Item 1A. Risk Factors
Investing in our Common Shares involves a number of significant risks. The following information is a discussion of the material risk factors associated with an investment in our Common Shares specifically, as well as those factors generally associated with an investment in a company with investment objectives, investment policies, capital structure or trading markets similar to ours. In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report, you should carefully consider the following information before making an investment in our Common Shares. The risks 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 cases, the NAV of our Common Shares could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Risks Relating to the Current Environment
Capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. Such market conditions may materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States and abroad, which may have a negative impact on our business and operations.
From time to time, capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability. Such disruptions may result in, amongst other things, write-offs, the re-pricing of credit risk, the failure of financial institutions or worsening general economic conditions, any of which could materially and adversely impact the broader financial and credit markets and reduce the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole and financial services firms in particular. There can be no assurance these market conditions will not occur or worsen in the future, including economic and political events in or affecting the world’s major economies, such as the ongoing armed conflicts between Russia and Ukraine in Europe and among Israel, Iran, Hamas and other militant groups in the Middle East, including the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February 2026, political unrest in South America and recent U.S. military action overseas. Sanctions imposed by the U.S. and other countries, including in connection with hostilities between Russia and Ukraine and tensions between China and Taiwan, have caused additional financial market and affected the global economy. over future inflation , economic , as well as interest rate and fluctuations in oil and gas prices resulting from global production and demand levels, as well as geopolitical tension, have market . In addition, social , changes regarding immigration and work permit policies and other political and security may not abate, which may cause the debt and equity capital markets and our business to be affected both within and outside of regions experiencing ongoing . Market uncertainty and have also been magnified as a result of the current U.S. presidential administration and ongoing uncertainties regarding actual and potential shifts in U.S. and foreign, trade, economic and other policies, including with respect to treaties and tariffs. In addition to impacting the capital markets, global economic, political and market conditions could have a significant effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Volatility and dislocation in the capital markets can also create a challenging environment in which to raise or access debt capital. Such conditions could make it difficult to extend the maturity of or refinance our existing indebtedness or obtain new indebtedness with similar terms and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. Although generally decelerating, inflation remains above the U.S. Federal Reserve’s
target levels. The debt capital that will be available to us in the future, if at all, may be impacted by changes in and uncertainty surrounding interest rates. Depending on the interest rate environment and general state of credit markets, potential debt capital may be available only at a higher cost and on terms and conditions less favorable than what we have historically experienced. If we are unable to raise or refinance debt, then our equity investors may not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity resulting from leverage and we may be limited in our ability to make new commitments or to fund existing commitments to our portfolio companies.
Significant disruption or volatility in the capital markets may also have a negative effect on the valuations of our investments. While most of our investments are not publicly traded, applicable accounting standards require us to assume as part of our valuation process that our investments are sold in a principal market to market participants (even if we plan on holding an investment through its maturity). Significant disruption or volatility in the capital markets may also affect the pace of our investment activity and the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. Thus, the illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments to access capital if required, and as a result, we could realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments if we were required to sell them for liquidity purposes. An inability to raise or access capital could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Trade negotiations and related government actions may create regulatory uncertainty for our portfolio companies and our investment strategies and adversely affect the profitability of our portfolio companies.
In recent years, the U.S. government has indicated its intent to alter its approach to international trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, certain existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements and treaties with foreign countries, and has made proposals and taken actions related thereto. For example, the U.S. government has imposed, and may in the future further increase, tariffs on certain foreign goods, including from China, such as steel and aluminum. Some foreign governments, including China, have instituted retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods. Most recently, the current U.S. presidential administration has imposed or sought to impose significant increases to tariffs on goods imported into the U.S., including from China, Canada and Mexico. Tariffs on imported goods could further increase costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of products and services offered by current and future portfolio companies and adversely affect the revenues and profitability of portfolio companies whose businesses rely on goods imported from such impacted jurisdictions.
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There is uncertainty as to further actions that may be taken under the current U.S. presidential administration with respect to U.S. trade policy. Further governmental actions related to the imposition of tariffs or other trade barriers, or changes to international trade agreements or policies, could further increase costs, decrease margins, reduce the competitiveness of products and services offered by current and future portfolio companies and adversely affect the revenues and profitability of companies whose businesses rely on goods imported from outside of the United States. These developments, or the perception that any of them could occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions and the stability of global financial markets, and may significantly reduce global trade and, in particular, trade between the impacted nations and the U.S. Any of these factors could depress economic activity and restrict our portfolio companies’ access to suppliers or customers and have a material adverse effect on their business, financial condition and results of operations, which in turn would negatively impact us.
Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information, a misappropriation of funds, and/or damage to our business relationships, all of which could negatively impact our financial results.
A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. The risk of a security breach or disruption, particularly through cyber-attacks or cyber intrusions, including by computer hackers, nation-state affiliated actors, and cyber terrorists, has generally increased as the number, intensity and sophistication of attempted attacks and intrusions from around the world have increased, and will likely continue to increase in the future. Such are prevalent and continue to rise, are increasingly to detect, and come from a variety of sources, including traditional computer “hackers,” actors, “hacktivists,” organized actors, personnel (such as through theft or ), sophisticated nation states, and nation-state-supported actors. Some actors now engage and are expected to continue to engage in cyber-attacks, including, without , nation-state actors for geopolitical reasons and in conjunction with military and defense activities. During times of war and other major , we and the third-party service providers upon which we rely may be to a heightened risk of these attacks, including .
The result of these incidents could include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, disrupted market price of our Common Shares, misappropriation of assets, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, regulatory enforcement, litigation and damage to our investor relationships. These risks require continuous and likely increasing attention and other resources from us, AGM and third-party service providers to, among other actions, identify and quantify these risks, upgrade and expand our technologies, systems and processes to adequately address them and provide periodic training for the Adviser’s employees to assist them in detecting phishing, malware and other schemes. Such attention diverts time and other resources from other activities and there is no assurance that such efforts will be effective. Additionally, the cost of maintaining such systems and processes, procedures and internal controls may increase from its current level.
In the normal course of business, we and our third-party service providers collect and retain certain personal information provided by borrowers, employees and vendors. We also rely extensively on computer systems to process transactions and manage our business. We can provide no assurance that the data security measures designed to protect confidential information on our systems established by us and our service providers will be able to prevent unauthorized access to this personal information. Even the most well protected information, networks, systems and facilities remain potentially vulnerable because the techniques used in such attempted security breaches evolve and generally are not recognized until launched against a target, and in some cases are designed not be detected and, in fact, may not be detected. Accordingly, we and our service providers may be unable to anticipate these techniques or to implement adequate security barriers or other preventative measures, and thus it is impossible for us and our service providers to entirely mitigate this risk.
Remote work has become more common among the employees and personnel of the Adviser, AGM and other third-party service providers and has increased risks to the information technology systems and confidential, proprietary, and sensitive data of the Adviser, AGM and other third-party service providers as more of those employees utilize network connections, computers, and devices outside of the employer’s premises or network, including working at home, while in transit, and in public locations. Those employees working remotely could expose the Adviser, AGM and other third-party service providers to additional cybersecurity risks and vulnerabilities as their systems could be negatively affected by vulnerabilities present in external systems and technologies outside of their control.
Our business depends on the communications and information systems of AGM and other third-party service providers. Such systems may fail to operate properly or become disabled as a result of cyber incidents. Any failure or interruption of the systems of AGM or any other counterparties that we rely on could cause delays or other problems and could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. None of us, the Adviser or AGM have experienced any material breach of cybersecurity. However, we can provide no assurance that the networks and systems that we, the Adviser, AGM or our third-party service providers have established, or use will be effective. As our reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our communications and information systems, both internal and those provided by the Adviser, AGM and third-party service providers. AGM’s processes, procedures and internal controls that are designed to mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions do not guarantee that a cyber incident will not occur or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be impacted by such an . the security policies and procedures, AGM has implemented that were designed to safeguard our systems and confidential, proprietary, and sensitive data and to manage cybersecurity risk, there can be no assurance that these measures will be . AGM takes steps to monitor and develop our information technology networks and infrastructure and invest in the development and of our controls designed to prevent, detect, respond to, and mitigate the risk of access, , computer viruses, and other events that could have a security impact.
Even if we are not targeted directly, cyberattacks on the U.S. and foreign governments, financial markets, financial institutions, or other businesses, including borrowers, vendors, software creators, cybersecurity service providers, and other third parties with whom we do business and rely, may occur, and such events could disrupt our normal business operations and networks in the future.
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We are subject to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
We are subject to financial market risks, including changes in interest rates. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our Common Shares and our rate of return on invested capital. On one hand, a reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net investment income, which also could be negatively impacted by our borrowers making prepayments on their loans. On the other hand, an increase in interest rates could increase the interest repayment obligations of our borrowers and result in challenges to their financial performance and ability to repay their obligations, adversely affecting the credit quality of our investments. In addition, an increase in interest rates would make it more expensive to use debt for our financing needs.
An increase in interest rates could also decrease the value of any investments we hold that earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans, senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Moreover, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our Common Shares less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our Common Shares. Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates and the decision to end its quantitative easing policy, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. From time to time, we may also enter into certain hedging transactions to mitigate our exposure to changes in interest rates. In the past, we have entered into certain hedging transactions, such as interest rate swap agreements, to mitigate our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates, and we may do so again in the future. However, we cannot assure you that such transactions will be successful in mitigating our exposure to interest rate risk. There can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material effect on our net investment income.
Our portfolio primarily consists of fixed and floating rate investments. Market prices tend to fluctuate more for fixed-rate securities that have longer maturities. Although we have no policy governing the maturities of our investments, under current market conditions we expect that we will invest in a portfolio of debt generally having maturities of up to 10 years. Market prices for debt that pays a fixed rate of return tend to decline as interest rates rise. This means that we are subject to greater risk (other things being equal) than a fund invested solely in shorter-term, fixed-rate securities. Market prices for floating rate investments may also fluctuate in rising rate environments with prices tending to decline when credit spreads widen. A decline in the prices of the debt we own could adversely affect our net assets resulting from operations and the market price of our Common Shares.
Rising interest rates may also increase the cost of debt for our underlying portfolio companies, which could adversely impact their financial performance and ability to meet ongoing obligations to us. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make an investment in our Common Shares less attractive if we are not able to pay dividends at a level that provides a similar return, which could reduce the value of our Common Shares.
Changes in interest rates may adversely affect the value of our portfolio investments which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our debt investments may be based on floating rates, such as Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR” or “S”), Euro Interbank Offer Rate (“EURIBOR”), Sterling Overnight Index Average (“SONIA”), the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the net asset value of our common shares and our rate of return on invested capital.
A reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could also have an adverse impact on our net interest income. An increase in interest rates could decrease the value of any investments we hold which earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans, senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Also, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our common shares less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate.
Because we intend to borrow money, and may issue preferred shares to finance investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay distributions on preferred shares and the rate that our investments yield. As a result, we can offer 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 except to the extent we have issued fixed rate debt or preferred shares, which could reduce our net investment income. Our long-term fixed-rate investments are generally financed primarily with equity and long-term debt. We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. Such techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act and applicable commodities laws. Interest rate hedging activities do not protect against credit risk.
A change in the general level of interest rates may also lead to a change in the interest rates we receive on many of our debt investments. Accordingly, a change in interest rates could make it easier for us to meet or exceed the performance threshold and may result in a substantial increase in the amount of incentive fees payable to our Adviser with respect to pre-incentive fee net investment income. Additionally, to the extent that the floating interest rates applicable to our debt investments are subject to a negotiated cap or floor, we may be unable to capitalize upon favorable market fluctuations of interest rates. Specifically, if we issue preferred stock or debt (or otherwise borrow money), our costs of leverage will increase as rates increase. However, we may not benefit from the higher coupon payments resulting from increased interest rates if our investments with interest rate caps do not rise to levels above the caps. In this situation, we will experience increased financing costs without the benefit of receiving higher income. This in turn may result in the potential for a decrease in the level of income available for dividends or distributions made by us.
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Economic and trade sanctions could make it more difficult or costly for us to conduct our operations or achieve our business objectives.
Economic and trade sanctions laws in the United States and other jurisdictions may prohibit us from transacting with or in certain countries and with certain individuals, companies and industry sectors. In the United States, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (“OFAC”), administers and enforces laws, Executive Orders and regulations establishing U.S. sanctions. Such sanctions prohibit, among other things, transactions with, and the provision of services to, certain foreign countries, territories, entities and individuals. These entities and individuals include specially designated nationals, specially designated narcotics traffickers and other parties subject to OFAC sanctions and embargo programs. In addition, certain sanctions programs prohibit dealing with individuals or entities in certain countries, or certain securities and certain industry sectors regardless of whether relevant individuals or entities appear on the lists maintained by OFAC, which may make it more difficult for us to comply with applicable sanctions. These types of sanctions may significantly restrict or limit our investment activities in certain countries (in particular, certain emerging market countries). We may from time to time be subject to trade sanctions laws and regulations of other jurisdictions, which may be inconsistent with or even seek to prohibit compliance with certain sanctions programs administered by OFAC. The legal uncertainties arising from those conflicts may make it more or for us to navigate investment activities that are subject to sanctions administered by OFAC or the laws and regulations of other jurisdictions. Some jurisdictions where the Company or its portfolio companies do business from time to time have adopted measures prohibiting compliance with certain U.S. sanctions programs, which may make compliance with all applicable sanctions .
At the same time, the Company may be obligated to comply with certain anti-boycott laws and regulations that prevent us from engaging in certain discriminatory practices that may be allowed or required in certain jurisdictions. The Company’s refusal to discriminate in this manner could make it more difficult for us to pursue certain investments and engage in certain business activities, and any compliance with such practices could subject us to fines, penalties, and adverse legal and reputational consequences.
Price declines and illiquidity in the corporate debt markets have adversely affected, and may in the future adversely affect, the fair value of our portfolio investments, reducing our net asset value through increased net unrealized depreciation.
As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser and under the oversight of our Board. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation, which reduces our net asset value. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer additional unrealized losses in future periods, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The continued uncertainty relating to the U.S. and global economy could have a negative impact on our business.
The Company’s business is directly influenced by the economic cycle, and has been and could further be negatively impacted by a downturn in economic activity in the U.S. as well as globally. Fiscal and monetary actions taken by U.S. and non-U.S. government and regulatory authorities could have a material adverse impact on our business. To the extent uncertainty regarding the U.S. or global economy negatively impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be adversely affected. Moreover, Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates and the decision to end its quantitative easing policy, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend and interest paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a return to unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect our business.
Disruptions to the global supply chain may have adverse impact on our portfolio companies and, in turn, harm us.
Supply chain disruptions, such as the global microchip shortage, may have an adverse impact on the business of our portfolio companies. Potential adverse impacts to certain of our portfolio companies may include, among others, increased costs, inventory shortages, shipping and project completion delays, and inability to meet customer demand.
Because our business model depends to a significant extent upon relationships with private equity sponsors, investment banks and commercial banks, the inability of the Adviser to maintain or develop these relationships, or the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.
The Adviser depends on the broader Apollo relationships with private equity sponsors, investment banks and commercial banks, and we rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If the Adviser or its organizations fail to maintain their existing relationships or develop new relationships with other sponsors or sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the Adviser or its broader organizations have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for us. Our business is dependent on bank relationships and recent strain on the banking system may adversely impact us.
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Changes to U.S. federal income tax laws could materially and adversely affect us and our shareholders.
The present U.S. federal income tax laws may be modified, possibly with retroactive effect, by legislative, judicial or administrative action at any time, which could affect the U.S. federal income tax treatment of us or an investment in our shares. For example, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted in 2017 made substantial changes to the Code. Among those changes are a significant permanent reduction in the generally applicable corporate tax rate, changes in the taxation of individuals and other non-corporate taxpayers that generally but not universally reduce their taxes on a temporary basis subject to “sunset” provisions, the elimination or modification of various previously allowed deductions (including substantial limitations on the deductibility of interest and, in the case of individuals, the deduction for personal state and local taxes), certain preferential rates of taxation on certain dividends and certain business income derived by non-corporate taxpayers in comparison to other ordinary income recognized by such taxpayers, and significant changes to the international tax rules. On August 16, 2022, President Biden signed into law the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, which includes numerous provisions that impact corporations, including the implementation of a corporate alternative minimum tax and a 1% excise tax on certain stock repurchases and economically similar transactions. However, RICs are excluded from the definition of an “applicable corporation” and therefore are not subject to the corporate alternative minimum tax. Additionally, stock repurchases by RICs are specifically exempted from the 1% excise tax.
Uncertainty with respect to the financial stability of the United States and several countries in the EU could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
In 2023, Fitch downgraded the federal government’s credit rating from AAA to AA+ and, in 2025, Moody's downgraded the federal government's credit rating from Aaa (negative) to Aa1 (stable). Further downgrades or warnings by S&P, Moody’s or other rating agencies, and the government’s credit and deficit concerns in general, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact both the perception of credit risk associated with our debt portfolio and our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. In addition, a decreased credit rating could create broader financial turmoil and uncertainty, which may weigh heavily on our financial performance and the value of our common stock.
Following a period of heightened inflation, the Federal Reserve raised the target rate four times in 2023, raising the fed funds rate by about three percentage points in a six month period. However, the Federal Reserve lowered the target rate three times in 2024 and three times in 2025. In 2026, it is possible that the Federal Reserve will lower the interest rates further. Further changes in key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate or inflation, could lead to additional changes to the target range for the federal funds rate that may cause instability or may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms.
The election of a new U.S. president for a term that commenced in 2025, coupled with a consolidation of party control of both chambers of Congress, has led to new legislative and regulatory initiatives and the roll-back of certain initiatives of the previous presidential administration, which may impact our business and our clients’ businesses in unpredictable ways. Areas subject to potential change or amendment include the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and the authority of the Federal Reserve and the Financial Stability Oversight Council. Additionally, under the narrowly divided control of the Congress, the likelihood of a failure to increase the debt ceiling and a default by the federal government is increased. The U.S. may also increase tariffs and potentially withdraw from, renegotiate or enter into various trade agreements and take other actions that would change current trade policies of the U.S. We cannot predict which, if any, of these actions will be taken or, if taken, their effect on the financial stability of the U.S. Such actions could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Changes in existing laws or regulations, the interpretations thereof or newly enacted laws or regulations may negatively impact our business.
Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations or the operations of our portfolio companies, or newly enacted laws or regulations, such as the Dodd-Frank Act, Public Law No. 115-97 (the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act”), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act and the Small Business Credit Availability Act, could require changes to certain of our business, practices or that of our portfolio companies. These changes could negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business, or business of our portfolio companies.
Some areas identified as subject to potential change, amendment or repeal include the Dodd-Frank Act, including the Volcker Rule, the interpretation of those rules relating to capital, margin, trading and clearance and settlement of derivatives and various swaps and derivatives regulations, credit risk retention requirements and the authorities of the Federal Reserve, the Financial Stability Oversight Council and the SEC. Although we cannot predict the impact, if any, of these changes to our business, they could adversely affect our business, financial condition, operating results and cash flows. Until we know what policy changes are made and how those changes impact our business and the business of our competitors over the long term, we will not know if, overall, we will benefit from them or be negatively affected by them.
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We are subject to risks associated with artificial intelligence, including the application of various forms of artificial intelligence such as machine learning technology.
Recent technological advances in artificial intelligence, including machine learning technology (“Machine Learning Technology”), pose risks to us and our portfolio companies. We and our portfolio companies could be exposed to the risks of Machine Learning Technology if third-party service providers or any counterparties use Machine Learning Technology in their business activities. We and the Adviser are not in a position to control the use of Machine Learning Technology in third-party products or services. Use of Machine Learning Technology could include the input of confidential information in contravention of applicable policies, contractual or other obligations or restrictions, resulting in such confidential information becoming partly accessible by other third-party Machine Learning Technology applications and users. Machine Learning Technology has the potential to result in significant and disruptive changes in companies, sectors or industries, including those in which we invest, and any such changes could create new and unpredictable operational, legal and/or regulatory risks. Machine Learning Technology and its applications continue to develop rapidly, and we cannot predict the risks that may arise from such developments.
Machine Learning Technology is generally highly reliant on the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, and it is not possible or practicable to incorporate all relevant data into the model that Machine Learning Technology utilizes to operate. Certain data in such models will inevitably contain a degree of inaccuracy and error and could otherwise be inadequate or flawed, which would be likely to degrade the effectiveness of Machine Learning Technology. To the extent we or our portfolio companies are exposed to the risks of Machine Learning Technology use, any such inaccuracies or errors could adversely impact us or our portfolio companies. In the current period of technological and commercial innovation, startup and other companies have found success disrupting traditional approaches to industry or market practices, and the frequency of such is expected to increase. Such could impact us and our investments, alter market practices on which our investment strategy depends to create investment returns, significantly the market in which we operate or subject us to increased competition.
Certain of our portfolio companies’ businesses could be adversely affected by the effects of health pandemics or epidemics.
Certain of our portfolio companies’ businesses could be adversely affected by the effects of health pandemics or epidemics. The outbreak of such epidemics/pandemics, together with any resulting restrictions on travel or quarantines imposed, has had and will continue to have a negative impact on the economy and business activity globally (including in the regions in which the Company invests), and thereby may adversely affect the performance of the Company’s investments. Furthermore, the rapid development of epidemics/pandemics could preclude prediction as to their ultimate adverse impact on economic and market conditions, and, as a result, presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company and the performance of its investments. Another severe health pandemic or epidemic can disrupt our and our portfolio companies’ businesses and materially and adversely impact our and/or their financial results.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure
We are a relatively new company and have limited operating history.
We are a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that will elect to be regulated as a BDC with a limited operating history. As a result, we have limited financial information on which an investor can evaluate an investment in the Company or our prior performance. We are subject to all of the business risks and uncertainties associated with any new business, including the risk that we will not achieve our investment objective and that the value of an investor’s investment could decline substantially or an investor’s investment could become worthless. We anticipate that it will take multiple years to invest substantially all of the capital commitments received by us from this offering due to the time necessary to identify, evaluate, structure, negotiate and close suitable investments in private corporate borrowers. To the extent required to comply with diversification requirements during the startup period, we will use funds to invest in temporary investments, such as cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, which we expect will earn yields substantially lower than the interest, dividend or other income that we anticipate receiving in respect of suitable portfolio investments. We may not be able to pay any significant dividends during this period, and any such dividends may be substantially lower than the dividends we expect to pay when our portfolio is fully invested.
We will pay a management fee to the Adviser throughout this startup period (other than during the period during which fees have been waived by the Adviser). If the management fee and our other expenses exceed the return on the temporary investments, our equity capital will be eroded.
Our Board of Trustees may change our operating policies and strategies without prior notice or shareholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse to our results of operations and financial condition.
Our Board of Trustees has the authority to modify or waive our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies without prior notice and without shareholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, NAV, operating results and value of our shares. However, the effects might be adverse, which could negatively impact our ability to pay you distributions and cause you to lose all or part of your investment. Moreover, we have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds from our continuous offering and may use the net proceeds from our continuous offering in ways with which investors may not agree or for purposes other than those contemplated in this Annual Report.
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We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.
A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we make. We compete with public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies, other BDCs and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity funds. Competition for investment opportunities intensifies from time to time and may intensify further in the future. Some of our existing and potential competitors are substantially larger and have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and 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 and valuation requirements that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC and that the Code imposes on us as a RIC. We cannot assure you that the competitive pressures we face will not have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Also, as a result of this existing and potentially increasing competition, we may not be able to take of investment from time to time, and we can offer no assurance that we will be to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.
We do not seek to compete primarily based on the interest rates we offer, and we believe that some of our competitors make loans with interest rates that are comparable to or lower than the rates we offer.
We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. The loss of such investment opportunities may limit our ability to grow or cause us to have to shrink the size of our portfolio, which could decrease our earnings. If we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss.
We intend to borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.
As part of our business strategy, we intend borrow from and may in the future issue senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Holders of these loans or senior securities would have fixed-dollar claims on our assets that have priority over the claims of our shareholders. If the value of our assets decreases, leverage will cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have without leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have if we had not borrowed. This decline could negatively affect our ability to make dividend payments on our Common Shares. Our ability to service our borrowings depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Adviser’s and our Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure investors that we will be to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us.
We have entered and intend to enter into credit facilities or issue debt pursuant to indentures that may impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, remedies on default and similar matters. Our compliance with these covenants depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Failure to comply with these covenants could result in a default. If we were unable to obtain a waiver of a default from the lenders or holders of that indebtedness, as applicable, those lenders or holders could accelerate repayment under that indebtedness. An acceleration could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Lastly, we may be unable to obtain additional leverage, which would, in turn, affect our return on capital.
Most of our portfolio investments will be recorded at fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser and under the oversight of our Board of Trustees and, as a result, there will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.
A large percentage of our portfolio investments will not be publicly traded. The fair value of these investments may not be readily determinable. We value these investments quarterly, or as necessary for a Drawdown Purchase, at fair value (based on ASC 820, its corresponding guidance and the principal markets in which these investments trade) as determined in good faith by the Adviser and under the oversight of our Board of Trustees pursuant to a written valuation policy and a consistently applied valuation process. The types of factors that may be considered in fair value pricing of these investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to more liquid securities, indices and other market-related inputs, discounted cash flow, our principal market and other relevant factors. For these securities for which a quote is either not readily available or deemed not to represent fair value, we utilize independent valuation firms to assist with valuation of these Level 3 investments. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a readily available market for these investments existed and may differ materially from the amounts we realize on any disposition of such investments. Our NAV could be affected if our determinations regarding the fair value of these investments were materially higher than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments. In addition, decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized . Unprecedented in prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets have resulted in significant net unrealized in our portfolio, as well as a reduction in NAV, in the past. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized and may continue to additional unrealized in future periods, which could have a material impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
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The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
We intend to generally make investments in private companies. Substantially all of these securities are subject to legal and other restrictions on resale or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of our investments may make it difficult for us to sell such investments if the need arises. 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 our investments. Furthermore, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we or an affiliated manager of AGM has material non-public information regarding such portfolio company.
Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.
We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates (including portfolio companies of other clients) without the prior approval of a majority of the independent members of our Board of Trustees and, in some cases, the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities will be our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act and generally we will be prohibited from buying or selling any securities from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our Board of Trustees. However, we may under certain circumstances purchase any such affiliate’s loans or securities in the secondary market, which could create a conflict for the Adviser between our interests and the interests of such affiliate, in that the ability of the Adviser to recommend actions in our best interest may be limited. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or closely related times), without prior approval of our Board of Trustees and, in some cases, the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we will be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions (including certain co-investments) with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers, Trustees, investment advisers, sub-advisers or their affiliates. As a result of these restrictions, we may be prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to any fund or any portfolio company of a fund managed by the Adviser, or entering into joint arrangements such as certain co-investments with these companies or funds without the prior approval of the SEC, which may limit the scope of investment that would otherwise be available to us.
We have obtained exemptive relief from the SEC that allows us to engage in co-investment transactions with the Adviser and its affiliates, subject to certain terms and conditions. However, while the terms of the exemptive relief require that the Adviser will be given the opportunity to cause us to participate in certain transactions originated by affiliates of the Adviser, the Adviser may determine that we should not participate in those transactions and for certain other transactions (as set forth in guidelines approved by the Board of Trustees) the Adviser may not have the opportunity to cause us to participate.
There are significant potential conflicts of interest which could adversely affect our investment returns.
Allocation of Personnel. Potential investment and disposition opportunities are generally approved by our portfolio managers depending on the underlying investment type and/or the amount of such investment. Our executive officers and trustees, and the partners of our Adviser, ACM, 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 managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which might not be in the best interests of us or our shareholders. Moreover, we note that, notwithstanding the difference in principal investment objectives between us and other AGM funds, such other AGM sponsored funds, including new affiliated potential pooled investment vehicles or managed accounts not yet established (whether managed or sponsored by AGM or ACM itself), have and may from time to time have overlapping investment objectives with us and, accordingly, invest in, whether principally or secondarily, asset classes similar to those targeted by us. To the extent such other investment vehicles have overlapping investment objectives, the scope of opportunities otherwise available to us may be adversely affected and/or reduced. As a result, certain partners of ACM may face conflicts in their time management and commitments as well as in the allocation of investment to other AGM funds. In addition, in the event such investment are allocated among us and other investment vehicles managed or sponsored by, or affiliated with, ACM our investment portfolio may be affected. Although ACM endeavors to allocate investment in a fair and equitable manner, it is possible that we may not be given the to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by ACM or investment managers affiliated with ACM.
Information Barriers. Apollo currently operates without ethical screens or information barriers that some other investment management firms implement to separate persons who make investment decisions from others who might possess material nonpublic information that could influence such decisions. In an effort to manage possible risks arising from Apollo’s decision not to implement such screens, Apollo maintains a code of ethics (the “Code of Ethics”) and provides training to relevant personnel with respect to conflicts of interest and how such conflicts are identified and resolved under Apollo’s policies and procedures. In addition, Apollo’s compliance department maintains a list of restricted securities with respect to which Apollo could have access to material nonpublic information and in which the Adviser or one or more of its affiliates acts as general partner, manager, managing member, investment adviser, sponsor or in a similar capacity (collectively, including the Company, “Apollo Clients”) are not permitted to trade. In the event that any employee of Apollo obtains such material nonpublic information, Apollo will be restricted in acquiring or disposing of the relevant investments on behalf of Apollo Clients, which could impact the returns generated for such Apollo Clients.
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Notwithstanding the maintenance of restricted securities lists and other internal controls, it is possible that the internal controls relating to the management of material nonpublic information could fail and result in Apollo, or one of its investment professionals or other employees, buying or selling a security while, at least constructively, in possession of material nonpublic information. Inadvertent trading on material nonpublic information could have adverse effects on Apollo’s reputation, result in the imposition of regulatory or financial sanctions and, as a consequence, negatively impact Apollo’s ability to provide its investment management services to Apollo Clients. In addition, Apollo’s investment professionals or other employees will acquire, in their capacities as investment professionals or otherwise of one or more Apollo Clients (including the Company), nonpublic information regarding investment opportunities, business methodologies, strategies and other proprietary information that is shared with and ultimately used for the benefit of other Apollo Clients, including Apollo Clients (other than the Company) within Apollo’s credit business segment or in Apollo’s private equity or real assets business segments. Although Apollo will endeavor to ensure that such information sharing and use does not the Company or one or more other Apollo Clients, there can be no assurance that such endeavors will be sufficient or .
While Apollo currently operates without information barriers on an integrated basis, Apollo could be required by certain regulations, or decide that it is advisable, to establish information barriers. In such event, Apollo’s ability to operate as an integrated platform would be impaired, which would limit the Adviser’s access to certain Apollo personnel and could adversely impact its ability to manage the Company’s investments. The establishment of such information barriers could also lead to operational disruptions and result in restructuring costs, including costs related to hiring additional personnel as existing investment professionals are allocated to either side of such barriers, which could adversely affect Apollo’s business and the Company.
Co-Investment Activity and Allocation of Investment Opportunities.
The Adviser can allocate co-investment opportunities among Co-Investors in any manner it deems appropriate in its sole discretion taking into account those factors that it deems relevant under the circumstances, including:
the character or nature of the co-investment opportunity (e.g., its size, structure, geographic location, relevant industry, tax characteristics, timing and any contemplated minimum commitment threshold);
the level of demand for participation in such co-investment opportunity;
the ability of a prospective Co-Investor to analyze or consummate a potential co-investment opportunity, including on an expedited basis;
certainty of funding and whether a prospective Co-Investor has the financial resources to provide the requisite capital;
the investing objectives and existing portfolio of the prospective Co-Investor;
as noted above, whether a prospective Co-Investor is a private fund or similar person or business sponsored, managed or advised by persons other than Apollo;
the reporting, public relations, competitive, confidentiality or other issues that may also arise as a result of the co-investment;
the legal, tax or regulatory constraints to which the proposed investment is expected to give rise or that are applicable to a prospective Co-Investor;
the ability of the prospective Co-Investor to make commitments to invest in other Apollo Clients (including contemporaneously with the applicable co-investment);
Apollo’s own interests;
the prospective Co-Investor can provide a strategic, sourcing or similar benefit to Apollo, the Company, a Portfolio Company or one or more of their respective affiliates due to industry expertise, regulatory expertise, end-user expertise or otherwise;
the prospective Co-Investor’s existing or prospective relationship with Apollo; and
with respect to the Company, the restrictions set forth in the Order.
“Co-Investors” and any similar terminology are intended to refer to investment opportunities that are allocated to the Company based on its investment strategy and objectives and with respect to which the Adviser has, in each case, in its sole discretion, determined that it is appropriate to offer the opportunity to co-invest alongside the Company to one or more such Co-Investors. Some of the Co-Investors with whom the Company may co-invest have pre-existing investments with Apollo, and the terms of such pre-existing investments may differ from the terms upon which such persons may invest with the Company in such investment.
With respect to allocations influenced by Apollo’s own interests, there may be a variety of circumstances where Apollo will be incentivized to afford co-investment opportunities to one Co-Investor over another. For example, depending on the fee structure of the co-investment opportunity, if any, Apollo may be economically incentivized to offer such co-investment opportunity to certain Co-Investors over others based on its economic arrangement with such Co-Investors in connection with the applicable co-investment opportunity or otherwise. Additionally, Apollo may be contractually incentivized or obligated to offer certain Co-Investors a minimum amount of co-investment opportunities or otherwise bear adverse economic consequences for failure to do so, which consequences may include, a loss of future economic rights, including carried interest or other incentive arrangements.
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Apollo may allocate co-investment opportunities to prospective Co-Investors that ultimately decline to participate in the offered co-investment. In such instance, if another Co-Investor is not identified, the certain Apollo Clients may be unable to consummate an investment, or may end up holding a larger portion of an investment than Apollo had initially anticipated. To the extent that this happens, the Apollo Client may have insufficient capital to pursue other opportunities or may not achieve its intended portfolio diversification.
The Company may co-invest together with other Apollo Clients in some or all of the Company’s investment opportunities, consistent with the Order. Apollo may also offer co-investment opportunities to Apollo co-investment vehicles (which may include participation by Apollo professionals and employees and other Apollo Clients or entities and other key advisors/relationships of Apollo). In determining the allocation of such co-investment opportunities, Apollo considers a multitude of factors, including its own interest in investing in the opportunity, including the Apollo Co-Investment Percentage. With respect to the Company, any co-investment expenses shall be paid consistent with the Order. With respect to other Co-Investors that committed to participate in a particular unconsummated co-investment, such Co-Investors shall bear their proportionate share of any fees, costs or expenses related to such unconsummated co-investment, such as reverse break-up fees or broken deal expenses.
Fees and Expenses. In the course of our investing activities, we pay management and incentive fees to ACM, and reimburse ACM for certain expenses it incurs. As a result, investors in our Common Shares invest on a “gross” basis and receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, resulting in, among other things, a lower rate of return than one might achieve through direct investments. As a result of this arrangement, there may be times when the management team of ACM has interests that differ from those of our common shareholders, giving rise to a conflict.
We are allowed to borrow amounts such that our asset coverage, as calculated pursuant to the 1940 Act, equals at least 150% after such borrowing (i.e., we are able to borrow up to two dollars for every dollar we have in assets less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities issued by us). Accordingly, the Adviser may have conflicts of interest in connection with decisions to use increased leverage permitted under our modified asset coverage requirement applicable to senior securities, as the incurrence of such additional indebtedness would result in an increase in the Management Fees payable to the Adviser and may also result in an increase in the Incentive Fees payable to the Adviser.
ACM receives a quarterly incentive fee based, in part, on our pre-incentive fee income, if any, for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. This incentive fee will not be payable to ACM unless the pre-incentive net investment income exceeds the performance threshold. To the extent we or ACM are able to exert influence over our portfolio companies, the quarterly pre-incentive fee may provide ACM with an incentive to induce our portfolio companies to prepay interest or other obligations in certain circumstances.
Allocation of Expenses. We entered into a royalty-free license agreement (the “License Agreement”) with Apollo IP Holdings, LLC, pursuant to which Apollo IP Holdings, LLC has agreed to grant us a non-exclusive license to use the name “Apollo.” Under the license agreement, we have the right to use the “Apollo” name for so long as ACM or one of its affiliates remains the Adviser. In addition, we rent office space from ACM, and pay ACM our allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by ACM in performing its obligations under the administration agreement, including our allocable portion of the compensation, rent and other expenses of our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Legal Officer and Chief Compliance Officer and their respective staffs, which can create conflicts of interest that our Board of Trustees must monitor.
Our Declaration of Trust includes exclusive forum and jury trial waiver provisions that could limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim, make it more expensive or inconvenient for a shareholder to bring a claim, or, if such provisions are deemed inapplicable or unenforceable by a court, may cause the Company to incur additional costs associated with such action.
Our Declaration of Trust provides that, to the fullest extent permitted by law, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any derivative action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Company, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach of a duty owed by any trustee, officer or other agent of the Company to the Company or our shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of Title 12 of the Delaware Code, Delaware statutory or common law, our Declaration of Trust or the Bylaws, or (iv) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs (or similar) doctrine shall be the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware or, if such court does not have subject matter jurisdiction thereof, any other court in the State of Delaware with subject matter jurisdiction; provided, however, that the U.S. federal district courts shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the 1940 Act, the Securities Act, and the Exchange Act. The exclusive federal forum provision may expose investors to increased risks to bringing , including increased expense, decreased convenience and the possibility that the federal forum provision may not be enforceable since both the Securities Act and 1940 Act permit investors to bring arising from these Acts in both state and federal courts.
In addition, our Declaration of Trust provides that no shareholder may maintain a derivative action on behalf of the Company unless (i) the shareholder makes a pre-suit demand upon the Trustees and (ii) affords the Trustees a reasonable amount of time to consider such request and to investigate the basis of such claim. Except for claims arising under the U.S. federal securities laws, including, without limitation, the 1940 Act, (i) any claim must be brought as a derivative claim, irrespective of whether such claim involves a violation of the shareholder’s rights under our Declaration of Trust or any other alleged violation of contractual or individual rights that might otherwise give rise to a direct claim, (ii) the Trustees shall be entitled to retain counsel and other advisors in considering the merits of the request and may require such shareholder to reimburse the Company for the expense of any such advisors in the event that the Trustees determine not to bring such action, and (iii) holders of at least 10% of the outstanding shares must join in the bringing of such action. These provisions of our Declaration of Trust may make it more difficult for shareholders to bring a derivative action than a company without such provisions.
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Our Declaration of Trust also includes an irrevocable waiver of the right to trial by jury in all such claims, suits, actions and proceedings. Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring any of our Common Shares shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to these provisions of our Declaration of Trust. The exclusive forum provision, derivative action provision and jury trial waiver provision may limit a shareholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum or in a manner that it finds favorable for disputes with the Company or the Company’s trustees or officers, which may discourage such lawsuits. Alternatively, if a court were to find the exclusive forum provision, derivative action provision or the jury trial waiver provision to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions or in other manners, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Notwithstanding any of the foregoing, neither we nor any of our investors are permitted to waive compliance with any provision of the U.S. federal securities laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
We and our portfolio companies may experience cyber security incidents and are subject to cyber security risks.
Our business and the business of our portfolio companies relies upon secure information technology systems for data processing, storage and reporting. Despite careful security and controls design, implementation and updating, our and our portfolio company’s information technology systems could become subject to cyber- attacks. Cyber-attacks include, but are not limited to, gaining unauthorized access to digital systems (e.g., through “hacking”, malicious software coding, social engineering or “phishing” attempts) for purposes of misappropriating assets or sensitive information, corrupting data, or causing operational disruption. Cyber-attacks may also be carried out in a manner that does not require gaining unauthorized access, such as causing denial-of service attacks on websites (i.e., efforts to make network services unavailable to intended users). Our employees and the Adviser’s employees have been and expect to continue to be the target of calls, emails and other forms of activities. Network, system, application and data could result in operational or information , which could have a material effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition or the business, results of operations and financial conditions of our portfolio companies.
Cyber security failures or breaches by the Adviser and other service providers (including, but not limited to, accountants, custodians, transfer agents and administrators), and the issuers of securities in which we invest, have the ability to cause disruptions and impact business operations, potentially resulting in financial losses, interference with our ability to calculate our net asset value, impediments to trading, the inability of our shareholders to transact business, violations of applicable privacy and other laws, regulatory fines, penalties, reputational damage, reimbursement or other compensation costs, or additional compliance costs. In addition, substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. While we have established a business continuity plan in the event of, and risk management systems to prevent, such cyber-attacks, there are inherent in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. Furthermore, we cannot control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by our service providers and issuers in which we invest. We and our shareholders could be impacted as a result. The costs related to cyber or other security or may not be fully insured or indemnified by other means. In addition, cyber-security has become a top priority for regulators around the world, and some jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals of data security involving certain types of personal data. If we to comply with the relevant laws and regulations, we could financial , a of our businesses, liability to investors, regulatory intervention or reputational .
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.
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, , increased costs, and/or regulatory .
Our Board of Trustees may amend our Declaration of Trust without prior shareholder approval.
Our Board of Trustees may, without shareholder vote, subject to certain exceptions, amend or otherwise supplement the Declaration of Trust by making an amendment, a Declaration of Trust supplemental thereto or an amended and restated Declaration of Trust, including without limitation to classify the Board of Trustees, to impose advance notice bylaw provisions for Trustee nominations or for shareholder proposals, to require super-majority approval of transactions with significant shareholders or other provisions that may be characterized as anti-takeover in nature.
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We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser for our future success and upon their access to AGM’s investment professionals and partners.
We depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of the senior management of ACM specifically and AGM generally. Members of our senior management may depart at any time. We also depend, to a significant extent, on ACM’s access to the investment professionals and partners of AGM and the information and deal flow generated by the AGM investment professionals in the course of their investment and portfolio management activities. The senior management of ACM evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes and monitors our investments. Our future success depends on the continued service of senior members of AGM’s credit platform, including the senior management team of ACM. The departure of our senior management, any senior managers of ACM, or of a significant number of the investment professionals or partners of AGM, could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective. In addition, we can offer no assurance that ACM will remain our Adviser or that we will continue to have access to AGM’s partners and investment professionals or its information and deal flow.
Any failure on our part to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.
If we do not remain a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to substantially more 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.
We may issue debt securities or preferred shares and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities,” up to the maximum amount permitted by the 1940 Act. As a BDC, we currently are required to meet an asset coverage ratio of total assets to total borrowings and other senior securities, which include all of our borrowings and any preferred share we may issue in the future, of at least 150%. This means that for every $100 of net assets, we may raise $200 from senior securities, such as borrowings or issuing preferred shares. If this ratio declines below 150%, the contractual arrangements governing these securities may require us to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous.
BDCs may issue and sell common shares at a price below net asset value per share only in limited circumstances, one of which is during the one-year period after shareholder approval. Although we currently do not have such authority, we may in the future seek to receive such authority on terms and conditions set forth in the corresponding proxy statement. There is no assurance such approvals will be obtained.
In the event we sell, or otherwise issue, shares of our Common Shares at a price below net asset value per share, existing shareholders will experience net asset value dilution and the investors who acquire shares in such offering may thereafter experience the same type of dilution from subsequent offerings at a discount. For example, if we sell an additional 10% of our common shares at a 5% discount from net asset value, a shareholder who does not participate in that offering for its proportionate interest will suffer net asset value dilution of up to 0.5% or $5 per $1,000 of net asset value.
In addition to issuing securities to raise capital as described above, we may in the future securitize our loans to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize loans, we may create a wholly-owned subsidiary, contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary and have the subsidiary issue primarily investment grade debt securities to purchasers who we would expect would be willing to accept a substantially lower interest rate than the loans earn. We would retain all or a portion of the equity in the securitized pool of loans. Our retained equity would be exposed to any losses on the portfolio of loans before any of the debt securities would be exposed to such losses. An inability to successfully securitize our loan portfolio could limit our ability to grow our business and fully execute our business strategy and adversely affect our earnings, if any. Moreover, the successful securitization of our loan portfolio might expose us to losses as the residual loans in which we do not sell interests will tend to be those that are and more apt to generate .
We may in the future determine to fund a portion of our investments with preferred shares, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss and the risks of investing in us in the same way as our borrowings.
Preferred shares, which are another form of leverage, have the same risks to our common shareholders as borrowings because the dividends on any preferred shares we issue must be cumulative. Payment of such dividends and repayment of the liquidation preference of such preferred shares must take preference over any dividends or other payments to our common shareholders, and preferred shareholders 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.
We may suffer credit losses.
Investment in corporate borrowers are highly speculative and involves a high degree of risk of credit loss. These risks are likely to increase during volatile economic periods, as the U.S. and many other economies have experienced. See “—Risks Relating to Our Investments.”
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If we fail to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, we may not be able to accurately report our financial results or prevent fraud. As a result, shareholders could lose confidence in our financial and other public reporting, which would harm our business and the trading price of our Common Shares.
Effective internal controls over financial reporting are necessary for us to provide reliable financial reports and, together with adequate disclosure controls and procedures, are designed to prevent fraud. Any failure to implement required new or improved controls, or difficulties encountered in their implementation could cause us to fail to meet our reporting obligations. In addition, any testing by us conducted in connection with Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, or the subsequent testing by our independent registered public accounting firm (when undertaken), may reveal deficiencies in our internal controls over financial reporting that are deemed to be material weaknesses or that may require prospective or retroactive changes to our financial statements or identify other areas for further attention or improvement. Inferior internal controls could also cause investors and lenders to lose confidence in our reported financial information, which could have a effect on the trading price of our Common Shares.
Changes in the laws or regulations governing our business or the businesses of our portfolio companies and any failure by us or our portfolio companies to comply with these laws or regulations, could negatively affect the profitability of our operations or of our portfolio companies.
We are subject to changing rules and regulations of federal and state governments. In particular, changes in the laws or regulations or the interpretations of the laws and regulations that govern BDCs, RICs or non-depository commercial lenders could significantly affect our operations and our cost of doing business. We are subject to federal, state and local laws and regulations and are subject to judicial and administrative decisions that affect our operations, including our loan originations, maximum interest rates, fees and other charges, disclosures to portfolio companies, the terms of secured transactions, collection and foreclosure procedures and other trade practices. If these laws, regulations or decisions change, or if we expand our business into jurisdictions that have adopted more stringent requirements than those in which we currently conduct business, we may have to incur significant expenses in order to comply, or we might have to restrict our operations. In addition, if we do not comply with applicable laws, regulations and decisions, we may lose licenses needed for the conduct of our business and be subject to civil fines and criminal penalties, any of which could have a material adverse effect upon our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business will require a substantial amount of capital to grow because we must distribute most of our income.
Our business will require a substantial amount of capital. We intend to issue equity securities and borrow from financial institutions. A reduction in the availability of new capital could limit our ability to grow. We must distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income to maintain our RIC status. As a result, any such cash earnings may not be available to fund investment originations. We expect to borrow from financial institutions and issue additional debt and equity securities. If we fail to obtain funds from such sources or from other sources to fund our investments, it could limit our ability to grow, which may have an adverse effect on the value of our securities. In addition, as a BDC, our ability to borrow or issue additional preferred shares may be restricted if our total assets are less than 150% of our total borrowings and preferred shares.
We may choose to pay dividends in our own Common Shares, in which case you may be required to pay federal income taxes in excess of the cash dividends you receive.
We may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in cash and shares of our Common Shares at the election of each shareholder. The Internal Revenue Service has issued guidance on cash/stock dividends paid by publicly traded RICs where certain requirements are satisfied, including that the cash component is at least 20%. Shareholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend (including the portion payable in share) as ordinary income (or, in certain circumstances, long-term capital gain) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for federal income tax purposes. As a result, shareholders may be required to pay income taxes with respect to such dividends in excess of the cash dividends received. If a U.S. shareholder sells the Common Shares that it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our Common Shares at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. shareholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. tax with respect to such dividends, including in respect of all or a portion of such dividend that is payable in Common Shares. In addition, if a significant number of our shareholders determine to sell our Common Shares in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our Common Shares. It is unclear whether and to what extent we would choose to pay taxable dividends in cash and Common Shares.
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To the extent original issue discount (“OID”) and payment-in- kind (“PIK”) interest constitute a portion of our income, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash representing such income.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as OID, which may arise if, for example, we receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan or PIK interest, which represents contractual interest added to the loan balance and typically due at the end of the loan term, or possibly in other circumstances. Such OID is included in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments and could be significant relative to our overall investment activities. Loans structured with these features may represent a higher level of credit risk than loans the interest on which must be paid in cash at regular intervals. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we do not receive in cash. To the extent zero coupon bonds and PIK loans constitute a significant portion of our income, investors will be exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash, including: (1) higher interest rates, reflecting the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with these instruments; (2) unreliable valuations because PIK loans’ continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral; (3) greater susceptibility to interest rate changes and more than securities that pay interest periodically and in cash; (4) that required cash distributions may have to be paid from offering proceeds or the sale of Company assets without notice to investors since OID income is accrued without any cash being received by the Company; (5) an increased loan-to-value ratio, a measure of the riskiness of a loan, due to the deferral of PIK interest; (6) that even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, the borrower could still when the Company’s actual payment is due at the maturity of the loan; and (7) OID creates the risk of non-refundable cash payments to our Adviser based on non-cash accruals that may never be realized.
The incentive fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include some interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible. Consequently, while we may make incentive fee payments on income accruals that we may not collect in the future and with respect to which we do not have a formal clawback right against our Adviser per se, the amount of accrued income written off in any period will reduce the income in the period in which such write-off was taken and thereby reduce such period’s incentive fee payment.
Since in certain cases we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the tax requirement to distribute at least 90% of our investment company taxable income to maintain our status as a RIC. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations in order to meet distribution and/or leverage requirements.
Our financial condition and results of operations depend on our ability to manage future growth effectively.
Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends, in part, on our ability to grow, which depends, in turn, on ACM’s ability to identify, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of ACM’s structuring of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services to us and our access to financing on acceptable terms. The senior management team of ACM has substantial responsibilities under the investment advisory management agreement, and with respect to certain members, in connection with their roles as officers of other AGM funds.
They may also be called upon to provide managerial assistance to our portfolio companies. These demands on their time may distract them or slow the rate of investment. In order to grow, we and ACM may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. Any failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
We may experience fluctuations in our periodic results.
We could experience fluctuations in our periodic operating results due to a number of factors, including the interest rates payable on the debt securities we acquire, the default rate on such securities, the level of our expenses (including the interest rates payable on our borrowings), the dividend rates on preferred shares we issue, 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 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 Shares and our ability to pay dividends.
Our business is dependent on our Adviser 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
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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 Shares and our ability to pay dividends to our shareholders.
The effect of global climate change may impact the operations of our portfolio companies.
There is evidence of global climate change. Climate change creates physical and financial risk and some of our portfolio companies may be adversely affected by climate change. For example, the needs of customers of energy companies vary with weather conditions, primarily temperature and humidity. To the extent weather conditions are affected by climate change, energy use could increase or decrease depending on the duration and magnitude of any changes. Increased energy use due to weather changes may require additional investments by our portfolio companies engaged in the energy business in more pipelines and other infrastructure to serve increased demand. Increases in the cost of energy also could adversely affect the cost of operations of our portfolio companies if the use of energy products or services is material to their business. A decrease in energy use due to weather changes may affect some of our portfolio companies’ financial condition, through decreased revenues. Extreme weather conditions in general require more system backup, adding to costs, and can contribute to increased system stresses, including service interruptions. Energy companies could also be affected by the potential for lawsuits against or taxes or other regulatory costs imposed on greenhouse gas emitters, based on links drawn between greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.
Our Adviser and Administrator have the right to resign on 120 days’ or 60 days’ notice, respectively, 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 business, financial condition and results of operations.
Our Adviser and Administrator have the right, under our Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement, respectively, to resign at any time upon not less than 120 days’ or 60 days’ written notice, respectively, whether we have found a replacement or not. If our Adviser or our Administrator resigns, we may not be able to find a replacement or hire internal management or administration with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 120 days or 60 days, as applicable, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our business, financial condition 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, the coordination of our internal management and investment activities or our internal administration activities, as applicable, is 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 Adviser and its affiliates or our Administrator and its affiliates. Even if we are to retain comparable management or administration, whether internal or external, the integration of such management or administration and their of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time that may affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
By originating loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to distressed lending risks.
As part of our lending activities, we may originate loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to us, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. We cannot assure investors that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our loans or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a company that we fund, we may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the loan advanced by us to the borrower.
Risks Relating to Our Investments
Our investments in portfolio companies are risky, and we could lose all or part of our investment.
Our investments may be risky and there is no limit on the amount of any such investments in which we may invest. In addition, investment analyses and decisions by the Company and the Adviser will often be undertaken on an expedited basis in order for the Company to take advantage of investment opportunities. In such cases, the information available to the Company and the Adviser at the time of an investment decision may be limited, and the Company and the Adviser may not have access to the detailed information necessary for a full evaluation of the investment opportunity. In addition, the financial information available to the Company and the Adviser may not be accurate or provided based upon accepted accounting methods. The Company and the Adviser will rely upon independent consultants or advisors in connection with the evaluation of proposed investments. There can be no assurance that these consultants or advisors will accurately evaluate such investments.
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Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.
Many of the portfolio companies in which we make investments may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and during these periods may be unable to repay the loans we made to them. See “Item 1A. Risk Factors—Risks Relating to the Current Environment— Certain of our portfolio companies’ businesses could be adversely affected by the effects of health pandemics or epidemics, which could have a negative impact on our and our portfolio companies’ businesses and operations.” Therefore, our non-performing assets may increase and the value of our portfolio may decrease during these periods as we are required to record our investments at their current fair value. Adverse economic conditions also 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 and our portfolio companies’ funding costs, limit our and our portfolio companies’ access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us or our portfolio companies. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and our operating results.
A portfolio company’s failure to satisfy financial or operating covenants imposed by us or other lenders could lead to defaults and, potentially, acceleration of the time when the loans are due and foreclosure on its secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize the portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt that we hold. We may incur additional expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms with a defaulting portfolio company. In addition, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we will actually provide significant managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors.
Our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged and a covenant breach by our portfolio companies may harm our operating results.
Some of our portfolio companies may be highly leveraged, which may have adverse consequences to these companies and to us as an investor. These companies may be subject to restrictive financial and operating covenants and the leverage may impair these companies’ ability to finance their future operations and capital needs. As a result, these companies’ flexibility to respond to changing business and economic conditions and to take advantage of business opportunities may be limited. Further, a leveraged company’s income and net assets will tend to increase or decrease at a greater rate than if borrowed money were not used.
A portfolio company’s 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 secured assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize a portfolio company’s 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.
There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to, among other things, lender liability or fraudulent conveyance claims.
We could, in certain circumstances, become subject to potential liabilities that may exceed the value of our original investment in a portfolio company that experiences severe financial difficulties. For example, we may be adversely affected by laws related to, among other things, fraudulent conveyances, voidable preferences, lender liability, and the bankruptcy court’s discretionary power to disallow, subordinate or disenfranchise particular claims or re-characterize investments made in the form of debt as equity contributions.
If we do not invest a sufficient portion of our assets in qualifying assets, we could fail to qualify as a BDC or be precluded from investing according to our current business strategy.
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% 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 be found to be in violation of the 1940 Act provisions applicable to BDCs. This would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Similarly, these rules could prevent us from making follow-on investments in existing portfolio companies (which could result in the dilution of our position) or could require us to dispose of investments at inappropriate times in order to come into compliance with the 1940 Act. Because most of our investments will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at prices and could result in substantial .
Our portfolio contains a limited number of portfolio companies, which subjects us to a greater risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt securities.
A consequence of the limited number of investments in our portfolio is that the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if one or more of our significant portfolio company investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one significant investment. Beyond our income tax diversification requirements, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our portfolio could contain relatively few portfolio companies.
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Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our portfolio.
Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “follow-on” investments, in order to: (1) increase or maintain in whole or in part our equity ownership percentage; (2) exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or subsequent financing; or (3) attempt to preserve or enhance the value of our investment.
We may elect not to make follow-on investments, may be constrained in our ability to employ available funds, or otherwise may lack sufficient funds to make those investments. We have the discretion to make any follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. The failure to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation. 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 concentration of risk, because we prefer other opportunities, or because we are inhibited by compliance with BDC requirements or the desire to maintain our tax status.
When we do not hold controlling equity interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over our portfolio companies or to prevent decisions by management of our portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.
We do not generally take controlling equity positions in our portfolio companies. To the extent that we do not hold a controlling equity interest in a portfolio company, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the shareholders and management of a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. Due to the lack of liquidity for the debt and equity investments that we typically hold in our portfolio companies, we may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company, and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.
An investment strategy focused primarily on privately-held companies presents certain challenges, including the lack of available information about these companies, a dependence on the talents and efforts of only a few key portfolio company personnel and a greater vulnerability to economic downturns.
We have invested and will continue to invest primarily in privately-held companies. Generally, little public information exists about these companies, and we are required to rely on the ability of ACM’s investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies.
If we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose money on our investments. Also, privately-held companies frequently have less diverse product lines and smaller market presence than public company competitors, which often are larger. These factors could affect our investment returns.
Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies.
We have invested and intend to invest primarily in mezzanine and senior debt securities issued by our portfolio companies. The portfolio companies usually have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. By their terms, such debt instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of the debt securities 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 in respect of our investment. 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 securities 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 of the relevant portfolio company.
In addition, we may not be in a position to control any portfolio company by investing in its debt securities. 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 their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors.
Our incentive fee may induce the Adviser to make certain investments, including speculative investments.
The incentive fee payable by us to ACM may create an incentive for ACM to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the incentive fee payable to ACM is determined, which is calculated separately in two components as a percentage of the net investment income (subject to a performance threshold) and as a percentage of the realized gain on invested capital, may encourage our Adviser to use leverage to increase the return on our investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor the holders of our Common Shares, including investors in offerings of Common Shares, securities convertible into our Common Shares or warrants representing rights to purchase our Common Shares or securities convertible into our Common Shares. In addition, ACM receives the incentive fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the portion of the incentive fee based on net investment income, there is no performance threshold applicable to the portion of the incentive fee based on net capital gains. As a result, ACM may have a tendency to invest more in investments that are likely to result in capital 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 , particularly during economic .
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The incentive fee payable by us to ACM also may create an incentive for ACM to invest on our behalf in instruments that have a deferred interest feature such as investments with PIK provisions. Under these investments, we would accrue the interest over the life of the investment but would typically not receive the cash income from the investment until the end of the term or upon the investment being called by the issuer. Our net investment income used to calculate the income portion of our incentive fee, however, includes accrued interest. The payment of incentive fees to ACM is made on accruals of expected cash interest. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the incentive fee will become uncollectible. Thus, while a portion of this incentive fee would be based on income that we have not yet received in cash and with respect to which we do not have a formal claw-back right against our Adviser per se, the amount of accrued income to the extent written off in any period will reduce the income in the period in which such write-off was taken and thereby reduce such period’s incentive fee payment. However, even if a loan is put on non-accrual status, its capitalized interest will not be reversed and may continue to be included in the calculation of the base management fee based on an estimation of the loan’s fair value.
We may invest, to the extent permitted by law, in the securities and instruments of other investment companies, including private funds, and, to the extent we so invest, will bear our ratable share of any such investment company’s expenses, including management and performance fees. We will also remain obligated to pay management and incentive fees to ACM with respect to the assets invested in the securities and instruments of other investment companies. With respect to each of these investments, each of our common shareholders will bear his or her share of the management and incentive fee of ACM as well as indirectly bearing the management and performance fees and other expenses of any investment companies in which we invest.
We may invest in “covenant-lite” obligations.
We may invest in, or obtain exposure to, obligations that may be “covenant-lite,” which means such obligations lack certain financial maintenance covenants. While these loans may still contain other collateral protections, a covenant-lite loan may carry more risk than a covenant-heavy loan made by the same borrower, as it does not require the borrower to provide affirmation that certain specific financial tests have been satisfied on a routine basis as is required under a covenant-heavy loan agreement. Should a loan we hold begin to deteriorate in quality, our ability to negotiate with the borrower may be delayed under a covenant-lite loan compared to a loan with full maintenance covenants. This may in turn delay our ability to seek to recover its investment.
Our investments in foreign securities may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.
Our investment strategy contemplates that a portion of our investments may be in securities of foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the United States, higher transaction costs, less government supervision of exchanges, brokers and issuers, less developed bankruptcy laws, difficulty in enforcing contractual obligations, lack of uniform accounting and auditing standards and greater price volatility. These risks are likely to be more pronounced for investments in companies located in emerging markets and particularly for middle market companies in these economies.
Although most of our investments are denominated in U.S. dollars, our investments that are denominated in a foreign currency are subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency may change in relation to one or more other currencies. Among the factors that may affect currency values are trade balances, the level of short-term interest rates, differences in relative values of similar assets in different currencies, long-term opportunities for investment and capital appreciation, and political developments. We may employ hedging techniques to minimize these risks, but we can offer no assurance that we will, in fact, hedge currency risk or, that if we do, such strategies will be effective.
Hedging transactions may expose us to additional risks.
If we engage in hedging transactions, we may expose ourselves to risks associated with such transactions. We may utilize instruments such as forward contracts, currency options and interest rate swaps, caps, collars and floors to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates and market interest rates. Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions does not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions decline. However, such hedging can establish other positions designed to gain from those same developments, thereby offsetting the decline in the value of such portfolio positions. Such hedging transactions may also limit the opportunity for gain if the values of the underlying portfolio positions should increase. Moreover, it may not be possible to hedge against an exchange rate or interest rate fluctuation that is so generally anticipated that we are not to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price.
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While we may enter into transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate and interest rate risks, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or interest rates may result in poorer overall investment performance than if we had not engaged in any such hedging transactions. In addition, the degree of correlation between price movements of the instruments used in a hedging strategy and price movements in the portfolio positions being hedged may vary. Moreover, for a variety of reasons, we may not seek to establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the portfolio holdings being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations. Our ability to engage in hedging transactions may also be adversely affected by any changes to the regulations applicable to the financial instruments we use to our hedging strategy and any rule changes enacted by the CFTC. In addition, tax rules governing our transactions in hedging instruments may affect whether and recognized by us are treated as ordinary or capital, accelerate our recognition of income or , , and cause adjustments in our holding periods of securities, thereby affecting, among other things, whether capital and are treated as short-term or long-term. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders.
New market structure requirements applicable to derivatives could significantly increase the costs of utilizing OTC derivatives.
The Dodd-Frank Act made broad changes to the OTC derivatives market, granted significant new authority to the CFTC and the SEC to regulate OTC derivatives (swaps and security-based swaps) and participants in these markets. Similar changes are in the process of being implemented in other major financial markets.
These changes include, but are not limited to: requirements that many categories of the most liquid OTC derivatives (currently limited to specified interest rate swaps and index credit default swaps) be executed on qualifying, regulated exchanges and be submitted for clearing; real-time public and regulatory reporting of specified information regarding OTC derivative transactions; and enhanced documentation requirements and recordkeeping requirements. U.S. regulators have also adopted rules imposing margin requirements for OTC derivatives executed with registered swap dealers or security-based swap dealers that are not cleared. The CFTC has implemented mandatory clearing and exchange-trading of certain OTC derivatives contracts including many standardized interest rate swaps and credit default index swaps. The CFTC continues to approve contracts for central clearing. Exchange-trading and central clearing are expected to reduce counterparty credit risk by substituting the clearinghouse as the counterparty to a swap and increase liquidity, but exchange-trading and central clearing do not make swap transactions risk-free. Uncleared swaps, such as nondeliverable foreign currency forwards, are subject to certain margin requirements that mandate the posting and collection of minimum margin amounts. This requirement may result in the portfolio and its counterparties posting higher margin amounts for uncleared swaps than would otherwise be the case. Certain rules require centralized reporting of detailed information about many types of cleared and uncleared swaps. Reporting of swap data may result in market , but may subject a portfolio to additional administrative , and the safeguards established to protect trader anonymity may not function as expected.
While these changes are intended to mitigate systemic risk and to enhance transparency and execution quality in the OTC derivative markets, the impact of these changes is not known at this time. Furthermore, “financial end users,” such as us, that enter into OTC derivatives that are not cleared will, pending finalization of the applicable regulations, generally be required to provide margin to collateralize their obligations under such derivatives. Under current proposed rules, the level of margin that would be required to be collected in connection with uncleared OTC derivatives is in many cases substantially greater than the level currently required by market participants or clearinghouses.
Lastly, future CFTC or SEC rulemakings to implement the Dodd-Frank Act requirements could potentially limit or completely restrict our ability to use certain instruments as a part of our investment strategy, increase the costs of using these instruments or make them less effective. The SEC has also indicated that it may adopt new policies on the use of derivatives by registered investment companies. Such policies could affect the nature and extent of our use of derivatives.
These changes could significantly increase the costs to us of utilizing OTC derivatives, reduce the level of exposure that we are able to obtain (whether for risk management or investment purposes) through OTC derivatives, and reduce the amounts available to us to make non-derivative investments. These changes could also impair liquidity in certain OTC derivatives and adversely affect the quality of execution pricing that we are able to obtain, all of which could adversely impact our investment returns. Furthermore, the margin requirements for cleared and uncleared OTC derivatives may require that ACM, in order to maintain its relief from the CFTC’s CPO registration requirements, limit our ability to enter into hedging transactions or to obtain synthetic investment exposures, in either case adversely affecting our ability to mitigate risk.
Our ability to enter into transactions involving derivatives and financial commitment transactions may be limited.
In August 2022, Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, regarding the ability of a BDC (or a registered investment company) to use derivatives and other transactions that create future payment or delivery obligations (except reverse repurchase agreements and similar financing transactions), became effective. Under the new rule, BDCs that make significant use of derivatives are required to operate subject to a value-at-risk leverage limit, adopt a derivatives risk management program and appoint a derivatives risk manager, and comply with various testing and board reporting requirements. These new requirements apply unless the BDC qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined under the adopted rules. Under the new rule, a BDC may enter into an unfunded commitment agreement that is not a derivatives transaction, such as an agreement to provide financing to a portfolio company, if the BDC has, among other things, a reasonable belief that, at the time it enters into such an agreement, it will have sufficient cash and cash equivalents to meet its obligations with respect to all of its unfunded commitment agreements, in each case as it becomes due. We currently operate as a “limited derivatives user” which may limit our ability to use derivatives and/or enter into certain other financial contracts. Based on our anticipated use of derivatives primarily for interest rate hedging purposes, we expect to qualify as a limited derivatives user under the rule. However, we cannot investors that we will be treated as a limited derivatives user or that our approach to our use of derivatives will not change.
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Our investments in the healthcare and pharmaceutical services industry are subject to extensive government regulation and certain other risks particular to that industry.
We invest in healthcare and pharmaceutical services. Our investments in portfolio companies that operate in this industry are subject to certain significant risks particular to that industry. The laws and rules governing the business of healthcare companies and interpretations of those laws and rules are subject to frequent change. Broad latitude is given to the agencies administering those regulations. Existing or future laws and rules could force our portfolio companies engaged in healthcare to change how they do business, restrict revenue, increase costs, change reserve levels and change business practices. Healthcare companies often must obtain and maintain regulatory approvals to market many of their products, change prices for certain regulated products and consummate some of their acquisitions and divestitures. Delays in obtaining or failing to obtain or maintain these approvals could reduce revenue or increase costs. Policy changes on the local, state and federal level, such as the expansion of the government’s role in the healthcare arena and alternative assessments and tax increases specific to the healthcare industry or healthcare products as part of federal health care reform initiatives, could fundamentally change the dynamics of the healthcare industry. In particular, health insurance reform, including The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act and The Health Care and Education Reconciliation Act of 2010, or Health Insurance Reform Legislation, could have a significant effect on our portfolio companies in this industry. As health insurance reform legislation is implemented, our portfolio companies in this industry may be to change how they do business. We can give no assurance that these portfolio companies will be to adapt in response to these changes. Any of these factors could materially affect the operations of a portfolio company in this industry and, in turn, our ability to timely collect principal and interest payments owed to us.
Risks Relating to Our Debt Instruments
We may default under our credit facilities.
In the event we default under a credit facility or other borrowings, our business could be adversely affected as we may be forced to sell a portion of our investments quickly and prematurely at what may be disadvantageous prices to us in order to meet our outstanding payment obligations and/or support working capital requirements under such borrowing facility, any of which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, following any such default, the agent for the lenders under such borrowing facility could assume control of the disposition of any or all of our assets which constitute collateral, including the selection of such assets to be disposed and the timing of such disposition, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Provisions in a credit facility may limit our investment discretion.
A credit facility may be backed by all or a portion of our loans and securities on which the lenders will have a security interest. We may pledge up to 100% of our assets and may grant a security interest in all of our assets under the terms of any debt instrument we enter into with lenders. We expect that any security interests we grant will be set forth in a pledge and security agreement and evidenced by the filing of financing statements by the agent for the lenders. In addition, we expect that the custodian for our securities serving as collateral for such loan would include in its electronic systems notices indicating the existence of such security interests and, following notice of occurrence of an event of default, if any, and during its continuance, will only accept transfer instructions with respect to any such securities from the lender or its designee. If we were to default under the terms of any debt instrument, the agent for the applicable lenders would be able to assume control of the timing of disposition of any or all of our assets securing such debt, which would have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition, any security interests and/or negative covenants required by a credit facility may limit our ability to create liens on assets to secure additional debt and may make it difficult for us to restructure or refinance indebtedness at or prior to maturity or obtain additional debt or equity financing. In addition, if our borrowing base under a credit facility were to decrease, we may be required to secure additional assets in an amount sufficient to cure any borrowing base deficiency. In the event that all of our assets are secured at the time of such a borrowing base deficiency, we could be required to repay advances under a credit facility or make deposits to a collection account, either of which could have a material adverse impact on our ability to fund future investments and to make distributions.
We also may be subject to limitations as to how borrowed funds may be used, which may include restrictions on geographic and industry concentrations, loan size, payment frequency and status, average life, collateral interests an investment ratings, as well as regulatory restrictions on leverage which may affect the amount of funding that may be obtained. There may also be certain requirements relating to portfolio performance, including required minimum portfolio yield and limitations on delinquencies and charge-offs, a violation of which could limit further advances and, in some cases, result in an event of default. An event of default under a credit facility could result in an accelerated maturity date for all amounts outstanding thereunder, which could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. This could reduce our liquidity and cash flow and impair our ability to grow our business.
We may form one or more CLOs, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.
To finance investments, we may securitize certain of our secured loans or other investments, including through the formation of one or more CLOs, while retaining all or most of the exposure to the performance of these investments. This would involve contributing a pool of assets to a special purpose entity, and selling debt interests in such entity on a non-recourse or limited-recourse basis to purchasers. It is possible that an interest in any such CLO held by us may be considered a “non-qualifying” portfolio investment for purposes of the 1940 Act.
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If we create a CLO, we will depend in part on distributions from the CLO’s assets out of its earnings and cash flows to enable us to make distributions to shareholders. The ability of a CLO to make distributions will be subject to various limitations, including the terms and covenants of the debt it issues. Also, a CLO may take actions that delay distributions in order to preserve ratings and to keep the cost of present and future financings lower or the CLO may be obligated to retain cash or other assets to satisfy over-collateralization requirements commonly provided for holders of the CLO’s debt, which could impact our ability to receive distributions from the CLO. If we do not receive cash flow from any such CLO that is necessary to satisfy the annual distribution requirement for maintaining RIC status, and we are unable to obtain cash from other sources necessary to satisfy this requirement, we may not maintain our qualification as a RIC, which would have a material adverse effect on an investment in the shares.
In addition, a decline in the credit quality of loans in a CLO due to poor operating results of the relevant borrower, declines in the value of loan collateral or increases in defaults, among other things, may force a CLO to sell certain assets at a loss, reducing their earnings and, in turn, cash potentially available for distribution to us for distribution to shareholders. To the extent that any losses are incurred by the CLO in respect of any collateral, such losses will be borne first by us as owner of equity interests in the CLO.
The manager for a CLO that we create may be the Company, the Adviser or an affiliate, and such manager may be entitled to receive compensation for structuring and/or management services. To the extent the Adviser or an affiliate other than the Company serves as manager and the Company is obligated to compensate the Adviser or the affiliate for such services, we, the Adviser or the affiliate will implement offsetting arrangements to assure that we, and indirectly, our shareholders, pay no additional management fees to the Adviser or the affiliate in connection therewith. To the extent we serve as manager, we will waive any right to receive fees for such services from the Company (and indirectly its shareholders) or any affiliate.
Risks Relating to an Investment in Our Common Shares
An investment in our Common Shares will have limited liquidity.
Our Common Shares constitute illiquid investments for which there is not a secondary market and none is expected to develop. An investment in the Company is suitable only for sophisticated investors and requires the financial ability and willingness to accept the high risks and lack of liquidity inherent in an investment in the Company. A shareholder generally may not Transfer its Common Shares without prior written consent of the Adviser, which the Adviser may grant or withhold in its sole discretion. Except in limited circumstances for legal or regulatory purposes, shareholders are not entitled to redeem their shares. Shareholders must be prepared to bear the economic risk of an investment in our Common Shares for an extended period of time.
There is a risk that investors in our Common Shares may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time.
We intend pay dividends to our shareholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure investors that we will achieve investment results or maintain a tax status that will allow or require any specified level of cash dividends or year-to-year increases in cash dividends. Our ability to pay dividends might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described herein. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a BDC or restrictions under our credit facilities, we may be limited in our ability to pay dividends. Although a portion of our expected earnings and dividend distributions will be attributable to net interest income, we do not expect to generate capital gains from the sale of our portfolio investments on a level or uniform basis from quarter to quarter. This may result in substantial fluctuations in our quarterly dividend payments.
In some cases where we receive certain upfront fees in connection with loans we originate, we treat the loan as having OID under applicable accounting and tax regulations, even though we have received the corresponding cash. In other cases, however, we may recognize income before or without receiving the corresponding cash, including in connection with the accretion of OID. For other risks associated with debt obligations treated as having OID, see “—Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure—To the extent OID and PIK interest constitute a portion of our income, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with such income being required to be included in taxable and accounting income prior to receipt of cash representing such income.”
Therefore, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code, even though we may not have received the corresponding cash amount. Accordingly, we may have to sell investments at times we would not otherwise consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level income tax.
To the extent that the amounts distributed by us exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these excess distributions will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a shareholder’s tax basis in his or her shares and then as capital gain. Reducing a shareholder’s tax basis will have the effect of increasing his or her gain (or reducing loss) on a subsequent sale of shares.
The part of the Incentive Fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the Incentive Fee will become uncollectible. Consequently, while we may make Incentive Fee payments on income accruals that we may not collect in the future and with respect to which we do not have a clawback right against our Adviser, the amount of accrued income written off in any period will reduce the income in the period in which the write-off is taken and thereby reduce that period’s Incentive Fee payment, if any.
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Certain shareholders, in addition to the Company, will be subject to Exchange Act filing requirements, which will result in increased costs to the Company and those particular shareholders.
Because our Common Shares will be registered under the Exchange Act, ownership information for any person who beneficially owns 5% or more of our Common Shares will have to be disclosed in a Schedule 13G or other filings with the SEC. Beneficial ownership for these purposes is determined in accordance with the rules of the SEC, and includes having voting or investment power over the securities. Each shareholder is responsible for determining their filing obligations and preparing the filings. In addition, shareholders who hold more than 10% of a class of our Common Shares may be subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act, which recaptures for the benefit of the Company profits from the purchase and sale of registered stock (and securities convertible or exchangeable into such registered stock) within a six-month period.
Shareholders will bear the responsibility for making all Exchange Act filings to which they may be subject, including paying for filing and any related legal costs, and are responsible for monitoring their ownership in the Company. Shareholders who fail to make required Exchange Act filings may face enforcement actions and fines from the SEC.
Additionally, the Company will be required to make ongoing Exchange Act filings, which will result in the Company incurring filing costs for each filing, in addition to the possibility of increased legal costs related to reviewing and approving filings.
Any unrealized losses we experience on our 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 the fair value as determined in good faith pursuant to procedures adopted by, and under the oversight of, our Board of Trustees. Decreases in the fair value of our investments relative to amortized cost will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio could be an indication of a portfolio company’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected loans. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution in future periods. In addition, decreases in the fair value of our investments will reduce our NAV.
Investing in our Common Shares may involve a high 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 volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our Common Shares may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.
There are severe economic consequences for defaulting shareholders.
If shareholders fail to fund their commitment obligations or to make required capital contributions when due, the Company’s ability to complete its investment program or otherwise continue operations may be substantially impaired. A shareholder’s failure to fund such amounts when due causes that shareholder to become a defaulting shareholder. A defaulting shareholder will have ten business days to cure its deficiency following the required funding date, after which the defaulting shareholder will forfeit its right to participate in future investments and 50% of its Common Shares will be transferred to the non-defaulting shareholders on a pro rata basis. If a substantial number of shareholders become defaulting shareholders, this may severely limit opportunities for investment diversification and would likely reduce returns to the Company and restrict the Company’s ability to meet loan obligations. Any single shareholder could cause substantial costs to be incurred by the Company if such causes the Company to to meet its contractual obligations or if the Company must pursue remedial action such shareholder.
If the Company fails to meet its contractual obligations related to a portfolio investment due to a defaulting shareholder, the relevant portfolio company may have a cause of action against the Company, which may include a claim against assets of the Company other than the Company’s interest in such portfolio company. A creditor of the Company (including a portfolio company with respect to which the Company has failed to meet its contractual obligations) will not be bound to satisfy its claims from the assets attributable to a particular portfolio investment and such creditor generally may seek to satisfy its claims from the assets of the Company as a whole. As a result, if a creditor’s claims relating to a particular portfolio investment exceed the net assets attributable to that portfolio investment, the remaining assets of the Company will likely be subject to such claim.
There are special considerations for certain benefit plan investors.
We intend to conduct our affairs so that our assets should not be deemed to constitute “plan assets” under ERISA and the Plan Asset Regulations. In this regard, until such time, if any, as our Common Shares are considered “publicly- offered securities” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations, we intend to limit investment in our Common Shares by Benefit Plan Investors to less than 25% of the total value of our Common Shares (within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations).
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If, notwithstanding our intent, the assets of the Company were deemed to constitute “plan assets” of any shareholder that is a Benefit Plan Investor under ERISA or the Plan Asset Regulations, this would result, among other things, in (i) the application of the prudence and other fiduciary responsibility standards of ERISA to investments made by the Company, and (ii) the possibility that certain transactions in which the Company might seek to engage could constitute “prohibited transactions” under ERISA and the Code. If a prohibited transaction occurs for which no exemption is available, the Adviser and/or any other fiduciary that has engaged in the prohibited transaction could be required to (i) restore to the Benefit Plan Investor any profit realized on the transaction and (ii) reimburse the Benefit Plan Investor for any losses suffered by the Benefit Plan Investor as a result of the investment. In addition, each “disqualified person” (within the meaning of Section 4975 of the Code) involved could be subject to an excise tax equal to 15% of the amount involved in the prohibited transaction for each year the transaction continues and, unless the transaction is within statutorily required periods, to an additional tax of 100%. The fiduciary of a Plan Investor who decides to invest in the Company could, under certain circumstances, be liable for prohibited transactions or other as a result of their investment in the Company or as co-fiduciaries for actions taken by or on behalf of the Company or the Adviser. With respect to a Plan Investor that is an individual retirement account (an “IRA”) that invests in the Company, the occurrence of a prohibited transaction involving the individual who established the IRA, or his or her beneficiaries, would cause the IRA to its tax-exempt status.
Accordingly, until such time, if any, as our Common Shares constitute “publicly traded securities” within the meaning of the Plan Asset Regulations, we have the power, among other things, to (a) reject, in whole or in part, the subscription of any prospective investor to the Company; (b) withhold consent to the Transfer of Common Shares, including in circumstances where the Adviser determines necessary or desirable in order to facilitate compliance with ERISA or the Plan Asset Regulations; and (c) call Drawdown Purchases on a non-pro rata basis, and all Common Shares of the Company shall be subject to such terms and conditions.
Federal Income Tax Risks
We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to maintain our status as a RIC.
To maintain our RIC status under the Code, we must meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and annual distribution requirements. The annual distribution requirement for a RIC generally is satisfied if we distribute at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income” (generally, our ordinary income and the excess, if any, of our net short-term capital gains over our net long-term capital losses), if any, to our shareholders on an annual basis. To the extent we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements and other financial covenants under loan and credit agreements, and could in some circumstances also become subject to such requirements under the 1940 Act, that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to maintain our status as a RIC. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to maintain our status as a RIC and, thus, may be subject to corporate-level income tax. 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 tests may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the of RIC status. Because most of our investments are in private companies, any such dispositions could be made at prices and may result in substantial . If we to maintain our status as a RIC for any reason and become subject to corporate-level income tax, the resulting corporate-level taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. Such a would have a material effect on us and our shareholders.
To maintain our status as a RIC in a subsequent year, we would be required to distribute to our shareholders our earnings and profits attributable to non-RIC years. In addition, if we failed to maintain our status as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, then we would be required to elect to recognize and pay tax on any net built-in gain (the excess of aggregate gain, including items of income, over aggregate loss that would have been realized if we had been liquidated) or, alternatively, be subject to taxation on such built-in gain recognized for a period of five years, in order to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year.
We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.
For federal income tax purposes, we may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive a corresponding payment in cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as zero coupon securities, debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, increasing interest rates or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. We may also have to include in income other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as deferred loan origination fees that are paid after origination of the loan or are paid in non-cash compensation such as warrants or stock, or we may engage in transactions, including debt modifications or exchanges, that require us to recognize income without the corresponding receipt of cash. We anticipate that a portion of our income may constitute original issue discount or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, we may elect to amortize market discount and include such amounts in our taxable income in the current year, instead of upon disposition, as an election not to do so would limit our ability to deduct interest expenses for tax purposes.
Because any original issue discount or other amounts accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our shareholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount. As a result, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code. 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 for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may not qualify for or maintain RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.
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If we do not qualify as a “publicly offered regulated investment company,” as defined in the Code, a non-corporate shareholder will be taxed as though it received a distribution of some of our expenses.
A “publicly offered regulated investment company” or “publicly offered RIC” is a RIC whose shares are either (i) continuously offered pursuant to a public offering within the meaning of Section 4 of the Securities Act, (ii) regularly traded on an established securities market or (iii) held by at least 500 persons at all times during the taxable year. While we generally expect to qualify as a RIC, we anticipate that we will not qualify as a publicly offered RIC immediately after the commencement of the Private Offering, although we may qualify as a publicly offered RIC upon the completion of the Private Offering. If we are a RIC that is not a publicly offered RIC for any period, a non-corporate shareholder’s allocable portion of our affected expenses, including our Management Fees, will be treated as an additional distribution to the shareholder and will be treated as miscellaneous itemized deductions that are deductible only to the extent permitted by applicable law. Under current law, such expenses will not be deductible by any such shareholder for tax years that begin prior to January 1, 2026 and are deductible subject to limitation thereafter.
Some of our investments may be subject to corporate-level income tax.
We may invest in certain debt and equity investments through taxable subsidiaries and the taxable income of these taxable subsidiaries will be subject to federal and state corporate income taxes. We may invest in certain foreign debt and equity investments which could be subject to foreign taxes (such as income tax, withholding and value added taxes).
Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues.
The Company expects to invest in debt securities that are rated below investment grade by rating agencies or that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Investments in these types of instruments may present special tax issues for the Company. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when the Company may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Company, to the extent necessary, to preserve its status as a RIC and to distribute sufficient income to not become subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Legislative or regulatory tax changes could adversely affect investors.
At any time, the federal income tax laws governing RICs or the administrative interpretations of those laws or regulations may be amended. Any of those new laws, regulations or interpretations may take effect retroactively and could adversely affect the taxation of us or our shareholders. Therefore, changes in tax laws, regulations or administrative interpretations or any amendments thereto could diminish the value of an investment in our Common Shares or the value or the resale potential of our investments.
Certain shareholders may be subject to U.S. dividend withholding tax on our distributions.
A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal dividend withholding tax on our distributions unless a withholding tax exemption applies. A shareholder may also be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax if it does not comply with applicable U.S. tax requirements to certify its status for U.S. tax purposes. Amounts that are withheld, to the extent in excess of the shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, can generally be recovered by filing a U.S. federal income tax return; however, the administrative burden and cost of filing such a U.S. federal income tax return may outweigh the benefit of recovering such amounts.
General Risk Factors
Volatility in the global financial markets could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Volatility in the global financial markets could have an adverse effect on the United States and could result from a number of causes. In recent years, financial markets have been affected at times by a number of global macroeconomic and political events, including the following: large sovereign debts and fiscal deficits of several countries in Europe and in emerging markets jurisdictions, levels of non-performing loans on the balance sheets of European banks and market volatility and loss of investor confidence driven by political events. The decision made in the United Kingdom to leave the EU has led to volatility in global financial markets and may lead to weakening in consumer, corporate and financial confidence in the United Kingdom and Europe.
Market and economic disruptions have affected, and may in the future affect, consumer confidence levels and spending, personal bankruptcy rates, levels of incurrence and default on consumer debt and home prices, among other factors. We cannot assure you that market disruptions in Europe, including the increased cost of funding for certain governments and financial institutions, will not impact the global economy, and we cannot assure you that assistance packages will be available, or if available, be sufficient to stabilize countries and markets in Europe or elsewhere affected by a financial crisis. To the extent uncertainty regarding any economic recovery in Europe negatively impacts consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.
The Chinese capital markets have also experienced periods of instability over the past several years. The current political climate has also intensified concerns about a potential trade war between the U.S. and China in connection with each country’s recent or proposed tariffs on the other country’s products. These market and economic disruptions and the potential trade war with China have affected, and may in the future affect, the U.S. capital markets, which could adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations.
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The current global financial market situation, as well as various social and political circumstances in the U.S. and around the world, including wars and other forms of conflict, terrorist acts, security operations and catastrophic events such as fires, floods, earthquakes, tornadoes, hurricanes, adverse effects of climate crisis and global health epidemics, may contribute to increased market volatility and economic uncertainties or deterioration in the U.S. and worldwide. Additionally, the U.S. government’s credit and deficit concerns, the European sovereign debt crisis, and the potential trade war with China, could cause interest rates to be volatile, which may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms.
Inflation has adversely affected and may continue to adversely affect the business, results of operations and financial condition of our portfolio companies.
Certain of our portfolio companies are in industries that have been impacted by inflation. Recent inflationary pressures have increased the costs of labor, energy and raw materials and have adversely affected consumer spending, economic growth and our portfolio companies’ operations. If such portfolio companies are unable to pass any increases in their costs of operations along to their customers, it could adversely affect their operating results and impact their ability to pay interest and principal on our loans, particularly if interest rates rise in response to inflation. In addition, any projected future decreases in our portfolio companies’ operating results due to inflation could adversely impact the fair value of those investments. Any decreases in the fair value of our investments could result in future realized or unrealized losses and therefore reduce our net assets resulting from operations. Additionally, the Federal Reserve has raised certain benchmark interest rates in an effort to combat inflation. See “—Risks Relating to the Current Environment—We are subject to risks associated with changes in interest rates, including the current interest rate environment.”
The ongoing armed conflicts as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East may have a material adverse impact on us and our portfolio companies.
The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the conflict in the Middle East, including the joint U.S.-Israeli strikes on Iran in February 2026, have led, are currently leading, and for an unknown period of time may continue to lead to disruptions in local, regional, national, and global markets and economies affected thereby and could have a negative impact on the economy and business activity globally (including in the countries in which the Company invests), and therefore could adversely affect the performance of the Company’s investments. Furthermore, the aforementioned conflicts and the varying involvement of the United States and other NATO countries could preclude prediction as to their ultimate adverse impact on global economic and market conditions, and, as a result, presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company and the performance of its investments or operations, and the ability of the Company to achieve its investment objectives. Additionally, to the extent that third parties, investors, or related customer bases have material operations or assets in such zones, they may have consequences related to the ongoing .
