News

Bethesda, MD – December 28, 2007 – American Capital Strategies Ltd. (Nasdaq: ACAS) announced today that it has invested in the One Stop Buyout™ of New England Confectionery Company (“NECCO”), the oldest multi-line confectioner in the U.S. with well-recognized, nostalgic brands such as Sweethearts® Conversation Hearts, NECCO® Wafers, Clark® Bar, Haviland® and Mary Jane®. American Capital’s investment takes the form of a senior secured term A loan, a senior secured real estate term loan and preferred and common equity. American Capital is also providing a revolving credit facility. American Capital partnered with Clear Creek Capital LLC and Domenic M. Antonellis, President and CEO of NECCO and a 40-year veteran of NECCO and the candy industry, in the investment.

“This investment demonstrates our Special Situations Group’s success in identifying, cultivating and executing value-oriented investment opportunities,” said Gordon O’Brien, American Capital Managing Director. “The Special Situations Group was able to leverage American Capital’s in-house resources, including its Real Estate, Financial Analysis and Compliance, Operations and Human Resources Teams, to conduct extensive due diligence and navigate complex negotiations. The teamwork and cross-functional skills of over 30 of American Capital’s more than 300 investment professionals provide experienced resources to management to assist in implementing operational, financial and strategic initiatives at NECCO.”

American Capital has invested directly and through its funds under management approximately $11 billion year to date, approximately $4 billion from June 30, 2007 to date and over $2 billion quarter to date. Not including funds under management, American Capital has invested approximately $8 billion year to date, over $3 billion from June 30, 2007 to date (representing approximately 31% of its June 30, 2007 investments outstanding at fair value) and approximately $2 billion quarter to date. Not including funds under management, American Capital has received approximately $5 billion in total amortizations, prepayments and exits year to date. American Capital has assisted in the refinance or syndication of approximately $2 billion of senior debt for its portfolio companies in the last twelve months and approximately $1 billion from June 30, 2007 to date. For more information about American Capital’s portfolio, please go to www.americancapital.com/our_portfolio/our_portfolio.html.

“The investment in NECCO represents an incredible opportunity to partner with an industry veteran to strengthen a company with iconic, nationally-recognized confectionery brands,” said Myung Yi, American Capital Managing Director, Special Situations Group. “We are gaining a highly talented management team with proven capabilities in the confectionery industry and intend to focus the Company on growth through acquisitions, product line extensions, new product introductions and contract manufacturing.”

NECCO is well-positioned to leverage its state-of-the-art production capabilities,” said Jeffrey Anapolsky, American Capital Vice President, Special Situations Group. “Although NECCO’s growth initiatives were curtailed by both internal and external factors in recent years, we believe that renewed focus on core competencies will grow the Company into a leader in the confectionery business.”

NECCO was founded in 1847 by Oliver Chase, who invented the first American candy machine. Today, NECCO produces a full line of staple and seasonal candies, including Sweetheart® Conversation Hearts, the number one U.S. Valentine’s Day candy, from its Revere, MA and Pewaukee, WI facilities. The Company’s customers include many of the world’s largest mass merchandisers, supermarkets, drug store chains and dollar stores.

“We are delighted to have American Capital as our new partner,” said Mr. Antonellis, President and CEO of NECCO. “The acquisition comes at a critical juncture in the Company’s 160 year history and displays a strong commitment to the business, its future and its customers, vendors and employees. American Capital’s financial resources, ability to move quickly and financial and operational expertise and discipline make the firm an ideal financial partner for NECCO.”

“We are happy to partner with American Capital due to their capital resources, extensive internal operational resources, impressive industry experience and connections, reputation for trustworthy deal making and a proven track record for efficient, timely decision making,” said Chip Simmons, Clear Creek Capital Managing Partner. “We are impressed with American Capital’s thorough assessment of the Company and are confident that its strong support will contribute significantly to NECCO’s growth initiatives.”

ABOUT THE AMERICAN CAPITAL SPECIAL SITUATIONS GROUP

American Capital’s Special Situations Group has the flexibility to invest $20 million to $800 million per company in a variety of investments. The Special Situations Group targets distressed, turnaround and other complex investments, providing flexible capital and a wealth of turnaround experience to middle market companies. It targets buyouts across all industries involving operational turnarounds, section 363 auctions, corporate orphans, portfolio add-ons and complex management buyouts. It also provides DIP loans, exit financings, second lien refinancings and direct lending to distressed and underperforming companies. Companies interested in learning more about American Capital's Special Situations Group should contact Myung Yi, Managing Director at (301) 951-6122 or Dean Anderson, Managing Director at (312) 334-1446.

ABOUT AMERICAN CAPITAL

American Capital is the only alternative asset management company in the S&P 500. With $20 billion in capital resources under management(1), American Capital is the largest U.S. publicly traded private equity fund and one of the largest publicly traded alternative asset managers. American Capital, both directly and through its global asset management business, is an investor in management and employee buyouts, private equity buyouts, and early stage and mature private and public companies. American Capital provides senior debt, mezzanine debt and equity to fund growth, acquisitions, recapitalizations and securitizations. American Capital and its affiliates invest from $5 million to $800 million per company in North America and euro 5 million to euro 500 million per company in Europe.

As of November 30, 2007, American Capital shareholders have enjoyed a total return of 511% since the Company's IPO, an annualized return of 19%, assuming reinvestment of dividends. American Capital has paid a total of $1.9 billion in dividends and paid or declared $26.16 dividends per share since going public in August 1997 at $15 per share.

Companies interested in learning more about American Capital's flexible financing should contact Mark Opel, Senior Vice President, Business Development, at (800) 248-9340, or visit www.AmericanCapital.com or www.EuropeanCapital.com.

ABOUT CLEAR CREEK CAPITAL LLC

Clear Creek Capital LLC is a Dallas, TX based private investment firm managed by Neal Roy and Chip Simmons. Clear Creek has approximately $500 million of committed private equity capital under management in multiple portfolio companies. Clear Creek’s investment focus is concentrated on the energy sector, but it also opportunistically pursues proprietary transactions in other industries, both domestically and internationally.

(1) Capital resources under management is an estimate of internally and externally managed assets and available capital resources as of November 30, 2007 and does not include any fair value adjustments subsequent to September 30, 2007.

Performance data quoted above represents past performance of American Capital. Past performance does not guarantee future results and the investment return and principal value of an investment in American Capital will likely fluctuate. Consequently, an investor's shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Additionally, American Capital's current performance may be lower or higher than the performance data quoted above.

This press release contains forward-looking statements. The statements regarding expected results of American Capital are subject to various factors and uncertainties, including the uncertainties associated with the timing of transaction closings, changes in interest rates, availability of transactions, changes in regional, national or international economic conditions, or changes in the conditions of the industries in which American Capital has made investments.

This announcement is neither an offer to sell nor a solicitation to buy securities. This announcement appears as a matter of record only.

Contact:
Myung Yi, Managing Director, Special Situations Group (301) 951-6122
Jeffrey Anapolsky, Vice President, Special Situations Group (301) 951-6122
Doug Cooper, Managing Director, Commercial Mortgage Asset Management Group (301) 951-6122
Brian Maney, Director, Corporate Communications (301) 951-6122

SOURCE: American Capital Ltd.