RMDL.L Regulatory News (RMDL)

RM Secured Direct Lending Plc and RM ZDP PLC

("RMDL" or the "Company")

LEI: 213800RBRIYICC2QC958

Net Asset Value

RMDL announces that its unaudited net asset value per ordinary share as at 31 March 2020, on a cum income basis, was 86.64 pence (29 February 2020: 98.74 pence).

RM ZDP PLC announces that the unaudited accrued capital entitlement per ZDP share as at 31 March 2020 was 107.05 pence (29 February 2020: 106.75 pence).

NAV

NAV % Total Return for the month was -10.53%, which brings the NAV % Total Return for the year to date ("YTD") to -9.66% and for the last 12 months to -5.22%.

The Ordinary Share NAV as at 31st March 2020 was 86.64 pence per share, a reduction of 10.53%. This monthly return of -12.09 pence per share arises from positive net interest income net of expenses of 0.60 pence per share and a decrease in portfolio valuations and currency hedging costs of 10.99 pence per share. In addition, there is an ex-dividend effect of the 1.70 pence total ordinary and special dividend declared and paid in March.

The NAV performance in March is reflective of the significant uncertainty and market volatility experienced in the period. The Investment Manager remains focused on the NAV performance over the medium term. RMDL is a long-only lender, it does not hedge any credit risk and operates a mark to market accounting policy. This means periods such as these will see higher NAV volatility than normal. Investing in secured debt gives an investor an expectation of capital preservation and the Investment Manager's base case scenario is that the credit spreads will return to more normal levels over the coming months and the portfolio values will recover.

Summary

Profit for month 0.60 pence per share

Headline change of -12.09 pence per share

Payment of Q4 2019 dividend 1.70 pence per share

Change in portfolio valuations -10.99 pence per share

Market Update

Q1 was dominated by COVID-19 and its effect on the global economy. During March in particular, the risk premium for corporate credit increased as spreads widened and yields increased significantly. Central bank intervention has been swift and decisive in order to support many corporates who cannot function due to supply chain constraints or the lack of consumers. The current indications are that most economies will gradually exit this "lockdown" over the course of Q2 2020. Growth has slumped globally and there is a range of views in the market as to how fast GDP will rebound for H2 2020.

The result of the above is that corporate bonds and loans had their worst month since 2008 - for example Markit IBOX EUR Liquid High Yield index was -10.87% and the S&P European Leveraged Loan index -14.60%. These moves have been exacerbated by ETF and passive funds selling illiquid credit holdings into a weak market. It is the Investment Manager's view that although there undoubtably will be specific losers, overall, the businesses and sectors which RMDL focuses on offer significant value at these yields.

Portfolio Update

Since the economic effects of the coronavirus began to be felt, the Investment Manager has worked closely with borrowers to ensure that businesses can endure the lockdowns in the UK and Europe, and resume operations over the coming months. The Investment Manager provided a portfolio update and an investor call during March regarding its expectations and activity with regard to the effects of COVID-19. On the call, available on the website, the Investment Manager focused on the top 10 holdings which account for circa 54% of the portfolio. The full portfolio is shown at the bottom of this factsheet.

Over the quarter, the portfolio size increased slightly from £134m to £136m of invested capital with the average coupon being 8.34%. Given the reduction in portfolio value which occurred during March, the portfolio running yield is 9.65%. As at month end, the share price was trading at a 16% discount to NAV which implies a running yield of 11.55% from the month end closing mid-market share price.

YTD the number of total investments remains unchanged at 34, split across 13 sectors as there has thus far been 1 full loan repayment and 1 new loan investment. The monitoring of the portfolio investments remains a key priority for RM.

The company holds cash balances of £3.02m and has capacity to draw an additional £4.2m under its revolving credit facility with OakNorth bank. In addition, the Company has de-minimis obligations to fund existing transactions.

 Dividend

A final dividend was declared for Q4 2019 and paid in March 2020 of 1.625 pence and an additional special dividend of 0.075 pence was declared and paid on these dates following portfolio outperformance. This gives total distribution for 2019 of 7.025 pence per ordinary share and a NAV total return for the financial year 2019 of 8.18%.

Long term income sustainability remains a key priority. The Company has the capacity to maintain its dividend and to manage credit losses. The dividend cover during Q1 was 1.15 times the amount required to meet the 1.625 pence per share targeted for Q1. The dividend trajectory will be appraised by the Investment Manager and the Board on a monthly basis and reported to stakeholders via the factsheet.

Outlook

Overall, the Investment Manager remains positive for the outlook of the portfolio and RMDL's ability to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns and preserve capital. Valuations are expected to improve as credit spreads return to more normal levels and the defensive nature of the portfolio will mean that significant income will still be generated and distributed as dividends.

Post the quarter end, the Company purchased 500,000 shares at a price of 72.5 pence per share on 7th April and these shares are held in treasury. This was at a significant discount to the NAV announced on the portfolio update on the 25th March. At the time of writing the share price remains at a significant discount to the NAV and the Board and the Investment Manager are monitoring this closely.

Full Portfolio Listing- As at 19th March 2020 for portfolio update call comprised as follows:

1. LTV - where appropriate as per recent collateral report/valuation/implied or actual equity contribution from sponsor- for private syndicated facilities left blank.

The Company also announces that the Monthly Report for the period to 31 March 2020 is now available to be viewed on the Company website:

https://rmdl.co.uk/investor-centre/monthly-factsheets/

END

 For further information, please contact:

RM Capital Markets Limited - Investment Manager

James Robson

Pietro Nicholls

Tel: 0131 603 7060

International Fund Management - AIFM

Chris Hickling

Shaun Robert

Tel: 01481 737600

Tulchan Group - Financial PR

James Macey White

Elizabeth Snow

Tel: 0207 353 4200

PraxisIFM Fund Services (UK) Limited - Administrator and Company Secretary

Brian Smith

Ciara McKillop

Tel: 020 7653 9690

Nplus1 Singer Advisory LLP - Financial Adviser and Broker

James Maxwell

Lauren Kettle

Tel: 020 7496 3000

About RM Secured Direct Lending

RM Secured Direct Lending Plc ("RMDL" or the "Company") is a closed-ended investment trust established to invest in a portfolio of secured debt instruments.

The Company aims to generate attractive and regular dividends through loans sourced or originated by the Investment Manager with a degree of inflation protection through index-linked returns where appropriate. Loans in which the Company invests are predominantly secured against assets such as real estate or plant and machinery and/or income streams such as account receivables.

For more information, please see

https://rmdl.co.uk/investor-centre/monthly-factsheets/