NEW YORK, NY — (MARKET WIRE) — 07/31/06 — Prospect Energy Corporation(NASDAQ: PSEC) (“Prospect”) announced today that it has declared a firstfiscal quarter (for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2007) dividend of $0.38per share, payable on September 29, 2006, to shareholders of record as ofSeptember 22, 2006. The ex-dividend date is September 20, 2006. Thisdividend marks an increase of $0.04 or 12% from the prior quarter’sdividend of $0.34 per share, an increase of $0.18 or 90% from theyear-over-year prior quarter’s dividend of $0.20 per share, and the eighthconsecutive quarterly increase. Prospect’s annualized book dividend yieldis now 10.3% based on its March 31, 2006, net asset value.
In addition, Prospect announced that it has realized a $2.2 million capitalgain on its equity position in Natural Gas Systems, Inc., recently renamedEvolution Petroleum Corporation (“Evolution”), which we intend todistribute by December 31, 2006. On the Evolution investment, Prospect hasso far realized a more than 60% annualized cash internal rate of return,which does not include the value of shares Prospect still holds.
The dividend for the first fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006, may becomprised of a combination of operating earnings, capital gains (includingthe Evolution gain), and return of capital.
Dividend History
Dividend Per Share Quarter Ended$0.38September 30, 2006$0.34June 30, 2006$0.30March 31, 2006$0.28December 31, 2005$0.20September 30, 2005$0.15June 30, 2005$0.125March 31, 2005$0.10December 31, 2004
ABOUT PROSPECT ENERGY CORPORATION
Prospect Energy Corporation (www.prospectenergy.com) is a closed-endinvestment company that lends to and invests in energy-related businesses.Prospect Energy’s investment objective is to generate both current incomeand capital appreciation through debt and equity investments.
Prospect Energy has elected to be treated as a business development companyunder the Investment Company Act of 1940 (“1940 Act”). We are required tocomply with a series of regulatory requirements under the 1940 Act as wellas applicable NASDAQ, federal and state laws and regulations. We haveelected to be treated as a regulated investment company under the InternalRevenue Code of 1986. Failure to comply with any of the laws andregulations that apply to Prospect Energy could have a material adverseeffect on Prospect Energy and its shareholders.
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaningof the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Any suchstatements, other than statements of historical fact, are likely to beaffected by other unknowable future events and conditions, includingelements of the future that are or are not under the Company’s control, andthat the Company may or may not have considered; accordingly, suchstatements cannot be guarantees or assurances of any aspect of futureperformance. Actual developments and results are highly likely to varymaterially from these estimates and projections of the future. Suchstatements speak only as of the time when made, and the Company undertakesno obligation to update any such statement now or in the future.
Please send investment proposals to:Prospect Energy CorporationJohn BarryChairman and Chief Executive Officerjbarry@prospectstreet.comGrier EliasekPresident and Chief Operating Officergrier@prospectstreet.com(212) 448-0702