UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☑ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023
OR
☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission file number 814-00861
Fidus Investment Corporation
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
Maryland
27-5017321
(State or Other Jurisdiction of
Incorporation or Organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)
1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 1005
Evanston, Illinois
60201
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(Zip Code)
(847) 859-3940
(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)
n/a
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)
_______________
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each class
Trading Symbol
Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share
FDUS
The NASDAQ Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes ☑ No ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ☐
Accelerated filer
☐
Non-accelerated filer
☑
Smaller reporting company ☐
Emerging growth company ☐
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐ No ☑
As of August 1, 2023, the Registrant had outstanding 25,316,072 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value.
1
FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
TABLE OF CONTENTS
QUARTERLY REPORT ON FORM 10-Q
PART I — FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1.
Financial Statements.
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities — June 30, 2023 (unaudited) and December 31, 2022
3
Consolidated Statements of Operations — three and six months ended June 30, 2023 (unaudited) and 2022 (unaudited)
4
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets — three and six months ended June 30, 2023 (unaudited) and 2022 (unaudited)
5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows — three and six months ended June 30, 2023, (unaudited) and 2022 (unaudited)
6
Consolidated Schedules of Investments — June 30, 2023 (unaudited) and December 31, 2022
7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited)
19
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
41
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
59
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
60
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Legal Proceedings.
61
Item 1A.
Risk Factors.
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
62
Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Mine Safety Disclosures.
Item 5.
Other Information.
Item 6.
Exhibits.
63
Signatures
65
2
Item 1. Financial Statements.
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities
(in thousands, except shares and per share data)
June 30,
2023
December 31,
(unaudited)
2022
ASSETS
Investments, at fair value:
Control investments (cost: $6,832 and $17,915, respectively)
$
—
Affiliate investments (cost: $55,747 and $55,804, respectively)
96,931
101,590
Non-control/non-affiliate investments (cost: $832,589 and $754,974, respectively)
831,791
758,739
Total investments, at fair value (cost: $895,168 and $828,693, respectively)
928,722
860,329
Cash and cash equivalents
37,977
62,350
Interest receivable
12,918
11,826
Proceeds receivable from stock offering
895
Prepaid expenses and other assets
1,900
1,455
Total assets
982,412
935,960
LIABILITIES
SBA debentures, net of deferred financing costs (Note 6)
177,115
148,476
Notes, net of deferred financing costs (Note 6)
246,680
246,128
Borrowings under Credit Facility, net of deferred financing costs (Note 6)
28,768
(1,380
)
Secured borrowings
16,552
16,880
Accrued interest and fees payable
5,215
4,747
Base management fee payable, net of base management fee waiver – due to affiliate
3,979
3,769
Income incentive fee payable – due to affiliate
3,834
3,035
Capital gains incentive fee payable – due to affiliate
14,083
22,659
Administration fee payable and other – due to affiliate
408
576
Taxes payable
1,145
9,937
Accounts payable and other liabilities
1,285
790
Total liabilities
499,064
455,617
Commitments and contingencies (Note 7)
NET ASSETS
Common stock, $0.001 par value (100,000,000 shares authorized, 25,265,808 and 24,727,788 shares issued and
outstanding at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively)
25
Additional paid-in capital
406,419
395,672
Total distributable earnings
76,904
84,646
Total net assets
483,348
480,343
Total liabilities and net assets
Net asset value per common share
19.13
19.43
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements (unaudited).
Consolidated Statements of Operations (unaudited)
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
Investment Income:
Interest income
Control investments
Affiliate investments
1,107
657
2,157
1,541
Non-control/non-affiliate investments
25,060
18,716
49,966
34,913
Total interest income
26,167
19,373
52,123
36,454
Payment-in-kind interest income
30
1,235
367
1,872
884
Total payment-in-kind interest income
914
Dividend income
172
69
520
725
132
168
40
Total dividend income
304
76
688
765
Fee income
50
160
55
297
2,187
1,176
3,618
3,237
Total fee income
2,237
1,336
3,673
3,534
Interest on idle funds
615
1,258
Total investment income
30,558
21,153
59,614
41,671
Expenses:
Interest and financing expenses
5,591
4,639
10,776
9,051
Base management fee
4,051
7,905
6,961
Incentive fee - income
1,183
7,481
2,236
Incentive fee (reversal) - capital gains
(1,174
(605
(1,021
(335
Administrative service expenses
618
510
1,091
932
Professional fees
641
290
1,457
805
Other general and administrative expenses
264
531
504
818
Total expenses before base management fee waiver
13,825
10,166
28,193
20,468
Base management fee waiver
(72
(76
(144
(152
Total expenses, net of base management fee waiver
13,753
10,090
28,049
20,316
Net investment income before income taxes
16,805
11,063
31,565
21,355
Income tax provision (benefit)
21
58
9
Net investment income
16,784
11,008
31,507
21,346
Net realized and unrealized gains (losses) on investments:
Net realized gains (losses):
(11,458
(204
(65
99
15,300
15,624
5,818
3,212
5,876
9,617
Total net realized gain (loss) on investments
(5,541
18,308
(5,483
25,176
Income tax (provision) benefit from realized gains on investments
(1,538
(122
(121
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation):
11,083
(2,151
(2,113
(15,049
(4,602
(20,928
(7,760
(4,013
(4,563
(3,453
Total net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
1,210
(21,213
1,918
(26,532
Net gain (loss) on investments
(5,869
(3,027
(5,103
(1,477
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt
(198
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
10,915
7,981
26,404
19,671
Per common share data:
Net investment income per share-basic and diluted
0.67
0.45
1.26
0.87
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations per share — basic and diluted
0.44
0.33
1.06
0.80
Dividends declared per share
0.70
0.43
1.36
0.96
Weighted average number of shares outstanding — basic and diluted
25,028,268
24,437,400
24,916,729
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets (unaudited)
(in thousands, except shares)
Common Stock
Additional
Total
Number of
Par
paid-in
distributable
Total net
shares
value
capital
earnings
assets
Balances at December 31, 2021
24
361,807
125,933
487,764
10,338
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, net of taxes
6,869
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
(5,319
Dividends declared
(12,952
Balances at March 31, 2022
124,671
486,502
18,186
(10,508
Balances at June 30, 2022
122,144
483,975
Balances at December 31, 2022
24,727,788
Public offering of common stock, net of expenses
260,610
0
*
5,306
14,723
708
(16,492
Balances at March 31, 2023
24,988,398
400,978
83,643
484,646
246,574
4,837
Shares issued under dividend reinvestment plan
30,836
604
(7,079
(17,654
Balances at June 30, 2023
25,265,808
*amount is greater than zero but less than one
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (unaudited)
(in thousands)
Six Months Ended June 30,
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used for) operating activities:
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments
(1,918
26,532
Net realized (gain) loss on investments
5,483
(25,176
Interest and dividend income paid-in-kind
(1,872
(914
Accretion of original issue discount
(228
(60
Accretion of loan origination fees
(775
(711
Purchase of investments
(147,348
(160,098
Proceeds from sales and repayments of investments
76,503
68,008
Proceeds from loan origination fees
1,762
1,023
198
Amortization of deferred financing costs
1,045
1,058
Amortization of deferred equity financing costs
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
(1,092
(4,878
Receivables from investments sold
(11,895
(451
(718
468
(176
210
407
799
(1,439
Capital gains incentive fee (reversal) – due to (from) affiliate
(8,576
(6,471
(168
(23
Payables for investments purchased
2,773
(8,792
(2,067
495
1,850
Net cash provided by (used for) operating activities
(58,045
(93,106
Cash Flows from Financing Activities:
Proceeds from common stock offerings, net of expenses (Note 8)
9,852
Proceeds received from SBA debentures
29,000
41,500
Repayments of SBA debentures
(20,000
Proceeds received from (repayments of) borrowings under Credit Facility, net
30,000
Proceeds received from (repayments of) Secured Borrowings, net
(328
(374
Payment of deferred financing costs
(706
(1,511
Dividends paid to stockholders, including expenses
(34,146
(23,460
Net cash provided by (used for) financing activities
33,672
(3,845
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
(24,373
(96,951
Cash and cash equivalents:
Beginning of period
169,417
End of period
72,466
Supplemental information and non-cash activities:
Cash payments for interest
9,263
8,169
Cash payments for taxes, net of tax refunds received
10,388
2,197
Consolidated Schedule of Investments (unaudited)
June 30, 2023
Portfolio Company (a)(b)
Variable Index
Rate (e)
Investment
Principal
Fair
Percent of
Investment Type (c)
Industry
Spread / Floor (d)
Cash/PIK
Date (f)
Maturity
Amount
Cost
Value (g)
Net Assets
Control Investments (t)
US GreenFiber, LLC (n)
Building Products Manufacturing
Second Lien Debt (j)(y)
10.00%/3.00%
7/3/2014
8/30/2024
5,226
5,222
Common Equity (2,522 units) (h)(j)
586
Common Equity (425,508 units) (j)
8/30/2019
Common Equity (1,022,813 units) (h)(j)
7/1/2020
6,832
%
Total Control Investments
Affiliate Investments (l)
Applegate Greenfiber Intermediate Inc. (fka US GreenFiber, LLC)
Subordinated Debt (j)
10.00%/0.00%
12/31/2021
12/31/2027
9,602
Common Equity (5,690 units) (h)(j)
5,690
7,044
Common Equity (7,113 units) (h)(j)
7,113
7,962
Common Equity (2,012 units) (h)(j)
-
22,405
24,608
Medsurant Holdings, LLC
Healthcare Services
Preferred Equity (84,997 units) (h)(j)
4/12/2011
643
744
Warrant (252,588 units) (h)(j)(m)
2,258
2,568
2,901
3,312
Pfanstiehl, Inc.
Healthcare Products
8/2/2022
8/2/2027
10,000
9,959
Common Equity (2,550 units) (j)
3/29/2013
255
37,185
10,214
47,185
10
Spectra A&D Acquisition, Inc. (fka FDS Avionics Corp.)
Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing
First Lien Debt (k)(ag)
(S + 5.50%) / (1.00%)
11.25%/0.00%
2/12/2021
2/11/2026
15,000
14,943
14,920
Common Equity (12,035 units) (j)
8/25/2021
1,204
959
Common Equity (41,290 units) (j)
12/16/2022
2,608
Common Equity (4,921 units) (j)
9/16/2022
472
503
19,227
16,382
Steward Holding LLC (dba Steward Advanced Materials)
Common Equity (1,000,000 units)
11/12/2015
1,000
5,444
Total Affiliate Investments
55,747
20
Non-control/Non-affiliate Investments
2KDirect, Inc. (dba iPromote)
Information Technology Services
First Lien Debt (k)(at)
(S + 7.25%) / (0.50%)
12.63%/0.00%
6/25/2021
6/25/2026
11,193
11,141
10,721
First Lien Debt (j)(aa)
7/30/2021
3,444
206
15,585
14,371
Acendre Midco, Inc.
First Lien Debt (j)
(S + 7.75%) / (0.50%)
12.90%/0.00%
10/6/2021
10/6/2026
5,479
5,469
12,453
12,409
Revolving Loan ($1,000 unfunded commitment) (j)(i)
(S + 7.50%) / (0.50%)
Common Equity (500,000 shares) (j)
371
451
Warrant (150,000 shares) (j)(m)
129
135
Preferred Equity (77,016 shares) (j)
9/26/2022
88
143
18,466
18,661
Aeronix Inc.
First Lien Debt (ai)
(S + 5.88%) / (1.50%)
11.38%/0.00%
6/11/2021
6/11/2026
17,250
17,176
Common Equity (549 units)
593
1,127
17,769
18,377
Aldinger Company
Business Services
First Lien Debt (ay)
(S + 6.50%) / (2.00%)
11.74%/0.00%
6/30/2023
6/29/2029
7,820
7,761
Common Equity (6,800 units)
Preferred Equity (6,800 units)
680
8,441
Allredi, LLC (fka Marco Group International OpCo, LLC)
Industrial Cleaning & Coatings
Second Lien Debt
0.00%/15.00%
3/2/2020
9/2/2026
10,795
10,734
9,201
Common Equity (570,636 units) (h)(j)
7/21/2017
637
159
Common Equity (39,443 units) (h)(j)
11/24/2021
22
11,393
9,415
American AllWaste LLC (dba WasteWater Transport Services)
Environmental Industries
First Lien Debt ($2,225 unfunded commitment) (j)(p)(ax)
(S + 6.50%) / (1.00%)
10.90%/0.00%
6/28/2021
6/28/2026
21,183
20,973
First Lien Debt (j)(o)
(S + 4.00%) / (1.00%)
9.16%/0.00%
330
322
Preferred Equity (500 units) (h)(j)
5/31/2018
500
295
Preferred Equity (207 units) (h)(j)
8/6/2019
250
127
Preferred Equity (141 units) (h)(j)
11/2/2020
171
87
Preferred Equity (74 units) (h)(j)
12/29/2021
97
47
22,321
22,061
AmeriWater, LLC
Component Manufacturing
First Lien Debt (af)
(S + 6.25%) / (1.00%)
11.14%/0.00%
7/8/2022
7/8/2027
7,682
7,643
7.00%/7.00%
1/8/2028
2,143
2,135
Common Equity (1,000 units) (h)(j)
10,778
10,624
AOM Intermediate Holdco, LLC (dba AllOver Media)
First Lien Debt (aq)
(S + 6.50%) / (0.75%)
11.64%/0.00%
2/1/2022
2/1/2027
9,946
Common Equity (750 units) (h)(j)
750
487
10,696
10,487
APM Intermediate Holdings, LLC (dba Artistic Paver Manufacturing, Inc.)
First Lien Debt (av)
(S + 7.00%) / (2.00%)
11.89%/0.00%
11/8/2022
11/8/2027
14,902
Common Equity (1,200 units) (h)(j)
1,200
1,535
16,102
16,535
Applied Data Corporation
First Lien Debt (k)(v)
(S + 6.25%) / (1.50%)
11.40%/0.00%
11/6/2020
11/6/2025
19,005
18,932
Common Equity (24 units)
66
780
Preferred Equity (1,184,711 units)
1,185
1,411
20,183
21,196
Auto CRM LLC (dba Dealer Holdings)
First Lien Debt (au)
(P + 5.50%) / (3.25%)
13.75%/0.85%
10/1/2021
10/1/2026
7,614
7,565
Subordinated Debt
0.00%/14.50%
12/31/2026
629
625
Common Equity (500 units) (j)
456
8,690
8,699
BCM One Group Holdings, Inc.
11.75%/0.00%
11/17/2021
11/17/2028
18,333
18,188
Bedford Precision Parts LLC
Specialty Distribution
Common Equity (500,000 units) (h)(j)
3/12/2019
484
BP Thrift Buyer, LLC (dba myUnique and Ecothrift)
Retail
First Lien Debt (j)(al)
(S + 5.75%) / (1.50%)
10.64%/0.00%
9/13/2022
9/13/2027
20,000
19,610
5/12/2023
1,948
Common Equity (1,000 units) (j)
960
1,238
22,518
23,186
BurgerFi International, LLC (dba BurgerFi) (ad)
Restaurants
Common Equity (14,201 units) (j)(ao)
11/3/2022
521
Preferred Equity (9,787 units) (j)(ao)
49
245
570
267
Cardback Intermediate, LLC (dba Chargeback Gurus)
First Lien Debt (j)(ah)
12.00%/0.00%
8/10/2021
8/10/2026
11,804
11,756
8
Common Equity (495 shares) (j)
125
23
Preferred Equity (495 shares) (j)
289
12,006
12,116
Choice Technology Solutions, LLC (dba Choice Merchant Solutions, LLC)
(S + 7.25%) / (1.00%)
12.39%/0.00%
4/1/2022
4/1/2027
8,500
8,464
Revolving Loan ($1,000 unfunded commitment) (i)(j)
11.39%/0.00%
CIH Intermediate, LLC
Subordinated Debt (k)
10.00%/1.00%
3/3/2022
3/3/2028
13,820
13,715
Common Equity (563 shares) (j)
400
843
Preferred Equity (563 shares) (j)
886
14,515
15,549
Combined Systems, Inc.
First Lien Debt
(L + 11.00%) / (2.00%)
19.18%/0.00%
1/31/2020
1/31/2025
3,862
3,844
12/22/2022
489
Revolving Loan ($162 unfunded commitment) (j)(ac)
(L + 10.00%) / (2.00%)
18.18%/0.00%
3,838
3,830
8,163
8,189
Comply365, LLC
12/11/2020
627
1,340
CRS Solutions Holdings, LLC (dba CRS Texas)
Common Equity (Class A Units) (574,929 units) (h)(j)
6/28/2022
272
202
CTM Group, Inc.
(S + 6.75%) / (1.00%)
12.16%/0.00%
2/28/2023
11/30/2026
7,980
7,834
11.50%/2.00%
11/30/2027
2,014
1,990
Common Equity (400,000 units)
10,224
Dataguise, Inc.
11.00%/2.00%
12/30/2022
11/23/2027
21,024
20,979
Common Equity (909 shares) (j)
12/31/2020
1,500
791
22,479
21,815
Detechtion Holdings, LLC
First Lien Debt (k)
(S + 5.75%) / (2.25%)
10.96%/2.00%
6/21/2023
6/21/2028
17,509
17,407
0.00%/14.00%
2,008
1,997
19,904
Diversified Search LLC
First Lien Debt (k)(r)
12.01%/0.00%
2/7/2019
9/30/2025
24,155
24,062
Common Equity (573 units) (h)(j)
552
24,614
24,676
Education Incites, LLC (dba Acceleration Academies)
12.75%/0.00%
10/31/2022
10/29/2027
6,000
5,974
Elements Brands, LLC
Consumer Products
12.25%/0.00%
6/30/2024
1,275
1,262
Revolving Loan (j)
1,493
2,755
2,775
Fishbowl Solutions, LLC
First Lien Debt (ar)
(S + 7.75%) / (1.00%)
12.92%/0.00%
3/25/2022
3/25/2027
14,355
14,274
14,172
Global Plasma Solutions, Inc.
0.00%/18.80%
3/31/2023
3/18/2024
191
Common Equity (947 shares) (j)
9/21/2018
52
103
243
294
GP&C Operations, LLC (dba Garlock Printing and Converting)
First Lien Debt (w)
(S + 8.25%) / (1.00%)
13.75%/0.00%
1/22/2021
1/22/2026
10,635
10,550
Common Equity (515,625 units) (h)(j)
516
279
11,066
10,914
Green Cubes Technology, LLC (dba Green Cubes)
(S + 13.00%) / (0.00%)
18.43%/0.00%
12/17/2021
12/17/2024
12,000
11,964
Gurobi Optimization, LLC
Common Equity (3 shares)
12/19/2017
605
2,912
Haematologic Technologies, Inc.
First Lien Debt (x)
(S + 8.25%) / (2.00%)
13.74%/0.00%
10/11/2019
10/11/2024
5,385
5,374
Common Equity (630 units) (h)(j)
630
137
Common Equity (89 units) (h)(j)
6/26/2023
89
6,093
5,611
Hallmark Health Care Solutions, Inc.
First Lien Debt (j)(ae)
(S + 7.25%) / (1.50%)
12.43%/0.00%
12/4/2020
12/4/2025
8,301
8,270
Common Equity (750,000 units) (j)
3,373
9,020
11,674
Healthfuse, LLC
Preferred Equity (197,980 units)
11/13/2020
748
1,441
Hub Acquisition Sub, LLC (dba Hub Pen)
Promotional products
Second Lien Debt (k)
12.50%/1.00%
4/25/2023
6/30/2028
20,037
19,747
Common Equity (3,750 units)
3/23/2016
56
819
Preferred Equity (868 units) (j)
10/16/2020
153
268
19,956
20,834
IBH Holdings, LLC (fka Inflexxion, Inc.)
Common Equity (150,000 units)
6/20/2018
Ipro Tech, LLC
First Lien Debt (j)(u)
(S + 7.00%) / (1.00%)
12.27%/1.00%
6/30/2020
7/28/2025
19,607
19,048
Preferred Equity (682,075 units) (j)
7/28/2021
682
19,730
20,630
ISI PSG Holdings, LLC (dba Incentive Solutions, Inc.)
First Lien Debt (j)(aj)
12.66%/0.00%
4/5/2021
4/5/2026
11,991
11,933
First Lien Debt (j)(an)
6/30/2021
12,778
Common Equity (256,964 units) (h)(j)
25,211
25,279
K2 Merger Agreement Agent, LLC (fka K2 Industrial Services, Inc.) (n)
0.00%/10.00%
1/28/2019
1/28/2025
2,368
2,123
The Kyjen Company, LLC (dba Outward Hound)
Common Equity (855 shares) (j)
12/8/2017
933
Level Education Group, LLC (dba CE4Less)
First Lien Debt (ak)
(S + 5.75%) / (2.00%)
11.28%/0.00%
4/1/2021
4/1/2026
4,760
4,737
Common Equity (1,000,000 units) (j)
5,737
6,096
LifeSpan Biosciences, Inc.
11.50%/0.00%
3/19/2021
9/19/2026
16,000
15,953
14,972
Common Equity (100 shares) (j)
16,953
15,601
Magenta Buyer LLC (dba Trellix)
Second Lien Debt (j)
(S + 8.25%) / (0.75%)
13.53%/0.00%
7/19/2022
7/27/2029
7,182
6,836
5,666
MBS Opco, LLC (dba Marketron)
(S + 8.50%) / (1.50%)
14.00%/0.00%
9/29/2022
9/28/2026
27,000
26,890
Micronics Filtration Holdings, Inc. (dba Micronics Engineered Filtration Group, Inc.)
First Lien Debt (k)(as)
(S + 5.50%) / (0.50%)
9.32%/0.00%
2/17/2022
2/17/2027
11,223
11,162
Common Equity (14,400 units) (j)
1,440
4,250
12,602
15,473
Netbase Solutions, Inc. (dba Netbase Quid)
First Lien Debt ($3,300 unfunded commitment) (i)(k)(ap)
(P + 4.00%) / (3.25%)
11/18/2021
11/18/2025
16,708
16,634
NGT Acquisition Holdings, LLC (dba Techniks Industries)
Common Equity (378 units) (j)
5/24/2017
NWS Technologies, LLC
Utilities: Services
First Lien Debt (az)
(S + 8.00%) / (2.50%)
15.57%/0.00%
6/20/2023
6/16/2028
17,000
16,747
Common Equity (1 units) (h)(j)
1,125
Preferred Equity (0.375 units) (h)(j)
375
18,247
OnePath Systems, LLC
First Lien Debt (s)
(S + 7.50%) / (1.00%)
12.74%/0.00%
9/30/2022
9/30/2027
11,000
10,930
Common Equity (732,542 shares) (j)
699
11,430
11,699
Palmetto Moon, LLC
Common Equity (499 units) (j)
11/3/2016
265
393
Pinnergy, Ltd.
Oil & Gas Services
9.00%/0.00%
6/30/2022
6/30/2027
13,000
12,940
Pool & Electrical Products, LLC
Common Equity (18,298 units) (h)(j)
10/28/2020
549
4,287
Power Grid Components, Inc.
4/12/2018
12/2/2025
15,270
15,232
Preferred Equity (392 shares) (j)
392
Preferred Equity (48 shares) (j)
12/2/2019
48
81
Common Equity (10,622 shares) (j)
462
4,294
16,134
20,302
PowerGrid Services Acquisition, LLC
(L + 9.50%) / (1.00%)
15.04%/0.00%
9/21/2021
3/21/2029
10,831
10,790
Common Equity (5,341 units) (h)(j)
534
562
11,324
Prime AE Group, Inc.
First Lien Debt (j)(ab)
(S + 6.75%) / (2.00%)
11/25/2019
11/25/2024
5,833
5,779
Preferred Equity (900,000 shares) (j)
900
140
6,679
5,973
Puget Collision, LLC
(S + 9.50%) / (1.00%)
14.65%/0.00%
4/28/2023
9/12/2027
5,100
5,075
QED Technologies International, Inc.
First Lien Debt (q)
(S + 6.00%) / (1.50%)
3/1/2023
3/1/2028
17,348
17,227
Common Equity (140 shares) (j)
1,402
18,629
Quest Software US Holdings Inc.
12.69%/0.00%
3/1/2022
2/1/2030
19,404
15,774
R1 Holdings, LLC (dba RoadOne IntermodaLogistics)
Transportation services
First Lien Debt ($1,727 unfunded commitment) (j)(ac)
11.49%/0.00%
12/30/2028
6,244
6,047
Subordinated Debt ($417 unfunded commitment) (j)(ac)
8.75%/5.00%
6/30/2029
1,367
1,325
Common Equity (280,000 units) ($70 unfunded commitment) (j)
280
418
7,652
8,029
Road Safety Services, Inc.
11.25%/2.50%
9/18/2018
9/18/2025
21,087
21,033
20,733
Common Equity (779 units)
1,121
1,695
Common Equity (97 units) (j)
2/3/2023
430
479
22,584
22,907
Sonicwall US Holdings, Inc.
(S + 7.50%) / (0.00%)
9/6/2022
5/18/2026
4,774
4,546
4,756
Suited Connector LLC
10/29/2021
6/1/2028
15,933
5,986
Common Equity (19,099 units) (h)(j)
12/1/2021
808
16,741
Tedia Company, LLC
3/4/2022
3/4/2027
15,600
15,536
Revolving Loan ($2,400 unfunded commitment) (j)(i)
(16
7.25%/7.25%
9/4/2027
2,754
2,742
3,250
Preferred Equity (Series A) (1,000 units) (h)(j)
1,405
19,262
20,255
Tiger Calcium Services Inc. (aw)
Second Lien Debt (j) (ao)
12.50%/0.00%
12/21/2022
5/31/2025
12,500
12,451
UBEO, LLC
Common Equity (705,000 units) (h)(j)
4/3/2018
655
1,944
United Biologics, LLC
Preferred Equity (98,377 units) (h)(j)
4/1/2012
1,008
Warrant (57,469 units) (j)(m)
3/5/2012
566
1,574
US Fertility Enterprises, LLC
0.00%/13.75%
5/19/2023
12,705
12,339
USG AS Holdings, LLC
(S + 8.50%) / (2.50%)
13.54%/0.00%
2/23/2023
2/23/2028
9,907
Common Equity (Units N/A) (j)
2/21/2023
10,907
Virginia Tile Company, LLC
Common Equity (17 units) (j)
12/19/2014
78
1,371
Virtex Enterprises, LP
Second Lien Debt (y)
(S + 9.75%) / (1.00%)
15.14%/0.00%
4/13/2022
10/13/2027
11,002
10,906
6,294
Winona Foods, Inc.
First Lien Debt (j)(am)
(L + 12.00%) / (1.00%)
17.54%/0.00%
4,000
3,921
(L + 13.00%) / (1.00%)
18.54%/0.00%
7,000
6,971
10,892
Wonderware Holdings, LLC (dba CORE Business Technologies)
First Lien Debt (k)(z)
(L + 7.25%) / (1.00%)
2/10/2021
2/9/2026
8,316
8,285
Worldwide Express Operations, LLC
(S + 7.00%) / (0.75%)
8/2/2021
7/26/2029
27,497
26,479
26,809
Common Equity (795,000units) (j)
7/21/2021
795
901
Common Equity (752,380 units) (h)(j)
7/26/2021
225
696
27,499
28,406
Zonkd, LLC
(L + 10.00%) / (1.00%)
16.50%/0.00%
3/18/2022
3/18/2027
5,000
4,829
4,973
Common Equity (4,987 units) (h)(j)
169
71
4,998
5,044
Total Non-control/Non-affiliate Investments
832,589
Total Investments
895,168
192
Money market funds (included in cash and cash equivalents)
Goldman Sachs Financial Square Treasury Obligation Institution CUSIP (38141W323) (ad)
37,650
Total money market funds
Total Investments and Money Market Funds
932,818
966,372
200
(a) See Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements for portfolio composition by geographic location.
(b) Equity ownership may be held in shares or units of companies related to the portfolio companies.
(c) All debt investments are income producing, unless otherwise indicated.
Equity investments are non-income producing unless otherwise noted.
(d) Variable rate investments bear interest at a rate indexed to LIBOR (L), Prime (P) or SOFR (S), which are reset monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. Certain variable rate investments also include a LIBOR, Prime or SOFR interest rate floor. For each investment, the Company has provided the spread over the reference rate and the LIBOR, Prime or SOFR floor, if any, as of June 30, 2023.
(e) Rate includes the cash interest or dividend rate and paid-in-kind interest or dividend rate, if any, as of June 30, 2023. Generally, payment-in-kind interest can be paid-in-kind or all in cash.
(f) Investment date represents the date of the initial investment in the security.
(g) Except as otherwise noted, the Company’s investment portfolio is comprised of debt and equity securities of privately held companies for which quoted prices falling within the categories of Level 1 and Level 2 inputs are not available. Therefore, the Company values all of its portfolio investments at fair value, as determined in good faith by the board of directors, using significant unobservable Level 3 inputs.
(h) Investment is held by a taxable subsidiary of the Company.
(i) The disclosed commitment represents the unfunded amount as of June 30, 2023. The Company is earning 0.50% interest on the unfunded balance of the commitment. The interest rate disclosed represents the rate which will be earned if the commitment is funded.
(j) Investment pledged as collateral for the Credit Facility and, as a result, is not directly available to the creditors of the Company to satisfy any obligations of the Company other than the Company's obligations under the Credit Facility (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements).
(k) The portion of the investment not held by the Funds is pledged as collateral for the Credit Facility and, as a result, is not directly available to the creditors of the Company to satisfy any obligations of the Company other than the Company's obligations under the Credit Facility (see Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements).
(l) As defined in the 1940 Act, the Company is deemed to be an "Affiliated Person" of this portfolio company because it owns 5% or more of the portfolio company's outstanding voting securities or it has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company. Transactions in which the issuer was an Affiliated Person are detailed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
(m) Warrants entitle the Company to purchase a predetermined number of shares or units of common equity, and are non-income producing. The purchase price and number of shares are subject to adjustment under certain conditions until the expiration date, if any.
(n) Investment in portfolio company that has sold its operations and is in the process of winding down.
(o) The Company sold a participating interest of approximately $0.3 million in aggregate principal amount of the portfolio company’s first lien senior secured term loan. As the transaction did not qualify as a “true sale” in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company recorded a corresponding secured borrowing in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
(p) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 5.72% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(q) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.50% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(r) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.34% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(s) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.25% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(t) As defined in the 1940 Act, the Company is deemed to be both an “Affiliated Person” of and “Control” this portfolio company because it owns 25% or more of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or it has the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company. Transactions in which the issuer was both an Affiliated Person and a portfolio company that the Company is deemed to Control are detailed in Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements.
(u) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional cash interest amount of 2.89% and PIK interest amount of 0.96% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(v) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.13% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(w) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 6.23% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(x) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.56% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(y) Investment was on non-accrual status as of June 30, 2023.
(z) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.33% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(aa) The Company sold a participating interest of approximately $4.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the portfolio company’s first lien senior secured term loan. As the transaction did not qualify as a “true sale” in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company recorded a corresponding secured borrowing in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
(ab) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 7.72% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ac) The disclosed commitment represents the unfunded amount as of June 30, 2023. The Company is earning 1.00% interest on the unfunded balance of the commitment. The interest rate disclosed represents the rate earned on the outstanding, funded balance of the commitment.
(ad) This investment is classified as a Level 1 investment. For further detail on the fair value measurements, see Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements.
(ae) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.31% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(af) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.28% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ag) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.57% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ah) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 1.62% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ai) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.26% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(aj) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.11% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ak) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.48% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(al) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 5.13% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(am) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 5.03% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(an) The Company sold a participating interest of approximately $13.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the portfolio company’s first lien senior secured term loan. As the transaction did not qualify as a “true sale” in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), the Company recorded a corresponding secured borrowing in the Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities.
(ao) The investment is treated as a non-qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Under the 1940 Act, the Company cannot acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company's total assets. As of June 30, 2023, total non-qualifying assets at fair value represented 1.30% of the Company's total assets calculated in accordance with the 1940 Act.
(ap) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional cash interest amount of 1.25% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(aq) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.38% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ar) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.72% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(as) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 6.32% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(at) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.56% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(au) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.25% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
11
(av) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.46% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(aw) The headquarters of this portfolio company is located in Canada.
(ax) The disclosed commitment represents the unfunded amount as of June 30, 2023. The Company is earning 0.75% interest on the unfunded balance of the commitment. The interest rate disclosed represents the rate which will be earned if the commitment is funded.
(ay) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 1.20% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(az) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.36% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
12
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2022
EBL, LLC (EbLens)
0.00%/13.00%
10/3/2022
10/3/2025
9,350
9,332
Common Equity (75,000 units) (j)
7/13/2017
Common Equity (375 units) ($375 unfunded commitment) (j)
11,082
5,223
6,833
17,915
Common Equity (5,690 units) (h) (j)
5,897
Common Equity (7,113 units) (h) (j)
7,669
Common Equity (2,012 units) (h) (j)
23,168
716
591
1,949
2,974
2,540
9,954
42,038
10,209
51,992
(L + 5.50%) / (1.00%)
10.23%/0.00%
14,931
14,999
Common Equity (38,493 units) (j)
2,609
2,443
Common Equity (4,663 units) (j)
19,216
19,118
4,772
55,804
(L + 6.75%) / (0.50%)
11.48%/0.00%
11,558
11,497
11,560
3,556
477
16,053
15,593
12.30%/0.00%
5,500
5,488
12,450
433
130
18,526
18,706
(L + 5.88%) / (0.50%)
10.63%/0.00%
14,250
14,184
779
14,777
15,029
12.50%/2.25%
10,345
10,281
8,144
98
10,940
8,297
First Lien Debt (j)(p)
(L + 6.15%) / (1.00%)
9.82%/0.00%
20,500
20,329
(L + 3.75%) / (1.00%)
7.42%/0.00%
325
547
180
101
21,677
21,917
9.81%/0.00%
7,704
7,662
2,069
2,060
10,722
13
10.31%/0.00%
9,940
741
10,690
10,741
11.21%/0.00%
14,890
16,090
10.07%/0.00%
18,916
465
1,364
20,167
13.00%/0.85%
7,581
7,525
0.00%/12.75%
587
584
471
8,609
8,639
10.25%/0.00%
11,333
11,279
486
9.31%/0.00%
19,564
20,564
(L + 6.50%) / (0.75%)
10.24%/0.00%
12,541
12,485
33
277
12,735
12,851
Cardboard Box LLC (dba Anthony's Coal Fired Pizza) (ad)
18
96
292
617
310
11.06%/0.00%
8,460
10.06%/0.00%
13,751
13,634
425
853
14,434
17.74%/0.00%
4,890
4,866
18.75%/0.00%
2/15/2023
475
16.74%/0.00%
3,828
9,169
9,203
1,143
212
11.00%/3.00%
20,763
20,712
20,714
569
22,212
21,283
10.32%/0.00%
2/7/2024
24,041
1,102
24,593
25,257
ECM Industries, LLC
Common Equity (1,000,000 units) (h)(j)
4/30/2020
221
1,633
5,971
1,775
1,755
1,490
3,245
3,275
12.57%/0.00%
14,428
14,335
14,427
283
(L + 8.25%) / (1.00%)
13.01%/0.00%
10,899
313
11,415
11,313
(L + 13.00%) / (0.00%)
17.77%/0.00%
12,952
14
2,381
(L + 8.25%) / (2.00%)
12.98%/0.00%
5,378
5,363
415
5,993
5,793
(L + 7.25%) / (1.50%)
10.99%/0.00%
8,361
8,323
3,517
9,073
11,878
1,376
12/15/2023
25,007
25,005
25,006
218
25,220
25,932
346
11.69%/1.00%
19,773
19,083
19,765
20,796
(L + 7.50%) / (0.50%)
11.17%/0.00%
12,175
12,106
12,994
666
25,600
25,835
Second Lien Debt (j) (y)
110
10.49%/0.00%
5,165
5,138
1,263
6,138
6,428
15,946
15,418
16,946
16,023
(L + 8.25%) / (0.75%)
6,809
7,126
13.34%/0.00%
26,873
First Lien Debt (k) (as)
11,154
3,173
12,594
14,396
Mobilewalla, Inc.
(L + 11.50%) / (0.50%)
16.26%/0.00%
5,715
5,696
16,618
16,852
121
12.08%/0.00%
10,922
11,422
453
12,933
Common Equity (15,000 units) (h)(j)
4,835
11.00%/0.50%
17,734
17,689
624
77
1,776
18,591
20,211
14.23%/0.00%
10,786
588
11,320
11,419
11.59%/0.00%
5,760
404
6,660
6,237
11.79%/0.00%
19,360
15,002
15
First Lien Debt ($2,489 unfunded commitment) (j)(ac)
10.83%/0.00%
5,511
5,309
1,334
1,287
6,876
Rhino Assembly Company, LLC
8/11/2017
14,851
14,837
Common Equity (Class A Units) (10,915 units) (h)(j)
2,379
Preferred Equity (Units N/A) (h)(j)
12/10/2020
307
Common Equity (Class F Units) (710 units) (h)(j)
16,230
17,537
11.25%/2.00%
15,842
15,810
1,558
16,931
17,400
(L + 7.50%) / (0.00%)
12.20%/0.00%
4,508
4,733
10,726
Common Equity (7,500 units) (h)(j)
16,683
10,738
11.57%/0.00%
15,527
1,600
1,581
Delayed Draw Commitment ($3,000 unfunded commitment) (j)(ac)
(14
2,656
2,643
3,750
1,792
20,737
22,742
12,438
1,504
565
1,573
79
845
14.48%/0.00%
5,887
Western's Smokehouse, LLC
(S + 6.50%) / (1.50%)
2/28/2020
12/23/2024
9,616
9,554
9,615
Delayed Draw Commitment ($2,702 unfunded commitment) (j)(i)(ax)
(S + 5.00%) / (1.50%)
9.71%/0.00%
6/29/2022
798
10,413
16.75%/0.00%
3,907
17.75%/0.00%
6,966
10,873
11.97%/0.00%
8,279
(L + 7.00%) / (0.75%)
11.73%/0.00%
26,398
26,534
942
892
27,418
28,368
15.76%/0.00%
4,807
4,610
4,976
4,618
754,974
158
828,693
179
61,076
889,769
921,405
(c) All debt investments are income producing, unless otherwise indicated. Equity investments are non-income producing unless otherwise noted.
(d) Variable rate investments bear interest at a rate indexed to LIBOR (L), Prime (P) or SOFR (S), which are reset monthly, bimonthly, quarterly, or semi-annually. Certain variable rate investments also include a LIBOR, Prime or SOFR interest rate floor. For each investment, the Company has provided the spread over the reference rate and the LIBOR, Prime or SOFR floor, if any, as of December 31, 2022.
(e) Rate includes the cash interest or dividend rate and paid-in-kind interest or dividend rate, if any, as of December 31, 2022. Generally, payment-in-kind interest can be paid-in-kind or all in cash.
16
(i) The disclosed commitment represents the unfunded amount as of December 31, 2022. The Company is earning 0.50% interest on the unfunded balance of the commitment. The interest rate disclosed represents the rate which will be earned if the commitment is funded.
(p) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.76% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(q) Warrant entitles the Company to purchase 4.79% of the outstanding principal of Junior Subordinated Notes prior to exercise, and is non-income producing.
(r) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.24% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(s) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.32% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(u) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional cash interest amount of 2.93% and PIK interest amount of 0.98% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(v) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.11% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(w) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 7.11% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(x) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.73% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(y) Investment was on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2022.
(z) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.45% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ab) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 1.77% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ac) The disclosed commitment represents the unfunded amount as of December 31, 2022. The Company is earning 1.00% interest on the unfunded balance of the commitment. The interest rate disclosed represents the rate earned on the outstanding, funded balance of the commitment.
(ae) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.53% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ag) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.54% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ah) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 1.63% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ai) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.65% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ak) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.83% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(al) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 5.62% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(am) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 5.72% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ao) The investment is treated as a non-qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Under the 1940 Act, the Company can not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the Company's total assets. As of December 31, 2022, total non-qualifying assets at fair value represented 1.36% of the Company's total assets calculated in accordance with the 1940 Act.
(aq) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.68% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(as) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 4.76% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(at) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 2.21% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
17
(au) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.26% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(av) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 3.50% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
(ax) In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this security, the Company is entitled to receive an additional interest amount of 5.75% on its “last out” tranche of the portfolio company’s senior term debt, which was previously syndicated into “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any other amounts due thereunder.
See Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.
Note 1. Organization and Nature of Business
Fidus Investment Corporation (“FIC,” and together with its subsidiaries, the “Company”), a Maryland corporation, operates as an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (“1940 Act”). FIC completed its initial public offering, or IPO, in June 2011. In addition, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the Company has elected, and intends to qualify annually, to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”).
The Company provides customized debt and equity financing solutions to lower middle-market companies, and may make investments directly or through its two wholly-owned investment company subsidiaries, Fidus Mezzanine Capital II, L.P. (“Fund II”) and Fidus Mezzanine Capital III, L.P. (“Fund III”) (collectively, Fund II and Fund III are referred to as the “Funds”). The Funds are licensed by the U.S. Small Business Administration (the “SBA”) as small business investment companies (“SBIC”). The SBIC licenses allow the Funds to obtain leverage by issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures (“SBA debentures”), subject to the issuance of leverage commitments by the SBA and other customary procedures. As SBICs, the Funds are subject to regulations of and oversight by the SBA under the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, as amended (the “SBIC Act”), concerning, among other things, the size and nature of the companies in which they may invest and the structure of those investments.
We believe that utilizing both FIC and the Funds as investment vehicles provides us with access to a broader array of investment opportunities. Given our access to lower cost capital through the SBA’s SBIC debenture program, we expect that we will continue to make investments through the Funds until the earlier of the end of the Funds' investment period, if applicable, or the Funds reach their borrowing limit under the program. For two or more SBICs under common control, the maximum amount of outstanding SBA debentures cannot exceed $350,000.
Fund II and Fund III are not registered under the 1940 Act and rely on the exclusion from the definition of investment company contained in Section 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act.
The Company pays a quarterly base management fee and an incentive fee to Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC, our investment advisor (the “Investment Advisor” or “Fidus Investment Advisors”) under an investment advisory agreement (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”).
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of presentation: The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company have been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States of America (“GAAP”) pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q, Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 946, Financial Services – Investment Companies (“ASC 946”), and Articles 6 or 10 of Regulation S-X. In the opinion of management, the consolidated financial statements reflect all adjustments and reclassifications that are necessary for the fair presentation of financial results as of and for the periods presented. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. The current period’s results of operation are not necessarily indicative of results that ultimately may be achieved for the year. Therefore, the unaudited financial statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the audited financial statements and notes thereto for the year ended December 31, 2022.
During fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, the Company elected to change the manner in which it presents residual investments in portfolio companies that have sold their operations and are in the process of winding down. These investments similar to escrow receivables are now included in prepaid expenses and other assets whereas previously they were included as a component of investments, at fair value, on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities until the security was legally extinguished or relinquished. There is no change in historical net increase in net assets resulting from operations due to this change in presentation.
Use of estimates: The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Consolidation: Pursuant to Article 6 of Regulation S-X and ASC 946, the Company will generally not consolidate its investments in a company other than an investment company subsidiary or a controlled operating company whose business consists of providing services to the Company. As a result, the consolidated financial statements of the Company include only the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, including the Funds. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Investment risks: The Company’s investments are subject to a variety of risks. These risks may include, but are not limited to the following:
Fair value of financial instruments: The Company measures and discloses fair value with respect to substantially all of its financial instruments in accordance with ASC Topic 820 — Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”). ASC Topic 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework used to measure fair value, and requires disclosures for fair value measurements, including the categorization of financial instruments into a three-level hierarchy based on the transparency of valuation inputs. See Note 4 to the consolidated financial statements for further discussion regarding the fair value measurements and hierarchy.
Investment classification: The Company classifies its investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, “Control Investments” are defined as investments in those companies where the Company owns more than 25% of the voting securities of such company or has rights to maintain greater than 50% of the board representation. Under the 1940 Act, “Affiliate Investments” are defined as investments in those companies where the Company owns between 5% and 25% of the voting securities of such company. “Non-Control/Non-Affiliate Investments” are those that neither qualify as Control Investments nor Affiliate Investments.
Segments: In accordance with ASC Topic 280 — Segment Reporting, the Company has determined that it has a single reporting segment and operating unit structure.
Cash and cash equivalents: Cash and cash equivalents are highly liquid investments with an original maturity of three months or less at the date of acquisition. The Company places its cash in financial institutions and, at times, such balances may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits. The Company does not believe its cash balances are exposed to any significant credit risk.
Deferred financing costs: Deferred financing costs consist of fees and expenses paid in connection with the SBA debentures, the Credit Facility and the Notes (as defined in Note 6). Deferred financing costs are capitalized and amortized to interest and financing expenses over the term of the debt agreement using the effective interest method. Unamortized deferred financing costs are presented as an offset to the corresponding debt liabilities on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt: Upon the repayment of debt obligations which are deemed to be extinguishments, the difference between the principal amount due at maturity, adjusted for any unamortized deferred financing costs, is recognized as a loss (i.e., the unamortized deferred financing costs are recognized as a loss upon extinguishment of the underlying debt obligation).
Deferred offering costs: Deferred offering costs include registration expenses related to the shelf registration statement filing pursuant to which the Company may offer its securities, from time to time, in one or more offerings. These expenses primarily consist of U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) registration fees, legal fees and accounting fees incurred. These expenses are included in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. Upon the completion of an equity offering or a debt offering, the deferred expenses are charged to additional paid-in capital or deferred financing costs, respectively. If no offering is completed prior to the expiration of the registration statement, the deferred costs are charged to expense.
Realized gains or losses and unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments: Realized gains or losses on investments are recorded upon the sale or disposition of a portfolio investment and are calculated as the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or disposition and the cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on the consolidated statements of operations includes changes in the fair value of investments from the prior period, as determined in good faith by the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”) through the application of the Company’s valuation policy, as well as reclassifications of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments to realized gains or losses on investments.
Interest and dividend income: Interest and dividend income are recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that the Company expects to collect such amounts. Interest is accrued daily based on the outstanding principal amount and the contractual terms of the debt. Dividend income is recorded as dividends are declared or at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution, and is generally recognized when received. Distributions from portfolio companies are evaluated to determine if the distribution is a distribution of earnings or a return of capital. Distributions of earnings are included in dividend income while a return of capital is recorded as a reduction in the cost basis of the investment. Estimates are adjusted as necessary after the relevant tax forms are received from the portfolio company.
PIK income: Certain of the Company’s investments contain a payment-in-kind (“PIK”) income provision. The PIK income, computed at the contractual rate specified in the applicable investment agreement, is added to the principal balance of the investment, rather than being paid in cash, and recorded as interest or dividend income, as applicable, on the consolidated statements of operations. Generally, PIK can be paid-in-kind or all in cash. The Company stops accruing PIK income when there is reasonable doubt that PIK income will be collected. PIK income that has been contractually capitalized to the principal balance of the investment prior to the non-accrual designation date is not reserved against interest or dividend income, but rather is assessed through the valuation of the investment (with corresponding adjustments to unrealized depreciation, as applicable). PIK income is included in the Company’s taxable income and, therefore, affects the amount the Company is required to pay to shareholders in the form of dividends in order to maintain the Company’s tax treatment as a RIC, even though the Company has not yet collected the cash.
Non-accrual: Debt investments or preferred equity investments (for which the Company is accruing PIK dividends) are placed on non-accrual status when principal, interest or dividend payments become materially past due, or when there is reasonable doubt that principal, interest or dividends will be collected. Any original issue discount and market discount are no longer accreted to interest income as of the date the loan is placed on full non-accrual status. Interest and dividend payments received on non-accrual investments may be recognized as interest or dividend income or may be applied to the investment principal balance based on management’s judgment. Non-accrual investments are restored to accrual status when past due principal, interest or dividends are paid and, in management’s judgment, payments are likely to remain current.
Origination and closing fees: The Company also typically receives debt investment origination or closing fees in connection with such investments. Such debt investment origination and closing fees are capitalized as unearned income and offset against investment cost basis on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities and accreted into interest income over the life of the investment. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any unaccreted debt investment origination and closing fees are accelerated into interest income.
Warrants: In connection with the Company’s debt investments, the Company will sometimes receive warrants or other equity-related securities from the borrower (“Warrants”). The Company determines the cost basis of Warrants based upon their respective fair values on the date of receipt in proportion to the total fair value of the debt and Warrants received. Any resulting difference between the face amount of the debt and its recorded fair value resulting from the assignment of value to the Warrants is treated as original issue discount (“OID”), and accreted into interest income using the effective interest method over the term of the debt investment. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any unaccreted OID is accelerated into interest income.
Fee income: Transaction fees earned in connection with the Company’s investments are recognized as fee income and are generally non-recurring. Such fees typically include fees for services, including structuring and advisory services, provided to portfolio companies. The Company recognizes income from fees for providing such structuring and advisory services when the services are rendered or the transactions are completed. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any prepayment penalties are recorded as fee income when earned.
Partial loan and equity sales: The Company follows the guidance in ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, when accounting for loan (debt investment) participations, equity assignments and other partial loan sales. Such guidance requires a participation, assignment or other partial loan or equity sale to meet the definition of a “participating interest,” as defined in the guidance, in order for sale treatment to be allowed. Participations, assignments or other partial loan or equity sales which do not meet the definition of a participating interest should remain on the Company’s consolidated statements of assets and liabilities and the proceeds recorded as a secured borrowing until the definition is met. For these partial loan sales, the interest earned on the entire loan balance is recorded within “interest income” and the interest earned by the buyer in the partial loan sale is recorded within “interest and financing expenses” in the accompanying consolidated statements of operations.
Income taxes: The Company has elected, and intends to qualify annually, to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, which will generally relieve the Company from U.S. federal income taxes with respect to all income distributed to stockholders. To maintain the tax treatment of a RIC, the Company generally is required to timely distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of “investment company taxable income,” as defined by Subchapter M of the Code, each year. Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, the Company may choose to carry forward taxable income in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year; however, the Company will pay a 4% excise tax if it does not distribute at least 98% of the current year’s ordinary taxable income. Any such carryover taxable income must be distributed through a dividend declared prior to the later of the date on which the final tax return related to the year in which the Company generated such taxable income is filed or the 15th day of the 10th month following the close of such taxable year. In addition, the Company will be subject to U.S. federal excise tax if it does not distribute at least 98.2% of its net capital gains realized, computed for any one year period ending October 31.
In the future, the Funds may be limited by provisions of the SBIC Act and SBA regulations governing SBICs from making certain distributions to FIC that may be necessary to enable FIC to make the minimum distributions required to maintain the tax treatment of a RIC.
The Company has certain wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Taxable Subsidiaries”), each of which generally holds one or more of the Company’s portfolio investments listed on the consolidated schedules of investments, that have elected to be treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are thus subject to U.S. federal income tax at corporate rates. The Taxable Subsidiaries are consolidated for financial reporting purposes, such that the Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect the Company’s investment in the portfolio company investments owned by the Taxable Subsidiaries. The purpose of the Taxable Subsidiaries is to permit the Company to hold equity investments in portfolio companies that are taxed as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (such as entities organized as limited liability companies (“LLCs”) or other forms of pass through entities) while complying with the “source-of-income” requirements contained in the RIC tax provisions. The Taxable Subsidiaries are not consolidated with the Company for U.S. federal corporate income tax purposes, and each Taxable Subsidiary will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its taxable income. Any such income or expense is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
U.S. federal income tax regulations differ from GAAP, and as a result, distributions in accordance with tax regulations may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized under GAAP. Differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences may arise as a result of, among other items, a difference in the book and tax basis of certain assets and nondeductible U.S. federal income taxes. Temporary differences arise when certain items of income, expense, gain or loss are recognized at some time in the future.
ASC Topic 740 — Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes (“ASC Topic 740”) provides guidance for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in the consolidated financial statements. ASC Topic 740 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken in the course of preparing the Company’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be respected by the applicable tax authorities. Tax benefits of positions not deemed to meet the more-likely-than-not threshold would be recorded as a tax expense in the current year. It is the Company’s policy to recognize accrued interest and penalties related to uncertain tax benefits included in the income tax provision, if any. There were no material uncertain income tax positions at June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The Company’s tax returns are generally subject to examination by U.S. federal and most state tax authorities for a period of three years from the date the respective returns are filed, and, accordingly, the Company’s 2019 through 2021 tax years remain subject to examination.
Dividends to stockholders: Dividends to stockholders are recorded on the record date with respect to such distributions. The amount, if any, to be distributed to stockholders, is determined by the Board each quarter and is generally based upon the earnings estimated by management. Net realized capital gains, if any, may be distributed at least annually, although the Company may decide to retain such capital gains for investment.
The determination of the tax attributes for the Company’s distributions is made annually, and is based upon the Company’s taxable income and distributions paid to its stockholders for the full year. Ordinary dividend distributions from a RIC do not qualify for the preferential tax rate on qualified dividend income from domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations, except to the extent that the RIC received the income in the form of qualifying dividends from domestic corporations and qualified foreign corporations. The tax characterization of the Company’s distributions generally includes both ordinary income and capital gains but may also include qualified dividends or return of capital.
The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) that provides for the reinvestment of dividends on behalf of its stockholders, unless a stockholder has elected to receive dividends in cash. As a result, if the Company declares a cash dividend, the Company’s stockholders who have not “opted out” of the DRIP at least two days prior to the dividend payment date will have their cash dividend automatically reinvested into additional shares of the Company’s common stock. The Company has the option to satisfy the share requirements of the DRIP through the issuance of new shares of common stock or through open market purchases of common stock by the DRIP plan administrator. Newly issued shares are valued based upon the final closing price of the Company’s common stock on a date determined by the Board. Shares purchased in the open market to satisfy the DRIP requirements will be valued based upon the average price of the applicable shares purchased by the DRIP plan administrator before any associated brokerage or other costs. See Note 9 to the consolidated financial statements regarding dividend declarations and distributions.
Earnings and net asset value per share: The earnings per share calculations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are computed utilizing the weighted average shares outstanding for the period. Net asset value per share is calculated using the number of shares outstanding as of the end of the period.
Stock Repurchase Program: The Company has an open market stock repurchase program (the “Stock Repurchase Program”) under which the Company may acquire up to $5,000 of its outstanding common stock. Under the Stock Repurchase Program, the Company may, but is not obligated to, repurchase outstanding common stock in the open market from time to time provided that the Company complies with the prohibitions under its insider trading policies and the requirements of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), including certain price, market value and timing constraints. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by the Company’s management, in its discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price, capital availability, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations. On October 31, 2022, the Board extended the Stock Repurchase Program through December 31, 2023, or until the approved dollar amount has been used to repurchase shares. The Stock Repurchase Program does not require the Company to repurchase any specific number of shares and the Company cannot assure that any shares will be repurchased under the Stock Repurchase Program. The Stock Repurchase Program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time. The Company did not make any repurchases of common stock during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Refer to Note 8 for additional information concerning stock repurchases.
Recent accounting pronouncement:
In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions (Topic 820),” which clarifies that a contractual sale restriction prohibiting the sale of an equity security is a characteristic of the reporting entity holding the equity security and is not included in the equity security’s unit of account. Accordingly, an entity should not consider the contractual sale restriction when measuring the equity security’s fair value. In addition, ASU No. 2022-03 prohibits an entity from recognizing a contractual sale restriction as a separate unit of account. ASU No. 2022-03’s amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, with early adoption permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2022-03 on its consolidated financial statements.
Note 3. Portfolio Company Investments
The Company’s portfolio investments principally consist of secured and unsecured debt, equity warrants and direct equity investments primarily in privately held companies. The debt investments may or may not be secured by either a first or second lien on the assets of the portfolio company. The debt investments generally bear interest at fixed rates or variable rates, and generally mature between five and seven years from the original investment. In connection with a debt investment, the Company also may receive nominally priced equity warrants and/or make a direct equity investment in the portfolio company. The Company’s warrants or equity investments may be investments in a holding company related to the portfolio company. In addition, the Company makes equity investments in portfolio companies organized as LLCs or other forms of pass-through entities through Taxable Subsidiaries. In both situations, the investment is generally reported under the name of the operating company on the consolidated schedules of investments.
As of June 30, 2023, the Company had active investments in 79 portfolio companies and residual investments in two portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations. The aggregate fair value of the total portfolio was $928,722 and the weighted average effective yield on the Company’s debt investments was 14.5% as of such date. As of June 30, 2023, the Company held equity investments in 75.3% of its portfolio companies and the average fully diluted equity ownership in those portfolio companies was 3.2%.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had active investments in 76 portfolio companies and residual investments in two portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations. The aggregate fair value of the total portfolio was $860,329 and the weighted average effective yield on the Company’s debt investments was 13.8% as of such date. As of December 31, 2022, the Company held equity investments in 74.4% of its portfolio companies and the average fully diluted equity ownership in those portfolio companies was 4.0%.
The weighted average yield of the Company’s debt investments is not the same as a return on investment for its stockholders but, rather, relates to a portion of the Company’s investment portfolio and is calculated before the payment of all of the Company’s and its subsidiaries’ fees and expenses. The weighted average yields were computed using the effective interest rates for debt investments at cost as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, including accretion of OID and debt investment origination fees, but excluding investments on non-accrual status and investments recorded as a secured borrowing, if any.
Purchases of debt and equity investments for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 totaled $147,348 and $160,098, respectively. Proceeds from sales and repayments, including principal, return of capital distributions and realized gains, of portfolio investments for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 totaled $76,503 and $68,008, respectively.
Investments by type with corresponding percentage of total portfolio investments consisted of the following:
Fair Value
First Lien Debt(1)
521,928
56.2
456,105
53.0
519,485
58.1
453,585
54.7
161,690
17.4
182,948
21.3
187,655
21.0
213,654
25.8
124,657
13.4
101,456
11.8
124,680
13.9
100,634
12.1
Equity
117,744
12.7
117,741
13.7
60,395
6.7
57,868
7.0
Warrants
2,703
0.3
2,079
0.2
2,953
2,952
0.4
100.0
The following table shows portfolio composition by geographic region at fair value and cost and as a percentage of total investments. The geographic composition is determined by the location of the corporate headquarters of the portfolio company, which may not be indicative of the primary source of the portfolio company’s business.
United States
Midwest
166,352
17.9
180,556
124,569
132,177
16.0
Southeast
287,574
31.0
265,902
277,867
258,373
31.1
Northeast
157,713
17.0
127,427
14.8
153,739
17.2
134,897
16.3
West
149,861
16.1
151,487
17.6
166,955
18.7
161,935
19.5
Southwest
154,722
16.7
122,519
14.2
159,587
17.8
128,873
15.6
Canada
1.3
1.4
1.5
The following table shows portfolio composition by type and by geographic region at fair value as a percentage of net assets.
By Type
By Geographic Region
108.0
95.0
33.4
38.1
34.4
37.6
21.1
59.5
55.4
24.3
24.5
32.6
26.5
0.6
31.5
192.1
179.1
32.0
25.5
2.6
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had no portfolio company investments that represented more than 10% of the total investment portfolio on a fair value or cost basis. As of June 30, 2023, the Company had no investments that exceeded 5% of total assets. As of December 31, 2022, the Company's investment in Pfanstiehl, Inc. totaled $51,992 or 5.6% of total assets on a fair value basis.
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had debt investments in four portfolio companies on non-accrual status.
Portfolio Company
Value
(2)
US GreenFiber, LLC
K2 Merger Agreement Agent, LLC (fka K2 Industrial Services, Inc.)
(3)
(1)
14,403
34,429
10,267
27,204
Debt investment in portfolio company was not on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2022.
Portfolio company debt investment was not held as of June 30, 2023.
Portfolio company debt investment was not on non-accrual status as of June 30, 2023.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments In and Advances To Affiliates
The table below represents the fair value of control and affiliate investments as of December 31, 2022 and any additions and reductions made to such investments during the six months ended June 30, 2023, the ending fair value as of June 30, 2023, and the total investment income earned on such investments during the period.
Year Ended June 30, 2023
Portfolio Company (1)
June 30, 2023 Principal Amount - Debt Investments
December 31, 2022Fair Value
Gross Additions (2)
Gross Reductions (3)
June 30, 2023 Fair Value
Net Realized Gains (Losses) (4)
Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Interest Income
Payment-in-kind Interest Income
Dividend Income
Fee Income
Control Investments
11,458
Affiliate Investments
483
(73
(4,812
(4,811
501
348
1,511
(4,247
(2,748
1,173
672
34,602
4,473
(9,132
The investment type, industry, ownership detail for equity investments, interest rate and maturity date for debt investments, and if the investment is income producing is disclosed in the consolidated schedule of investments.
Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new portfolio investments, follow-on investments, accrued PIK interest and PIK dividend income, accretion of OID and origination fees, and net unrealized appreciation recognized during the period. Gross additions also include transfers of portfolio companies into the control or affiliate classification during the period, as applicable.
Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal repayments or sales and net unrealized (depreciation) recognized during the period. Gross reductions also include transfers of portfolio companies out of the control or affiliate classification during the period, as applicable.
(4)
The schedule does not reflect realized gains or losses on escrow receivables for investments which were previously exited and were not held during the period presented. Gains and losses on escrow receivables are classified in the consolidated statements of operations according to the control classification at the time the investment was exited. Escrow receivables are presented in prepaid expenses and other assets on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.
The table below represents the fair value of control and affiliate investments as of December 31, 2021 and any additions and reductions made to such investments during the year ended December 31, 2022, including the total investment income earned on such investments during the period.
Year Ended December 31, 2022
December 31, 2022 Principal Amount - Debt Investments
December 31, 2021Fair Value
December 31, 2022 Fair Value
EBL, LLC (EbLens) (5)
19,628
(19,628
(11,083
Hilco Plastics Holdings, LLC (dba Hilco Technologies)
353
(353
(352
Mesa Line Services, LLC
2,151
193
(2,344
194
(2,150
14,576
20,174
(22,325
(158
(13,233
13,566
(12,803
763
973
FAR Research Inc.
28
(28
3,662
(1,122
Mirage Trailers LLC
10,675
355
(11,030
324
(1,694
248
29
57,639
34,335
(39,982
24,330
(15,432
421
150
Pinnergy, Ltd. (6)
21,178
(36,478
(18,177
656
18,359
5,487
(4,728
(1,723
1,822
175
3,338
1,434
137,284
70,477
(106,171
39,833
(35,979
3,464
457
The investment type, industry, ownership detail for equity investments, interest rate, maturity date, and if the investment is income producing is disclosed in the consolidated schedule of investments.
(5)
Portfolio company was transferred to Control investments from Non-control/Non-affiliate investments during the year ended December 31, 2022.
(6)
Portfolio company was transferred to Non-control/Non-affiliate investments from Affiliate investments during the year ended December 31, 2022.
Note 4. Fair Value Measurements
Investments
The Board has established and documented processes and methodologies for determining the fair values of portfolio company investments on a recurring basis in accordance with ASC Topic 820 and consistent with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Fair value is the price, determined at the measurement date, that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Where available, fair value is based on observable market prices or parameters, or derived from such prices or parameters. Where observable prices or inputs are not available or reliable, valuation techniques described below are applied. Under ASC Topic 820, portfolio investments recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements are classified within the fair value hierarchy based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value, as defined below:
Level 1 — Inputs are unadjusted, quoted prices in active markets for identical assets as of the measurement date.
Level 2 — Inputs include quoted prices for similar assets in active markets, or that are quoted prices for identical or similar assets in markets that are not active and inputs that are observable, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term, if applicable, of the investment.
Level 3 — Inputs include those that are both unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
26
An investment’s categorization within the valuation hierarchy is based upon the lowest level of input that is significant to the fair value measurement. The Company’s investment portfolio is comprised entirely of debt and equity securities of privately held companies for which quoted prices falling within the categories of Level 1 and Level 2 inputs are not available, with the exception of money market funds and one portfolio company, which are valued using Level 1 inputs as of June 30, 2023. Therefore, the Company values such portfolio investments at fair value, as determined in good faith by the Board, using Level 3 inputs, with the exception of money market funds and one portfolio company that was valued using Level 1 inputs as of June 30, 2023. The degree of judgment exercised by the Board in determining fair value is greatest for investments classified as Level 3 inputs. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair values of investments that do not have readily available market quotations, the Board’s estimate of fair values may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market for the securities existed, and those differences may be material. In addition, changes in the market environment, portfolio company performance and other events that may occur over the lives of the investments may cause the amounts ultimately realized on these investments to be materially different than the valuations currently assigned.
With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, the Board undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:
In making the good faith determination of the value of portfolio investments, the Board starts with the cost basis of the security. The transaction price is typically the best estimate of fair value at inception. When evidence supports a subsequent change to the carrying value from the original transaction price, adjustments are made to reflect the expected exit values.
The Board consulted with the independent third-party valuation firm(s) in arriving at our determination of fair value for 19 and 10 of our portfolio company investments representing 35.1% and 19.5% of the total portfolio investments at fair value (exclusive of new portfolio company investments made during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively) as of six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Consistent with the policies and methodologies adopted by the Board, the Company performs detailed valuations of its debt and equity investments, including an analysis on the Company’s unfunded debt investment commitments, using both the market and income approaches as appropriate. Under the market approach, the Company typically uses the enterprise value methodology to determine the fair value of an investment. There is no one methodology to estimate enterprise value and, in fact, for any one portfolio company, enterprise value is generally best expressed as a range of values, from which the Company derives a single estimate of enterprise value. Under the income approach, the Company typically prepares and analyzes discounted cash flow models to estimate the present value of future cash flows of either an individual debt investment or of the underlying portfolio company itself.
The Company evaluates investments in portfolio companies using the most recent portfolio company financial statements and forecasts. The Company also consults with the portfolio company’s senior management to obtain further updates on the portfolio company’s performance, including information such as industry trends, new product development and other operational issues.
27
For the Company’s debt investments the primary valuation technique used to estimate the fair value is the discounted cash flow method. However, if there is deterioration in credit quality or a debt investment is in workout status, the Company may consider other methods in determining the fair value, including the value attributable to the debt investment from the enterprise value of the portfolio company or the proceeds that would be received in a liquidation analysis. The Company’s discounted cash flow models estimate a range of fair values by applying an appropriate discount rate to the future cash flow streams of its debt investments, based on future interest and principal payments as set forth in the associated debt investment agreements. The Company prepares a weighted average cost of capital for use in the discounted cash flow model for each investment, based on factors including, but not limited to: current pricing and credit metrics for similar proposed or executed investment transactions of private companies; the portfolio company’s historical financial results and outlook; and the portfolio company’s current leverage and credit quality as compared to leverage and credit quality as of the date the investment was made. The Company may also consider the following factors when determining the fair value of debt investments: the portfolio company’s ability to make future scheduled payments; prepayment penalties and other fees; estimated remaining life; the nature and realizable value of any collateral securing such debt investment; and changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that generally may affect the price at which similar investments may be made. The Company estimates the remaining life of its debt investments to generally be the legal maturity date of the instrument, as the Company generally intends to hold its debt investments to maturity. However, if the Company has information available to it that the debt investment is expected to be repaid in the near term, it would use an estimated remaining life based on the expected repayment date.
For the Company’s equity investments, including equity securities and warrants, the Company generally uses a market approach, including valuation methodologies consistent with industry practice, to estimate the enterprise value of portfolio companies. Typically, the enterprise value of a private company is based on multiples of EBITDA, net income, revenues, or in limited cases, book value. In estimating the enterprise value of a portfolio company, the Company analyzes various factors consistent with industry practice, including but not limited to original transaction multiples, the portfolio company’s historical and projected financial results, applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and leverage levels, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public.
The Company may also utilize an income approach when estimating the fair value of its equity investments, either as a primary methodology if consistent with industry practice or if the market approach is otherwise not applicable, or as a supporting methodology to corroborate the fair value ranges determined by the market approach. The Company typically prepares and analyzes discounted cash flow models based on projections of the future free cash flows (or earnings) of the portfolio company. The Company considers various factors, including, but not limited to, the portfolio company’s projected financial results, applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and leverage levels, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public.
The following tables present fair value measurements of investments by major class according to the fair value hierarchy:
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
117,477
Money Market Funds
37,917
928,455
117,431
61,386
860,019
The Company reviews the fair value hierarchy classifications on a quarterly basis. Reclassifications impacting Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in or out of the Level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the reclassifications occur. There were no transfers among Levels 1, 2, and 3 during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
The following tables present a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for fair valued investments measured using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:
First Lien
Second Lien
Subordinated
Debt
Balance, December 31, 2021
354,922
158,815
36,064
165,762
3,204
718,767
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
379
(3,862
54
(23,048
(26,500
91,247
31,895
32,471
4,485
160,098
(14,312
(18,731
(34,965
(68,008
366
409
139
(669
(115
(239
(1,023
606
86
711
Balance, June 30, 2022
432,549
168,547
68,508
137,410
3,181
810,195
Balance, December 31, 2022
(9,333
3,850
(842
(2,529
1,914
92,162
25,000
23,682
6,504
147,348
(26,264
(42,413
(7,779
(76,456
237
823
812
(923
(331
(508
(1,762
653
68
775
34
228
Balance, June 30, 2023
Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of $(5,885) and $(6,345) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, was attributable to Level 3 investments held at June 30, 2023. Net change in unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) of $(5,656) and $(2,974) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively, was attributable to Level 3 investments held at June 30, 2022.
The following tables summarize the significant unobservable inputs by valuation technique used to determine the fair value of the Company’s Level 3 debt and equity investments as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022. The tables are not intended to be all-inclusive, but instead capture the significant unobservable inputs relevant to the Company’s determination of fair values.
Fair Value at
Valuation
Unobservable
Range
Techniques
Inputs
(weighted average)(1)
Debt investments:
508,153
Discounted cash flow
Weighted average cost of capital
9.8% - 24.6% (15.9%)
Enterprise value
Asset Coverage
1.0x - 1.0x (1.0x)
EBITDA multiples
4.3x - 4.3x (4.3x)
159,567
Discounted cash flow (2)
11.3% - 25.0% (15.1%)
0.8x - 0.8x (0.8x)
9.2% - 18.8% (12.6%)
Equity investments:
110,580
3.5x - 16.0x (8.3x)
6,897
Revenue multiples
0.9x - 7.5x (5.8x)
6.0x - 6.0x (6.0x)
4.5x - 4.5x (4.5x)
(1) Unobservable inputs were weighted by the relative fair value of the instruments.
(2) Includes $53.0 million of debt investments which were valued using a trading discount to par.
441,830
8.9% - 21.9% (15.5%)
1.1x - 1.1x (1.1x)
180,825
11.7% - 25.0% (14.5%)
5.0x - 5.0x (5.0x)
97,706
10.0% - 15.2% (12.5%)
8.5x - 8.5x (8.5x)
111,808
4.0x - 16.8x (8.1x)
5,623
0.9x - 7.8x (6.4x)
(2) Includes $18.0 million of debt investments which were valued using a trading discount to par.
The significant unobservable input used in determining the fair value under the discounted cash flow technique is the weighted average cost of capital of each security. Significant increases (or decreases) in this input would likely result in significantly lower (or higher) fair value estimates.
The significant unobservable inputs used in determining fair value under the enterprise value technique are revenue and EBITDA multiples, as well as asset coverage. Significant increases (or decreases) in these inputs could result in significantly higher (or lower) fair value estimates.
Other Financial Assets and Liabilities
ASC Topic 820 requires disclosure of the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practical to estimate such value. The Company believes that the carrying amounts of its other financial instruments such as cash and cash equivalents, interest receivable and accounts payable and other liabilities approximate the fair value of such items due to the short maturity of such instruments. The Company’s borrowings under the Credit Facility (as defined in Note 6), the SBA debentures, and the Notes (as defined in Note 6) are recorded at their respective carrying values.
The following tables summarize the carrying value and fair value of the Company’s debt obligations as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
June 30, 2023(5)
December 31, 2022(5)
Carrying Value (1)
SBA debentures (2)
182,000
153,000
Credit Facility borrowings (3)
January 2026 Notes (4)
125,000
111,013
111,854
November 2026 Notes (4)
102,983
103,963
462,000
425,996
403,000
368,817
The following table summarizes the inputs used to value the Company’s debt obligations if measured at fair value as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
Valuation Inputs
Note 5. Related Party Transactions
Investment Advisory Agreement: The Company has entered into an Investment Advisory Agreement with the Investment Advisor. On June 8, 2023, the Board approved the renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement for the period from June 20, 2023 through June 20, 2024. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement and subject to the overall supervision of the Board, the Investment Advisor provides investment advisory services to the Company. For providing these services, the Investment Advisor receives a fee, consisting of two components — a base management fee and an incentive fee.
The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% based on the average value of total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts) at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. The Board accepted a voluntary, non-contractual, and unconditional waiver from the Investment Advisor to exclude any investments recorded as secured borrowings as defined under GAAP from the base management fee payable effective April 1, 2021. The base management fee is payable quarterly in arrears. The base management fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was $4,051 and $7,905, respectively, and $3,618 and $6,961 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. The base management fee waiver for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was $72 and $144, respectively, and $76 and $152 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the base management fee payable (net of the base management fee waiver) was $3,979 and $3,769, respectively.
The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based on the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income for the quarter. Pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that the Company receives from portfolio companies but excluding fees for providing managerial assistance) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, any expenses payable under the Administration Agreement (defined below) and any interest expense and dividends paid on any outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee and excise taxes on realized gains). Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as market discount, original issue discount, debt instruments with PIK income, preferred stock with PIK dividends and zero-coupon securities), and accrued income the Company has not yet received in cash. The Investment Advisor is not under any obligation to reimburse the Company for any part of the incentive fee it receives that was based on accrued interest that the Company never collects.
Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, taxes associated with such realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation. Because of the structure of the incentive fee, it is possible that the Company may pay an incentive fee in a quarter where the Company incurs a loss. For example, if the Company generates pre-incentive fee net investment income in excess of the hurdle rate (as defined below) for a quarter, the Company will pay the applicable incentive fee even if the Company has incurred a loss in that quarter due to a net loss on investments.
Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period) at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a fixed “hurdle rate” of 2.0% per quarter. Under conditions such as the current rising interest rate environment, the Company may be able to invest funds in debt instruments that provide for a higher return, which would increase the Company’s pre-incentive fee net investment income and make it easier for the Investment Advisor to surpass the fixed hurdle rate and receive an incentive fee based on such net investment income.
The Company pays the Investment Advisor an incentive fee with respect to pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:
31
The sum of the calculations above equals the income incentive fee. The income incentive fee is appropriately prorated for any period of less than three months and adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the calendar quarter. The income incentive fee for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was $3,834 and $7,481, respectively, and $1,183 and $2,236 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the income incentive fee payable was $3,834 and $3,035, respectively.
The second part of the incentive fee is a capital gains incentive fee that is determined and paid in arrears as of the end of each fiscal year (or upon termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), and equals 20.0% of the net capital gains as of the end of the fiscal year. In determining the capital gains incentive fee to be paid in cash to the Investment Advisor, the Company calculates the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains and losses since the Formation Transactions (realized capital gains and losses include realized gains and losses on investments, net of income tax provision from realized gains on investments, and realized losses on extinguishment of debt, but excluding income tax (provision) benefit from deemed distribution of long term capital gains), and the aggregate unrealized capital depreciation on investments as of the date of the calculation. At the end of the applicable year, the amount of capital gains that serves as the basis for the calculation of the capital gains incentive fee to be paid equals the cumulative aggregate realized capital gains on investments, less cumulative aggregate tax (provision) benefit on realized gains (losses), less cumulative aggregate realized capital losses on investments, less aggregate unrealized capital depreciation on investments, and less cumulative aggregate realized losses on extinguishment of debt. If this number is positive at the end of such year, then the capital gains incentive fee to be paid in cash for such year equals 20.0% of such amount, less the aggregate amount of any capital gains incentive fees paid in all prior years. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the capital gains incentive fee payable in cash was zero and $7,556, respectively (as cumulative aggregate realized capital gains and losses on investments exceeded aggregate unrealized capital depreciation on investments plus realized losses on extinguishment of debt as of December 31, 2022). The aggregate amount of capital gains incentive fees paid from the IPO through June 30, 2023 was $14,040.
In addition, the Company accrues, but does not pay in cash, a capital gains incentive fee in connection with any unrealized capital appreciation on investments, as applicable. If, on a cumulative basis, the sum of (i) net realized gains/(losses) on investments plus (ii) net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments plus (iii) realized losses on extinguishment of debt decreases during a period, the Company will reverse any excess capital gains incentive fee previously accrued such that the amount of capital gains incentive fee accrued is no more than 20.0% of the sum of (i) net realized gains/(losses) on investments plus (ii) net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments plus (iii) realized losses on extinguishment of debt. The capital gains incentive fee accrued (reversed) during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was $(1,174) and $(1,021), respectively, and $(605) and $(335) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the accrued capital gains incentive fee payable was $14,083 and $22,659, respectively.
Unless terminated earlier as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will continue in effect from year to year if approved annually by the Board or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities, and, in either case, if also approved by a majority of the directors who are not “interested persons” of the Company, as such term is defined under Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act (the “Independent Directors”). The Investment Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by the Investment Advisor and may be terminated by either party without penalty upon not less than 60 days’ written notice to the other. The holders of a majority of the Company’s outstanding voting securities may also terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement without penalty.
32
Administration Agreement: The Company also entered into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with the Investment Advisor. On June 8, 2023, the Board approved the renewal of the Administration Agreement for the period from June 20, 2023 through June 20, 2024. Under the Administration Agreement, the Investment Advisor furnishes the Company with office facilities and equipment, provides clerical, bookkeeping, and record keeping services at such facilities and provides the Company with other administrative services necessary to conduct its day-to-day operations. The Company reimburses the Investment Advisor for the allocable portion of overhead expenses incurred in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent and the Company’s allocable portion of the cost of its chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs. Under the Administration Agreement, the Investment Advisor also provides managerial assistance to those portfolio companies on the Company's behalf to those portfolio companies that have accepted the Company's offer to provide such assistance and the Company reimburses the Investment Advisor for fees and expenses incurred with providing such services. In addition, the Company reimburses the Investment Advisor for fees and expenses incurred while performing due diligence on the Company’s prospective portfolio companies, including “dead deal” expenses. Under the Administration Agreement, administrative service expenses for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was $618 and $1,091, respectively, and $510 and $932 for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the accrued administrative service expense payable was $419 and $700, respectively.
Note 6. Debt
Revolving Credit Facility: On June 16, 2014, FIC entered into a senior secured revolving credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement" and the senior secured revolving credit facility, the “Credit Facility”) with ING Capital LLC (“ING”), as the administrative agent, collateral agent, and lender. The Credit Facility is secured by certain portfolio investments held by the Company, but portfolio investments held by the Funds are not collateral for the Credit Facility. On April 24, 2019, the Company entered into an Amended & Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) among the Company, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, and ING, as administrative agent. On June 26, 2020, the Company entered into an amendment to the Amended Credit Agreement that, among other changes, modified certain financial covenants. On August 17, 2022, the Company entered into a second amendment to the Amended Credit Agreement ("Second Amendment"). The Second Amendment, among other things: (i) changed the underlying benchmark used to compute interest under the Amended Credit Agreement to SOFR from LIBOR; (ii) reduced the applicable margin from 3.00% to 2.675% on SOFR loans prior to satisfying certain step-down conditions, and from 2.675% to 2.50% after satisfying certain step-down conditions, with commensurate reductions in the applicable margins for base rate loans; (iii) provided for a loan commitment availability period ending on August 17, 2026; (iv) extended the maturity date to August 17, 2027 from April 24, 2023; and (v) amended certain financial covenants, including (a) amending the asset coverage ratio to no less than 1.50 to 1.00 from no less than 2.00 to 1.00 (on a regulatory basis); and (b) requiring the Company to maintain a senior asset coverage ratio of no less than 2.00 to 1.00.
The Company pays a commitment fee that varies depending on the size of the unused portion of the Credit Facility: 2.500% to 2.675% per annum on the unused portion of the Credit Facility at or below 35% of the commitments and 0.50% per annum on any remaining unused portion of the Credit Facility between the total commitments and the 35% minimum utilization. The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in all of our assets, excluding the assets of our SBIC subsidiaries.
Amounts available to borrow under the Credit Facility are subject to a minimum borrowing/collateral base that applies an advance rate to certain investments held by the Company, excluding investments held by the Funds. The Company is subject to limitations with respect to the investments securing the Credit Facility, including, but not limited to, restrictions on sector concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status and collateral interests, as well as restrictions on portfolio company leverage, which may also affect the borrowing base and therefore amounts available to borrow.
The Company has made customary representations and warranties and is required to comply with various covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the documents governing the Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Credit Agreement.
SBA debentures: The Company uses debenture leverage provided through the SBA to fund a portion of its investment purchases.
Under the SBA debenture program, the SBA commits to purchase debentures issued by SBICs; such debentures have 10-year terms with the entire principal balance due at maturity and are guaranteed by the SBA. Interest on SBA debentures is payable semi-annually on March 1 and September 1. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, approved and unused SBA debenture commitments were $8,000 and $37,000, respectively. The SBA may limit the amount that may be drawn each year under these commitments, and each issuance of leverage is conditioned on the Company’s full compliance, as determined by the SBA, with the terms and conditions under SBA regulations.
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s issued and outstanding SBA debentures mature as follows:
Pooling
Fixed
Date (1)
Date
Interest Rate
3/25/2015
3/1/2025
3.277
3/1/2026
3.267
3.249
2,500
9/21/2016
9/1/2026
2.793
9/20/2017
9/1/2027
3.260
3.190
33,000
9/25/2019
9/1/2029
2.377
7,500
3/25/2020
3/1/2030
2.172
9/22/2021
9/1/2031
1.398
11,500
3/23/2022
3/1/2032
3.209
43,500
9/21/2022
9/1/2032
4.533
17,500
3/22/2023
3/1/2033
5.439
5.341
3,000
8,000
Total outstanding SBA debentures
The SBA has two scheduled pooling dates for debentures (in March and in September). Certain debentures funded during the reporting periods may not be pooled until the subsequent pooling date.
The Company issued $8,000, $12,000, and $5,000 in SBA debentures, each of which will pool in September 2023. Until the pooling date, the debentures bear interest at a fixed rate interim interest rate of 6.047%, 5.983%, and 5.988%, respectively. The Company expects the current interim interest rate will reset to a higher long-term fixed rate on the pooling date.
Notes: On December 23, 2020, the Company closed the offering of $125,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 4.75% notes due 2026, or the “January 2026 Notes”. The total net proceeds to the Company from the January 2026 Notes, based on a public offering price of 100.00% of par, after deducting underwriting discounts of $2,500 and offering expenses of $366, were approximately $122,134. The January 2026 Notes will mature on January 31, 2026 and bear interest at a rate of 4.75%. The January 2026 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option subject to a make whole provision if redeemed before October 31, 2025 (the date falling three months prior to maturity) and at par thereafter. Interest on the January 2026 Notes is payable on January 31 and July 31 of each year. The Company does not intend to list the January 2026 Notes on any securities exchange or automated dealer quotation system.
On October 8, 2021, the Company closed the offering of $125,000 in aggregate principal amount of its 3.50% notes due 2026, or the “November 2026 Notes” (collectively with the January 2026 Notes, the “Notes”). The total net proceeds to the Company from the November 2026 Notes, based on a public offering price of 99.996% of par, after deducting underwriting discounts of $2,500 and offering expenses of $318, were approximately $122,177. The November 2026 Notes will mature on November 15, 2026 and bear interest at a rate of 3.50%. The November 2026 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option subject to a make whole provision if redeemed before August 15, 2026 (the date falling three months prior to maturity) and at par thereafter. Interest on the November 2026 Notes is payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year. The Company does not intend to list the November 2026 Notes on any securities exchange or automated dealer quotation system.
Each of the Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and rank pari passu with the Company’s existing and future unsecured indebtedness; effectively subordinated to all of the Company’s existing and future secured indebtedness; and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of its subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities the Company may form in the future, with respect to claims on the assets of any such subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities, including the Credit Facility.
Secured Borrowing
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the carrying value of secured borrowings totaled $16,552 and $16,880, respectively, and the fair value of the associated loans included in investments was $16,544 and $16,875, respectively. These secured borrowings were created as a result of our completion of partial loan sales of certain unitranche loan assets that did not meet the definition of a “participating interest.” As a result, sale treatment was not permitted and these partial loan sales were treated as secured borrowings. The weighted average interest rate on our secured borrowings was approximately 9.1% and 7.8% as of June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, respectively.
Senior Securities
As of June 30, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the aggregate amount outstanding of the senior securities (including secured borrowings) issued by the Company was $296,552 and $266,880, respectively, for which our asset coverage was 263.0% and 280.0%, respectively. The SBA debentures are excluded from the definition “senior securities” in the asset coverage requirement applicable to the Company under the 1940 Act pursuant to exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC on June 30, 2014. The asset coverage ratio for a class of senior securities representing indebtedness is calculated as our consolidated total assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, divided by total senior securities representing indebtedness.
Interest and Financing Expenses
Interest and fees related to the Company’s debt for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 which are included in interest and financing expenses on the consolidated statements of operations, were as follows:
Three Months Ended June 30, 2023
Three Months Ended June 30, 2022
SBA
Credit
Secured
debentures
Facility
Borrowings
Notes
Stated interest expense
1,547
525
412
2,578
5,062
911
387
229
4,105
177
74
278
529
144
113
Total interest and financing expenses
1,724
599
2,856
1,055
2,855
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023
Six Months Ended June 30, 2022
SBA debentures
Credit Facility
Secured Borrowings
2,919
855
801
5,156
9,731
1,650
437
7,993
345
147
553
282
551
3,264
1,002
5,709
1,932
975
5,707
Weighted average stated interest rate, period end
3.905
7.891
9.101
4.125
4.450
2.846
N/A
5.119
3.753
Unused commitment fee rate, period end
0.655
1.375
Realized Losses on Extinguishment of Debt
During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company prepaid zero and $20,000 of SBA debentures, respectively, which were scheduled to mature on dates ranging from 2025 to 2028. As a result of the prepayments, the Company recognized realized losses on extinguishment of debt of zero and $198, respectively, equal to the write-off of the related unamortized deferred financing costs, during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
Deferred Financing Costs
Deferred financing costs are amortized into interest and financing expenses on the consolidated statements of operations, using the effective interest method, over the term of the respective financing instrument. Deferred financing costs related to the SBA debentures, the Credit Facility, and the Notes as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 were as follows:
SBA debenture commitment fees
SBA debenture leverage fees
7,095
6,389
Credit Facility upfront fees
4,417
Notes underwriting discounts
5,005
Notes debt issue costs
685
Total deferred financing costs
10,095
20,202
9,389
19,496
Less: accumulated amortization
(5,210
(3,185
(2,370
(10,765
(4,865
(3,037
(1,818
(9,720
Unamortized deferred financing costs
4,885
1,232
3,320
9,437
4,524
1,380
3,872
9,776
35
Unamortized deferred financing costs are presented as a direct offset to the SBA debentures, the Credit Facility and the Notes liabilities on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. The following table summarizes the outstanding debt net of unamortized deferred financing costs as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
June 30, 2023(1)
December 31, 2022(1)
Outstanding debt
250,000
Less: unamortized deferred financing costs
(4,885
(1,232
(3,320
(9,437
(4,524
(3,872
(9,776
Debt, net of deferred financing costs
452,563
393,224
As of June 30, 2023, the Company’s debt liabilities are scheduled to mature as follows (1):
Year
Facility (2)
2024
2025
2026
4,500
271,052
2027
34,000
64,000
2028
Thereafter
142,000
478,552
The table above presents scheduled maturities of the Company’s outstanding debt liabilities as of a point in time pursuant to the terms of those instruments. The timing of actual repayments of outstanding debt liabilities may not ultimately correspond with the scheduled maturity dates depending on the terms of the underlying instruments and the potential for earlier prepayments.
The Credit Facility matures on August 17, 2027.
Note 7. Commitments and Contingencies
Commitments: The Company had outstanding commitments to portfolio companies to fund various undrawn revolving loans, other debt investments and capital commitments totaling $12,301 and $16,915 as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. Such outstanding commitments are summarized in the following table:
Unfunded
Portfolio Company - Investment
Commitment
Acendre Midco, Inc. - Revolving Loan
American AllWaste LLC (dba WasteWater Transport Services) - First Lien Debt
2,225
Choice Technology Solutions, LLC (dba Choice Merchant Solutions, LLC) - Revolving Loan
Combined Systems, Inc. - Revolving Loan
162
EBL, LLC (EbLens) - Common Equity (Units)
Elements Brands, LLC - Revolving Loan
Netbase Solutions, Inc. (dba Netbase Quid) - First Lien Debt (last out)
300
R1 Holdings, LLC (dba RoadOne IntermodaLogistics) - First Lien Debt
2,489
1,727
R1 Holdings, LLC (dba RoadOne IntermodaLogistics) - Senior Subordinated Debt
417
R1 Holdings, LLC (dba RoadOne IntermodaLogistics) - Common Equity
70
Tedia Company, LLC - Revolving Loan
2,400
Tedia Company, LLC - Delayed Draw Term Loan
Western's Smokehouse, LLC - Delayed Draw Term Loan
3,500
2,702
18,676
12,301
24,651
16,915
Additional detail for each of the commitments above is provided in the Company’s consolidated schedules of investments.
The commitments are generally subject to the borrowers meeting certain criteria such as compliance with financial and non-financial covenants, which may limit such borrower's ability to draw on a revolving loan or delayed draw loan. Since commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements.
36
Indemnifications: In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts and agreements that contain a variety of representations and warranties that provide indemnifications under certain circumstances. In addition, in connection with the disposition of an investment in a portfolio company, the Company may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of such portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. The Company may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations are inaccurate. The Company’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown, as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Company that have not yet occurred. The Company expects the risk of future obligation under these indemnifications to be remote.
Legal proceedings: In the normal course of business, the Company may be subject to legal and regulatory proceedings that are generally incidental to its ongoing operations. While the outcome of any such legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not believe any such legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Note 8. Common Stock
Public Offerings of Common Stock
The following table summarizes the cumulative total shares issued, net proceeds received, and weighted average offering price in public offerings of the Company’s common stock since the IPO in June 2011, except for the issuances under the ATM Program as described further below.
Period
Cumulative Number of Shares
Cumulative Gross Proceeds
Cumulative Underwriting Fees and Commissions and Offering Costs (1)
Weighted Average Offering Price
Cumulative since IPO
14,388,414
236,597
8,989
16.44
(1) Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC agreed to bear a cumulative of $1,925 of underwriting fees and commissions and offering costs associated with these offerings (such amounts are not included in the number reported above). All such payments made by Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC are not subject to reimbursement by the Company.
Equity ATM Program
On November 10, 2022, the Company established the at-the-market program (the “ATM Program”), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time through Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and B. Riley Securities, Inc., each as sales agents, shares of the Company’s common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50,000. The gross proceeds raised, the related sales agent commissions and the offering expenses, the net proceeds raised, and the average price at which shares were issued under the ATM Program for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
Average
Underwriting
Offering
Gross
Fees and
Net
Shares
Price
Proceeds
Commissions
January 1, 2022 through March 31, 2022
April 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022
January 1, 2023 through March 31, 2023
20.68
5,389
5,308
April 1, 2023 through June 30, 2023
19.93
4,914
4,840
507,184
20.31
10,303
155
10,148
Cumulative to date, the Company has sold 797,572 shares of common stock under the ATM Program at a weighted-average price of $20.32, raising $16,203 of gross proceeds. Net proceeds were $15,960 after commissions to the sales agents on shares sold. As of June 30, 2023, the Company has $33,797 available under the ATM Program.
Stock Repurchase Program
As described in Note 2, the Company has a Stock Repurchase Program under which the Company may acquire up to $5,000 of its outstanding common stock. The Company did not make any repurchases of common stock during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
DRIP Program
37
The Company issued 30,836 and 30,836 shares of common stock under the DRIP during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. No shares under the DRIP were issued during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022. Refer to Note 9 for additional information regarding the issuance of shares under the DRIP.
The Company had 25,265,808 and 24,727,788 shares of common stock outstanding as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively. The proceeds receivable from stock offerings of $895 as presented on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2023, were collected in July 2023.
Note 9. Dividends and Distributions
The Company’s dividends and distributions are recorded on the record date. The following table summarizes the dividends paid during the last two fiscal years and for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
DRIP
Record
Payment
Cash
Share
Declared
Per Share
Distribution
Issue Price
Year Ended December 31, 2021:
2/09/2021
3/12/2021
3/26/2021
0.31
7,575
2/09/2021 (2)
0.07
1,711
5/03/2021
6/14/2021
7,576
5/03/2021 (2)
0.08
1,955
8/02/2021
9/14/2021
9/28/2021
0.32
7820
8/02/2021 (2)
0.06
1,466
8/02/2021 (1)
0.04
977
11/01/2021
12/3/2021
11/01/2021 (2)
978
11/01/2021 (1)
0.05
1,222
1.60
39,100
Year Ended December 31, 2022:
2/15/2022
3/11/2022
0.36
8,797
2/15/2022 (2)
0.17
4,154
5/02/2022
6/10/2022
6/24/2022
5/02/2022 (2)
1,712
8/01/2022
9/9/2022
9/23/2022
8/01/2022 (2)
12/2/2022
8,902
1,731
11/03/2022 (2)
1,978
11/03/2022 (1)
0.10
2,473
2.00
49,052
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023:
3/29/2023
0.41
10,245
2/15/2023 (2)
0.15
3,748
2/15/2023 (1)
2,499
5/02/2023
6/28/2023
10,340
9,987
18,061
19.56
5/02/2023 (2)
0.19
4,792
4,628
164
8,370
5/02/2023 (1)
2,522
2,436
4,405
34,146
33,543
603
Special dividend
Supplemental dividend
During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, the Company directed the DRIP plan administrator to repurchase shares on the open market in order to satisfy the DRIP obligation to deliver shares of common stock in lieu of issuing new shares. Accordingly, the Company purchased and reissued shares to satisfy the DRIP obligation as follows:
Purchased
Price Paid
and Reissued
Amount Paid
January 1, 2021 through March 31, 2021
15,562
15.62
April 1, 2021 through June 30, 2021
17,042
17.20
293
July 1, 2021 through September 30, 2021
18,201
17.82
October 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021
18,283
17.42
318
69,088
17.05
1,178
20,380
20.51
20,233
17.89
362
July 1, 2022 through September 30, 2022
21,114
17.08
360
October 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022
23,026
18.99
84,753
18.61
1,577
38
25,512
19.22
490
Note 10. Financial Highlights
The following is a schedule of financial highlights for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:
Per share data:
Net asset value at beginning of period
19.96
Net investment income (1)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, net of tax (provision) (1)
(0.28
1.03
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments (1)
(1.09
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt (1)
(0.01
Total increase from investment operations (1)
Accretive (dilutive) effect of share issuances and repurchases
0.01
Dividends to stockholders
(1.36
(0.96
Other (11)
Net asset value at end of period
19.80
Market value at end of period
19.60
17.45
Shares outstanding at end of period
Weighted average shares outstanding during the period
Net assets at end of period
Average net assets (6)
482,779
486,080
Ratios to average net assets:
Total expenses (2)(4)(10)
12.0
8.4
Net investment income (5)
13.1
8.8
Total return based on market value (3)
9.4
2.3
Total return based on net asset value (8)
5.5
4.0
Portfolio turnover ratio (9)
Supplemental Data:
Average debt outstanding (7)
448,355
388,781
Average debt per share (1)
17.99
15.91
39
Ratio to average net assets:
Expenses other than incentive fee (2)
9.3
7.6
Incentive fee (9)
2.7
0.8
Total expenses (2)(4)
Total expenses, before base management fee waiver (2)
8.5
Base management fee waiver (9)
0.0
(0.1
%)
Note 11. Subsequent Events
On July 19, 2023, the Company issued an additional $8,000 in SBA debentures, which will bear interest at a fixed interim interest rate of 6.035% until the pooling date in September 2023.
On July 21, 2023, the Company invested $19,000 in first lien debt, subordinated debt, common equity, and preferred equity in DealerBuilt Acquisition, LLC, a provider of Dealer Management System (DMS) software for auto dealerships.
On July 31, 2023, the Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, a supplemental dividend of $0.21 per share, and a special dividend of $0.10 per share, payable on September 27, 2023, to stockholders of record as of September 20, 2023.
For the period from July 1, 2023, to August 2, 2023, the Company sold a total of 50,264 shares of our common stock under the ATM Program for gross proceeds of approximately $990 and net proceeds of approximately $976, after deducting commissions to the sales agents on shares sold and offering expenses.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Fidus Investment Corporation’s consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2023. The information contained in this section should also be read in conjunction with our unaudited consolidated financial statements and related notes thereto appearing elsewhere in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
Except as otherwise specified, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” “Fidus” and “FIC” refer to Fidus Investment Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries.
Forward Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about Fidus Investment Corporation, our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs, and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “targets,” “projects” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:
Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new debt investments, certain margins and levels of profitability and the availability of additional capital. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in Item 1.A – Risk Factors contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, filed with the SEC on March 2, 2023. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
42
Overview
General and Corporate Structure
We provide customized debt and equity financing solutions to lower middle-market companies, which we define as U.S. based companies having revenues between $10.0 million and $150.0 million. Our investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity related investments. Our investment strategy includes partnering with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors by providing customized financing for ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, business expansion and other growth initiatives. We seek to maintain a diversified portfolio of investments in order to help mitigate the potential effects of adverse economic events related to particular companies, regions or industries.
FIC was formed as a Maryland corporation on February 14, 2011. We completed our initial public offering, or IPO, in June 2011. On June 20, 2011, FIC acquired all of the limited partnership interests of Fund I and membership interests of Fidus Mezzanine Capital GP, LLC, its general partner, resulting in Fund I becoming our wholly-owned SBIC subsidiary. Immediately following the acquisition, we and Fund I elected to be treated as business development companies, or BDCs, under the 1940 Act and our investment activities have been managed by Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC, our investment advisor, and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent of us. On March 29, 2013, we commenced operations of a second wholly-owned subsidiary, Fund II. On April 18, 2018, we commenced operations of a third wholly-owned subsidiary, Fund III.
Fund II and Fund III received their SBIC licenses on May 28, 2013, and March 21, 2019, respectively. We plan to continue to operate the Funds as SBICs, subject to SBA approval, and to utilize the proceeds of the sale of SBA-guaranteed debentures to enhance returns to our stockholders. As of September 9, 2019, Fund I completed a wind-down plan, relinquished its SBIC license, and can no longer issue additional SBA debentures. We have also made, and continue to make, investments directly through FIC. We believe that utilizing FIC and the Funds as investment vehicles provides us with access to a broader array of investment opportunities.
We have certain wholly-owned subsidiaries (the “Taxable Subsidiaries”), each of which generally holds one or more of our portfolio investments listed on the consolidated schedules of investments, that have elected to be treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are thus subject to U.S. federal income tax at corporate rates. The Taxable Subsidiaries are consolidated for financial reporting purposes, such that our consolidated financial statements reflect our investment in the portfolio company investments owned by the Taxable Subsidiaries. The purpose of the Taxable Subsidiaries is to permit us to hold equity investments in portfolio companies that are taxed as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes (such as entities organized as limited liability companies (“LLCs”) or other forms of pass through entities) while complying with the “source-of-income” requirements contained in the RIC tax provisions. The Taxable Subsidiaries are not consolidated with us for U.S. federal corporate income tax purposes, and each Taxable Subsidiary will be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on its taxable income. Any such income or expense is reflected in the consolidated statements of operations.
We seek to create a diversified investment portfolio that primarily includes debt investments and, to a lesser extent, equity securities. Our investments typically range between $5.0 million to $35.0 million per portfolio company, although this investment size may vary proportionately with the size of our capital base. Our investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity related investments. We may invest in the equity securities of our portfolio companies, such as preferred stock, common stock, warrants and other equity interests, either directly or in conjunction with our debt investments.
First Lien Debt. We structure some of our investments as senior secured or first lien debt investments. First lien debt investments are secured by a first priority lien on existing and future assets of the borrower and may take the form of term loans or revolving lines of credit. First lien debt is typically senior on a lien basis to other liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a first-priority security interest in assets of the issuer. The security interest ranks above the security interest of any second lien lenders in those assets. Our first lien debt may include stand-alone first lien loans, “last out” first lien loans, or “unitranche” loans. Stand-alone first lien loans are traditional first lien loans. All lenders in the facility have equal rights to the collateral that is subject to the first-priority security interest. “Last out” first lien loans have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first lien loans in the collateral securing the loans in certain circumstances. The arrangements for a “last out” first lien loan are set forth in an “agreement among lenders,” which provides lenders with “first out” and “last out” payment streams based on a single lien on the collateral. Since the “first out” lenders generally have priority over the “last out” lenders for receiving payment under certain specified events of default, or upon the occurrence of other triggering events under intercreditor agreements or agreements among lenders, the “last out” lenders bear a greater risk and, in exchange, receive a higher effective interest rate, through arrangements among the lenders, than the “first out” lenders or lenders in stand-alone first lien loans. Agreements among lenders also typically provide greater voting rights to the “last out” lenders than the intercreditor agreements to which second lien lenders often are subject.
43
Many of our debt investments also include excess cash flow sweep features, whereby principal repayment may be required before maturity if the portfolio company achieves certain defined operating targets. Additionally, our debt investments typically have principal prepayment penalties in the early years of the debt investment. The majority of our debt investments provide for a variable interest rate, generally with a PRIME or SOFR floor.
Second Lien Debt. Some of our debt investments take the form of second lien debt, which includes senior subordinated notes. Second lien debt investments obtain security interests in the assets of the portfolio company as collateral in support of the repayment of such loans. Second lien debt typically is senior on a lien basis to other liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a security interest over assets of the issuer, though ranking junior to first lien debt secured by those assets. First lien lenders and second lien lenders typically have separate liens on the collateral, and an intercreditor agreement provides the first lien lenders with priority over the second lien lenders’ liens on the collateral. These loans typically provide for no contractual loan amortization, with all amortization deferred until loan maturity, and may include payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest, which increases the principal balance over the term and, coupled with the deferred principal payment provision, increases credit risk exposure over the life of the loan.
Subordinated Debt. These investments are typically structured as unsecured, subordinated notes. Structurally, subordinated debt usually ranks subordinate in priority of payment to first lien and second lien debt and may not have the benefit of financial covenants common in first lien and second lien debt. Subordinated debt may rank junior as it relates to proceeds in certain liquidations where it does not have the benefit of a lien in specific collateral held by creditors (typically first lien and/or second lien) who have a perfected security interest in such collateral. However, subordinated debt ranks senior to common and preferred equity in an issuer’s capital structure. These loans typically have relatively higher fixed interest rates (often representing a combination of cash pay and PIK interest) and amortization of principal deferred to maturity. The PIK feature (meaning a feature allowing for the payment of interest in the form of additional principal amount of the loan instead of in cash), which effectively operates as negative amortization of loan principal, coupled with the deferred principal payment provision, increases credit risk exposure over the life of the loan.
Equity Securities. Our equity investments typically consist of either a direct minority equity investment in common or preferred stock or membership/partnership interests of a portfolio company, or we may receive warrants to buy a minority equity interest in a portfolio company in connection with a debt investment. Warrants we receive with our debt investments typically require only a nominal cost to exercise, and thus, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity interest. Our equity investments are typically not control-oriented investments, and in many cases, we acquire equity securities as part of a group of private equity investors in which we are not the lead investor. We may structure such equity investments to include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, as well as a “put,” or right to sell such securities back to the issuer, upon the occurrence of specified events. In many cases, we may also seek to obtain registration rights in connection with these equity interests, which may include demand and “piggyback” registration rights. Our equity investments typically are made in connection with debt investments to the same portfolio companies.
Revenues: We generate revenue in the form of interest and fee income on debt investments and dividends, if any, on equity investments. Our debt investments, whether in the form of second lien, subordinated or first lien loans, typically have terms of five to seven years and most bear interest at fixed or variable rates. In some instances, we receive payments on our debt investments based on scheduled amortization of the outstanding balances. In addition, we may receive repayments of some of our debt investments prior to their scheduled maturity dates, which may include prepayment penalties. The frequency or volume of these repayments fluctuates significantly from period to period. Our portfolio activity may reflect the proceeds of sales of securities. In some cases, our investments provide for deferred interest payments or PIK interest. The principal amount of debt investments and any accrued but unpaid interest generally become due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, amendment, or structuring fees and fees for providing managerial assistance. Debt investment origination fees, OID and market discount or premium, if any, are capitalized, and we accrete or amortize such amounts into interest income. We record prepayment penalties on debt investments as fee income when earned. Interest and dividend income is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. Interest is accrued daily based on the outstanding principal amount and the contractual terms of the debt investment. Dividend income is recorded as dividends are declared or at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution, and is generally recognized when received. Distributions of earnings from portfolio companies are evaluated to determine if the distribution is a distribution of earnings or a return of capital. Distributions of earnings are included in dividend income while a return of capital is recorded as a reduction in the cost basis of the investment. Estimates are adjusted as necessary after the relevant tax forms are received from the portfolio company. Debt investments or preferred equity investments (for which we are accruing PIK dividends) are placed on non-accrual status when principal, interest or dividend payments become materially past due, or when there is reasonable doubt that principal, interest or dividends will be collected. Interest and dividend payments received on non-accrual investments may be recognized as interest or dividend income or may be applied to the investment principal balance based on management’s judgment. Non-accrual investments are restored to accrual status when past due principal, interest or dividends are paid and, in management’s judgment, payments are likely to remain current. See “Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates – Revenue Recognition.”
44
We recognize realized gains or losses on investments based on the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized. We record current period changes in fair value of investments that are measured at fair value as a component of the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations.
Expenses: All investment professionals of the Investment Advisor and/or its affiliates, when and to the extent engaged in providing investment advisory and management services to us, and the compensation and routine overhead expenses allocable to personnel who provide these services to us, are provided and paid for by the Investment Advisor and not by us. We bear all other out-of-pocket costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including, without limitation, those relating to:
Portfolio Composition, Investment Activity and Yield
During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we invested $147.3 million and $160.1 million, respectively, in debt and equity investments including eight and nine new portfolio companies, respectively. During the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we received proceeds from sales or repayments, including principal, return of capital dividends and net realized gains (losses), of $76.5 million and $68.0 million, respectively, including exits of five and two portfolio companies, respectively. The following table summarizes investment purchases and sales and repayments of investments by type for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (dollars in millions).
Purchases of Investments
Sales and Repayments of Investments
Six Months ended June 30,
92.2
62.6
91.2
57.0
26.3
14.3
25.0
20.0
42.4
27.5
23.7
32.5
20.3
6.4
4.3
4.4
7.8
10.2
35.0
51.5
147.3
160.1
76.5
68.0
(1) For the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, first lien debt includes unitranche securities, which account for 32.5% and 37.4% of purchases, respectively. For the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, first lien debt includes unitranche securities, which account for 3.9% and 17.4% of repayments, respectively.
45
As of June 30, 2023, the fair value of our investment portfolio totaled $928.7 million and consisted of 79 active portfolio companies and two portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations. As of June 30, 2023, 46 portfolio companies’ debt investments bore interest at a variable rate, which represented $589.3 million, or 72.9%, of our debt investment portfolio on a fair value basis, and the remainder of our debt investment portfolio was comprised of fixed-rate investments. Overall, the portfolio had net unrealized appreciation of $33.6 million as of June 30, 2023. As of June 30, 2023, our average active portfolio company investment at amortized cost was $11.3 million, which excludes investments in the two portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations.
As of December 31, 2022, the fair value of our investment portfolio totaled $860.3 million and consisted of 76 active portfolio companies and two portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations. As of December 31, 2022, 43 portfolio companies’ debt investments bore interest at a variable rate, which represented $522.9 million, or 70.6%, of our debt investment portfolio on a fair value basis, and the remainder of our debt investment portfolio was comprised of fixed-rate investments. Overall, the portfolio had net unrealized appreciation of $31.6 million as of December 31, 2022. As of December 31, 2022, our average active portfolio company investment at amortized cost was $10.9 million, which excludes investments in the two portfolio companies that have sold their underlying operations.
The weighted average yield on debt investments as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was 14.5% and 13.8%, respectively. The weighted average yield of our debt investments is not the same as a return on investment for our stockholders but, rather, relates to a portion of our investment portfolio and is calculated before the payment of all of our and our subsidiaries’ fees and expenses. The weighted average yields were computed using the effective interest rates for debt investments at cost including the accretion of OID and debt investment origination fees, but excluding investments on non-accrual status, if any.
The following table shows the portfolio composition by investment type at fair value and cost and as a percentage of total investments (dollars in millions):
521.9
456.1
519.5
453.6
161.7
182.9
187.7
213.7
124.7
101.5
100.6
117.7
60.4
57.9
2.1
2.9
928.7
860.3
895.2
828.7
(1) Includes unitranche investments, which account for 42.7% and 44.1% of our portfolio on a fair value and cost basis as of June 30, 2023, respectively. Includes unitranche investments, which account for 42.1% and 43.4% of our portfolio on a fair value and cost basis as of December 31, 2022, respectively.
The following table shows portfolio composition by geographic region at fair value and cost and as a percentage of total investments (dollars in millions). The geographic composition is determined by the location of the corporate headquarters of the portfolio company, which may not be indicative of the primary source of the portfolio company’s business.
166.3
180.6
124.6
132.2
287.6
265.9
277.9
258.4
157.7
127.4
153.7
134.9
149.9
151.5
166.9
161.9
154.7
122.5
159.6
128.9
12.5
12.4
46
The following table shows the detailed industry composition of our portfolio at fair value and cost as a percentage of total investments:
Name
32.3
33.3
34.9
35.4
12.2
14.0
8.9
10.5
5.2
5.8
7.3
5.7
6.1
5.4
Transportation Services
5.3
5.6
4.7
5.1
4.5
3.1
3.7
2.5
2.4
3.9
Promotional Products
2.2
3.0
1.6
1.2
1.7
0.1
(1) Percentage is less than 0.1% of respective total.
Portfolio Asset Quality
In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, the Investment Advisor uses an internally developed investment rating system to characterize and monitor the credit profile and our expected level of returns on each investment in our portfolio. We use a five-level numeric rating scale. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:
We also have observed, and continue to observe, supply chain disruptions, labor and resource shortages, commodity inflation, elements of financial market instability (including rapidly rising interest rates), an uncertain economic outlook for the United States (which may include a recession), and elements of geopolitical instability (including the ongoing war in Ukraine and U.S. and China relations). In the event that the U.S. economy enters into a protracted recession, it is possible that the results of certain U.S. middle market companies could experience deterioration. We are closely monitoring the effect of such market volatility may have on our portfolio companies and our investment activities. We also are maintaining close communications with our portfolio companies and have also increased oversight of credits in vulnerable industries to mitigate any decline in loan performance and reduce credit risk.
The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment rating scale at fair value and cost as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (dollars in millions):
Investment Rating
78.5
84.4
9.8
16.4
1.8
26.9
3.2
762.9
82.1
699.4
81.3
756.2
84.5
682.9
82.4
78.6
73.9
8.6
91.0
94.4
11.4
6.5
0.7
18.1
2.0
13.5
22.9
2.8
Based on our investment rating system, the weighted average rating of our portfolio as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 was 2.0 and 2.0, respectively, on a fair value basis and 2.2 and 2.2, respectively, on a cost basis.
Non-Accrual
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had debt investments in four portfolio companies on non-accrual status (dollars in millions).
8.2
10.3
6.0
15.9
6.3
10.9
14.4
27.2
(1) Debt investment in portfolio company was not on non-accrual status at December 31, 2022.
(2) Portfolio company debt investment was not held as of June 30, 2023.
(3) Portfolio company debt investment was not on non-accrual status as of June 30, 2023.
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
Comparison of three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
Investment Income
Below is a summary of the changes in total investment income for the three months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022 (dollars in millions, percent change calculated based on underlying dollar amounts in thousands):
Three Months Ended June 30,
$ Change
% Change (1)(2)
26.2
19.4
6.8
35.1
236.5
300.0
0.9
67.4
Interest on idle funds and other income
NM
30.6
21.2
44.5
(1) NM = Not meaningful
(2) Percent change calculated based on underlying dollar amounts in thousands as presented on the consolidated statements of operations.
For the three months ended June 30, 2023, total investment income was $30.6 million, an increase of $9.4 million or 44.5%, from the $21.2 million of total investment income for the three months ended June 30, 2022. As reflected in the table above, the increase is primarily attributable to the following:
Below is a summary of the changes in total investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022 (dollars in millions):
52.1
36.5
43.0
1.9
1.0
104.8
(10.1
3.5
59.6
41.7
43.1
For the six months ended June 30, 2023, total investment income was $59.6 million, an increase of $17.9 million or 43.1%, from the 41.7 million of total investment income for the six months ended June 30, 2022. As reflected in the table above, the increase is primarily attributable to the following:
Expenses
Below is a summary of the changes in total expenses, including income tax provision, for the three months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022 (dollars in millions, percent change calculated based on underlying dollar amounts in thousands):
20.5
4.1
3.6
0.5
3.8
224.1
(1.2
(0.6
94.0
121.0
(0.2
(50.3
Total expenses, before base management and income incentive fee waivers
13.8
36.0
Base management and income incentive fee waivers
(5.3
Total expenses, before income tax provision
10.1
36.3
Total expenses, including income tax provision
35.8
For the three months ended June 30, 2023, total expenses, including income tax provision, were $13.8 million, an increase of $3.7 million or 35.8%, from the $10.1 million of total expenses for the three months ended June 30, 2022. As reflected in the table above, changes across the periods were primarily attributable to the following:
Below is a summary of the changes in total expenses, including income tax provision, for the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022 (dollars in millions):
10.8
9.1
19.1
7.9
13.6
7.5
234.6
Incentive fee - capital gains
(1.0
(0.3
(0.7
204.8
1.1
17.1
81.0
(0.4
(38.4
28.2
7.7
37.7
28.0
28.1
38.3
For the six months ended June 30, 2023, total expenses, including income tax provision, were $28.1 million, an increase of $7.8 million or 38.3%, from the $20.3 million of total expenses for the six months ended June 30, 2022. As reflected in the table above, changes across periods were primarily attributable to the following:
Net Investment Income
Net investment income increased by $5.7 million, or 52.5%, to $16.8 million during the three months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022, as a result of the $9.4 million increase in total investment income, partially offset by the $3.7 million increase in total expenses, including base management fee waiver and income tax provision.
Net investment income increased by $10.1 million, or 47.6%, to $31.5 million during the six months ended June 30, 2023 as compared to the same period in 2022, as a result of the $17.9 million increase in total investment income, partially offset by the $7.8 million increase in total expenses, including base management fee waiver and income tax provision.
Net Gain (Loss) on Investments
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the total net realized gain/(loss) on investments, before income tax (provision)/benefit, was $(5.5) million and $(5.5) million, respectively. Income tax (provision) benefit from realized gains on investments was $(1.5) million and $(1.5) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. We realize a gain/(loss) on our equity investments primarily when we either sell our equity investment or the underlying portfolio company is sold. Significant realized gains (losses) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 are summarized below (dollars in millions):
Period Ended June 30, 2023
Three
Six
Realization Event (1)
Months
The Tranzonic Companies
Escrow distribution
Exit of portfolio company
Frontline Food Services, LLC (f/k/a Accent Food Services, LLC)
(11.5
Net realized gain (loss) on investments
(5.6
(5.5
(1.5
Net realized gain (loss), net of income tax provision, on investments
(7.1
(7.0
(1) As it relates to realization events, we define an 'exit' of a portfolio company as situations where we have completely exited our position in all of the portfolio company's securities and no longer carry the portfolio company on our schedule of investments. We define a 'sale' of a portfolio company, distinguished from an exit, as situations where the underlying operations of a portfolio company have been sold, but where we retain a residual ownership interest in the legacy entity (we generally distinguish these residual portfolio company investments from 'active' portfolio company investments).
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, the total net realized gain/(loss) on investments, before income tax (provision)/benefit, was $18.3 million and $25.2 million, respectively. Income tax (provision) benefit from realized gains on investments was $(0.1) million and $(0.1) million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. We realize a gain/(loss) on our equity investments primarily when we either sell our equity investment or the underlying portfolio company is sold. Significant realized gains (losses) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 are summarized below (dollars in millions):
Period Ended June 30, 2022
Software Technology, LLC
Sale of portfolio company
Revenue Management Solutions, LLC
SpendMend LLC
FDS Avionics Corp.
Escrow liability release
Alzheimer's Research and Treatment Center, LLC
Allied 100 Group, Inc.
TransGo, LLC
AVC Investors, LLC (dba Auveco)
15.3
18.3
25.2
18.2
25.1
51
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, we recorded a net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments attributable to the following (dollars in millions):
Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Exit, sale or restructuring of investments
7.1
(17.5
(23.9
Fair value adjustments to debt investments
(4.8
(5.4
(3.4
Fair value adjustments to equity investments
(1.1
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
(21.2
(26.5
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $10.9 million and $8.0 million, respectively, as a result of the events described above.
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 was $26.4 million and $19.7 million, respectively, as a result of the events described above.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of June 30, 2023, we had $38.0 million in cash and cash equivalents and our net assets totaled $483.3 million. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents on hand, our Credit Facility, our continued access to SBA-guaranteed debentures, and our anticipated cash flows from investments will provide adequate capital resources with which to operate and finance our investment business and make distributions to our stockholders for at least the next 12 months. We intend to generate additional cash primarily from the future offerings of securities (including the ATM Program) and future borrowings, as well as cash flows from operations, including income earned from investments in our portfolio companies. On both a short-term and long-term basis, our primary use of funds will be investments in portfolio companies and cash distributions to our stockholders. We did not repay any SBA debentures during the six months ended June 30, 2023. Our remaining outstanding SBA debentures continue to mature in 2025 and subsequent years through 2033, which will require repayment on or before the respective maturity dates. This “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section should be read in conjunction with the notes of our consolidated financial statements.
Cash Flows
For the six months ended June 30, 2023, we experienced a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $24.4 million. During that period, we made payments of $58.0 million of cash for operating activities, which included the funding of $147.3 million of investments that was partially offset by proceeds received from sales and repayments of investments of $76.5 million. During the same period, we received proceeds from the issuances of SBA debentures of $29.0 million, received net proceeds from the ATM Program of approximately $9.9 million, received repayments of $0.3 million on our secured borrowings, paid cash dividends to stockholders of $34.1 million, and made payment of deferred financing costs related to our debt financings of $0.7 million.
Capital Resources
We anticipate that we will continue to fund our investment activities on a long-term basis through a combination of additional debt and equity capital.
SBA Debentures
The Funds are licensed to operate as SBICs, and have the ability to issue debentures guaranteed by the SBA at favorable interest rates. Under the SBA regulations, an SBIC can have outstanding at any time debentures guaranteed by the SBA in an amount up to twice its regulatory capital. The SBA regulations currently limit the amount that is available to be borrowed by any SBIC and guaranteed by the SBA to 300.0% of an SBIC’s regulatory capital or $175.0 million, whichever is less. For two or more SBICs under common control, the maximum amount of outstanding SBA debentures cannot exceed $350.0 million. SBA debentures have fixed interest rates that approximate prevailing 10-year Treasury Note rates plus a spread and have a maturity of ten years with interest payable semi-annually. The principal amount of the SBA debentures is not required to be paid before maturity but may be pre-paid at any time. As of June 30, 2023, Fund II and Fund III had $40.0 million and $142.0 million of outstanding SBA debentures, respectively. Subject to SBA regulatory requirements and approval, Fund III may access up to $33.0 million of additional SBA debentures under the SBIC debenture program. The SBA may limit the amount that may be drawn each year under these commitments, and each issuance of leverage is conditioned on the Company's full compliance, as determined by the SBA, with the terms and conditions under SBA regulations. For more information on the SBA debentures, please refer to Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements.
On June 16, 2014, we entered into a senior secured revolving credit agreement (the "Credit Agreement" and the senior secured revolving credit facility, the “Credit Facility”) with ING Capital LLC (“ING”), as the administrative agent, collateral agent, and lender. The Credit Facility is secured by certain portfolio investments held by us, but portfolio investments held by the Funds are not collateral for the Credit Facility. On April 24, 2019, we entered into an Amended & Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Amended Credit Agreement”) among us, as borrower, the lenders party thereto, and ING, as administrative agent. On June 26, 2020, we entered into an amendment to the Amended Credit Agreement that, among other changes, modified certain financial covenants. On August 17, 2022, the Company entered into a second amendment to the Amended Credit Agreement (“Second Amendment”). The Second Amendment, among other things: (i) changed the underlying benchmark used to compute interest under the Amended Credit Agreement to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR) from the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR); (ii) reduced the applicable margin from 3.00% to 2.675% on SOFR loans prior to satisfying certain step-down conditions, and from 2.675% to 2.50% after satisfying certain step-down conditions, with commensurate reductions in the applicable margins for base rate loans; (iii) provided for a loan commitment availability period ending on August 17, 2026; (iv) extended the maturity date to August 17, 2027 from April 24, 2023; and (v) amended certain financial covenants, including (a) amending the asset coverage ratio to no less than 1.50 to 1.00 from no less than 2.00 to 1.00 (on a regulatory basis); and (b) requiring the Company to maintain a senior asset coverage ratio of no less than 2.00 to 1.00.
We pay a commitment fee that varies depending on the size of the unused portion of the Credit Facility: 2.500% to 2.675% per annum on the unused portion of the Credit Facility at or below 35% of the commitments and 0.50% per annum on any remaining unused portion of the Credit Facility between the total commitments and the 35% minimum utilization. The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in all of our assets, excluding the assets of our SBIC subsidiaries.
Amounts available to borrow under the Credit Facility are subject to a minimum borrowing/collateral base that applies an advance rate to certain investments held by us, excluding investments held by the Funds. We are subject to limitations with respect to the investments securing the Credit Facility, including, but not limited to, restrictions on sector concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status and collateral interests, as well as restrictions on portfolio company leverage, which may also affect the borrowing base and therefore amounts available to borrow.
We have made customary representations and warranties and we are required to comply with various covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the documents governing the Credit Facility. As of June 30, 2023, we were in compliance in all material respects with the terms of the Credit Agreement and we had $30.0 million outstanding under the Credit Facility.
On December 23, 2020, we closed the offering of $125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 4.75% notes due 2026, or the “January 2026 Notes”. The total net proceeds to us from the January 2026 Notes, based on a public offering price of 100.00% of par, after deducting underwriting discounts of $2.5 million and offering expenses of $0.4 million, were approximately $122.1 million. The January 2026 Notes will mature on January 31, 2026 and bear interest at a rate of 4.75%. The January 2026 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option subject to a make whole provision if redeemed before October 31, 2025 (the date falling three months prior to maturity) and at par thereafter. Interest on the January 2026 Notes is payable on January 31 and July 31 of each year. We do not intend to list the January 2026 Notes on any securities exchange or automated dealer quotation system. As of June 30, 2023, the outstanding principal balance of the January 2026 Notes was approximately $125.0 million.
On October 8, 2021, we closed the offering of $125.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 3.50% notes due 2026, or the “November 2026 Notes” (collectively with the January 2026 Notes, the “Notes”). The total net proceeds to us from the November 2026 Notes, based on a public offering price of 99.996% of par, after deducting underwriting discounts of $2.5 million and offering expenses of $0.3 million, were approximately $122.2 million. The November 2026 Notes will mature on November 15, 2026 and bear interest at a rate of 3.50%. The November 2026 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option subject to a make whole provision if redeemed before August 15, 2026 (the date falling three months prior to maturity) and at par thereafter. Interest on the November 2026 Notes is payable on May 15 and November 15 of each year. We do not intend to list the November 2026 Notes on any securities exchange or automated dealer quotation system. As of June 30, 2023, the outstanding principal balance of the November 2026 Notes was approximately $125.0 million.
Each of the Notes are unsecured obligations and rank pari passu with our existing and future unsecured indebtedness; effectively subordinated to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness; and structurally subordinated to all existing and future indebtedness and other obligations of any of our subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities we may form in the future, with respect to claims on the assets of any such subsidiaries, financing vehicles, or similar facilities, including the Credit Facility.
53
As of June 30, 2023, the carrying value of secured borrowings totaled $16.6 million and the fair value of the associated loans included in investments was $16.5 million. As of December 31, 2022, carrying value of secured borrowings totaled $16.9 million and the fair value of the associated loans included in investments was $16.9 million. These secured borrowings were created as a result of our completion of partial loan sales of certain unitranche loan assets that did not meet the definition of a “participating interest.” As a result, sale treatment was not permitted and these partial loan sales were treated as secured borrowings. The weighted average interest rate on our secured borrowings was approximately 9.101% and 7.786% as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively.
As of June 30, 2023, the weighted average stated interest rates for our SBA debentures and the Notes were 3.905% and 4.125%, respectively. As of June 30, 2023, we had $70.0 million of unutilized commitment under our Credit Facility, and we were subject to a 0.655% fee on such amount. As of June 30, 2023, the weighted average stated interest rate on total debt outstanding was 4.450%.
As a BDC, we are generally required to meet an asset coverage ratio of at least 150.0% (defined as the ratio which the value of our consolidated total assets, less all consolidated liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, bears to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness), which includes borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue in the future. This requirement limits the amount that we may borrow. On April 29, 2019, our Board, including a majority of the non-interested directors, approved a minimum asset coverage ratio of 150% under Sections 18(a)(1) and 18(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, effective as of April 29, 2020. We have received exemptive relief from the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) to allow us to exclude the senior securities issued by the Funds from the definition of senior securities in the 150% asset coverage requirement applicable to the Company under the 1940 Act, which, in turn, will enable us to fund more investments with debt capital.
As a BDC, we are generally not permitted to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock if the Board, including the Independent Directors, determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and if our stockholders approve such sale. On June 8, 2023, our stockholders voted to allow us to sell or otherwise issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending on the earlier of June 8, 2024 or the date of our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Our stockholders specified that the cumulative number of shares sold in each offering during the one-year period ending on the earlier of June 8, 2024 or the date of our 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may not exceed 25.0% of our outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale.
On November 10, 2022, the Company established the at-the-market program (the “ATM Program”), pursuant to which the Company may offer and sell, from time to time through Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and B. Riley Securities, Inc., each as sales agents, shares of the Company's common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50.0 million. Cumulative to date, the Company has sold 797,572 shares of common stock under the ATM Program at a weighted-average price of $20.32, raising $16.2 million of gross proceeds. Net proceeds were $16.0 million after commissions to the sales agents on sales sold. As of June 30, 2023, the Company has $33.8 million available under the ATM Program.
We have an open market stock repurchase program (the “Stock Repurchase Program”) under which we may acquire up to $5.0 million of our outstanding common stock. Under the Stock Repurchase Program, we may, but are not obligated to, repurchase outstanding common stock in the open market from time to time provided that we comply with the prohibitions under our insider trading policies and the requirements of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including certain price, market value and timing constraints. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by our management, in its discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price, capital availability, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations. On October 31, 2022, the Board extended the Stock Repurchase Program through December 31, 2023, or until the approved dollar amount has been used to repurchase shares. The Stock Repurchase Program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares and we cannot assure that any shares will be repurchased under the Stock Repurchase Program. The Stock Repurchase Program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time. We did not make any repurchases of common stock during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Refer to Note 8 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information concerning stock repurchases.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions affecting amounts reported in the financial statements. We have identified investment valuation, revenue recognition and transfers of financial assets as our most critical accounting policies and estimates. We continuously evaluate our policies and estimates, including those related to the matters described below. These estimates are based on the information that is currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. A discussion of our critical accounting policies follows.
Valuation of Portfolio Investments
As a BDC, we report our assets and liabilities at fair value at all times consistent with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Accordingly, we are required to periodically determine the fair value of all of our portfolio investments.
Our investments generally consist of illiquid securities including debt and equity investments in lower middle-market companies. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at such market quotations. Because we expect that there will not be a readily available market for substantially all of the investments in our portfolio, we value substantially all of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors using a documented valuation policy and consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market quotation, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market quotation existed for such investments, and the difference could be material.
With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:
Our Board consulted with the independent valuation firm(s) in arriving at our determination of fair value for 19 and 16 of our portfolio company investments representing 35.1% and 29.5% of the total portfolio investments at fair value (exclusive of new portfolio company investments made during the three months ended June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively) as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, respectively
Consistent with the policies and methodologies adopted by the Board, we perform detailed valuations of our debt and equity investments, including an analysis on the Company's unfunded debt investment commitments, using both the market and income approaches as appropriate. Under the market approach, we typically use the enterprise value methodology to determine the fair value of an investment. There is no one methodology to estimate enterprise value and, in fact, for any one portfolio company, enterprise value is generally best expressed as a range of values, from which we derive a single estimate of enterprise value. Under the income approach, we typically prepare and analyze discounted cash flow models to estimate the present value of future cash flows of either an individual debt investment or of the underlying portfolio company itself.
We evaluate investments in portfolio companies using the most recent portfolio company financial statements and forecasts. We also consult with the portfolio company’s senior management to obtain further updates on the portfolio company’s performance, including information such as industry trends, new product development and other operational issues.
For our debt investments the primary valuation technique used to estimate the fair value is the discounted cash flow method. However, if there is deterioration in credit quality or a debt investment is in workout status, we may consider other methods in determining the fair value, including the value attributable to the debt investment from the enterprise value of the portfolio company or the proceeds that would be received in a liquidation analysis. Our discounted cash flow models estimate a range of fair values by applying an appropriate discount rate to the future cash flow streams of our debt investments, based on future interest and principal payments as set forth in the associated debt investment agreements. We prepare a weighted average cost of capital for use in the discounted cash flow model for each investment, based on factors including, but not limited to: current pricing and credit metrics for similar proposed or executed investment transactions of private companies; the portfolio company’s historical financial results and outlook; and the portfolio company’s current leverage and credit quality as compared to leverage and credit quality as of the date the investment was made. We may also consider the following factors when determining the fair value of debt investments: the portfolio company’s ability to make future scheduled payments; prepayment penalties and other fees; estimated remaining life; the nature and realizable value of any collateral securing such debt investment; and changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that generally may affect the price at which similar investments may be made. We estimate the remaining life of our debt investments to generally be the legal maturity date of the instrument, as we generally intend to hold debt investments to maturity. However, if we have information available to us that the debt investment is expected to be repaid in the near term, we would use an estimated remaining life based on the expected repayment date.
For our equity investments, including equity securities and warrants, we generally use a market approach, including valuation methodologies consistent with industry practice, to estimate the enterprise value of portfolio companies. Typically, the enterprise value of a private company is based on multiples of EBITDA, net income, revenues, or in limited cases, book value. In estimating the enterprise value of a portfolio company, we analyze various factors consistent with industry practice, including but not limited to original transaction multiples, the portfolio company’s historical and projected financial results, applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and leverage levels, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public.
We may also utilize an income approach when estimating the fair value of our equity investments, either as a primary methodology if consistent with industry practice or if the market approach is otherwise not applicable, or as a supporting methodology to corroborate the fair value ranges determined by the market approach. We typically prepare and analyze discounted cash flow models based on projections of the future free cash flows (or earnings) of the portfolio company. We consider various factors, including but not limited to the portfolio company’s projected financial results, applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and leverage levels, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public.
Determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, the notes to our consolidated financial statements express the uncertainties with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any changes in such valuations, on the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Investments and related investment income. Realized gains or losses on investments are recorded upon the sale or disposition of a portfolio investment and are calculated as the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or disposition and the cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on the consolidated statements of operations includes changes in the fair value of investments from the prior period, as determined by the Board through the application of our valuation policy, as well as reclassifications of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments to realized gains or losses on investments.
Interest and dividend income. Interest and dividend income are recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. Interest is accrued daily based on the outstanding principal amount and the contractual terms of the debt. Dividend income is recorded as dividends are declared or at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution, and is generally recognized when received. Distributions from portfolio companies are evaluated to determine if the distribution is a distribution of earnings or a return of capital. Distributions of earnings are included in dividend income while a return of capital is recorded as a reduction in the cost basis of the investment. Estimates are adjusted as necessary after the relevant tax forms are received from the portfolio company.
PIK income. Certain of our investments contain a PIK income provision. The PIK income, computed at the contractual rate specified in the applicable investment agreement, is added to the principal balance of the investment, rather than being paid in cash, and recorded as interest or dividend income, as applicable, on the consolidated statements of operations. Generally, PIK can be paid-in-kind or all in cash. We stop accruing PIK income when there is reasonable doubt that PIK income will be collected. PIK income that has been contractually capitalized to the principal balance of the investment prior to the non-accrual designation date is not reserved against interest or dividend income, but rather is assessed through the valuation of the investment (with corresponding adjustments to unrealized depreciation, as applicable). PIK income is included in our taxable income and, therefore, affects the amount we are required to pay to our stockholders in the form of dividends in order to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, even though we have not yet collected the cash.
Non-accrual. Debt investments or preferred equity investments (for which we are accruing PIK dividends) are placed on non-accrual status when principal, interest or dividend payments become materially past due, or when there is reasonable doubt that principal, interest or dividends will be collected. Any original issue discount and market discount are no longer accreted to interest income as of the date the loan is placed on full non-accrual status. Interest and dividend payments received on non-accrual investments may be recognized as interest or dividend income or applied to the investment principal balance based on management’s judgment. Non-accrual investments are restored to accrual status when past due principal, interest or dividends are paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current.
Warrants. In connection with our debt investments, we will sometimes receive warrants or other equity-related securities (Warrants). We determine the cost basis of Warrants based upon their respective fair values on the date of receipt in proportion to the total fair value of the debt and Warrants received. Any resulting difference between the face amount of the debt and its recorded fair value resulting from the assignment of value to the Warrants is treated as OID and accreted into interest income using the effective interest method over the term of the debt investment. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any unaccreted OID is accelerated into interest income.
Fee income. All transaction fees earned in connection with our investments are recognized as fee income and are generally non-recurring. Such fees typically include fees for services, including structuring and advisory services, provided to portfolio companies. We recognize income from fees for providing such structuring and advisory services when the services are rendered or the transactions are completed. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any prepayment penalties are recorded as fee income when earned.
We also typically receive debt investment origination or closing fees in connection with investments. Such debt investment origination and closing fees are capitalized as unearned income and offset against investment cost basis on our consolidated statements of assets and liabilities and accreted into interest income over the term of the investment. Upon the prepayment of a debt investment, any unaccreted debt investment origination and closing fees are accelerated into interest income.
Transfers of Financial Assets
Partial loan and equity sales. We follow the guidance in ASC 860, Transfers and Servicing, when accounting for loan (debt investment) participations, equity assignments and other partial loan sales. Such guidance requires a participation, assignment or other partial loan or equity sale to meet the definition of a “participating interest,” as defined in the guidance, in order for sale
57
treatment to be allowed. Participations, assignments or other partial loan or equity sales which do not meet the definition of a participating interest should remain on our consolidated statements of assets and liabilities and the proceeds recorded as a secured borrowing until the definition is met.
Recently Issued Accounting Standard
In June 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2022-03, “Fair Value Measurement of Equity Securities Subject to Contractual Sale Restrictions (Topic 820),” which clarifies that a contractual sale restriction prohibiting the sale of an equity security is a characteristic of the reporting entity holding the equity security and is not included in the equity security’s unit of account. Accordingly, an entity should not consider the contractual sale restriction when measuring the equity security’s fair value. In addition, ASU No. 2022-03 prohibits an entity from recognizing a contractual sale restriction as a separate unit of account. ASU No. 2022-03’s amendments are effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023, with early adoption permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact of the adoption of ASU No. 2022-03 on our consolidated financial statements.
Related Party Transactions
We have entered into a number of business relationships with affiliated or related parties, including the following:
In connection with the IPO and our election to be regulated as a BDC, we applied for and received exemptive relief from the SEC on March 27, 2012 to allow us to take certain actions that would otherwise be prohibited by the 1940 Act, as applicable to BDCs. Effective June 30, 2014, pursuant to exemptive relief from the SEC, we are permitted to exclude the senior securities issued by Fund II and Fund III from the definition of senior securities in the asset coverage requirement applicable to the Company under the 1940 Act.
While we may co-invest with investment entities managed by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the 1940 Act imposes significant limits on co-investment. On January 4, 2017, the SEC staff has granted us relief sought in an exemptive order that expands our ability to co-invest in portfolio companies with other funds managed by the Investment Advisor or its affiliates ("Affiliated Funds") in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors, subject to compliance with certain conditions (the “Order”). Pursuant to the Order, we are permitted to co-invest with our affiliates if a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) or the Independent Directors make certain conclusions in connection with a co-investment transaction, including that (1) the terms of the transactions, including the consideration to be paid, are reasonable and fair to us and our stockholders and do not involve overreaching by us or our stockholders on the part of any person concerned, and (2) the transaction is consistent with the interests of our stockholders and is consistent with our investment objective and strategies. However, neither we nor our affiliates are obligated to invest or co-invest when investment opportunities are referred to us or them.
In addition, we and our Investment Advisor have each adopted a joint code of ethics pursuant to Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act that governs the conduct of our and the Investment Advisor’s officers, directors and employees. Additionally, the Investment Advisor has adopted a code of ethics pursuant to Rule 204A-1 under the Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, and in accordance with Rule 17j-1(c) under the 1940 Act. We have also adopted a code of business conduct that is applicable to all officers, directors and employees of Fidus and our Investment Advisor. Our officers and directors also remain subject to the duties imposed by both the 1940 Act and the Maryland General Corporation Law.
Recent Developments
On July 19, 2023, we issued an additional $8.0 million in SBA debentures, which will bear interest at a fixed interim interest rate of 6.035% until the pooling date in September 2023.
On July 21, 2023, we invested $19.0 million in first lien debt, subordinated debt, common equity, and preferred equity in DealerBuilt Acquisition, LLC, a provider of Dealer Management System (DMS) software for auto dealerships.
On July 31, 2023, our Board declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, a supplemental dividend of $0.21 per share, and a special dividend of $0.10 per share, payable on September 27, 2023, to stockholders of record as of September 20, 2023.
For the period from July 1, 2023, to August 2, 2023, we sold a total of 50,264 shares of our common stock under the ATM Program for gross proceeds of approximately $1.0 million and net proceeds of approximately $1.0 million, after deducting commissions to the sales agents on shares sold and offering expenses.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk.
We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates affect both our cost of funding and the valuation of our investment portfolio. Our risk management systems and procedures are designed to identify and analyze our risk, to set appropriate policies and limits and to continually monitor these risks and limits by means of reliable administrative and information systems and other policies and programs. The prices of securities held by us may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the companies in which we invest and conditions affecting the general economy, including: overall market changes, including an increase in market volatility; legislative reform; local, regional, national or global political, social or economic instability; and interest rate volatility, including the decommissioning of LIBOR and rising interest rates.
In the future, our investment income may also be affected by changes in various interest rates, including changes in alternate rates and prime rates, to the extent of any debt investments that include floating interest rates. Since March 2022, the Federal Reserve has been rapidly raising interest rates and has indicated that it would consider additional rate hikes in response to ongoing inflation concerns. In a rising interest rate environment, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income if there is not a corresponding increase in interest income generated by our investment portfolio. It is possible that the Federal Reserve's tightening cycle could result the United States into a recession, which would likely decrease interest rates. A prolonged reduction in interest rates will reduce our gross investment income and could result in a decrease in our net investment income if such decreases in base rates, such as SOFR are not offset by a corresponding increase in the spread over such base rate that we earn on any portfolio investments, a decrease in in our operating expenses, including with respect to our income incentive fee, or a decrease in the interest rate of our floating interest rate liabilities tied to such base rate. See Risk Factors contained herein under Part II, Item 1A and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022, such as "Changes in interest rates will affect our cost of capital and net investment income” and “Inflation may adversely affect the business, results of operations and financial condition of our portfolio companies, which may, in turn, impact the valuation of such portfolio companies.”
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, 46 and 43 portfolio companies’ debt investments, respectively, bore interest at a variable rate, which represented $589.3 million and $522.9 million of our portfolio on a fair value basis, respectively, and the remainder of our debt portfolio was comprised entirely of fixed rate investments. Our pooled SBA debentures and our Notes bear interest at fixed rates. Our Credit Facility bears interest, at our election, at a rate per annum equal to (a) 2.675% on SOFR loans prior to satisfying certain step-down conditions (or 2.50% after satisfying certain step-down conditions, with commensurate reductions in the applicable margins for base rate loans). We pay a commitment fee that varies depending on the size of the unused portion of the Credit Facility: 2.500% to 2.675% per annum on the unused portion of the Credit Facility at or below 35% of the commitments and 0.50% per annum on any remaining unused portion of the Credit Facility between the total commitments and the 35% minimum utilization. The Credit Agreement relating to the Credit Facility contains certain covenants, including a minimum asset coverage ratio of 1.50 to 1.00 (on a regulatory basis) and a senior asset coverage ratio of no less than 2.00 to 1.00. The Credit Facility is secured by a first priority security interest in all of our assets, excluding the assets of our SBIC subsidiaries.
Because we currently borrow, and plan to borrow in the future, money to make investments, our net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest the funds borrowed. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income if there is not a corresponding increase in interest income generated by our investment portfolio.
The following table shows the approximate annualized increase or decrease in the components of net investment income due to hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates, assuming no changes in our investments and borrowings as of June 30, 2023 (dollars in millions):
Interest Expense
Increase
Net Increase
Net Investment
Basis Point Increase (Decrease)
(Decrease) (1) (2)
(Decrease) (4)
(Decrease)
Income (3)
(200
(12.1
(0.9
(11.2
(9.0
(150
(9.1
(8.5
(6.8
(100
(6.1
(0.5
(4.5
(50
(3.1
(2.9
(2.3
100
9.0
6.6
11.1
15.0
11.0
18.0
16.6
13.3
(1) Certain of our variable rate debt investments have a LIBOR, PRIME or SOFR interest rate floor, which lessens the impact of decreases in interest rates.
(2) Interest income calculated assuming three-month LIBOR, PRIME, and SOFR rate as of June 30, 2023.
(3) Includes the impact of income incentive fee at 20.0% on net increase (decrease) in net interest.
(4) As of June 30, 2023, we had $30.0 million outstanding under our Credit Facility.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures.
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
We maintain disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act, is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) of the 1934 Act) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on the evaluation of these disclosure controls and procedures, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures were effective. It should be noted that any system of controls, however well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable, and not absolute, assurance that the objectives of the system are met. In addition, the design of any control system is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events. Because of these and other inherent limitations of control systems, there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions, regardless of how remote.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the second quarter of 2023 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Item 1. Legal Proceedings.
We are not, and the Investment Advisor is not, currently subject to any material legal proceedings.
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Except for the risk factors set forth below, there have been no material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed under "Item 1A. Risk Factors” previously disclosed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 filed with the SEC on March 2, 2023, which are incorporated herein by reference. The risk factors therein could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to us or that we currently deem to be immaterial also may materially affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results.
The alternative reference rates that have replaced LIBOR in our credit arrangements and other financial instruments may not yield the same or similar economic results as LIBOR over the life of such transactions.
The London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) is an index rate that historically was widely used in lending transactions and was a common reference rate for setting the floating interest rate on private loans. LIBOR was typically the reference rate used in floating-rate loans extended to our portfolio companies.
The ICE Benchmark Administration (“IBA”) (the entity that is responsible for calculating LIBOR) ceased providing overnight, one, three, six and twelve months USD LIBOR tenors on June 30, 2023. In addition, the United Kingdom’s Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), which oversees the IBA, now prohibits entities supervised by the FCA from using LIBORs, including USD LIBOR, except in very limited circumstances.
In the United States, the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) is the preferred alternative rate for LIBOR. SOFR is a measure of the cost of borrowing cash overnight, collateralized by U.S. Treasury securities, and is based on directly observable U.S. Treasury-backed repurchase transactions. SOFR is published by the Federal Reserve Bank of New York each U.S. Government Securities Business Day, for transactions made on the immediately preceding U.S. Government Securities Business Day. Alternative reference rates that may replace LIBOR, including SOFR for USD transactions, may not yield the same or similar economic results as LIBOR over the lives of such transactions.
As of the filing date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, substantially all of our loans that referenced LIBOR have been amended to reference the forward-looking term rate published by CME Group Benchmark Administration Limited based on SOFR (“CME Term SOFR”) or CME Term SOFR plus a fixed spread adjustment. CME Term SOFR rates are forward-looking rates that are derived by compounding projected overnight SOFR rates over one, three, and six months taking into account the values of multiple consecutive, executed, one-month and three-month CME Group traded SOFR futures contracts and, in some cases, over-the-counter SOFR Overnight Indexed Swaps as an indicator of CME Term SOFR reference rate values. CME Term SOFR and the inputs on which it is based are derived from SOFR. Since CME Term SOFR is a relatively new market rate, there will likely be no established trading market for credit agreements or other financial instruments when they are issued, and an established market may never develop or may not be liquid. Market terms for instruments referencing CME Term SOFR rates may be lower than those of later-issued CME Term SOFR indexed instruments. Similarly, if CME Term SOFR does not prove to be widely used, the trading price of instruments referencing CME Term SOFR may be lower than those of instruments indexed to indices that are more widely used. Further, the composition and characteristics of SOFR and CME Term SOFR are not the same as those of LIBOR. Even with the application of a fixed spread adjustment, LIBOR and CME Term SOFR will not have the same composition and characteristics, and there can be no assurance that the replacement rate, as so adjusted, will be a direct substitute for LIBOR.
There can be no guarantee that SOFR will not be discontinued or fundamentally altered in a manner that is materially adverse to the interests of investors in loans referencing SOFR. If the manner in which SOFR or CME Term SOFR is calculated is changed, that change may result in a reduction of the amount of interest payable on such loans and the trading prices of the SOFR Loans. In addition, there can be no guarantee that loans referencing SOFR or CME Term SOFR will continue to reference those rates until maturity or that, in the future, our loans will reference benchmark rates other than CME Term SOFR. Should any of these events occur, our loans, and the yield generated thereby, could be affected. Specifically, the anticipated yield on our loans may not be fully realized and our loans may be subject to increased pricing volatility and market risk.
Our business is dependent on bank relationships and recent strain on the banking system may adversely impact us.
The financial markets recently have encountered volatility associated with concerns about the balance sheets of banks, especially small and regional banks that may have significant losses associated with investments that make it difficult to fund demands to withdraw deposits and other liquidity needs. Although the federal government has announced measures to assist these banks and protect depositors, some banks have already been impacted and others may be materially and adversely impacted. Our business is dependent on bank relationships, including small and regional banks, and we are proactively monitoring the financial health of banks with which we (or our portfolio companies) do or may in the future do business. To the extent that our portfolio companies work with banks that are negatively impacted by the foregoing, such portfolio companies’ ability to access their own cash, cash equivalents and investments may be threatened. In addition, such affected portfolio companies may not be able to enter into new banking arrangements or credit facilities, or receive the benefits of their existing banking arrangements or facilities. Any such developments could harm our business, financial condition, and operating results, and prevent us from fully implementing our investment plan. Continued strain on the banking system may adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
Sales of Unregistered Securities
None.
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
We have an open market stock repurchase program (the “Stock Repurchase Program”) under which we may acquire up to $5.0 million of our outstanding common stock. Under the Stock Repurchase Program, we may, but are not obligated to, repurchase outstanding common stock in the open market from time to time provided that we comply with the prohibitions under our insider trading policies and the requirements of Rule 10b-18 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including certain price, market value and timing constraints. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by our management, in its discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price, capital availability, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations. On October 31, 2022, the Board extended the Stock Repurchase Program through December 31, 2023, or until the approved dollar amount has been used to repurchase shares. The Stock Repurchase Program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares and we cannot assure that any shares will be repurchased under the Stock Repurchase Program. The Stock Repurchase Program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures.
Item 5. Other Information.
(a)
(b)
(c)
For the period covered by this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, no director or officer of the Company has entered into any (i) contract, instruction or written plan for the purchase or sale of securities of the Company intended to satisfy the affirmative defense conditions of Rule 10b5-1(c) under the Exchange Act or (ii) any non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement.
The Company has adopted insider trading policies and procedures governing the purchase, sale, and disposition of the Company’s securities by officers and directors of the Company that are reasonably designed to promote compliance with insider trading laws, rules and regulations.
Item 6. Exhibits.
Number
Exhibit
Articles of Amendment and Restatement of the Registrant (Filed as Exhibit (a)(1) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-172550) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
Bylaws of the Registrant (Filed as Exhibit (b)(1) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-172550) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Stock Certificate of the Registrant (Filed as Exhibit (d) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-172550) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.2
Agreement to Furnish Certain Instruments (Filed as Exhibit (f)(2) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 3 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-172550) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on May 26, 2011 and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Indenture (Filed as Exhibit (d)(5) to Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrant’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-202531) filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2016 and incorporated herein by reference).
Fourth Supplemental Indenture dated as of December 23, 2020 between Fidus Investment Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Global Note with respect to the 4.75% Notes due 2026 (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on December 23, 2020 and incorporated herein by reference).
4.6
Fifth Supplemental Indenture dated as of October 8, 2021 between Fidus Investment Corporation and U.S. Bank National Association, as trustee (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).
Form of Global Note with respect to the 3.50% Notes due 2026 (Filed as Exhibit 4.1 to the Registrant’s Current report on Form 8-K filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on October 8, 2021 and incorporated herein by reference).
Chief Executive Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
31.2
Chief Financial Officer Certification Pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
32.1
Certification pursuant to Section 1350, Chapter 63 of Title 18, United States Code, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document
101.CAL
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document
101.DEF
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document
101.LAB
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document
101.PRE
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document
104
Cover Page Interactive Data File (embedded within the Inline XBRL document)*
*Filed herewith.
64
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: August 3, 2023
/s/ EDWARD H. ROSS
Edward H. Ross
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ SHELBY E. SHERARD
Shelby E. Sherard
Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial and Accounting Officer)