BUZZ-Logan Ridge Finance rises on merger agreement with Portman Ridge Finance

** Shares of business development company Logan Ridge Finance Corporation LRFC.O up 7.82% at $26.20 premarket

** LRFC enters merger agreement with Portman Ridge Finance Corporation PTMN.O

** Logan Ridge Finance Corporation shareholders to receive 1.50 PTMN shares per LRFC share

** Merger expected to be immediately accretive to companies' core net investment income

** Companies also expect merger to be completed in Q2 2025

** Say Sierra Crest Investment Management LLC, affiliate of BC Partners Advisors L.P, will manage combined entity

** LRFC stock gained ~10.53% in 2024

(Reporting by Subiksha S in Bangalore)

((Subiksha.S@thomsonreuters.com))