Nicole Schaltenbrand
Analyst
Thank you, Bob. Good morning, everyone. Let's begin by reviewing the income statement. For the December quarter, total interest income increased by 400,000 or 4.4% over the prior quarter, primarily due to the increase in the weighted average principal balance of our interest bearing investment portfolio from $343 million during the prior quarter to $353 million during the current quarter, as well as a 20 basis point increase in the weighted average yield quarter-over-quarter. Other income decreased by 400,000, primarily as a result of dividend income received in the prior quarter. Total expenses decreased slightly by 100,000, driven by a $100,000 decline total financing expenses. With the full impact of the recently refinanced preferred, despite higher average LIBOR and a 24% increase in average borrowings on our line of credit. Net management and incentive fees were unchanged at $2.2 million, as new deal origination fee credits rose with origination and the incentive fee credit declined to 85,000 during the quarter. For the quarter ended December 31, net investment income was $5.6 million or $0.21 per share and covered 100% of shareholder distribution. As we have demonstrated over the last several years, our advisor remains committed to crediting its fees, so that net investment income covers our shareholder distribution. Moving over to our balance sheet. As of December 31, 2017, we had approximately 410 million in total assets, consisting of $392 million in investments at fair value and $70 [ph] million in cash and other assets. Liabilities totalled approximately $184 million and consisted primarily of $131 million in borrowings outstanding on our credit facility, $52 million in the recently closed 6% Series 2024 Term Preferred Stock at liquidation value and about $3 million in other liabilities. Net assets increased by $6 million since the prior quarter end due to $1.8 million of net portfolio appreciation and $4.5 million of common equity raised under our ATM program. For the quarter, we issued approximately 471,000 common shares under our ATM program at a weighted average price of $9.69 per share. NAV per share increased by $0.08 to $8.48 as of December 31 compared to $8.40 as of September 30th. Looking forward, we continue to be well positioned to benefit from any upward movement in interest rates, as 91% of the portfolio is tied to floating rate investment. The weighted average LIBOR floor on these is 1.3%, and with floating rate assets of $370 million and only $130 million of floating rate debt, a 100 basis point rise in LIBOR should generate an approximate 5% increase in net interest income. Inclusive of the net origination over to the past quarter, our leverage position increased to approximately 80% at December 31. However, net of the cash paid ounce [ph] subsequent to the end of the quarter and some of the liquidity plans Bob outlined earlier, we believe that we are well positioned to continue to support a modest level of investment. Now I'll turn it back over to David to conclude the presentation.