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HOUSTON, TX – November 11, 2010 – Equus Total Return, Inc. (NYSE: EQS) (the "Fund"
or "Equus") reports net assets as of September 30, 2010, of $31.5 million, a decrease of $6.4
million since June 30, 2010. Net assets per share declined to $3.55 as of September 30, 2010
from $4.28 as of June 30, 2010. Comparative data is summarized below (in thousands, except per
share amounts):
| For The Quarter Ended |
9/30/2010 |
6/30/2010 |
3/31/2010 |
12/31/2009 |
9/30/2009 |
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|
|
|
|
|
| Net assets |
$31,474 |
$37,888 |
$50,151 |
$50,901 |
$65,632 |
| Shares outstanding |
8,862 |
8,862 |
8,862 |
8,862 |
8,862 |
| Net assets per share |
$3.55 |
$4.28 |
$5.66 |
$5.74 |
$7.41 |
The overall decline in net asset value during the third quarter 2010 resulted principally from the
decrease in the fair values of the following portfolio holdings:
- 1848 Capital Partners, LLC (“1848”). The Fund wrote down the fair value of its loan
to 1848 from $1.3 million to $0.3 million due to uncertainty concerning the recoverability
of the loan and the value reflects the estimated net liquidation value of certain of 1848's
assets and holdings.
- Big Apple Entertainment Partners, LLC (“Big Apple”). The Fund wrote down the
fair value of its loan to Big Apple from $3.2 million to $2.3 million due to a decrease in
operating results and a default in the loan which matured in October 2010.
- ConGlobal Industries Holding, Inc. (“ConGlobal”). The Fund wrote down the fair
value of its holding in ConGlobal from $7.3 million to $6.0 million due to a decrease in
trailing 12 month operating results.
- Equus Media Development Company, LLC (“EMDC”). The Fund wrote down the
fair value of its holding in EMDC from $1.7 million to $1.2 million. The value of
individual properties held by EMDC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Fund, has been
discounted to reflect the current status and holding period of these properties which, in
some cases, exceeds three years.
- Riptide Entertainment, LLC (“Riptide”). The Fund wrote down the fair value of its
holdings in Riptide from $0.2 million to $0 due to the underperformance and nonperformance
of Riptide's holdings in various entertainment properties, including its
equity holding in Big Apple.
- Spectrum Management, LLC ("Spectrum"). The Fund wrote down the fair value of
its investment in Spectrum from $4.6 million to $2.3 million due to a decrease in trailing
12 month operating results.
Significant events subsequent to the end of the quarter were as follows:
- Collection of Funds from London Bridge Entertainment Partners, LLC ("London
Bridge"). The Fund's 2010 nominated slate of directors was contested, involving the Fund in a protracted proxy battle. The Fund incurred costs of approximately $0.9 million with respect to the contest.
- Approval of Rights Offering. On November 1, 2010, the Fund announced that its
Board of Directors had approved the terms of a non-transferable rights offering to the
Fund's shareholders to purchase shares of its common stock. The Fund intends to issue
1,772,329 new shares of its common stock pursuant to the exercise of rights, such that
each record date holder shall be entitled to purchase one share of common stock for every
five shares held on such date. The Fund has filed a registration statement with the
Securities and Exchange Commission in connection with the offering, which also
includes a prospectus describing the offering and containing additional information about
the Fund. A copy of the registration statement can be obtained on the Fund's website at www.equuscap.com.
About Equus
The Fund is a business development company that trades as a closed-end fund on the New York
Stock Exchange, under the symbol "EQS". Additional information on the Fund may be obtained
from the Fund's website.
This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding future circumstances. These forwardlooking
statements are based upon the Fund's current expectations and assumptions and are subject to various
risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated in such forwardlooking
statements including, in particular, the risks and uncertainties described in the Fund's filings with the SEC.
Actual results, events, and performance may differ. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these
forward-looking statements, which speak only as to the date hereof. The Fund undertakes no obligation to release
publicly any revisions to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances
after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events. The inclusion of any statement in this
release does not constitute an admission by the Fund or any other person that the events or circumstances
described in such statements are material.
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