Company Description
Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. (NYSE: PSBD) is a financial services company that operates as an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company. The company has elected to be regulated as a business development company (BDC) under the Investment Company Act of 1940. As described in its public disclosures, Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. primarily lends to and invests in corporate debt loans and other corporate debt securities, with a focus on private U.S. companies and the broadly syndicated loan market.
According to the company, its investment objective is to maximize total return, comprised of current income and capital appreciation. To pursue this objective, Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. concentrates on corporate debt loans, including exposure to large private U.S. companies in the broadly syndicated loan market and the direct large cap private credit market. To a lesser extent, the company may invest in other debt securities, which can include collateralized loan obligation (CLO) debt and equity, as well as other income-producing instruments disclosed in its financial statements.
Business model and investment focus
Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. generates investment income primarily from a portfolio of debt and income-producing securities. Company filings describe a portfolio that includes first lien senior secured debt, second lien senior secured debt, short-term investments, CLO mezzanine and equity investments, corporate bond investments, and equity investments. The majority of the portfolio by fair value consists of senior secured loans, with a high proportion of investments reported as income producing.
The company states that its current investment focus is guided by two main strategies that support its investment opportunities and core competencies:
- Investing in corporate debt loans, including loans to large private U.S. companies in the broadly syndicated loan market and the direct large cap private credit market.
- Investing in other debt securities to a lesser extent, which may include CLO debt and equity and other income-generating securities disclosed in its reports.
Management disclosures indicate that a substantial portion of the long-term investments in the portfolio are at floating rates, and that the company tracks metrics such as portfolio yield, the percentage of investments on non-accrual status, and the share of the portfolio that is income producing. These details are presented in the company’s periodic financial results and consolidated financial statements.
External management and advisory structure
Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. is externally managed. Its investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Palmer Square BDC Advisor LLC, which is an affiliate of Palmer Square Capital Management LLC. The adviser is responsible for sourcing, evaluating, and managing investments within the parameters set out in the company’s investment strategy and regulatory framework as a BDC.
As an externally managed BDC, Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. pays management fees and incentive fees to its adviser, as reflected in its consolidated statements of operations. The company also utilizes credit facilities and notes as part of its capital structure, as described in Note 6 to its consolidated financial statements and in its current reports on Form 8-K relating to amendments to its credit facilities.
Regulatory status and exchange listing
Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. is incorporated in Maryland and is registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The company’s common stock, with a par value of $0.001 per share, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol PSBD, as disclosed in its SEC filings. As a BDC, the company is subject to specific regulatory requirements under the Investment Company Act of 1940, including asset coverage and reporting obligations.
The company identifies itself as an emerging growth company in certain SEC filings, which can affect the reporting framework it uses for new or revised financial accounting standards. It also holds annual meetings of stockholders, where stockholders vote on the election of directors and the ratification of the independent registered public accounting firm, as outlined in its definitive proxy statements.
Portfolio characteristics and risk profile
In its periodic financial result announcements, Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. provides detail on the composition and performance of its investment portfolio. Disclosed information includes the total fair value of investments, the number of portfolio companies, the number of industries represented, and the allocation across different investment types such as first lien senior secured debt, second lien senior secured debt, short-term investments, CLO mezzanine and equity, corporate bonds, and equity investments.
The company reports metrics such as net investment income, net asset value (NAV) per share, total investment income, realized and unrealized gains and losses, and portfolio yield. It also discloses the percentage of investments on non-accrual status and the proportion of the portfolio that is income producing. These data points help investors understand the risk and return characteristics of the portfolio and the extent to which the company’s income is derived from interest and other investment income.
Dividends and distributions
Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. regularly declares and pays cash distributions to stockholders. Public announcements describe a structure that includes a base dividend per share and, when applicable, supplemental dividends funded from undistributed net investment income in excess of the base dividend. For example, the company has disclosed base dividend distributions per share for specific quarters and supplemental dividends per share for those same periods, with record dates and payment dates specified in press releases and related Form 8-K filings.
The company states that supplemental dividends are paid out of the excess of quarterly undistributed net investment income above the previously declared base dividend for the relevant quarter. These distribution practices are discussed in the company’s earnings releases and current reports, and are subject to the discretion of the board of directors and applicable regulatory and financial considerations.
Capital structure and financing
Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. finances its investment activities through a combination of equity and debt. Its consolidated statements of assets and liabilities show credit facilities, notes, and other liabilities, alongside net assets attributable to common stockholders. The company has disclosed revolving credit facilities with financial institutions and a term debt securitization (CLO transaction), along with amendments that adjust facility size, maturity dates, reinvestment periods, spreads over reference rates, and non-usage fees.
In a Form 8-K describing Amendment No. 5 to a credit facility, the company reported changes such as an increase in facility size, extension of the facility maturity date and reinvestment period, and updated pricing terms. These financing arrangements support the company’s ability to fund new investments and manage liquidity, subject to borrowing base and other restrictions described in its filings.
Relationship with Palmer Square Capital Management
Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. is affiliated with Palmer Square Capital Management, a credit-focused alternative asset management firm. Public communications from Palmer Square Capital Management describe its focus on fixed income and credit investments, including opportunistic credit, income strategies, private credit, and CLOs, and note that Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. is a publicly traded BDC associated with this broader platform. The affiliation provides context for the BDC’s emphasis on corporate debt loans and CLO-related investments.
Investor information and governance
The company provides information to investors through SEC filings, earnings releases, conference calls, and investor presentations. It files annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, and current reports on Form 8-K, which include financial statements, portfolio data, and descriptions of material events such as dividend declarations, credit facility amendments, and estimates of net asset value per share.
Stockholders participate in corporate governance through annual meetings where they elect directors and vote on the selection of the independent registered public accounting firm. The company’s proxy statements describe the proposals, voting procedures, and the virtual meeting format used for stockholder meetings.
Summary
In summary, Palmer Square Capital BDC Inc. (NYSE: PSBD) is an externally managed BDC that focuses on lending to and investing in corporate debt loans and related debt securities. Its stated objective is to maximize total return through current income and capital appreciation, with a portfolio concentrated in senior secured loans and other income-producing investments. The company is advised by an affiliate of Palmer Square Capital Management and operates within the regulatory framework of the Investment Company Act of 1940, providing regular financial and portfolio disclosures to investors through its SEC filings and public announcements.