Press Releases May 21, 2026 05:07 PM

Equus Announces First Quarter Net Asset Value

Equus Reports Increase in Net Asset Value for Q1 2026 Driven by Higher Oil Prices and Asset Appreciation

By Priya Menon EQS

Equus Total Return, Inc. announced its net asset value (NAV) increased to $1.50 per share as of March 31, 2026, up from $1.19 at the end of 2025. The rise was largely due to a $5 million increase in the value of its holdings in Morgan E&P, Inc., benefiting from higher crude oil prices. Despite a slight decrease in the value of its holdings in CitroTech, Inc., the overall asset value of Equus improved in the first quarter.

Equus Announces First Quarter Net Asset Value
EQS

Key Points

  • Net asset value per share increased 26% from $1.19 to $1.50 in Q1 2026.
  • Morgan E&P, Inc. holding increased in value by $5 million due to higher crude oil prices.
  • Equus sold some CitroTech, Inc. shares but saw a minor decrease in their remaining valuation despite stock price increase.
  • Sectors impacted include energy (especially oil & gas), investment trusts, and fire suppression technology markets.

HOUSTON, May 21, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Equus Total Return, Inc. (NYSE: EQS) (“Equus” or the “Company”) reports net assets as of March 31, 2026, of $20.9 million. Net asset value per share increased to $1.50 as of March 31, 2026, from $1.19 as of December 31, 2025. Comparative data is summarized below (in thousands, except per share amounts):  

As of the Quarter Ended3/31/202612/31/20259/30/20256/30/20253/31/2025

Net assets$20,930
$16,570
$26,504
$34,111
$34,197
Shares outstanding13,967
13,967
13,967
13,586
13,586
Net assets per share$1.50
$1.19
$1.90
$2.51
$2.52


Net Asset Value Changes
. The following were the principal contributors to changes in the net asset value of the Company in the first quarter of 2026:

  • Increase in Fair Value of Morgan E&P, Inc.   Morgan E&P, Inc. (“Morgan”) holds development rights to approximately 6,500 net acres in the Bakken/Three Forks formation in the Williston Basin of North Dakota. Principally due to significantly higher short and long-term prices for crude oil, the value of the Company’s holding in Morgan increased by $5.0 million at March 31, 2026, compared to December 31, 2025.

  • Decrease in Fair Value of Holdings in CitroTech, Inc.   The Company holds shares of common stock and a common stock purchase warrant in CitroTech, Inc., a developer of fire suppression products (NYSE: CITR).   During the first quarter of 2026, the trading price of CITR shares increased from $8.08 to $8.63 per share. Also during the first quarter of 2026, the Company sold 92,581 of its holding of CITR shares.   At March 31, 2026, the Company collectively valued its remaining CITR shares and the CITR warrant at an aggregate of $6.3 million as compared to $6.8 million at December 31, 2025, a decrease of $0.5 million.

About Equus

The Company 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 Company may be obtained from the Company’s website at www.equuscap.com.

This press release may contain certain forward-looking statements regarding future circumstances. These forward-looking statements are based upon the Company’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 forward-looking statements including, in particular, the performance of the Company, including our ability to achieve our expected financial and business objectives, and the other risks and uncertainties described in the Company’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. Except as required by law, the Company 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 Company or any other person that the events or circumstances described in such statements are material.

Contact:

Equus Total Return, Inc.
1-888-323-4533


Risks

  • Future net asset value changes depend on the volatile commodity prices, especially crude oil.
  • Equus faces risks associated with its holdings’ market performance, including CitroTech, Inc.'s stock price fluctuations.
  • Forward-looking statements are subject to uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially, including economic conditions and company-specific factors.

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