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FARMINGTON, Conn. - Horizon Technology Finance Corporation (NASDAQ: HRZN), a specialty finance firm offering secured loans to venture capital-backed companies in various high-growth industries, announced a strong start to 2025 with significant loan originations and a growing committed backlog. The company, currently valued at $337.44 million, stands out for its impressive 16.67% dividend yield and 16-year track record of consistent dividend payments, according to InvestingPro data. According to the company's recent portfolio update, HRZN originated over $100 million in new loans during the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.
The quarter's loan originations included $25.5 million to Castle Creek Biosciences and $20 million each to a clinical-stage company targeting gene therapies for oncology and autoimmune diseases, and to a developer of natural microbial products for agriculture. Additionally, HRZN provided loans to several new portfolio companies, including a developer of an innovative system for chronic lower back pain and a developer of pharmaceuticals to ease healthcare operational burdens.
HRZN's President, Gerald A. Michaud, expressed confidence in the company's direction, citing the growth of the venture debt portfolio for the third consecutive quarter and an increase in the committed backlog to $235.5 million. This backlog is expected to provide a robust pipeline of high-quality investment opportunities.
The company also reported liquidity events from five portfolio companies, resulting in principal prepayments of $68.1 million, which generated additional income and prepayment fees. These events, along with regularly scheduled principal payments totaling $11.2 million, contribute to the company's financial momentum. InvestingPro analysis reveals a strong liquidity position with a current ratio of 5.08, indicating the company's robust ability to meet short-term obligations. Get access to 8 more key ProTips and comprehensive financial analysis with an InvestingPro subscription.
Closing new loan commitments totaling $121.8 million to seven companies, HRZN's first quarter outpaced the previous quarter's $80.2 million to six companies. The company's investment adviser, Horizon Technology Finance Management LLC, is reviewing signed term sheets that could lead to an additional $30 million in new debt investments, subject to due diligence and other conditions.
HRZN's portfolio also includes warrant and equity positions in 105 companies, offering potential future returns. The company emphasized that the portfolio companies have discretion over drawing down commitments, which are often contingent on achieving specific milestones. Analyst price targets for HRZN range from $7.50 to $13.00, with the next earnings report expected on April 30, 2025. Discover detailed valuation metrics and expert insights with a InvestingPro subscription, including access to comprehensive Pro Research Reports covering 1,400+ top stocks.
This news is based on a press release statement from Horizon Technology Finance Corporation.
In other recent news, Horizon Technology Finance Corporation reported fourth-quarter earnings that missed analyst expectations. The company posted net investment income of $0.27 per share, falling short of the consensus estimate of $0.32 per share. Revenue for the quarter was $23.55 million, slightly below the expected $23.8 million. For the full year 2024, Horizon's net investment income was $1.32 per share, matching its monthly distributions for the year. The company's total investment portfolio was valued at $697.9 million as of December 31, 2024, with seven loans totaling $59.1 million funded in the fourth quarter.
In related developments, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods adjusted the price target for Horizon Technology Finance to $8.00 from $9.00, maintaining an Underperform rating. Analyst Paul Johnson cited ongoing challenges in venture capital fundraising and credit issues impacting the company's net asset value and net investment income. Despite restructuring efforts leading to a decline in non-accruals, the company's net asset value per share decreased to $8.43 by year-end. Horizon has declared monthly distributions of $0.11 per share for April, May, and June 2025, and ended the year with $100.9 million in cash and $244 million in credit facility capacity.
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