NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--KBRA assigns a rating of BBB to MSD Investment Corp.'s (“MSD” or “the company” or "the BDC") $335 million senior unsecured notes. The notes are comprised of four tranches: $69 million 7.00% Series A Senior Unsecured Notes Due August 7, 2027, $75 million Series B Floating Rate (TSFR3M + 3.05%) Senior Unsecured Notes Due August 7, 2027, $116 million 7.11% Series C Senior Unsecured Notes Due August 7, 2029, and $75 million Series D Floating Rate (TSFR3M + 3.35%) Senior Unsecured Notes Due August 7, 2029. The rating Outlook is Stable. The proceeds will be used to make new investments and pay down existing debt.
Key Credit Considerations
The rating and Outlook are supported by MSD's diversified $2.5 billion investment portfolio of 67 portfolio companies with a high percentage (89.9%) of investments comprised of senior secured first lien loans and the ability to co-invest with other funds managed by MSD Partners L.P. ("Adviser"). The Adviser is an affiliate of BDT & MSD Partners ("BDT & MSD Partners"), a merchant bank with an advisory and investment platform built to serve the distinct needs of business owners and strategic, long-term investors. BDT & MSD's $14+billion credit platform includes private corporate, liquid, private real estate, and opportunistic credit as well as the BDC. The company's management team having an average of 27 years of experience investing across credit cycles, reinforced by strong alignment with employees and affiliates, and DFO Management (the family office of Michael Dell). As the portfolio remains unseasoned, the company had only one portfolio company on non-accrual status with a FV of $1.95 million and a cost of $11.07 million. While gross leverage of 1.26x is on the high side of the company's target range (0.90 to 1.25x), KBRA believes it is appropriate when considering the company's high proportion of senior secured first lien loans, including liquid credit (34% of total investments at FV), along with significant uncalled capital of $837 million and no off-balance sheet leverage through joint ventures as of 1Q24. In addition, net leverage of 1.15x was more in line with peers at 1Q24.
The company's funding sources are somewhat limited with two SPV asset facilities and a CLO. However, the company will increase its financial flexibility and boost pro-forma unsecured debt to around 28% when including the note offering and its subscription facility as of 1Q24. As of 1Q24, the company had adequate liquidity, with $140 million in cash, $207 million available bank lines, and $837 million of undrawn capital commitments set against $353 million of unfunded investment commitments and no near-term maturities.
Counterbalancing these strengths are MSD Investment Corp.'s limited operating history, which is somewhat offset by the long tenure of its management in private credit, and the company's requirement to distribute 90% of net investment income, negating the ability to retain earnings and illiquid assets. The company's funding profile remains highly secured though improved with this offering.
MSD Investment Corp. is an externally managed, private business development company ("BDC") operating under the Investment Company Act of 1940 and has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company ("RIC") for federal tax purposes. The company's Adviser is a Delaware limited partnership and an affiliate of BDT & MSD Partners, a merchant bank with an advisory and investment platform servicing the distinct needs of business owners and strategic, long-term investors. Formed in February 2021 as a Delaware limited liability company, MSD converted to a Maryland limited liability company, MSD Investment, LLC (Jan. 1, 2022), and then converted to a Maryland corporation, at which time it changed to its current name, MSD Investment Corp.
Rating Sensitivities
A rating upgrade is not expected in the medium term. A rating downgrade and/or an Outlook change to Negative could be considered if there is a significant downturn in the U.S. economy with negative impact on MSD's earnings performance, asset quality, and/or leverage. A significant change in senior management and/or risk management policies could also lead to negative rating action.
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Methodologies
Disclosures
A description of all substantially material sources that were used to prepare the credit rating and information on the methodology(ies) (inclusive of any material models and sensitivity analyses of the relevant key rating assumptions, as applicable) used in determining the credit rating is available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) located here.
Information on the meaning of each rating category can be located here.
Further disclosures relating to this rating action are available in the Information Disclosure Form(s) referenced above. Additional information regarding KBRA policies, methodologies, rating scales and disclosures are available at www.kbra.com.
About KBRA
Kroll Bond Rating Agency, LLC (KBRA) is a full-service credit rating agency registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission as an NRSRO. Kroll Bond Rating Agency Europe Limited is registered as a CRA with the European Securities and Markets Authority. Kroll Bond Rating Agency UK Limited is registered as a CRA with the UK Financial Conduct Authority. In addition, KBRA is designated as a designated rating organization by the Ontario Securities Commission for issuers of asset-backed securities to file a short form prospectus or shelf prospectus. KBRA is also recognized by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners as a Credit Rating Provider.
Doc ID: 1005237
