UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
Form 10-Q
For the transition period from to
Commission file number: 1-35040
MEDLEY CAPITAL CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
(212) 759-0777
(Registrant’s Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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 xNo ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted 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 and post such files). Yes ¨No ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer or a smaller reporting company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):
Large accelerated filer ¨ Accelerated filer x Non-accelerated filer ¨ Smaller reporting company ¨
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934). Yes¨ No x
As of February 9, 2015 the Registrant had 58,733,284 shares of common stock, $0.001 par value, outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Medley Capital Corporation
Consolidated Statements of Assets and Liabilities
Management and incentive fees payable (See note 6)
Common stock, par value $.001 per share, 100,000,000 common shares authorized, 58,733,284 and 58,733,284 common shares issued and outstanding, respectively
See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Directors fees
Insurance
General and administrative
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets
Common shares outstanding at end of period
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD
Consolidated Schedule of Investments
December 31, 2014
(Unaudited)
5,000 units of outstanding equity(24)
Equity - 1,230,769 Units(23)
Gross unrealized appreciation, gross unrealized depreciation, and net depreciation for federal income tax purposes totaled $33.3 million, $79.6 million and $46.2 million, respectively. The tax cost of investments is $1,269.0 million.
September 30, 2014
16,143,964
19,943,150
21,434,667
1,278,742,399
1,275,264,857
1,245,538,291
170.7
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Note 1. Organization
Medley Capital Corporation (the “Company”, “we” and “us”) is a non-diversified closed end management investment company incorporated in Delaware that has elected to be treated and is regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). We completed our initial public offering (“IPO”) and commenced operations on January 20, 2011. The Company has elected and qualified to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). We are externally managed and advised by MCC Advisors LLC (“MCC Advisors”), a registered investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), pursuant to an investment management agreement.
Medley Capital BDC LLC (the “LLC”), a Delaware limited liability company, was formed on April 23, 2010. On January 18, 2011, the LLC, in accordance with Delaware law, converted into Medley Capital Corporation, a Delaware corporation, and on January 20, 2011, the Company filed an election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act.
On January 20, 2011, the Company consummated its IPO, sold 11,111,112 shares of common stock at $12.00 per share and commenced its operations and investment activities. On February 24, 2011, an additional 450,000 shares of common stock were issued at a price of $12.00 per share pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional shares. Net of underwriting fees and offering costs, the Company received total cash proceeds of approximately $129.6 million.
On January 20, 2011, the Company’s shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “MCC”.
Prior to the consummation of our IPO, Medley Opportunity Fund LP (“MOF LP”), a Delaware limited partnership, and Medley Opportunity Fund, Ltd. (“MOF LTD”), a Cayman Islands exempted limited liability company, which are managed by an affiliate of MCC Advisors, transferred all of their respective interests in six loan participations in secured loans to middle market companies with a combined fair value, plus payment-in-kind interest and accrued interest thereon, of approximately $84.95 million (the “Loan Assets”) to MOF I BDC LLC (“MOF I BDC”), a Delaware limited liability company, in exchange for membership interests in MOF I BDC. As a result, MOF LTD owned approximately 90% of the outstanding MOF I BDC membership interests and MOF LP owned approximately 10% of the outstanding MOF I BDC membership interests.
On January 18, 2011, each of MOF LTD and MOF LP contributed their respective MOF I BDC membership interests to the LLC in exchange for LLC membership interests. As a result, MOF I BDC became a wholly-owned subsidiary of the LLC. As a result of the LLC’s conversion noted above, MOF LTD and MOF LP’s LLC membership interests were exchanged for 5,759,356 shares of the Company’s common stock at $14.75 per share. On February 23, 2012, MOF LTD and MOF LP collectively sold 4,406,301 shares of common stock in an underwritten public offering. See Note 7 for further information.
On March 26, 2013, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Medley SBIC LP (“SBIC LP”), a Delaware limited partnership which we own directly and through our wholly-owned subsidiary, Medley SBIC GP LLC, received a license from Small Business Administration (“SBA”) to operate as a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) under Section 301(c) of the Small Business Investment Company Act of 1958.
The Company has formed and expects to continue to form certain taxable subsidiaries (the “Taxable Subsidiaries”), which are taxed as corporations for federal income tax purposes. These Taxable Subsidiaries allow us to hold equity securities of portfolio companies organized as pass-through entities while continuing to satisfy the requirements of a RIC under the Code.
The Company’s investment objective is to generate current income and capital appreciation by lending to privately-held middle market companies, primarily through directly originated transactions, to help these companies fund acquisitions, growth or refinancing. The portfolio generally consists of senior secured first lien loans and senior secured second lien loans. In many of our investments, we will receive warrants or other equity participation features which we believe will increase the total investment returns.
Note 2. Significant Accounting Policies
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) and include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries, MOF I BDC, SBIC LP, MCC Investment Holdings LLC, MCC Investment Holdings RT1 LLC, MCC Investment Holdings Sendero LLC, MCC Investment Holdings Omnivere LLC, MCC Investment Holdings AAR LLC and MCC Investment Holdings AmveStar LLC. All references made to the “Company,” “we,” and “us” herein include Medley Capital Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, except as stated otherwise. Additionally, the accompanying consolidated financial statements of the Company and related financial information have been prepared pursuant to the requirements for reporting on Form 10-Q and Article 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. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
The Company considers cash equivalents to be highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less. Cash and cash equivalents include deposits in a money market account. The Company deposits its cash in a financial institution and, at times, such balance may be in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insurance limits.
Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements
The preparation of 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.
Organizational Expenses
Organizational expenses consist principally of legal and accounting fees incurred in connection with the organization of the Company and have been expensed as incurred.
Offerings
On February 5, 2014, the Company completed a public offering of 6,000,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $14.00 per share, raising approximately $81.1 million in net proceeds.
On April 28, 2014, the Company completed a public offering of 6,000,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $13.25 per share, raising approximately $76.9 million in net proceeds.
On August 1, 2014, the Company entered into an “At-The-Market” (“ATM”) equity distribution agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co., Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., MLV & Co. LLC, Maxim Group LLC, National Securities Corporation and Gilford Securities Incorporated, through which the Company could sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100.0 million. During the period from August 5, 2014 to September 30, 2014, the Company sold 671,278 shares of its common stock at an average price of $12.87 per share, and raised $8.7 million in net proceeds, under the ATM program.
On August 26, 2014, the Company completed a public offering of 5,000,000 shares of our common stock and an additional 750,000 shares of our common stock pursuant to the underwriters’ partial exercise of the over-allotment option at a public offering price of $13.02 per share, raising approximately $72.8 million in net proceeds.
Deferred Offering Costs
Deferred offering costs consist of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the public offering and sale of the Company’s common stock, including legal, accounting, printing fees and other related expenses, as well as costs incurred in connection with the filing of a shelf registration statement.
Deferred Financing Costs
Financing costs, incurred in connection with our credit facilities, unsecured notes and SBA debentures (discussed in Note 5) are deferred and amortized over the life of the respective facility or instrument.
Indemnification
In the normal course of business, the Company enters into contractual agreements that provide general indemnifications against losses, costs, claims and liabilities arising from the performance of individual obligations under such agreements. The Company has had no prior claims or payments pursuant to such agreements. The Company’s individual 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. However, based on management’s experience, the Company expects the risk of loss to be remote.
Revenue Recognition
Interest income, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, is recorded on an accrual basis.
Origination/closing, amendment and transaction break-up fees associated with investments in portfolio companies are recognized as income when we become entitled to such fees. Other fee income for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 was approximately $4.1 million and $6.6 million, respectively (discussed in Note 9).
Prepayment penalties received by the Company for debt instruments paid back to the Company prior to the maturity date are recorded as income upon repayment of debt.
Administrative agent fees received by the Company are capitalized as deferred revenue and recorded as income when the services are rendered.
The Company holds debt investments in its portfolio that contain a payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest provision. The PIK interest, which represents contractually deferred interest added to the investment balance that is generally due at maturity, is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected. PIK interest is not accrued if the Company does not expect the issuer to be able to pay all principal and interest when due. For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company earned approximately $2.5 million and $2.7 million in PIK, respectively.
Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade-date basis. Realized gains or losses on investments are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the amortized cost basis of investment, without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized. The Company reports changes in fair value of investments as a component of the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in the consolidated statements of operations.
Management reviews all loans that become 90 days or more past due on principal or interest or when there is reasonable doubt that principal or interest will be collected for possible placement on management’s designation of non-accrual status. Interest Receivable is analyzed regularly and may be reserved against when deemed uncollectible. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in management’s judgment, are likely to remain current, although we may make exceptions to this general rule if the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. At December 31, 2014, four portfolio companies were on non-accrual status with a combined fair value of approximately $15.7 million, or 1.3% of the fair value of our portfolio. At December 31, 2013, one portfolio company was on PIK non-accrual status with a fair value of approximately $4.1 million, or 0.5% of the fair value of our portfolio.
Investment Classification
The Company classifies its investments in accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act. Under the 1940 Act, we would be deemed to “control” a portfolio company if we owned more than 25% of its outstanding voting securities and/or had the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company. We refer to such investments in portfolio companies that we “control” as “Control Investments.” Under the 1940 Act, we would be deemed to be an “Affiliated Person” of a portfolio company if we own between 5% and 25% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or we are under common control with such portfolio company. We refer to such investments in Affiliated Persons as “Affiliated Investments.”
Valuation of Investments
The Company applies fair value accounting to all of its financial instruments in accordance with the 1940 Act and ASC Topic 820 - Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework used to measure fair value and requires disclosures for fair value measurements. In accordance with ASC 820, the Company has categorized its financial instruments carried at fair value, based on the priority of the valuation technique, into a three-level fair value hierarchy as discussed in Note 4. Fair value is a market-based measure considered from the perspective of the market participant who holds the financial instrument rather than an entity specific measure. Therefore, when market assumptions are not readily available, the Company’s own assumptions are set to reflect those that management believes market participants would use in pricing the financial instrument at the measurement date.
Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at such market quotations, which are generally obtained from an independent pricing service or multiple broker-dealers or market makers. We weight the use of third-party broker quotes, if any, in determining fair value based on our understanding of the level of actual transactions used by the broker to develop the quote and whether the quote was an indicative price or binding offer. However, debt investments with remaining maturities within 60 days that are not credit impaired are valued at cost plus accreted discount, or minus amortized premium, which approximates fair value. Investments for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined by the Company’s board of directors based upon input from management and third party valuation firms. Because these investments are illiquid and because there may not be any directly comparable companies whose financial instruments have observable market values, these loans are valued using a fundamental valuation methodology, consistent with traditional asset pricing standards, that is objective and consistently applied across all loans and through time.
The methodologies utilized by the Company in estimating its fair value of its investments categorized as Level 3 generally fall into the following two categories:
The Company uses third-party valuation firms to assist the board of directors in the valuation of its portfolio investments. The valuation reports generated by the third-party valuation firms consider the evaluation of financing and sale transactions with third parties, expected cash flows and market based information, including comparable transactions, performance multiples, and movement in yields of debt instruments, among other factors. Based on market data obtained from the third-party valuation firms, the Company uses a market yield analysis under the Income Approach or an enterprise model of valuation under the Market Approach, or a combination thereof. In applying the market yield analysis, the value of the Company’s loans is determined based upon inputs such as the coupon rate, current market yield, interest rate spreads of similar securities, the stated value of the loan, and the length to maturity. In applying the enterprise model, the Company uses a waterfall analysis, which takes into account the specific capital structure of the borrower and the related seniority of the instruments within the borrower’s capital structure into consideration. To estimate the enterprise value of the portfolio company, we weigh some or all of the traditional market valuation methods and factors based on the individual circumstances of the portfolio company in order to estimate the enterprise value.
The methodologies and information that the Company utilizes when applying the Market Approach for performing investments includes, among other things:
The methodologies and information that the Company utilizes when applying the Income Approach for performing investments includes:
For non-performing investments, we may estimate the liquidation or collateral value of the portfolio company’s assets and liabilities using an expected recovery model (Income Approach – Expected Recovery Analysis or Estimated Liquidation Proceeds).
We undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter when valuing investments for which market quotations are not readily available, as described below:
In addition, all of our investments are subject to the following valuation process:
Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of our investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.
Fair Value of Financial Instruments
The carrying amounts of certain of our financial instruments, including cash and cash equivalents, accounts payable and accrued expenses, approximate fair value due to their short-term nature. The carrying amounts and fair values of our long-term obligations are discussed in Note 5.
New Accounting Pronouncements
In June 2013, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2013-08 “Financial Services-Investment Companies (Topic 946) Amendments to the Scope, Measurement, and Disclosure Requirements” (“ASU 2013-08”). ASU 2013-08 clarifies the characteristics of an investment company and requires reporting entities to disclose information about the following items: (i) the type and amount of financial support provided to investee companies, including situations in which the Company assisted an investee in obtaining financial support, (ii) the primary reasons for providing the financial support, (iii) the type and amount of financial support the Company is contractually required to provide to an investee, but has not yet provided, and (iv) the primary reasons for the contractual requirement to provide the financial support. The amendments in ASU 2013-08 are effective for an entity’s interim and annual reporting periods in fiscal years that begin after December 15, 2013. The adoption of this standard did not have a material effect on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.
Federal Income Taxes
The Company has elected to be treated as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code and operates in a manner so as to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. In order to qualify as a RIC, among other things, the Company is required to meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements and timely distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of the sum of investment company taxable income (“ICTI”) including PIK, as defined by the Code, and net tax exempt interest income (which is the excess of our gross tax exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions) for each taxable year in order to be eligible for tax treatment under subchapter M of the Code. Depending on the level of ICTI earned in a tax year, the Company may choose to carry forward ICTI in excess of current year dividend distributions into the next tax year. Any such carryover ICTI must be distributed before the end of that next tax year through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year which generated such ICTI.
The Company is subject to a nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax of 4% on undistributed income if it does not distribute at least 98% of its ordinary income in any calendar year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for each one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year. To the extent that the Company determines that its estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of estimated current year dividend distributions for excise tax purposes, the Company accrues excise tax, if any, on estimated excess taxable income as taxable income is earned. There is no provision for federal excise tax for 2014 accrued at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014.
The Company’s Taxable Subsidiaries accrue income taxes payable based on the applicable corporate rates on the unrealized gains generated by the investments held by the Taxable Subsidiaries. Such deferred tax liabilities amounted to $(0.2) million for the three months ended December 31, 2014, and are recorded as deferred tax liability on the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities. The change in deferred tax liabilities is included as a component of net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments in the consolidated statement of operations. There were no deferred tax liabilities for the three months ended December 31, 2013.
As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, $1.4 million and $1.6 million, respectively, were included in “Net unrealized appreciation/(depreciation) on investments, net of deferred taxes”in the accompanying consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.
ICTI generally differs from net investment income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses. The Company may be required to recognize ICTI in certain circumstances in which it does not receive cash. For example, if the Company holds debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount, the Company must include in ICTI each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by the Company in the same taxable year. The Company may also have to include in ICTI other amounts that it has not yet received in cash, such as 1) PIK interest income and 2) interest income from investments that have been classified as non-accrual for financial reporting purposes. Interest income on non-accrual investments is not recognized for financial reporting purposes, but generally is recognized in ICTI. Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in the Company’s ICTI for the year of accrual, the Company may be required to make a distribution to its stockholders in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements, even though the Company will not have received and may not ever receive any corresponding cash amount. ICTI also excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as investment gains or losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized.
The Company accounts for income taxes in conformity with ASC Topic 740 - Income Taxes (“ASC 740”). ASC 740 provides guidelines for how uncertain tax positions should be recognized, measured, presented and disclosed in financial statements. ASC 740 requires the evaluation of tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing the Company’s tax returns to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” of being sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions deemed to meet a “more-likely-than-not” threshold would be recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current period. The Company recognizes interest and penalties, if any, related to unrecognized tax benefits as income tax expense in the consolidated statement of operations. There were no material uncertain income tax positions at December 31, 2014 or September 30, 2014. Although we file federal and state tax returns, our major tax jurisdiction is federal. The Company’s inception-to-date federal tax years remain subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service.
Segments
The Company invests in various industries. The Company separately evaluates the performance of each of its investment relationships. However, because each of these investment relationships has similar business and economic characteristics, they have been aggregated into a single investment segment. All applicable segment disclosures are included in or can be derived from the Company’s financial statements. See Note 3 for further information.
Company Investment Risk, Concentration of Credit Risk, and Liquidity Risk
MCC Advisors has broad discretion in making investments for the Company. Investments will generally consist of debt instruments that may be affected by business, financial market or legal uncertainties. Prices of investments may be volatile, and a variety of factors that are inherently difficult to predict, such as domestic or international economic and political developments, may significantly affect the results of the Company’s activities and the value of its investments. In addition, the value of the Company’s portfolio may fluctuate as the general level of interest rates fluctuate.
The value of the Company’s investments in loans may be detrimentally affected to the extent, among other things, that a borrower defaults on its obligations, there is insufficient collateral and/or there are extensive legal and other costs incurred in collecting on a defaulted loan, observable secondary or primary market yields for similar instruments issued by comparable companies increase materially or risk premiums required in the market between smaller companies, such as our borrowers, and those for which market yields are observable increase materially. MCC Advisors may attempt to minimize this risk by maintaining low loan-to-liquidation values with each loan and the collateral underlying the loan.
The Company’s assets may, at any time, include securities and other financial instruments or obligations that are illiquid or thinly traded, making purchase or sale of such securities and financial instruments at desired prices or in desired quantities difficult. Furthermore, the sale of any such investments may be possible only at substantial discounts, and it may be extremely difficult to value any such investments accurately.
Note 3. Investments
The composition of our investments as of December 31, 2014 as a percentage of our total portfolio, at amortized cost and fair value were as follows (dollars in thousands):
The composition of our investments as of September 30, 2014 as a percentage of our total portfolio, at amortized cost and fair value were as follows (dollars in thousands):
In connection with certain of the Company’s investments, the Company receives warrants which are obtained for the objective of increasing the total investment returns and are not held for hedging purposes. At December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, the total fair value of warrants was $7.2 million and $11.6 million, respectively, and were included in investments at fair value on the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities. Total realized and unrealized gains/losses related to warrants for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were $(2.4) million and $0.8 million, respectively and were recorded on the consolidated statement of operations in those accounts. The warrants are received in connection with individual investments and are not subject to master netting arrangements. The Company acquired warrants in 1 portfolio company during the three months ended December 31, 2014.
The following table shows the portfolio composition by industry grouping at fair value at December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
The following table shows the portfolio composition by industry grouping at fair value at September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
The Company invests in portfolio companies principally located in North America. 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.
The following table shows the portfolio composition by geographic location at fair value at December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
The following table shows the portfolio composition by geographic location at fair value at September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
Transactions With Affiliated Companies
During the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company had investments in portfolio companies designated as controlled investments and affiliates under the 1940 Act. Transactions with control investments and affiliates were as follows:
Purchases (sales) of/advances (distributions) to affiliates are included in the purchases and sales presented on the consolidated statements of cash flows for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively. Transfers in/(out) of affiliates represents the fair value for the month an investment became or was removed as an affiliated investment. Income received from affiliates is included in total investment income on the consolidated statements of operations for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively.
Loan Participation Sales
The Company sells portions of its investments via participation agreements to a managed account, managed by an affiliate and non-affiliate of the Company. At December 31, 2014, there were 14 participation agreements outstanding with an aggregate fair value of $283.5 million. At September 30, 2014, there were 14 participation agreements outstanding with an aggregate fair value of $260.9 million. Such investments where the Company has retained a proportionate interest are included in the consolidated schedule of investments. All of these investments are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, as defined in Note 4.
During the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company made interest and principal payments to the sub-participant in the aggregate amount of $9.8 million and $22.5 million, respectively. Under the terms of the participation agreements, the Company will make periodic payments to the sub-participant equal to the sub-participant's proportionate share of any principal and interest payments received by the Company from the underlying investee companies.
Note 4. Fair Value Measurements
The Company follows ASC 820 for measuring the fair value of portfolio investments. Fair value is the price that would be received in the sale of an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. 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, valuation models are applied. These valuation models involve some level of management estimation and judgment, the degree of which is dependent on the price transparency for the instruments or market and the instruments’ complexity. The Company’s fair value analysis includes an analysis of the value of any unfunded loan commitments. Financial investments recorded at fair value in the consolidated financial statements are categorized for disclosure purposes based upon the level of judgment associated with the inputs used to measure their value. The valuation hierarchical levels are based upon the transparency of the inputs to the valuation of the investment as of the measurement date. The three levels are defined as follows:
In addition to using the above inputs in investment valuations, the Company continues to employ the valuation policy approved by the board of directors that is consistent with ASC 820 (see Note 2). Consistent with our valuation policy, we evaluate the source of inputs, including any markets in which our investments are trading, in determining fair value.
The following table presents the fair value measurements of our investments, by major class according to the fair value hierarchy, as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
The following table presents the fair value measurements of our investments, by major class according to the fair value hierarchy, as of September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for investments that use Level 3 inputs for the three months ended December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
The following table provides a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances for investments that use level 3 inputs for the three months ended December 31, 2013 (dollars in thousands):
Net change in unrealized loss included in earnings related to investments still held as of December 31, 2014 and 2013, was approximately $31.5 million and $2.0 million, respectively.
Purchases and other adjustments to cost include purchases of new investments at cost, effects of refinancing/restructuring, accretion/amortization of income from discount/premium on debt securities, and PIK.
Sales represent net proceeds received from investments sold.
Settlements represent principal paydowns received.
A review of the fair value hierarchy classifications is conducted on a quarterly basis. Changes in the observability of valuation inputs may result in a reclassification for certain financial assets or liabilities. Reclassifications impacting Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy are reported as transfers in/out of the Level 3 category as of the beginning of the quarter in which the reclassifications occur. During the three months ended December 31, 2014, one of our Senior Secured Notes with a fair value of $10.4 million transferred from Level 3 to Level 2 because of the increase in availability of the transaction data or the inputs to the valuation became observable. No investments were transferred in or out of the Level 3 category during the three months ended December 31, 2013.
The following table presents the quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements of our investments, as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
The following table presents the quantitative information about Level 3 fair value measurements of our investments, as of September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s debt investments are market yields. Increases in market yields would result in lower fair value measurements.
The significant unobservable inputs used in the fair value measurement of the Company’s equity/warrants investments are comparable company EBITDA multiples. Increases in EBITDA multiples in isolation would result in higher fair value measurements.
Note 5. Borrowings
As a BDC, we are only allowed to employ leverage to the extent that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after giving effect to such leverage. The amount of leverage that we employ at any time depends on our assessment of the market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing.
On November 16, 2012, we obtained exemptive relief from the SEC to permit us to exclude the debt of the SBIC LP guaranteed by the SBA from our 200% asset coverage test under the 1940 Act. The exemptive relief provides us with increased flexibility under the 200% asset coverage test by permitting it to borrow up to $150 million more than it would otherwise be able to absent the receipt of this exemptive relief.
The Company’s outstanding debt as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Credit Facility
On June 2, 2014, we entered into Amendment No. 5 to our existing Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the “Revolver Amendment”) and Amendment No. 5 our existing Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Agreement (the “Term Loan Amendment,” together with the “Revolver Amendment,” the “Amendments”), each with certain lenders party thereto and ING Capital LLC, as administrative agent. The Amendments amend certain provisions of our Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Revolving Credit Facility") and the Senior Secured Term Loan Credit Agreement (the "Term Loan Facility,” together with the Revolving Credit Facility, each as amended, the "Facilities").
The Facilities were amended to, among other things, (i) in the case of the Revolving Credit Facility, to reduce the interest rate (A) for LIBOR loans, to LIBOR (with no minimum) plus 2.75% and (B) for base rate loans, to the base rate plus 1.75%, to extend the revolving period until June 2017 and to extend the final maturity date until June 2018, (ii) in the case of the Term Loan Facility, to reduce the interest rate (A) for LIBOR loans, to LIBOR (with no minimum) plus 3.25% and (B) for base rate loans, to the base rate plus 2.25%, and to extend the final maturity date until June 2019 and (iii) increase the maximum amount of the accordion feature which permits subsequent increases in commitments under the Revolving Facility and/or Term Loan Facility to $600 million.
Concurrently with the effectiveness of the Amendments, the Company closed an additional $101.0 million of commitments under its Revolving Credit Facility and an additional $51.5 million of commitments under its Term Loan Facility.
As of December 31, 2014, total commitments under the Facilities are $517.5 million, comprised of $346.0 million committed to the Revolving Credit Facility and $171.5 million funded under the Term Loan Facility.
At December 31, 2014, the carrying amount of our borrowings under the Facilities approximated their fair value. The fair values of our debt obligations are determined in accordance with ASC 820, which defines fair value in terms of the price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. The fair value of our borrowings under the Facilities are estimated based upon market interest rates for our own borrowings or entities with similar credit risk, adjusted for nonperformance risk, if any. At December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, the Facilities would be deemed to be Level 3, as defined in Note 4.
As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, $5.9 million and $5.9 million, respectively, of financing costs related to the Revolving Facility have been capitalized and are being amortized over their respective terms. As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, $3.1 million and $3.1 million of financing costs related to the Term Loan Facility have been capitalized and are being amortized over their respective terms.
For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the components of interest expense, commitment fees related to the Revolving Facility, amortized deferred financing costs, weighted average stated interest rate and weighted average outstanding debt balance for the Facilities were as follows (dollars in thousands):
As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, there was $216.0 million and $146.5 million, respectively, outstanding under the Revolving Facility. As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, there was $171.5 million outstanding under the Term Loan Facility.
Unsecured Senior Notes
On March 21, 2012, the Company issued $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.125% unsecured notes that mature on March 30, 2019 (the "2019 Notes"). The 2019 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company's option on or after March 30, 2015. The 2019 Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.125% per year, payable quarterly on March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning June 30, 2012. The 2019 Notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trade thereon under the trading symbol "MCQ".
On March 18, 2013, the Company issued $60.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.125% unsecured notes that mature on March 30, 2023 (the "2023 Notes," and together with the 2019 Notes, the “Unsecured Notes”). The 2023 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company's option on or after March 30, 2016. The 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per year, payable quarterly on March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning June 30, 2013. The 2023 Notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trade thereon under the trading symbol "MCV".
On March 26, 2013, the Company closed an additional $3.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes, pursuant to the partial exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional notes.
At December 31, 2014, the carrying amount and fair value of the 2019 Notes was $40.0 million and $40.2 million, respectively. At December 31, 2013, the carrying amount and fair value of the 2019 Notes was $40.0 million and $40.6 million, respectively. At December 31, 2014, the carrying amount and fair value of the 2023 Notes was $63.5 million and $62.6 million, respectively. At December 31, 2013, the carrying amount and fair value of the 2023 Notes was $63.5 million and $56.8 million, respectively. The fair values of our debt obligations are determined in accordance with ASC 820, which defines fair value in terms of the price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. The fair value of the Unsecured Senior Notes, which are publicly traded, is based upon closing market quotes as of the measurement date. At December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 the Unsecured Senior Notes would be deemed to be Level 1, as defined in Note 4.
As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, $1.5 million and $1.5 million, respectively, of financing costs related to the 2019 notes have been deferred and are being amortized over their respective terms. As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, $2.1 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of financing costs related to the 2023 notes have been deferred and are being amortized over their respective terms.
For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the components of interest expense, amortized deferred financing costs, weighted average stated interest rate and weighted average outstanding debt balance for the Notes were as follows (dollars in thousands):
As of December 31, 2014 and 2013, $40.0 million and $63.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Notes and the 2023 notes were outstanding, respectively.
SBA Debentures
On March 26, 2013, SBIC LP received an SBIC license from the SBA.
The SBIC license allows the SBIC LP to obtain leverage by issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures, subject to the issuance of a capital commitment by the SBA and other customary procedures. SBA-guaranteed debentures are non-recourse, interest only debentures with interest payable semi-annually and have a ten year maturity. The principal amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures is not required to be paid prior to maturity but may be prepaid at any time without penalty. The interest rate of SBA-guaranteed debentures is fixed on a semi-annual basis at a market-driven spread over U.S. Treasury Notes with 10-year maturities. The SBA, as a creditor, will have a superior claim to the SBIC LP’s assets over our stockholders in the event we liquidate the SBIC LP or the SBA exercises its remedies under the SBA-guaranteed debentures issued by the SBIC LP upon an event of default.
SBA regulations currently limit the amount that the SBIC LP may borrow to a maximum of $150 million when it has at least $75 million in regulatory capital, receives a capital commitment from the SBA and has been through an examination by the SBA subsequent to licensing.
As of December 31, 2014, SBIC LP had $65.0 million in regulatory capital and had $100.0 million SBA-guaranteed debentures outstanding. As of September 30, 2014, SBIC LP had $50.0 million in regulatory capital and had $100.0 million SBA-guaranteed debentures outstanding.
Our fixed-rate SBA debentures as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
As of December 31, 2014, the carrying amount of the SBA-guaranteed debentures approximated their fair value. The fair values of the SBA-guaranteed debentures are determined in accordance with ASC 820, which defines fair value in terms of the price that would be paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date under current market conditions. The fair value of the SBA-guaranteed debentures are estimated based upon market interest rates for our own borrowings or entities with similar credit risk, adjusted for nonperformance risk, if any. At December 31, 2014, and September 30, 2014 the SBA-guaranteed debentures would be deemed to be Level 3, as defined in Note 4.
As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, $3.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively, of financing costs related to the SBA Debentures have been deferred and are being amortized over their respective terms.
For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the components of interest, amortized deferred financing costs, weighted average stated interest rate and weighted average outstanding debt balance for the SBA Debentures were as follows (dollars in thousands):
Note 6. Agreements
Investment Management Agreement
On January 19, 2011, the Company entered into an investment management agreement (the “Management Agreement”) with MCC Advisors. Pursuant to the Management Agreement, MCC Advisors implements our business strategy on a day-to-day basis and performs certain services for us, subject to oversight by our board of directors. MCC Advisors is responsible for, among other duties, determining investment criteria, sourcing, analyzing and executing investments transactions, asset sales, financings and performing asset management duties. Under the Management Agreement, we have agreed to pay MCC Advisors a management fee for investment advisory and management services consisting of a fee and an incentive fee.
The base management fee will be calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% of our gross assets payable quarterly in arrears. For purposes of calculating the base management fee, the term “gross assets” includes any assets acquired with the proceeds of leverage. For the first quarter of our operations, the base management fee was calculated based on the initial value of our gross assets. Subsequently, the base management fee is calculated based on the average value of our gross assets at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. MCC Advisors agreed to waive the base management fee payable with respect to cash and cash equivalents held by the Company through December 31, 2011. This waiver does not extend to periods subsequent to December 31, 2011.
The incentive fee consists of the following two parts:
The first, calculated and payable quarterly in arrears is based on our pre-incentive fee net investment income earned during the calendar quarter for which the Incentive Fee is being calculated. For this purpose, pre-incentive fee net investment income means interest income, dividend income and any other income including any other fees (other than fees for providing managerial assistance), such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees that we receive from portfolio companies accrued during the calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter including the base management fee, expenses payable under the administration agreement (as defined below), and any interest expense and any dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the incentive fee. Pre-incentive fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. Pre-incentive fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital appreciation or depreciation.
Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets calculated as of the end of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the calendar quarter for which the incentive fee is being calculated, will be compared to a “hurdle rate” of 2.00% per quarter (8.0% annualized). We will pay the Adviser an incentive fee with respect to our pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:
(1) no incentive fee for any calendar quarter in which our pre-incentive fee net investment income does not exceed the hurdle rate;
(2) 100% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income with respect to that portion of such pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than 2.50% (10.0% annualized) in any calendar quarter; and
(3) 20.0% of the amount of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, if any, that exceeds 2.5% (10.0% annualized) in any calendar quarter.
The second part of the incentive fee (the “Capital Gains Fee”) is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each calendar year (or upon termination of the Management Agreement, as of the termination date) and is calculated at the end of each applicable year by subtracting (1) the sum of our cumulative realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation from (2) our cumulative aggregate realized capital gains. If the amount so calculated is positive, then the Capital Gains Fee for such year is equal to 20.0% of such amount, less the aggregate amount of Capital Gains Fee paid in all prior years. If such amount is negative, then no Capital Gains Fee will be payable for such year. If this Agreement is terminated as of a date that is not a calendar year end, the termination date shall be treated as though it were a calendar year end for purposes of calculating and paying a Capital Gains Fee.
The Company calculates incentive fee as if the Company had realized all assets at their fair values and liabilities at their settlement amounts as of the reporting date. Accordingly, the Company accrues a provisional incentive fee taking into account any unrealized gains. As the provisional incentive fee is subject to the performance of investments until there is a realization event, the amount of provisional incentive fee accrued at a reporting date may vary from the incentive fee that is ultimately paid, and the differences could be material.
For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, the Company incurred base management fees to MCC Advisors of $5.8 million and $3.7 million, respectively. For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we incurred $5.1 million and $4.3 million in incentive fees related to pre-incentive fee net investment income, respectively.
As of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014, $10.9 million and $10.4 million were included in “management and incentive fees payable,” in the accompanying consolidated statements of assets and liabilities.
Administration Agreement
On January 19, 2011, the Company entered into an administration agreement with MCC Advisors. Pursuant to this agreement, MCC Advisors furnishes us with office facilities and equipment, clerical, bookkeeping, recordkeeping and other administrative services related to the operations of the Company. We reimburse MCC Advisors for our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by it performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including rent and our allocable portion of the cost of certain of our officers and their respective staff. From time to time, our administrator may pay amounts owed by us to third-party service providers and we will subsequently reimburse our administrator for such amounts paid on our behalf. For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we incurred $1.0 million and $0.7 million in administrator expenses, respectively.
Note 7. Related Party Transactions
Investment in Loan Participations
As discussed in Note 1, the Loan Assets contributed to the Company by MOF LP and MOF LTD upon consummation of the Company’s IPO were in the form of loan participations with an affiliated entity managed by affiliates of MCC Advisors. On June 30, 2011, the Company cancelled its participation agreements with an affiliate and executed loan assignment agreements for its investment in Bennu Glass, Inc., Velum Global Credit Management LLC (both were no longer held as of December 31, 2014) and Water Capital USA, Inc. The Company is now a direct lender of record to these borrowers.
Due to Affiliate
Due to affiliate consists of certain general and administrative expenses paid by an affiliate on behalf of the Company.
Other Related Party Transactions
Certain affiliates of MCC Advisors, Medley Capital LLC, their respective affiliates and some of their employees purchased in the IPO an aggregate of 833,333 shares of common stock at the initial public offering price per share of $12.00. The Company received the full proceeds from the sale of these shares, and no underwriting discounts or commissions were paid in respect of these shares.
On February 23, 2012, MOF LTD and MOF LP sold 4,406,301 shares of common stock at a price of $11.13 per share. The Company did not receive any of the proceeds of the sale of these shares. In April and May 2012, MOF LTD and MOF LP distributed the remaining 946,293 shares of common stock to their investors and as of June 30, 2012, MOF LTD and MOF LP collectively no longer own shares of our common stock.
Opportunities for co-investments may arise when MCC Advisors or an affiliated adviser becomes aware of investment opportunities that may be appropriate for the Company and other clients, or affiliated funds. As a BDC, the Company was substantially limited in its ability to co-invest in privately negotiated transactions with affiliated funds until it obtained an exemptive order from the SEC on November 25, 2013 (the “Exemptive Order”). The Exemptive Order permits the Company to participate in negotiated co-investment transactions with certain affiliates, each of whose investment adviser is Medley, LLC, the parent company of Medley Capital LLC and MCC Advisors, or an investment adviser controlled by Medley, LLC in a manner consistent with its investment objective, strategies and restrictions, as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. Co-investment under the Exemptive Order is subject to certain conditions therein, including the condition that, in the case of each co-investment transaction, the Company’s board of directors determines that it would be advantageous for the Company to co-invest in a manner described in the Exemptive Order. Before receiving the Exemptive Order, the Company only participated in co-investments that were allowed under existing regulatory guidance, such as syndicated loan transactions where price was the only negotiated term, which limited the types of investments that the Company could make.
Note 8. Commitments
As of December 31, 2014, we had commitments under loan and financing agreements to fund up to $74.6 million to 15 portfolio companies. These commitments are primarily composed of senior secured term loans and a revolver. As of September 30, 2014, we had commitments under loan and financing agreements to fund up to $70.2 million to 13 portfolio companies. These commitments are primarily composed of senior secured term loans and a revolver. The commitments are generally subject to the borrowers meeting certain criteria such as compliance with covenants and certain operational metrics. The terms of the borrowings and financings subject to commitment are comparable to the terms of other loan and equity securities in our portfolio. A summary of the composition of the unfunded commitments as of December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 is shown in the table below (dollars in thousands):
Note 9. Other Fee Income
The other fee income consists of origination/closing fee, amendment fee, prepayment penalty, administrative agent fee, transaction break-up fee and other miscellaneous fees. The following tables summarize the Company’s other fee income for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 (dollars in thousands):
Note 10. Directors Fees
The independent directors receive an annual fee of $55,000. They also receive $7,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each board meeting and receive $2,500 plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with attending each committee meeting. In addition, the chairman of the audit committee receives an annual fee of $25,000 and the chairman of each other committee receives an annual fee of $10,000 for their additional services in these capacities. In addition, other members of the audit committee receive an annual fee of $12,500 and other members of each other committee receive an annual fee of $6,000. No compensation is paid to directors who are “interested persons” of the Company (as such term is defined in the 1940 Act). For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we accrued $0.2 million for directors’ fees expense.
Note 11. Earnings Per Share
In accordance with the provisions of ASC Topic 260 - Earnings per Share (“ASC 260”), basic earnings per share is computed by dividing earnings available to common shareholders by the weighted average number of shares outstanding during the period. Other potentially dilutive common shares, and the related impact to earnings, are considered when calculating earnings per share on a diluted basis.
The following information sets forth the computation of the weighted average basic and diluted net increase in net assets per share from operations for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013(dollars in thousands except share and per share amounts):
Note 12. Financial Highlights
The following is a schedule of financial highlights for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
The following is a schedule of ratios and supplemental data for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
Note 13. Dividends
Dividends and distributions to common stockholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. The amount to be paid out as a dividend is determined by our board of directors.
We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a cash dividend or other distribution, each stockholder that has not “opted out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have its dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock rather than receiving cash dividends. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of common stock will be subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as if they received cash distributions.
The following table summarizes the Company’s dividend declarations and distributions during the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013:
Note 14. Subsequent Events
Management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements included herein. There have been no subsequent events that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in this Form 10-Q or would be required to be recognized in the Consolidated Financial Statements as of and for the three months ended December 31, 2014, except as disclosed below.
On February 5, 2015, the Company’s board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.30 per share payable on March 13, 2015, to stockholders of record at the close of business on February 25, 2015.
On February 5, 2015, the Company’s board of directors approved a share repurchase plan to repurchase equity interests up to an aggregate amount of $30 million between the period of the approval date and February 5, 2016.
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
Except as otherwise specified, references to “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company,” refer to Medley Capital Corporation.
Forward-Looking Statements
Some of the statements in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q constitute forward-looking statements, which relate to future events or our performance or financial condition. The forward-looking statements contained in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:
Such forward-looking statements may include statements preceded by, followed by or that otherwise include the words “trend,” “opportunity,” “pipeline,” “believe,” “comfortable,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “current,” “intention,” “estimate,” “position,” “assume,” “potential,” “outlook,” “continue,” “remain,” “maintain,” “sustain,” “seek,” “achieve,” and similar expressions, or future or conditional verbs such as “will,” “would,” “should,” “could,” “may,” or similar expressions. The forward looking statements contained in this quarterly report involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results could differ materially from those implied or expressed in the forward-looking statements for any reason, including the factors set forth as “Risk Factors” and elsewhere in this quarterly report on Form 10-Q.
We have based the forward-looking statements included in this report on information available to us on the date of this report, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements, and future results could differ materially from historical performance. Although we undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, you are advised to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we have filed or in the future may file with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including annual reports on Form 10-K, registration statements on Form N-2, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K.
Overview
We are an externally-managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that filed an election to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. In addition, we have elected and qualified to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code.
We commenced operations and completed our initial public offering on January 20, 2011. Our investment activities are managed by MCC Advisors and supervised by our board of directors, of which a majority of the members are independent of us.
Our investment objective is to generate current income and capital appreciation by lending to privately-held middle market companies, primarily through directly originated transactions, to help these companies fund acquisitions, growth or refinancing. Our portfolio generally consists of senior secured first lien term loans and senior secured second lien term loans. In many of our investments, we receive warrants or other equity participation features, which we believe will increase the total investment returns.
As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For instance, we generally have to invest at least 70% of our total assets in “qualifying assets,” including securities of private or thinly traded public U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. In addition, we are only allowed to borrow money such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such borrowing, with certain limited exceptions. To maintain our RIC status, we must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. To maintain our RIC tax treatment under subchapter M for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must timely distribute at least 90% of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any, for the taxable year.
Revenues
We generate revenue in the form of interest income on the debt that we hold and capital gains, if any, on warrants or other equity interests that we may acquire in portfolio companies. We invest our assets primarily in privately held companies with enterprise or asset values between $25 million and $250 million and focus on investment sizes of $10 million to $50 million. We believe that pursuing opportunities of this size offers several benefits including reduced competition, a larger investment opportunity set and the ability to minimize the impact of financial intermediaries. We expect our debt investments to bear interest at either a fixed or floating rate. Interest on debt will be payable generally either monthly or quarterly. In some cases our debt investments may provide for a portion of the interest to be PIK. To the extent interest is PIK, it will be payable through the increase of the principal amount of the obligation by the amount of interest due on the then-outstanding aggregate principal amount of such obligation. The principal amount of the debt and any accrued but unpaid interest will generally become due at the maturity date. In addition, we may generate revenue in the form of commitment, origination, structuring or diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance or investment management services and possibly consulting fees. Any such fees will be generated in connection with our investments and recognized as earned.
Expenses
Our primary operating expenses include the payment of management and incentive fees pursuant to the investment management agreement we have with MCC Advisors and overhead expenses, including our allocable portion of our administrator’s overhead under the administration agreement. Our management and incentive fees compensate MCC Advisors for its work in identifying, evaluating, negotiating, closing and monitoring our investments. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations and transactions, including those relating to:
Portfolio and Investment Activity
As of December 31, 2014, our portfolio consisted of investments in 76 portfolio companies with a fair value of approximately $1,222.7 million. During the three months ended December 31, 2014, we invested $74.8 million in 4 new portfolio companies and $19.1 million in 10 existing portfolio companies, and we had $80.2 million in aggregate amount of exits and repayments, resulting in net investments of $13.7 million for the period.
As of December 31, 2013, our portfolio consisted of investments in 63 portfolio companies with a fair value of approximately $818.5 million. During three months ended December 31, 2013, we invested $147.6 million in 12 new portfolio companies and $13.0 million in 5 existing portfolio companies, and we had $92.0 million in aggregate amount of exits and repayments, resulting in net investments of $68.6 million for the year.
As of December 31, 2014, our average portfolio company investment and our largest portfolio company investment at amortized cost and fair value was approximately $17.0 million and $16.1 million, and $38.3 million and $38.3 million, respectively.
As of December 31, 2013, our average portfolio company investment and our largest portfolio company investment at amortized cost and fair value was approximately $13.2 million and $13.0 million, and $26.0 million and $26.0 million, respectively.
The following table summarizes the amortized cost and the fair value of investments as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
The following table summarizes the amortized cost and the fair value of investments as of September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
As of December 31, 2014, the weighted average loan to value ratio (“LTV”) of our portfolio investments based upon fair market value was approximately 58.9%. We believe that the LTV ratio for a portfolio investment is a useful indicator of the riskiness of the portfolio investment, or its likelihood of default. As part of our investment strategy, we seek to structure transactions with downside protection and seek LTVs of lower than 65%. We regularly evaluate the LTV of our portfolio investments and believe that LTV is a useful indicator for management.
As of December 31, 2014, our income-bearing investment portfolio, which represented nearly 97.2% of our total portfolio, had a weighted average yield based upon cost of our portfolio investments of approximately 12.5%, and 74.5% of our income-bearing investment portfolio bore interest based on floating rates, such as LIBOR, and 25.5% bore interest at fixed rates.
MCC Advisors regularly assesses the risk profile of each of our investments and rates each of them based on the following categories, which we refer to as MCC Advisors’ investment credit rating:
Credit
Rating
The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment performance rating scale at fair value as of December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
1,080,231
The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment performance rating scale at fair value as of September 30, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
Results of Operations
Operating results for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 are as follows (dollars in thousands):
Investment Income
For the three months ended December 31, 2014, investment income totaled $39.9 million, of which $35.8 million was attributable to portfolio interest and $4.1 million to other fee income. For the three months ended December 31, 2013, investment income totaled $31.7 million, of which $25.1 million was attributable to portfolio interest and $6.6 million to other fee income.
Operating Expenses
Operating expenses for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013 were as follows (dollars in thousands):
For the three months ended December 31, 2014, total operating expenses increased by $4.8 million, or 32.9%, compared to the three months ended December 31, 2013.
Interest and financing expenses were higher in the three months ended December 31, 2014 than the three months ended December 31, 2013 as a result of increase in commitment on a four-year senior secured revolving credit facility, issuing $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 7.125% unsecured notes that mature on March 30, 2019 (the “2019 Notes“), an increase in commitment on a five-year senior secured term loan credit facility, issuing $63.5 million in aggregate principal amount of 6.125% unsecured notes that mature on March 30, 2023 (the “2023 Notes“) and issuing SBA-guaranteed debentures.
Excluding interest and financing expenses, expenses increased for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to the three months ended December 31, 2013 due to an increase in professional fees, base management fees, incentive fees, administrative service fees and general administrative expenses. Professional fees and administrative service fees have increased due to higher legal, audit, valuation services and administrator expenses. Base management fees, which are calculated based on average gross assets, increased due to the growth in the portfolio throughout the period. The incentive fee increased as a result of the increase in pre-incentive fee net investment income.
Net Realized Gains/Losses from Investments
We measure realized gains or losses by the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the amortized cost basis of an investment, without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized.
During the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we recognized $0.2 million of realized losses and $45,000 realized gains on our portfolio investments, respectively.
Net Unrealized Appreciation/Depreciation on Investments
Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on investments reflects the net change in the fair value of our investment portfolio. For the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, we had $38.7 million and $2.8 million of unrealized depreciation, respectively, on portfolio investments.
Provision for Deferred Taxes on Unrealized Appreciation on Investments
Certain consolidated subsidiaries of ours are subject to U.S. federal and state income taxes. These taxable subsidiaries are not consolidated with the Company for income tax purposes, but are consolidated for GAAP purposes, and may generate income tax liabilities or assets from temporary differences in the recognition of items for financial reporting and income tax purposes at the subsidiaries. For the three months ended December 31, 2014, the Company recognized a provision for deferred tax on unrealized losses of $0.2 million for consolidated subsidiaries, respectively. For the three months ended December 31, 2013 the Company did not recognize a provision for deferred tax on unrealized gain.
Changes in Net Assets from Operations
For the three months ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a net decrease in net assets resulting from operations of $18.3, as a result of the factors discussed above. For the three months ended December 31, 2013, we recorded a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $14.3 million. Based on 58,733,284 and 40,162,592 weighted average common shares outstanding for the three months ended December 31, 2014 and 2013, respectively, our per share net decrease in net assets resulting from operations was $0.31 for the three months ended December 31, 2014 compared to a per share net increase in net assets from operations of $0.36 for the three months ended December 31, 2013.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
As a RIC, we distribute substantially all of our net income to our stockholders and have an ongoing need to raise additional capital for investment purposes. To fund growth, we have a number of alternatives available to increase capital; including raising equity, increasing debt, and funding from operational cash flow.
Our liquidity and capital resources have been generated primarily from the net proceeds of public offerings of common stock, advances from the Revolving Facility and the Term Loan Facility and net proceeds from the issuance of notes as well as cash flows from operations.
On January 20, 2011, we completed our IPO and issued 11,111,112 common shares and received net proceeds of $129.6 million.
On March 21, 2012, we issued $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Notes. The 2019 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option on or after March 30, 2015. The 2019 Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.125% per year, payable quarterly on March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning June 30, 2012. The 2019 Notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trade thereon under the trading symbol “MCQ”. As of December 31, 2013, $40.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2019 Notes were outstanding.
On August 24, 2012, we completed a public offering of 5,750,000 shares, including the underwriters’ full exercise of the option to purchase additional shares, of our common stock at a public offering price of $12.95 per share, raising approximately $71.9 million in net proceeds.
On December 3, 2012, we completed a public offering of 5,000,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $13.75 per share, raising approximately $66.0 million in net proceeds. On December 19, 2012, we sold an additional 495,263 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $13.75 per share, raising approximately $6.5 million in net proceeds, pursuant to the underwriters’ partial exercise of the option to purchase additional shares.
On March 18, 2013, the Company issued $60.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes. The 2023 Notes may be redeemed in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company's option on or after March 30, 2016. The 2023 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per year, payable quarterly on March 30, June 30, September 30 and December 31 of each year, beginning June 30, 2013. The 2023 Notes are listed on the New York Stock Exchange and trade thereon under the trading symbol "MCV".
On April 12, 2013, we completed a public offering of 4,000,000 shares of our common stock and an additional 492,271 shares of our common stock pursuant to the underwriters’ partial exercise of the over-allotment option at a public offering price of $14.70 per share, raising approximately $63.4 million in net proceeds.
On September 9, 2013, we completed a public offering of 6,900,000 shares of our common stock, which included the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase an additional 900,000 shares, at a public offering price of $13.00 per share, raising approximately $86.6 million in net proceeds.
On February 5, 2014 we completed a public offering of 6,000,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $14.00 per share, raising approximately $81.1 million in net proceeds.
On April 28, 2014 we completed a public offering of 6,000,000 shares of our common stock at a public offering price of $13.25 per share, raising approximately $76.9 million in net proceeds.
On August 1, 2014, the Company entered into an “At-The-Market” (“ATM”) equity distribution agreement with Goldman, Sachs & Co., Barclays Capital Inc., Credit Suisse Securities (USA) LLC, J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods, Inc., BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., MLV & Co. LLC, Maxim Group LLC, National Securities Corporation and Gilford Securities Incorporated, through which the Company could sell shares of its common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $100.0 million. During the period from August 5, 2014 to September 30, 2014, the Company sold 671,278 shares of its common stock at an average price of $12.87 per share, and raised $8.7 million in net proceeds, under the ATM Program.
Concurrently with the effectiveness of the Amendments, the Company closed an additional $101 million of commitments under its Revolving Credit Facility and an additional $51.5 million of commitments under its Term Loan Facility
As of December 31, 2014, total commitments under the Facilities are $517.5 million, comprised of $346 million committed to the Revolving Credit Facility and $171.5 million funded under the Term Loan Facility.
As of December 31, 2014, we had $41.8 million in cash. In the future, we may generate cash from future offerings of securities, future borrowings and cash flows from operations, including interest earned from the temporary investment of cash in U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. Our primary use of funds is investments in our targeted asset classes, cash distributions to our stockholders, and other general corporate purposes.
In order to satisfy the Code requirements applicable to a RIC, we intend to distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our taxable income, but we may also elect to periodically spill over certain excess undistributed taxable income from one tax year into the next tax year. In addition, as a BDC, for each taxable year we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total senior securities, which include borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue in the future, of at least 200%. This requirement limits the amount that we may borrow.
On March 26, 2013, our wholly-owned subsidiary, Medley SBIC LP (“SBIC LP”) received a Small Business Investment Company (“SBIC”) license from the Small Business Administration (“SBA”).
As of December 31, 2014, SBIC LP had $65.0 million in regulatory capital and had $100.0 million SBA-guaranteed debentures outstanding.
Contractual Obligations and Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We may become a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of our business to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2014, we had commitments under loan and financing agreements to fund up to $74.6 million to 15 portfolio companies. These commitments are primarily composed of senior secured term loans and a revolver. As of September 30, 2014, we had commitments under loan and financing agreements to fund up to $70.2 million to 13 portfolio companies. These commitments are primarily composed of senior secured term loans and a revolver. The commitments are generally subject to the borrowers meeting certain criteria such as compliance with covenants and certain operational metrics. The terms of the borrowings and financings subject to commitment are comparable to the terms of other loan and equity securities in our portfolio. A summary of the composition of the unfunded commitments at December 31, 2014 and September 30, 2014 is shown in the table below (dollars in thousands):
We have certain contracts under which we have material future commitments. We have entered into an investment management agreement with MCC Advisors in accordance with the 1940 Act. The investment management agreement became effective upon the pricing of our initial public offering. Under the investment management agreement, MCC Advisors has agreed to provide us with investment advisory and management services. For these services, we have agreed to pay a base management fee equal to a percentage of our gross assets and an incentive fee based on our performance.
We have also entered into an administration agreement with MCC Advisors as our administrator. The administration agreement became effective upon the pricing of our initial public offering. Under the administration agreement, MCC Advisors has agreed to furnish us with office facilities and equipment, provide us clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities and provide us with other administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. MCC Advisors will also provide on our behalf significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to provide such assistance.
The following table shows our payment obligations for repayment of debt and other contractual obligations at December 31, 2014 (dollars in thousands):
If any of the contractual obligations discussed above are terminated, our costs under any new agreements that we enter into may increase. In addition, we would likely incur significant time and expense in locating alternative parties to provide the services we expect to receive under our investment management agreement and our administration agreement. Any new investment management agreement would also be subject to approval by our stockholders.
Distributions
We have elected and qualified to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, in any taxable year with respect to which we timely distribute at least 90 percent of the sum of our (i) investment company taxable income (which is generally our net ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses) determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid and (ii) net tax exempt interest income (which is the excess of our gross tax exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions), we (but not our stockholders) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders. We intend to distribute annually all or substantially all of such income, but we may also elect to periodically spill over certain excess undistributed taxable income from one tax year to the next tax year. To the extent that we retain our net capital gains or any investment company taxable income, we will be subject to U.S. federal income tax. We may choose to retain our net capital gains or any investment company taxable income, and pay the associated federal corporate income tax, including the federal excise tax described below.
Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax payable by us. To avoid this tax, we must distribute (or be deemed to have distributed) during each calendar year an amount equal to the sum of:
While we intend to distribute any income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% U.S. federal excise tax, sufficient amounts of our taxable income and capital gains may not be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of the tax. In that event, we will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.
We intend to pay quarterly dividends to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to pay a specified level of dividends or year-to-year increases in dividends. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC could limit our ability to pay dividends. All dividends will be paid at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will pay dividends to our stockholders in the future.
To the extent our taxable earnings fall below the total amount of our distributions for a taxable year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a return of capital to our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Stockholders should read any written disclosure accompanying a distribution carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our ordinary income or gains.
We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a cash dividend or other distribution, each stockholder that has not “opted out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock rather than receiving cash dividends. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of common stock will be subject to the same federal, state and local tax consequences as if they received cash distributions.
The following table summarizes the dividends declared through the three months ended December 31, 2014:
Related Party Transactions
Concurrent with the pricing of our initial public offering, we entered into a number of business relationships with affiliated or related parties, including the following:
MCC Advisors and its affiliates may in the future manage other accounts that have investment mandates that are similar, in whole and in part, with ours. MCC Advisors and its affiliates may determine that an investment is appropriate for us and for one or more of those other accounts. In such event, depending on the availability of such investment and other appropriate factors, and pursuant to MCC Advisors’ allocation policy, MCC Advisors or its affiliates may determine that we should invest side-by-side with one or more other accounts. We will not make any investments if they are not permitted by applicable law and interpretive positions of the SEC and its staff, or if they are inconsistent with MCC Advisors’ allocation procedures.
In addition, we have adopted a formal code of ethics that governs the conduct of our and MCC Advisors’ officers, directors and employees. Our officers and directors also remain subject to the duties imposed by both the 1940 Act and the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Management Fee
Pursuant to the investment management agreement, we pay our investment adviser a fee for investment management services consisting of two components - a base management fee and an incentive fee.
The investment management agreement also provides that MCC Advisors is entitled to an incentive fee. The incentive fee consists of the following two parts:
Pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets calculated as of the end of the calendar quarter immediately preceding the calendar quarter for which the incentive fee is being calculated, will be compared to a “hurdle rate” of 2.0% per quarter (8.0% annualized). We will pay the Adviser an incentive fee with respect to our pre-incentive fee net investment income in each calendar quarter as follows:
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and revenues and expenses during the periods reported. Actual results could materially differ from those estimates. We have identified the following items as critical accounting policies.
Valuation of Portfolio Investments
We value investments for which market quotations are readily available at their market quotations, which are generally obtained from an independent pricing service or multiple broker-dealers or market makers. We weight the use of third-party broker quotes, if any, in determining fair value based on our understanding of the level of actual transactions used by the broker to develop the quote and whether the quote was an indicative price or binding offer. However, a readily available market value is not expected to exist for many of the investments in our portfolio, and we value these portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors under our valuation policy and process. We may seek pricing information with respect to certain of our investments from pricing services or brokers or dealers in order to value such investments. We also employ independent third party valuation firms for all of our investments for which there is not a readily available market value.
Valuation methods may include comparisons of financial ratios of the portfolio companies that issued such private equity securities to peer companies that are public, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flows, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and other relevant factors. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we will consider the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate the private equity valuation. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a readily available market value existed for such investments, and the differences could be material.
Our board of directors is ultimately and solely responsible for determining the fair value of the investments in our portfolio that are not publicly traded, whose market prices are not readily available on a quarterly basis or any other situation where portfolio investments require a fair value determination.
With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors will undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:
In following these approaches, the types of factors that are taken into account in fair value pricing investments include available current market data, including relevant and applicable market trading and transaction comparables; applicable market yields and multiples; security covenants; call protection provisions; information rights; the nature and realizable value of any collateral; the portfolio company’s ability to make payments; the portfolio company’s earnings and discounted cash flows; the markets in which the portfolio company does business; comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public; comparable merger and acquisition transactions; and the principal market and enterprise values.
Determination of fair values involves subjective judgments and estimates not verifiable by auditing procedures. Under current auditing standards, the notes to our financial statements refer to the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any change in such valuations, on our consolidated financial statements.
Our revenue recognition policies are as follows:
Investments and Related Investment IncomeWe account for investment transactions on a trade-date basis and interest income, adjusted for amortization of premiums and accretion of discounts, is recorded on an accrual basis. For investments with contractual PIK interest, which represents contractual interest accrued and added to the principal balance that generally becomes due at maturity, we will not accrue PIK interest if the portfolio company valuation indicates that the PIK interest is not collectible. Origination, closing and/or commitment fees associated with investments in portfolio companies are recognized as income when the investment transaction closes. Other fees are capitalized as deferred revenue and recorded into income over the respective period. Prepayment penalties received by the Company for debt instruments paid back to the Company prior to the maturity date are recorded as income upon receipt. Realized gains or losses on investments are measured by the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the amortized cost basis of investment, without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized. We report changes in the fair value of investments that are measured at fair value as a component of the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments in our consolidated statement of operations.
Non-accrual We place loans on non-accrual status when principal and interest payments are past due by 90 days or more, or when there is reasonable doubt that we will collect principal or interest. Accrued interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest is paid and, in our management’s judgment, are likely to remain current. At December 31, 2014, four portfolio companies were on non-accrual status with a combined fair value of approximately $15.7 million, or 1.3% of the fair value of our portfolio. At September 30, 2014, we had four portfolio companies on non-accrual status with a fair value of approximately $40.3 million, or 3.2% of the fair value of our portfolio.
The Company has elected and qualified to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code, commencing with its first taxable year as a corporation, and it intends to operate in a manner so as to maintain its RIC tax treatment. As a RIC, among other things, the Company is required to meet certain source of income and asset diversification requirements. Once qualified as a RIC, the Company must timely distribute to its stockholders at least 90% of the sum of investment company taxable income (“ICTI”) including PIK, as defined by the Code, and net tax exempt interest income (which is the excess of our gross tax exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions) for each taxable year in order to be eligible for tax treatment under subchapter M of the Code. The Company will be subject to a nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax of 4% on undistributed income if it does not distribute at least 98% of its net ordinary income for any calendar year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for each one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year and any income realized, but not distributed, in preceding years and on which we did not pay federal income tax. Depending on the level of ICTI earned in a tax year, the Company may choose to carry forward ICTI in excess of current year dividend distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% excise tax on such income, as required. To the extent that the Company determines that its estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of estimated current year dividend distributions for excise tax purposes, the Company accrues excise tax, if any, on estimated excess taxable income as taxable income is earned. Any such carryover ICTI must be distributed before the end of that next tax year through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year which generated such ICTI.
Because federal income tax regulations differ from GAAP, distributions in accordance with tax regulations may differ from net investment income and realized gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the consolidated financial statements to reflect their tax character. Temporary differences arise when certain items of income, expense, gain or loss are recognized at some time in the future. Differences in classification may also result from the treatment of short-term gains as ordinary income for tax purposes.
Recent Developments
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 may affect both our cost of funding and our interest income from portfolio investments and cash and cash equivalents. Our investment income will be affected by changes in various interest rates, including LIBOR, to the extent our debt investments include floating interest rates. In the future, we expect other loans in our portfolio will have floating rates. We may hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using standard hedging instruments such as futures, options and forward contracts subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act. For the year ended September 30, 2014, we did not engage in hedging activities.
As of December 31, 2014, 74.5% of our income-bearing investment portfolio bore interest based on floating rates. The composition of our floating rate debt investments by cash interest rate floor as of December 31, 2014 was as follows (dollars in thousands):
As of September 30, 2014, 74.0% of our income-bearing investment portfolio bore interest based on floating rates. The composition of our floating rate debt investments by cash interest rate floor as of September 30, 2014 was as follows (dollars in thousands):
Based on our Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as of September 30, 2014, the following table (dollars in thousands) shows the approximate increase (decrease) in components of net assets resulting from operations of hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates, assuming no changes in our investment and capital structure.
(1) A hypothetical decline in interest rates would not have a material impact on our financial statements.
Item 4: Controls and Procedures.
Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014. The term “disclosure controls and procedures” is defined under Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2014, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective.
There has not been any change in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
Part II – Other Information
From time to time, we are involved in various legal proceedings, lawsuits and claims incidental to the conduct of our business. Our businesses are also subject to extensive regulation, which may result in regulatory proceedings against us. Except as described below, we are not currently party to any material legal proceedings.
On July 25, 2014, Fourth Third LLC instituted a foreclosure proceeding in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Monterey against Security National Guaranty, Inc. (the “borrower”), Tanam Corp. and Abbat Corp. (collectively, the “junior lienholders”) seeking to enforce a loan agreement following a default by the borrower. MOF I holds 100% of the economic interest in the loan through participation agreements with Fourth Third LLC, which is the lender of record with respect to the loan. On September 2, 2014, the borrower and junior lienholders filed a counterclaim in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California naming Fourth Third LLC and Medley Capital. The counterclaim seeks to enjoin enforcement actions with respect to the loan and to collect significant compensatory and punitive damages, including lost profits, based on an alleged breach of a commitment to accept a discounted payoff in full satisfaction of the loan. We intend to defend the counterclaim vigorously.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
In addition to other information set forth in this report, you should carefully consider the “Risk Factors” discussed in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2014, filed with the SEC on December 8, 2014, which could materially affect our business, financial condition and/or operating results. There have been no material changes during the three months ended December 31, 2014 to the risk factors discussed in “Item 1A. Risk Factors” of our annual report on Form 10-K. Additional risks or 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.
Item 2: Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds.
None.
Item 3: Defaults Upon Senior Securities.
Item 4: Other Information.
PART IV
Item 5. Exhibits.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.
Dated:
February 9, 2015