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Chicago Atlantic BDC (LIEN)
NASDAQ:LIEN
US Market
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Chicago Atlantic BDC (LIEN) AI Stock Analysis

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LIEN

Chicago Atlantic BDC

(NASDAQ:LIEN)

Rating:75Outperform
Price Target:
Chicago Atlantic BDC exhibits a strong financial foundation with zero debt, high equity, and impressive revenue growth. The earnings call's positive outlook and strategic initiatives further bolster confidence. However, negative technical indicators and cash flow challenges introduce caution. The attractive valuation and high dividend yield offer compelling potential for investors.

Chicago Atlantic BDC (LIEN) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Chicago Atlantic BDC Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionChicago Atlantic BDC (LIEN) is a business development company that primarily focuses on providing financing solutions to middle-market companies in various sectors. The firm is engaged in offering secured loans and investments, catering to companies that require specialized financing solutions. With its expertise in credit and investment management, Chicago Atlantic BDC aims to support the growth and operational needs of its clients by offering bespoke financial products.
How the Company Makes MoneyChicago Atlantic BDC makes money through interest income and fee income generated from its portfolio of secured loans and investments. The company extends credit to middle-market companies, typically in the form of senior secured loans, which generate interest income over the term of the loan. Additionally, the firm may earn origination fees, commitment fees, or other related fees associated with the structuring and management of these financial products. Chicago Atlantic BDC's revenue is further supported by its strategic partnerships and expertise in credit analysis and risk management, allowing it to identify and invest in lucrative opportunities while maintaining a focus on capital preservation and yield generation.

Chicago Atlantic BDC Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 14, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 06, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call highlighted a strong performance with high yields, robust liquidity, and active investment execution. While there are some concerns regarding market conditions and regulatory uncertainty in the cannabis sector, the company's strengths and strategic positioning offer confidence in future growth.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Investment Execution
Executed $39.1 million in new investments with three new borrowers, maintaining a strong portfolio with high collateral coverage.
High Yield on Debt Investments
Achieved a weighted average yield on debt investments of 16.1%, compared to the average BDC yield of 11.8%, showcasing superior performance.
No Non-Accrual Loans
The portfolio has no non-accrual loans, whereas the industry average is 3.8%, indicating a well-managed portfolio.
Robust Liquidity Position
Currently, $125.4 million in liquidity is available for deployment, ensuring a strong position for future investments.
Increase in Gross Investment Income
Gross investment income for the quarter was $13.1 million, up from $11.9 million in the previous quarter.
Active Origination Efforts
Funded $24.7 million in new debt investments in the third quarter to date, including four new borrowers, indicating continued growth.
Strong Pipeline Growth
The pipeline increased to $780 million in potential debt transactions, showing significant growth in opportunities.
Negative Updates
Market Uncertainty Due to Tariffs
Concerns about the impact of tariffs and macroeconomic conditions on the broader BDC sector, though the company is somewhat insulated.
Regulatory Ambiguity in Cannabis Sector
Continued uncertainty in cannabis regulation affects investment decisions, despite potential positive impacts from rescheduling.
Company Guidance
During the second quarter of 2025, Chicago Atlantic BDC reported strong financial metrics and strategic achievements, underscoring their niche focus on lending to cannabis companies. They funded $39.1 million in new investments, all senior secured, and maintained a weighted average yield on debt investments of 16.1%, outperforming the average BDC yield of 11.8%. The company emphasized its low leverage with a secured net leverage ratio of 1.9x, an interest coverage ratio of 3.2x, and a debt level of only $5 million. They announced a $0.34 dividend, continuing a trend of consistent returns with $1.36 in dividends over the past year. As of June 30, 2025, Chicago Atlantic BDC had no loans on non-accrual status and $125.4 million in liquidity, positioning them well for future portfolio growth. They highlighted a significant pipeline of $780 million in potential debt transactions, with $649 million in cannabis opportunities, poised for further expansion amid potential regulatory changes in the cannabis sector.

Chicago Atlantic BDC Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Chicago Atlantic BDC demonstrates strong growth with a 79.1% revenue increase and a net profit margin improvement to 53.5%. The balance sheet is robust with zero debt and substantial cash reserves, reflected in a high equity ratio of 97.3%. However, operational cash flow challenges, indicated by negative free cash flow growth, and the absence of EBIT/EBITDA insights are concerns.
Income Statement
75
Positive
The company demonstrated strong revenue growth with a 79.1% increase from the previous year. Gross profit margin remains robust at 100% due to zero cost of goods sold, but the absence of EBIT and EBITDA margins highlights a potential lack of operational efficiency insights. Net profit margin improved from negative in 2022 to 53.5% in 2024, indicating enhanced profitability.
Balance Sheet
85
Very Positive
With no debt, the company maintains a solid balance sheet, reflected in a debt-to-equity ratio of 0. Return on equity is strong at 3.2%, and the equity ratio is high at 97.3%, signifying financial stability and low leverage risk. The substantial cash reserves further enhance its financial stability.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
The company experienced a negative free cash flow growth rate, moving from positive free cash flow in 2023 to negative in 2024, which could indicate operational cash constraints. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is negative, showing cash flow challenges despite profitability.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue24.09M17.97M10.03M10.07K
Gross Profit23.58M17.97M10.03M10.07K
EBITDA7.45M9.62M0.000.00
Net Income16.72M9.62M7.34M-563.37K
Balance Sheet
Total Assets313.70M309.56M88.58M85.03M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments14.92M23.93M32.61M84.77M
Total Debt0.000.000.000.00
Total Liabilities12.68M8.40M3.02M479.70K
Stockholders Equity301.02M301.16M85.55M84.55M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow-7.27B-5.03M5.75M-509.11K
Operating Cash Flow-7.27B-5.03M5.75M-509.11K
Investing Cash Flow-23.04M0.000.000.00
Financing Cash Flow-3.84M-3.64M-8.26M85.28M

Chicago Atlantic BDC Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price10.86
Price Trends
50DMA
10.50
Positive
100DMA
10.21
Positive
200DMA
10.71
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.16
Positive
RSI
52.32
Neutral
STOCH
64.64
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For LIEN, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 10.86 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 10.70, above the 50-day MA of 10.50, and above the 200-day MA of 10.71, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.16 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 52.32 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 64.64 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for LIEN.

Chicago Atlantic BDC Risk Analysis

Chicago Atlantic BDC disclosed 1 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Chicago Atlantic BDC reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Chicago Atlantic BDC Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
77
Outperform
$181.36M10.546.58%6.60%41.37%
75
Outperform
$247.95M10.4012.44%11.69%
68
Neutral
$18.06B11.9710.24%3.74%9.75%1.30%
68
Neutral
$359.54M10.189.27%13.43%-1.64%104.07%
67
Neutral
$201.98M56.801.21%20.38%-49.76%-84.43%
66
Neutral
$324.81M6.1718.20%6.16%18.36%17.28%
59
Neutral
$274.20M6.5811.78%17.57%377.90%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
LIEN
Chicago Atlantic BDC
10.77
0.52
5.07%
NEWT
Newtek Business
12.03
1.47
13.92%
SAR
Saratoga Investment
24.79
4.32
21.10%
WHF
WhiteHorse
8.69
-1.40
-13.88%
TPVG
TriplePoint Venture Growth
6.83
0.46
7.22%
SWKH
SWK Holdings
14.62
1.08
7.98%

Chicago Atlantic BDC Corporate Events

Delistings and Listing ChangesPrivate Placements and FinancingDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Chicago Atlantic BDC Reports Strong 2024 Financial Results
Positive
Mar 31, 2025

On March 31, 2025, Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. reported its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024. The company achieved a total investment income of $12.7 million for the fourth quarter and $21.7 million for the full year. Following the acquisition of a loan portfolio from Chicago Atlantic Loan Portfolio, LLC, the company was renamed and its ticker symbol changed to ‘LIEN’. The acquisition significantly increased the company’s net assets and investment portfolio, with a fair value of $275.2 million as of December 31, 2024. Additionally, the company declared dividends and secured a $100 million credit facility, enhancing its financial position and operational capabilities.

Executive/Board ChangesDividendsFinancial Disclosures
Chicago Atlantic BDC Announces Major Leadership Changes
Neutral
Mar 18, 2025

On March 13, 2025, Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. announced significant leadership changes with the resignation of Frederick Herbst and Jason Papastavrou as Directors, and Andreas Bodmeier as CEO. They were replaced by Supurna VedBrat, Patrick McCauley, and Peter Sack respectively, each bringing extensive experience in finance and management. Additionally, the company announced a press release regarding its cash dividend for the quarter ending March 31, 2025, and plans to release its financial results for the fourth quarter and year ended December 31, 2024, on March 31, 2025, followed by a conference call.

Executive/Board ChangesPrivate Placements and Financing
Chicago Atlantic BDC Names New CFO Amidst Credit Deal
Positive
Feb 18, 2025

On February 11, 2025, Chicago Atlantic BDC, Inc. entered into a $100 million senior secured revolving credit agreement, providing substantial liquidity and flexibility for future portfolio growth. The agreement, secured by a first-priority interest in the company’s assets, matures in March 2028 and is designed to support the company’s strategic goals amidst robust lending opportunities. Additionally, the board approved clarifications to an expense limitation agreement, excluding costs related to the credit facility from the expense cap. Furthermore, a significant management change occurred on February 14, 2025, with Martin Rodgers appointed as the new Chief Financial Officer, succeeding Umesh Mahajan, who resigned to focus on his role as Co-Chief Investment Officer.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Apr 22, 2025