BlackRock TCP Capital Q2 2023 Earnings Call Transcript

Quartr
Provided by Quartr
August 3, 2023

There are 8 speakers on the call.

Operator

Ladies and gentlemen, good afternoon. Welcome everyone to BlackRock TCP Capital Corp. 2nd Quarter 2023 Earnings Conference Call. Today's conference call is being recorded for replay purposes. During the presentation, all participants will be in a listen only mode.

Operator

A question and answer session will follow the company's formal remarks. I will repeat these instructions before we begin the Q and A session. And now, I would like to turn the call over to Katie McGlynn, Director of BlackRock TCP Capital Corp. Investor Relations team. Katie, please proceed.

Speaker 1

Thank you, Bailey. Before we begin, I'll note that this conference call may contain forward looking statements based on the estimates and assumptions of management at the time of such statements are not guarantees of future performance. Forward looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, and actual results could differ materially from those projected. It may have been derived from 3rd party sources and has not been independently verified. Accordingly, we make no representation or warranty with respect to such information.

Speaker 1

Earlier today, we issued our earnings release for the Q2 ended June 30, 2023. We also posted a supplemental earnings presentation to our website at www.pcpcapital.com. To view the slide presentation, which we will refer to on today's call, Please click on the Investor Relations link and select Events and Presentations. These documents should be reviewed in conjunction with the company's Form 10 Q, which was filed with the SEC earlier today. I will now turn the call over to our Chairman and CEO, Raj Vig.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Katie, and thank you all for joining us for TCP's Q2 2023 earnings call. I will begin with an overview of our 2nd quarter results. I will then turn the call over to our President and Chief Operating Officer, Phil Sang, We'll provide an update on our portfolio and investment activity, and our CFO, Eric Cuellar, will then review our financial results as well as our capital and liquidity positioning in greater detail. I will conclude with a few closing remarks before we take your questions. Turning now to the highlights from the quarter.

Speaker 2

For the Q2, TCPC delivered net investment income of $0.48 per share, representing a 30% increase year over year and an approximate 15% annualized net investment Our net investment income continues to benefit from strong underwriting in an environment of higher base rates as well as marginally wider spreads. Our run rate NII as of the end of the second quarter is among the highest in TCP's history as a public company. Our Board of Directors today reaffirmed a 3rd quarter dividend of $0.34 per share, which is reflective of the $0.02 dividend increase the Board has announced since the Q3 of last year for 2 dividend increases since the Board has announced since the Q3 of last year. The 3rd quarter dividend is payable on September 29 to shareholders of record on September 15. In addition and as an acknowledgment Of TCP's strong earnings year to date, our Board also announced a $0.10 special dividend payable as in 2029 to shareholders of record on September 15.

Speaker 2

This announcement is consistent with our disciplined approach to the dividend and our emphasis on stability and strong coverage from our recurring net investment income. As a reminder, throughout TCPC's history, we have consistently and comfortably covered our dividends with recurring net investment income. Phil will discuss our 2nd quarter investment activity in more detail, but in summary, Transaction volumes remain muted in this uncertain environment, increasing the importance of our disciplined approach to deploying new capital. Consistent with our historical activity, we reviewed a substantial number of transactions during the quarter and invested in only a small percentage of those opportunities. Given the slowdown in private equity deal volumes, we continue to be reminded of the benefits of our channel agnostic approach to deal sourcing.

Speaker 2

Because of our direct relationships with management teams and other industry participants as well as our deep Our team's deep experience investing across cycles and our ability to draw upon the power of the BlackRock platform, Our pipeline continues to build and we are encouraged by the compelling opportunities we are identifying. Our underwriting continues to prove very effective with NAV declining a de minimis 0.5% during the quarter, with the unrealized losses being driven primarily by mark to market impact on quoted names. The credit quality of our portfolio remains solid, but loans suggest Two portfolio companies are non accrual as of the end of the second quarter, totaling just 0.3% of total investments at fair value, a level that continues to be among the lowest nonaccruent levels in TCPC's history. Finally, while we do not have an explicit forward view on rates, we It is in complex periods like this that our historical experience and deep industry knowledge are an advantage and have resulted in strong results throughout various market cycles. Looking back at our historical performance as a public company, since 2012, we have generated a 10.3% annualized return on invested assets and a total annualized cash return of 9.5%, much of which we delivered while base rates were much lower than they are today.

Speaker 2

We believe this performance remains at the high end of our peer group and reflects our ability to consistently identify attractive opportunities at premium yields and deliver exceptional returns for our shareholders across market cycles. Now I will turn it over to Phil to discuss our investment activity and portfolio positioning. Bill?

Speaker 3

Thanks, Raj. I'll start with a few comments on the investment environment before providing an update on our portfolio and highlights from our investment activity during the Q2. As Raj noted, economic uncertainty has driven a slowdown in market transaction volumes. Institutional leverage loan issuance and U. S.

Speaker 3

M and A volumes were both down more than 30% year over year in the second quarter. Despite the slowdown in market activity, our industry focused deal teams continue to proactively identify unique investment opportunities from a wide range of sources, including directly through industry contacts and management teams as well as through our traditional sponsor relationships. However, we're not immune to the year to date slowdown in market volumes. We remain disciplined and are passing on more opportunities, particularly when pricing does not appropriately reflect the current market conditions or when terms do not provide adequate lender protections. In the Q2, TCPC invested $17,000,000 Deployment in the quarter included loans to 2 new and 2 existing companies, primarily in senior secured loans.

Speaker 3

In reviewing new opportunities, we have the size transactions where we are positioned as a lender of influence, which enables us to leverage our 2 decades of experience in negotiating deal terms and conditions that we believe provide meaningful downside protection. We believe this has been a key factor in our low realized loss rates over our long term track record. In addition, our industry specialization, which our borrowers value provides 2 key benefits. 1st, it bolsters our ability to assess and effectively mitigate risk in our underwriting and when negotiating terms and credit documentation. And second, it expands our deal sourcing capabilities and sponsors We value our industry experience, which lends itself to more reliable execution and also with non sponsors like corporates and founder owned businesses who value an informed balance sheet partner.

Speaker 3

Follow on investments in existing holdings continue to be important sources of opportunity. 45% of total dollars deployed over the last 12 months were with existing portfolio companies. TCPC's largest new investment during the Q2 was a senior secured 1st lien term loan to support the acquisition and carve out of Global Payments' Gaming Solutions division, which has since been rebranded as a standalone business called Pavilion Payments. Pavilion is a payment services provider to the gaming sector, providing a full suite of on premise and online gaming payment solutions. We view this as an attractive business given Strong positioning in an industry with high barriers to entry because of regulatory oversight and unique industry requirements.

Speaker 3

BlackRock participate as lead lender among a small group of lenders. New investments in the 2nd quarter were offset by total dispositions of $32,000,000 We also continue to closely monitor our existing portfolio companies. Our team members are continuously engaged in dialogue with owners and operators Given the rate environment, higher input costs and the general uncertainty in the economy, a few of our portfolio companies are navigating slower revenue growth and for margin pressure. We're working closely with the management teams and owners of these handful of companies in this position. However, we recently completed our quarterly review process and are pleased to report that the portfolio generally remains in good shape.

Speaker 3

Our emphasis is on companies with established business models and proven core customer bases that make them more resilient in times like this. At quarter end, our portfolio had a fair market value of approximately $1,600,000,000 88% of our investments were senior secured debt spread across a wide range of industries, providing portfolio diversity and minimizing concentration risk. We also continue to emphasize companies in less cyclical industries. The portfolio at quarter end consisted of investments in 143 companies and our average portfolio company investment was 11.5 As the chart on Slide 6 of the presentation illustrates, our recurring income is distributed broadly across our portfolio and is not reliant on income from any one company. In fact, more than 90% of our portfolio companies each contribute less than 2% to our recurring income.

Speaker 3

86% of our debt investments are 1st lien providing substantial downside protection and 94% of our investments are floating rate, clearly an important benefit to this higher rate farming. The overall effective yield in our portfolio increased The 13.8% compared with 9.8% 1 year ago, reflecting the benefit of higher base rates and wider spreads on new investments. Investments in new portfolio companies during the quarter had a weighted average effective yield of 14.1%, exceeding the 12.2% Weighted average effective yield on exited positions. Given further pullback in Commercial Bank's ability and willingness to lend in this environment, We're continuing to benefit from a more lender friendly investment environment with improvements in both pricing and terms relative to 12 months ago. Post quarter end, we've seen a modest pickup in activity and have been investing selectively, maintaining our underwriting discipline while being mindful of the inflationary environment.

Speaker 3

We emphasize companies that have significant pricing power to pass on higher input costs, including increases in their cost of capital. It's also important to note that we do not underwrite to perfection. We seek to build in sufficient buffers to ensure companies can withstand changes in the macro environment, including higher costs without impairing their ability to service our loan. Our pipeline is building and the yields on investments Our pipeline are generally in line with our current portfolio. To date, we have had no prepayment income in the Q3.

Speaker 3

Let me now turn it over to Eric to walk through our financial results as well as our capital and liquidity position.

Speaker 4

Thank you, Phil. As Raj noted, our net investment income in the 2nd quarter benefited from the increase in base rates over the last 15 months. Net investment income of $27,600,000 or $0.48 per share was up 30% versus the Q2 of 2022 and exceeded the 2nd quarter dividend of $0.34 per share, following the $0.02 per share dividend increase announced last quarter. Today, we declared a 3rd quarter dividend of $0.34 per share and a supplemental dividend of $0.10 per share. We remain committed to paying a sustainable dividend that is fully covered by net investment income, regardless of the base rate environment, as we have done consistently over the last 11 plus years.

Speaker 4

Investment income for the Q2 was $0.93 per share. This included cash interest of $0.83 recurring discount and fee amortization of $0.01 And PIK income of $0.07 While we did see an uptick in PIK income in the second quarter, Including $0.02 of one time PIK income, our recurring PIK income remains in line with the average over our history. Investment income also included $0.02 of dividend income. As a reminder, we amortize upfront economics over the life of an investment rather than recognizing all of it at the time the investment is made. Operating expenses for the Q2 were $0.35 per share and included interest and other debt expenses of $0.21 per share.

Speaker 4

Incentive fees in the quarter totaled $5,900,000 or $0.10 per share. Net realized losses for the quarter were $395,000 or $0.01 per share. Net unrealized losses in the 2nd quarter totaled $11,000,000 or $0.19 per share, primarily reflecting mark to market impact on market quoted names. These included unrealized losses of $3,900,000 on our investment in Astra Acquisition, a $3,400,000 unrealized loss of Thrasio and $2,200,000 on our investment in Mackin as well as a $3,400,000 unrealized loss on our investment in Thailand. Unrealized losses were partially offset by a $6,300,000 unrealized gain on our investment in Secura.

Speaker 4

The net increase in net assets for the quarter was $16,300,000 or $0.28 per share. As a reminder, we have a robust valuation process and substantially all of our investments are valued every quarter using prices provided by independent third party sources. These include quotation services and independent valuation services. And this process is also subject to rigorous oversight, including backtesting of every disposition against our valuations. As rationalized, the credit quality of our overall portfolio remains strong.

Speaker 4

Only 2 portfolio companies were of non accrual status at the end of the second quarter, representing 0.3% of the portfolio at fair value and 0.5% on cost. Now turning to our liquidity. Our balance sheet positioning remains very strong, and we ended the quarter with total liquidity of $333,000,000 relative to our total investments of $1,600,000,000 This included available leverage of $210,000,000 and cash of $123,000,000 Unfunded loan commitments to portfolio companies at quarter end equaled 5% of total investments for approximately $90,000,000 of which only $35,000,000 were revolver commitments. Our diverse and flexible leverage program includes 2 low cost credit facilities, 2 unsecured note issuances and an SDA partner. In April, Fitch reaffirmed TCPC's investment grade rating with a stable outlook.

Speaker 4

And our unsecured note Unsecured debt continues to be investment grade rated by both Fitch and We. Given the modest size of each of our debt issuances, We are not overly reliant on any single source of financing and our maturity remain well laddered. Additionally, we are comfortable with our current mix of secure and unsecured financing and do not have any immediate financing needs. Combined, the weighted average interest rate on our outstanding borrowings increased modestly to 4.28%. This compares with 3.26 percent at the end of 2021.

Speaker 4

That is an increase of only 102 basis points over the last 18 months, while base rates increased approximately 504 basis points during that same period. This is a result of having over 70% of our borrowing from fixed rate sources. Now I'll turn the call back over to Raj.

Speaker 2

Thanks, Eric. Even as market volatility persists, we are confident in our prudent strategy and approach to investing that has delivered Strong risk adjusted returns for our shareholders throughout different economic environments. We believe we have demonstrated a consistent ability to execute in both periods of economic growth and contraction. This also makes us a reliable partner for our borrowers and further helps us to attract appealing investment opportunities. With that operator, please open the call up for questions.

Operator

Thank And please do ensure that you have unmuted locally. Our first question today comes from the line of Christopher Nolan from Ladenburg Thalmann. Sir, please go ahead, Christopher. Your line is now open.

Speaker 5

Hey, guys. Raj, discussing the deals that you guys walked away from, you made a comment that they're not able to meet their terms and conditions. Has TCPC basically made their T and Cs tougher than before? Or is the company's performance just weaker than just

Speaker 2

Thanks for the question, Chris. I wouldn't say that we've made them tougher. I think categorically, we are focused on many of the same things. Unfortunately, that's been a focus coming into this environment. And I would highlight those as Real financial covenants, the documentation, particularly areas of leakage, Payments out in front of us and things of that sort and a lot of very targeted negative consents or things that We want to have approval rights on are all focus items.

Speaker 2

I would say in some cases, the levels Of those items has tightened up, so between loan to value, multiples, percentage or buffer off of our targeted covenants, You know, there are certainly things we've been tightening up. And in some cases, it's just a little more murkiness of the credit, where what we want and are targeting may not match up with what's available. So and all of this is in the context of, As Phil mentioned, just a lower deal environment overall. For us, it's never been about just growing for the sake of growth. I mean, you've seen us have lower deployment quarters even in sort of more active environments.

Speaker 2

And I think that's just one of the things that is a consequence of how we're approaching the market, but I wouldn't call it tougher or new items. I think it's probably marginally tighter in an environment of more uncertainty, needing more buffer. And I think the results are good credit performance, holding assets for longer probably and in some cases So occasionally lower deployment, which is fine in the scheme

Operator

of things.

Speaker 5

My follow-up question is on value Please go ahead.

Speaker 3

Sorry, Chris, I'll just add that. Our pass rate has always been quite high. We pass on 90% plus of our deals. So we've always been quite selective and we continue to be in this market environment. But I'd also add that, clearly, For a lot of companies that are out there seeking financing, a lot of it comes from M and A.

Speaker 3

And if You don't need to be a seller in this environment and you can wait. And you have the luxury of waiting than you should To get perhaps a higher valuation at some point later on given the uncertainty in the environment and the impact on valuation multiples. So I think what we're seeing is a lot of the highest quality assets are still on the sidelines. They haven't transacted. So what we're seeing in the market are Folks that need to refinance or need to raise financing, and sometimes they might have more complexity to their story.

Speaker 3

So we're still trying to be selective, but that just gives you a little bit of context for the type of flow we're seeing.

Speaker 5

Great. And as a follow-up question in terms of valuations, I was surprised to see the number of realized Appreciation excuse me, unrealized appreciation in the quarter. And it raises the question, since most investments in the BDC land tend to be Some variation on discounted cash flow. What is the risk free rate that your valuers use given that we have an inverted yield curve Where short term rates are higher than longer term rates. Because if you're keying off short term rates, which is what your investments key off of, The valuations for a lot of these things should go down.

Speaker 5

I'm just trying to get a clarification.

Speaker 2

Yes. I'll try to add some color. And ultimately, I think you're highlighting the key point, which is this book is valued almost just about entirely by 3rd parties or in the case of market quotes where the market quotes are available, which was more the driver of some of the unrealized losses. But as far as the valuation providers go, they typically are doing a triangulation of approaches. It's not just a discounted market rate.

Speaker 2

There will be Preston transactions, particularly around M and A, And then there will be some public market comp applicability. And obviously, there's never a clean fit, but it's really a Combination of those 2. But I think in terms of the market rate they're using, it will vary. There will be a reference rate and then a kind of spread adjusted above that. They do try to take a longer term view on the discounted cash flows And whether they're using 3 months sulfur or some forward curve adjustment And the forecasted rates will vary by provider.

Speaker 2

I guess from a point of view of the overall book though, keep in mind, we have taken some In earlier quarters, there was more volatility and before a recovery in the equity markets, which has happened through this year, We have taken more of the markdowns. I would guess a part of it in this market is more of what's happening in the public market, Equity that has a knock on effect to their approach, but it will be valuation provider specific and ultimately done independently. Okay.

Speaker 4

Thanks, Raj. And Chris, I'll add that. As Raj noted, where we are doing fundamental valuation by the valuation providers, They are using market spreads. So whatever spreads they are seeing in the public markets is typically what they will use to discount the cash flows, adjusted as needed on a one off basis. And those were relatively flattish quarter over quarter.

Speaker 4

The markdowns that you did see were more on the more traded loans that we hold, where you do tend to see a little bit more volatility in market Thank

Speaker 5

you.

Operator

Thank you. Our next question today comes from the line of Robert Dodd from Raymond James. Please go ahead, Robert. Your line is now open.

Speaker 6

Hi, guys. A couple of questions. First, I got to ask on the dividend. The $0.10 and I realize again, it's a poor decision, but the $0.10 special, Would it be reasonable to assume I mean, if we look at the forward curve, which is as it stands today coming down slowly or projected to come down slightly. Your earnings could stay elevated for some time and generate earnings well in excess of the base dividend.

Speaker 6

So should investors expect or anticipate maybe that $0.10 special this quarter Continues in the future so long as earnings exceed the base dividend by a sizable margin? Or can you give us any color on how that's being thought about?

Speaker 2

Yes. Thanks for the question, Robert. And I'm glad you're joined by your Yes,

Speaker 6

sorry about that.

Speaker 2

I cannot associate in the background, but let me provide a little color. And as you know, we are Very focused on being prudent and disciplined around the dividend. I wouldn't call us a fast mover in this regard, but very methodical and deliberate, but one where we are very focused on a sustainable dividend and even as and the question is Special or for dividend increase, I would argue I would sort of highlight that we've done both within the last Give me a call it 3 or 4 quarters. As far as the special goes, it's the way we thought about it was it is a Very effective way in 1 quarter to give more cash back than even an increase on an annualized basis. It does not force us to take a forward view.

Speaker 2

And as we've done that, we've taken a more cautious forward view because, as you point out, A lot of the historical benefit has been reference rate, which can come down, although it seems like it will stay a little elevated for longer. And then we are layering in our view of the credit book and the environment. And we'll be Methodical but gradual in how we take up the dividend as we have done in the last few quarters. So if everything is as is today and we have this run rate, which has really benefited from underwriting and not impacted by a lot of credit issues. I think we will continue to assess and look to reward our shareholders for that work, and then determine the best way to do it.

Speaker 2

And do you have a couple of options, whether it's more immediate and one time, more and more on a run rate basis. And so I think rather than forecasting 1 or the other, I can I would tell you that if we had this elevated return and things are on the credit side Staying intact, then our Board will continue to look at this and what's most favorable for shareholders and it will choose amongst those tools? It could be 1, it could be both. And I think at the end of the day, it will be in the context of what's most sustainable and not compromising your ability to pay the dividend from comfortably from a current run rate, and that's a constant and quarterly assessment, resulting fortunately in a fair bit of return back to shareholders both through the increase in dividend and in this quarter, pretty sizable I think our most sizable historically one time Special dividend.

Speaker 6

I appreciate that color. Very helpful. Thank you. Then secondly, on You mentioned, I mean, a couple of portfolio companies experiencing some slower growth that one of your traded names Did get called out by S and P as having some deterioration and may not have a sustainable capital structure without additional equity from sponsors. So in general, across I mean, what are the at the margin and there's not a lot of names in that situation, but at the margin, how are the conversations with Sponsors going on without being specific.

Speaker 6

Are they willing to step up and put the equity in to tie these businesses over? Or how's the negotiation on that front, Kevin?

Speaker 3

Yes, Robert. Thanks for the question. This is Phil. So it's a great question because clearly, it speaks to a number of things. What is the nature of where private equity sponsors are today with their portfolio and their willingness to protect their positions?

Speaker 3

But I think the other aspect of it is what protections do we have to bring these conversations to the table. We have We're seeing with our amendment activity a pickup largely because of the covenants that we have in place. And that really speaks to, I think, the benefit of how we've negotiated and structured our deals with these terms, because without these covenants, naturally, the only Moment that you have to bring the sponsors to the table, perhaps the payment default. So we think by virtue of these covenants, We're having these conversations. And what's important when we structure these covenants is structuring at a level That implies that there continues to be meaningful amount of equity value remaining.

Speaker 3

So long as there continues to be Good equity option there based on valuation and based on the prospects of the business and that we feel that the sponsor or whoever is in the equity, whatever stakeholders there are, it could be a family owned business or so on, That they're actively engaged and willing to put more equity. So every one of these amendment type negotiations are opportunities for us to Derisk our loan. Restructions, as you know, Robert, don't happen in a vacuum. They happen over a series of events. And because we have these amendments and discussions, those are opportunities and events where we can Try and de risk our loan.

Speaker 6

I appreciate that. Thank you. Thank

Speaker 2

you.

Operator

Our next question today comes from the line of Ryan Lynch with KBW. Please go ahead, Ryan. Your line is now open.

Speaker 7

Hey, good morning. First question I had is in your commentary, you talked about conducting a thorough review of your entire portfolio every quarter to kind of I would just love to get some more details on what that portfolio Review sort of entails from your add.

Speaker 3

Yes. Thanks for the question. So what entails, 1st of all, we our investment teams, as you know, are organized along industry Number of industries that they specialize in. So we view our monitoring as not quarterly necessarily. Quarterly is just Formal review process, but our monitoring is ongoing, continuous, and continued vigilance over Events are going on in industries that our borrowers are in, the borrowers themselves, competitors and so on.

Speaker 3

And that's one of the real benefits of having that approach. So we're always monitoring our portfolios closely. The quarterly portfolio review that includes discussions with management teams, discussions with stakeholders, including the equity or other lenders as well, Really assessing the financial performance of the business, using their financial reporting materials and also assessing what's going on in the broader industry context and putting that together in a formal Memorandum for our investment community to review. And we do that across our entire portfolio. And one of the benefits it gives us is it gives us a lot of fanatic views, it allows us to put certain deals and borrowers into the broader industry context.

Speaker 3

We also are able to leverage The benefit of the broader BlackRock platform in terms of information, it's helpful for us not just to Monitor and vacuum are portfolio companies and maybe the middle market private debt universe, but also The traded markets and the equity markets and we pull on resources from across the BlackRock platform to Truly make sure we're informed across the entire industry where our borrowers operate in.

Speaker 7

Okay. That's helpful and good color on that. Following up on one of Robert's questions regarding the dividend. I understand that's a Board decision, but Raj, you're the Chairman of the Board. So I'd love to hear what is Either your opinion or the Board's, if you can speak for the Board's opinion on what is the hesitancy for Increasing the dividend, closer to what kind of the core earnings power of TCPC's businesses today, Given where current base rates are and then if base rates end up changing and going down, which they will obviously at some point Reducing the dividend to match the current environment of base space, what's the hesitancy to kind of not pay out Near close to the earnings power of the business and then adjust it depending on what base rates do over long periods of time.

Speaker 2

That's a good question. Maybe that is the penultimate question. And I guess what I would say is, I wouldn't call it a hesitancy. Our intent and our desire is to Reward shareholders as much as possible in a efficient and but also manner that maintains Their confidence in us. Part of that is the answer to your question, which is, keep in mind, these earnings have moved positively And in some cases, very quickly, we're talking about a 30% year over year increase in our NII.

Speaker 2

That will that pace is certainly ahead of our deliberate approach to we wouldn't just match it at that pace And then at an elevated risk of taking it down, because I do believe the volatility in doing that, Even though logically it sounds like you could just match the run rate or the earnings power, I think the frequency of change in that And I may be wrong on this, but I would say I think the frequency of change in that can undermine that confidence. And whether that means you are now operating at a higher Required cost of capital or you're not getting the reward for the dividend stability is obviously debatable. It feels to us like Our shareholders, and we hear this from many of them, like the confidence in our dividend being covered to be done at every quarter Since we've been public, I'm not sure everyone can say that. And what we try to do is we try to not be overly cumbersome and slow, but very deliberate in Moving back up to those levels, we've seen more dividend increases in the last year than we've had in over maybe a decade. I think that trend as we have the ability to really be predictive on the business, Those discussions will obviously continue.

Speaker 2

But to answer your question in a long winded way is we don't want to invite Unnecessary or undue volatility in the perception of our dividend versus reinforcing The quality of that dividend and the value of it with less volatility, which means we'd rather just take it up and keep it up versus taking it up and down towards something that approaches a little more of a whimsical approach. And that's just our philosophy. I don't want Well, my philosophy, and I don't want to speak for anyone individually on the Board, these discussions have been actively, but hopefully that gives you a little more Color on how we think about it and we do have these discussions very actively in this environment, because the performance is notable as you highlight.

Speaker 7

Yes. No, that's helpful. I understand the reasoning behind it. That's all for me. I appreciate the time today.

Speaker 3

Thank you.

Operator

Thank you. Thank you. There are currently no additional questions waiting. So I'd like to pass the call back over to Rajviq for any closing remarks.

Speaker 2

Thank you. We appreciate your participation on today's call. I would like to thank our team for all of the continued hard work I would also like to thank our shareholders and our capital partners for your confidence and your continued support. Thanks for joining us. This concludes today's call.

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Earnings Conference Call
BlackRock TCP Capital Q2 2023
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