net investment income/(loss) $(3.6) $(0.17) $3.9 $0.17
         
Net realized gain/(loss) 25.2 1.18 (0.3) (0.01)
         
Net change in unrealized depreciation of investments (26.9) (1.26) (36.6) (1.65)
         
Benefit from taxes on unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments 2.7 0.13 1.6 0.07
         
Net decrease in net assets resulting from operations – basic $(2.5) $(0.12) $(31.5) $(1.42)
         
Dividends distributed
         
Repurchase of common stock(1) (2.1) 0.07
         
Increase/(decrease) in net asset value $(4.6) $(0.05) $(31.5) $(1.42)

__________
(1)   During the quarter ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased 360,549 shares of GSV Capital common stock for approximately $2.1 million in cash. The use of cash in connection with the repurchases decreased net asset value as of period end; however, the reduction in shares outstanding as of period end resulted in an increase in the net asset value per share.

Weighted-average common basic shares outstanding were approximately 21.3 million and 22.2 million for the quarters ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

     
     
Fiscal Year 2017 Financial Results    
     
  Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2017
Fiscal Year Ended
December 31, 2016
   $ in millions per share  $ in millions  per share
         
Net investment loss $(20.9) $(0.95) $(1.3) $(0.06)
         
Net realized gain/(loss) 0.9 0.04 (2.6) (0.12)
         
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments 34.8 1.59 (73.2) (3.30)
         
Benefit from taxes on unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments 2.8 0.13 2.1 0.10
         
Net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations – basic $17.6 $0.80 $(75.0) $(3.38)
         
Dividends distributed (0.9) (0.04)
         
Repurchase of common stock(1) (4.9) 0.18
         
Increase/(decrease) in net asset value $12.6 $0.98 $(75.9) $(3.42)

__________
(1)   During the year ended December 31, 2017, the Company repurchased 934,658 shares of GSV Capital common stock for approximately $4.9 million in cash. The use of cash in connection with the repurchases decreased net asset value as of period end; however, the reduction in shares outstanding as of period end resulted in an increase in the net asset value per share.

Weighted-average common basic shares outstanding were approximately 21.9 million and 22.2 million for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively.

GSV Capital’s liquid assets were $68.0 million as of December 31, 2017, consisting of $59.8 million of cash and $8.2 million of public securities not subject to lock-up agreements.

At year-end, GSV Capital did not have any borrowings outstanding and $12.0 million of borrowing capacity available under its $12.0 million credit facility. As of March 13, 2018, GSV Capital has no borrowings outstanding and $12.0 million of borrowing capacity available to it under its credit facility.

Share Repurchase Program

On November 7, 2017, the Company’s Board of Directors authorized an extension of, and an increase in the amount of shares of the Company’s common stock that may be purchased under, its discretionary open-market share repurchase program until the earlier of (i) November 6, 2018 or (ii) the repurchase of $10.0 million in aggregate amount of the Company’s common stock. Under the repurchase program, the Company may, but is not obligated to, repurchase its outstanding common stock from time to time in the open market provided that the Company complies with the prohibitions under its insider trading policies and procedures and the applicable provisions of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The timing and number of shares to be repurchased will depend on a number of factors, including market conditions and alternative investment opportunities.

Pursuant to the announcement of the share repurchase program, as of December 31, 2017 the Company had repurchased 934,658 shares of its common stock for approximately $4.9 million. From January 1, 2018 through March 9, 2018, the Company repurchased an additional 179,807 shares of its common stock for approximately $1.2 million.

As of March 13, 2018, the dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased by the Company under the share repurchase program is approximately $3.8 million.

Conference Call and Webcast

Management will hold a conference call and webcast for investors today at 2:00 p.m. PT (5:00 p.m. ET). The conference call access number for U.S. participants is 877-419-6590, and the conference call access number for participants outside the U.S. is 719-325-2455. The conference ID number for both access numbers is 5951244. Additionally, interested parties can listen to a live webcast of the call from the “Investor Relations” section of GSV Capital’s website at http://investors.gsvcap.com/. An archived replay of the webcast will also be available for 12 months following the live presentation.

A replay of the conference call may be accessed until 5:00 p.m. PT (8:00 p.m. ET) on March 20, 2018 by dialing 866-375-1919 (U.S.) or 719-457-0820 (International) and using conference ID number 5951244.

About GSV Capital Corp.

GSV Capital Corp. (GSVC) is a publicly traded investment fund that seeks to invest in high-growth, venture-backed private companies. Led by industry veteran Michael Moe and CEO Mark Klein, the fund seeks to create a portfolio of high-growth emerging private companies via a repeatable and disciplined investment approach, as well as to provide investors with access to such companies through its publicly traded common stock. GSV Capital is headquartered in Woodside, CA. www.gsvcap.com

Follow GSV Capital on Twitter: @gsvcap

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein may constitute “forward-looking statements,” which relate to future events or our future performance or financial condition. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance, condition or results of operations and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in our filings with the SEC. GSV Capital Corp. undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statements made herein, unless required to do so by law.

Contact

GSV Capital Corp.
(650) 235-4769
[email protected]

       
       
GSV CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
       
  December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016
ASSETS      
Investments at fair value:          
Non-controlled/non-affiliate investments (cost of $137,526,726 and $204,101,445, respectively) $   179,908,234     $  200,532,890  
Non-controlled/affiliate investments (cost of $41,886,312 and $51,773,388, respectively) (1)    16,473,098        42,444,690  
Controlled investments (cost of $23,161,314 and $22,893,441, respectively) (1)    24,207,161        19,037,566  
Investments in U.S. Treasury bills (cost of $99,985,833 and $29,998,750, respectively)    99,994,000        29,998,490  
Total Investments (cost of $302,560,185 and $308,767,024, respectively)   320,582,493       292,013,636  
           
Cash   59,838,600       8,332,634  
Due from:          
Portfolio companies (1)   840        
Escrow proceeds receivable   603,456        
Interest and dividends receivable    35,141        92,946  
Prepaid expenses and other assets    208,983       213,942  
Deferred financing costs    413,023        311,268  
Total Assets   381,682,536       300,964,426  
           
LIABILITIES          
Due to:          
GSV Asset Management (2)   231,697       422,025  
Accounts payable and accrued expenses   458,203        335,611  
Accrued incentive fees (2)   9,278,085       2,126,444  
Accrued management fees, net of waiver of management fees (2)    424,447        524,054  
Accrued interest payable    1,056,563        1,056,563  
Payable for securities purchased    89,485,825        26,498,750  
Deferred tax liability    7,602,301        10,359,371  
Convertible Senior Notes Payable 5.25% due September 15, 2018 (3)    68,382,549       67,512,798  
Total Liabilities   176,919,670       108,835,616  
           
Net Assets $ 204,762,866     $ 192,128,810  
           
NET ASSETS          
Common stock, par value $0.01 per share          
(100,000,000 authorized; 21,246,345 and 22,181,003 issued and outstanding, respectively) $  212,463     $  221,810  
Paid-in capital in excess of par    230,042,199        221,237,636  
Accumulated net investment loss    (36,051,904 )      (1,443,996 )
Accumulated net realized gains/(losses) on investments    140,100        (773,882 )
Accumulated net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of investments    10,420,008        (27,112,758 )
Net Assets $ 204,762,866     $ 192,128,810  
Net Asset Value Per Share $ 9.64     $ 8.66  
               

(1)   This balance is a related-party transaction.
(2)   This balance is a related-party transaction and subject to the fee Waiver Agreement announced and effective subsequent to year-end.
(3)   The Convertible Senior Notes have a face value of $69,000,000.

             
             
GSV CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
             
   Year Ended
  Year Ended   Year Ended
  December 31, 2017   December 31, 2016   December 31, 2015
INVESTMENT INCOME                  
Non-controlled/non-affiliate investments:                  
Interest income/(reversal of interest accrual)   $ (4,627 )   $   262,473      $ 29,695  
Dividend income                 46,781  
Other income     73,096       212,795        
Non-controlled/affiliate investments:                  
Interest income(1)     59,460         159,016        214,420  
Controlled investments:                  
Interest income(1)     249,839        101,999        
Dividend income(1)     475,000               
Total Investment Income     852,768       736,283       290,896  
                   
OPERATING EXPENSES                  
Management fees (2)      5,666,176        6,896,347       8,044,801  
Incentive fees/(reversal of incentive fee accrual)(2)     7,151,641       (15,188,121 )     8,170,326  
Costs incurred under Administration Agreement (1)      1,874,839       2,545,316       2,681,079  
Directors’ fees      328,480        345,000       373,676  
Professional fees      2,068,668       1,966,906       1,357,988  
Interest expense     4,696,819        4,731,430       4,961,169  
Tax expense      52,901        –       880,778  
Other expenses      600,331       702,768       509,418  
Gain on fair value adjustment for embedded derivative            –       (1,000 )
Total Operating Expenses     22,439,855       1,999,646       26,978,235  
Management fee waiver(2)     (708,272 )            
Total operating expenses, net of waiver of management fees       21,731,583       1,999,646       26,978,235  
Provision for taxes on net investment loss (3)                 (21,969,370 )
Net Investment Loss     (20,878,815 )     (1,263,363 )     (48,656,709 )
                   
Realized Gains/(Losses) on Investments:                  
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments     3,989,476       (2,634,471 )      64,314,796  
Non-controlled/affiliate investments     (3,075,494 )      –        (10,170,567 )
Net Realized Gains/(Losses) on Investments     913,982        (2,634,471 )      54,144,229  
Benefit from taxes on net realized gain on investments (3)                 342,802  
                   
Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) of Investments:                  
Non-controlled/non-affiliated investments      45,958,490         (54,745,095 )      (14,181,484 )
Non-controlled/affiliate investments      (16,084,516 )       (13,571,477 )      1,386,378  
Controlled investments      4,901,722        (4,897,273 )      (627,139 )
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation/(Depreciation) of Investments      34,775,696       (73,213,845 )      (13,422,245 )
Benefit from taxes on unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments (3)     2,757,070       2,116,784       16,058,080  
                   
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets                  
Resulting from Operations   $ 17,567,933     $ (74,994,895 )   $ 8,466,157  
Net Increase/(Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting                  
from Operations per Common Share                  
Basic   $  0.80     $ (3.38 )   $ 0.44  
Diluted (4)   $  0.80     $ (3.38 )   $ 0.44  
Weighted-Average Common Shares Outstanding                  
Basic      21,924,490        22,181,003       19,327,938  
Diluted (4)      21,924,490        22,181,003       19,327,938  
                         

(1)   This balance is a related-party transaction.
(2)   This balance is a related-party transaction and subject to the fee Waiver Agreement announced and effective subsequent to year-end.
(3)   Due to the Company’s change in tax status to a regulated investment company (“RIC”) from a C Corporation, the associated accrued benefits and provisions from previous years were reversed, resulting in a provision for net investment loss, a benefit for net realized gains, and a benefit for unrealized depreciation of investments for the year ended December 31, 2015.
(4)  For the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively, 5,751,815, 5,751,815 and 5,710,212 potentially dilutive common shares were excluded from the weighted-average common shares outstanding for diluted net increase/(decrease) in net assets resulting from operations per common share because the effect of these shares would have been anti-dilutive.

             
             
GSV CAPITAL CORP. AND SUBSIDIARIES
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
             
    Three months ended     Three months ended  
    December 31,     December 31,  
    2017     2016  
Net asset value at beginning of period $ 9.69   $ 10.08  
Net investment income/(loss)   (0.17) (1 )   0.17 (1 )
Realized gain/(loss)   1.18 (1 )   (0.01) (1 )
Change in unrealized depreciation   (1.26) (1 )   (1.65) (1 )
Benefit for taxes on unrealized appreciation/depreciation of investments   0.13 (1 )   0.07 (1 )
Repurchase of Common Stock   0.07      
Net asset value at end of period 9.64   $ 8.66  
             

                               
                               
    Year ended     Year ended     Year ended     Year ended     Year ended  
    December 31,     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,     December 31,  
    2017     2016     2015     2014     2013  
Net asset value at beginning of year $ 8.66     $ 12.08     $ 14.80     $ 14.91     $ 13.07    
Net investment loss(1)     (0.95 )       (0.06 )     (2.52 )     (0.66 )     (0.46 )  
Realized gain (loss)(1)    0.04        (0.12 )     2.80       1.24        (1.12 )  
Benefit/(Provision) for taxes on net realized capital gains/losses(1)               0.02       (0.51 )      0.49    
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)(1)   1.59       (3.30 )     (0.69 )      (0.30 )      4.53    
Benefit/(Provision) for taxes on unrealized depreciation/appreciation of investments(1)   0.13       0.10       0.83        0.12        (1.60 )  
Distributions from realized gain         (0.04 )     (2.76 )              
Repurchase of common stock(1)   0.18                            
Dilution from shares issued               (0.40 )              
Net asset value at end of year 9.64     $ 8.66     $ 12.08     $ 14.80     $ 14.91    
                               
Per share market value at end of year $ 5.45     $ 5.03     $  9.37     $ 8.63       12.09    
Total return based on market value(2)   8.35   %   (23.29 ) %   8.57   %   (28.62 ) %   43.42   %
Total return based on net asset value(2)   11.32   %   (27.74 ) %   (0.27 ) %   (0.74 ) %   14.08   %
Shares outstanding at end of year   21,246,345       22,181,003       22,181,003       19,320,100       19,320,100    
                  .     .      
Ratios / Supplemental Data:                              
Net assets at end of year $ 204,762,866     $ 192,128,810     $   268,010,945      $  285,903,673         287,966,444    
Average net assets $ 199,457,678     $ 243,577,514     $   296,560,393      $  284,953,811         250,121,052    
                               
Ratios                              
Ratio of gross operating expenses to average net assets   11.25   %   0.82   %   9.10   %   7.64   %   8.83   %
Ratio of net income tax provisions to average net assets   (1.38 ) %   (0.87 ) %   (1.88 ) %   (0.50 ) %   (3.33 ) %
Ratio of management fee waiver to average net assets   (0.36 ) %     %     %     %     %
Ratio of net operating expenses to average net assets   9.51   %   (0.05 ) %   7.22   %   7.14   %   5.50   %
                               
Ratio of net investment loss to average net assets   (10.47 ) %   (0.52 ) %   (16.41 ) %   (4.48 ) %   (3.55 ) %
Portfolio Turnover Ratio   0.07   %   4.46   %   8.30   %   19.45   %   2.96   %
                                         

(1)   Based on weighted-average number of shares outstanding for the relevant period.
(2)   Total return based on market value is based on the change in market price per share between the opening and ending market values per share in the year. The closing market price per share adjusted for dividends on December 31, 2015 is $6.61. Total return based on net asset value is based upon the change in net asset value per share between the opening and ending net asset values per share.