PennantPark plans 38.8% dividend cut in 2017

PennantPark Investment Corporation (PNNT) plans to cut its quarterly dividend from $0.28 to $0.18 per share in the first quarter of 2017.

"Given the continued weakness in energy and overall yield compression in the market, we have concluded, in consultation with our board of directors, that it is prudent to pay our $0.28 per share distribution for the December 2016 quarter, and then reduce the distribution to $0.18 per share for the March 2017 quarter" said Arthur H. Penn, CEO. "This is the first distribution reduction in our nearly 10 year history and it should allow us to return to the environment where we expect to meet or exceed our distribution with net investment income. In addition, we have concluded, in consultation with our board of directors, to extend our 16% waiver of base and incentive fees through December 31, 2017 as the energy investments need more time to maximize recoveries. Going forward, we intend to focus on lower risk, primarily secured investments, thereby reducing the volatility of our earnings stream."

PennantPark Investment Corporation is a business development company which principally invests in U.S. middle-market private companies in the form of senior secured loans, mezzanine debt and equity investments. PennantPark Investment Corporation is managed by PennantPark Investment Advisers, LLC.

Source: PennantPark

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