Prospect Capital Announces Results for Quarter Ended March 31, 2009


NEW YORK, NY--(Marketwire - May 11, 2009) - Prospect Capital Corporation (NASDAQ: PSEC) ("Company" or "Prospect") today announced financial results for its third fiscal quarter and the nine months ended March 31, 2009.

For the nine months ended March 31, 2009, our net investment income was $47.2 million, or $1.59 per share, an increase of $15.7 million, or $0.18 per weighted average share, from the results for the nine months ended March 31, 2008. For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, our net investment income was $11.7 million, or $0.39 per weighted average share, a decrease of $1.2 million from the results for the quarter ended March 31, 2008 (such decrease due primarily to the one-time realization during the year earlier quarter of the overriding royalty interest we received in connection with the Ken-Tex Energy Corp. debt investment).

For the quarter ended March 31, 2009, our net increase in net assets resulting from operations was $0.51 per weighted average share. Our net asset value per share decreased by $0.24 per share from $14.43 as of December 31, 2008 to $14.19 per share as of March 31, 2009. The primary driver of the decrease in net asset value per share was the issuance of new shares during the quarter ended March 31, 2009 at prices below our then net asset value per share. We estimate our net investment income for the current fourth fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2009 will be $0.30 to $0.40 per share. We recently completed an issue of common shares which may have a short-term dilutive effect but which we believe will enhance the Company's financial flexibility and available resources to capitalize on attractive long-term accretive investment opportunities.

We expect to announce our fourth fiscal quarter dividend next month. Our business objective continues to be to generate long-term dividend growth, as we have delivered to date with 18 consecutive quarterly dividend increases. We have under-distributed dividends relative to taxable income in calendar year 2008, resulting in a modest 4% excise tax, which an over-distribution of dividends relative to taxable income in calendar year 2009 would help to correct going forward, should we so choose.

As of March 31, 2009, debt as reduced by cash and money market securities on hand was 17.4% of total assets, or 575% asset coverage. As of May 11, 2009, we have reduced our outstanding debt to $129.0 million, and as of May 11, 2009 we have increased our cash and money market investments on hand to $48.4 million.

OPERATING RESULTS

HIGHLIGHTS

Equity Values:
  Net assets as of March 31, 2009: $444.02 million
  Net asset value per share as of March 31, 2009: $14.19

Third Fiscal Quarter Operating Results:
  Net investment income: $11.72 million
  Net investment income per share: $0.39
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations: $15.33 million
  Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per share: $0.51
  Dividends to shareholders per share: $0.405

Third Fiscal Quarter Portfolio Summary:
Total portfolio investments at cost: $567.3 million
  Number of portfolio companies at end of period: 31

PORTFOLIO AND INVESTMENT ACTIVITY

On January 20, 2009, Diamondback Operating, LP ("Diamondback") repaid our $9.2 million loan in full from the sale of 65% of Diamondback's Rock Springs oil and gas property interests. We have realized an approximately 17% cash on cash internal rate of return ("IRR") on the Diamondback investment. We continue to hold the right to receive 15% of any future Diamondback equity distributions.

On March 31, 2009, the fair value of our portfolio of 31 long-term investments was approximately $555.0 million. As of March 31, 2009, our portfolio generated a current yield of approximately 15.1% across all our long-term debt and equity investments. This current yield includes interest from all our long-term investments as well as dividends from certain portfolio companies.

During the quarter ended March 31, 2009, we continued to evaluate a number of new investment opportunities in the primary and secondary markets. We are currently pursuing multiple investment opportunities, including purchases of portfolios from private and public companies, as well as individual transactions. We believe such opportunities, if successfully consummated, would drive long-term value for our company, and we have recently expanded our capital base with such opportunities in mind. Motivated sellers, including commercial finance companies, hedge funds, other business development companies, total return swap counterparties, banks, collateralized loan obligation funds, and other entities, are suffering from excess leverage, and we believe we are well positioned to capitalize as potential buyers of such assets at attractive prices.

On May 6, 2009, we received a net profits distribution from Charlevoix, a gas marketing company in the Midwest, raising our cash on cash IRR on our Charlevoix investment to 22%. We have previously exited our debt investment in Charlevoix with full repayment by the borrower.

We continue to negotiate a sale of Gas Solutions with several interested parties. While we wish to monetize the value we see in Gas Solutions, we do not wish to enter into any final agreement that does not recognize the long term value we see in Gas Solutions. As a hedged midstream asset generating significant cash flows to us, Gas Solutions is a valuable asset that we wish to sell at a value-maximizing price, or not at all. The multi-year puts purchased by Gas Solutions in 2008 are substantially in the money, providing downside protection against commodity price declines. Gas Solutions has generated approximately $26.2 million of EBITDA during the year ended December 31, 2008, an increase of 67.1% from 2007 results.

LIQUIDITY AND FINANCIAL RESULTS

At March 31, 2009, borrowings under our credit facility stood at approximately $137.6 million. We are currently seeking an increase in our revolving credit facility from its present size of $200 million. Over the past few months we have worked with rating agencies to structure this expanded facility. The closing of the facility is subject to lender syndication and other conditions customary for a transaction of this type. As of March 31, 2009, debt as reduced by cash and money market securities on hand was 17.4% of total assets, or 575% asset coverage. As of May 11, 2009, we have reduced our outstanding debt to $129.0 million, and as of May 11, 2009 we have increased our cash and money market investments on hand to $48.4 million.

On March 19, 2009 and April 27, 2009, we completed two offerings of common shares aggregating 5.18 million shares and $40.82 million in gross proceeds. In the second quarter, we announced the authorization by our board of directors to repurchase up to $20 million of our outstanding stock. To date, we have not made any such repurchases, but we continue to maintain the flexibility to do so should we deem such purchases to be in the best interest of our shareholders.

On April 30, 2009, we gave a 60-day notice to Vastardis Fund Services LLC ("Vastardis") regarding termination, effective June 30, 2009, of the agreement with Vastardis to provide sub-administration services. The prior cost of this agreement has been approximately $700 thousand per annum based on approximately $600 million of assets. With our chief financial officer having expanded his finance and administration team in recent months, we no longer require significant services from Vastardis.

CONFERENCE CALL

We will host a conference call on Tuesday, May 12, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time. The conference call dial-in number will be 800-860-2442. A recording of the conference call will be available for approximately 30 days. To hear a replay, please call 877-344-7529 and use passcode 430576.

                PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
            CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF ASSETS AND LIABILITIES
                     March 31, 2009 and June 30, 2008
              (in thousands, except share and per share data)

                                                   March 31,     June 30,
                                                      2009         2008
                                                  (Unaudited)   (Audited)
                                                  -----------  -----------
Assets
Investments at fair value (cost of $567,306 and
 $496,805, respectively)
  Control investments (cost of $221,744 and
   $203,661, respectively)                        $   220,263  $   205,827
  Affiliate investments (cost of $33,546 and
   $5,609, respectively)                               30,819        6,043
  Non-control/Non-affiliate investments (cost
   of $312,016 and $287,535, respectively)            303,959      285,660
                                                  -----------  -----------
    Total investments at fair value                   555,041      497,530
                                                  -----------  -----------

Investments in money market funds                      39,254       33,000
Cash                                                      449          555
Receivables for:
  Interest, net                                         5,929        4,094
  Dividends                                                16        4,248
  Loan principal                                           --           71
  Managerial assistance                                   473          380
  Prepaid prospective deal expenses                        86           --
  Other                                                   109          187
Prepaid expenses                                          221          273
Deferred financing costs                                1,228        1,440
                                                  -----------  -----------
    Total Assets                                      602,806      541,778
                                                  -----------  -----------

Liabilities
Credit facility payable                               137,567       91,167
Dividends payable                                      12,671       11,845
Due to Prospect Administration                            742          695
Due to Prospect Capital Management                      5,813        5,946
Accrued expenses                                        1,324        1,104
Other liabilities                                         665        1,398
                                                  -----------  -----------
    Total Liabilities                                 158,782      112,155
                                                  -----------  -----------

Net Assets                                        $   444,024  $   429,623
                                                  ===========  ===========

Components of Net Assets
Common stock, par value $0.001 per share
 (100,000,000 and 100,000,000 common shares
 authorized, respectively; 31,286,128 and
 29,520,379 issued and outstanding,
 respectively)                                    $        31  $        30
Paid-in capital in excess of par                      456,398      441,332
Undistributed net investment income                    12,171        1,508
Accumulated realized losses on investments            (12,311)     (13,972)
Unrealized (depreciation) appreciation on
 investments                                          (12,265)         725
                                                  -----------  -----------
Net Assets                                        $   444,024  $   429,623
                                                  ===========  ===========

Net Asset Value Per Share                         $     14.19  $     14.55
                                                  ===========  ===========




                PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                  CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
        For The Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
              (in thousands, except share and per share data)
                                (Unaudited)

                                For The Three Months  For The Nine Months
                                   Ended March 31,       Ended March 31,
                                --------------------- --------------------
                                   2009       2008       2009       2008
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Investment Income
Interest Income
  Control investments (Net of
   foreign withholding tax of
   $28, $35, $137, and $193,
   respectively)                $    5,503 $   4,556  $  17,300  $  15,111
  Affiliate investments (Net
   of foreign withholding tax
   of $0, $0, $0, and $70,
   respectively)                       730       290      2,365      1,612
  Non-control/Non-affiliate
   investments                       9,832    10,044     31,197     25,815
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total interest income           16,065    14,890     50,862     42,538
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Dividend income
  Control investments                4,400     3,300     13,568      6,950
  Money market funds                    45       123        265        557
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total dividend income            4,445     3,423     13,833      7,507
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Other income:
  Control/Affiliate investments         --       200        831        210
  Non-control/Non-affiliate
   investments                         159     3,487     13,155      5,699
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total other income                 159     3,687     13,986      5,909
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------
  Total Investment Income           20,669    22,000     78,681     55,954
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Operating Expenses
Investment advisory fees:
  Base management fee                2,977     2,388      8,740      6,366
  Income incentive fee               2,930     3,230     11,795      7,861
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------
    Total investment advisory
     fees                            5,907     5,618     20,535     14,227

Interest and credit facility
 expenses                            1,345     1,863      4,828      4,719
Sub-administration fees
 (including former Chief
 Financial Officer and Chief
 Compliance Officer)                   177       228        644        620
Legal fees                             107       449        590      2,224
Valuation services                     139       198        561        431
Audit, compliance and tax
 related fees                          219        45        848        348
Allocation of overhead from
 Prospect Administration               588       588      1,764      1,108
Insurance expense                       61        64        185        192
Directors' fees                         61        55        204        165
Other general and
 administrative expenses               345       (27)       807        476
Excise taxes                            --        --        533         --
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------
  Total Operating Expenses           8,949     9,081     31,499     24,510
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Net Investment Income               11,720    12,919     47,182     31,444
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Net realized gain (loss) on
 investments                            --       208      1,661    (18,413)
Net change in unrealized
 appreciation/depreciation on
 investments                         3,611   (14,386)   (12,990)    (9,426)
                                ---------- ---------  ---------  ---------

Net Increase (Decrease) in Net
 Assets Resulting from
 Operations                     $   15,331 $  (1,259) $  35,853  $   3,605
                                ========== =========  =========  =========

Net increase (decrease) in net
 assets resulting from
 operations per share           $     0.51 $   (0.05) $    1.21  $    0.16
                                ========== =========  =========  =========
Dividends declared per share:   $     0.41 $    0.40  $    1.21  $    1.18
                                ========== =========  =========  =========





                PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                 ROLLFORWARD OF NET ASSET VALUE PER SHARE
        For The Three and Nine Months Ended March 31, 2009 and 2008
                            (in actual dollars)
                                (Unaudited)

                                For The Three Months  For The Nine Months
                                        Ended                Ended
                                --------------------  --------------------
                                March 31,  March 31,  March 31,  March 31,
                                  2009       2008       2009       2008
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Per Share Data:
Net asset value at beginning of
 period                         $   14.43  $   14.58  $   14.55  $   15.04
Net investment income                0.39       0.54       1.59       1.41
Net realized gain (loss)               --       0.01       0.06      (0.82)
Net unrealized appreciation
 (depreciation)                      0.12      (0.60)     (0.44)     (0.42)
Shares issued for dividend
 reinvestments                      (0.01)        --      (0.02)        --
Net (decrease) increase in net
 assets as a result of public
 offerings                          (0.33)      0.02      (0.34)      0.12
Dividends declared                  (0.41)     (0.40)     (1.21)     (1.18)
                                ---------  ---------  ---------  ---------
Net asset value at end of
 period                         $   14.19  $   14.15  $   14.19  $   14.15
                                =========  =========  =========  =========

ABOUT PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATION

Prospect Capital Corporation (www.prospectstreet.com) is a closed-end investment company that lends to and invests in private and microcap public businesses. Our investment objective is to generate both current income and long-term capital appreciation through debt and equity investments.

We have elected to be treated as a business development company under the Investment Company Act of 1940 ("1940 Act"). We are required to comply with a series of regulatory requirements under the 1940 Act as well as applicable NASDAQ, federal and state rules and regulations. We have elected to be treated as a regulated investment company under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986. Failure to comply with any of the laws and regulations that apply to us could have an adverse effect on us and our shareholders.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, whose safe harbor for forward-looking statements does not apply to business development companies. Any such statements, other than statements of historical fact, are highly likely to be affected by other unknowable future events and conditions, including elements of the future that are or are not under our control, and that we may or may not have considered; accordingly, such statements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of future performance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to vary materially from these estimates and projections of the future. Such statements speak only as of the time when made, and we undertake no obligation to update any such statement now or in the future.

Contact Information: For additional information, contact: Grier Eliasek President and Chief Operating Officer Telephone (212) 448-0702