Company Description
Crescent Capital BDC, Inc. (NASDAQ: CCAP) is a closed-end, externally managed business development company (BDC) that focuses on providing capital solutions to middle market companies. The company’s stated objective is to maximize total return for its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation. According to its public disclosures, Crescent Capital BDC seeks to achieve this by investing in debt and related equity interests of private U.S. middle-market businesses that have sound business fundamentals and strong growth prospects.
Crescent Capital BDC is incorporated in Maryland and its common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock Market under the symbol CCAP. It has also issued 5.00% notes due 2026, which trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FCRX, as disclosed in its SEC filings. The company has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and to be treated as a regulated investment company (RIC) for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which requires it to distribute at least 90% of its investment company taxable income to shareholders.
Business model and investment focus
Crescent Capital BDC describes its strategy as providing capital solutions to middle market companies, with a focus on generating current income from interest-bearing investments and potential capital appreciation from both debt and related equity positions. The company’s portfolio, as reported in its earnings releases, consists primarily of secured and unsecured debt instruments and equity interests. Asset types disclosed include senior secured first lien loans, unitranche first lien loans (including last-out tranches), senior secured second lien loans, unsecured debt, equity and other investments, and LLC/LP equity interests.
The company reports that a substantial portion of its portfolio by fair value is invested in first lien and unitranche first lien loans. Its periodic financial statements show investments across a large number of portfolio companies, with the portfolio diversified by investment type and sector. Crescent Capital BDC’s investment income is derived from interest income (including paid-in-kind interest), dividend income from certain investments, and other income such as consent, waiver, amendment, agency, underwriting and arranger fees.
External management and platform support
Crescent Capital BDC is externally managed by Crescent Cap Advisors, LLC, a subsidiary of Crescent Capital Group LP (“Crescent”). Crescent is described in company press releases as a global credit investment manager that has focused for decades on below investment grade credit, including senior bank loans, high yield bonds, and private senior, unitranche and junior debt securities. Crescent is headquartered in Los Angeles and maintains offices in New York, Boston, Chicago and London. Crescent BDC states that it utilizes Crescent’s extensive experience, origination capabilities and disciplined investment process in sourcing and managing its investments.
Rating agency commentary cited in recent news notes that Crescent Capital BDC benefits from its ties to the Crescent Capital Group platform, including the ability to co-invest alongside other accounts under SEC exemptive relief. That commentary also references the firm’s long operating history as a BDC and its focus on providing loans to core and lower-middle market borrowers, generally in less cyclical businesses with solid cash flow and stable operating histories, although specific portfolio composition and sector concentrations are subject to change over time.
Regulatory status and capital structure
As a BDC regulated under the Investment Company Act of 1940, Crescent Capital BDC is subject to asset coverage requirements and other limitations on leverage and investments. The company’s public disclosures and rating reports reference regulatory asset coverage tests and a target gross leverage range, as well as covenants associated with its debt facilities and privately placed senior unsecured notes. The company has entered into a Master Note Purchase Agreement and subsequent supplements to issue senior unsecured notes with fixed interest rates and stated maturities, and has disclosed that it intends to use proceeds from certain note issuances to repay existing indebtedness and for general corporate purposes, including investing in portfolio companies in line with its investment objective.
In addition to bank credit facilities, Crescent Capital BDC has a mix of secured and unsecured debt. Rating agency analysis highlights a funding mix that includes bank lines and capital markets debt, as well as available liquidity in the form of undrawn capacity on credit facilities and cash and cash equivalents. The company’s SEC filings and earnings releases also reference its debt-to-equity ratio and asset coverage levels, which are important metrics for BDC investors monitoring leverage and regulatory compliance.
Portfolio characteristics and income generation
Crescent Capital BDC’s periodic earnings releases provide detail on its portfolio size, composition and performance. These disclosures show a portfolio invested in hundreds of portfolio companies with aggregate fair value in the billions of dollars, diversified across multiple sectors. The company reports a high percentage of its debt investments at floating rates, and provides a weighted average yield on income-producing securities at cost. Its investment income consists primarily of interest income on debt investments, including amortization of upfront fees and paid-in-kind interest, supplemented by dividend income and other fees.
The company’s results of operations, as presented in its financial statements, show net investment income after expenses such as interest and other debt financing costs, management fees, income-based incentive fees, professional fees, directors’ fees and other general and administrative expenses. Crescent Capital BDC’s Board of Directors has declared regular cash dividends per share and, at times, supplemental or special distributions, as disclosed in its press releases. These distributions reflect the company’s status as a RIC and its focus on returning a significant portion of its investment company taxable income to shareholders.
Risk considerations
Public commentary from rating agencies on Crescent Capital BDC notes both strengths and risks. Positive factors include its connection to the Crescent Capital Group platform, diversified portfolio of primarily secured loans, and access to multiple funding sources. At the same time, the company is exposed to risks common to BDCs and private credit strategies, including the illiquid nature of many portfolio investments, sensitivity to economic conditions that may affect portfolio company performance, and the potential for non-accruals. As a RIC, Crescent Capital BDC also faces constraints on retained earnings, which can influence its ability to build capital through earnings over time.
Exchange listings and industry classification
Crescent Capital BDC’s common stock is listed on Nasdaq under the ticker CCAP. The company’s 5.00% Notes due 2026 are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol FCRX, as disclosed in its SEC filings. In industry classification terms, the company is described as a business development company and is associated with the finance and insurance sector. Data sources also classify it within the broader category of securities and commodity exchanges, reflecting its role as a publicly traded investment company.
Use for investors and researchers
For investors, Crescent Capital BDC represents an exchange-traded vehicle that provides exposure to a portfolio of private credit investments in U.S. middle market companies. Its regular financial reporting, SEC filings, and rating agency coverage offer detailed information on portfolio composition, leverage, asset quality, and distribution policies. Researchers and analysts can follow CCAP’s disclosures to track trends in private credit markets, middle market lending, and the performance of BDCs that focus on below investment grade credit.