Securities Act File No. 333-202531
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM N-2
REGISTRATION STATEMENT | ||||
UNDER | ||||
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ¨ | |||
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | ¨ | |||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 2 | x |
FIDUS INVESTMENT CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 1005
Evanston, Illinois 60201
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(847) 859-3940
(Registrants Telephone Number, including Area Code)
Edward H. Ross
Chief Executive Officer
1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 1005
Evanston, Illinois 60201
(Name and Address of Agent for Service)
COPIES TO:
Steve B. Boehm
Lisa Morgan
Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
700 Sixth Street, NW, Suite 700
Washington, D.C. 20001-3980
(202) 383-0100
Approximate date of proposed public offering: From time to time after the effective date of the Registration Statement.
If any securities being registered on this form will be offered on a delayed or continuous basis in reliance on Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, other than securities offered in connection with a dividend reinvestment plan, check the following box. x
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
x | when declared effective pursuant to section 8(c). |
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
Title of Securities Being Registered | Amount Being Registered |
Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price(1) |
Amount of Registration Fee |
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Common Stock, par value $0.001 per share(2) |
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Preferred Stock(2) |
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Subscription Rights(2) |
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Debt Securities(3) |
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Warrants(4) |
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Total |
$ | 300,000,000 | (5) | $ | 34,860 | (6) | ||||
(1) | Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee. Pursuant to Rule 457(o) of the rules and regulations under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, which permits the registration fee to be calculated on the basis of the maximum offering price of all the securities listed, the table does not specify by each class information as to the amount to be registered, proposed maximum offering price per unit or proposed maximum aggregate offering price. |
(2) | Subject to Note 5 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of common stock, preferred stock, or subscription rights, from time to time. |
(3) | Subject to Note 5 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of debt securities as may be sold, from time to time. If any debt securities are issued at an original issue discount, then the offering price shall be in such greater principal amount as shall result in an aggregate price to investors not to exceed $300,000,000. |
(4) | Subject to Note 5 below, there is being registered hereunder an indeterminate principal amount of warrants as may be sold, from time to time, representing rights to purchase common stock, preferred stock or debt securities. |
(5) | In no event will the aggregate offering price of all securities issued from time to time pursuant to this Registration Statement exceed $300,000,000. |
(6) | Previously paid. |
The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or until this Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Securities and Exchange Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine.
The information in this prospectus is not complete and may be changed. We may not sell these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer or sale is not permitted.
Subject To Completion, Dated April 29, 2016
PROSPECTUS
$300,000,000
Common Stock
Preferred Stock
Subscription Rights
Debt Securities
Warrants
We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, together or separately, up to $300,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights, debt securities, or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock, or debt securities, which we refer to collectively as the securities. We may sell our common stock through underwriters or dealers, at-the-market to or through a market maker into an existing trading market or otherwise directly to one or more purchasers or through agents or through a combination of methods of sale. The identities of such underwriters, dealers, market makers or agents, as the case may be, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.
We may offer shares of common stock at a discount to net asset value per share in certain circumstances. On June 3, 2015, our common stockholders voted to allow us to sell or otherwise issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending on the earlier of June 3, 2016 or the date of our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We expect to present to our stockholders a similar proposal at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Sales of common stock at prices below net asset value per share dilute the interests of existing stockholders, have the effect of reducing our net asset value per share and may reduce our market price per share. In addition, continuous sales of common stock below net asset value may have a negative impact on total returns and could have a negative impact on the market price of our shares of common stock. See Risk Factors on page 12 and Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value on page 96 of this prospectus for more information.
Our stockholders specified that the cumulative number of shares sold in each offering during the one-year period ending on the earlier of June 3, 2016 or the date of our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may not exceed 25.0% of our outstanding common stock immediately prior to such sale. In addition, we cannot issue shares of our common stock below net asset value unless our board of directors determines that it would be in our and our stockholders best interests to do so. Shares of closed-end investment companies such as us frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. This risk is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade above, at or below net asset value. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our common stock.
We provide customized debt and equity financing solutions to lower middle-market companies located throughout the United States. We are an externally managed, closed-end, non-diversified management investment company, within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), that has elected to be regulated as a business development company under the 1940 Act. Our investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity related investments. Our strategy includes partnering with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors by providing customized financing for ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, business expansion and other growth initiatives.
We generally invest in securities that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as high yield or junk, have speculative characteristics with respect to our capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
Our common stock is listed on the Nasdaq Global Select Market under the symbol FDUS. On April 22, 2016, the last reported sale price of our common stock on the Nasdaq Global Select Market was $15.41 per share and our net asset value on December 31, 2015 was $15.17 per share.
Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC serves as our investment advisor and as our administrator.
Investing in our securities is speculative and involves numerous risks, and you could lose your entire investment if any of the risks occur. Among these risks is the risk associated with leverage and dilution. For more information regarding these risks, please see Risk Factors beginning on page 12.
Please read this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement, if any, before investing, and keep it for future reference. It concisely sets forth important information about us that a prospective investor ought to know before investing in our securities. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information about us with the Securities and Exchange Commission. This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 1005, Evanston, Illinois 60201, Attention: Investor Relations, by accessing our website at http://www.fdus.com or by calling us collect at (847) 859-3940. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into, and you should not consider that information to be part of, this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains such information.
The Securities and Exchange Commission has not approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, using the shelf registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer, from time to time, up to $300,000,000 worth of our common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights, debt securities, or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus. To the extent required by law, we will amend or supplement the information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement to reflect any material changes to such information subsequent to the date of the prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement and prior to the completion of any offering pursuant to the prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Please carefully read this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement together with the additional information described under Available Information and Risk Factors before you make an investment decision. During an offering, we will disclose material amendments to this prospectus through a post-effective amendment or prospectus supplement.
No dealer, salesperson or other person is authorized to give any information or to represent anything not contained in this prospectus or any accompanying supplement to this prospectus. You must not rely on any unauthorized information or representations not contained in this prospectus or any accompanying prospectus supplement as if we had authorized it. This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement do not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of any offer to buy any security other than the registered securities to which they relate, nor do they constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any securities in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation in such jurisdiction. The information contained in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is accurate as of the dates on their covers.
This summary highlights some of the information in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all of the information that you may want to consider. You should read the entire prospectus and any prospectus supplement carefully, including Risk Factors, Selected Consolidated Financial Data, Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the financial statements contained elsewhere in this prospectus.
Fidus Investment Corporation is a Maryland corporation, formed on February 14, 2011, for the purpose of acquiring 100.0% of the equity interests in Fidus Mezzanine Capital, L.P., or Fund I, and its general partner, Fidus Mezzanine Capital GP, LLC, or FMCGP, raising capital in its initial public offering, or IPO, which was completed in June 2011, and thereafter, operating as an externally managed business development company, or BDC, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the 1940 Act. Fund I is licensed as a small business investment company, or SBIC, by the United States Small Business Administration, or SBA. Simultaneously with the consummation of our IPO, we acquired all of the equity interests in Fund I and its former general partner as described elsewhere in this prospectus supplement under Formation Transactions, whereby Fund I became our wholly-owned subsidiary. On March 29, 2013, we commenced operations of a second wholly-owned investment fund, Fidus Mezzanine Capital II, L.P., or Fund II, and on May 28, 2013, were granted a second license by the SBA to operate Fund II as an SBIC. Collectively, Fund I and Fund II are referred to as the Funds. Unless otherwise noted in this prospectus supplement the terms we, us, our, the Company, Fidus and FIC refer to Fund I, and its consolidated subsidiaries, prior to the IPO and to Fidus Investment Corporation and its consolidated subsidiaries, including Fund I, for the periods after the IPO.
As used in this prospectus the term our investment advisor refers to Fidus Capital, LLC prior to the Formation Transactions and Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC after the Formation Transactions. The investment professionals of Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC were also the investment professionals of Fidus Capital, LLC.
Fidus Investment Corporation
We provide customized debt and equity financing solutions to lower middle-market companies, which we define as U.S. based companies having revenues between $10.0 million and $150.0 million. Our investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity related investments. Our investment strategy includes partnering with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors by providing customized financing for ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, business expansion and other growth initiatives. We seek to maintain a diversified portfolio of investments in order to help mitigate the potential effects of adverse economic events related to particular companies, regions or industries.
We invest in companies that possess some or all of the following attributes: predictable revenues; positive cash flows; defensible and/or leading market positions; diversified customer and supplier bases; and proven management teams with strong operating discipline. We target companies in the lower middle-market with annual earnings, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, between $3.0 million and $20.0 million; however, we may from time to time opportunistically make investments in larger or smaller companies. Our investments typically range between $5.0 million and $25.0 million per portfolio company.
As of December 31, 2015, we had debt and equity investments in 53 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $443.3 million. The weighted average yield on our debt investments as of December 31, 2015 was 13.3%. The weighted average yield was computed using the effective interest rates as of December 31, 2015, including accretion of original issue discount and loan origination fees, but excluding investments on non-accrual status, if any. There can be no assurance that the weighted average yield will remain at its current level.
Market Opportunity
We believe that the limited amount of capital available to lower middle-market companies, coupled with the desire of these companies for flexible and partnership-oriented sources of capital, creates an attractive investment environment for us. From our perspective, lower middle-market companies have faced difficulty raising
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debt capital in both the capital markets and private markets. As a result of the difficulties in the credit markets and fewer sources of capital for lower middle-market companies, we see opportunities for improved risk-adjusted returns. Furthermore, we believe with a large pool of uninvested private equity capital seeking debt capital to complete transactions and a substantial supply of refinancing opportunities, there is an opportunity to attain appealing risk-adjusted returns on debt and equity investments. See The Company in the accompanying prospectus for more information.
Business Strategy
We intend to accomplish our goal of becoming the premier provider of capital to and value-added partner of lower middle-market companies by:
| Leveraging the experience of our investment advisor; |
| Capitalizing on our strong transaction sourcing network; |
| Serving as a value-added partner with customized financing solutions; |
| Employing rigorous due diligence and underwriting processes focused on capital preservation; |
| Actively managing our portfolio; and |
| Benefiting from lower cost of capital through our SBIC subsidiaries. |
Investment Criteria/Guidelines
We use the following criteria and guidelines in evaluating investment opportunities and constructing our portfolio. However, not all of these criteria and guidelines have been, or will be, met in connection with each of our investments.
Value Orientation / Positive Cash Flow. Our investment advisor places a premium on analysis of business fundamentals from an investors perspective and has a distinct value orientation. We focus on companies with proven business models in which we can invest at relatively low multiples of operating cash flow. We also typically invest in portfolio companies with a history of profitability and minimum trailing twelve month EBITDA of $3.0 million. We do not invest in start-up companies, turn-around situations or companies that we believe have unproven business plans.
Experienced Management Teams with Meaningful Equity Ownership. We target portfolio companies that have management teams with significant experience and/or relevant industry experience coupled with meaningful equity ownership. We believe management teams with these attributes are more likely to manage the companies in a manner that protects our debt investment and enhances the value of our equity investment.
Niche Market Leaders with Defensible Market Positions. We seek to invest in portfolio companies that have developed defensible and/or leading positions within their respective markets or market niches and are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities. We favor companies that demonstrate significant competitive advantages, which we believe helps to protect their market position and profitability.
Diversified Customer and Supplier Base. We prefer to invest in portfolio companies that have a diversified customer and supplier base. Companies with a diversified customer and supplier base are generally better able to endure economic downturns, industry consolidation and shifting customer preferences.
Significant Equity Value. We believe the existence of significant underlying equity value provides important support to our debt investments. With respect to our debt investments, we look for portfolio companies where management/sponsors have provided significant equity funding and where we believe aggregate enterprise value significantly exceeds aggregate indebtedness, after consideration of our investment.
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Viable Exit Strategy. We invest in portfolio companies that we believe will provide steady cash flows to service our debt, ultimately repay our loans and provide working capital for their respective businesses. In addition, we seek to invest in portfolio companies whose business models and expected future cash flows offer attractive exit possibilities for our equity investments. We expect to exit our investments typically through one of three scenarios: (a) the sale of the portfolio company resulting in repayment of all outstanding debt and monetization of equity; (b) the recapitalization of the portfolio company through which our investments are replaced with debt or equity from a third party or parties; or (c) the repayment of the initial or remaining principal amount of our debt investment from cash flow generated by the portfolio company. In some investments, there may be scheduled amortization of some portion of our debt investment that would result in a partial exit of our investment prior to the maturity of the debt investment.
About Our Advisor
Our investment activities are managed by Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC, our investment advisor, and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are not interested persons of Fidus as defined in Section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and who we refer to hereafter as the Independent Directors. Pursuant to the terms of the investment advisory and management agreement, which we refer to as the Investment Advisory Agreement, between us and our investment advisor, our investment advisor is responsible for determining the composition of our portfolio, including sourcing potential investments, conducting research and diligence on potential investments and equity sponsors, analyzing investment opportunities, structuring our investments and monitoring our investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. Our investment advisors investment professionals seek to capitalize on their significant deal origination and sourcing, underwriting, due diligence, investment structuring, execution, portfolio management and monitoring experience. These professionals have developed a broad network of contacts within the investment community, have gained extensive experience investing in assets that constitute our primary focus and have expertise in investing across all levels of the capital structure of lower middle-market companies. For information regarding the people who control our investment advisor and their affiliations with the Company, see Certain Relationships and Related TransactionsInvestment Advisory Agreement in the accompanying prospectus.
Our relationship with our investment advisor is governed by and dependent on the Investment Advisory Agreement and may be subject to conflicts of interest. We pay our investment advisor a fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement consisting of two components a base management fee and an incentive fee. The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% of the average value of our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts). The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears and equals 20.0% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding quarter, subject to a 2.0% preferred return, or hurdle, and a catch up feature. The second part is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each fiscal year in an amount equal to 20.0% of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each fiscal year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any capital gain incentive fees paid in prior years. We accrue, but do not pay, a capital gains incentive fee in connection with any unrealized capital appreciation, as appropriate. For more information about how we compensate our investment advisor and the related conflicts of interest, see Management and Other Agreements Investment Advisory Agreement and Certain Relationships and Related Transactions Conflicts of Interest in the accompanying prospectus.
Among other things, our board of directors is charged with protecting our interests by monitoring how our investment advisor addresses conflicts of interest associated with its management services and compensation. Our board of directors is not expected to review or approve each borrowing or incurrence of leverage. However, our board of directors periodically reviews our investment advisors portfolio management decisions and portfolio performance. In addition, our board of directors at least annually reviews the services provided by and fees paid to our investment advisor. In connection with these reviews, our board of directors, including a majority of our Independent Directors, considers whether the fees and expenses (including those related to leverage) that we pay to our investment advisor are fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided. Renewal of our Investment Advisory Agreement must be approved each year by our board of directors, including a majority of our Independent Directors.
With respect to the administrative agreement with our investment advisor, our board of directors reviews the methodology employed in determining how the expenses are allocated to us. Our board of directors assesses the reasonableness of such reimbursements for expenses allocated to us based on the breadth, depth and quality of such services as compared to the estimated cost to us of obtaining similar services from third-party service providers known to be available. In addition, our board of directors considers whether any third-party service provider would be capable of providing all such services at comparable cost and quality.
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Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company that is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or the Advisers Act. In addition, Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC serves as our administrator and provides us with office space, equipment and clerical, book-keeping and record-keeping services pursuant to an administration agreement, which we refer to as the Administration Agreement.
Operating and Regulatory Structure
Our investment activities are managed by our investment advisor and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are not interested persons of us, our investment advisor or its affiliates.
As a BDC, we are required to comply with certain regulatory requirements. For example, while we are permitted to finance investments using leverage, which may include the issuance of shares of preferred stock, or notes and other borrowings, our ability to use leverage is limited in significant respects. See Regulation. Any decision on our part to use leverage will depend upon our assessment of the attractiveness of available investment opportunities in relation to the costs and perceived risks of such leverage. The use of leverage to finance investments creates certain risks and potential conflicts of interest. See Risk Factors Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure Regulations governing our operations as a BDC affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital which may have a negative effect on our growth and Risk Factors Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure Because we borrow money and may in the future issue additional senior securities including preferred stock and debt securities, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us is magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us.
We have elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a regulated investment company, or RIC, under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the Code. In order to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we must satisfy certain source of income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. See Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.
Risk Factors
The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our shares, will fluctuate. Our investments may be risky, and you may lose part of or all of your investment in us. Investing in our securities involves other risks, including the following:
| our dependence on key personnel of our investment advisor and our executive officers; |
| our ability to maintain or develop referral relationships; |
| our use of leverage; |
| the availability of additional capital on attractive terms or at all; |
| uncertain valuations of our portfolio investments; |
| competition for investment opportunities; |
| actual and potential conflicts of interests with our investment advisor; |
| other potential conflicts of interest; |
| SBA regulations affecting our wholly-owned SBIC subsidiaries; |
| changes in interest rates; |
| the impact of a protracted decline in liquidity of credit markets on our business and portfolio of investments; |
| our ability to maintain our status as a RIC and as a BDC; |
| the timing, form and amount of any distributions from our portfolio companies; |
| changes in laws or regulations applicable to us; |
| dilutions risks related to our ability to issue shares below our current net asset value; |
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| possible resignation of our investment advisor; |
| the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest; |
| risks associated with investing in lower middle-market companies; |
| the ability of our investment advisor to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria; and |
| our ability to invest in qualifying assets. |
See Risk Factors beginning on page 12 and the other information included in this prospectus, and any prospectus supplement, for additional discussion of factors you should carefully consider before deciding to invest in our securities.
Corporate Information
Our principal executive offices are located at 1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 1005, Evanston, Illinois 60201, and our telephone number is (847) 859-3940. Our corporate website is located at http://www.fdus.com. Information on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus or any supplements to this prospectus, and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this prospectus or any supplements to this prospectus.
The Offering
We may offer, from time to time, up to $300,000,000 worth of our securities, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. Our securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be disclosed in one or more prospectus supplements.
We may sell or otherwise issue shares of common stock at a discount to net asset value per share at prices approximating market value less selling expenses upon approval, in certain circumstances, of our board of directors, including a majority of our directors that are not interested persons of the Company, as defined in the 1940 Act. On June 3, 2015, our stockholders voted to allow us to issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ended on the earlier of June 3, 2016 or the date of our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We expect to present to our stockholders a similar proposal at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. See Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value in this prospectus and in any accompanying prospectus supplement, if applicable. Sales or other issuances of common stock at prices below net asset value per share dilute the interests of existing stockholders, have the effect of reducing our net asset value per share and may reduce our market price per share.
Our stockholders did not specify a maximum discount below net asset value at which we are able to sell or otherwise issue our common stock; however, we do not intend to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock below net asset value unless our board of directors determines that it would be in our stockholders best interest to do so. The level of net asset value dilution that could result from such an offering is not limited.
Our securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers by us or through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. The prospectus supplement relating to the offering will disclose the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our securities by us, the purchase price, and any fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters or among our underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See Plan of Distribution. We may not sell any of our securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of our securities.
The Nasdaq Global Select Market Symbol | FDUS | |
Use of proceeds | We intend to use the net proceeds from selling our securities to make investments in lower middle-market companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies and for working capital and general corporate purposes. See Use of Proceeds. |
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Dividends and distributions | We pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. Our distributions, if any, will be determined by our board of directors. Our ability to declare distributions depends on our earnings, our overall financial condition (including our liquidity position), qualification for or maintenance of our RIC status and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time.
When we make distributions, we will be required to determine the extent to which such distributions are paid out of current or accumulated earnings, recognized capital gains or capital. To the extent there is a return of capital, investors will be required to reduce their basis in our stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In the future, our distributions may include a return of capital. | |
Dividend reinvestment plan | We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders, which is an opt out dividend reinvestment plan. Under this plan, if we declare a cash distribution, our stockholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution. If a stockholder opts out, that stockholder will receive cash distributions. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of common stock generally are subject to the same U.S. federal income tax consequences as stockholders who elect to receive their distributions in cash; however, since their cash distributions will be reinvested, such stockholders will not receive cash with which to pay any applicable taxes on reinvested distributions. See Dividend Reinvestment Plan. | |
Taxation | We have elected to be treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Accordingly, we generally will not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders. To maintain our tax treatment as a RIC and the associated tax benefits, we must meet specified source-of-income and asset diversification requirements and distribute annually at least 90% of our realized net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains, if any, in excess of our net long-term capital losses. See Distributions and Material U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations. |
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Effective trading at a discount | Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. The risk that our shares may trade at a discount to our net asset value is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our shares will trade above, at or below net asset value. See Risk Factors. | |
Sales of common stock below net asset value | Generally, the offering price per share of our common stock, exclusive of any underwriting commissions or discounts, may not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make the offering except (1) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (2) with the consent of the majority of our common stockholders and approval of our board of directors, or (3) under such circumstances as the SEC may permit. On June 3, 2015, our common stockholders voted to allow us to sell or otherwise issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending on the earlier of June 3, 2016 or our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We expect to present to our stockholders a similar proposal at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Sales or other issuances by us of our common stock at a discount from our net asset value pose potential risks for our existing stockholders whether or not they participate in the offering, as well as for new investors who participate in the offering. See Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value in this prospectus and in the prospectus supplement, if applicable. | |
Leverage | We borrow funds to make additional investments. We use this practice, which is known as leverage, to attempt to increase returns to our stockholders, but it involves significant risks. See Risk Factors, Senior Securities and Regulation Senior Securities. With certain limited exceptions, we are only allowed to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200% after such borrowing. The amount of leverage that we employ at any particular time will depend on our Investment Advisors investment committees and our board of directors assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. In addition, the maximum amount of leverage that three or more SBICs under common control can have outstanding is $350.0 million. |
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Available Information | We are required to file periodic reports, current reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. This information is available on the SECs Internet website at www.sec.gov. You can also inspect any materials we file with the SEC, without charge, at the SECs Public Reference Room at 100 F Street, N.E., Washington, D.C. 20549. Please call the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330 for further information on the Public Reference Room. We intend to provide much of the same information on our website at www.fdus.com. Information contained on our website is not part of this prospectus or any prospectus supplement and should not be relied upon as such. |
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The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in this offering will bear directly or indirectly. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this prospectus contains a reference to fees or expenses paid by you, us, the Company or Fidus, or that we will pay fees or expenses, stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in us.
Stockholder transaction expenses: |
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Sales load (as a percentage of offering price) |
| (1) | ||
Offering expenses borne by us (as a percentage of offering price) |
| (2) | ||
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses |
| (3) | ||
Total stockholder transaction expenses paid by us (as a percentage of offering price) |
| (4) | ||
Annual expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock)(5): |
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Base management fee |
3.1 | % (6) | ||
Incentive fees payable under Investment Advisory Agreement |
2.7 | % (7) | ||
Interest payments on borrowed funds |
3.9 | % (8) | ||
Other expenses |
1.6 | % (9) | ||
|
|
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Total annual expenses |
11.3 | % (10) | ||
|
|
(1) | In the event that securities to which this prospectus relates are sold to or through underwriters, a corresponding prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load. |
(2) | In the event that we conduct an offering of any of our securities, a corresponding prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated offering expenses because they will be ultimately borne by us. |
(3) | The expenses of administering our dividend reinvestment plan are included in other expenses. |
(4) | Total stockholder transaction expenses may include a sales load and will be disclosed in a future prospectus supplement, if any. |
(5) | Net assets attributable to common stock equals average net assets as of December 31, 2015. |
(6) | Our base management fee is 1.75% of the average value of our total assets (other than cash and cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts). This item represents actual base management fees incurred for the year ended December 31, 2015. We may from time to time decide it is appropriate to change the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement. Under the 1940 Act, any material change to our Investment Advisory Agreement must be submitted to stockholders for approval. The 3.1% reflected in the table is calculated on our net assets (rather than our total assets). See Management and Other AgreementsInvestment Advisory Agreement. |
(7) | This item represents actual fees incurred on pre-incentive fee net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, there was no capital gains incentive fee payable. |
The incentive fee consists of two parts:
The first, payable quarterly in arrears, equals 20.0% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets, (including interest that is accrued but not yet received in cash), subject to a 2.0% quarterly (8.0% annualized) hurdle rate and a catch-up provision measured as of the end of each calendar quarter. Under this provision, in any calendar quarter, our investment advisor receives no incentive fee until our pre-incentive fee net investment income equals the hurdle rate of 2.0% but then receives, as a catch-up, 100.0% 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 2.5%. The effect of this provision is that, if pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 2.5% in any calendar quarter, our investment advisor will receive 20.0% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income as if a hurdle rate did not apply.
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The second part, payable annually in arrears, equals 20.0% of our realized capital gains net of realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of the fiscal year (or upon the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement, as of the termination date), less the aggregate amount of any previously paid capital gain incentive fees. We accrue, but do not pay, a capital gains incentive fee in connection with any net unrealized capital appreciation, as appropriate. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we reversed $0.1 million in previously accrued capital gains incentive fees in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.
See Management and Other AgreementsInvestment Advisory Agreement.
(8) | As of December 31, 2015, we had outstanding SBA debentures of $213.5 million, and unfunded commitments from the SBA to purchase up to an additional of $11.5 million SBA debentures, as well as $15.5 million in outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility, which has total commitment of $50.0 million . Interest payments on borrowed funds is based on estimated annual interest and fee expenses on outstanding SBA debentures and borrowings under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2015 with a weighted average interest rate of 4.0%. We have estimated the annual interest expense on borrowed funds and caution you that our actual interest expense will depend on prevailing interest rates and our rate of borrowing, which may be substantially higher than the estimate provided in this table. |
(9) | Other expenses represent our estimated annual operating expenses, as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares estimated for the current year, including professional fees, directors fees, insurance costs, expenses of our dividend reinvestment plan and payments under the Administration Agreement based on our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by our administrator. See Management and Other AgreementsAdministration Agreement. Other expenses exclude interest payments on borrowed funds, and if we issue debt securities or preferred stock, interest payments on debt securities and distributions with respect to preferred stock. We currently do not have any class of securities outstanding other than common stock. Other expenses are based on actual other expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015. |
(10) | Total annual expenses as a percentage of consolidated net assets attributable to common stock are higher than the total annual expenses percentage would be for a company that is not leveraged. We borrow money to leverage our net assets and increase our total assets. The SEC requires that the total annual expenses percentage be calculated as a percentage of net assets (defined as total assets less indebtedness and before taking into account any incentive fees payable during the period), rather than the total assets, including assets that have been purchased with borrowed amounts. If the total annual expenses percentage were calculated instead as a percentage of average consolidated total assets, our total annual expenses would be 6.1% of average consolidated total assets. |
Example
The following example demonstrates the projected dollar amount of total cumulative expenses over various periods with respect to a hypothetical investment in us. In calculating the following expense amounts, we have assumed we would have no additional leverage, that none of our assets are cash or cash equivalents and that our annual operating expenses would remain at the levels set forth in the table above. Transaction expenses are not included in the following example.
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||||||||||||
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5.0% annual return |
$ | 116 | $ | 325 | $ | 508 | $ | 869 | ||||||||
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5.0% annual return resulting entirely from net realized capital gains (all of which is subject to our incentive fee on capital gains) |
$ | 123 | $ | 343 | $ | 532 | $ | 895 |
The foregoing table is to assist you in understanding the various costs and expenses that an investor in our common stock will bear directly or indirectly. While the example assumes, as required by the SEC, a 5.0% annual return, our performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5.0%. The incentive fee under the Investment Advisory Agreement, which, assuming a 5.0% annual return, would either not be payable or have an insignificant impact on the expense amounts shown above, is not included in the example. If we achieve sufficient returns on our investments, including through the realization of capital gains, to trigger an incentive fee of a material amount, our expenses, and returns to our investors, would be higher. In addition, while the example assumes reinvestment of all distributions at net asset value, if our board of directors authorizes and we declare a cash
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dividend, participants in our dividend reinvestment plan who have not otherwise elected to receive cash will receive a number of shares of our common stock, determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the distribution payable to a participant by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of trading on the valuation date for the distribution. See Dividend Reinvestment Plan for additional information regarding our dividend reinvestment plan.
This example and the expenses in the table above should not be considered a representation of our future expenses, and actual expenses (including the cost of debt, if any, and other expenses) may be greater or less than those shown.
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Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. You should carefully consider these risk factors, together with all of the other information included in this prospectus, or any prospectus supplement. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our common stock could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure
We are dependent upon our investment advisors managing members and our executive officers for our future success. If our investment advisor was to lose any of its managing members or we lose any of our executive officers, our ability to achieve our investment objective could be significantly harmed.
We depend on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of the managing members of our investment advisor, who evaluate, negotiate, structure, execute and monitor our investments. Our future success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the investment professionals of our investment advisor and executive officers. Certain investment professionals and executives may not devote all of their business time to our operations and may have other demands on their time as a result of other activities. The departure of any of these individuals could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.
Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships with financial institutions, sponsors and investment professionals. Any inability of our investment advisor to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.
We depend upon the investment professionals of our investment advisor to maintain their relationships with financial institutions, sponsors and investment professionals, and we intend to rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If the investment professionals of our investment advisor fail to maintain such relationships, or to develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the investment professionals of our investment advisor have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, we can offer no assurance that these relationships will generate investment opportunities for us in the future.
Our financial condition and results of operation depends on our ability to manage our business effectively.
Our ability to achieve our investment objective and grow depends on our ability to manage our business and deploy our capital effectively. This depends, in turn, on our investment advisors ability to identify, evaluate and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. The achievement of our investment objectives on a cost-effective basis depends upon our investment advisors execution of our investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and, to a lesser extent, our access to financing on acceptable terms. Our investment advisor has substantial responsibilities under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, our investment advisors investment professionals may be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These activities may distract them or slow our rate of investment. Any failure to manage our business and our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may suffer credit losses and our investments could be rated below investment grade.
Private debt in the form of mezzanine, senior secured or unitranche loans to corporate and asset-based borrowers is highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk of credit loss, and therefore an investment in our shares of common stock may not be suitable for someone with a low tolerance for risk. These risks are likely to increase during an economic recession.
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In addition, investments in our portfolio are typically not rated by any rating agency. We believe that if such investments were rated, the vast majority would be rated below investment grade (which is sometime referred to as junk) due to speculative characteristics of the issuers capacity to pay interest and repay principal. Our investments may result in an amount of risk, volatility or potential loss of principal that is greater than that of alternative investments.
Because we borrow money and may in the future issue additional senior securities, including preferred stock and debt securities, the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested in us is magnified and may increase the risk of investing in us.
Borrowings, also known as leverage, magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and, therefore, increase the risks associated with investing in us. The Funds borrow from and issue debt securities to the SBA, and we may borrow from banks and other lenders in the future. The SBA has fixed dollar claims on the Funds assets that are superior to the claims of our stockholders. We may also borrow from banks and other lenders or issue additional senior securities including preferred stock and debt securities in the future. If the value of our assets increases, then leveraging would cause the net asset value attributable to our common stock to increase more sharply than it would have had we not used leverage. Conversely, if the value of our assets decreases, leveraging would cause net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have had we not leveraged. Similarly, any increase in our income in excess of interest payable on the borrowed funds would cause our net income to increase more than it would without the leverage, while any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could negatively affect our ability to make distributions to our stockholders. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique.
Our ability to achieve our investment objectives may depend in part on our ability to achieve additional leverage on favorable terms by borrowing from the SBA, banks or other lenders, and there can be no assurance that such additional leverage can in fact be achieved.
As a BDC, we are generally required to meet a coverage ratio at least equal to 200.0% of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of our borrowings (other than the Funds SBA leverage under the terms of SEC exemptive relief) and any preferred stock we may issue in the future. If this ratio declines below 200.0%, we may not be able to incur additional debt and may need to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt when it is disadvantageous to do so, and we may not be able to make distributions to our stockholders.
The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing in the table below.
Assumed Return on Our Portfolio
(Net of Expenses)
(10.0)% | (5.0)% | 0.0% | 5.0% | 10.0% | ||||||||||||||||
Corresponding return to common stockholder (1) |
(23.3 | )% | (13.5 | )% | (3.7 | )% | 6.1 | % | 16.0 | % |
(1) | Assumes $485.5 million in total assets, $213.5 million in outstanding SBA debentures, $15.5 million in borrowings under the Credit Facility, and $247.4 million in net assets as of December 31, 2015 and an average cost of funds of 4.0%. |
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Funding a portion of our investments with preferred stock would magnify the potential for gain or loss and the risks of investing in us in the same way as our other borrowings.
Preferred stock, which is another form of leverage, has the same risks to our common stockholders as borrowings because the distributions with respect to any preferred stock must be cumulative. Payment of such distributions and repayment of the liquidation preference of such preferred stock must take preference over any distributions or other payments to our common stockholders, and preferred stockholders are not subject to any of our expenses or losses and are not entitled to participate in any income or appreciation in excess of their stated preference.
Pending legislation may allow us to incur additional leverage.
As a BDC, under the 1940 Act generally we are not permitted to incur indebtedness unless immediately after such borrowing we have an asset coverage for total borrowings of at least 200.0% (i.e., the amount of debt may not exceed 50.0% of the value of our assets). Legislation introduced to the U.S. House of Representatives, if passed, would modify this section of the 1940 Act and increase the amount of debt that BDCs may incur by modifying the minimum asset coverage ratio from 200.0% to 150.0%. If such legislation were to pass, we would be able to incur additional indebtedness in the future and therefore your risk of an investment in us may increase.
In addition, in December 2015, the 2016 omnibus spending bill approved by Congress and signed into law by the President increased the amount of SBA-guaranteed debentures that affiliated SBIC funds can have outstanding from $225.0 million to $350.0 million, subject to SBA approval. This new legislation may allow us to issue additional SBIC debentures above the $213.5 million of SBA-guaranteed debentures we had outstanding as of December 31, 2015. If we incur this additional indebtedness in the future, your risk of an investment in our securities may increase.
Many of our portfolio investments are recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors, and, as a result, there is uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments and the valuation process for certain of our portfolio holdings creates a conflict of interest.
Many of our portfolio investments take the form of debt and equity securities that are not publicly-traded. The debt and equity securities in which we invest for which market quotations are not readily available are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. As part of the valuation process, we may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments:
| a comparison of the portfolio companys securities to comparable publicly-traded securities; |
| the enterprise value of a portfolio company; |
| the nature and realizable value of any collateral; |
| the portfolio companys ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow; |
| the markets in which the portfolio company does business; and |
| changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future and other relevant factors. |
The fair value of each investment in our portfolio is determined quarterly by our board of directors. Any changes in fair value of portfolio securities from the prior period are recorded in our consolidated statement of operations as net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation.
In connection with that determination, investment professionals from our investment advisor prepare portfolio company valuations based upon the most recent portfolio company financial statements available and projected financial results of each portfolio company. In addition, certain members of our board of directors have a pecuniary interest in our investment advisor. The participation of our investment advisors investment professionals in our valuation process, and the pecuniary interest in our investment advisor by certain members of our board of directors, may result in a conflict of interest as the management fees that we pay our investment advisor are based on our gross assets less cash.
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. Declines in prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets may also result in significant net unrealized depreciation in our debt portfolio. Our net asset value could be adversely affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments.
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We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.
A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we plan to make. We compete with public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, we believe some of our competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments. These characteristics could allow our competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and offer better pricing and more flexible structuring than we offer. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors pricing, terms and structure, we may experience a decrease in net investment income or an increase in risk of capital loss. A significant part of our competitive advantage stems from the fact that the lower middle-market is underserved by traditional commercial and investment banks, and generally has less access to capital. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of our competitors in this target market could force us to accept less attractive investment terms.
Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the source of income, asset diversification and distribution requirements we must satisfy to maintain our RIC status. The competitive pressures we face may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. As a result of this existing and potentially increasing competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we may not be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.
Our management and incentive fee structure may create incentives for our investment advisor that are not fully aligned with the interests of our stockholders and may encourage our investment advisor to make speculative investments.
The management and incentive fees paid to our investment advisor are based on our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts), and our investor advisor may therefore benefit when we incur debt or use leverage. This fee structure may encourage our investment advisor to cause us to borrow money to finance additional investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of borrowed money may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor our stockholders. Our board of directors is charged with protecting our interests by monitoring how our investment advisor addresses these and other conflicts of interests. Our board of directors is not expected to review or approve each borrowing or incurrence of leverage. However, our board of directors, periodically reviews our investment advisors portfolio management decisions and portfolio performance. In addition, our board of directors at least annually reviews the services provided by and fees paid to our investment advisor. In connection with these reviews, our board of directors, including a majority of our Independent Directors, considers whether the fees and expenses (including those related to leverage) that we pay to our investment advisor are fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided and must approve renewal of our Advisory Agreement.
The part of the incentive fee payable to our investment advisor that relates to our net investment income is computed and paid on income that includes interest income that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. This fee structure may encourage our investment advisor to favor debt financings that provide for deferred interest, rather than current cash payments of interest. Our investment advisor may have an incentive to invest in deferred interest securities in circumstances where it would not have done so but for the opportunity to continue to earn the incentive fee even when the issuers of the deferred interest securities would not be able to make actual cash payments to us on such securities. This risk could be increased because our investment advisor is not obligated to reimburse us for any incentive fees received even if we subsequently incur losses or never receive in cash the deferred interest that was previously accrued.
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The incentive fee is based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the portion of the incentive fee based on income, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, our investment advisor may have a tendency to invest more capital in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.
We may be obligated to pay our investment advisor incentive compensation even if we incur a loss and may pay more than 20.0% of our net capital gains because we cannot recover payments made in previous years.
Our investment advisor will be entitled to incentive compensation for each fiscal quarter in an amount equal to a percentage of the excess of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for that quarter above a threshold return for that quarter. Our pre-incentive fee net investment income for incentive compensation purposes excludes realized and unrealized capital losses that we may incur in the fiscal quarter, even if such capital losses result in a net loss on our consolidated statement of operations for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay our investment advisor incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of our portfolio or we incur a net loss for that quarter. Further, if we pay an incentive fee of 20.0% of our realized capital gains (net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis) and thereafter experience additional realized capital losses or unrealized capital depreciation, we will not be able to recover any portion of the incentive fee previously paid.
We may have potential conflicts of interest related to obligations that our investment advisor may have to other clients.
Currently the Company, the Funds and Fidus Credit Opportunities LLC are the only investment vehicles managed by our investment advisor. The Investment Advisory Agreement does not limit our investment advisors ability to act as an investment advisor to other funds, including other BDCs, or other investment advisory clients. To the extent our investment advisor acts as an investment advisor to other funds or clients, including Fidus Credit Opportunities LLC, we may have conflicts of interest with our investment advisor or its other clients that elect to invest in similar types of securities as those in which we invest. Members of our investment advisors investment committee serve or may serve as officers, directors or principals of entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as we do, or of investment funds or other investment vehicles managed by our investment advisor. In serving in these multiple capacities, they may have obligations to other clients or investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of us or our stockholders. Our investment advisor will seek to allocate investment opportunities among eligible accounts in a manner that is fair and equitable over time and consistent with an allocation policy approved by our board of directors.
To the extent our investment adviser forms affiliates, including Fidus Credit Opportunities LLC, we may co-invest on a concurrent basis with such affiliates, subject to compliance with applicable regulations and regulatory guidance and our allocation procedures. While we may co-invest with investment entities managed by our investment advisor or its affiliates, to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, the 1940 Act imposes significant limits on co-investment. As a result, we, Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC, the Funds, and Fidus Credit Opportunities, LLC have applied for exemptive relief from the SEC under the 1940 Act, which, if granted, would allow additional latitude to co-invest. However, there is no assurance when, or even if, we will obtain such relief. In the event the SEC does not grant us relief, we will be limited in our ability to invest in certain portfolio companies in which Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC or any of its respective affiliates are investing or are invested. Even if we are able to obtain exemptive relief, we will be unable to participate in certain transactions originated by Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC or its respective affiliates prior to receipt of such relief.
Our investment advisor or its investment committee may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting our investment discretion.
The investment professionals of our investment advisor may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we invest, the securities of which are purchased or sold on our behalf. In the event that material non-public information is obtained with respect to such companies, or we become subject to trading restrictions under the internal trading policies of those companies or as a result of applicable law or regulations, we could be prohibited for a period of time from purchasing or selling the securities of such companies, and this prohibition may have an adverse effect on us.
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We may have conflicts related to other arrangements with our investment advisor.
We entered into a license agreement with Fidus Partners, LLC under which Fidus Partners, LLC granted us a non-exclusive (provided that there is not a change in control of Fidus Partners, LLC), royalty-free license to use the name Fidus. Some of the members of our investment advisors investment committee and the senior origination professionals of our investment advisor are members of Fidus Partners, LLC. See Management and Other Agreements License Agreement. In addition, we rent office space from our investment advisor and pay to our investment advisor our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, such as our allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer. This creates conflicts of interest that our board of directors must monitor.
The Funds are licensed by the SBA, and, therefore, are subject to SBA regulations.
The Funds are licensed to operate as SBICs and are regulated by the SBA. Under current SBA regulations, a licensed SBIC can provide capital to those entities that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $19.5 million and an average annual net income after U.S. federal income taxes not exceeding $6.5 million for the two most recent fiscal years. In addition, a licensed SBIC must devote 25.0% of its investment activity to those entities that have a tangible net worth not exceeding $6.0 million and an average annual net income after U.S. federal income taxes not exceeding $2.0 million for the two most recent fiscal years. The SBA regulations also provide alternative size standard criteria to determine eligibility, which depend on the industry in which the business is engaged and are based on either the number of employees or the gross sales of the business. The SBA regulations permit licensed SBICs to make long term loans to small businesses, invest in the equity securities of such businesses and provide them with consulting and advisory services. The SBA also places certain limitations on the financing terms of investments by SBICs in portfolio companies and prohibits SBICs from providing funds for certain purposes or to businesses in certain prohibited industries. Further, the SBA regulations require that a licensed SBIC be periodically examined and audited by the SBA staff to determine its compliance with the relevant SBA regulations. Compliance with these SBA requirements may cause the Funds to forego attractive investment opportunities that are not permitted under the SBA regulations, and may cause the Funds to make investments they otherwise would not make in order to remain in compliance with these regulations.
Failure to comply with the SBA regulations could result in the loss of the SBIC licenses and the resulting inability to participate in the SBA debenture program. The SBA prohibits, without prior SBA approval, a change of control of an SBIC or transfers that would result in any person (or a group of persons acting in concert) owning 10.0% or more of a class of capital stock of a licensed SBIC. Current SBA regulations provide the SBA with certain rights and remedies if an SBIC violates their terms. A key regulatory metric for SBA is the extent of Capital Impairment, which is the extent of realized (and, in certain circumstances, net unrealized) losses compared with the SBICs private capital commitments. Interest payments, management fees, organization and other expenses are included in determining realized losses. SBA regulations preclude the full amount of unrealized appreciation from portfolio companies from being considered when calculating Capital Impairment in certain circumstances. Remedies for regulatory violations are graduated in severity depending on the seriousness of Capital Impairment or other regulatory violations. For minor regulatory infractions, the SBA issues a warning. For more serious infractions, the use of SBA debentures may be limited or prohibited, outstanding debentures can be declared to be immediately due and payable, restrictions on distributions and making new investments may be imposed and management fees may be required to be reduced. In severe cases, the SBA may require the removal of a general partner of an SBIC or its officers, directors, managers or partners, or the SBA may obtain appointment of a receiver for the SBIC.
SBA regulations limit the amount of SBA-guaranteed debt that may be borrowed by an SBIC.
The SBA regulations currently limit the amount that is available to be borrowed by any SBIC and guaranteed by the SBA to 300.0% of an SBICs regulatory capital or $150.0 million, whichever is less. For three or more SBICs under common control, the maximum amount of outstanding SBA debentures cannot exceed $350.0 million. If the Funds borrow the maximum amount from the SBA and thereafter require additional capital, our cost of capital may increase, and there is no assurance that we will be able to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms.
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Moreover, the Funds current status as SBICs does not automatically assure that they will continue to receive funding through the SBA debenture program. Receipt of SBA debenture funding is dependent upon the Funds continuing compliance with SBA regulations and policies and there being funding available. The amount of SBA debenture funding available to SBICs is dependent upon annual Congressional authorizations and in the future may be subject to annual Congressional appropriations. There can be no assurance that there will be sufficient SBA debenture funding available at the times desired by the Funds.
The debentures issued by the Funds and guaranteed by the SBA have a maturity of ten years and bear interest semi-annually at fixed rates. The Funds will need to generate sufficient cash flow to make required debt payments on such debentures. If the Funds are unable to generate such cash flow, the SBA, as guarantor of the debentures, will have a superior claim to our assets over our stockholders in the event the Funds liquidate or the SBA exercises its remedies under such debentures as the result of a default by the Funds.
The Funds, as SBICs, are limited in their ability to make distributions to us, which could result in us being unable to meet the minimum distribution requirements to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC.
In order to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we are required to distribute to our stockholders on an annual basis 90.0% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses. For this purpose, our taxable income will include the income of the Funds (and any other entities that are disregarded as separate from us for U.S. federal income tax purposes). The Funds ability to make distributions to us may be limited by the Small Business Investment Act of 1958. As a result, in order to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we may be required to make distributions attributable to the Funds income without receiving any corresponding cash distributions with respect to such income. We can make no assurances that the Funds will be able to make, or not be limited in making, distributions to us. If we are unable to satisfy the annual distribution requirements, we may fail to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, which would result in the imposition of corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on our entire taxable income without regard to any distributions made by us. See We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.
Changes in interest rates will affect our cost of capital and net investment income.
Most of our debt investments bear interest at fixed rates and the value of these investments could be negatively affected by increases in market interest rates. In addition, to the extent that we borrow additional funds to make investments, an increase in interest rates would make it more expensive for us to use debt to finance our investments. As a result, a significant increase in market interest rates could both reduce the value of our portfolio investments and increase our cost of capital, which would reduce our net investment income. Conversely, a decrease in interest rates may have an adverse impact on our returns by requiring us to seek lower yields on our debt investments and by increasing the risk that our portfolio companies will prepay the debt investments, resulting in the need to redeploy capital at potentially lower rates.
You should also be aware that a rise in market interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates may result in an increase of the amount of incentive fees payable to our investment advisor.
Capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability and we cannot predict when these conditions will occur. Such market conditions could materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which could have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The U.S. and global capital markets experienced extreme volatility and disruption during the economic downturn that began in mid-2007, and the U.S. economy was in a recession for several consecutive calendar quarters during the same period. In 2010, a financial crisis emerged in Europe, triggered by high budget deficits and rising direct and contingent sovereign debt, which created concerns about the ability of certain nations to continue to service their sovereign debt obligations. Risks resulting from such debt crisis and any future debt crisis in Europe or any similar crisis elsewhere could have a detrimental impact on the global economic recovery, sovereign and non-sovereign debt in certain countries and the financial condition of financial institutions generally. In July and August 2015, Greece reached agreements with its creditors for bailouts that provide aid in exchange for certain austerity measures. These and similar austerity measures may adversely affect world economic conditions and have an
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adverse impact on our business and that of our portfolio companies. In the second quarter of 2015, stock prices in China experienced a significant drop, resulting primarily from continued sell-off of shares trading in Chinese markets. In August 2015, Chinese authorities sharply devalued Chinas currency. These market and economic disruptions adversely affected, and these and other similar market and economic disruptions may in the future affect, the U.S. capital markets, which could adversely affect our business and that of our portfolio companies. These market disruptions materially and adversely affected, and may in the future affect, the broader financial and credit markets and has reduced the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and to financial firms, in particular. At various times, these disruptions resulted in, and may in the future result, a lack of liquidity in parts of the debt capital markets, significant write-offs in the financial services sector and the repricing of credit risk. These conditions may reoccur for a prolonged period of time again or materially worsen in the future, including as a result of further downgrades to the U.S. governments sovereign credit rating or the perceived credit worthiness of the United States or other large global economies. Unfavorable economic conditions, including future recessions, also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. We may in the future have difficulty accessing debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all, and a severe disruption and instability in the global financial markets or deteriorations in credit and financing conditions may cause us to reduce the volume of loans we originate and/or fund, adversely affect the value of our portfolio investments or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results.
We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, the default rate on such securities, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.
We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.
We have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code; however, no assurance can be given that we will be able to maintain our RIC tax treatment. To avoid the imposition of U.S. federal income taxes on income and gains distributed to our stockholders, we must meet certain requirements, including source-of-income, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. The source-of-income requirement will be satisfied if we derive at least 90.0% of our gross income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from sale of securities or similar sources. To maintain our status as a RIC, we must also meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each calendar quarter. Failure to meet these requirements may result in our losing our RIC status or our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments will be in private or thinly traded public companies, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and may result in substantial losses. The annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs will be satisfied if we distribute at least 90.0% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to our stockholders on an annual basis. In addition, we will be subject to a 4.0% nondeductible federal excise tax to the extent that we do not satisfy certain additional minimum distribution requirements on a calendar-year basis. We will be subject, to the extent we use debt financing, to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making annual distributions necessary to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to U.S. federal corporate income tax on our entire taxable income without regard to any distributions made by us. If we fail to maintain our status as a RIC for any reason and become subject to U.S. corporate income tax, the resulting tax liability could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distributions to stockholders and the amount of our distributions and the amount of funds available for new investments. Such a failure would have a material adverse effect on us and our stockholders.
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We may not be able to pay you distributions, our distributions may not grow over time, a portion of distributions paid to you may be a return of capital, and investors in our debt securities may not receive all of the interest income to which they are entitled.
We intend to pay quarterly distributions 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 make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be harmed by, among other things, the risk factors described in this prospectus. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC could, in the future, limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC tax treatment, compliance with applicable BDC regulations, SBA regulations, state corporate laws affecting the distribution of corporate assets and such other factors as our board of directors may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will pay distributions to our stockholders in the future.
If we issue debt securities in the future, the above-referenced restrictions on distributions may also inhibit our ability to make required interest payments to holders of any such debt securities, which may cause a default under the terms of our then-existing debt agreements. Such a default could materially increase our cost of raising capital, as well as cause us to incur penalties under the terms of our then-existing debt agreements.
When we make quarterly distributions, we will be required to determine the extent to which such distributions are paid out of current and accumulated earnings and profits, recognized capital gain or capital. To the extent there is a return of capital, investors will be required to reduce their basis in our stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before, or without, receiving cash representing such income.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we are required to include in our income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount, which may arise if we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or in other circumstances, and contracted payment-in-kind interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and due at the end of the loan term. Such original issue discount, or increases in loan balances as a result of contracted payment-in-kind arrangements, will be included in our income before we receive any corresponding cash payments. We also may be required to include in our income certain other amounts that we will not receive in cash.
Since in certain cases we may be required to recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the requirement to distribute on an annual basis at least 90.0% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any, to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC. In such a case, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities to satisfy the annual distribution requirements. In such circumstances, if we are unable to obtain such cash from other sources, we may fail to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC and thus be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax. See We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.
If a portfolio company defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible. Our investment advisor will not be under any obligation to reimburse us for any part of the incentive fee it received that was based on accrued income that we never receive as a result of a default by an entity on the obligation that resulted in the accrual of such income. That part of the incentive fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income will be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash, such as market discount, debt instruments with payment-in-kind interest, preferred stock with payment-in-kind dividends and zero coupon securities.
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You may have a current tax liability on distributions you elect to reinvest in our common stock but would not receive cash to pay such tax liability.
If you participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, you will be deemed to have received, and for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be taxed on, the amount reinvested in our common stock to the extent the amount reinvested was not a tax-free return of capital. As a result, unless you are a tax-exempt entity, you may have to use funds from other sources to pay your tax liability on the value of our common stock received as a result of the distribution.
Because we expect to distribute substantially all of our net investment income and net realized capital gains to our stockholders, we will need additional capital to finance our growth, and such capital may not be available on favorable terms or at all.
We have elected to be taxed for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. If we continue to meet certain requirements, including source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements, and if we continue to be regulated as a BDC, we will continue to qualify to be taxed as a RIC and therefore will not have to pay U.S. federal corporate income tax on income that we timely distribute to our stockholders, allowing us to substantially reduce or eliminate our corporate-level income tax liability. As a BDC, we are generally required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total senior securities, which includes all of our borrowings (other than SBA leverage) and any preferred stock we may issue in the future, of at least 200.0% at the time we issue any debt or preferred stock. This requirement limits the amount of our leverage. Because we will continue to need capital to grow our investment portfolio, this limitation may prevent us from incurring debt or issuing preferred stock and require us to raise additional equity at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
While we expect to be able to borrow and to issue additional debt and equity securities, we cannot assure you that debt and equity financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. If additional funds are not available to us, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities, and our net asset value could decline. In addition, as a BDC, we generally are not permitted to issue equity securities priced below net asset value without stockholder approval. At our Annual Stockholders Meeting on June 3, 2015, our stockholders voted to allow us to issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending on the earlier of June 3, 2016 or the date of our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We expect to present to our stockholders a similar proposal at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The maximum number of shares issuable below net asset value pursuant to the authority granted by our stockholders that could result in such dilution is limited to 25.0% of FICs then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale. We do not intend to issue shares of our common stock below net asset value unless our board of directors determines that it would be in our stockholders best interests to do so. The level of net asset value dilution that could result from such an offering is not limited.
Illustration: Examples of Dilutive Effect of the Issuance of Shares Below Net Asset Value. The following table illustrates the level of net asset value dilution that would be experienced by a nonparticipating stockholder in three different hypothetical offerings of different sizes and levels of discount from net asset value per share, although it is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur. Actual sales prices and discounts may differ from the presentation below.
Assume that Company XYZ has 1,000,000 common shares outstanding, $15,000,000 in total assets and $5,000,000 in total liabilities. The current net asset value and net asset value per share are thus $10,000,000 and $10.00, respectively. The table illustrates the dilutive effect on nonparticipating Stockholder A of (1) an offering of 50,000 shares (5.0% of the outstanding shares) at $9.50 per share after offering expenses and commission (a 5.0% discount from net asset value), (2) an offering of 100,000 shares (10.0% of the outstanding shares) at $9.00 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 10.0% discount from net asset value) and (3) an offering of 200,000 shares (20.0% of the outstanding shares) at $8.00 per share after offering expenses and commissions (a 20.0% discount from net asset value). The acronym NAV stands for net asset value.
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In any offering of common stock, we will present the actual dilution to stockholders in tabular form in the prospectus supplement specific to that offering.
Example 1 5.0% Offering At 5.0% Discount |
Example 2 10.0% Offering At 10.0% Discount |
Example 3 20.0% Offering At 20.0% Discount |
Example 4 25% Offering At 25% Discount |
Example 5 25% Offering At 100% Discount |
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Period |
Prior to Sale Below NAV |
Following Sale |
% Change |
Following Sale |
% Change |
Following Sale |
% Change |
Following Sale |
% Change |
Following Sale |
% Change |
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Offering Price |
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Price per Share to Public |
| $ | 10.00 | | $ | 9.47 | | $ | 8.42 | | $ | 7.89 | | $ | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Net Proceeds per Share to Issuer |
| $ | 9.50 | | $ | 9.00 | | $ | 8.00 | | $ | 7.50 | | $ | | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Decrease to NAV |
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Total Shares Outstanding |
1,000,000 | 1,050,000 | 5.00 | % | 1,100,000 | 10.00 | % | 1,200,000 | 20.00 | % | 1,250,000 | 25.00 | % | 1,250,000 | 25.00 | % | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
NAV per Share |
$ | 10.00 | $ | 9.98 | (0.24 | )% | $ | 9.91 | (0.91 | )% | $ | 9.67 | (3.33 | )% | $ | 9.50 | (5.00 | )% | $ | 8.00 | (20.00 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Dilution to Stockholder |
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Shares Held by Stockholder A |
10,000 | 10,000 | | 10,000 | | 10,000 | | 10,000 | | 10,000 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Percentage Held by Stockholder A |
1.0 | % | 0.95 | (4.76 | )% | 0.91 | % | (9.09 | )% | 0.83 | % | (16.67 | )% | 0.80 | % | (20.00 | )% | 0.80 | % | (20.00 | )% | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Asset Values |
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Total NAV Held by Stockholder A |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 99,762 | (0.24 | )% | $ | 99,091 | (0.91 | )% | $ | 96,667 | (3.33 | )% | $ | 95,000 | (5.00 | )% | $ | 80,000 | (20.00 | )% | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Investment by Stockholder A (Assumed to Be $10.00 per Share) |
$ | 100,000 | $ | 100,000 | | $ | 100,000 | | $ | 100,000 | | $ | 100,000 | | $ | 100,000 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Total Dilution to Stockholder A (Total NAV Less Total Investment) |
| $ | (238 | ) | | $ | (909 | ) | | $ | (3,333 | ) | | $ | (5,000 | ) | | $ | (20,000 | ) | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Per Share Amounts |
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NAV per Share Held by Stockholder A |
| $ | 9.98 | | $ | 9.91 | | $ | 9.67 | | $ | 9.50 | | $ | 8.00 | | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment per Share Held by Stockholder A (Assumed to be $10.00 per Share) |
$ | 10.00 | $ | 10.00 | | $ | 10.00 | | $ | 10.00 | | $ | 10.00 | | $ | 10.00 | | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Dilution per Share Held by Stockholder A (NAV per Share Less Investment per Share) |
| $ | (0.02 | ) | | $ | (0.09 | ) | | $ | (0.33 | ) | | $ | (0.50 | ) | | $ | (2.00 | ) | | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Percentage Dilution to Stockholder A (Dilution per Share Divided by Investment per Share) |
| | (0.24 | )% | | (0.91 | )% | | (3.33 | )% | | (5.00 | )% | | (20.00 | )% |
Our board of directors may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.
Our board of directors has the authority, except as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act, to modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval. Under Maryland law, we also cannot be dissolved without prior stockholder approval except by judicial action. In addition, upon approval of a majority of our stockholders, we may elect to withdraw our status as a BDC. If we, or Fund I, decide to withdraw our election, or if we otherwise fail to maintain our qualification, as a BDC, we may be subject to the substantially greater regulation under the 1940 Act as a closed-end investment company. Compliance with such regulations would significantly decrease our operating flexibility, and could significantly increase our costs of doing business. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies and strategies would have on our business, operating results or the value of our common stock. Nevertheless, any such changes could adversely affect our business and impair our ability to make distributions.
Any failure on our part to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.
If we, or Fund I, fail to maintain our status as a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to substantially more onerous regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act and correspondingly decrease our operating flexibility.
Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to raise, and the way in which we raise, additional capital which may have a negative effect on our growth.
Our business will require capital to operate and grow. We may acquire such additional capital from the following sources:
Senior Securities. Currently we, through the Funds, issue debt securities guaranteed by the SBA and have access to funds under a revolving credit facility. In the future, we may issue debt securities or preferred stock and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as senior securities. As a result of issuing senior securities, we will be exposed to additional risks, including, but not limited to, the following:
| Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a BDC, to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 200.0% after each issuance of senior securities. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If |
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that happens, we may sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our debt at a time when such sales and/or repayments may be disadvantageous. Further, we will not be permitted to declare or make any distribution to stockholders or repurchase shares until such time as we satisfy this test. |
| Any amounts that we use to service our debt or make payments on preferred stock will not be available for distributions to our common stockholders. |
| It is likely that any senior securities or other indebtedness we issue will be governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, some of these securities or other indebtedness may be rated by rating agencies, and in obtaining a rating for such securities and other indebtedness, we may be required to abide by operating and investment guidelines that further restrict operating and financial flexibility. |
| We and, indirectly, our stockholders will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities and other indebtedness. |
| Preferred stock or any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock, including separate voting rights and could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control to the detriment of the holders of our common stock. |
Additional Common Stock. Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current net asset value of the common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. At our Annual Stockholders Meeting on June 3, 2015, our stockholders voted to allow us to issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending on the earlier of June 3, 2016 or the date of our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We expect to present to our stockholders a similar proposal at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. The maximum number of shares issuable below net asset value pursuant to the authority granted by our stockholders that could result in such dilution is limited to 25.0% of FICs then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale. We do not intend to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock below net asset value unless our board of directors determines that it would be in our stockholders best interests to do so. The level of net asset value dilution that could result from such an offering is not limited. In any such case, however, the price at which our common stock is to be issued and sold may not be less than a price which, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any distributing commission or discount). We may also make rights offerings to our stockholders at prices per share less than the net asset value per share, subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and the regulations and staff interpretations thereunder. If we raise additional funds by issuing more common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time would decrease, and they may experience dilution. Moreover, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to issue and sell additional equity securities in the future, on favorable terms or at all.
Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.
We are subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make, any of which could harm us and our stockholders, potentially with retroactive effect. In addition, any change to the SBAs current debenture program could have a significant impact on our ability to obtain low-cost leverage and, therefore, our competitive advantage over other funds.
Additionally, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations related to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to meet our investment objectives. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth in this report and may shift our investment focus from the areas of expertise of our investment advisor to other types of investments in which our investment advisor may have little or no expertise or experience. Any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
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The impact of financial reform legislation on us remains uncertain.
In light of the global financial crisis and resulting conditions in the U.S. and global financial markets and the U.S. and global economy, legislators, the presidential administration and regulators increased their focus on the regulation of the financial services industry. In July 2010, the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act) was enacted, instituting a wide range of reforms that impact all financial institutions. Many of the requirements called for in the Dodd-Frank Act are subject to implementation regulations, some of which will continue to be implemented over the course of the next several years. Given the continuing uncertainty associated with the manner in which the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Act will be implemented by the various regulatory agencies, the full impact new regulatory requirements will have on our business, results of operations or financial condition remains unclear. The changes resulting from the Dodd-Frank Act have, and may continue to, require us to invest significant management attention and resources to evaluate and make necessary changes in order to comply with new statutory and regulatory requirements. Failure to comply with any such laws, regulations or principles, or changes thereto, may negatively impact our business, results of operations and financial condition. While we cannot predict what effect the on-going changes in the laws or regulations implemented as a result of the Dodd-Frank Act, or the interpretations of such changes may have on us, these changes could be materially adverse to us and our stockholders.
Our ability to enter into and exit investment transactions with our affiliates will be restricted.
Except in those instances where we have received prior exemptive relief from the SEC, we will be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates without the prior approval of our Independent Directors. We, our investment advisor, the Funds, and Fidus Credit Opportunities, LLC have applied for exemptive relief from the SEC under the 1940 Act, which, if granted, will permit us to co-invest with other funds managed by our investment advisor or its affiliates in a manner consistent with our investment objective, positions, policies, strategies and restrictions as well as regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors. There can be no assurance that any such exemptive order will be obtained. In addition, any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5.0% or more of our outstanding voting securities is deemed our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act and we are generally prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our Independent Directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits joint transactions with an affiliate, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our Independent Directors. If a person acquires more than 25.0% of our voting securities, we will be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person, or entering into joint transactions with such person, absent the prior approval of the SEC. These restrictions could limit or prohibit us from making certain attractive investments that we might otherwise make absent such restrictions.
Our investment advisor can resign on 60 days notice, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
Our investment advisor has the right, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, to resign at any time upon not less than 60 days written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our investment advisor resigns, we may not be able to find a new investment advisor or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, investment activities are likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by our investment advisor and its affiliates. Even if we are able to retain comparable management, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
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Our investment advisor can resign from its role as our administrator under the Administration Agreement, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
Our investment advisor also has the right to resign under the Administration Agreement, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our investment advisor resigns as our administrator, we may not be able to find a new administrator or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our shares may decline. In addition, administrative activities are likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a service provider or individuals with the expertise possessed by our investment advisor. Even if we are able to retain a comparable service provider or individuals to perform such services, whether internal or external, their integration into our business and lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
Efforts to comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act will involve significant expenditures, and non-compliance with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act may adversely affect us and the market price of our common stock.
As a publicly-traded company, we incur legal, accounting and other expenses, including costs associated with the periodic reporting requirements applicable to a company whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act, as well as additional corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and other rules implemented by the SEC.
Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires that public companies evaluate and report on their systems of internal control over financial reporting. In addition, our independent registered public accounting firm must report on managements evaluation of those controls. In future periods, we may identify deficiencies in our system of internal controls over financial reporting that may require remediation. There can be no assurances that any such future deficiencies identified may not be material weaknesses that would be required to be reported in future periods.
We are dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends.
Our business is dependent on our and third parties communications and information systems. Any failure or interruption of those systems, including as a result of the termination of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our business. There could be:
| sudden electrical or telecommunications outages; |
| natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes; |
| disease pandemics; |
| events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including terrorist acts; and |
| cyber-attacks. |
These events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
The failure in cyber security systems, as well as the occurrence of events unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems and management continuity planning could impair our ability to conduct business effectively.
The occurrence of a disaster such as a cyber-attack, a natural catastrophe, an industrial accident, a terrorist attack or war, events unanticipated in our disaster recovery systems, or a support failure from external providers, could have an adverse effect on our ability to conduct business and on our results of operations and financial condition, particularly if those events affect our computer-based data processing, transmission, storage, and retrieval systems or destroy data. If a significant number of our managers were unavailable in the event of a disaster, our ability to effectively conduct our business could be severely compromised.
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We depend heavily upon computer systems to perform necessary business functions. Despite our implementation of a variety of security measures, our computer systems could be subject to cyber-attacks and unauthorized access, such as physical and electronic break-ins or unauthorized tampering. Like other companies, we may experience threats to our data and systems, including malware and computer virus attacks, unauthorized access, system failures and disruptions. If one or more of these events occurs, it could potentially jeopardize the confidential, proprietary and other information processed and stored in, and transmitted through, our computer systems and networks, or otherwise cause interruptions or malfunctions in our operations, which could result in damage to our reputation, financial losses, litigation, increased costs, regulatory penalties and/or customer dissatisfaction or loss.
Risks Relating to Our Investments
Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.
Many of our portfolio companies are susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions (including industry specific downturns, such as that currently being experienced by the oil and gas industry) and may be unable to repay our loans during these periods. Therefore, our non-performing assets are likely to increase and the value of our portfolio is likely to decrease during these periods. Adverse economic conditions may decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing our investments and harm our operating results.
Our investments in certain industry sectors, such as the energy sector, may be subject to significant political, economic and capacity risks that may increase the possibility that we lose all or a part of our investment.
The revenues and profitability of certain portfolio companies may be significantly affected by the future prices of and the demand for oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas, which are inherently uncertain. Investments in energy companies may have significant shortfalls in projected cash flow if prices decline from levels projected at the time the investment is made. Various factors beyond our control could affect energy prices, including worldwide supplies, political instability or armed conflicts in oil, natural gas liquids and natural gas producing regions, the price of foreign imports, the level of consumer demand, the price and availability of alternative fuels, capacity constraints and changes in existing government regulation, taxation and price controls. Energy prices have fluctuated greatly during the past, and energy markets continue to be volatile.
Changes in healthcare laws and other regulations applicable to some of our portfolio companies businesses may constrain their ability to offer their products and services.
Changes in healthcare or other laws and regulations applicable to the businesses of some of our portfolio companies may occur that could increase their compliance and other costs of doing business, require significant systems enhancements, or render their products or services less profitable or obsolete, any of which could have a material adverse effect on their results of operations. There has also been an increased political and regulatory focus on healthcare laws in recent years, and new legislation could have a material effect on the business and operations of some of our portfolio companies.
Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investment.
Investing in lower middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks. Among other things, these companies:
| may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt instruments that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees from subsidiaries or affiliates of portfolio companies that we may have obtained in connection with our investment; |
| may have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns, than larger businesses; |
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| are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us; |
| generally have less predictable operating results, may from time to time be parties to litigation, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position; and |
| generally have less publicly available information about their businesses, operations and financial condition. If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and may lose all or part of our investment. |
In addition, in the course of providing significant managerial assistance to certain portfolio companies, certain of our management and directors may serve as directors on the boards of such companies. To the extent that litigation arises out of investments in these portfolio companies, our management and directors may be named as defendants in such litigation, which could result in an expenditure of funds (through our indemnification of such officers and directors) and the diversion of management time and resources.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
All of our assets may be invested in illiquid securities, and a substantial portion of our investments in leveraged companies will be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or will otherwise be less liquid than more broadly traded public securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have previously recorded these investments. As a result, we do not expect to achieve liquidity in our investments in the near-term. However, to maintain the elections to be regulated as a BDC and as a RIC, we may have to dispose of investments if they do not satisfy one or more of the applicable criteria under the respective regulatory frameworks. We may also face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we or our investment advisor have material nonpublic information regarding such portfolio company.
We may not have the funds to make additional investments in our portfolio companies which could impair the value of our portfolio.
After our initial investment in a portfolio company, we may be called upon from time to time to provide additional funds to such company or have the opportunity to increase our investment through the exercise of a warrant to purchase common stock. There is no assurance that we will make, or will have sufficient funds to make, follow-on investments. Any decisions not to make a follow-on investment or any inability on our part to make such an investment may have a negative impact on a portfolio company in need of such an investment, may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation or may reduce the expected yield on the investment. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our level of risk, because we prefer other opportunities or because we are inhibited by compliance with BDC requirements or the desire to maintain our RIC tax treatment. Our ability to make follow-on investments may also be limited by our investment advisors allocation policy.
Portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.
We will invest primarily in mezzanine debt as well as equity issued by lower middle-market companies. The portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt in which we invest. By their terms, such senior debt instruments may entitle the holders to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments with respect to the mezzanine debt instruments in which we invest. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of debt instruments ranking senior to our investment in that portfolio company would typically be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution. After repaying such senior creditors, such portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt instruments in which we invest, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.
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There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or could be subject to lender liability claims.
Even though we may have structured certain of our investments as senior loans, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt investment and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrowers business or instances where we exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lenders liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering significant managerial assistance.
Second priority liens on collateral securing loans that we make to our portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.
Certain loans we make to portfolio companies are and will be secured on a second priority basis by the same collateral securing senior secured debt of such companies. The first priority liens on the collateral secure the portfolio companys obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of and be entitled to receive proceeds from any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from the sale or sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral. If such proceeds are not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the companys remaining assets, if any.
The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing the loans we make to portfolio companies with senior debt outstanding may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements entered into with the holders of senior debt. Under an intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations having the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect to the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens:
| the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral; |
| the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings; |
| the approval of amendments to collateral documents; |
| releases of liens on the collateral; and |
| waivers of past defaults under collateral documents. |
We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights are adversely affected.
We may hold the debt securities of leveraged companies that may, due to the significant volatility of such companies, enter into bankruptcy proceedings.
Leveraged companies may experience bankruptcy or similar financial distress. The bankruptcy process has a number of significant inherent risks. Many events in a bankruptcy proceeding are the product of contested matters and adversary proceedings and are beyond the control of the creditors. A bankruptcy filing by an issuer may adversely and permanently affect the issuer. If the proceeding is converted to a liquidation, the value of the issuer may not equal the liquidation value that was believed to exist at the time of the investment. The duration of a bankruptcy proceeding is also difficult to predict, and a creditors return on investment can be adversely affected by
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delays until the plan of reorganization or liquidation ultimately becomes effective. The administrative costs in connection with a bankruptcy proceeding are frequently high and would be paid out of the debtors estate prior to any return to creditors. Because the standards for classification of claims under bankruptcy law are vague, our influence with respect to the class of securities or other obligations we own may be lost by increases in the number and amount of claims in the same class or by different classification and treatment. In the early stages of the bankruptcy process, it is often difficult to estimate the extent of, or even to identify, any contingent claims that might be made. In addition, certain claims that have priority by law (for example, claims for taxes) may be substantial.
Any unrealized depreciation we experience on our investment portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.
As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized depreciation in our investment portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio companys inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected investments. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods.
Defaults by our portfolio companies will harm our operating results.
A portfolio companys failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its assets. This could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the portfolio companys ability to meet its obligations under the debt or equity securities that we hold. We may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting portfolio company.
We do not expect to control many of our portfolio companies.
We do not expect to control many of our portfolio companies, even though we may have board representation or board observation rights, and the debt agreements may contain certain restrictive covenants. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of the companys common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors. Due to the lack of liquidity for our investments in private companies in the lower middle-market, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies as readily as we would like or at an appropriate valuation. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.
We are a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act; therefore we are not limited with respect to the proportion of our assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer.
We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, our net asset value may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company as a result of changes in the financial condition or the markets assessment of the issuer and the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, while we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments may be concentrated in relatively few industries. As a result, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could also significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. Beyond the asset diversification requirements applicable to RICs, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few portfolio companies.
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Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.
We are subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending future investments in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being repaid, and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. In addition, any future investment of such amounts in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the investment that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elects to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our common stock.
We may not realize gains from our equity investments.
Certain investments that we have made in the past and may make in the future include warrants or other equity or equity-related securities. In addition, we may from time to time make non-control, equity co-investments in portfolio companies. Our goal is to realize gains upon our disposition of such equity interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests. We often seek puts or similar rights to give us the right to sell our equity securities back to the portfolio company issuer. We may be unable to exercise these put rights for the consideration provided in our investment documents if the issuer is in financial distress. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience.
If our primary investments are deemed not to be qualifying assets, we could be precluded from investing in our desired manner or deemed to be in violation of the 1940 Act.
In order to maintain our status as a BDC, we may not acquire any assets other than qualifying assets unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70.0% of our total assets are qualifying assets. We believe that most of the investments that we may acquire in the future will constitute qualifying assets. However, we may be precluded from investing in what we believe are attractive investments if such investments are not qualifying assets for purposes of the 1940 Act. If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could violate the 1940 Act provisions applicable to BDCs and be precluded from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position) or required to dispose of investments at inappropriate times in order to come into compliance with the 1940 Act. If we need to dispose of such investments quickly, it could be difficult to dispose of such investments on favorable terms. We may not be able to find a buyer for such investments and, even if we do find a buyer, we may have to sell the investments at a substantial loss. Any such outcomes would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The disposition of our investments may result in contingent liabilities.
A significant portion of our investments involve private securities and we expect that a significant portion of our investments will continue to involve private securities. In connection with the disposition of an investment in private securities, we may be required to make representations about the business and financial affairs of the portfolio company typical of those made in connection with the sale of a business. We may also be required to indemnify the purchasers of such investment to the extent that any such representations turn out to be inaccurate or with respect to potential liabilities. These arrangements may result in contingent liabilities that ultimately result in funding obligations that we must satisfy through its return of distributions previously made to it.
We may be unable to invest a significant portion of any net proceeds from an offering or from exiting an investment or other capital on acceptable terms, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.
We may be unable to invest the net proceeds of any offering or from exiting an investment or other sources of capital on acceptable terms within the time period that we anticipate or at all. Delays in investing such capital may cause our performance to be worse than that of fully invested BDCs or other lenders or investors pursuing comparable investment strategies.
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Depending on market conditions and the amount of the capital involved, it may take us a substantial period of time to invest substantially all the capital in securities meeting our investment objective. During this period, we will invest such capital primarily in short-term securities consistent with our BDC election and our election to be taxed as a RIC, which may produce returns that are significantly lower than the returns which we expect to achieve when our portfolio is fully invested in longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objective. Any distributions that we pay during such period may be substantially lower than the distributions that we may be able to pay when our portfolio is fully invested. In addition, until such time as the net proceeds of any offering or from exiting an investment or other sources capital are invested in new investments meeting our investment objective, the market price for our common stock may decline.
Our investment advisors liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we have agreed to indemnify our investment advisor against certain liabilities, which may lead our investment advisor to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, our investment advisor does not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services called for under that agreement, and it is not responsible for any action of our board of directors in following or declining to follow our investment advisors advice or recommendations. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, our investment advisor and its officers, directors, members, managers, partners, stockholders and employees are not liable to us, any subsidiary of ours, our directors, our stockholders or any subsidiarys stockholders or partners for acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, except those resulting from acts constituting gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of our investment advisors duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify our investment advisor and its officers, directors, members, managers, partners, stockholders and employees from and against any claims or liabilities, including reasonable legal fees and other expenses reasonably incurred, arising out of or in connection with our business and operations or any action taken or omitted on our behalf pursuant to authority granted by the Investment Advisory Agreement, except where attributable to gross negligence, willful misconduct, bad faith or reckless disregard of such persons duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. These protections may lead our investment advisor to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
Risks Relating to an Offering of Our Securities
Shares of closed-end investment companies, including business development companies, frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value.
Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount from net asset value. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies and BDCs is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below net asset value. In addition, if our common stock trades below net asset value, we will generally not be able to issue additional common stock at the market price without first obtaining the approval of our stockholders and our Independent Directors. On June 3, 2015 our stockholders voted to allow us to sell or otherwise issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending on the earlier of June 3, 2016 or the date of our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We expect to present to our stockholders a similar proposal at our 2015 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Selling or otherwise issuing shares of FICs common stock below its then current net asset value per share would result in a dilution of FICs existing common stockholders. The maximum number of shares issuable below net asset value pursuant to the authority granted by our stockholders that could result in such dilution is limited to 25.0% of FICs then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale. We do not intend to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock below net asset value unless our board of directors determines that it would be in our stockholders best interests to do so. The level of net asset value dilution that could result from such an offering is not limited.
Stockholders may experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they do not participate in our dividend reinvestment plan.
All distributions declared in cash payable to stockholders that are participants in our dividend reinvestment plan are generally automatically reinvested in shares of our common stock. As a result, stockholders that do not participate in the dividend reinvestment plan may experience dilution over time. Stockholders who receive distributions in shares of common stock may experience accretion to the net asset value of their shares if our shares are trading at a premium and dilution if our shares are trading at a discount. The level of accretion or discount would depend on various factors, including the proportion of our stockholders who participate in the plan, the level of premium or discount at which our shares are trading and the amount of the distribution payable to a stockholder.
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Market conditions may increase the risks associated with our business and an investment in us.
The current worldwide financial market situation may contribute to increased market volatility, may have long-term effects on the U.S. and worldwide financial markets and may cause economic uncertainties or deterioration in the U.S. and worldwide. These conditions raised the level of many of the risks described herein and, if repeated or continued, could have an adverse effect on our portfolio companies and on their results of operations, financial conditions, access to credit and capital. The stress in the credit market and upon banks has led other creditors to tighten credit and the terms of credit. In certain cases, senior lenders to our portfolio companies can block payments by our portfolio companies in respect of our loans to such portfolio companies. In turn, these could have adverse effects on our business, financial condition, results of operations, distributions to our stockholders, access to capital, valuation of our assets and our stock price. Notwithstanding recent gains across both the equity and debt markets, these conditions may continue for a prolonged period of time or worsen in the future.
If, in the future, we sell common stock at a discount to our net asset value per share, stockholders who do not participate in such sale will experience immediate dilution in an amount that may be material.
On June 3, 2015, our stockholders approved our ability to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a discount from net asset value per share, as long as the cumulative number of shares sold pursuant to such authority does not exceed 25.0% of our then outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale, for a period of one year ending on the earlier of June 3, 2016 or the date of our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We expect to present to our stockholders a similar proposal at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. If we sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a discount to net asset value, it will pose a risk of dilution to our stockholders. In particular, stockholders who do not purchase additional shares at or below the discounted price in proportion to their current ownership will experience an immediate decrease in net asset value per share (as well as in the aggregate net asset value of their shares if they do not participate at all). These stockholders will also experience a disproportionately greater decrease in their participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than the increase we experience in our assets, potential earning power and voting interests from such issuances or sale. In addition, such issuances or sales may adversely affect the price at which our common stock trades. For additional information and hypothetical examples of these risks, see Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value, and for actual dilution illustrations specific to an offering, see the prospectus supplement pursuant to which such sale is made.
Our net asset value may have changed significantly since our last valuation.
Our board of directors determines the fair value of our portfolio investments on a quarterly basis based on input from our investment advisor, our audit committee and, as to certain of our investments, a third party independent valuation firm. While the board of directors will review our net asset value per share in connection with any offering, it will not always have the benefit of input from the independent valuation firm when it does so. The fair value of various individual investments in our portfolio and/or the aggregate fair value of our investments may change significantly over time. If the fair value of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2015 is less than the fair value at the time of an offering during 2015, then we may record an unrealized loss on our investment portfolio and may report a lower net asset value per share than will be reflected in the Selected Consolidated Financial Data and the financial statements included in the prospectus supplement of that offering. If the fair value of our investment portfolio at December 31, 2015 is greater than the fair value at the time of an offering during 2015, we may record an unrealized gain on our investment portfolio and may report a greater net asset value per share than so reflected in the prospectus supplement of that offering. Upon publication of this information in connection with our announcement of operating results for our fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the market price of our common stock may fluctuate materially, and may be substantially less than the price per share you pay for our common stock in an offering.
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The market price of our securities may fluctuate significantly.
The market price and liquidity of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:
| significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of BDCs or other companies in our sector, which is not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies; |
| exclusion of our common stock from certain market indices, such as the Russell 2000 Financial Services Index, could reduce the ability of certain institutional investors to own our common stock and could put short term pressure on our common stock; |
| changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs, BDCs or SBICs; |
| loss of RIC or BDC status; |
| loss of status as an SBIC for the Funds, or any other SBIC subsidiary we may form; |
| changes or perceived changes in earnings or variations in operating results; |
| changes or perceived changes in the value of our portfolio of investments; |
| changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of our investments; |
| any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts; |
| departure of our investment advisors key personnel; |
| operating performance of companies comparable to us; |
| general economic trends and other external factors; and |
| loss of a major funding source. |
Investing in our securities may involve an above average degree of risk.
The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and a higher risk of volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative; therefore, an investment in our securities may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
As of April 22, 2016, we had 16,312,363 shares of common stock outstanding. In August 2014, we entered into an equity distribution agreement with Raymond James & Associates, Inc. and Robert W. Baird & Co. Incorporated through which we could sell, by means of at-the-market offerings from time to time, shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $50.0 million (the ATM Program). Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the availability of shares for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities should we desire to do so.
If we issue preferred stock and/or debt securities, the net asset value and market value of our common stock may become more volatile.
We cannot assure you that the issuance of preferred stock and/or debt securities would result in a higher yield or return to the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock and/or debt securities would likely cause the net asset value and market value of our common stock to become more volatile. If the distribution rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to approach the net rate of return on our investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of our common stock would be reduced. If the distribution rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to exceed the net rate of return on our portfolio, the use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common stock than if we had not issued the preferred stock and/or debt securities. Any decline in the net asset value of our investment would
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be borne entirely by the holders of our common stock. Therefore, if the market value of our portfolio were to decline, the leverage would result in a greater decrease in net asset value to the holders of our common stock than if we were not leveraged through the issuance of preferred stock and/or debt securities. This decline in net asset value would also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for our common stock.
There is also a risk that, in the event of a sharp decline in the value of our net assets, we would be in danger of failing to maintain required asset coverage ratios which may be required by the preferred stock and/or debt securities or of a downgrade in the ratings of the preferred stock and/or debt securities or our current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the distribution requirements on the preferred stock or the interest payments on the debt securities. In order to counteract such an event, we might need to liquidate investments in order to fund redemption of some or all of the preferred stock and/or debt securities. In addition, we would pay (and the holders of our common stock would bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred stock and/or debt securities. Holders of preferred stock and/or debt securities may have different interests than holders of common stock and may at times have disproportionate influence over our affairs.
If we issue auction rate preferred stock and you purchase such auction rate preferred stock, you may not be able to sell your auction rate preferred stock at an auction if the auction fails.
If we issue auction rate preferred stock and you purchase such auction rate preferred stock, you may not be able to sell your auction rate preferred stock at an auction if the auction fails, i.e., if more shares of auction rate preferred stock are offered for sale than there are buyers for those shares. Also, if you place an order (a hold order) at an auction to retain auction rate preferred stock only at a specified rate that exceeds the rate set at the auction, you will not retain your auction rate preferred stock. Additionally, if you place a hold order without specifying a rate below which you would not wish to continue to hold your shares and the auction sets a below-market rate, you will receive a lower rate of return on your shares than any market rate of those securities. Finally, the distribution period of these securities may be changed, subject to certain conditions and with notice to the holders of the auction rate preferred stock, which could also affect the liquidity of your investment.
If you try to sell your auction rate preferred stock between auctions, you may not receive full value on your investment.
If you try to sell your auction rate preferred stock between auctions, you may not be able to sell them for their liquidation preference per share or such amount per share plus accumulated distributions. If we have designated a special distribution period of more than seven days, changes in interest rates could affect the price you would receive if you sold your shares in the secondary market. Broker-dealers that maintain a secondary trading market for the auction rate preferred stock are not required to maintain this market, and we will not be required to redeem auction rate preferred stock if either an auction or an attempted secondary market sale fails because of a lack of buyers. The auction rate preferred stock will likely not be registered on a stock exchange. If you sell your auction rate preferred stock to a broker-dealer between auctions, you may receive less than the price you paid for them, especially when market interest rates have risen since the last auction or during a special distribution period. Due to recent market disruption most auction-rate preferred stock have been unable to hold successful auctions and holders of such shares have suffered reduced liquidity, including the inability to sell such shares in a secondary market.
The trading market or market value of our debt securities or any convertible debt securities, if issued to the public, may be volatile.
Our debt securities or any convertible debt securities, if issued to the public, may or may not have an established trading market. We cannot assure investors that a trading market for our debt securities or any convertible debt securities, if issued to the public, would develop or be maintained if developed. In addition to our creditworthiness, many factors may materially adversely affect the trading market for, and market value of, our publicly issued debt securities or any convertible debt securities. These factors include, but are not limited to, the following:
| the time remaining to the maturity of these debt securities; |
| the outstanding principal amount of debt securities with terms identical to these debt securities; |
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| the general economic environment; |
| the supply of debt securities trading in the secondary market, if any; |
| the redemption, repayment or convertible features, if any, of these debt securities; |
| the level, direction and volatility of market interest rates generally; and |
| market rates of interest higher or lower than rates borne by the debt securities. |
There also may be a limited number of buyers for our debt securities. This too may materially adversely affect the market value of the debt securities or the trading market for the debt securities. Our debt securities may include convertible features that cause them to more closely bear risks associated with an investment in our common stock.
Our credit ratings, if any, may not reflect all risks of an investment in our debt securities or any convertible debt securities.
Our credit ratings, if any, will be an assessment by third parties of our ability to pay our obligations. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the market value of any publicly issued debt securities. Our credit ratings, however, may not reflect the potential impact of risks related to market conditions generally or other factors discussed herein about the market value of, or trading market for, any publicly issued debt securities.
Terms relating to redemption may materially adversely affect the return on any debt securities.
If we issue any debt securities or any convertible debt securities that are redeemable at our option, we may choose to redeem the debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on the debt securities. In addition, if the debt securities are subject to mandatory redemption, we may be required to redeem the debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on the debt securities. In this circumstance, a holder of our debt securities may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as the debt securities being redeemed.
The issuance of subscription rights, warrants or convertible debt that are exchangeable for our common stock, will cause your interest in us to be diluted as a result of any such rights, warrants or convertible debt offering.
Stockholders who do not fully exercise rights, warrants or convertible debt issued to them in any offering of subscription rights, warrants or convertible debt to purchase our common stock should expect that they will, at the completion of the offering, own a smaller proportional interest in us than would otherwise be the case if they fully exercised their rights, warrants or convertible debt. We cannot state precisely the amount of any such dilution in share ownership because we do not know what proportion of the common stock would be purchased as a result of any such offering.
In addition, if the subscription price, warrant price or convertible debt price is less than our net asset value per share of common stock at the time of such offering, then our stockholders would experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of their shares as a result of the offering. The amount of any such decrease in net asset value is not predictable because it is not known at this time what the subscription price, warrant price, convertible debt price or net asset value per share will be on the expiration date of such offering or what proportion of our common stock will be purchased as a result of any such offering. The risk of dilution is greater if there are multiple rights offerings. However, our board of directors will make a good faith determination that any offering of subscription rights, warrants or convertible debt would result in a net benefit to existing stockholders.
Future offerings of debt securities, which would be senior to our common stock upon liquidation, or equity securities, which could dilute our existing stockholders and may be senior to our common stock for the purposes of distributions, may harm the value of our common stock.
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making additional offerings of debt or equity securities, including commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior or subordinated notes and classes of preferred stock or common stock, subject to the restrictions of the 1940 Act. Upon a liquidation of our company,
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holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings would receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings by us may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the value of our common stock, or both. Any preferred stock we may issue would have a preference on distributions that could limit our ability to make distributions to the holders of our common stock. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, our stockholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their stock holdings in us. In addition, proceeds from a sale of common stock will likely be used to increase our total assets or to pay down our borrowings, among other uses. This would increase our asset coverage ratio and permit us to incur additional leverage under rules pertaining to BDCs by increasing our borrowings or issuing senior securities such as preferred stock or additional debt securities.
Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
The Maryland General Corporation Law contains provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of us or the removal of our directors. In addition, our board of directors may, without stockholder action, authorize the issuance of shares of stock in one or more classes or series, including preferred stock. Our charter and bylaws contain provisions that limit liability and provide for indemnification of our directors and officers. These provisions and others also may have the effect of deterring hostile takeovers or delaying changes in control or management. We are generally prohibited from engaging in mergers and other business combinations with stockholders that beneficially own 10.0% or more of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock, or with their affiliates, for five years after the most recent date on which such stockholders became the beneficial owners of 10.0% or more of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock and thereafter unless our directors and stockholders approve the business combination in the prescribed manner. See Description of Our Capital StockBusiness Combinations. Maryland law may discourage third parties from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating such an offer.
We have also adopted measures that may make it difficult for a third party to obtain control of us, including provisions of our charter authorizing our board of directors to classify or reclassify shares of our stock in one or more classes or series and to cause the issuance of additional shares of our stock, including preferred stock. In addition, we have adopted a classified board of directors. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. These provisions, as well as other provisions of our charter and bylaws, may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Our business and operation could be negatively affected if we become subject to any securities litigation or shareholder activism, which could cause us to incur significant expense, hinder execution of investment strategy and impact our stock price.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a companys securities, securities class action litigation has often been brought against that company. Shareholder activism, which could take many forms or arise in a variety of situations, has been increasing in the BDC space recently. While we are currently not subject to any securities litigation or shareholder activism, due to the potential volatility of our stock price and for a variety of other reasons, we may in the future become the target of securities litigation or shareholder activism. Securities litigation and shareholder activism, including potential proxy contests, could result in substantial costs and divert managements and our board of directors attention and resources from our business. Additionally, such securities litigation and shareholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to our future, adversely affect our relationships with service providers and make it more difficult to attract and retain qualified personnel. Also, we may be required to incur significant legal fees and other expenses related to any securities litigation and activist shareholder matters. Further, our stock price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any securities litigation and shareholder activism.
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Terrorist attacks, acts of war or national disasters may affect any market for our securities, impact the businesses in which we invest and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Terrorist acts, acts of war or national disasters may disrupt our operations, as well as the operations of the businesses in which we invest. Such acts have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to global economic instability. Future terrorist activities, military or security operations, or natural disasters could further weaken the domestic/global economies and create additional uncertainties, which may negatively impact the businesses in which we invest directly or indirectly and, in turn, could have a material adverse impact on our business, operating results and financial condition. Losses from terrorist attacks and natural disasters are generally uninsurable.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about us, our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs, and our assumptions. Words such as anticipates, expects, intends, plans, will, may, continue, believes, seeks, estimates, would, should, targets, projects and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this report involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:
| our future operating results; |
| our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies; |
| the impact of investments that we expect to make; |
| our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties; |
| the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest; |
| the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives; |
| our expected financing and investments; |
| the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; |
| the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies; |
| the impact of increased competition; |
| the ability of our investment advisor to identify suitable investments for us and to monitor and administer our investments; |
| the ability of our investment advisor to attract and retain highly talented professionals; |
| our regulatory structure and tax status; |
| our ability to operate as a BDC, a SBIC and a RIC; |
| the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital; |
| the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies; |
| the timing, form and amount of any dividend distributions; |
| the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on our business; |
| the valuation of any investments in portfolio companies, particularly those having no liquid trading market; and |
| our ability to recover unrealized losses. |
These statements are not guarantees of future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond our control and difficult to predict and could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or forecasted in the forward-looking statements, including without limitation:
| an economic downturn could impair our portfolio companies ability to continue to operate, which could lead to the loss of value in of some or all of our investments in such portfolio companies; |
| a contraction of available credit and/or an inability to access the equity markets could impair our lending and investment activities; |
| interest rate volatility could adversely affect our results, particularly because we use leverage as part of our investment strategy; |
| currency fluctuations could adversely affect the results of our investments in portfolio companies with foreign operations; and, |
| the risks, uncertainties and other factors we identify in Item 1A. Risk Factors contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 and in our other filings with the SEC. |
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Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new loans and investments, certain margins and levels of profitability and the availability of additional capital. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in Risk Factors and elsewhere in this prospectus. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which apply only as of the date of this prospectus. The forward-looking statements and projections contained in this prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities Act.
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Unless otherwise specified in any prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus, we intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities to invest in lower middle-market companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies, to repay the outstanding indebtedness under our Credit Facility and for working capital and general corporate purposes. We will also pay operating expenses, including management, incentive and administrative fees, and may pay other expenses, from the net proceeds of any offering. We plan to raise new equity when we have attractive investment opportunities available. Pending such use, we will invest the net proceeds of any offering primarily in short-term securities consistent with our BDC election and our election to be taxed as a RIC. See RegulationTemporary Investments for additional information about temporary investments we may make while waiting to make longer-term investments in pursuit of our investment objective.
Pending such use, we will invest the net proceeds of this offering primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities and other high-quality debt instruments that mature in one year or less, or temporary investments, as appropriate. These securities may have lower yields than our other investments and accordingly result in lower distributions, if any, by us during such period. See Regulation Temporary Investments. Our ability to achieve our investment objective may be limited to the extent that the net proceeds from the offering, pending full investment, are held in interest bearing deposits or other short-term instruments that produce income at a rate less than our cost of capital.
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RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
For the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, the ratio of earnings to fixed charges of the Company, computed as set forth below, were as follows:
For the year ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | ||||||||||||||||
Earnings to Fixed Charges(1) |
3.81 | 4.02 | 4.95 | 3.65 | 3.79 |
For purposes of computing the ratios of earnings to fixed charges, earnings represent net increase in net assets resulting from operations plus (or minus) tax provision (benefit) including excise tax expense plus fixed charges. Fixed charges include interest and financing expenses.
(1) | Earnings include net realized and unrealized gains or losses. Net realized and unrealized gains or losses can vary substantially from period to period. |
| Excluding net unrealized gains or losses, the earnings to fixed charges ratio would be 0.86, 3.75, 8.08, 1.88 and 4.86 for the years ended December 31, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. |
| Excluding net realized and unrealized gains or losses, the earnings to fixed charges ratio would be 3.11, 3.44, 3.76, 4.15 and 3.85 for the years ended December 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014 and 2015, respectively. |
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PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS
Our common stock began trading on June 21, 2011 on The NASDAQ Global Market under the symbol FDUS. Effective January 3, 2012, our common stock is included in the Nasdaq Global Select Market. The following table lists the high and low closing sale price for our common stock, and the closing sale price as a percentage of net asset value, or NAV, and the cash distributions per share that we have declared on our common stock for each fiscal quarter during the last two most recently completed fiscal years.
Period |
NAV (1) | High Closing Sales Price |
Low Closing Sales Price |
Premium / (Discount) of High Sales Price to NAV (2) |
Premium / (Discount) of Low Sales Price to NAV (2) |
Distributions Per Share (3) |
||||||||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2015 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter |
$ | 15.18 | $ | 17.02 | $ | 14.40 | 12.1 | % | (5.1 | )% | $ | 0.38 | ||||||||||||
Second Quarter |
15.18 | 16.90 | 14.90 | 11.3 | (1.8 | ) | 0.40 | |||||||||||||||||
Third Quarter |
15.12 | 15.51 | 13.65 | 2.6 | (9.7 | ) | 0.39 | |||||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter |
15.17 | 14.80 | 13.11 | (2.4 | ) | (13.6 | ) | 0.43 | ||||||||||||||||
Year ended December 31, 2014 |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
First Quarter |
15.22 | 21.99 | 17.86 | 44.5 | 17.3 | 0.38 | ||||||||||||||||||
Second Quarter |
15.09 | 20.54 | 16.63 | 36.1 | 10.2 | 0.48 | ||||||||||||||||||
Third Quarter |
15.18 | 20.04 | 16.51 | 32.0 | 8.8 | 0.38 | ||||||||||||||||||
Fourth Quarter |
15.16 | 17.10 | 13.71 | 12.8 | (9.6 | ) | 0.48 |
(1) | Net asset value per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the net asset value per share on the date of the high and low sales prices. The net asset values shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of each period. |
(2) | Calculated as the difference between the respective high or low closing sales price and the quarter end net asset value divided by the quarter end net asset value. |
(3) | Represents the regular and special, if applicable, distribution declared in the specified quarter. We have adopted an opt out dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a distribution, stockholders cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically opt out of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash distributions. See Dividend Reinvestment Plan. |
We intend to continue to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders. Our quarterly distributions, if any, are determined by our board of directors. We have elected to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As long as we qualify as a RIC, we will not be taxed on our investment company taxable income or net capital gain, to the extent that such income or gain is distributed, or deemed to be distributed, to stockholders on a timely basis.
In addition, during 2013 we designated approximately $8.3 million, or $0.60 per share, of our net long-term capital gains as a deemed distribution to stockholders of record as of December 31, 2013. We incurred approximately $2.9 million, or $0.21 per share, of U.S. federal income taxes on behalf of stockholders related to this deemed distribution. Such taxes were paid in January of 2014. There were no deemed distributions during the years 2011, 2012, 2014 or 2015.
We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of these distributions from time to time. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including possible loss of our tax treatment as a RIC. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any distributions at a particular level.
We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash distribution, then our stockholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution. Under the terms of our dividend reinvestment plan, dividends will primarily be paid in newly
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issued shares of common stock. However, we reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with the implementation of the plan. This feature of the plan means that, under certain circumstances, we may issue shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value per share, which could cause our stockholders to experience dilution.
Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated profits and earnings would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholders tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. The determination of the tax attributes of our distributions will be made annually as of the end of our fiscal year based upon our taxable income for the full year and distributions paid for the full year. Therefore, a determination made on a quarterly basis may not be representative of the actual tax attributes of our distributions for a full year. Each year, a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the source of the distribution will be sent to our U.S. stockholders of record. Our board of directors presently intends to declare and pay quarterly dividends. Our ability to pay dividends could be affected by future business performance, liquidity, capital needs, alternative investment opportunities and loan covenants.
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SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
The following selected consolidated financial data of FIC and its subsidiaries, including the Funds, as of and for the years ended December 31, 2015, 2014, 2013, 2012 and 2011, is derived from the consolidated financial statements that have been audited by RSM US LLP, independent registered public accounting firm. Financial information prior to our IPO in June 2011 is that of Fund I. This financial data should be read in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and the notes thereto included elsewhere in this prospectus and with Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of operations data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total investment income |
$ | 54,269 | $ | 46,116 | $ | 41,792 | $ | 33,849 | $ | 23,387 | ||||||||||
Interest and financing expenses |
9,428 | 7,507 | 7,076 | 6,422 | 5,488 | |||||||||||||||
Management fees, net |
7,545 | 5,899 | 5,261 | 4,237 | 3,182 | |||||||||||||||
Incentive fees |
6,481 | 4,857 | 6,792 | 4,839 | 1,609 | |||||||||||||||
All other expenses |
3,932 | 4,189 | 3,121 | 2,660 | 1,551 | |||||||||||||||
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|
|
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|
|
|
|
|
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Net investment income before income taxes |
27,386 | 23,664 | 19,542 | 15,691 | 11,557 | |||||||||||||||
Income tax provision |
390 | 383 | 246 | 4 | 24 | |||||||||||||||
|
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Net investment income |
26,493 | 23,281 | 19,296 | 15,687 | 11,533 | |||||||||||||||
Net realized gains (losses) on investments |
9,531 | (17,029 | ) | 30,588 | 1,975 | (12,318 | ) | |||||||||||||
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments |
(10,086 | ) | 13,250 | (22,188 | ) | 1,749 | 16,171 | |||||||||||||
Income tax (provision) on realized gains on investments |
39 | (17 | ) | (493 | ) | | | |||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 25,977 | $ | 19,485 | $ | 27,203 | $ | 19,411 | $ | 15,386 | ||||||||||
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|
|
|
|
|
|
|
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Per share data(1): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Net asset value (at end of period) |
$ | 15.17 | $ | 15.16 | $ | 15.35 | $ | 15.32 | $ | 14.90 | ||||||||||
Net investment income |
$ | 1.64 | $ | 1.62 | $ | 1.43 | $ | 1.54 | $ | 1.22 | ||||||||||
Net gain (loss) on investments |
$ | (0.04 | ) | $ | (0.26 | ) | $ | 0.58 | $ | 0.37 | $ | 0.40 | ||||||||
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations |
$ | 1.60 | $ | 1.36 | $ | 2.01 | $ | 1.91 | $ | 1.63 | ||||||||||
Dividends (post initial public offering) |
$ | 1.60 | $ | 1.72 | $ | 1.94 | $ | 1.46 | $ | 0.64 | ||||||||||
Other data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Weighted average annual yield on debt investments (2) |
13.3 | % | 13.4 | % | 14.5 | % | 15.3 | % | 15.3 | % | ||||||||||
Number of portfolio companies at year end |
53 | 42 | 37 | 30 | 23 | |||||||||||||||
Expense ratios (as percentage of average net assets): |
||||||||||||||||||||
Operating expenses |
7.3 | % | 6.7 | % | 7.2 | % | 7.4 | % | 4.7 | % | ||||||||||
Interest expense |
3.8 | % | 3.4 | % | 3.4 | % | 4.1 | % | 4.0 | % |
(1) | Per share data and average net assets are presented as if the Formation Transaction and IPO had occurred on January 1, 2011. |
(2) | Weighted average yields are computed using the effective interest rates for debt investments at cost as of the period end date, including accretion of original issue discount and loan origination fees, but excluding debt investments on non-accrual status, if any. |
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As of December 31, | ||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | ||||||||||||||||
(Dollars in Thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
Statement of assets and liabilities data: |
||||||||||||||||||||
Total investments at fair value |
$ | 443,269 | $ | 396,355 | $ | 306,981 | $ | 274,249 | $ | 204,745 | ||||||||||
Total assets |
485,540 | 435,587 | 367,262 | 333,849 | 248,643 | |||||||||||||||
Borrowings |
229,000 | 183,500 | 144,500 | 144,500 | 104,000 | |||||||||||||||
Total net assets |
247,362 | 243,263 | 211,125 | 183,091 | 140,482 |
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SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA
The following tables set forth certain quarterly financial information for each of the twelve quarters ending with the quarter ended December 31, 2015. This information was derived from our unaudited consolidated financial statements. Results for any quarter are not necessarily indicative of results for the past fiscal year or for any future quarter.
March 31, 2015 |
June 30, 2015 |
September 30, 2015 |
December 31, 2015 |
|||||||||||||
Total investment income |
$ | 12,838 | $ | 12,799 | $ | 13,557 | $ | 15,075 | ||||||||
Net investment income |
6,229 | 6,039 | 7,050 | 7,175 | ||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations |
6,409 | 6,246 | 5,487 | 7,835 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income per share |
0.39 | 0.37 | 0.43 | 0.44 | ||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations per share |
0.40 | 0.39 | 0.34 | 0.48 | ||||||||||||
Net asset value per share at end of period |
15.18 | 15.18 | 15.12 | 15.17 |
March 31, 2014 |
June 30, 2014 |
September 30, 2014 |
December 31, 2014 |
|||||||||||||
Total investment income |
$ | 10,559 | $ | 10,581 | $ | 11,324 | $ | 13,652 | ||||||||
Net investment income |
5,444 | 5,509 | 5,627 | 6,701 | ||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations |
3,378 | 3,428 | 5,301 | 7,378 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income per share |
0.40 | 0.40 | 0.41 | 0.42 | ||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations per share |
0.25 | 0.25 | 0.38 | 0.46 | ||||||||||||
Net asset value per share at end of period |
15.22 | 15.09 | 15.18 | 15.16 |
March 31, 2013 |
June 30, 2013 |
September 30, 2013 |
December 31, 2013 |
|||||||||||||
Total investment income |
$ | 9,813 | $ | 10,476 | $ | 10,263 | $ | 11,240 | ||||||||
Net investment income |
4,923 | 3,164 | 5,274 | 5,935 | ||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations |
4,637 | 13,420 | 4,537 | 4,609 | ||||||||||||
Net investment income per share |
0.38 | 0.23 | 0.38 | 0.43 | ||||||||||||
Net increase in net assets from operations per share |
0.36 | 0.98 | 0.33 | 0.34 | ||||||||||||
Net asset value per share at end of period |
15.46 | 16.06 | 15.98 | 15.35 |
45
MANAGEMENTS DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with Selected Consolidated Financial Data, Fidus Investment Corporations consolidated financial statements and related notes appearing elsewhere in this prospectus. The information in this section contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see Risk Factors and Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements.
Overview
We provide customized debt and equity financing solutions to lower middle-market companies, which we define as U.S. based companies having revenues between $10.0 million and $150.0 million. Our investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity related investments. Our investment strategy includes partnering with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors by providing customized financing for ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, business expansion and other growth initiatives. We seek to maintain a diversified portfolio of investments in order to help mitigate the potential effects of adverse economic events related to particular companies, regions or industries.
Fidus Investment Corporation was formed as a Maryland corporation on February 14, 2011. We completed our initial public offering, or IPO, in June 2011, and completed additional underwritten public offerings of our common stock in September 2012, February 2013 and September 2014 providing approximately $174.1 million in net proceeds after deducting underwriting fees and offering costs.
On June 20, 2011, Fidus Investment Corporation acquired all of the limited partnership interests of Fidus Mezzanine Capital, L.P., or Fund I, and membership interests of Fidus Mezzanine Capital GP, LLC, its general partner, through the Formation Transactions (as defined in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements), resulting in Fund I becoming our wholly-owned SBIC subsidiary. Immediately following the Formation Transactions, we and Fund I elected to be treated as business development companies, or BDCs, under the 1940 Act and our investment activities have been managed by Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC, our investment advisor, and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are independent of us. On March 29, 2013, we commenced operations of a second wholly-owned subsidiary, Fund II. Fund I and Fund II are collectively referred to as the Funds.
Fund I received its SBIC license on October 22, 2007 and Fund II received its SBIC license on May 28, 2013. We plan to continue to operate the Funds as SBICs, subject to SBA approval, and to utilize the proceeds of the sale of SBA-guaranteed debentures to enhance returns to our stockholders. We have also made, and continue to make, investments directly through FIC. We believe that utilizing FIC and the Funds as investment vehicles provides us with access to a broader array of investment opportunities. Based on the current capitalization of the Funds, we have approximately $11.5 million of remaining borrowing capacity under the SBIC Debenture Program and intend to fully utilize such capacity over the ensuing 3-6 months.
Portfolio Composition, Investment Activity and Yield
During the year ended December 31, 2015, we invested $136.4 million in debt and equity investments, including 13 new portfolio companies. These investments consisted of subordinated notes ($98.1 million, or 72.0%), senior secured loans ($28.3 million, or 20.7%), equity securities ($9.5 million, or 7.0%), warrants ($0.2 million, or 0.1%) and royalty rights ($0.3 million, or 0.2%). During the year ended December 31, 2015 we received proceeds from sales or repayments, including principal, return of capital dividends and net realized gains (losses), of $94.7 million. During year ended December 31, 2014, we invested $149.8 million in debt and equity investments, including 12 new portfolio companies. These investments consisted of subordinated notes ($103.7 million, or 69.2%), senior secured loans ($33.1 million, or 22.1%), equity securities ($12.2 million, or 8.1%), and warrants ($0.8 million, or 0.6%). During the year ended December 31, 2014 we received proceeds from sales or repayments, including principal, return of capital dividends and net realized gains (losses), of $62.6 million. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we invested $149.1 million in debt and equity investments, including nine new portfolio
46
companies. These investments consisted of subordinated notes ($111.5 million, or 74.8%), senior secured loans ($22.7 million, or 15.2%), equity securities ($14.7 million, or 9.9%) and warrants ($0.2 million, or 0.1%). During the year ended December 31, 2013 we received proceeds from repayments of principal, including return of capital dividends and realized gains, of $131.2 million.
As of December 31, 2015, the fair value of our investment portfolio totaled $443.3 million and consisted of 53 portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2015, one debt investment bore interest at a variable rate, which represented $8.9 million of our portfolio on a fair value basis, and the remainder of our debt portfolio was comprised of fixed rate investments. Overall, the portfolio had net unrealized depreciation of $5.1 million as of December 31, 2015. As of December 31, 2015, our average portfolio company investment at amortized cost was $9.0 million (which excludes three investments in portfolio companies that sold their operations and are in the process of winding down).
As of December 31, 2014, the fair value of our investment portfolio totaled $396.4 million and consisted of 42 portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2014, our debt portfolio was entirely comprised of fixed rate investments. Overall, the portfolio had net unrealized appreciation of $5.0 million as of December 31, 2014. Our average portfolio company investment at amortized cost was $9.3 million as of December 31, 2014.
As of December 31, 2013, the fair value of our investment portfolio totaled $307.0 million and consisted of 37 portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2013, our debt portfolio was entirely comprised of fixed rate investments. Overall, the portfolio had net unrealized depreciation of $8.2 million as of December 31, 2013. Our average portfolio company investment at amortized cost was $8.5 million as of December 31, 2013.
The weighted average yields on debt investments at December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 were 13.3%, 13.4% and 14.5%, respectively. The weighted average yields were computed using the effective interest rates for debt investments at cost as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013, respectively, including the accretion of original issue discount and loan origination fees, but excluding investments on non-accrual status, if any.
The following table shows the portfolio composition by investment type at fair value and cost and as a percentage of total investments:
Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subordinated notes |
$ | 300,467 | 67.8 | % | $ | 273,711 | 69.1 | % | $ | 214,400 | 69.8 | % | ||||||||||||
Senior secured loans |
88,485 | 20.0 | 74,286 | 18.7 | 53,387 | 17.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity |
44,899 | 10.1 | 42,886 | 10.8 | 32,560 | 10.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Warrants |
9,233 | 2.1 | 5,472 | 1.4 | 6,634 | 2.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Royalty rights |
185 | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 443,269 | 100.0 | % | $ | 396,355 | 100.0 | % | $ | 306,981 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Subordinated notes |
$ | 309,899 | 69.2 | % | $ | 273,347 | 69.8 | % | $ | 220,372 | 69.9 | % | ||||||||||||
Senior secured loans |
88,505 | 19.7 | 74,486 | 19.0 | 52,903 | 16.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity |
42,651 | 9.5 | 36,623 | 9.4 | 34,982 | 11.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Warrants |
7,098 | 1.6 | 6,882 | 1.8 | 6,657 | 2.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Royalty rights |
185 | | | | | | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 448,338 | 100.0 | % | $ | 391,338 | 100.0 | % | $ | 315,214 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table shows portfolio composition by geographic region at fair value and cost and as a percentage of total investments. The geographic composition is determined by the location of the corporate headquarters of the portfolio company, which may not be indicative of the primary source of the portfolio companys business:
47
Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Midwest |
$ | 119,291 | 26.8 | % | $ | 94,572 | 23.9 | % | $ | 67,287 | 21.9 | % | ||||||||||||
Southeast |
107,975 | 24.4 | 113,516 | 28.6 | 54,885 | 17.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Northeast |
93,430 | 21.1 | 66,900 | 16.9 | 59,500 | 19.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
West |
84,648 | 19.1 | 78,904 | 19.9 | 76,361 | 24.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Southwest |
37,925 | 8.6 | 42,463 | 10.7 | 48,948 | 15.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 443,269 | 100.0 | % | $ | 396,355 | 100.0 | % | $ | 306,981 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cost | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Midwest |
$ | 116,015 | 25.9 | % | $ | 92,721 | 23.7 | % | $ | 74,430 | 23.6 | % | ||||||||||||
Southeast |
113,430 | 25.3 | 113,725 | 29.0 | 55,855 | 17.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Northeast |
92,492 | 20.6 | 65,248 | 16.7 | 59,611 | 18.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
West |
77,028 | 17.2 | 71,975 | 18.4 | 75,488 | 24.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Southwest |
49,373 | 11.0 | 47,669 | 12.2 | 49,830 | 15.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
$ | 448,338 | 100.0 | % | $ | 391,338 | 100.0 | % | $ | 315,214 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
The following table shows the detailed industry composition of our portfolio at fair value and cost as a percentage of total investments:
Fair Value | Cost | |||||||||||||||||||||||
As of December 31, | As of December 31, | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | |||||||||||||||||||
Healthcare products |
11.4 | % | 11.2 | % | 8.8 | % | 10.4 | % | 10.6 | % | 8.5 | % | ||||||||||||
Healthcare services |
11.1 | 10.3 | 10.6 | 11.2 | 10.8 | 10.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Aerospace & defense manufacturing |
10.5 | 9.4 | 11.2 | 8.7 | 8.6 | 9.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Transportation services |
8.1 | 4.0 | 4.9 | 7.6 | 3.9 | 4.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Specialty distribution |
8.0 | 10.3 | 4.3 | 7.7 | 9.3 | 3.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Business services |
5.4 | 3.1 | 2.4 | 5.7 | 3.2 | 2.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Consumer products |
5.1 | 5.6 | 3.7 | 5.0 | 5.6 | 3.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Utility equipment manufacturing |
4.6 | 2.6 | 3.5 | 4.6 | 2.6 | 3.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Building products manufacturing |
4.0 | 3.6 | | 3.6 | 3.7 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Industrial cleaning & coatings |
3.9 | 4.1 | 5.1 | 4.1 | 4.2 | 5.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Component manufacturing |
3.8 | 4.3 | 2.6 | 4.0 | 4.6 | 2.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Oil & gas services |
3.7 | 8.6 | 4.6 | 4.5 | 8.8 | 4.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Financial services |
3.1 | 3.7 | 4.8 | 2.8 | 3.4 | 4.5 | ||||||||||||||||||
Information technology services |
3.0 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 3.2 | 2.5 | 3.1 | ||||||||||||||||||
Safety products manufacturing |
2.4 | 2.7 | 3.5 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 3.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Printing services |
2.2 | 2.4 | 3.1 | 2.3 | 2.6 | 3.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
Restaurants |
2.0 | 1.7 | 1.9 | 2.0 | 1.6 | 3.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Specialty chemicals |
1.7 | 2.2 | | 1.9 | 2.2 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Laundry services |
1.5 | 1.5 | 1.8 | 1.4 | 1.4 | 1.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
Telecommunication services |
1.4 | | | 1.3 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Apparel distribution |
1.3 | 1.5 | 1.6 | 1.3 | 1.5 | 1.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Vending equipment manufacturing |
0.8 | | | 0.9 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Electronic components supplier |
0.4 | 0.4 | 3.6 | 0.3 | 0.4 | 6.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
0.3 | 2.7 | 3.3 | 0.2 | 2.6 | 3.2 | ||||||||||||||||||
Commercial cleaning |
0.2 | 0.2 | 2.7 | 0.2 | 0.2 | 2.7 | ||||||||||||||||||
Retail cleaning |
0.1 | 1.1 | 2.3 | 2.7 | 2.7 | 2.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Specialty cracker manufacturing |
| 0.5 | 0.4 | | 0.3 | 0.4 | ||||||||||||||||||
Debt collection services |
| | 1.9 | | | 1.8 | ||||||||||||||||||
Industrial products |
| | 2.0 | | | 1.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
Furniture rental |
| | 2.8 | | | 2.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Total |
100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
48
Portfolio Asset Quality
In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, our investment advisor uses an internally developed investment rating system to characterize and monitor the credit profile and our expected level of returns on each investment in our portfolio. We use a five-level numeric rating scale. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:
| Investment Rating 1 is used for investments that involve the least amount of risk in our portfolio. The portfolio company is performing above expectations and the trends and risk factors are favorable, and may include an expected capital gain. |
| Investment Rating 2 is used for investments that involve a level of risk similar to the risk at the time of origination. The portfolio company is performing substantially within our expectations and the risk factors are neutral or favorable. Each new portfolio investment enters our portfolio with Investment Rating 2. |
| Investment Rating 3 is used for investments performing below expectations and indicates the investments risk has increased somewhat since origination. The portfolio company requires closer monitoring, but we expect a full return of principal and collection of all interest and/or dividends. |
| Investment Rating 4 is used for investments performing materially below expectations and the risk has increased materially since origination. The portfolio company has the potential for some loss of investment return, but we expect no loss of principal. |
| Investment Rating 5 is used for investments performing substantially below our expectations and the risks have increased substantially since origination. We expect some loss of principal. |
The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment rating scale at fair value as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013:
December 31, 2015 | December 31, 2014 | December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Investments at Fair Value |
Percent of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percent of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percent of Total Portfolio |
|||||||||||||||||||
(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment Rating |
||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 |
$ | 77,875 | 17.6 | % | $ | 49,499 | 12.5 | % | $ | 44,572 | 14.5 | % | ||||||||||||
2 |
268,285 | 60.4 | 297,024 | 74.9 | 229,113 | 74.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
3 |
95,981 | 21.7 | 48,814 | 12.3 | 30,322 | 9.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
4 |
1,128 | 0.3 | 1,018 | 0.3 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
5 |
| | | | 2,974 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||
Totals |
$ | 443,269 | 100.0 | % | $ | 396,355 | 100.0 | % | $ | 306,981 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Based upon our investment rating system, the weighted average rating of our portfolio as of each December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was 2.0 on a fair value basis.
Non-Accrual
As of December 31, 2015, we had debt investments in one portfolio company on non-accrual status, which had an aggregate cost and fair value of $5.2 million and $0.6 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2015, we recognized unrealized depreciation on non-accrual investments of $4.4 million, respectively. As of December 31, 2014, we had no investments on non-accrual status. As of December 31, 2013, we had debt investments in one portfolio company on non-accrual status, which had a cost and fair value of $7.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively.
49
Discussion and Analysis of Results of Operations
Comparison of fiscal years ended December 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014
Investment Income
For the year ended December 31, 2015, total investment income was $54.3 million, an increase of $8.2 million, or 17.7%, over the $46.1 million of total investment income for the year ended December 31, 2014. The increase was primarily attributable to a $10.3 million increase in interest income resulting largely from higher average levels of debt investments outstanding, which was partially offset by a $1.1 million decrease in dividend income due to lower average levels of income producing equity investments outstanding and a $1.1 million decrease in fee income resulting from lower levels of investment activity for the year ended December 31, 2015, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2014.
Expenses
For the year ended December 31, 2015, total expenses, including income tax provision, were $27.8 million, an increase of $4.9 million or 21.6%, over the $22.8 million of total expenses, including income tax provision, for the year ended December 31, 2014. Interest and financing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2015 were $9.4 million, an increase of $1.9 million or 25.6%, compared to $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 as a result of higher average balances of SBA debentures outstanding during 2015 and interest and commitment fees related to the Credit Facility. The base management fee increased $1.6 million, or 27.9%, to $7.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2015 due to higher average total assets less cash and cash equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2015 than the fiscal year 2014. The incentive fee for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $6.5 million, a $1.6 million, or 33.4%, increase from the $4.9 million incentive fee for the year ended December 31, 2014 which was the result of a $1.0 million increase in the income incentive fee to $6.6 million and the reversal of previously accrued capital gains incentive fees totaling $0.1 million during the year ended December 31, 2015 compared to a capital gains incentive fee reversal of $0.7 million during the fiscal year 2014. The administrative service fee, professional fees and other general and administrative expenses totaled $3.9 million for the year December 31, 2015 compared to a total of $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Net Investment Income
Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2015 was $26.5 million, which was an increase of $3.2 million, or 13.8%, compared to net investment income of $23.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2014 as a result of the $8.2 million increase in total investment income and the $4.9 million increase in total expenses, including income tax provision.
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2015, the total net realized gain on investments was $9.5 million. Significant realized gains for the year ended December 31, 2015 are summarized below:
Portfolio Company |
Realization Event |
Realized Gains (Losses) (in millions) |
||||
Connect-Air International, Inc. |
Exit of portfolio company | $ | 5.5 | |||
ACFP Acquisition Company, Inc. |
Distribution related to sale of operations | 2.3 | ||||
Westminster Cracker Company, Inc. |
Distribution related to sale of operations | 1.5 | ||||
Acentia, LLC |
Exit of portfolio company | <(0.1 | ) | |||
Other |
0.2 | |||||
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 9.5 | ||||
|
|
50
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the total net realized loss on investments was $17.0 million and was comprised of $3.3 million in gross realized gains and $20.3 million in gross realized losses. Significant realized gains and (losses) are summarized below:
Portfolio Company |
Realization Event |
Net Realized Gains (Losses) (in millions) |
||||
Nobles Manufacturing, Inc. |
Exit of portfolio company | $ | 1.7 | |||
Brook Furniture Rental, Inc. |
Exit of portfolio company | 0.9 | ||||
Apex Microtechnology, Inc. |
Repayment of debt in full | 0.2 | ||||
S.B. Restaurant Co. (dba Elephant Bar) |
Exit of portfolio company | (8.0 | ) | |||
Avrio Technology Group, LLC |
Exit of portfolio company | (12.3 | ) | |||
Other |
0.5 | |||||
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | (17.0 | ) | |||
|
|
During the year ended December 31, 2015, we recorded a net change in unrealized depreciation on investments of $10.1 million attributable to (i) the reversal of net unrealized appreciation on investments of $4.7 million related to the exit or sale of investments, resulting in unrealized depreciation, (ii) net unrealized depreciation of $9.3 million on debt investments and (iii) net unrealized appreciation of $3.9 million on equity investments. During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a net change in unrealized appreciation on investments of $13.3 million attributable to (i) the reversal of net unrealized depreciation on investments of $11.0 million related to the exit or sale of investments, resulting in unrealized appreciation, (ii) net unrealized depreciation of $0.8 million on debt investments and (iii) net unrealized appreciation of $3.1 million on equity investments.
As a result of these events, our net increase in net assets resulting from operations during the year ended December 31, 2015 was $26.0 million, or an increase of $6.5 million, or 33.3%, compared to a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $19.5 million during the prior year period.
Comparison of years ended December 31, 2014 and December 31, 2013
Investment Income
For the year ended December 31, 2014, total investment income was $46.1 million, an increase of $4.3 million, or 10.3%, over the $41.8 million of total investment income for the year ended December 31, 2013. The increase was primarily attributable to a $2.6 million increase in interest income resulting largely from higher average levels of debt investments outstanding and a $1.5 million increase in fee income from investments during the year ended December 31, 2014, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2013.
Expenses
For the year ended December 31, 2014, total expenses, including income tax provision, were $22.8 million, an increase of $0.3 million or 1.5%, over the $22.5 million of total expenses, including income tax provision, for the year ended December 31, 2013. Interest and financing expenses for the year ended December 31, 2014 were $7.5 million, an increase of $0.4 million or 6.1%, compared to $7.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2013 as a result of higher average balances of SBA debentures outstanding during 2014 and interest and commitment fees related to the Credit Facility. The base management fee increased $0.6 million, or 12.1%, to $5.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2014 due to higher average total assets less cash and cash equivalents for the year ended December 31, 2014 than the comparable period in 2013. The incentive fee for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $4.9 million, a $1.9 million, or 28.5%, decrease from the $6.8 million incentive fee for the year ended December 31, 2013 which was primarily the result of a capital gains incentive fee reversal of $0.7 million during the 2014 period compared to a capital gains incentive fee accrual of $1.6 million during the same period in 2013, which was partially offset by a $0.4 million increase in the income incentive fee. The administrative service fee, professional fees and other general and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million, or 34.2%, to $4.2 million primarily due to increased personnel costs and professional fees.
51
Net Investment Income
Net investment income for the year ended December 31, 2014 was $23.3 million, which was an increase of $4.0 million, or 20.7%, compared to net investment income of $19.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2013 as a result of the $4.3 million increase in total investment income and the $0.3 million increase in total expenses, including income tax provision.
Net Increase in Net Assets Resulting From Operations
For the year ended December 31, 2014, the total net realized loss on investments was $17.0 million and was comprised of $3.3 million in gross realized gains and $20.3 million in gross realized losses. Significant realized gains and (losses) are summarized below:
Portfolio Company |
Realization Event |
Net Realized Gains (Losses) (in millions) |
||||
Nobles Manufacturing, Inc. |
Exit of portfolio company | $ | 1.7 | |||
Brook Furniture Rental, Inc. |
Exit of portfolio company | 0.9 | ||||
Apex Microtechnology, Inc. |
Repayment of debt in full | 0.2 | ||||
S.B. Restaurant Co. (dba Elephant Bar) |
Exit of portfolio company | (8.0 | ) | |||
Avrio Technology Group, LLC |
Exit of portfolio company | (12.3 | ) | |||
Other |
0.5 | |||||
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | (17.0 | ) | |||
|
|
For the year ended December 31, 2013, the total realized gain on investments was $30.6 million. Significant realized gains and (losses) for the year ended December 31, 2013 are summarized below:
Portfolio Company |
Realization Event |
Net Realized Gains (Losses) (in millions) |
||||
Worldwide Express Operations, LLC |
Restructuring | $ | 22.2 | |||
Tulsa Inspection Resources, Inc. |
Exit of portfolio company | 3.9 | ||||
Goodrich Quality Theaters, Inc. |
Exit of portfolio company | 2.6 | ||||
Caldwell & Gregory, LLC |
Restructuring | 1.4 | ||||
Other |
0.5 | |||||
|
|
|||||
Total |
$ | 30.6 | ||||
|
|
During the year ended December 31, 2014, we recorded a net change in unrealized appreciation on investments of $13.3 million attributable to (i) the reversal of net unrealized depreciation on investments of $11.0 million related to the exit or sale of investments, resulting in unrealized appreciation, (ii) net unrealized depreciation of $0.8 million on debt investments and (iii) net unrealized appreciation of $3.1 million on equity investments. During the year ended December 31, 2013, we recorded net unrealized depreciation of $22.2 million attributable to (i) the reversal of net unrealized appreciation on investments of $14.6 million related to the exit or sale of investments, resulting in unrealized depreciation, (ii) net unrealized depreciation of $6.8 million on debt investments and (iii) net unrealized depreciation of $0.8 million on equity investments.
As a result of these events, our net increase in net assets resulting from operations during the year ended December 31, 2014 was $19.5 million, or a decrease of $7.7 million, or 28.4%, compared to a net increase in net assets resulting from operations of $27.2 million during the prior year period.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
As of December 31, 2015, we had $31.7 million in cash and cash equivalents and our net assets totaled $247.4 million. We believe that our current cash and cash equivalents on hand, our continued access to SBA-guaranteed debentures, our Credit Facility and our anticipated cash flows from operations will provide adequate capital resources with which to operate and finance our investment business and make distributions to our stockholders for at least the next 12 months. We intend to generate additional cash primarily from the future offerings of securities (including the ATM Program) and future borrowings, as well as cash flows from operations, including income earned from investments in our portfolio companies. On both a short-term and long-term basis, our primary use of funds will be investments in portfolio companies and cash distributions to our stockholders.
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Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31, 2015, we experienced a net increase in cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $2.3 million. During that period, we used $19.5 million of cash for operating activities, primarily for the funding of $136.4 million of investments, which was partially offset by the proceeds from sales and repayments of investments of $94.7 million. During the same period, we received $21.8 million for financing activities resulting from proceeds received from stock offerings, net of expenses, of $3.2 million, proceeds from the issuance of SBA debentures of $40.0 million and net borrowings under the Credit Facility of $5.5 million, which were partially offset by cash dividends paid to stockholders of $25.0 million and the payment of deferred financing costs totaling $1.8 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2014, we experienced a net decrease in cash and cash equivalents in the amount of $24.1 million. During that period, we used $71.3 million of cash for operating activities, primarily for the funding of $149.8 million of investments, which was partially offset by the proceeds from sales and repayments of investments of $62.6 million. During the same period, we generated $47.2 million from financing activities resulting from proceeds received from stock offerings, net of expenses, of $36.5 million, proceeds from the issuance of SBA debentures of $29.0 million and borrowings under the Credit Facility of $10.0 million, which were partially offset by cash dividends paid to stockholders of $23.9 million, a $2.9 million payment for taxes paid on behalf of the stockholders related to the 2013 deemed distribution and payments of financing costs totaling $1.6 million.
Capital Resources
We anticipate that we will continue to fund our investment activities on a long-term basis through a combination of additional debt and equity capital.
The Funds are licensed SBICs, and have the ability to issue debentures guaranteed by the SBA at favorable interest rates. Under the Small Business Investment Act and the SBA rules applicable to SBICs, an SBIC can have outstanding at any time debentures guaranteed by the SBA in an amount up to twice its regulatory capital. The SBA regulations currently limit the amount that is available to be borrowed by any SBIC and guaranteed by the SBA to 200.0% of an SBICs regulatory capital or $150.0 million, whichever is less. For three or more SBICs under common control, the maximum amount of outstanding SBA debentures cannot exceed $350.0 million. SBA debentures have fixed interest rates that approximate prevailing 10-year Treasury Note rates plus a spread and have a maturity of ten years with interest payable semi-annually. The principal amount of the SBA debentures is not required to be paid before maturity but may be pre-paid at any time. As of December 31, 2015, Fund I had $150.0 million of outstanding SBA debentures and cannot issue additional SBA debentures. As of December 31, 2015, Fund II had $63.5 million of outstanding SBA debentures. Based on its $37.5 million of regulatory capital as of December 31, 2015, Fund II has the current capacity to issue up to an additional $11.5 million of SBA debentures. Subject to SBA regulatory requirements and approval, we may access up to $125.0 million of additional SBA debentures under the SBIC Debenture Program. For more information on the SBA debentures, please see Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements.
In June 2014, we entered into the Credit Facility to provide additional funding for our investment and operational activities. The Credit Facility, which matures on June 16, 2018, had an initial commitment of $30.0 million and an accordion feature that allows for an increase in the total commitments up to $75.0 million, subject to certain customary conditions. The Credit Facility is secured primarily by our assets, excluding the assets of the Funds.
On December 19, 2014, we amended the Credit Facility to (i) increase the commitment from $30.0 million to $50.0 million (ii) allow FIC to buy-back up to $10.0 million of our common stock subject to the satisfaction of specified financial covenants and conditions. The Credit Facility continues to have an accordion feature which allows for an increase in the total commitment up to $75.0 million.
Amounts available to borrow under the Credit Facility are subject to a minimum borrowing/collateral base that applies an advance rate to certain portfolio investments. We are subject to limitations with respect to the investments securing the Credit Facility, including, but not limited to, restrictions on sector concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status and collateral interests, as well as restrictions on portfolio company leverage, which may also affect the borrowing base and therefore amounts available to borrow.
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Borrowings under the Credit Facility bear interest, subject to our election, on a per annum basis equal to (i) the alternate base rate plus 2.5% or (ii) the applicable London Interbank Offered Rate, or LIBOR, which varies depending on the period of the borrowing under the Credit Facility, plus 3.5%. The alternate base rate is equal to the greater of (i) prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or (iii) the three-month LIBOR plus 1.0%. We pay a commitment fee ranging from 0.5% to 1.0% per annum based on the size of the unused portion of the Credit Facility.
We have made customary representations and warranties and are required to comply with various covenants, reporting requirements and other customary requirements for similar credit facilities. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the documents governing the Credit Facility. As of December 31, 2015, we were in compliance with all covenants of the Credit Facility and there was $15.5 million outstanding under the Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2015, the weighted average interest rate for all SBA debentures and borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility was 4.0%.
As a BDC, we are generally 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 200.0%. This requirement limits the amount that we may borrow. We have received exemptive relief from the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the SEC, to allow us to exclude any indebtedness guaranteed by the SBA and issued by the Funds from the 200.0% asset coverage requirements, which, in turn, will enable us to fund more investments with debt capital.
As a BDC, we are generally not permitted to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value per share of our common stock if our board of directors, including Independent Directors, determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and if our stockholders approve such sale. On June 3, 2015, our stockholders voted to allow us to sell or otherwise issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share for a period of one year ending on the earlier of June 3, 2016 or the date of our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. We expect to present to our stockholders a similar proposal at our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Our stockholders specified that the cumulative number of shares sold in each offering during the one-year period ending on the earlier of June 3, 2016 or the date of our 2016 Annual Meeting of Stockholders may not exceed 25.0% of our outstanding common stock immediately prior to each such sale.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions affecting amounts reported in the financial statements. We have identified investment valuation and revenue recognition as our most critical accounting estimates. We continuously evaluate our estimates, including those related to the matters described below. These estimates are based on the information that is currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. A discussion of our critical accounting policies follows.
Valuation of Portfolio Investments
As a BDC, we report our assets and liabilities at fair value at all times consistent with GAAP and the 1940 Act. Accordingly, we are required to periodically determine the fair value of all of our portfolio investments.
Our investments generally consist of illiquid securities including debt and equity investments in lower middle-market companies. Investments for which market quotations are readily available are valued at such market quotations. Because we expect that there will not be a readily available market for substantially all of the investments in our portfolio, we value substantially all of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors using a documented valuation policy and consistently applied valuation process. Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market 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 difference could be material.
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With respect to investments for which market quotations are not readily available, our board of directors undertakes a multi-step valuation process each quarter, as described below:
| our quarterly valuation process begins with each portfolio company or investment being initially evaluated and rated by the investment professionals of our investment advisor responsible for the portfolio investment; |
| preliminary valuation conclusions are then documented and discussed with the investment committee of our investment advisor; |
| our board of directors engages one or more independent valuation firm(s) to conduct independent appraisals of a selection of our portfolio investments for which market quotations are not readily available. Each portfolio company investment is generally appraised by the valuation firm(s) at least once every calendar year and each new portfolio company investment is appraised at least once in the twelve-month period following the initial investment. In certain instances, we may determine that it is not cost-effective, and as a result it is not in our stockholders best interest, to request the independent appraisal of certain portfolio company investments. Such instances include, but are not limited to, situations where we determine that the fair value of the portfolio company investment is relatively insignificant to the fair value of the total portfolio. Our board of directors consulted with the independent valuation firm(s) in arriving at our determination of fair value for 16 and 9 of our portfolio company investments representing 43.0% and 20.7% of the total portfolio investments at fair value (exclusive of new portfolio company investments made during the three months ended December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively) as of December 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively; |
| the audit committee of our board of directors reviews the preliminary valuations of our investment advisor and of the independent valuation firm(s) and responds and supplements the valuation recommendations to reflect any comments; and |
| the board of directors discusses the valuations and determines the fair value of each investment in our portfolio in good faith, based on the input of our investment advisor, the independent valuation firm(s) and the audit committee. |
In making the good faith determination of the value of portfolio investments, we start with the cost basis of the security. The transaction price is typically the best estimate of fair value at inception. When evidence supports a subsequent change to the carrying value from the original transaction price, adjustments are made to reflect the expected exit values.
Consistent with the policies and methodologies adopted by our board of directors, we perform detailed valuations of our debt and equity investments, including an analysis of the Companys unfunded loan commitments, using both the market and income approaches as appropriate. Under the market approach, we typically use the enterprise value methodology to determine the fair value of an investment. There is no one methodology to estimate enterprise value and, in fact, for any one portfolio company, enterprise value is generally best expressed as a range of values, from which we derive a single estimate of enterprise value. Under the income approach, we typically prepare and analyze discounted cash flow models to estimate the present value of future cash flows of either an individual debt investment or of the underlying portfolio company itself.
We evaluate investments in portfolio companies using the most recent portfolio company financial statements and forecasts. We also consult with the portfolio companys senior management to obtain further updates on the portfolio companys performance, including information such as industry trends, new product development and other operational issues.
For our debt investments, including senior secured loans and subordinated notes, the primary valuation technique used to estimate the fair value is the discounted cash flow method. However, if there is deterioration in credit quality or a debt investment is in workout status, we may consider other methods in determining the fair
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value, including the value attributable to the debt investment from the enterprise value of the portfolio company or the proceeds that would be received in a liquidation analysis. Our discounted cash flow models estimate a range of fair values by applying an appropriate discount rate to the future cash flow streams of our debt investments, based on future interest and principal payments as set forth in the associated loan agreements. We prepare a weighted average cost of capital for use in the discounted cash flow model for each investment, based on factors including, but not limited to: current pricing and credit metrics for similar proposed or executed investment transactions of private companies; the portfolio companys historical financial results and outlook; and the portfolio companys current leverage and credit quality as compared to leverage and credit quality as of the date the investment was made. We may also consider the following factors when determining the fair value of debt investments: the portfolio companys ability to make future scheduled payments; prepayment penalties and other fees; estimated remaining life; the nature and realizable value of any collateral securing such debt investment; and changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that generally may affect the price at which similar investments may be made. We estimate the remaining life of our debt investments to generally be the legal maturity date of the instrument, as we generally intend to hold loans to maturity. However, if we have information available to us that the loan is expected to be repaid in the near term, we would use an estimated remaining life based on the expected repayment date.
For our equity investments, including equity and warrants, we generally use a market approach, including valuation methodologies consistent with industry practice, to estimate the enterprise value of portfolio companies. Typically, the enterprise value of a private company is based on multiples of EBITDA, net income, revenues, or in limited cases, book value. In estimating the enterprise value of a portfolio company, we analyze various factors consistent with industry practice, including but not limited to original transaction multiples, the portfolio companys historical and projected financial results, applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and leverage levels, the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public. Where applicable, we consider our ability to influence the capital structure of the portfolio company, as well as the timing of a potential exit.
We may also utilize an income approach when estimating the fair value of our equity securities, either as a primary methodology if consistent with industry practice or if the market approach is otherwise not applicable, or as a supporting methodology to corroborate the fair value ranges determined by the market approach. We typically prepare and analyze discounted cash flow models based on projections of the future free cash flows (or earnings) of the portfolio company. We consider various factors, including but not limited to the portfolio companys projected financial results, applicable market trading and transaction comparables, applicable market yields and leverage levels, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, and comparisons of financial ratios of peer companies that are public.
The fair value of the Companys royalty rights are calculated based on projected future cash flows and the specific provisions contained in the pertinent agreements. The determination of the fair value of such royalty rights is not a significant component of the Companys valuation process.
Determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, the notes to our consolidated financial statements express the uncertainties with respect to the possible effect of such valuations, and any changes in such valuations, on the consolidated financial statements.
Revenue Recognition
Investments and related investment income. Realized gains or losses on investments are recorded upon the sale or disposition of a portfolio investment and are calculated as the difference between the net proceeds from the sale or disposition and the cost basis of the investment, without regard to unrealized appreciation or depreciation previously recognized. Net change in unrealized appreciation or depreciation on the consolidated statements of operations includes changes in the fair value of investments from the prior period, as determined by our board of directors through the application of our valuation policy, as well as reclassifications of any prior period unrealized appreciation or depreciation on exited investments to realized gains or losses on investments.
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Interest and dividend income. Interest and dividend income is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that we expect to collect such amounts. Interest and dividend income is accrued daily based on the outstanding principal amount and the contractual terms of the debt or preferred equity investment. Dividend income is recorded at the point an obligation exists for the portfolio company to make a distribution. Distributions from portfolio companies are evaluated to determine if the distribution is a distribution of earnings or a return of capital.
Payment-in-kind interest. Certain of our investments contain a PIK income provision. The PIK income, computed at the contractual rate specified in the applicable investment agreement, is added to the principal balance of the investment, rather than being paid in cash, and recorded as interest or dividend income, as applicable, on the consolidated statements of operations. We stop accruing PIK income when there is reasonable doubt that PIK income will be collected. PIK income is included in our taxable income and, therefore, affects the amount we are required to pay to our stockholders in the form of dividends in order to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC and to avoid paying corporate federal income tax, even though we have not yet collected the cash.
Non-accrual. When there is reasonable doubt that principal, interest or dividends will be collected, loans or preferred equity investments are placed on non-accrual status and we will generally cease recognizing interest or dividend income. Interest and dividend payments received on non-accrual investments may be recognized as interest or dividend income or applied to the investment principal balance based on managements judgment. Non-accrual investments are restored to accrual status when past due principal, interest or dividends are paid and, in managements judgment, are likely to remain current.
Warrants. In connection with our debt investments, we will sometimes receive warrants or other equity-related securities, or Warrants. We determine the cost basis of Warrants based upon their respective fair values on the date of receipt in proportion to the total fair value of the debt and Warrants received. Any resulting difference between the face amount of the debt and its recorded fair value resulting from the assignment of value to the Warrants are treated as original issue discount, or OID, and accreted into interest income using the effective interest method over the term of the debt investment.
Fee income. All transaction fees earned in connection with our investments are recognized as fee income. Such fees typically include fees for services, including structuring and advisory services, provided to portfolio companies. We recognize income from fees for providing such structuring and advisory services when the services are rendered or the transactions are completed. Upon the prepayment of a loan or debt security, any prepayment penalties are recorded as fee income when earned. Prior to the Formation Transactions, and in accordance with the prior limited partnership agreement, we historically recorded transaction fees provided in connection with our investments as a direct offset to management fee expense.
We also typically receive loan origination or closing fees in connection with investments. Such loan origination and closing fees are capitalized as unearned income and offset against investment cost basis on our consolidated statements of assets and liabilities and accreted into income over the life of the investment.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
In February 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-02, Consolidation: Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis, which amends the criteria for determining which entities are considered variable interest entities (VIEs), amends the criteria for determining if a service provider possesses a variable interest in a VIE and ends the deferral granted to investment companies for application of the VIE consolidation model. This guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods of public entities beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. We are currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on our consolidated financial position or disclosures.
In April 2015, FASB issued ASU 2015-03, Interest Imputation of interest (Subtopic 835-30): Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs, which requires that debt issuance costs related to a recognized debt liability be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying amount of that debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. This guidance is effective for annual and interim periods beginning after December 15, 2015 and early adoption is permitted. The new guidance will be applied retrospectively to each prior period presented. We are currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on our consolidated financial position or disclosures.
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In August 2015, the FASB issued ASU 2015-14, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606), which supersedes the revenue recognition requirements in Revenue Recognition (Topic 605). Under the new guidance, an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance is effective for annual and interim reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017 and early application is permitted only for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016, including interim reporting periods within that reporting period. We are currently evaluating the impact this ASU will have on our consolidated financial position or disclosures.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We may be a party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of business to meet the financial needs of our portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2015, we had off-balance sheet arrangements consisting of six unfunded revolving loan commitments totaling $4.7 million to portfolio companies and three unfunded loan commitments totaling $5.4 million to portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2014, we had off-balance sheet arrangements consisting of five unfunded revolving loan commitments totaling $4.1 million to portfolio companies and two unfunded loan commitment totaling $5.4 million to a portfolio company. As of December 31, 2013, we had off-balance sheet arrangements consisting of two unfunded revolving loan commitments totaling $1.5 million, two unfunded loan commitments totaling $4.6 million to portfolio companies, and one unfunded capital commitment of $0.3 million related to a portfolio company.
Contractual Obligations
As of December 31, 2015 our future fixed commitments for cash payments are as follows:
Total | Less Than 1 Year |
1 3 Years |
3 5 Years |
More than 5 Years |
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(Dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||
SBA debentures |
$ | 213,500 | $ | | $ | 36,700 | $ | 55,250 | $ | 121,550 | ||||||||||
Interest due on SBA debentures |
42,472 | 8,254 | 15,490 | 9,274 | 9,454 | |||||||||||||||
Credit Facility borrowings |
15,500 | | 15,500 | | | |||||||||||||||
Interest and fees due on Credit Facility(1) |
1,451 | 667 | 784 | | | |||||||||||||||
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|
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|
|
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Total |
$ | 272,923 | $ | 8,921 | $ | 68,474 | $ | 64,524 | $ | 131,004 | ||||||||||
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(1) | Amounts represent (i) commitment fees on the unused portion of Credit Facility calculated at a rate of 1.0% of the unused amount as of December 31, 2015, which was $34.5 million, (ii) interest expense calculated at a weighted average interest rate of 3.9% of outstanding borrowings under the Credit Facility as of December 31, 2015, which were $15.5 million and (iii) annual agency fees due to the Credit Facility administrative agent. |
We have certain contracts under which we have material future commitments. We entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with our investment advisor in accordance with the 1940 Act. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, our investment advisor provides us with investment advisory and management services. We pay the following amounts for these services (a) a management fee equal to a percentage of the average of our total assets (excluding cash and cash equivalents) and (b) an incentive fee based on our performance. See Business Management and Other Agreements Investment Advisory Agreement Management Fee.
Under the Administration Agreement, our investment advisor furnishes us with office facilities and equipment, provides us clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities and provides us with other administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. See Business Management and Other Agreements Administration Agreement.
If any of our 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 Advisory Agreement and our Administration Agreement. Any new investment advisory agreement would also be subject to approval by our Independent Directors and our stockholders.
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Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk
We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. Changes in interest rates affect both our cost of funding and the valuation of our investment portfolio. Our risk management systems and procedures are designed to identify and analyze our risk, to set appropriate policies and limits and to continually monitor these risks and limits by means of reliable administrative and information systems and other policies and programs. In the future, our investment income may also be affected by changes in various interest rates, including LIBOR and prime rates, to the extent of any debt investments that include floating interest rates. As of December 31, 2015, one debt investment bore interest at a variable rate, which represented $8.9 million of our portfolio on a fair value basis, and the remainder of our debt portfolio was comprised entirely of fixed rate investments. As of December 31, 2014, our debt portfolio was comprised entirely of fixed rate investments. Assuming that the consolidated statements of assets and liabilities as of December 31, 2015 and 2014 were to remain constant, a hypothetical 100 basis point change in interest rates would not have a material effect on our level of interest income from debt investments. Our pooled SBA debentures bear interest at fixed rates. Our Credit Facility bears interest, subject to our election, on a per annum basis equal to (i) the alternate base rate plus 2.5% or (ii) the applicable LIBOR, which varies depending on the period of the borrowing under the Credit Facility, plus 3.5%. The alternate base rate is equal to the greater of (i) prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5% or (iii) the three-month LIBOR plus 1.0%.
Because we currently borrow, and plan to borrow in the future, money to make investments, our net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest the funds borrowed. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds would increase, which could reduce our net investment income if there is not a corresponding increase in interest income generated by our investment portfolio.
Recent Developments
On January 15, 2016, we invested $10.5 million in the subordinated notes and common equity of OMC Investors, LLC, doing business as Ohio Medical Corporation, a manufacturer and distributer of medical suction and oxygen therapy products and source equipment.
On January 27, 2016, we filed an exemptive application with the SEC to permit us to co-invest with funds or entities managed by our investment adviser in certain negotiated transactions where co-investing would otherwise be prohibited under the 1940 Act. Any such order, if granted by the SEC, will be subject to certain terms and conditions. Furthermore, there is no assurance when, or if, this application for exemptive relief will be granted by the SEC.
On January 28, 2016, we announced that our board of directors authorized an open market stock repurchase program (the Program) under which we may acquire up to $5.0 million of our outstanding common stock. Under the Program, we may, but are not obligated to, repurchase our outstanding common stock in the open market from time to time provided that we comply with the prohibitions under our insider trading policies and the requirements of Rule 10b-18 of the Exchange Act, including certain price, market volume and timing constraints. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by the Companys management, in its discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, stock price, capital availability, applicable legal and regulatory requirements and other corporate considerations. Unless extended by our board of directors, we expect that the Program will be in effect until January 22, 2017, or until the approved dollar amount has been used to repurchase shares. The program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares and Fidus cannot assure that any shares will be repurchased under the program. The program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time.
On January 29, 2016, we exited our debt and warrant investments in Continental Anesthesia Management, LLC in connection with the sale of the portfolio company. We received payment in full on our subordinated notes and recognized a loss of approximately $0.3 million on our warrant investment.
On February 1, 2016, we exited our debt and equity investments in X5 Opco LLC. We received payment in full on our senior secured loan, including a prepayment penalty, and sold our equity at a price approximating cost.
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On February 16, 2016, we exited our debt investment in Stagnito Partners, LLC. We received payment in full on our senior secured loan, including a prepayment penalty.
On February 16, 2016, the board of directors declared a regular quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share, which is payable on March 25, 2016 to stockholders of record as of March 11, 2016.
On March 14, 2016, we invested $13.9 million in the subordinated notes and common equity of Thermoforming Technology Group, LLC, a designer and manufacturer of thermoforming equipment, tooling and aftermarket parts.
On March 23, 2016, we invested $12.1 million in the subordinated notes and common equity of Hub Acquisition Sub, LLC, doing business as Hub Pen, a supplier and decorator of promotional writing instruments.
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Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table for the years indicated in the table, unless otherwise noted. RSM US LLPs report on the senior securities table as of December 31, 2015, is attached as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.
Class and Year |
Total Amount Outstanding Exclusive of Treasury Securities (1) |
Asset Coverage per Unit (2) |
Involuntary liquidation Preference per Unit (3) |
Average Market Value per Unit (4) |
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(dollars in thousands) |
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SBA debentures |
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2007 |
$ | | $ | | | N/A | ||||||||||
2008 |
46,450 | 1,701 | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2009 |
79,450 | 1,610 | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2010 |
93,500 | 1,556 | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2011 |
104,000 | 2,351 | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2012 |
144,500 | 2,267 | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2013 |
144,500 | 2,461 | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2014 |
173,500 | 2,460 | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2015 |
213,500 | 2,231 | | N/A | ||||||||||||
Credit Facility |
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2007 |
$ | 15,520 | $ | 2,285 | | N/A | ||||||||||
2008 |
| | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2009 |
| | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2010 |
| | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2011 |
| | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2012 |
| | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2013 |
| | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2014 |
10,000 | 42,676 | | N/A | ||||||||||||
2015 |
15,500 | 30,733 | | N/A |
(1) | Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at the end of the period presented. |
(2) | Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness. |
(3) | The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon the involuntary liquidation of the issuer in preference to any security junior to it. The indicates information which the SEC expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities. |
(4) | Not applicable because senior securities are not registered for public trading. |
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General
We provide customized debt and equity financing solutions to lower middle-market companies, which we define as U.S. based companies having revenues between $10.0 million and $150.0 million. Our investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity related investments. Our investment strategy includes partnering with business owners, management teams and financial sponsors by providing customized financing for ownership transactions, recapitalizations, strategic acquisitions, business expansion and other growth initiatives. We seek to maintain a diversified portfolio of investments in order to help mitigate the potential effects of adverse economic events related to particular companies, regions or industries.
We invest in companies that possess some or all of the following attributes: predictable revenues; positive cash flows; defensible and/or leading market positions; diversified customer and supplier bases; and proven management teams with strong operating discipline. We target companies in the lower middle-market with annual earnings, before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, between $3.0 million and $20.0 million; however, we may from time to time opportunistically make investments in larger or smaller companies. Our investments typically range between $5.0 million and $25.0 million per portfolio company.
As of December 31, 2015, we had debt and equity investments in 53 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $443.3 million. The weighted average yield on our debt investments as of December 31, 2015 was 13.3%. The weighted average yield was computed using the effective interest rates as of December 31, 2015, including accretion of original issue discount and loan origination fees, but excluding investments on non-accrual status, if any. There can be no assurance that the weighted average yield will remain at its current level.
Market Opportunity
We believe that the limited amount of capital available to lower middle-market companies, coupled with the desire of these companies for flexible and partnership-oriented sources of capital, creates an attractive investment environment for us. We believe the following factors will continue to provide us with opportunities to grow and deliver attractive returns to stockholders.
The lower middle-market represents a large, underserved market. We believe that lower middle-market companies, most of which are privately-held, are relatively underserved by traditional capital providers such as commercial banks, finance companies, hedge funds and collateralized loan obligation funds. Further, we believe that companies of this size generally possess conservative capital structures with significant enterprise value cushions, as compared to larger companies with more financing options.
Current credit market dislocation for lower middle-market companies has created an opportunity for attractive risk-adjusted returns. In this market, we believe traditional capital sources, such as commercial banks, finance companies, hedge funds and collateralized loan obligation funds have reduced lending and investing in the lower middle-market, which has resulted in increased opportunities for alternative funding sources. In addition, we believe that there continues to be less competition in the lower middle-market and an increased opportunity for attractive risk-adjusted returns. The remaining lenders and investors in the current environment are requiring lower amounts of senior and total leverage, increased equity commitments and more comprehensive covenant packages than was customary in the years leading up to the credit crisis.
Large pools of uninvested private equity capital should drive future transaction velocity. We believe there is a large pool of uninvested private equity capital, and we expect that private equity firms will remain active investors in lower middle-market companies. Private equity funds generally seek to leverage their investments by combining their equity capital with senior secured loans and/or mezzanine debt provided by other sources, and our relationships with private equity firms position us to partner with private equity investors.
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Future refinancing activity is expected to create additional investment opportunities. A high volume of financings completed will mature in the coming years. Additionally, we believe that demand for debt financing from lower middle-market companies will remain strong because these companies will continue to require credit to refinance existing debt, to support growth initiatives and to finance acquisitions. We believe this supply of opportunities coupled with limited financing providers focused on lower middle-market companies will continue to offer investment opportunities with attractive risk-adjusted returns.
About Our Advisor
Our investment activities are managed by Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC, our investment advisor, and supervised by our board of directors, a majority of whom are not interested persons of FIC as defined in section 2(a)(19) of the 1940 Act, and who we refer to hereafter as the Independent Directors. Pursuant to the terms of the investment advisory and management agreement, which we refer to as the Investment Advisory Agreement, between us and our investment advisor, our investment advisor is responsible for determining the composition of our portfolio, including sourcing potential investments, conducting research and diligence on potential investments and equity sponsors, analyzing investment opportunities, structuring our investments and monitoring our investments and portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. Our investment advisors investment professionals seek to capitalize on their significant deal origination and sourcing, underwriting, due diligence, investment structuring, execution, portfolio management and monitoring experience. These professionals have developed a broad network of contacts within the investment community, have gained extensive experience investing in assets that constitute our primary focus and have expertise in investing across all levels of the capital structure of lower middle-market companies.
Our relationship with our investment advisor is governed by and dependent on the Investment Advisory Agreement and may be subject to conflicts of interest. We pay our investment advisor a fee for its services under the Investment Advisory Agreement consisting of two componentsa base management fee and an incentive fee. The base management fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.75% of the average value of our total assets (other than cash or cash equivalents but including assets purchased with borrowed amounts). The incentive fee consists of two parts. The first part is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears and equals 20.0% of our pre-incentive fee net investment income for the immediately preceding quarter, subject to a 2.0% preferred return, or hurdle, and a catch up feature. The second part is determined and payable in arrears as of the end of each fiscal year in an amount equal to 20.0% of our realized capital gains, if any, on a cumulative basis from inception through the end of each fiscal year, computed net of all realized capital losses and unrealized capital depreciation on a cumulative basis, less the aggregate amount of any capital gain incentive fees paid in prior years. We accrue, but do not pay, a capital gains incentive fee in connection with any unrealized capital appreciation, as appropriate. For more information about how we compensate our investment advisor, see Management and Other AgreementsInvestment Advisory Agreement.
Among other things, our board of directors is charged with protecting our interests by monitoring how our investment advisor addresses conflicts of interest associated with its management services and compensation. Our board of directors is not expected to review or approve each borrowing or incurrence of leverage. However, our board of directors periodically reviews our investment advisors portfolio management decisions and portfolio performance. In addition, our board of directors at least annually reviews the services provided by and fees paid to our investment advisor. In connection with these reviews, our board of directors, including a majority of our Independent Directors, considers whether the fees and expenses (including those related to leverage) that we pay to our investment advisor are fair and reasonable in relation to the services provided. Renewal of our Investment Advisory Agreement must be approved each year by our board of directors, including a majority of our Independent Directors.
Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC is a Delaware limited liability company that is registered as an investment advisor under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended, or the Advisers Act. In addition, Fidus Investment Advisors, LLC serves as our administrator and provides us with office space, equipment and clerical, book-keeping and record-keeping services pursuant to an administration agreement, which we refer to as the Administration Agreement.
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Business Strategy
We intend to accomplish our goal of becoming the premier provider of capital to and value-added partner of lower middle-market companies by:
Leveraging the Experience of Our Investment Advisor. Our investment advisors investment professionals have significant experience investing in, lending to and advising companies across multiple industries and changing market cycles. These professionals have diverse backgrounds with prior experience in senior management positions at investment banks, specialty finance companies, commercial banks and privately and publicly held companies and have extensive experience investing across all levels of the capital structure of lower middle-market companies. We believe these professionals possess an in-depth understanding of the strategic, financial and operational challenges and opportunities of lower middle-market companies, enabling our investment advisor to effectively identify, assess, structure and monitor our investments.
Capitalizing on Our Strong Transaction Sourcing Network. Our investment advisors investment professionals possess an extensive network of long-standing relationships with private equity firms, middle-market senior lenders, junior capital partners, financial intermediaries and management teams of privately owned businesses. We believe that the combination of our investment advisors relationships and our reputation as a reliable, responsive and value-added financing partner helps generate a steady stream of new investment opportunities and proprietary deal flow.
Serving as a Value-Added Partner with Customized Financing Solutions. We follow a partnership-oriented investment approach and focus on opportunities where we believe we can add value to a portfolio company. We primarily concentrate on industries or market niches in which the investment professionals of our investment advisor have prior experience. These professionals also have expertise in structuring securities at all levels of the capital structure, which we believe positions us well to meet the unique financing needs of our portfolio companies. We invest primarily in mezzanine debt securities, typically coupled with an equity interest; however, on a selective basis we may invest in senior secured or unitranche loans. Further, as a publicly-traded BDC, we have a longer investment horizon without the capital return requirements of traditional private investment vehicles. We believe this flexibility enables us to generate attractive risk-adjusted returns on invested capital and enables us to be a better long-term partner for our portfolio companies. We believe that by leveraging the industry and structuring expertise of our investment advisor coupled with our long-term investment horizon, we are well positioned to be a value-added partner for our portfolio companies.
Employing Rigorous Due Diligence and Underwriting Processes Focused on Capital Preservation. Our investment advisor follows a disciplined and credit-oriented approach to evaluating and investing in companies. We focus on companies with proven business models, significant free cash flow, defensible market positions and significant enterprise value cushion for our debt investments. In making investment decisions, we seek to minimize the risk of capital loss without foregoing the opportunity for capital appreciation. Our investment advisors investment professionals have developed extensive due diligence and underwriting processes designed to better assess a portfolio companys prospects and to determine the appropriate investment structure. Our investment advisor thoroughly analyzes each potential portfolio companys competitive position, financial performance, management team, growth potential and industry attractiveness. As part of this process, our investment advisor also participates in meetings with management, tours of facilities, discussions with industry professionals and third-party reviews. We believe this approach enables us to build and maintain an attractive investment portfolio that meets our return and value criteria over the long term.
Actively Managing our Portfolio. We believe that our investment advisors initial and ongoing portfolio review process allows us to effectively monitor the performance and prospects of our portfolio companies. We seek to obtain board observation rights or board seats with respect to our portfolio companies and we conduct monthly financial reviews and regular discussions with portfolio company management. We structure our investments with a comprehensive set of financial maintenance, affirmative and negative covenants. We believe that active monitoring of our portfolio companies compliance with covenants provides us with an early warning of any financial difficulty and enhances our ability to protect our invested capital.
Maintaining Portfolio Diversification. We seek to maintain a portfolio of investments that is appropriately diversified among companies, industries, geographic regions and end markets. We have made investments in portfolio companies in the following industries: business services, industrial products and services, value-added
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distribution, healthcare products and services, consumer products and services (including retail, food and beverage), energy services, defense and aerospace, transportation and logistics, information technology services and niche manufacturing. We believe that investing across various industries helps mitigate the potential effects of negative economic events for particular companies, regions and industries.
Benefiting from Lower Cost of Capital. The Funds SBIC licenses allow us to issue SBA-guaranteed debentures. These SBA debentures carry long-term fixed rates that are generally lower than rates on comparable bank and public debt. Because lower-cost SBA leverage is, and will continue to be, a significant part of our funding strategy, our relative cost of debt capital should be lower than many of our competitors. For three or more SBICs under common control, the maximum amount of outstanding SBA debentures cannot exceed $350.0 million.
Investments
We seek to create a diversified investment portfolio that primarily includes mezzanine loans and equity securities. Our investments typically range between $5.0 million to $25.0 million per portfolio company, although this investment size may vary proportionately with the size of our capital base. Our investment objective is to provide attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating both current income from our debt investments and capital appreciation from our equity related investments. We may invest in the equity securities of our portfolio companies, such as preferred stock, common stock, warrants and other equity interests, either directly or in conjunction with our debt investments.
Mezzanine Debt Investments. We typically invest in mezzanine debt, which includes senior subordinated notes and junior secured loans. These loans typically have higher fixed interest rates (often representing a combination of cash pay and payment-in-kind interest), prepayment penalties and amortization of principal deferred to maturity, as well as origination and other fees. Subordinated loans generally allow the borrower to make a large lump sum payment of principal at the end of the loan term, and there is a risk of loss if the borrower is unable to pay the lump sum or refinance the amount owed at maturity. Subordinated investments are generally more volatile than secured loans and may involve a greater risk of loss of principal. In certain situations where we are able to structure an investment as a junior secured loan, we will obtain a junior security interest in the assets of these portfolio companies that will serve as collateral in support of the repayment of such loan. This collateral may take the form of second-priority liens on the assets of a portfolio company.
Senior Secured Loans. We also opportunistically structure some of our debt investments as senior secured or unitranche loans. Senior secured loans typically provide for a fixed interest rate and may contain some minimum principal amortization, excess cash flow sweep features and prepayment penalties. Senior secured loans are secured by a first or second priority lien on all existing and future assets of the borrower and may take the form of term loans or revolving lines of credit. Unitranche debt financing involves issuing one debt security that blends the risk and return profiles of both secured and subordinated debt and typically involves a first priority lien on all existing and future assets of the borrower. We believe that unitranche debt can be attractive for many lower middle-market companies given their size in order to reduce structural complexity and potential conflicts among creditors.
Equity Securities. Our equity securities typically consist of either a direct minority equity investment in common or preferred stock or membership/partnership interests of a portfolio company, or we may receive warrants to buy a minority equity interest in a portfolio company in connection with a debt investment. Warrants we receive with our debt investments typically require only a nominal cost to exercise, and thus, as a portfolio company appreciates in value, we may achieve additional investment return from this equity interest. Our equity investments are typically not control-oriented investments, and in many cases, we acquire equity securities as part of a group of private equity investors in which we are not the lead investor. We may structure such equity investments to include provisions protecting our rights as a minority-interest holder, as well as a put, or right to sell such securities back to the issuer, upon the occurrence of specified events. In many cases, we may also seek to obtain registration rights in connection with these equity interests, which may include demand and piggyback registration rights. Our equity investments typically are made in connection with debt investments to the same portfolio companies.
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We generally seek to invest in companies from the broad range of industries in which our investment advisor has direct experience. The following is a representative list of the broad industry segments in which we have invested; however, we may invest in other industries if we are presented with attractive opportunities.
As of December 31, 2015, we had investments in 53 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $443.3 million. As of December 31, 2014, we had investments in 42 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $396.4 million. As of December 31, 2013, we had investments in 37 portfolio companies with an aggregate fair value of $307.0 million.
Investment Criteria/Guidelines
We use the following criteria and guidelines in evaluating investment opportunities and constructing our portfolio. However, not all of these criteria and guidelines have been, or will be, met in connection with each of our investments.
Value Orientation / Positive Cash Flow. Our investment advisor places a premium on analysis of business fundamentals from an investors perspective and has a distinct value orientation. We focus on companies with proven business models in which we can invest at relatively low multiples of operating cash flow. We also typically invest in portfolio companies with a history of profitability and minimum trailing twelve month EBITDA of $3.0 million. We do not invest in start-up companies, turn-around situations or companies that we believe have unproven business plans.
Experienced Management Teams with Meaningful Equity Ownership. We target portfolio companies that have management teams with significant experience and/or relevant industry experience coupled with meaningful equity ownership. We believe management teams with these attributes are more likely to manage the companies in a manner that protects our debt investment and enhances the value of our equity investment.
Niche Market Leaders with Defensible Market Positions. We seek to invest in portfolio companies that have developed defensible and/or leading positions within their respective markets or market niches and are well positioned to capitalize on growth opportunities. We favor companies that demonstrate significant competitive advantages, which we believe helps to protect their market position and profitability.
Diversified Customer and Supplier Base. We prefer to invest in portfolio companies that have a diversified customer and supplier base. Companies with a diversified customer and supplier base are generally better able to endure economic downturns, industry consolidation and shifting customer preferences.
Significant Equity Value. We believe the existence of significant underlying equity value provides important support to our debt investments. With respect to our debt investments, we look for portfolio companies where management/sponsors have provided significant equity funding and where we believe aggregate enterprise value significantly exceeds aggregate indebtedness, after consideration of our investment.
Viable Exit Strategy. We invest in portfolio companies that we believe will provide steady cash flows to service our debt, ultimately repay our loans and provide working capital for their respective businesses. In addition, we seek to invest in companies whose business models and expected future cash flows offer attractive exit possibilities for our portfolio equity investments. We expect to exit our investments typically through one of three scenarios: (a) the sale of the portfolio company resulting in repayment of all outstanding debt and monetization of equity; (b) the recapitalization of the portfolio company through which our investments are replaced with debt or equity from a third party or parties; or (c) the repayment of the initial or remaining principal amount of our debt investment from cash flow generated by the portfolio company. In some investments, there may be scheduled amortization of some portion of our debt investment that would result in a partial exit of our investment prior to the maturity of the debt investment.
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Investment Committee
Our investment advisor has formed an investment committee to evaluate and approve all of our investments. The investment committee process is intended to bring the diverse experience and perspectives of the committees members to the analysis and consideration of each investment. The investment committee also serves to provide investment consistency and adherence to our investment advisors core investment philosophy and policies. The investment committee also determines appropriate investment sizing and suggest ongoing monitoring requirements.
The members of the investment committee that evaluate and approve all of our investments are Edward H. Ross, Thomas C. Lauer, John H. Grigg, Robert G. Lesley, Jr., John J. Ross, II, and W. Andrew Worth.
Investment Process Overview
Our investment advisor has developed the following investment process based on the experience of its investment professionals to identify investment opportunities and to structure investments quickly and effectively. Furthermore, our investment advisor seeks to identify those companies exhibiting superior fundamental risk-reward profiles and strong defensible business franchises while focusing on the relative value of the security in the portfolio companys capital structure. The investment process consists of five distinct phases:
| Investment Generation/Origination; |
| Initial Evaluation; |
| Due Diligence and Underwriting; |
| Documentation and Closing; and |
| Active Portfolio Management. |
Each of the phases is described in more detail below.
Investment Generation/Origination. Our investment origination efforts are focused on leveraging our investment advisors extensive network of long-standing relationships with private equity firms, middle-market senior lenders, junior-capital partners, financial intermediaries, service providers and management teams of privately owned businesses. We believe that our investment advisors investment professionals have reputations as reliable, responsive and value-added partners for lower middle-market companies. Our investment advisors focus and reputation as a valued-added partner generates a balanced mix of proprietary deal flow and a steady stream of new deal opportunities.
Initial Evaluation. After a potential transaction is received by our investment advisor, it will conduct an initial review of the transaction materials to determine whether it meets our investment criteria and complies with SBA and other regulatory compliance requirements.
If the potential transaction initially meets our investment criteria, at least two members of the investment committee, referred to as the deal team, will conduct a preliminary due diligence review, taking into consideration some or all of the following factors:
| A comprehensive financial model based on quantitative analysis of historical financial performance, projections and pro forma adjustments to determine a range of estimated internal rates of return. |
| An initial call or meeting with the management team, owner, private equity sponsor or other deal partner. |
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| A brief industry and market analysis, leveraging direct industry expertise from other investment professionals of our investment advisor. |
| Preliminary qualitative analysis of the management teams competencies and backgrounds. |
| Potential investment structures and pricing terms. |
Upon successful completion of the screening process, the deal team prepares a screening memorandum and makes a recommendation to the investment committee. At this time, the investment committee will also consider whether the investment would be made by us or through the Funds. If the investment committee supports the deal teams recommendation, the deal team issues a non-binding term sheet to the potential portfolio company. Such a term sheet will typically include the key economic terms based on our analysis conducted during the screening process. Upon agreement on a term sheet with the potential portfolio company, our investment advisor will begin a formal diligence and underwriting process.
Due Diligence and Underwriting. Our investment advisor has developed a rigorous and disciplined due diligence process that includes a comprehensive understanding of a borrowers industry, market, operational, financial, organizational and legal positions and prospects. The due diligence review will take into account information that the deal team deems necessary to make an informed decision about the creditworthiness of the borrower and the risks of the investment, which includes some or all of the following:
| Initial or additional site visits and facility tours with management and key personnel. |
| Review of the business history, operations and strategy. |
| In depth review of industry and competition. |
| Analysis of key customers and suppliers, including review of any concentrations and key contracts. |
| Detailed review of historical and projected financial statements, including a review of at least three years of performance (annual and monthly), key financial ratios, revenue, expense and profitability drivers and sensitivities to managements financial projections. |
| Detailed evaluation of company management, including background checks. |
| Third party reviews of accounting, environmental, legal, insurance, interviews with customers and suppliers, material contracts, competition, industry and market studies (each as appropriate). |
| Financial sponsor diligence, if applicable, including portfolio company and other reference checks. |
During the due diligence process, significant attention is given to sensitivity analyses and how the portfolio company might be expected to perform given various scenarios, including downside, base case and upside. Upon satisfactory completion of the due diligence review process, the deal team will present their findings and a recommendation to the investment committee. If the investment committee supports the deal teams recommendation, the deal team will proceed with negotiating and documenting the investment.
Documentation and Closing. Our investment advisor works with the management of a potential portfolio company and its other capital providers, including as applicable, senior, junior and equity capital providers to structure an investment. Our investment advisor structures each investment with an acute focus on capital preservation and will tailor the terms of each investment to the facts and circumstances of the transaction and the portfolio company. We seek to limit the downside potential of our investments by:
| Targeting an optimal total return on our investments (including a combination of current and deferred interest, prepayment penalties and equity participation) that compensates us for credit risk. |
| Negotiating covenants in connection with our investments that afford our portfolio companies as much flexibility in managing their businesses as possible, yet consistent with preservation of our capital. Such restrictions may include affirmative and negative covenants, default penalties, lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including either board observation or rights to a seat on the board under some circumstances. |
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| Structuring financial covenants and terms in our debt investments that require a portfolio company to reduce leverage over time, thereby mitigating the risk of loss and increasing the likelihood of achieving targeted returns on investment. These methods may include, among others: leverage covenants requiring a decreasing ratio of debt to cash flow; cash flow covenants requiring an increasing ratio of cash flow to interest expense and possibly other cash expenses such as capital expenditures, cash taxes and mandatory principal payments; and debt incurrence prohibitions, or limiting a companys ability to relever its balance sheet. In addition, limitations on asset sales and capital expenditures prevent a company from changing the nature of its business or capitalization without our consent. |
We expect to hold most of our investments to maturity or repayment, but may exit our investments earlier if a liquidity event takes place, such as a sale or recapitalization of a portfolio company or if we determine that a sale of one or more of our investments is in our best interest.
Active Portfolio Management. Active portfolio monitoring is a vital part of our investment process and we continuously monitor the status and progress of the portfolio companies. The same deal team that was involved in the investment process will continue its involvement in the portfolio company post-investment. This provides for continuity of knowledge and allows the deal team to maintain a strong business relationship with key management of its portfolio companies for post-investment assistance and monitoring purposes.
As part of the monitoring process, the deal team conducts a comprehensive review of the financial and operating results of each portfolio company that includes a review of the monthly/quarterly financials relative to prior year and budget, a review of the financial projections including cash flow and liquidity needs, meeting with management, attending board meetings and reviewing compliance certificates and covenants. We will maintain an ongoing dialogue with the management and any controlling equity holders of a portfolio company that will include discussions about the companys business plans and growth opportunities and any changes in industry and competitive dynamics. While we maintain limited involvement in the ordinary course operations of our portfolio companies, we may maintain a higher level of involvement in non-ordinary course financing or strategic activities and any non-performing scenarios. Our investment advisors portfolio management will also include quarterly portfolio reviews with all investment professionals and investment committee members.
Investment Rating System
In addition to various risk management and monitoring tools, our investment advisor uses an internally developed investment rating system to characterize and monitor the credit profile and our expected level of returns on each investment in our portfolio. We use a five-level numeric rating scale. The following is a description of the conditions associated with each investment rating:
| Investment Rating 1 is used for investments that involve the least amount of risk in our portfolio. The portfolio company is performing above expectations and the trends and risk factors are favorable, and may include an expected capital gain. |
| Investment Rating 2 is used for investments that involve a level of risk similar to the risk at the time of origination. The portfolio company is performing substantially within our expectations and the risks factors are neutral or favorable. Each new portfolio investment enters our portfolio with Investment Rating 2. |
| Investment Rating 3 is used for investments performing below expectations and indicates the investments risk has increased somewhat since origination. The portfolio company requires closer monitoring, but we expect a full return of principal and collection of all interest and/or dividends. |
| Investment Rating 4 is used for investments performing materially below our expectations and the risk has increased materially since origination. The portfolio company has the potential for some loss of investment return, but we expect no loss of principal. |
| Investment Rating 5 is used for investments performing substantially below our expectations and the risks have increased substantially since origination. We expect some loss of principal. |
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The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment rating scale at fair value as of December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013.
As of December 31, 2015 | As of December 31, 2014 | As of December 31, 2013 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Investment Rating |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percent of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percent of Total Portfolio |
Investments at Fair Value |
Percent of Total Portfolio |
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(dollars in thousands) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
1 |
$ | 77,875 | 17.6 | % | $ | 49,499 | 12.5 | % | $ | 44,572 | 14.5 | % | ||||||||||||
2 |
268,285 | 60.4 | 297,024 | 74.9 | 229,113 | 74.6 | ||||||||||||||||||
3 |
95,981 | 21.7 | 48,814 | 12.3 | 30,322 | 9.9 | ||||||||||||||||||
4 |
1,128 | 0.3 | 1,018 | 0.3 | | | ||||||||||||||||||
5 |
| | | | 2,974 | 1.0 | ||||||||||||||||||
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Totals |
$ | 443,269 | 100.0 | % | $ | 396,355 | 100.0 | % | $ | 306,981 | 100.0 | % | ||||||||||||
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Based on our investment rating system, the weighted average rating of our portfolio as of each December 31, 2015, 2014 and 2013 was 2.0 on a fair value basis.
Determination of Net Asset Value and Valuation Process
We determine the net asset value per share of our common stock on at least a quarterly basis, and more frequently if we are required to do so in connection with the issuance of shares of our common stock or pursuant to applicable federal laws and regulations. The net asset value per share of common stock is equal to the carrying value of our total assets minus liabilities and any preferred stock outstanding divided by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding. Our business plan calls for us to invest primarily in illiquid securities issued by private companies. These portfolio investments may be subject to restrictions on resale and will generally have no established trading market. Because there is not a readily available market for substantially all of the investments in our portfolio, we value substantially all of our portfolio investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our board of directors using a documented valuation policy and consistently applied valuation process in accordance with authoritative accounting guidelines. See Managements Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates Valuation of Portfolio Investments.
Competition
Our primary competitors in providing financing to lower middle-market companies include public and private funds, other BDCs, SBICs, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, we believe some competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or to the distribution and other requirements we must satisfy to maintain our RIC status.
We use the expertise of the investment professionals of our investment advisor to assess investment risks and determine appropriate pricing for our investments in portfolio companies. In addition, the relationships of the investment professionals of our investment advisor enable us to learn about, and compete effectively for, financing opportunities with attractive lower middle-market companies in the industries in which we seek to invest. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we face, see Risk Factors Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.
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Employees
We do not have any direct employees, and our day-to-day investment operations are managed by our investment advisor, which is also acting as our administrator. We have a chief executive officer, chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and, to the extent necessary, our board of directors may elect to hire additional personnel going forward. Our officers are employees of, and are compensated by, our investment advisor, and our allocable portion of the cost of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and their respective staffs are paid by us pursuant to the Administration Agreement. Some of our executive officers are also officers of our investment advisor. See Management and Other Agreements Administration Agreement.
Properties
We do not own any real estate or other physical properties materially important to our operation; however, we lease office space for our executive office at 1603 Orrington Avenue, Suite 1005, Evanston, Illinois 60201. Our investment advisor also maintains additional office space at 227 West Trade Street Suite 1910 Charlotte, NC 28202 and 1140 Avenue of the Americas, Suite 1500, New York, NY 10036. We believe that our current office facilities are adequate for our business as we intend to conduct it.
Legal Proceedings
We may, from time to time, be involved in litigation arising out of our operations in the normal course of business or otherwise. Furthermore, third parties may try to seek to impose liability on us in connection with the activities of our portfolio companies. While the outcome of any current legal proceedings cannot at this time be predicted with certainty, we do not expect any current matters will materially affect our financial condition or results of operations; however, there can be no assurance whether any pending legal proceedings will have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations in any future reporting period.
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The following table sets forth certain audited information as of December 31, 2015, for the portfolio companies in which we had a debt or equity investment. Other than these investments, our only formal relationships with our portfolio companies are the managerial assistance ancillary to our investments and the board observer or participation rights we may receive.
Industry Portfolio Company Address of Portfolio Company |
Investment Type |
Percentage of Class Held (a) |
Rate Cash/ PIK |
Maturity | Cost | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
Aerospace & Defense Manufacturing |
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FDS Avionics Corp. |
Subordinated Note |
12.3%/0.0 | % | 4/1/2020 | $ | 5,180 | $ | 5,200 | ||||||||||||||
(dba Flight Display Systems) |
Common Equity (200 units) |
13.2 | % | 2,000 | 1,468 | |||||||||||||||||
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6435 Shiloh Road, Suite D |
7,180 | 6,668 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Alpharetta, GA 30005 |
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Lightning Diversion Systems, LLC |
Senior Secured Loan |
9.5%/0.0 | % | 12/20/2018 | 9,165 | 9,198 | ||||||||||||||||
16572 Burke LN |
Revolving Loan ($1,000 commitment) |
9.5%/0.0 | % | 12/20/2018 | (1 | ) | (1 | ) | ||||||||||||||
Huntington Beach, CA 92647 |
Common Equity (600,000 units) |
10.6 | % | | 2,429 | |||||||||||||||||
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|
|||||||||||||||||||
9,164 | 11,626 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Malabar International (b) |
Subordinated Note |
12.5%/2.5 | % | 5/21/2017 | 7,436 | 7,450 | ||||||||||||||||
220 W. Los Angeles Avenue |
Preferred Equity (1,494 shares) |
18.9 | % | 6.0%/0.0 | % | 11/21/2017 | 1,994 | 4,808 | ||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Simi Valley, CA 93065 |
9,430 | 12,258 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Simplex Manufacturing Co. |
Subordinated Note |
14.0%/0.0 | % | 5/1/2016 | 4,550 | 4,550 | ||||||||||||||||
13340 NE Whitaker Way |
Warrant (24 shares) |
23.5 | % | 710 | 3,359 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Portland, OR 97230 |
5,260 | 7,909 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Steward Holding LLC (b) |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/2.3 | % | 5/12/2021 | 6,987 | 6,987 | ||||||||||||||||
(dba Steward Advanced Materials) |
Common Equity (1,000,000 units) |
6.0 | % | 1,000 | 1,000 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
1245 E 38th Street |
7,987 | 7,987 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chattanooga, TN 37407 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Apparel Distribution |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Jacob Ash Holdings, Inc. |
Subordinated Note |
13.0%/4.0 | % | 6/30/2018 | 3,994 | 4,000 | ||||||||||||||||
301 Munson Avenue |
Subordinated Note |
13.0%/0.0 | % | 6/30/2018 | 956 | 963 | ||||||||||||||||
McKees Rocks, PA 15136 |
Preferred Equity (66,138 shares) |
2.5 | % | 0.0%/15.0 | % | 6/30/2018 | 924 | 926 | ||||||||||||||
Warrant (63,492 shares) | 2.4 | % | 67 | | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
5,941 | 5,889 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Building Products Manufacturing |
||||||||||||||||||||||
The Wolf Organization, LLC |
Common Equity (175 shares) |
2.6 | % | 1,750 | 2,514 | |||||||||||||||||
20 West Market Street |
||||||||||||||||||||||
York, PA 17401 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
US GreenFiber, LLC |
Subordinated Note |
12.5%/0.0 | % | 1/2/2019 | 13,952 | 14,000 | ||||||||||||||||
2500 Distribution Street, Suite 200 |
Common Equity (1,667 units) |
2.0 | % | 500 | 1,170 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Charlotte, NC 28203 |
14,452 | 15,170 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Business Services |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Inflexxion, Inc. (b) |
Senior Secured Loan |
12.5%/0.0 | % | 12/16/2019 | 3,931 | 3,470 | ||||||||||||||||
320 Needham Street, Suite 100 |
Revolving Loan ($1,000 commitment) |
12.5%/0.0 | % | 12/16/2019 | 146 | 132 | ||||||||||||||||
Newton, MA 02464 |
Preferred Equity (1,400 units) |
20.6 | % | 1,400 | | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
5,477 | 3,602 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Plymouth Rock Energy, LLC |
Senior Secured Loan |
11.8%/0.0 | % | 5/14/2017 | 5,984 | 6,000 | ||||||||||||||||
1074 Broadway |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Woodmere, NY 11598 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Stagnito Partners, LLC |
Senior Secured Loan |
12.0%/0.0 | % | 6/30/2018 | 6,290 | 6,361 | ||||||||||||||||
(dba Stagnito Business Information) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
570 Lake Cook Road, Suite 310 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Deerfield, IL 60015 |
72
Industry Portfolio Company Address of Portfolio Company |
Investment Type |
Percentage of Class Held (a) |
Rate Cash/PIK |
Maturity | Cost | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
Vanguard Dealer Services, L.L.C. |
Subordinated Note ($9,850 commitment) |
12.3%/0.0 | % | 1/30/2021 | $ | 7,310 | $ | 7,310 | ||||||||||||||
30 Two Bridges Road, Suite 350 |
Common Equity (6,000 shares) |
2.5 | % | 600 | 600 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Fairfield, NJ 07004 |
7,910 | 7,910 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Commercial Cleaning |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Premium Franchise Brands, LLC |
Preferred Equity (1,054,619 shares) |
2.1 | % | 832 | 717 | |||||||||||||||||
2520 Northwinds Parkway, Suite 375 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Alpharetta, GA 30009 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Component Manufacturing |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Channel Technologies Group, LLC |
Subordinated Note | 11.0%/1.8 | % | 4/10/2019 | 6,963 | 6,253 | ||||||||||||||||
879 Ward Drive |
Preferred Equity (612 units) |
1.7 | % | 1,139 | 548 | |||||||||||||||||
Santa Barbara, CA 93111 |
Common Equity (612,432 units) |
0.0 | % | | | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
8,102 | 6,801 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Toledo Molding & Die, Inc. |
Subordinated Note |
10.5%/0.0 | % | 12/18/2018 | 9,889 | 10,000 | ||||||||||||||||
1429 Coining Drive |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Toledo, OH 43612 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Consumer Products |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Grindmaster Corporation |
Subordinated Note |
11.5%/0.0 | % | 10/31/2019 | 10,465 | 10,500 | ||||||||||||||||
4003 Collins Lane |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Louisville, KY 40245 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
World Wide Packaging, LLC (b) |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/1.0 | % | 10/26/2018 | 10,239 | 10,277 | ||||||||||||||||
15 Vreeland Road, Suite #4 |
Common Equity (1,517,573 units) |
4.4 | % | 1,518 | 2,043 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Florham Park, NJ 07932 |
11,757 | 12,320 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Electronic Components Supplier |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Apex Microtechnology, Inc. (b) |
Warrant (2,293 shares) |
2.5 | % | 220 | 274 | |||||||||||||||||
5980 N. Shannon Road |
Common Equity (11,690 shares) |
12.8 | % | 1,169 | 1,425 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Tucson, AZ 85741 |
1,389 | 1,699 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Financial Services |
||||||||||||||||||||||
National Truck Protection Co., Inc. |
Senior Secured Loan |
13.5%/2.0 | % | 9/13/2018 | 11,944 | 11,989 | ||||||||||||||||
6 Commerce Drive, Suite 200 |
Common Equity (1,109 shares) |
4.7 | % | 758 | 1,705 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Cranford, NJ 07016 |
12,702 | 13,694 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Healthcare Products |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Allied 100 Group, Inc. |
Subordinated Note |
11.5%/0.0 | % | 5/26/2020 | 12,948 | 13,000 | ||||||||||||||||
1800 U.S. Highway 51 North |
Common Equity (1,250,000 units) |
2.2 | % | 1,250 | 1,223 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Woodruff, WI 54568 |
14,198 | 14,223 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Anatrace Products, LLC |
Subordinated Note |
13.0%/1.3 | % | 6/23/2021 | 6,480 | 6,480 | ||||||||||||||||
434 W Dussel Dr. |
Common Equity (360,000 shares) |
9.6 | % | | 148 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Maumee, OH 43537 |
6,480 | 6,628 | ||||||||||||||||||||
MedPlast, LLC |
Subordinated Note |
11.0%/1.5 | % | 3/31/2019 | 10,294 | 10,338 | ||||||||||||||||
405 West Geneva Drive |
Preferred Equity (188 shares) |
0.3 | % | 0.0%/8.0 | % | 3/31/2019 | 223 | 223 | ||||||||||||||
Tempe, AZ 85282 |
Common Equity (3,728 shares) |
0.3 | % | 62 | 103 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
10,579 | 10,664 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Pfanstiehl, Inc. (b) |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/2.0 | % | 9/29/2018 | 6,178 | 6,208 | ||||||||||||||||
1219 Glen Rock Avenue |
Common Equity (8,500 units) |
18.0 | % | 850 | 4,280 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Waukegan, IL 60085 |
7,028 | 10,488 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Six Month Smiles Holdings, Inc. |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/1.8 | % | 7/31/2020 | 8,077 | 8,106 | ||||||||||||||||
35 Main Street |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Scottsville, NY 14546 |
73
Industry Portfolio Company Address of Portfolio Company |
Investment Type |
Percentage of Class Held (a) |
Rate Cash/PIK |
Maturity | Cost | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
Healthcare Services |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Continental Anesthesia Management, LLC |
Senior Secured Loan | 10.0%/4.0 | % | 4/15/2016 | $ | 10,676 | $ | 10,676 | ||||||||||||||
1770 First Street, Suite 703 |
Warrant (263 shares) |
1.9 | % | 276 | | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Highland Park, IL 60035 |
10,952 | 10,676 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Medsurant Holdings, LLC (b) |
Subordinated Note | 12.3%/0.0 | % | 6/18/2021 | 6,211 | 6,211 | ||||||||||||||||
1660 S. Albion Street, Suite 425 |
Preferred Equity (126,662 units) |
3.4 | % | 1,346 | 1,515 | |||||||||||||||||
Denver, CO 80222 |
Warrant (505,176 units) |
13.7 | % | 4,516 | 5,237 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
12,073 | 12,963 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Microbiology Research Associates, Inc. (b) |
Senior Secured Loan |
6.0%/0.0 | % | 5/13/2020 | 3,734 | 3,750 | ||||||||||||||||
33 Nagog Park |
Revolving Loan ($500 commitment) |
6.0%/0.0 | % | 5/13/2020 | (2 | ) | | |||||||||||||||
Acton, MA 01720 |
Subordinated Note |
12.5%/0.0 | % | 11/13/2020 | 6,222 | 6,250 | ||||||||||||||||
Common Equity (1,000,000 units) | 7.9 | % | 1,000 | 1,444 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
10,954 | 11,444 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Oaktree Medical Centre, P.C. |
Senior Secured Loan |
8.5%/0.0 | % | 1/1/2018 | 570 | 589 | ||||||||||||||||
(dba Pain Management Associates) |
Senior Secured Loan |
16.0%/0.0 | % | 1/1/2018 | 5,458 | 5,454 | ||||||||||||||||
200 East Broad Street, Suite 200 |
Revolving Loan ($500 commitment) |
8.5%/0.0 | % | 1/1/2018 | 257 | 263 | ||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Greenville, SC 29601 |
6,285 | 6,306 | ||||||||||||||||||||
United Biologics, LLC |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/2.0 | % | 3/5/2017 | 8,360 | 7,932 | ||||||||||||||||
100 NE Loop 410, Suite 200 |
Preferred Equity (98,377 units) |
1.1 | % | 1,069 | | |||||||||||||||||
San Antonio, TX 78216 |
Warrant (57,469 units) |
0.6 | % | 566 | | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
9,995 | 7,932 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Industrial Cleaning & Coatings |
||||||||||||||||||||||
K2 Industrial Services, Inc. |
Subordinated Note |
8.8%/6.4 | % | 5/23/2017 | 17,086 | 16,718 | ||||||||||||||||
5233 Hohman Avenue |
Preferred EquitySeries A (1,200 shares) |
2.8 | % | 1,200 | 271 | |||||||||||||||||
Hammond, IN 46320 |
Preferred EquitySeries B (74 shares) |
0.0 | % | 68 | 78 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
18,354 | 17,067 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Information Technology Services |
||||||||||||||||||||||
FTH Acquisition Corp. VII |
Subordinated Note |
13.0%/0.0 | % | 2/28/2017 | 8,352 | 8,236 | ||||||||||||||||
5655 Peachtree Parkway |
Preferred Equity (887,122 shares) |
0.0 | % | 887 | | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Norcross, GA 30092 |
9,239 | 8,236 | ||||||||||||||||||||
inthinc Technology Solutions, Inc. |
Subordinated Note ($5,000 commitment) |
12.5%/0.0 | % | 4/24/2020 | 3,979 | 3,979 | ||||||||||||||||
4225 West Lake Park Boulevard, Suite 100 |
Subordinated Note |
0.0%/12.5 | % | 4/24/2020 | 861 | 861 | ||||||||||||||||
West Valley City, UT 84120 |
Royalty Rights |
4/24/2020 | 185 | 185 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
5,025 | 5,025 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Laundry Services |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Caldwell & Gregory, LLC |
Subordinated Note |
11.5%/1.0 | % | 11/30/2018 | 1,523 | 1,539 | ||||||||||||||||
129 Broad Street Road |
Subordinated Note |
0.0%/12.0 | % | 5/31/2019 | 3,897 | 4,072 | ||||||||||||||||
Manakin-Sabot, VA 23103 |
Common Equity (500,000 units) |
1.3 | % | 500 | 651 | |||||||||||||||||
Warrant (242,121 units) | 0.6 | % | 242 | 316 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
6,162 | 6,578 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Oil & Gas Services |
||||||||||||||||||||||
IOS Acquisitions, Inc. |
Common Equity (2,152 units) |
0.6 | % | 109 | 21 | |||||||||||||||||
8909 Youngsville Highway 89, |
||||||||||||||||||||||
P.O. Box 397 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Youngsville, LA 70592 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Pinnergy, Ltd. |
Subordinated Note |
10.5%/1.8 | % | 1/24/2020 | 19,945 | 16,440 | ||||||||||||||||
111 Congress Avenue, Suite 2020 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Austin, TX 78701 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Printing Services |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Brook & Whittle Limited |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/4.8 | % | 12/31/2016 | 7,655 | 7,361 | ||||||||||||||||
260 Branford Road, P.O. Box 409 |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/2.0 | % | 12/31/2016 | 2,296 | 2,151 | ||||||||||||||||
North Branford, CT 06471 |
Warrant (1,051 shares) |
1.2 | % | 285 | | |||||||||||||||||
Common EquitySeries A (148 shares) | 0.2 | % | 110 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Common EquitySeries D (527 shares) | 0.0 | % | 53 | 77 | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
10,399 | 9,589 |
74
Industry Portfolio Company Address of Portfolio Company |
Investment Type |
Percentage of Class Held (a) |
Rate Cash/PIK |
Maturity | Cost | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
Restaurants |
||||||||||||||||||||||
ACFP Management, Inc. |
Common Equity (1,000,000 units) |
2.3 | % | $ | | $ | | |||||||||||||||
200 W. Cypress Creek Road |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Cardboard Box LLC |
Common Equity (521,021 units) | 0.5 | % | 521 | 521 | |||||||||||||||||
(dba Anthonys Coal Fired Pizza) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
200 W. Cypress Creek Road |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33309 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Restaurant Finance Co, LLC |
Senior Secured Loan ($10,500 commitment) |
12.0%/4.0 | % | 7/31/2020 | 8,410 | 8,443 | ||||||||||||||||
6300 Carmel Road, Suite 110B |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Charlotte, NC 28277 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail |
||||||||||||||||||||||
EBL, LLC (EbLens) |
Common Equity (750,000 units) |
2.4 | % | 750 | 1,389 | |||||||||||||||||
299 Industrial Avenue |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Torrington, CT 06790 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Retail Cleaning |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Paramount Building Solutions, LLC (c) |
Subordinated Note(d) |
0.0%/18.0 | % | 12/31/2017 | 625 | 618 | ||||||||||||||||
10235 S. 51st Street, Suite 185 |
Subordinated Note(d) |
0.0%/15.0 | % | 12/31/2017 | 275 | | ||||||||||||||||
Phoenix, AZ 85044 |
Subordinated Note(d) |
0.0%/10.0 | % | 12/31/2017 | 1,376 | | ||||||||||||||||
Subordinated Note(d) | 0.0%/14.0 | % | 12/31/2017 | 2,927 | | |||||||||||||||||
Warrant (1,086,035 units) | 24.1 | % | | | ||||||||||||||||||
Preferred Equity (5,000,000 units) | 0.0 | % | 5,339 | | ||||||||||||||||||
Common Equity (107,143 units) | 2.2 | % | 1,500 | | ||||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
12,042 | 618 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Safety Products Manufacturing |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Safety Products Group, LLC (b) |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/1.5 | % | 12/30/2018 | 9,974 | 10,000 | ||||||||||||||||
2002 Karbach |
Preferred Equity (749 units) |
0.0 | % | 749 | 834 | |||||||||||||||||
Houston, TX 77092 |
Common Equity (676 units) |
6.2 | % | 1 | | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
10,724 | 10,834 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Specialty Chemicals |
||||||||||||||||||||||
FAR Research Inc. (b) |
Senior Secured Loan |
11.8%/1.0 | % | 3/31/2019 | 7,423 | 7,448 | ||||||||||||||||
2210 Wilhelmina Ct, NE |
Revolving Loan ($1,750 commitment) |
11.8%/1.0 | % | 3/31/2019 | 131 | 136 | ||||||||||||||||
Palm Bay, FL 32905 |
Common Equity (10 units) |
14.3 | % | 1,000 | 161 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
8,554 | 7,745 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Specialty Cracker Manufacturing |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Westminster Cracker Company, Inc. (b) |
Common Equity (1,307,262 units) |
13.0 | % | | 191 | |||||||||||||||||
1 Scale Avenue, Suite 81, Bldg 14 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Rutland, VT 05701 |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Specialty Distribution |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Carlson Systems Holdings, Inc. |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/0.0 | % | 5/20/2020 | 20,912 | 21,000 | ||||||||||||||||
10840 Harney Street |
Common Equity (15,000 units) |
2.5 | % | 1,500 | 2,079 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Omaha, NE 68154 |
22,412 | 23,079 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Virginia Tile Company, LLC |
Subordinated Note |
12.3%/0.0 | % | 5/19/2020 | 11,952 | 12,000 | ||||||||||||||||
28320 Plymouth Road |
Common Equity (20 shares) |
1.4 | % | 250 | 559 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
Livonia, MI 48150 |
12,202 | 12,559 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Telecommunication Services |
||||||||||||||||||||||
X5 Opco LLC |
Senior Secured Loan |
12.0%/0.0 | % | 3/24/2020 | 5,477 | 5,665 | ||||||||||||||||
1301 5th Avenue |
Revolving Loan ($500 commitment) |
12.0%/0.0 | % | 3/24/2020 | | | ||||||||||||||||
Seattle, WA 98101 |
Preferred Equity (15,000 units) |
3.4 | % | 0.0%/8.0 | % | 531 | 350 | |||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
6,008 | 6,015 | |||||||||||||||||||||
Transportation Services |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Cavallo Bus Lines Holdings, LLC |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/3.0 | % | 4/26/2021 | 8,210 | 8,210 | ||||||||||||||||
509 Illinois Avenue |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Gillespie, IL 62033 |
75
Industry Portfolio Company Address of Portfolio Company |
Investment Type |
Percentage of Class Held (a) |
Rate Cash/PIK |
Maturity | Cost | Fair Value | ||||||||||||||||
US Pack Logistics LLC |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/1.8 | % | 9/27/2020 | $ | 10,255 | $ | 10,299 | ||||||||||||||
405 Lexington Avenue |
Common Equity (5,357 units) |
2.4 | % | 536 | 483 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
|
|||||||||||||||||||
New York, NY 10174 |
10,791 | 10,782 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Worldwide Express Operations, LLC |
Subordinated Note |
11.5%/1.0 | % | 8/1/2020 | 12,723 | 12,806 | ||||||||||||||||
2828 Routh Street, Suite 400 |
Common Equity (2,500,000 units) |
2.2 | % | 2,500 | 4,036 | |||||||||||||||||
|
|
|
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Dallas, TX 75201 |
15,223 | 16,842 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Utility Equipment Manufacturing |
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Mirage Trailers LLC (b) |
Senior Secured Loan |
12.5%/0.0 | % | 11/25/2020 | 8,912 | 8,912 | ||||||||||||||||
2212 Industrial Road |
Common Equity (2,500,000 shares) |
21.4 | % | 2,475 | 2,475 | |||||||||||||||||
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Nampa, ID 83687 |
11,387 | 11,387 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Trantech Radiator Products, Inc. (b) |
Subordinated Note |
12.0%/1.8 | % | 5/4/2017 | 8,482 | 8,494 | ||||||||||||||||
1 Tranter Drive, P.O. Box 570 |
Common Equity (6,875 shares) |
6.8 | % |