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Stellus Capital Investment Corporation Reports Results for its Fourth Fiscal Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2025

2026-03-11 16:52 ET - News Release

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation Reports Results for its Fourth Fiscal Quarter and Year Ended December 31, 2025

PR Newswire

HOUSTON, March 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Stellus Capital Investment Corporation (NYSE:SCM) ("Stellus", "we", or the "Company") today announced financial results for its fiscal quarter and year ended December 31, 2025.

Robert T. Ladd, Chief Executive Officer of Stellus, stated, "I am pleased to report solid operating results for the quarter ended December 31, 2025, in which we earned both U.S. GAAP net and core investment income of $0.29 per share and net realized income of $0.48 per share. During the quarter, we funded $52 million of investments and received $54 million of repayments, resulting in a total portfolio of $1.01 billion at fair value. I'm also pleased to report that our investors have received a total of $333 million in distributions, equivalent to $18.27 per share, since we began operations."

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
($ in millions, except data relating to per share amounts and shares outstanding)

                                                                                                    Three Months Ended                                                                                    Years Ended


                                                                      December 31, 2025                                          December 31, 2024                          December 31, 2025                                    December 31, 2024


                                                               Amount                    Per Share                      Amount                     Per Share     Amount                       Per Share                Amount                      Per Share



        Net investment income                                  $8.40                         $0.29                        $9.64                          $0.35      $36.88                            $1.30                 $41.93                           $1.64



        Core net investment income(1)                           8.53                          0.29                        10.15                           0.37       38.46                             1.36                  43.74                            1.71



        Net realized gain (loss) on investments                 5.49                          0.19                         5.95                           0.22        1.54                             0.05                (15.74)                         (0.62)



        Net realized loss on foreign currency translation     (0.01)                                                   (0.02)                                   (0.07)                                                (0.09)



        Loss on debt extinguishment                           (0.06)                                                                                            (0.23)                          (0.01)



        Total realized income(2)                              $13.82                         $0.48                       $15.57                          $0.57      $38.12                            $1.34                 $26.10                           $1.02



        Distributions                                        (11.58)                       (0.40)                     (10.90)                        (0.40)    (45.46)                          (1.60)               (41.22)                         (1.61)



        Net unrealized change in (depreciation) appreciation  (8.61)                       (0.30)                      (6.86)                        (0.25)    (11.10)                          (0.39)                 19.57                            0.76
on investments



        Net unrealized change in depreciation on foreign                                                               (0.02)                                     0.03                                                 (0.02)
currency translation



        Benefit for taxes on unrealized depreciation on                                                                                                                                                                 0.19                            0.01
investments in taxable subsidiaries



        Net increase in net assets resulting from operations   $5.21                         $0.18                        $8.69                          $0.32      $27.05                            $0.95                 $45.84                           $1.79



        Weighted average shares outstanding                                            28,947,254                                                 27,174,972                                  28,364,809                                            25,596,593




 (1) Core net investment income, as presented, excludes the impact of capital gains incentive fees (reversal) and income taxes, the majority of which are excise taxes. The Company believes presenting core net
        investment income and the related per share amount is a useful supplemental disclosure for analyzing its financial performance. However, core net investment income is a non-U.S. GAAP measure and should
        not be considered as a replacement for net investment income and other earnings measures presented in accordance with U.S. GAAP. A reconciliation of net investment income in accordance with U.S. GAAP to
        core net investment income is presented in the table below the financial statements.



 (2) Total realized income is the sum of net investment income, net realized gains (losses) on investments, net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency, and losses on debt extinguishment, all U.S. GAAP
        measures.

PORTFOLIO ACTIVITY
($ in millions, except data relating to per share amounts, shares outstanding, and number of portfolio companies)

                                                          As of                                As of


                                                    December 31, 2025                    December 31, 2024



          Investments at fair value                         $1,007.6                                $953.5



          Total assets                                      $1,041.3                                $980.9



          Net assets                                          $371.2                                $369.9



          Shares outstanding                              28,947,254                            27,481,118



          Net asset value per share                           $12.82                                $13.46




                                                                      Three Months Ended                                        Years Ended


                                                    December 31, 2025                    December 31, 2024  December 31, 2025               December 31, 2024



          New investments                                      $52.1                                 $17.8              $194.1                           $221.2



          Repayments of investments                           (54.0)                               (15.5)            (139.7)                         (151.8)



          Net activity                                        ($1.9)                                 $2.3               $54.4                            $69.4




                                                          As of                                As of


                                                    December 31, 2025                    December 31, 2024



          Number of portfolio company investments                115                                   105





          Number of debt investments                             100                                    92





          Weighted average yield of debt and other
income producing investments (3)



          Cash                                                 8.5 %                                9.5 %



          Payment-in-kind ("PIK")                              0.5 %                                0.4 %



          Fee amortization                                     0.3 %                                0.4 %



          Total                                                9.3 %                               10.3 %





          Weighted average yield of total
investments(4)



          Cash                                                 7.9 %                                8.9 %



          PIK                                                  0.5 %                                0.4 %



          Fee amortization                                     0.3 %                                0.4 %



          Total                                                8.7 %                                9.7 %




 (3) The dollar-weighted average annualized effective yield is computed using the effective interest rate for our debt investments and other income producing investments, including cash and PIK interest, as
        well as the accretion of deferred fees. The individual investment yields are then weighted by the respective cost of the investments (as of the date presented) in calculating the weighted average
        effective yield of the portfolio. The dollar-weighted average annualized yield on the Company's investments for a given period will generally be higher than what investors in the Company's common stock
        would realize in a return over the same period because the dollar-weighted average annualized yield does not reflect the Company's expenses or any sales load that may be paid by investors.



 (4) The dollar-weighted average yield on total investments takes the same yields as calculated in the footnote above but weights them to determine the weighted average effective yield as a percentage of the
        Company's total investments, including non-income producing equity positions and debt investments on non-accrual status.

Results of Operations

Investment income for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 totaled $25.2 million and $25.6 million, respectively, most of which was interest income from portfolio investments.

Gross operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 totaled $17.5 million and $16.2 million, respectively. For the same respective periods, base management fees totaled $4.5 million and $3.9 million, income incentive fees totaled $1.9 million and $2.6 million, fees and expenses related to our borrowings totaled $9.0 million and $8.0 million (including interest and amortization of deferred financing costs), administrative expenses totaled $0.6 million and $0.5 million, income tax totaled $0.2 million and $0.4 million and other expenses totaled $1.3 million and $0.8 million. The Company waived $0.7 million and $0.0 million of income incentive fees due to the total return limitation pursuant to the provisions of the Investment Advisory Agreement between the Company and the Advisor (as defined below) for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively, for net operating expenses of $16.8 million and $16.2 million, respectively.

Net investment income was $8.4 million and $9.6 million, or $0.29 and $0.35 per common share based on 28,947,254 and 27,174,972 weighted average common shares outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively. Core net investment income, which is a non-U.S. GAAP measure that excludes capital gains incentive fees (reversals) and income tax expense accruals, for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was $8.5 million and $10.1 million, or $0.29 and $0.37 per share, respectively.

For the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company's investment portfolio had a net change in unrealized depreciation of ($8.6) million and ($6.9) million, respectively, and the Company had net realized gains of $5.5 million and $6.0 million, respectively.

Net increase in net assets resulting from operations totaled $5.2 million and $8.7 million, or $0.18 and $0.32 per common share, based on 28,947,254 and 27,174,972 weighted average common shares outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

As of December 31, 2025, the Company's amended senior secured revolving credit agreement with certain bank lenders and Zions Bancorporation, N.A. dba Amegy Bank, as administrative agent (as amended from time to time, the "Credit Facility") provided for borrowings in an aggregate amount of up to $335.0 million on a committed basis. As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Credit Facility had an accordion feature which allowed for potential future expansion of the facility size up to $365.0 million and $350.0 million, respectively.

On December 31, 2025, we prepaid the remaining $50.0 million in aggregate principal of the 4.875% fixed-rate notes due 2026 in full.

As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Company had $236.6 million and $175.4 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, respectively.

Distributions

For both the three months ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the Company declared aggregate distributions of $0.40 per share for both periods ($11.6 million and $10.9 million in the aggregate, respectively). Tax characteristics of all distributions are reported to stockholders on Form 1099-DIV. Approximately $0.0 million of the dividends declared in 2025 are expected to be characterized as long-term capital gains. None of these dividends are expected to include a return of capital.

Recent Portfolio Activity

The Company invested in the following portfolio companies during the three months ended December 31, 2025:

                    Activity Type                  Date                                 Company Name                                            Company Description                           Investment Amount                     Instrument Type


  Add-On Investment                October 1, 2025          The Hardenbergh Group, Inc.*                        Provider of patient safety, clinical risk mitigation,
                                                                                                                 and healthcare                                           $
      500,000             Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                                     compliance solutions


  Add-On Investment                October 2, 2025      
   J.R. Watkins, LLC*                                  Manufacturer and distributor of home and personal care
                                                                                                                 products                                                 $
      225,000             Priority Revolver Commitment




  Add-On Investment                October 3, 2025          EH Real Estate Services, LLC*                       Offers residential property brokerage, title &
                                                                                                                 settlement, and                                          $
      183,470             Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                                      property and casualty insurance brokerage services to
                                                                                                      home buyers
                                                                                                     and sellers



 New Investment                  October 17, 2025      
   Fidus Systems Inc.                                  Provider of outsourced electronic product development
                                                                                                                 and                                                    $
      4,759,099             Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                                     engineering services


                                                                                                                                                                        $
      3,172,733             Delayed Draw Term Loan
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Commitment


                                                                                                                                                                          $
      100,000  
          Revolver Commitment


                                                                                                                                                                          $
      267,728  
          Equity


  Add-On Investment               October 22, 2025      
   Recharged Opco, LLC*                     
          Provider of residential electrical services               $
      120,000             Priority Revolver Commitment


  Add-On Investment               October 27, 2025          Channel Partners Intermediateco,
                                                             LLC*                                    
          Provider of outsourced marketing services                  $
      35,175  
          Revolver Commitment


  Add-On Investment               November 6, 2025          Mobotrex Acquisition, LLC*                          Distributor and manufacturer of intelligent traffic
                                                                                                                 solution                                               $
      3,523,787             Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                                     equipment


                                                                                                                                                                        $
      1,549,698             Delayed Draw Term Loan
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Commitment


                                                                                                                                                                           $
      73,776  
          Revolver Commitment


  Add-On Investment               November 6, 2025          Ad.Net Acquisition, LLC*                            A digital marketing company that targets high-
                                                                                                                 conversion                                             $
      1,896,568             Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                                      consumers through cost-per-click digital media
                                                                                                      advertising


                                                                                                                                                                           $
      85,027  
          Equity


  Add-On Investment                 November 12,            EH Real Estate Services, LLC*                       Offers residential property brokerage, title &
                                         2025                                                                     settlement, and                                          $
      228,112             Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                                      property and casualty insurance brokerage services to
                                                                                                      home buyers
                                                                                                     and sellers


  Add-On Investment                 November 19,
                                         2025            
   SP L2 Holdings LLC*                                 Provider of premium in-pool and backyard furniture         $
      14,832  
          Equity


  Add-On Investment               December 3, 2025          BC Partners Glengarry Co-                           Provider of business-to-business account based
                                                             Investment                                          marketing services                                        $
      10,197  
          Equity
                                                        LP*



 New Investment                  December 3, 2025      
   Pure Upper Holdco LLC                               Environmental and ambulatory cleaning services for
                                                                                                                 healthcare                                            $
      10,000,000             Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                                     facilities


                                                                                                                                                                        $
      1,000,000             Delayed Draw Term Loan
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Commitment


                                                                                                                                                                          $
      100,000  
          Revolver Commitment


                                                                                                                                                                          $
      246,667  
          Equity


  Add-On Investment               December 5, 2025      
   Venbrook Buyer, LLC*                     
          An independent insurance services broker                  $
      471,156             Senior Secured - First Lien


  Add-On Investment                 December 15,
                                         2025            
   SP CS Holdings LLC*                                 Provider of product testing and consumer insights         $
      127,174  
          Equity


  Add-On Investment                 December 15,
                                         2025            
   Recharged Opco, LLC*                     
          Provider of residential electrical services                $
      42,500             Priority Revolver Commitment


  Add-On Investment                 December 17,            Carolina Topco Holdings, LP*                        National commercial surface care and restoration
                                         2025                                                                     company                                                  $
      116,033  
          Equity



 New Investment                    December 18,            Pilot Power Group Acquisition,                      Managed energy procurement and energy advisory
                                         2025                 Inc.                                                services                                              $
      12,000,000             Senior Secured - First Lien


                                                                                                                                                                          $
      366,868  
          Equity


  Add-On Investment                 December 22,            Solid Surface Holdco, LLC*                          National commercial surface care and restoration
                                         2025                                                                     company                                                   $
      38,000  
          Revolver Commitment



 New Investment                    December 23,
                                         2025            
   Valor Buyco, LLC                         
          Provider of dispatched road services                    $
      6,000,000             Senior Secured - First Lien


                                                                                                                                                                          $
      100,000             Delayed Draw Term Loan
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Commitment


                                                                                                                                                                          $
      100,000  
          Revolver Commitment


                                                                                                                                                                          $
      430,556  
          Equity


  Add-On Investment                 December 31,
                                         2025            
   Venbrook Buyer, LLC*                     
          An independent insurance services broker                  $
      942,301             Senior Secured - First Lien


  Add-On Investment                 December 31,
                                         2025                FairWave Holdings, LLC*                  
          Specialty coffee platform                                 $
      103,720             Senior Secured - First Lien


                                                                                                                                                                          $
      579,226             Delayed Draw Term Loan
                                                                                                                                                                                                      Commitment


          *Existing portfolio company

The Company realized investments in the following portfolio companies during the three months ended December 31, 2025:

                  Activity Type             Date                               Company Name                                        Company Description                       Proceeds Received                                Realized Gain
                                                                                                                                                                                                          (Loss)                            Instrument Type


 Full Repayment                 October 25,        Heartland Business Systems,                         End-to-end information                           $
     9,725,000  
          $                            Senior Secured - First
                                    2025             LLC                                                                                                                                                           Lien
                                                                                             technologies solutions
                                                                                             provider


                                                                                                                                                           $
     48,875  
          $                            Delayed Draw Term Loan


                                                                                                                                                          $
     824,743                   $
    656,088       
   Equity


 Full Repayment                 November 3,        NuSource Financial                                  Provider of technology
                                    2025             Acquisition, Inc.                                   integration                                     $
     7,009,391  
          $                        
   Unsecured
                                                                                             and installation of teller
                                                                                             machines,
                                                                                             maintenance services, and
                                                                                             security
                                                                                            solutions


 Full Realization                                                                                                                                       $
     1,066,715                 $
    1,066,715       
   Warrants


 Full Repayment                 December 3,      
 Xanitos, Inc.                                       Environmental and ambulatory                    $
     12,256,000  
          $                            Senior Secured - First
                                    2025                                                                                                                                                                           Lien
                                                                                             cleaning services for
                                                                                             healthcare
                                                                                            facilities


                                                                                                                                                        $
     2,159,481  
          $                            Delayed Draw Term Loan


                                                                                                                                                        $
     2,756,526                 $
    1,703,048       
   Equity


 Full Repayment                 December 5,        Unicat Catalyst Holdings, LLC                       Manufacturer and distributor                     $
     6,703,125  
          $                            Senior Secured - First
                                    2025                                                                 of                                                                                                        Lien
                                                                                             catalysts and other
                                                                                             industrial
                                                                                            products


 Full Realization               December 8,      
 EHI Buyer, Inc.                                     Provider of design,
                                    2025                                                                 engineering,                                    $
     1,526,922                 $
    1,305,158       
   Equity
                                                                                            installation, and maintenance
                                                                                             services for building
                                                                                             management
                                                                                            systems


          *Existing portfolio company

Events Subsequent to December 31, 2025

The Company's management has evaluated subsequent events through March 11, 2026. There have been no subsequent events that require recognition or disclosure except for the following described below.

Investment Portfolio

The Company invested in the following portfolio companies subsequent to December 31, 2025:

                    Activity Type                 Date                           Company Name                                        Company Description                       Investment Amount                   Instrument Type


  Add-On Investment               January 2, 2026      Bart & Associates, LLC*                           Provider of content, information, tech-
                                                                                                          enabled                                        $
      2,000,000            Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                               services, and hosts competitions for the
                                                                                               U.S. equine
                                                                                              industry


                                                                                                                                                            $
      43,413  
         Equity



 New Investment                  January 9, 2026      Silver Parent, LLC                                Senior-care focused placement platform          $
      7,130,301            Senior Secured - First Lien


                                                                                                                                                           $
      100,000  
         Revolver Commitment


                                                                                                                                                           $
      498,641  
         Equity


  Add-On Investment                 January 15,
                                        2026            GRC Java Holdings, LLC*                
          Specialty coffee platform                          $
      42,783  
         Equity


  Add-On Investment                 January 20,        EH Real Estate Services,                          Offers residential property brokerage,
                                        2026             LLC*                                              title &                                          $
      380,186            Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                               settlement, and property and casualty
                                                                                               insurance
                                                                                              brokerage services to home buyers
                                                                                              and sellers


  Add-On Investment                 January 21,
                                        2026            evolv Holdco, LLC*                                Digital transformation consulting firm              $
      8,036  
         Equity


  Add-On Investment                 February 2,        BI Investors, LLC*                                Provider of center-based applied
                                        2026                                                               behavioral analysis                                $
      5,743  
         Equity
                                                                                              therapy services


  Add-On Investment                 February 3,        Green Topco Holdings,                             Cyber-security focused value-added
                                        2026             LLC*                                              reseller and                                      $
      16,598  
         Equity
                                                                                              associated service provider


  Add-On Investment                 February 3,
                                        2026            Venbrook Buyer, LLC*                              An independent insurance services broker          $
      628,201            Senior Secured - First Lien


  Add-On Investment                 February 6,        SP MWM Holdco LLC*                                Provider of test and measurement services
                                        2026                                                               and                                              $
      194,667  
         Equity
                                                                                              equipment


  Add-On Investment                February 18,        EH Real Estate Services,                          Offers residential property brokerage,
                                        2026             LLC*                                              title &                                          $
      190,093            Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                               settlement, and property and casualty
                                                                                               insurance
                                                                                              brokerage services to home buyers
                                                                                              and sellers


  Add-On Investment                February 25,
                                        2026            Venbrook Buyer, LLC*                              An independent insurance services broker        $
      1,256,415            Senior Secured - First Lien


  Add-On Investment                March 3, 2026       EH Real Estate Services,                          Offers residential property brokerage,
                                                        LLC*                                              title &                                          $
      190,093            Senior Secured - First Lien
                                                                                               settlement, and property and casualty
                                                                                               insurance
                                                                                              brokerage services to home buyers
                                                                                              and sellers



 New Investment                   March 3, 2026       Precision Strategies, LLC                         Strategic communications and marketing
                                                                                                          agency                                         $
      6,176,011            Senior Secured - First Lien


                                                                                                                                                           $
      100,000  
         Revolver Commitment



 New Investment                   March 6, 2026       Synergy Health Partners                           Provider of orthopedic and musculoskeletal
                                                                                                          care                                           $
      4,000,000            Senior Secured - First Lien


                                                                                                                                                           $
      500,000            Delayed Draw Term Loan
                                                                                                                                                                                      Commitment


                                                                                                                                                           $
      100,000  
         Revolver Commitment


                                                                                                                                                           $
      136,634  
         Equity


          *Existing portfolio company

The Company realized investments in the following portfolio companies subsequent to December 31, 2025:

                  Activity Type             Date                   Company Name                                        Company Description                    Proceeds Received                         Realized Gain Instrument Type


 Full Repayment                 January 30,      Luxium Solutions,                         Manufacturer and distributor                     $
    8,169,324 
         $                   Senior Secured - First
                                    2026           LLC                                       of                                                                                            Lien
                                                                                high-performance advanced
                                                                                materials and assemblies


                                                                                                                                            $
    1,182,247 
         $                   Delayed Draw Term Loan


 Full Repayment                 January 30,      Camp Profiles LLC                         Provider of digital marketing                   $
    12,041,875 
         $                   Senior Secured - First
                                    2026                                                                                                                                                   Lien
                                                                                 services to small and medium-
                                                                                 sized
                                                                                businesses


 Full Realization                                                                                                                             $
    969,138               $
    719,138 
  Equity


 Full Repayment                 February 3,      Arctiq, Inc.                              Cyber-security focused                          $
    12,202,671 
         $                   Senior Secured - First
                                    2026                                                     value-added                                                                                   Lien
                                                                                 reseller and associated
                                                                                 service
                                                                                provider


                                                                                                                                              $
    399,965 
         $                   Delayed Draw Term Loan

Credit Facility

The outstanding balance under the Credit Facility as of March 11, 2026 was $253.9 million.

SBA-guaranteed debentures

On February 27, 2026, the SBIC I subsidiary repaid all principal and accrued interest related to SBA-guaranteed debentures maturing on March 1, 2026. The outstanding balance of SBA-guaranteed debentures as of March 11, 2026 was $260.0 million.

Distributions Declared

On January 16, 2026, the Board of Directors of the Company declared a regular monthly dividend for each of January 2026, February 2026, and March 2026 as follows:

                        Ex-
                      Dividend    Record   Payment           Amount per


            Declared    Date       Date      Date            Share



 1/16/2026          1/30/2026 1/30/2026 2/13/2026 $
 0.1133



 1/16/2026          2/27/2026 2/27/2026 3/13/2026 $
 0.1133



 1/16/2026          3/31/2026 3/31/2026 4/15/2026 $
 0.1133

Acquisition of Stellus Capital Management

On February 5, 2026, we announced that Stellus Capital Management entered into a definitive agreement with P10 Intermediate Holdings, LLC, an affiliate of Ridgepost Capital, Inc. (formerly known as P10, Inc.) ("Ridgepost"), pursuant to which Ridgepost will acquire Stellus Capital Management, our external investment adviser (the "Transaction").

Pursuant to the terms of the Transaction, Stellus Capital Management will continue to be managed by its current partners, who will retain control of its day-to-day operations, including investment decisions and investment committee processes, and Stellus Capital Management will continue to serve as our external investment adviser. Consummation of the Transaction will result in a change of control of Stellus Capital Management, which will result in an assignment and corresponding termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement under the 1940 Act. Our Board and stockholders will therefore be asked to approve a new investment advisory agreement with Stellus Capital Management (the "New Investment Advisory Agreement"), the terms of which are expected to remain the same as the Investment Advisory Agreement, other than the initial term of the New Investment Advisory Agreement. Closing of the Transaction is expected to occur mid-2026 and is subject to customary conditions for a transaction of this nature. If approved, the New Investment Advisory Agreement will take effect following the closing of the Transaction.

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation Adopts Stock Repurchase Program

Today the Company announced that its board of directors has authorized a program for the purpose of repurchasing up to $20.0 million of its shares of common stock, par value $0.001 (the "Repurchase Program"). Under the Repurchase Program, the Company may, but is not obligated to, repurchase its outstanding common stock in the open market from time to time provided that the Company complies with the prohibitions under its Code of Ethics and the guidelines specified in Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including certain price, market volume and timing constraints. Unless amended or extended by the Company's board of directors, the Company expects the Repurchase Program to be in place until the earlier of March 2, 2027 or until $20.0 million of the Company's outstanding shares of common stock have been repurchased.

The Company's board of directors authorized the Repurchase Program because it believes the sustained market volatility and uncertainty may cause the Company's common stock to be undervalued from time to time. The timing and number of shares to be repurchased will depend on a number of factors, including market conditions and alternative investment opportunities. In addition, any repurchases will be conducted in accordance with the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. The Company has not yet been active in the Repurchase Program and there are no assurances that it will engage in repurchases, but if market conditions warrant, the Company now has the ability to take advantage of situations where the Company's management believes share repurchases would be advantageous to the Company and to its shareholders.

Conference Call Information

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation will host a conference call to discuss these results on Thursday, March 12, 2026 at 10:00 AM, Central Time. The conference call will be led by Robert T. Ladd, Chief Executive Officer, and W. Todd Huskinson, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, Treasurer, and Secretary.

For those wishing to participate by telephone, please dial (888) 506-0062. Use passcode 401700. Starting approximately two hours after the conclusion of the call, a replay will be available through Friday, March 20, 2026 by dialing (877) 481-4010 and entering passcode 53704. The replay will also be available on the Company's website.

For those wishing to participate via Live Webcast, connect via the Public (SCIC) section of our website at www.stelluscapital.com, under the Events tab. A replay of the conference will be available on our website for approximately 90 days.

About Stellus Capital Investment Corporation

The Company is an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified investment management company that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940. The Company's investment objective is to maximize the total return to its stockholders in the form of current income and capital appreciation by investing primarily in private lower middle-market companies (typically those with $5.0 million to $50.0 million of EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization)) with a focus on investing through first lien (including unitranche) loans, often with a corresponding equity investment. The Company's investment activities are managed by its investment adviser, Stellus Capital Management. To learn more about Stellus Capital Investment Corporation, visit www.stelluscapital.com under the "Public (SCIC)" tab.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements included herein may contain "forward-looking statements" which relate to future performance or financial condition. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this press release may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties, which change over time. Actual results may differ materially from those anticipated in any forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described from time to time in filings by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission including the final prospectus that will be filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release.

Contacts

Stellus Capital Investment Corporation
W. Todd Huskinson, Chief Financial Officer
(713) 292-5414
thuskinson@stelluscapital.com

                                                                              
          
            STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

                                                                         
          
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES




                                                                                                                                                                           December 31, 2025              December 31, 2024



          
            
              ASSETS



          Controlled investments at fair value (amortized cost of $33,603,521 and $17,934,808,                                                       $
        14,953,132          $
          7,652,436
respectively)



          Non-controlled, affiliated investments, at fair value (amortized cost of $4,806,660)                                                                  3,750,674



          Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments, at fair value (amortized cost of $987,729,505                                                           988,919,589                    945,845,252
and $943,853,898, respectively)



          Cash and cash equivalents                                                                                                                            25,050,156                     20,058,594



          Receivable for sales and repayments of investments                                                                                                      581,509                        335,689



          Interest receivable                                                                                                                                   6,375,996                      4,947,765



          Income tax receivable                                                                                                                                 1,385,387                      1,301,965



          Other receivables                                                                                                                                        85,000                         87,995



          Related party receivable                                                                                                                                     20                          3,687



          Prepaid expenses                                                                                                                                        150,843                        666,866



          
            
              Total Assets                                                                                                $
        1,041,252,306        $
          980,900,249



          
            
              LIABILITIES



          Notes Payable                                                                                                                             $
        122,671,409         $
          99,444,355



          Credit Facility payable                                                                                                                             233,167,360                    172,314,315



          SBA-guaranteed debentures                                                                                                                           295,984,063                    321,251,939



          Dividends payable                                                                                                                                     3,858,669                      3,663,233



          Management fees payable                                                                                                                               4,442,705                      4,034,109



          Income incentive fees payable                                                                                                                         2,317,429                      3,109,560



          Interest payable                                                                                                                                      6,138,076                      5,281,343



          Unearned revenue                                                                                                                                        582,007                        548,626



          Administrative services payable                                                                                                                         539,338                        393,513



          Other accrued expenses and liabilities                                                                                                                  372,294                        937,316



          
            
              Total Liabilities                                                                                             $
        670,073,350        $
          610,978,309



          
            
              Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)



          
            
              Net Assets                                                                                                    $
        371,178,956        $
          369,921,940



          
            
              NET ASSETS



          Common stock, par value $0.001 per share (100,000,000 shares authorized; 28,947,254                                                           $
         28,947             $
          27,481
and 27,481,118 shares issued and outstanding, respectively)



          Paid-in capital                                                                                                                                     397,829,793                    379,549,272



          Total distributable loss                                                                                                                           (26,679,784)                   (9,654,813)



          
            
              Net Assets                                                                                                    $
        371,178,956        $
          369,921,940



          
            
              Total Liabilities and Net Assets                                                                            $
        1,041,252,306        $
          980,900,249



          
            
              Net Asset Value Per Share                                                                                          $
         12.82              $
          13.46

                                                                                                        
         
  STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

                                                                                                         
         
  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS




                                                                                                                                                                                                                For the years ended


                                                                                                                                                                                     December 31, 2025                                 December 31, 2024             December 31, 2023



          
            
              INVESTMENT INCOME



          From controlled investments:



          Interest income                                                                                                                                  
 $                                               $
          81,636                 $
          37,897



          From non-controlled, affiliated investments



          Interest income                                                                                                                                          $
         8,990         
          $                            
  $



          Payment-in-kind interest income                                                                                                                                   217,434



          From non-controlled, non-affiliated investments



          Interest income                                                                                                                                       $
       91,999,416                       $
          96,494,073             $
          98,177,254



          Payment-in-kind interest income                                                                                                                                 5,538,838                                    3,310,111                          3,801,637



          Other income                                                                                                                                                    4,374,272                                    4,850,313                          3,830,780



          
            
              Total Investment Income                                                                                                  $
       102,138,950                      $
          104,736,133            $
          105,847,568



          
            
              OPERATING EXPENSES



          Management fees                                                                                                                                       $
       17,178,177                       $
          15,698,129             $
          15,452,347



          Valuation fees                                                                                                                                                    407,358                                      380,239                            373,628



          Administrative services expenses                                                                                                                                2,134,816                                    1,916,283                          1,908,191



          Income incentive fees                                                                                                                                           8,393,139                                   10,045,966                         10,189,888



          Capital gains incentive fee (reversal)                                                                                                                                                                                                        (569,528)



          Professional fees                                                                                                                                               1,940,744                                    1,190,232                          1,455,372



          Directors' fees                                                                                                                                                   409,000                                      412,000                            406,000



          Insurance expense                                                                                                                                                 396,862                                      499,913                            492,596



          Interest expense and other fees                                                                                                                                34,943,265                                   31,506,068                         32,011,317



          Income tax expense                                                                                                                                              1,580,338                                    1,808,838                          1,333,452



          Other general and administrative expenses                                                                                                                       1,182,690                                    1,175,765                            891,170



          
            
              Total Operating Expenses                                                                                                  $
       68,566,389                       $
          64,633,433             $
          63,944,433



          Income incentive fee waiver                                                                                                                                   (3,310,981)                                 (1,826,893)                         (307,442)



          
            
              Total Operating Expenses, net of fee waivers                                                                              $
       65,255,408                       $
          62,806,540             $
          63,636,991



          
            
              Net Investment Income                                                                                                     $
       36,883,542                       $
          41,929,593             $
          42,210,577



          Net realized loss on controlled investments                                                                                                          $
       (1,132,576)        
          $                            
  $



          Net realized loss on non-controlled, affiliated investments                                                                                                   (6,314,327)



          Net realized gain (loss) on non-controlled, non-affiliated investments                                                                                          8,977,487                                 (15,737,004)                      (30,211,467)



          Net realized loss on foreign currency translations                                                                                                               (68,844)                                    (94,730)                         (112,481)



          Loss on debt extinguishment                                                                                                                                     (226,095)



          Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on controlled investments                                                                                  4,395,102                                      826,772                          (430,577)



          Net change in unrealized appreciation on non-controlled, affiliated investments                                                                                 4,140,601



          Net change in unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on non-controlled, non-affiliated                                                                       (19,642,634)                                  18,743,637                          3,222,729
investments



          Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on foreign currency translations                                                                              33,073                                     (14,755)                           (6,504)



          Benefit (provision) for taxes on net unrealized depreciation (appreciation) on                                                                                                                                188,893                          (126,957)
investments



          Benefit for taxes on net realized loss on investments                                                                                                                                                           2,221                          2,987,847



          
            
              Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations                                                                      $
       27,045,329                                   45,844,627                         17,533,167



          
            
              Net Investment Income Per Share-basic and diluted                                                                             $
         1.30                             $
          1.64                   $
          1.92



          
            
              Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations Per Share - basic and                                                    $
         0.95                             $
          1.79                   $
          0.80
diluted



          
            
              Weighted Average Shares of Common Stock Outstanding-basic and diluted                                                              28,364,809                                   25,596,593                         22,004,648



          
            
              Distributions Per Share-basic and diluted                                                                                     $
         1.60                             $
          1.61                   $
          1.61

                                                                           
   
      STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

                                                                         
   
   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN NET ASSETS




                                                                                                                                             Common Stock                                                      Total


                                                                                                                                     Number                         Par                            Paid-in                                     distributable


                                                                                                                                   of shares                        value                            capital                                     (loss)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                     earnings                                Net Assets



 
            
              Balances as of December 31, 2022                                                                    19,666,769            $
 19,667 $
        275,114,720     $
         642,226            $
       275,776,613



 Net investment income                                                                                                                                                                          42,210,577                      42,210,577



 Net realized loss on investments                                                                                                                                                             (30,211,467)                   (30,211,467)



 Net realized loss on foreign currency translation                                                                                                                                               (112,481)                      (112,481)



 Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments                                                                                                                                            2,792,152                       2,792,152



 Net change in unrealized depreciation on foreign currency translations                                                                                                                            (6,504)                        (6,504)



 Provision for taxes on unrealized appreciation on investments                                                                                                                                   (126,957)                      (126,957)



 Benefit for taxes on realized loss on investments                                                                                                                                               2,987,847                       2,987,847



 Return of capital and other tax related adjustments                                                                                                                     (1,348,766)             1,348,766



 Distributions from net investment income                                                                                                                                                     (35,080,734)                   (35,080,734)



 Distributions from net realized capital gains                                                                                                                                                   (446,746)                      (446,746)



 Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs(1)                                                                               4,458,873                4,458            62,153,030                                            62,157,488



 
            
              Balances at December 31, 2023                                                                       24,125,642            $
 24,125 $
        335,918,984 $
        (16,003,321)           $
       319,939,788



 Net investment income                                                                                                                                                                          41,929,593                      41,929,593



 Net realized loss on investments                                                                                                                                                             (15,737,004)                   (15,737,004)



 Net realized loss on foreign currency translation                                                                                                                                                (94,730)                       (94,730)



 Net change in unrealized appreciation on investments                                                                                                                                           19,570,409                      19,570,409



 Net change in unrealized depreciation on foreign currency translations                                                                                                                           (14,755)                       (14,755)



 Provision for taxes on unrealized appreciation on investments                                                                                                                                     188,893                         188,893



 Benefit for taxes on realized loss on investments                                                                                                                                                   2,221                           2,221



 Return of capital and other tax related adjustments                                                                                                                     (1,727,556)             1,727,556



 Distributions from net investment income                                                                                                                                                     (40,679,308)                   (40,679,308)



 Distributions from net realized capital gains                                                                                                                                                   (544,367)                      (544,367)



 Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs(1)                                                                               3,355,476                3,356            45,357,844                                            45,361,200



 
            
              Balances at December 31, 2024                                                                       27,481,118            $
 27,481 $
        379,549,272  $
        (9,654,813)           $
       369,921,940



 Net investment income                                                                                                                                                                          36,883,542                      36,883,542



 Net realized gain on investments                                                                                                                                                                1,530,584                       1,530,584



 Net realized loss on foreign currency translation                                                                                                                                                (68,844)                       (68,844)



 Loss on debt extinguishment                                                                                                                                                                     (226,095)                      (226,095)



 Net change in unrealized depreciation on investments                                                                                                                                         (11,106,931)                   (11,106,931)



 Net change in unrealized appreciation on foreign currency translations                                                                                                                             33,073                          33,073



 Return of capital and other tax related adjustments                                                                                                                     (1,391,127)             1,391,127



 Distributions from net investment income                                                                                                                                                     (45,461,427)                   (45,461,427)



 Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs(1)                                                                               1,466,136                1,466            19,671,648                                            19,673,114



 
            
              Balances at December 31, 2025                                                                       28,947,254            $
 28,947 $
        397,829,793 $
        (26,679,784)           $
       371,178,956

                                                                                                       
        
 STELLUS CAPITAL INVESTMENT CORPORATION

                                                                                                       
        
 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS




                                                                                                                                                                                               For the years ended


                                                                                                                                                                             December 31, 2025                                      December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023



 
            
              Cash Flows from Operating Activities



 Net increase in net assets resulting from operations                                                                                                     $
     27,045,329         $
          45,844,627            $
      17,533,167



 Adjustments to reconcile net increase in net assets from operations to net cash used in operating activities:



 Purchases of investments                                                                                                                                     (194,071,248)                 (221,154,933)                (183,858,762)



 Proceeds from sales and repayments of investments                                                                                                              139,652,991                    151,834,875                   134,223,224



 Net change in unrealized depreciation (appreciation) on investments                                                                                             11,106,931                   (19,570,409)                  (2,792,152)



 Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on foreign currency translations                                                                             (33,073)                        14,755                         6,360



 Increase in investments due to payment-in-kind income                                                                                                          (5,756,272)                   (3,310,111)                  (3,799,843)



 Amortization of premium and accretion of discount, net                                                                                                         (2,891,683)                   (2,715,802)                  (2,749,543)



 Deferred tax (benefit) provision                                                                                                                                                               (188,893)                      126,957



 Amortization of loan structure fees                                                                                                                              1,212,581                      1,140,079                       657,323



 Amortization of deferred financing costs                                                                                                                           692,393                        447,943                       446,720



 Amortization of discount on Notes Payable                                                                                                                           96,093



 Amortization of premium on Notes Payable                                                                                                                          (29,855)



 Amortization of loan fees on SBA-guaranteed debentures                                                                                                             732,124                        978,582                     1,255,753



 Net realized (gain) loss on investments                                                                                                                        (1,530,584)                    15,737,004                    30,211,467



 Loss on debt extinguishment                                                                                                                                        226,095



 Changes in other assets and liabilities



 Increase in interest receivable                                                                                                                                (1,428,231)                      (65,427)                    (897,929)



 (Increase) decrease in income tax receivable                                                                                                                      (83,422)                       286,743                   (1,588,708)



 Decrease (increase) in other receivables                                                                                                                             2,995                       (45,000)                      (8,750)



 Decrease (increase) in related party receivables                                                                                                                     3,667                        (3,687)



 Decrease (increase) in prepaid expenses                                                                                                                            516,023                       (60,192)                       60,593



 Increase (decrease) in management fees payable                                                                                                                     408,596                      1,115,573                   (4,231,871)



 (Decrease) increase in income incentive fees payable                                                                                                             (792,131)                       224,380                       420,772



 Decrease in capital gains incentive fees payable                                                                                                                                                                            (569,528)



 Increase (decrease) in administrative services payable                                                                                                             145,825                        (8,638)                       45,232



 Increase in interest payable                                                                                                                                       856,733                         40,179                       600,323



 Decrease in related party payable                                                                                                                                                                                         (1,060,321)



 Increase in unearned revenue                                                                                                                                        33,381                        150,901                        77,050



 Decrease in income tax payable                                                                                                                                                                                            (1,175,373)



 (Decrease) increase in other accrued expenses and liabilities                                                                                                    (565,022)                       658,971                     (197,248)



 
            
              Net Cash Used in Operating Activities                                                                                      $
     (24,449,764)      $
          (28,648,480)         $
      (17,265,087)



 
            
              Cash Flows from Financing Activities



 Proceeds from the issuance of common stock                                                                                                               $
     20,588,960         $
          46,494,756            $
      63,348,436



 Sales load for common stock issued                                                                                                                               (308,998)                     (698,166)                    (943,248)



 Offering costs paid for common stock issued                                                                                                                      (606,848)                     (428,078)                    (253,913)



 Stockholder distributions paid                                                                                                                                (45,265,991)                  (37,560,442)                 (35,527,480)



 Proceeds from issuance of Notes Payable                                                                                                                        124,877,750



 Repayment of Notes Payable                                                                                                                                   (100,060,870)



 Financing costs paid on Notes Payable                                                                                                                          (2,574,553)



 Repayments of SBA-guaranteed debentures                                                                                                                       (26,000,000)                                                 11,400,000



 Financing costs paid on SBA-guaranteed debentures                                                                                                                                                                           (277,590)



 Financing costs paid on Credit Facility                                                                                                                        (1,622,524)                     (691,137)                  (2,663,106)



 Borrowings under Credit Facility                                                                                                                               300,550,000                    187,900,000                   108,400,000



 Repayments of Credit Facility                                                                                                                                (240,135,600)                 (172,435,600)                (148,135,600)



 
            
              Net Cash Provided (Used) by Financing Activities                                                                             $
     29,441,326         $
          22,581,333           $
      (4,652,501)



 
            
              Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                                                          $
     4,991,562        $
          (6,067,147)         $
      (21,917,588)



 
            
              Cash and Cash Equivalents Balance at Beginning of Period                                                                            20,058,594                     26,125,741                    48,043,329



 
            
              Cash and Cash Equivalents Balance at End of Period                                                                           $
     25,050,156         $
          20,058,594            $
      26,125,741



 
            
              Supplemental and Non-Cash Activities



 Cash paid for interest expense                                                                                                                           $
     31,383,195         $
          28,899,285            $
      29,051,198



 Income and excise tax paid                                                                                                                                       1,663,760                      1,808,838                     2,508,825



 Exchange of investments                                                                                                                                          1,663,301                      8,256,411                     3,610,846

                                                 
 
 Reconciliation of Core Net Investment Income
  
              
  (1)

                                                                            
          (Unaudited)




                                                                                                   Three Months Ended                                         Years Ended


                                                                                December 31, 2025                      December 31, 2024  December 31, 2025               December 31, 2024



 Net investment income                                                                $8,398,065                              $9,641,326         $36,883,542                      $41,929,593



 Income tax expense                                                                      136,154                                 503,890           1,580,338                        1,808,838



 Core net investment income                                                           $8,534,219                             $10,145,216         $38,463,880                      $43,738,431





 
            
              Per share amounts:



 Net investment income per share                                                           $0.29                                   $0.35               $1.30                            $1.64



 Core net investment income per share                                                      $0.29                                   $0.37               $1.36                            $1.71

                                                             
 
 Reconciliation of Realized Net Investment Income
        
         
          (2)

                                                                                          
          (Unaudited)




                                                                                                                            Three Months Ended                                            Years Ended


                                                                                                        December 31, 2025                          December 31, 2024  December 31, 2025               December 31, 2024



          Net investment income                                                                               $8,398,065                                  $9,641,326         $36,883,542                      $41,929,593



          Net realized gain (loss) on investments                                                              5,490,677                                   5,952,860           1,530,584                     (15,737,004)



          Net realized loss on foreign currency translation                                                      (9,764)                                   (17,740)           (68,844)                        (94,730)



          Benefit for taxes on net realized loss on                                                                                                                                                              2,221
investments



          Loss on debt extinguishment                                                                           (61,333)                                                     (226,095)



          Total realized net investment income                                                               $13,817,645                                 $15,576,446         $38,119,187                      $26,100,080





          
            
              Per share amounts:



          Net investment income per share                                                                          $0.29                                       $0.35               $1.30                            $1.64



          Realized net investment income per share                                                                 $0.48                                       $0.57               $1.34                            $1.02

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