Insiders ranked by realized 90-day signed return on their open-market trades at Barings Bdc, Inc.. Minimum 3 scored trades. Returns are signed - a sale followed by a rally counts against the insider.
Year-over-year tone shift - average net-tone change across Risk Factors and MD&A vs the prior 10-K. This filing is -0.02pp more bearish than last year's.
Why YoY instead of absolute: the LM lexicon has ~6.6× more negative words than positive (legal/risk-disclosure language is heavy on hedging), so every 10-K reads bearish on raw tone. Year-over-year change strips that bias and surfaces the actual shift in management's framing.
Tone shift by section
The two components the gauge averages: how Risk Factors and MD&A each shifted in net tone versus last year's 10-K. The headline above is their average, so a green needle over a soft section just means the other section carried it.
Risk Factors
-0.02pp
Flat
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
MD&A
-0.02pp
Flat
Net-tone change vs last year's 10-K.
Per-snippet highlights
Sentence-level sentiment highlighting with category and subcategory filters is coming once the snippet-scoring pipeline lands. For now, dig into the actual section text on the Sections tab.
Language change vs prior 10-K
Risk Factors (Item 1A) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
adversely+2
defaults+2
decline+1
unable+1
lose+1
Positive rising
opportunities+1
greater+1
profitability+1
successfully+1
leading+1
Risk Factors (Item 1A)
25,843 words
Item 1A. Risk Factors.
Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information contained in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, you should consider carefully the following information before making an investment in our securities. The risks set out below are not the only risks that we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us might also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our NAV, the trading price of our common stock and the value of our other securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
The following is a summary of the principal risk factors associated with an investment in our securities. Further details regarding each risk included in the summary list below can be found further below.
• We are dependent upon Barings’ access to its investment professionals for our success.
• Our investment portfolio is and will continue to be recorded at fair value as determined in accordance with the Adviser’s valuation policies and procedures and, as a result, there is and will continue to be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.
Language change vs prior 10-K
MD&A (Item 7) - words with the biggest YoY frequency increase
Negative rising
delayed+10
restructuring+3
unpaid+3
limitation+1
limitations+1
Positive rising
gain+6
gains+2
opportunities+1
MD&A (Item 7)
18,878 words
Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
The information in this section contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Please see “Risk Factors” and “Forward-Looking Statements” for a discussion of the uncertainties, risks and assumptions associated with these statements. You should read the following discussion in conjunction with the combined financial statements and related notes and other financial information appearing elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
The following discussion is designed to provide a better understanding of our financial statements, including a brief discussion of our business, key factors that impacted our performance and a summary of our operating results. The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the Consolidated Financial Statements and the notes thereto included or incorporated by reference in Item 8 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Historical results and percentage relationships among any amounts in the financial statements are not necessarily indicative of trends in operating results for any future periods.
Overview of Our Business
We are a Maryland corporation incorporated on October 10, 2006. In August 2018, in connection with the closing of an externalization transaction through which Barings agreed to become our external investment adviser, we entered into the Original Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement with Barings. In connection with the completion of the MVC Acquisition, we entered into the Amended and Advisory Agreement with Barings on December 23, 2020, following approval of the Amended and Advisory Agreement by our stockholders at our December 23, 2020 special meeting of stockholders. The terms of the Amended and Advisory Agreement became on January 1, 2021. In connection with the completion of the Sierra Merger on February 25, 2022, we entered into the Second Amended Barings BDC Advisory Agreement with Barings. On June 24, 2023, we entered into the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement to update the term of the agreement to expire on June 24 of each year subject to annual re-approval in accordance with its terms. All other terms and provisions of the Second Amended Barings BDC Advisory Agreement between us and Barings, including with respect to the calculation of the fees payable to Barings, remained unchanged under the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement. Under the terms of the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, Barings serves as our investment adviser and administrator and manages our investment portfolio and performs (or oversees, or arranges for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for our operation.
• We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.
• There are potential conflicts of interest, including the management of other investment funds and accounts by Barings, which could impact our investment returns.
• The fee structure under the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement may induce Barings to pursue speculative investments and incur leverage, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.
• Regulations governing our operation as a BDC will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.
• Our financing agreements contain various covenants, which, if not complied with, could accelerate our repayment obligations thereunder, thereby materially and adversely affecting our liquidity, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay distributions.
• We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
• Inflation could adversely affect the business, results of operations, and financial condition of our portfolio companies.
• Incurring additional leverage may magnify our exposure to risks associated with changes in leverage, including fluctuations in interest rates that could adversely affect our profitability.
• Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.
• Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investment.
• Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount to their NAV, and may trade at premiums that may prove to be unsustainable.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure
We are dependent upon Barings’ access to its investment professionals for our success.
We depend on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of Barings’ investment professionals to source appropriate investments for us. We depend on members of Barings’ investment team to appropriately analyze our investments and the relevant investment committee to approve and monitor our portfolio investments. Barings’ investment teams evaluate, negotiate, structure, close and monitor our investments. Our future success depends on the continued availability of the members of Barings’ investment committees and the other investment professionals available to Barings. We do not have employment agreements with these individuals or other key personnel of Barings, and we cannot provide any assurance that unforeseen business, medical, personal or other circumstances would not lead any such individual to terminate his or her relationship with Barings. If these individuals do not
maintain their existing relationships with Barings and its affiliates or do not develop new relationships with other sources of investment opportunities, we may not be able to identify appropriate replacements or grow our investment portfolio. The loss of any Portfolio Manager, investment committee member or other investment professionals of Barings and its affiliates may limit our ability to achieve our investment objectives and operate as we anticipate, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Barings evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes and monitors our investments in accordance with the terms of the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement. We can offer no assurance, however, that the investment professionals of Barings will continue to provide investment advice to us or that we will continue to have access to Barings’ investment professionals or its information and deal flow. Further, there can be no assurance that Barings will replicate its own historical success, and we caution you that our investment returns could be substantially lower than the returns achieved by other funds managed by Barings.
Our business model depends to a significant extent upon strong referral relationships, and our inability to maintain or develop these relationships, as well as the failure of these relationships to generate investment opportunities, could adversely affect our business.
We depend upon Barings’ and its affiliates’ relationships with sponsors, and we intend to rely to a significant extent upon these relationships to provide us with potential investment opportunities. If Barings or its affiliates fail to maintain such relationships, or to develop new relationships with other sponsors or sources of investment opportunities, we will not be able to grow our investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom the principals of Barings have relationships are not obligated to provide us with investment opportunities, and, therefore, we can offer no assurance that these relationships will generate investment opportunities for us in the future.
Our financial condition and results of operations will depend on our ability to manage and deploy capital effectively.
Our ability to continue to achieve our investment objectives will depend on our ability to effectively manage and deploy our capital, which will depend, in turn, on Barings’ ability to continue to identify, evaluate, invest in and monitor companies that meet our investment criteria. We cannot assure you that we will continue to achieve our investment objectives.
Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis will be largely a function of Barings’ handling of the investment process, their ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services and our access to investments offering acceptable terms. In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, Barings’ investment professionals 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.
Even if we are able to grow and build upon our investment operations in a manner commensurate with any capital made available to us as a result of our operating activities, financing activities and/or offerings of our securities, any failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The results of our operations will depend on many factors, including the availability of opportunities for investment, readily accessible short- and long-term funding alternatives in the financial markets and general economic conditions. Furthermore, if we cannot successfully operate our business or implement our investment policies and strategies as described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, it could negatively impact our ability to pay distributions and cause you to lose part or all of your investment.
Our investment portfolio is and will continue to be recorded at fair value as determined in accordance with the Adviser’s valuation policies and procedures and, as a result, there is and will continue to be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.
Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined in good faith by the Board. The Board has designated Barings as Valuation Designee to perform our fair value determinations relating to the value of our assets for which market quotations are not readily available.
Typically there is not a public market for the securities of the privately held middle-market companies in which we have invested and will generally continue to invest. The Valuation Designee conducts the valuation of such investments, upon which our NAV is primarily based, in accordance with its valuation policy, as well as established and documented processes and methodologies for determining the fair values of portfolio company investments on a recurring (at least quarterly) basis in accordance with the 1940 Act and ASC Topic 820. Our current valuation policy and processes were established by the Adviser and have been approved by the Board. The Adviser has established a pricing committee that is, subject to the oversight of the Board, responsible for the approval, implementation and oversight of the processes and methodologies that relate to the pricing and valuation of assets held by us. The Adviser uses independent third-party providers to price the portfolio, but in the event an acceptable price cannot be obtained from an approved external source, the Adviser will utilize alternative methods in accordance with internal pricing procedures established by the Adviser's pricing committee. See “Item 1. Business – Valuation Process and Determination of Net Asset Value” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K for a detailed description of our valuation process.
The determination of fair value and consequently, the amount of unrealized appreciation and depreciation in our portfolio, is to a certain degree subjective and dependent on the judgment of Barings. Certain factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s earnings and its ability to make payments on its indebtedness, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to comparable publicly-traded companies, discounted cash flows and other relevant factors. 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 ready market for these securities existed. Due to this uncertainty, the Adviser’s fair value determinations may cause our NAV on a given date to materially understate or overstate the value that we may ultimately realize upon the sale or disposition of one or more of our investments. As a result, investors purchasing our securities based on an overstated NAV would pay a higher price than the value of our investments might warrant. Conversely, investors selling shares during a period in which the NAV understates the value of our investments will receive a lower price for their shares than the value of our investments might warrant.
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities, which could reduce returns and result in losses.
A number of entities compete with us to make the types of investments that we make. We compete with public and private funds, commercial and investment banks, commercial financing companies and, to the extent they provide an alternative form of financing, private equity and hedge funds. Many of our competitors are substantially larger and some have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we do. For example, we believe some of our competitors may have access to funding sources that are not available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships than us. Furthermore, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the source of income, asset diversification and distribution requirements we must satisfy to maintain our qualification as a RIC. The competitive pressures we face may have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. As a result of this competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities from time to time, and we may not be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective.
With respect to the investments we make, we do not seek to compete based primarily on the interest rates we offer, and we believe that some of our competitors may make loans with interest rates that will be lower than the rates we offer. In the secondary market for acquiring existing loans, we compete generally on the basis of pricing terms. With respect to all investments, we may lose some investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. However, if we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, we may experience decreased net interest income, lower yields and increased risk of credit loss.
There are potential conflicts of interest, including the management of other investment funds and accounts by Barings, which could impact our investment returns.
Our executive officers, Portfolio Managers and the members of Barings’ investment committees, as well as the other principals of Barings, manage other funds affiliated with Barings, including other closed-end investment companies. In addition, Barings’ investment team has responsibility for managing U.S. and global middle-market debt investments for certain other investment funds and accounts. Accordingly, they have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of, or may be adverse to our and our stockholders’ interests. In addition, certain of the other funds and accounts managed by Barings may provide for higher management or incentive fees, greater expense reimbursements or overhead allocations, or permit Barings and its affiliates to receive higher origination and other transaction fees, all of which may contribute to this conflict of interest and create an incentive for Barings to favor such other funds or accounts. Although the professional staff of Barings will devote as much time to our management as appropriate to enable Barings to perform its duties in accordance with the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement, the investment professionals of Barings may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among us, on the one hand, and the other investment vehicles managed by Barings or one or more of its affiliates on the other hand.
Barings may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and affiliated investment vehicles that have overlapping investment objectives with ours. Although Barings will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with its allocation policies and procedures, it is possible that, in the future, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in investments made by investment funds managed by Barings or an investment manager affiliated with Barings if such investment is prohibited by the 1940 Act, and there can be no assurance that we will be able to participate in all investment opportunities that are suitable to us.
Conflicts may also arise because portfolio decisions regarding our portfolio may benefit Barings’ affiliates. Barings’ affiliates may pursue or enforce rights with respect to one of our portfolio companies on behalf of other funds or accounts managed by it, and those activities may have an adverse effect on us.
Barings may exercise significant influence over us in connection with its ownership of our common stock.
As of February 19, 2026, Barings, our external investment adviser, beneficially owns approximately 13.0% o f our outstanding common stock. As a result, Barings may be able to significantly influence the outcome of matters submitted for stockholder action, including the election of directors, approval of significant corporate transactions, such as amendments to our governing documents, business combinations, consolidations and mergers. Barings has substantial influence on us and could exercise its influence in a manner that conflicts with the interests of other stockholders. The presence of a significant stockholder such as Barings may also have the effect of making it more difficult for a third party to acquire us or discourage a third party from seeking to acquire us.
Barings, its relevant investment committee members, or its affiliates may, from time to time, possess material non-public information, limiting our investment discretion.
Principals of Barings and its affiliates and members of Barings’ investment committees may serve as directors of, or in a similar capacity with, companies in which we invest, the securities of which are purchased or sold on our behalf. In the event that material non-public information is obtained with respect to such companies, or we become subject to trading restrictions under the internal trading policies of those companies or as a result of applicable law or regulations, we could be prohibited for a period of time from purchasing or selling the securities of such companies, and this prohibition may have an adverse effect on us.
Our ability to enter into transactions with Barings and its affiliates is restricted.
BDCs generally are prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with their affiliates without the prior approval of their independent directors and, in some cases, of the SEC. Those transactions include purchases and sales, and so-called “joint” transactions, in which a BDC and one or more of its affiliates engage in certain types of profit-making activities. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5.0% or more of a BDC’s outstanding voting securities will be considered an affiliate of the BDC for purposes of the 1940
Act, and a BDC generally is prohibited from engaging in purchases or sales of assets or joint transactions with such affiliates, absent the prior approval of the BDC’s independent directors. Additionally, without the approval of the SEC, a BDC is prohibited from engaging in purchases or sales of assets or joint transactions with the BDC’s officers and directors, and investment adviser, including funds managed by the investment adviser and its affiliates.
BDCs may, however, invest alongside certain related parties or their respective other clients in certain circumstances where doing so is consistent with current law and SEC staff interpretations. For example, a BDC may invest alongside such accounts consistent with guidance promulgated by the SEC staff permitting the BDC and such other accounts to purchase interests in a single class of privately placed securities so long as certain conditions are met, including that the BDC’s investment adviser, acting on the BDC’s behalf and on behalf of other clients, negotiates no term other than price.
The 1940 Act generally prohibits BDCs from making certain negotiated co-investments with certain affiliates absent an order from the SEC permitting the BDC to do so. On January 15, 2026, Barings received a new order for co-investment exemptive relief from the SEC staff, which permits certain managed funds and investment vehicles, each of whose investment adviser is Barings or an investment adviser controlling, controlled by or under common control with Barings and MassMutual-affiliated proprietary accounts, to participate in negotiated co-investment transactions where doing so is consistent with regulatory requirements and other pertinent factors, and pursuant to the conditions of the exemptive relief. The 2026 Co-Investment Order, which supersedes the co-investment order issued to Barings on October 19, 2017 and amended on March 20, 2024, is a new form of co-investment exemptive relief that adopts a more flexible requirement that allocations be “fair and equitable” to us and that Barings considers the interests of us and other affiliated 1940 Act-regulated funds that rely on the 2026 Co-Investment Order in allocations and which minimizes certain board approval requirements as compared to the prior form of co-investment exemptive relief.
Among other things, under the 2026 Co-Investment Order, the terms, conditions, price, class of securities to be purchased in respect of a particular investment, the date on which such investment is to be made and any registration rights applicable thereto, must be generally the same for us and each other participating affiliated entity. The requirements of the 2026 Co-Investment Order (including any requirements for board approval thereunder), as well as other regulatory requirements associated with us and other affiliated 1940 Act-regulated funds that rely on the 2026 Co-Investment Order, potentially will impact the investment allocations among participating entities (including, for the avoidance of doubt, us) or otherwise impact allocation results. Any changes to the 2026 Co-Investment Order or the rules and other guidance promulgated by the SEC and its staff under the 1940 Act could impact allocations made available to us and thereby affect (and potentially decrease) the allocation made to us or otherwise impact the process for allocations in transactions in which we participate.
In situations where co-investment with other affiliated funds or accounts is not permitted or appropriate, Barings will need to decide which account will proceed with the investment in accordance with its allocation policies and procedures. Although Barings will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with its allocation policies and procedures, it is possible that, in the future, we may not be given the opportunity to participate in investments made by investment funds managed by Barings or an investment manager affiliated with Barings if such investment is prohibited by the 1940 Act. These restrictions, and similar restrictions that limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates, including funds managed by Barings, may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.
We are subject to risks associated with investing alongside other third parties.
We have invested and may in the future invest alongside third parties through partnerships, joint ventures or other entities. Such investments may involve risks not present in investments where a third party is not involved, including the possibility that such third party may at any time have economic or business interests or goals which are inconsistent with ours, or may be in a position to take action contrary to our investment objectives. In addition, we may in certain circumstances be liable for actions of such third party.
More specifically, joint ventures involve a third party that has approval rights over certain activities of the joint venture. The third party may take actions that are inconsistent with our interests. For example, the third party may
decline to approve an investment for the joint venture that we otherwise want the joint venture to make. A joint venture may also use investment leverage which magnifies the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested. Generally, the amount of borrowings by the joint venture is not included when calculating our total borrowings and related leverage ratios and is not subject to asset coverage requirements imposed by the 1940 Act. If the activities of the joint venture were required to be consolidated with our activities because of a change in U.S. GAAP rules or SEC staff interpretations, it is likely that we would have to reorganize any such joint venture.
The fee structure under the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement may induce Barings to pursue speculative investments and incur leverage, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders.
Under the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement, the Base Management Fee will be payable even if the value of your investment declines. The Base Management Fee is calculated based on our gross assets, including assets purchased with borrowed funds or other forms of leverage (but excluding cash or cash equivalents). Accordingly, the Base Management Fee is payable regardless of whether the value of our gross assets and/or your investment has decreased during the then-current quarter and creates an incentive for Barings to incur leverage, which may not be consistent with our stockholders’ interests.
The Income-Based Fee payable to Barings is calculated based on a percentage of our return on invested capital. The Income-Based Fee payable to Barings may create an incentive for Barings to make investments on our behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such a compensation arrangement. Unlike the Base Management Fee, the Income-Based Fee is payable only if the hurdle rate is achieved. Because the portfolio earns investment income on gross assets while the hurdle rate is based on invested capital, and because the use of leverage increases gross assets without any corresponding increase in invested capital, Barings may be incentivized to incur leverage to grow the portfolio, which will tend to enhance returns where our portfolio has positive returns and increase the chances that such hurdle rate is achieved. Conversely, the use of leverage may increase losses where our portfolio has negative returns, which would impair the value of our common stock.
In addition, Barings receives the Capital Gains Fee based, in part, upon net capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the Income-Based Fee, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the Capital Gains Fee. As a result, Barings may have a tendency to invest more capital in investments that are likely to result in capital gains as compared to income producing securities. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which may not be in the best interests of our stockholders and could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns.
Barings’ liability is limited under the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify Barings against certain liabilities, which may lead Barings to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
Pursuant to the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement, Barings and its officers, managers, partners, agents, employees, controlling persons, members and any other person or entity affiliated with Barings will not be liable to us, and we have agreed to indemnify them, for their acts under the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement, absent fraud, willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or recklessdisregard in the performance of their duties. These protections may lead Barings to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
Barings is able to resign as our investment adviser and/or our administrator, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, or at all, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
Pursuant to the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement, Barings has the right to resign as our investment adviser upon 60 days’ written notice, regardless of whether a replacement has been found. Similarly, Barings has the right under the Administration Agreement to resign upon 60 days’ written notice, regardless of whether a replacement has been found. If Barings resigns, it may be difficult to find a replacement investment adviser or administrator, as applicable, or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If a replacement is not found quickly, our business, results of operations and financial condition as well as our ability to pay distributions are likely to be adversely affected and
the value of our shares may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment or administrative activities 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 Barings. Even if a comparable service provider or individuals performing such services are retained, whether internal or external, their integration into our business and lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Our long-term ability to fund new investments and make distributions to our stockholders could be limited if we are unable to renew, extend, replace or expand our current borrowing arrangements, or if financing becomes more expensive or less available.
There can be no guarantee that we will be able to renew, extend, replace or expand our current borrowing arrangements on terms that are favorable to us, if at all. Our ability to obtain replacement financing will be constrained by then-current economic conditions affecting the credit markets. Our inability to renew, extend, replace or expand these borrowing arrangements could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and ability to fund new investments, our ability to make distributions to our stockholders and our ability to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC under the Code.
We may be subject to PIK interest payments.
Certain of our debt investments contain provisions providing for the payment of PIK interest. Because PIK interest results in an increase in the size of the loan balance of the underlying loan, the receipt by us of PIK interest will have the effect of increasing our assets under management. As a result, because the Base Management Fee that we pay to the Adviser is based on the value of our gross assets, the receipt by us of PIK interest will result in an increase in the amount of the Base Management Fee payable by us. In addition, any such increase in a loan balance due to the receipt of PIK interest will cause such loan to accrue interest on the higher loan balance, which will result in an increase in our pre-incentive fee net investment income and, as a result, an increase in incentive fees that are payable by us to the Adviser.
To the extent OID instruments, such as zero coupon bonds and PIK loans, constitute a significant portion of the Company’s 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 the following: (a) the higher interest rates of PIK loans reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with these instruments, and PIK instruments generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans; (b) PIK loans may have unreliable valuations because their continuing accruals require continuing judgments about the collectability of the deferred payments and the value of any associated collateral; (c) market prices of zero-coupon or PIK securities are affected to a greater extent by interest rate changes and may be more volatile than securities that pay interest periodically and in cash, and PIKs are usually less volatile than zero-coupon bonds, but more volatile than cash pay securities; (d) because OID income is accrued without any cash being received by us, required cash distributions may have to be paid from offering proceeds or the sale of our assets without investors being given any notice of this fact; (e) the deferral of PIK interest increases the loan-to-value ratio, which is a measure of the riskiness of a loan; (f) even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, the borrower could still default when our actual payment is due at the maturity of the loan; and (g) OID creates risk of non-refundable cash payments to our Adviser based on non-cash accruals that may never be realized.
Regulations governing our operation as a BDC will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.
Our business requires capital to operate and grow. In the future, we may issue debt securities or preferred stock, and/or borrow money from banks or other financial institutions, which we refer to collectively as “senior securities.” As a result of issuing senior securities, we will be exposed to additional risks, including, but not limited to, the following:
• Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a BDC, to issue senior securities only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 150% after each issuance of senior securities. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If
that happens, we may be prohibited from declaring a dividend or making any distribution to stockholders or repurchasing our shares until such time as we satisfy this test.
• Any amounts that we use to service our debt or make payments on preferred stock will not be available for distributions to our common stockholders.
• Our current indebtedness is, and it is likely that any securities or other indebtedness we may issue will be, governed by an indenture or other instrument containing covenants restricting our operating flexibility. Additionally, some of these securities or other indebtedness may be rated by rating agencies, and in obtaining a rating for such securities and other indebtedness, we may be required to abide by operating and investment guidelines that further restrict operating and financial flexibility.
• We and, indirectly, our stockholders, will bear the cost of issuing and servicing such securities and other indebtedness.
• Preferred stock or any convertible or exchangeable securities that we issue in the future may have rights, preferences and privileges more favorable than those of our common stock, including separate voting rights and could delay or prevent a transaction or a change in control to the detriment of the holders of our common stock.
Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are not generally able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below then-current NAV per share. We may, however, sell our common stock or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current NAV per share of our common stock if the Board determines that such sale is in the best interests of us and our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. We may also make rights offerings to our stockholders at prices per share less than the NAV per share, without stockholder approval but subject to applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. If we raise additional funds by issuing more common stock or senior securities convertible into, or exchangeable for, our common stock, the percentage ownership of our stockholders at that time would decrease, and they may experience dilution. Moreover, we can offer no assurance that we will be able to issue and sell additional equity securities in the future on favorable terms, or at all.
Our financing agreements contain various covenants, which, if not complied with, could accelerate our repayment obligations thereunder, thereby materially and adversely affecting our liquidity, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay distributions.
We will have a continuing need for capital to finance our investments. We are party to various financing agreements from time to time which contain customary terms and conditions, including, without limitation, affirmative and negative covenants such as information reporting requirements, minimum stockholders’ equity, minimum asset coverage, maximum net debt to equity, and maintenance of RIC and BDC status. These financing arrangements also contain customary events of default with customary cure and notice provisions, including, without limitation, nonpayment, misrepresentation of representations and warranties in a material respect, breach of covenant, cross-default to other indebtedness, bankruptcy, change of control, and material adverse effect.
Our continued compliance with the covenants under these financing agreements depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control, and there can be no assurance that we will continue to comply with such covenants. Our failure to satisfy the respective covenants or otherwise default under one of our financing arrangements could result in foreclosure by the lenders thereunder, which would accelerate our repayment obligations under the financing arrangement and thereby have a material adverse effect on our business, liquidity, financial condition, results of operations and ability to pay distributions to our stockholders.
We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
To the extent we borrow money or issue debt securities or preferred stock to make investments, our net investment income will depend, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay interest or dividends on such debt securities or preferred stock and the rate at which we invest these funds. An increase in the general level of interest rates can be expected to lead to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments, which may result in an increase in the amount of incentive fees payable to Barings. Rising interest rates
on floating rate loans we make to portfolio companies could also drive an increase in defaults or accelerated refinancings. Some portfolio companies may be unable to refinance into fixed rate loans or repay outstanding amounts, leading to a gradual decline in the credit quality of our portfolio. In periods of rising interest rates, our cost of funds may increase because we expect that the interest rates on certain amounts we borrow will be floating. Conversely, in periods of declining interest rates, we may earn less interest income from investments and our cost of funds will also decrease, to a lesser extent, given certain of our currently outstanding indebtedness bears interest at fixed rates, resulting in lower net investment income. Additionally, in periods of declining interest rates, the rate of prepayments has historically tended to increase (as does price fluctuation) as borrowers are motivated to pay off debt and refinance at new lower rates. During such periods, we would expect reinvestment of the prepayment proceeds by us to generally be at lower rates of return than the return on the assets that were prepaid.
We may invest in derivatives or other assets that expose us to certain risks, including market risk, liquidity risk, and other risks similar to those associated with the use of leverage.
We may invest in derivatives and other assets that are subject to many of the same types of risks related to the use of leverage. Under Rule 18f-4 under the 1940 Act, BDCs that use derivatives are subject to a value-at-risk leverage limit, a derivatives risk management program and testing requirements and requirements related to board reporting. These requirements apply unless the BDC qualifies as a “limited derivatives user,” as defined under Rule 18f-4. Under Rule 18f-4, a BDC may enter into an unfunded commitment agreement (which may include delayed draw and revolving loans) that will not be deemed to be a derivatives transaction, such as an agreement to provide financing to a portfolio company, if the BDC has, among other things, a reasonable belief, at the time it enters into such an agreement, that 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. Collectively, these requirements may limit our ability to use derivatives and/or enter into certain other financial contracts.
We have adopted updated policies and procedures in compliance with Rule 18f-4. We expect to qualify as a “limited derivatives user” under Rule 18f-4. Future legislation or rules may modify how we treat derivatives and other financial arrangements for purposes of compliance with the leverage limitations of the 1940 Act. Future legislation or rules may modify how leverage is calculated under the 1940 Act and, therefore, may increase or decrease the amount of leverage currently available to us under the 1940 Act, which may be materially adverse to us and our stockholders.
Incurring additional leverage may magnify our exposure to risks associated with changes in leverage, including fluctuations in interest rates that could adversely affect our profitability.
As part of our business strategy, we borrow under financing agreements with certain banks and issue debt securities, and in the future may borrow money and issue debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Our obligations under these arrangements are or may be secured by a material portion of our assets. As a result, these lenders are or may have claims that are superior to the claims of our common stockholders, and have or may have fixed-dollar claims on our assets that are superior to the claims of our stockholders. Also, if the value of our assets decreases, leverage will cause our NAV 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 stock.
Because we incur additional leverage, general interest rate fluctuations may have a more significant negative impact on our investments than they would have absent such additional leverage and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on our operating results. A portion of our income will depend upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the interest rate on the debt securities in which we invest. Because we borrow money to make investments and may issue debt securities, preferred stock or other securities, our net investment income is dependent upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds or pay interest or dividends on such debt securities, preferred stock or other securities and the rate at which we invest these funds. Typically, our interest earning investments accrue and pay interest at variable rates, and our interest-bearing liabilities accrue interest at variable or potentially fixed rates. As a result, there can be no assurance that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.
The following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming that we employ (i) our actual asset coverage ratio as of December 31, 2025 and (ii) a hypothetical asset coverage ratio of 150%, each at various annual returns on our portfolio as of December 31, 2025, net of expenses. The purpose of this table is to assist investors in understanding the effects of leverage. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical, and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing in the table below.
Assumed Return on our Portfolio
(Net of Expenses)
Corresponding return to common stockholder assuming actual asset coverage as of December 31, 2025(1)
Corresponding return to common stockholder assuming 150% asset coverage as of December 31, 2025(2)
(1) Assumes $2,636.2 million in total assets, $1,439.5 million in debt outstanding, $1,160.7 million in net assets and an average cost of funds of 4.866%, which was the weighted average borrowing cost of our outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2025. The assumed amount of debt outstanding for this example includes $226.8 million of outstanding borrowings under our senior secured credit facility with ING Capital LLC initially entered into in February 2019 (as amended, restated and otherwise modified from time to time, the “February 2019 Credit Facility”) as of December 31, 2025, $112.5 million aggregate principal amount of Series C Notes (as defined below under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) outstanding, $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of February Notes (as defined below under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) outstanding, $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of November 2026 Notes (as defined below under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) outstanding, $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of February 2029 Notes (as defined below under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) outstanding, $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of September 2028 Notes (as defined below under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) outstanding, and assumed additional borrowings of $0.2 million to settle our payable from unsettled transactions as of December 31, 2025.
(2) Assumes $3,521.0 million in total assets, $2,324.1 million in debt outstanding and $1,160.7 million in net assets as of December 31, 2025, and an average cost of funds of 4.866%, which was the weighted average borrowing cost of our borrowings at December 31, 2025.
Based on our total outstanding indebtedness of $1,439.3 million as of December 31, 2025, assumed additional borrowings of $0.2 million to settle our payable from unsettled transactions as of December 31, 2025 and an average cost of funds of 4.866%, which was the weighted average borrowing cost of our outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2025, our investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least 2.66% to cover annual interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness.
Based on outstanding indebtedness of $2,324.1 million calculated assuming a 150% asset coverage ratio as of December 31, 2025 and an average cost of funds of 4.866%, which was the weighted average borrowing cost of our outstanding borrowings at December 31, 2025, our investment portfolio must experience an annual return of at least 3.21% to cover annual interest payments on our outstanding indebtedness.
We may in the future determine to fund a portion of our investments with preferred stock, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss and the risks of investing in us in the same way as our borrowings.
Preferred stock, which is another form of leverage, has the same risks to our common stockholders as borrowings because the dividends on any preferred stock we issue must be cumulative. Payment of such dividends and repayment of the liquidation preference of such preferred stock must take precedence over any dividends or other payments to our common stockholders, and preferred stockholders are not subject to any of our expenses or losses and are not entitled to participate in any income or appreciation in excess of their stated preference.
Our Board of Directors may change our investment objectives, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.
The Board has the authority to modify or waive our current investment objectives, operating policies and strategies without prior notice and without stockholder approval (except as required by the 1940 Act). However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC. 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 stock. 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 will have significant flexibility in investing the net proceeds from any future offering and may use the net proceeds from such offerings in ways with which investors may not agree or for purposes other than those contemplated at the time of the offering.
We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, which will adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under the Code, which generally allows us to avoid being subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax. To maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements:
• The Annual Distribution Requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute to our stockholders on an annual basis at least 90.0% of our net ordinary income and net short-term capital gain in excess of net long-term capital loss, or ICTI, if any. We will be subject to a 4.0% nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax, however, to the extent that we do not satisfy certain additional minimum distribution requirements on a calendar year basis. Because we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and are currently, and may in the future become, subject to certain financial covenants under loan and credit agreements that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.
• The income source requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90.0% of our income for each year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of stock or securities or similar sources.
• The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. To satisfy this requirement, at least 50.0% of the value of our assets must consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other acceptable securities, provided such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5.0% of the value of our assets or more than 10.0% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and no more than 25.0% of the value of our assets can be invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer, of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable Code rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or of certain “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” Failure to meet these requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC tax treatment. Because most of our investments
will be in private companies, and therefore will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.
If we fail to maintain RIC tax treatment for any reason and are subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution and the amount of our distributions. We may also be subject to certain U.S. federal excise taxes, as well as state, local and foreign taxes.
We may not be able to pay distributions to our stockholders, our distributions may not grow over time, a portion of distributions paid to our stockholders may be a return of capital and investors in any debt securities we may issue may not receive all of the interest income to which they are entitled.
We intend to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. Our ability to pay distributions might be harmed by, among other things, the risk factors described in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, the inability to satisfy the asset coverage test applicable to us as a BDC could, in the future, limit our ability to pay distributions. All distributions will be paid at the discretion of the Board and will depend on our earnings, our financial condition, maintenance of our RIC tax treatment, compliance with applicable BDC regulations, compliance with the covenants under our financing agreements and any debt securities we may issue and such other factors as the Board may deem relevant from time to time. We cannot assure you that we will pay distributions to our stockholders in the future.
Some of the above-described risks may also inhibit our ability to make required interest payments to holders of any debt securities we may issue, which may cause a default under the terms of our debt agreements. Such a default could materially increase our cost of raising capital, as well as cause us to incur penalties or trigger cross-default provisions under the terms of our debt agreements.
When we make quarterly distributions, we will be required to determine the extent to which such distributions are paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits, recognized capital gain or capital. To the extent there is a return of capital, investors will be required to reduce their basis in our stock for U.S. federal income tax purposes, which may result in a higher tax liability when the shares are sold, even if they have not increased in value or have lost value.
We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, we 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 OID (such as debt instruments with contractual PIK interest or debt instruments that were issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the OID that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. Investments structured with these features may represent a higher level of credit risk compared to investments generating income which must be paid in cash on a current basis. 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 PIK interest. We anticipate that a portion of our income may constitute OID or other income required to be included in taxable income prior to receipt of cash. Further, we may elect to amortize market discounts 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 U.S. federal income tax purposes.
Because any OID or other amounts accrued will be included in our ICTI for the year of the accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders 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 maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. We may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise debt or additional equity
capital or forego new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.
Because we intend to distribute substantially all of our income to our stockholders to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, we will continue to need additional capital to finance our growth, and regulations governing our operation as a BDC will affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital and make distributions.
In order to satisfy the requirements applicable to a RIC, and to avoid payment of U.S. federal excise tax, we intend to distribute to our stockholders substantially all of our net ordinary income and net capital gain income except for certain net long-term capital gains recognized after we became a RIC, some or all of which we may retain, pay applicable U.S. federal income taxes with respect thereto and elect to treat as deemed distributions to our stockholders. As a BDC, we generally are required to meet a coverage ratio of total assets to total senior securities, which includes all of our borrowings and any preferred stock we may issue, of at least 150%. This requirement limits the amount that we may borrow and may prohibit us from making distributions. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments or sell additional securities and, depending on the nature of our leverage, to repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when such sales may be disadvantageous. In addition, issuance of additional securities could dilute the percentage ownership of our current stockholders in us.
While we expect to be able to borrow and to issue debt and additional equity securities, we cannot assure you that debt and equity financing will be available to us on favorable terms, or at all. If additional funds are not available to us, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities, and our NAV could decline.
There may be withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends for non-U.S. stockholders.
Distributions by a BDC generally are treated as dividends for U.S. tax purposes, and will be subject to U.S. income or withholding tax unless the stockholder receiving the dividend qualifies for an exemption from U.S. tax, or the distribution is subject to one of the special look-through rules described below. Distributions paid out of net capital gains can qualify for a reduced rate of taxation in the hands of an individual U.S. stockholder, and an exemption from U.S. tax in the hands of a non-U.S. stockholder.
However, if reported by a RIC, dividend distributions by the RIC derived from certain interest income (such distributions, “interest-related dividends”) and certain net short-term capital gains (such distributions, “short-term capital gain dividends”) generally are exempt from U.S. withholding tax otherwise imposed on non-U.S. stockholders. Interest-related dividends are dividends that are attributable to “qualified net interest income” (i.e., “qualified interest income,” which generally consists of certain interest and OID on obligations “in registered form” as well as interest on bank deposits earned by a RIC, less allocable deductions) from sources within the United States. Short-term capital gain dividends are dividends that are attributable to net short-term capital gains, other than short-term capital gains recognized on the disposition of U.S. real property interests, earned by a RIC. However, no assurance can be given as to whether any of our distributions will be eligible for this exemption from U.S. withholding tax or, if eligible, will be reported as such by us. Furthermore, in the case of shares of our stock held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld U.S. federal income tax even if we reported the payment as an interest-related dividend or short-term capital gain dividend.
A failure of any portion of our distributions to qualify for the exemption for interest-related dividends or short-term capital gain dividends would not affect the treatment of non-U.S. stockholders that qualify for an exemption from U.S. withholding tax on dividends by reason of their special status (for example, foreign government-related entities and certain pension funds resident in favorable treaty jurisdictions).
There is no assurance that any share repurchase programs we implement will result in repurchases of our common stock or enhance long-term stockholder value, and repurchases, if any, could affect our stock price and increase its volatility and will diminish our cash reserves.
On February 20, 2025, our Board authorized a 12-month share repurchase program (the “Share Repurchase Program”). Under the Share Repurchase Program, we may repurchase, during the 12-month period commencing on
March 1, 2025, up to $30.0 million in the aggregate of our outstanding common stock in the open market at prices below the then-current NAV per share. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by us, in our discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, our stock price, applicable legal, contractual and regulatory requirements and other factors. The Share Repurchase Program is expected to be in effect until March 1, 2026, unless extended or until the aggregate repurchase amount that has been approved by the Board has been expended. The Share Repurchase Program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares, and we cannot assure stockholders that any shares will be repurchased under the Share Repurchase Program. The Share Repurchase Program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we repurchased a total of 702,054 shares of common stock in the open market under the Share Repurchase Program at an average price of $9.04 per share, including brokerage commissions. See “Management’s Discussion of Financial Condition and Results of Operations—Recent Developments” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
There can be no assurance that any future share repurchases will occur, or, if they occur, that they will enhance stockholder value. In addition, any future share repurchases could have a material adverse effect on our business for the following reasons:
• Repurchases may not prove to be the best use of our cash resources.
• Repurchases will diminish our cash reserves, which could impact our ability to finance future growth and to pursue possible future strategic opportunities.
• We may incur debt in connection with our business in the event that we use other cash resources to repurchase shares, which may affect the financial performance of our business during future periods or our liquidity and the availability of capital for other needs of the business.
• Repurchases could affect the trading price of our common stock or increase its volatility and may reduce the market liquidity for our stock.
• Repurchases may not be made at the best possible price and the market price of our common stock may decline below the levels at which we repurchased shares of common stock.
• Any suspension, modification or discontinuance of any future share repurchase plan could result in a decrease in the trading price of our common stock.
• Repurchases may make it more difficult for us to meet the diversification requirements necessary to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes; failure to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC would render our taxable income subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes.
• Repurchases may cause our non-compliance with covenants under our financing agreements, which could have an adverse effect on our operating results and financial condition.
We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect our liquidity, financial condition and results of operations.
Our business depends on the communications and information systems of Barings, its affiliates and our or Barings’ third-party service providers. Any failure or interruption of those systems or services, including as a result of the termination or suspension of an agreement with any third-party service providers, could cause delays or other problems in our or Barings’ business activities. Our or Barings’ 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. Among other things, there could be sudden electrical or telecommunications outages, natural disasters, disease pandemics, events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters and/or cyber-attacks, any one or more of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and operating results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock.
Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies by causing a disruption to our operations or the operations of our portfolio companies, a compromise or corruption of our confidential information or the confidential information of our portfolio companies and/or damage to our business relationships or the business relationships of our portfolio companies, all of which could negatively impact the business, financial condition and operating results of us or our portfolio companies.
A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of the information resources of us, Barings or our portfolio companies. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gainingunauthorized access to our or Barings’ information systems or those of our portfolio companies for purposes of misappropriating assets, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption. Barings’ employees may be the target of fraudulent calls, emails and other forms of activities. The result of these incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen assets or information, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to business relationships. Our business operations rely upon secure information technology systems for data processing, storage, and reporting. We depend on the effectiveness of the information and cybersecurity policies, procedures, and capabilities maintained by our affiliates and our and their respective third-party service providers to protect their computer and telecommunications systems and the data that reside on or are transmitted through them.
Substantial costs may be incurred in order to prevent any cyber incidents in the future. The costs related to cyber or other security threats or disruptions may not be fully insured or indemnified by other means. As our and our portfolio companies’ reliance on technology has increased, so have the risks posed to our information systems, both internal and those provided by Barings and third-party service providers, and the information systems of our portfolio companies. Barings has implemented processes, procedures and internal controls to help mitigate cybersecurity risks and cyber intrusions, but these measures, as well as our increased awareness of the nature and extent of a risk of a cyber incident, do not guarantee that a cyber incident will not occur and/or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident. In addition, cybersecurity continues to be a key priority for regulators around the world, and some jurisdictions have enacted laws requiring companies to notify individuals or the general investing public of data security breaches involving certain types of personal data, including the SEC, which, on July 26, 2023, adopted amendments requiring the prompt public disclosure of certain cybersecurity breaches. If we fail to comply with the relevant laws and regulations, we could suffer financial losses, a disruption of our business, liability to investors, regulatory intervention or reputational damage.
We are subject to risks associated with artificial intelligence and machine learning technology.
Artificial intelligence, including machine learning and similar tools and technologies that collect, aggregate, analyze or generate data or other materials, or collectively, AI, and its current and potential future applications including in the private investment and financial industries, as well as the legal and regulatory frameworks within which AI operates, continue to rapidly evolve.
Recent technological advances in AI pose risks to us, the Adviser, and our portfolio investments. We and our portfolio investments could also be exposed to the risks of AI if third-party service providers or any counterparties, whether or not known to us, also use AI in their business activities. We and our portfolio companies may not be in a position to control the use of AI technology in third-party products or services.
Use of AI could include the input of confidential information in contravention of applicable policies, contractual or other obligations or restrictions, resulting in such confidential information becoming part accessible by other third-party AI applications and users. While the Adviser does not currently use AI to make investment recommendations, the use of AI could also exacerbate or create new and unpredictable risks to our business, the Adviser’s business, and the business of our portfolio companies, including by potentially significantly disrupting the markets in which we and our portfolio companies operate or subjecting us, our portfolio companies and the Adviser to increased competition and regulation, which could materially and adversely affect business, financial condition or results of operations of us, our portfolio companies and the Adviser. In addition, the use of AI by bad actors could
heighten the sophistication and effectiveness of cyber and security attacks experienced by our portfolio companies and the Adviser.
Independent of its context of use, AI 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 AI technology utilizes to operate. Certain data in such models will inevitably contain a degree of inaccuracy and error—potentially materially so—and could otherwise be inadequate or flawed, which would be likely to degrade the effectiveness of AI technology. To the extent that we or our portfolio investments are exposed to the risks of AI use, any such inaccuracies or errors could have adverse impacts on us or our investments.
AI technology and its applications, including in the private investment and financial sectors, continue to develop rapidly, and it is impossible to predict the future risks that may arise from such developments.
Our business and operations may be negatively affected by securities litigation or stockholder activism, which could cause us to incur significant expense, hinder execution of our investment strategy and impact our stock price.
In the past, following periods of volatility in the market price of a company’s securities, securities class-action litigation has often been brought against that company. In addition, stockholder activism, which could take many forms or arise in a variety of situations, including making public demands that we consider strategic alternatives, engaging in public campaigns to attempt to influence our corporate governance and/or our management, and commencing proxy contests to attempt to elect the activists’ representatives or others to the Board, has increased in the BDC space in recent years. For example, we and certain of our former executive officers have previously been named defendants in a class-action lawsuit asserting claims under Section 10(b) and Section 20(a) of the Exchange Act, and, due to the potential volatility of our stock price and for a variety of other reasons, we may in the future become the target of further securities litigation or stockholder activism. Securities litigation and stockholder activism, including potential proxy contests, may result in substantial costs and divert management’s and the Board’s attention and resources from our business. Additionally, such securities litigation and stockholder activism could give rise to perceived uncertainties as to our future, adversely affect our relationships with service providers and make it more difficult for Barings to attract and retain qualified personnel. Also, we may be required to incur significant legal fees and other expenses related to any securities litigation and activist stockholder matters. Further, our stock price could be subject to significant fluctuation or otherwise be adversely affected by the events, risks and uncertainties of any securities litigation and stockholder activism.
Risks Relating to Our Investments
Inflation could adversely affect the business, results of operations, and financial condition of our portfolio companies.
Certain of our portfolio companies are in industries that could be impacted by inflation. 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.
Our investments in portfolio companies may be risky, and we could lose all or part of our investment.
Our portfolio consists primarily of senior secured private, middle-market debt and equity investments. Investing in private and middle-market companies involves a number of significant risks. Among other things, these companies:
• may have limited financial resources to meet future capital needs and thus may be unable to grow or meet their obligations under their debt instruments that we hold, which may be accompanied by a deterioration in the value of any collateral and a reduction in the likelihood of us realizing any guarantees from subsidiaries or affiliates of our portfolio companies that we may have obtained in connection with our
investment, as well as a corresponding decrease in the value of the equity components of our investments;
• may have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines, smaller market shares and/or more significant customer concentration than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;
• are more likely to depend on the management talents and efforts of a small group of persons; therefore, the death, disability, resignation or termination of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on our portfolio company and, in turn, on us;
• generally have less predictable operating results, may be engaged in rapidly changing businesses with products subject to a substantial risk of obsolescence, and may require substantial additional capital to support their operations, finance expansion or maintain their competitive position; and
• generally have less publicly available information about their businesses, operations and financial condition. We rely on the ability of Barings’ investment professionals to obtain adequate information to evaluate the potential returns from investing in these companies. If Barings is unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision, and we may lose all or part of our investment.
In addition, in the course of providing significant managerial assistance to certain of our portfolio companies, certain of our officers and directors or certain of Barings’ investment professionals may serve as directors on the boards of such companies. We or Barings may in the future be subject to litigation that arises out of our investments in these companies, and our officers and directors or Barings and/or its investment professionals may be named as defendants in such litigation, which could result in an expenditure of funds (through our indemnification of such officers and directors) and the diversion of our officers’, directors’ and Barings’ time and resources.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
We generally invest in companies whose securities are not publicly traded, and whose securities may be subject to legal and other restrictions on resale, or are otherwise less liquid than publicly traded securities. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell these investments when desired. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments.
Price declines and illiquidity in the corporate debt markets may adversely affect the fair value of our portfolio investments, reducing our NAV 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 Board, which has designated Barings as Valuation Designee to perform our fair value determinations relating to the value of our assets for which market quotations are not readily available.
The Valuation Designee conducts the valuation of such investments, upon which our NAV is primarily based, in accordance with its valuation policy, as well as established and documented processes and methodologies for determining the fair values of portfolio company investments on a recurring (at least quarterly) basis in accordance with the 1940 Act and ASC Topic 820. Our current valuation policy and processes were established by the Adviser and have been approved by the Board. The Adviser uses independent third-party providers to price the portfolio, but in the event an acceptable price cannot be obtained from an approved external source, the Adviser will utilize alternative methods in accordance with internal pricing procedures established by the Adviser’s pricing committee. As part of the valuation process, Barings may take into account the following types of factors, if relevant, in determining the fair value of our investments:
• a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to publicly traded securities;
• the enterprise value of the portfolio company;
• the nature and realizable value of any collateral;
• the portfolio company’s ability to make payments and its earnings and discounted cash flow;
• the markets in which the portfolio company does business; and
• changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets generally that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future and other relevant factors.
When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, we use the pricing indicated by the external event to corroborate a valuation. We record decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments as unrealized depreciation. Declines in prices and liquidity in the corporate debt markets may result in significant net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. The effect of all of these factors on our portfolio may reduce our NAV by increasing net unrealized depreciation in our portfolio. 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 effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
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 seeking to:
• increase or maintain in whole or in part our position as a creditor or equity ownership percentage in a portfolio company;
• exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or subsequent financing; or
• preserve or enhance the value of our investment.
We have discretion to make follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. Failure on our part 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 missedopportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful portfolio company. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our level of risk, because we prefer other opportunities or because of regulatory or other considerations.
Our portfolio companies may incur debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, our investments in such companies and such portfolio companies may not generate sufficient cash flow to service their debt obligations to us.
We typically invest in senior debt and first lien notes, however, we have invested, and may invest in the future, a portion of our capital in second lien and subordinated loans issued by our portfolio companies. Our portfolio companies may have, or be permitted to incur, other debt that ranks equally with, or senior to, the debt securities in which we invest. Such subordinated investments are subject to greater risk of default than senior obligations as a result of adverse changes in the financial condition of the obligor or in general economic conditions. If we make a subordinated investment in a portfolio company, the portfolio company may be highly leveraged, and its relatively high debt-to-equity ratio may create increased risks that its operations might not generate sufficient cash flow to service all of its debt obligations. 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 securities in which we invest. These debt instruments would usually prohibit the portfolio companies from paying interest on or repaying our investments in the event of and during the continuance of a default under such debt. Also, in the event of insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of a portfolio company, holders of securities 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 senior creditors, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us where we are junior creditor. In the case of debt ranking equally with debt securities in which we invest, we would have to share any distributions on an equal and ratable basis with other creditors holding such debt in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.
Additionally, certain loans that we make to portfolio companies may be secured on a second priority basis by the same collateral securing senior secured debt of such companies. The first priority liens on the collateral will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under any outstanding senior debt and may secure certain other future debt that may be permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under the agreements governing the loans. The holders of obligations secured by first priority liens on the collateral will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of the collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of the collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the first priority liens on the collateral. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by the second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds of the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.
We may in the future make unsecured loans to portfolio companies, meaning that such loans will not benefit from any interest in collateral of such companies. Liens on a portfolio company’s collateral, if any, will secure the portfolio company’s obligations under its outstanding secured debt and may secure certain future debt that is permitted to be incurred by the portfolio company under its secured loan agreements. The holders of obligations secured by such liens will generally control the liquidation of, and be entitled to receive proceeds from, any realization of such collateral to repay their obligations in full before us. In addition, the value of such collateral in the event of liquidation will depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. There can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from sales of such collateral would be sufficient to satisfy our unsecured loan obligations after payment in full of all loans secured by collateral. If such proceeds were not sufficient to repay the outstanding secured loan obligations, then our unsecured claims would rank equally with the unpaid portion of such secured creditors’ claimsagainst the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.
The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing any junior priority loans we make to our portfolio companies may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements that we enter into with the holders of senior debt. Under a typical intercreditor agreement, at any time that obligations that have the benefit of the first priority liens are outstanding, any of the following actions that may be taken in respect of the collateral will be at the direction of the holders of the obligations secured by the first priority liens:
• the ability to cause the commencement of enforcement proceedings against the collateral;
• the ability to control the conduct of such proceedings;
• the approval of amendments to collateral documents;
• releases of liens on the collateral; and
• waivers of past defaults under collateral documents.
We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if our rights as junior lenders are adversely affected.
There may be circumstances where our debt investments could be subordinated to claims of other creditors or we could be subject to lender liability claims.
Even if we structure an investment as a senior loan, if one of our portfolio companies were to go bankrupt, depending on the facts and circumstances and based upon principles of equitable subordination as defined by existing case law, a bankruptcy court could subordinate all or a portion of our claim to that of other creditors and transfer any lien securing such subordinated claim to the bankruptcy estate. The principles of equitable subordination defined by case law have generally indicated that a claim may be subordinated only if its holder is guilty of misconduct or where the senior loan is re-characterized as an equity investment and the senior lender has actually provided significant managerial assistance to the bankrupt debtor. We may also be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by us with respect to a borrower’s business or instances where we exercise control over the borrower. It is possible that we could become subject to a lender’s liability claim, including as a result of actions taken in rendering managerial assistance or actions to compel and collect payments from the borrower outside the ordinary course of business.
Second priority liens on collateral securing loans that we make to our portfolio companies may be subject to control by senior creditors with first priority liens. If there is a default, the value of the collateral may not be sufficient to repay in full both the first priority creditors and us.
Certain loans that we make are secured by a second priority security interest in the same collateral pledged by a portfolio company to secure senior debt owed by the portfolio company to commercial banks or other traditional lenders. Often the senior lender has procured covenants from the portfolio company prohibiting the incurrence of additional secured debt without the senior lender’s consent. Prior to and as a condition of permitting the portfolio company to borrow money from us secured by the same collateral pledged to the senior lender, the senior lender will require assurances that it will control the disposition of any collateral in the event of bankruptcy or other default. In many such cases, the senior lender will require us to enter into an “inter-creditor agreement” prior to permitting the portfolio company to borrow from us. Typically the inter-creditor agreements we are requested to execute expressly subordinate our debt instruments to those held by the senior lender and further provide that the senior lender shall control: (i) the commencement of foreclosure or other proceedings to liquidate and collect on the collateral; (ii) the nature, timing and conduct of foreclosure or other collection proceedings; (iii) the amendment of any collateral document; (iv) the release of the security interests in respect of any collateral; and (v) the waiver of defaults under any security agreement. Because of the control we may cede to senior lenders under inter-creditor agreements we may enter, we may be unable to realize the proceeds of any collateral securing some of our loans.
Finally, the value of the collateral securing our debt investment will ultimately depend on market and economic conditions, the availability of buyers and other factors. Therefore, there can be no assurance that the proceeds, if any, from the sale or sales of all of the collateral would be sufficient to satisfy the loan obligations secured by our second priority liens after payment in full of all obligations secured by the senior lender’s first priority liens on the collateral. There is also a risk that such collateral securing our investments may decrease in value over time, may be difficult to sell in a timely manner, may be difficult to appraise and may fluctuate in value based upon the success of the portfolio company and market conditions. If such proceeds are not sufficient to repay amounts outstanding under the loan obligations secured by our second priority liens, then we, to the extent not repaid from the proceeds from the sale of the collateral, will only have an unsecured claim against the portfolio company’s remaining assets, if any.
Covenant-Lite Loans may expose us to different risks, including with respect to liquidity, price volatility, ability to restructure loans, credit risks and less protective loan documentation, than is the case with loans that contain financial maintenance covenants.
A significant number of high yield loans in the market, in particular the broadly syndicated loan market, may consist of covenant-lite loans, or “Covenant-Lite Loans.” A significant portion of the loans in which we may invest or get exposure to through our investments may be deemed to be Covenant-Lite Loans and it is possible that such loans may comprise a majority of our portfolio. Such loans do not require the borrower to maintain debt service or other financial ratios and do not include terms which allow the lender to monitor the performance of the borrower and declare a default if certain criteria are breached. Ownership of Covenant-Lite Loans may expose us to different
risks, including with respect to liquidity, price volatility, ability to restructure loans, credit risks and less protective loan documentation, than is the case with loans that contain financial maintenance covenants.
Our investments in foreign companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.
Our investment strategy includes investments in foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risk 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 (potentially at confiscatory levels), less liquid markets, 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.
Although the majority of our investments are currently U.S. dollar-denominated and are expected to be U.S. dollar-denominated, our investments that are denominated in a foreign currency will be subject to the risk that the value of a particular currency will 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 cannot assure you that such strategies will be effective or without risk to us.
We may expose ourselves to risks if we engage in hedging transactions.
We have entered into hedging transactions and may continue to do so in the future, which may expose us to risks associated with such transactions. We have utilized and may continue to 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. Use of these hedging instruments may include counter-party credit risk. 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 able to enter into a hedging transaction at an acceptable price. The success of our hedging transactions will depend on our ability to correctly predict movements in currencies and interest rates. Therefore, while we may enter into such 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 (or be able 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 perfectlyagainst 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.
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 70.0% of our total assets are qualifying assets. For further detail, see “Item 1. —
Business — Regulation of Business Development Companies” included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
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 lose our status as a BDC. If we fail to maintain our status as a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company that is required to register under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to additional regulatory restrictions and significantly decrease our operating flexibility. In addition, any such failure could cause an event of default under our outstanding indebtedness. For these reasons, loss of BDC status likely 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).
We are a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and therefore we are not limited with respect to the proportion of our assets that may be invested in securities of a single issuer.
We are classified as a non-diversified investment company within the meaning of the 1940 Act, which means that we are not limited by the 1940 Act with respect to the proportion of our assets that we may invest in securities of a single issuer. To the extent that we assume large positions in the securities of a small number of issuers, our NAV may fluctuate to a greater extent than that of a diversified investment company as a result of changes in the financial condition or the market’s assessment of the issuer or the industry in which it operates. We may also be more susceptible to any single economic or regulatory occurrence than a diversified investment company. Beyond our RIC asset diversification requirements under the Code and certain investment diversification requirements under our financing agreements, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification, and our investments could be concentrated in relatively few portfolio companies.
We generally do not control our portfolio companies.
We generally do not expect to control most of our portfolio companies, even though we or Barings may have board representation or board observation rights, and our debt agreements with such portfolio companies may contain certain restrictive covenants. As a result, we are subject to the risk that a portfolio company in which we invest may make business decisions with which we disagree, and the management of such company, as representatives of the holders of their common equity, may take risks or otherwise act in ways that do not serve our interests as debt investors. Due to the lack of liquidity for our investments in non-traded companies, we may not be able to dispose of our interests in our portfolio companies as readily as we would like or at an appropriate valuation. As a result, a portfolio company may make decisions that could decrease the value of our portfolio holdings.
Prepayments of our debt investments by our portfolio companies could adversely impact our results of operations and reduce our return on equity.
We are subject to the risk that the investments we make in our portfolio companies may be repaid prior to maturity. When this occurs, we will generally reinvest these proceeds in temporary investments, pending their future investment in new portfolio companies. These temporary investments will typically have substantially lower yields than the debt being prepaid and we could experience significant delays in reinvesting these amounts. Any future investment in a new portfolio company may also be at lower yields than the debt that was repaid. As a result, our results of operations could be materially adversely affected if one or more of our portfolio companies elect to prepay amounts owed to us. Additionally, prepayments could negatively impact our return on equity, which could result in a decline in the market price of our securities.
Any unrealized depreciation we experience on our loan portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution.
As a BDC, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith by the Board (or its valuation designee pursuant to Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act). Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments will be recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized depreciation in our loan 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.
Defaults by our portfolio companies may harm 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, 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.
We may not realize gains from our equity investments.
Certain investments that we have made in the past and may make in the future include equity securities. Investments in equity securities involve a number of significant risks, including the risk of further dilution as a result of additional issuances, inability to access additional capital and failure to pay current distributions. Investments in preferred securities involve special risks, such as the risk of deferred distributions, credit risk, illiquidity and limited voting rights. In addition, we may from time to time make non-control, equity co-investments in companies in conjunction with private equity sponsors. Our goal is ultimately to realize gains upon our disposition of such equity interests. However, the equity interests we receive may not appreciate in value and, in fact, may decline in value. Accordingly, we may not be able to realize gains from our equity interests, and any gains that we do realize on the disposition of any equity interests may not be sufficient to offset any other losses we experience. We also may be unable to realize any value if a portfolio company does not have a liquidity event, such as a sale of the business, recapitalization or public offering, which would allow us to sell the underlying equity interests.
Our investments in asset-backed securities are subject to additional risks.
Asset-backed securities often involve risks that are different from or more acute than risks associated with other types of debt instruments. For instance, asset-backed securities may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates. In addition, the underlying assets may be subject to prepayments that shorten the securities’ weighted average maturity and may lower their return. Asset-backed securities are also subject to risks associated with their structure and the nature of the assets underlying the security and the servicing of those assets. Payment of interest and repayment of principal on asset-backed securities is largely dependent upon the cash flows generated by the assets backing the securities. Certain asset-backed securities are supported by letters of credit, surety bonds or other credit enhancements. However, if many borrowers on the underlying assets default, losses could exceed the credit enhancement level and result in losses to investors, such as the Company. The values of asset-backed securities may be substantially dependent on the servicing of the underlying asset pools, and are therefore subject to risks associated with the negligence by, or defalcation of, their servicers. Furthermore, debtors may be entitled to the protection of a number of state and federal consumer credit laws with respect to the assets underlying these securities, which may give the debtor the right to avoid or reduce payment.
Our investments in collateralized loan obligation vehicles are subject to additional risks.
We may invest in debt and equity interests of collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) vehicles. Generally, there may be less information available to us regarding the underlying debt investments held by such CLOs than if we had invested directly in the debt of the underlying companies. As a result, we and our stockholders may not know the details of the underlying holdings of the CLO vehicles in which we may invest.
As a BDC, we may not acquire equity and junior debt investments in CLO vehicles unless, at the time of and after giving effect to such acquisition, at least 70% of our total assets are “qualifying assets.” CLO vehicles that we expect to invest in are typically very highly leveraged, and therefore, the junior debt and equity tranches that we expect to invest in are subject to a higher degree of risk of total loss. In particular, investors in CLO vehicles indirectly bear risks of the underlying debt investments held by such CLO vehicles. We will generally have the right to receive payments only from the CLO vehicles, and will generally not have direct rights against the underlying borrowers or the entity that sponsored the CLO vehicle. While the CLO vehicles we intend to target generally enable the investor to acquire interests in a pool of leveraged corporate loans without the expenses associated with directly holding the same investments, we will generally pay a proportionate share of the CLO vehicles’ administrative and other expenses. Although it is difficult to predict whether the prices of indices and securities underlying CLO
vehicles will rise or fall, these prices (and, therefore, the prices of the CLO vehicles) will be influenced by the same types of political and economic events that affect issuers of securities and capital markets generally. The failure by a CLO vehicle in which we invest to satisfy certain financial covenants, specifically those with respect to adequate collateralization and/or interest coverage tests, could lead to a reduction in its payments to us. In the event that a CLO vehicle failed those tests, holders of debt senior to us may be entitled to additional payments that would, in turn, reduce the payments we would otherwise be entitled to receive. If any of these occur, it could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.
In addition to the general risks associated with investing in debt securities, CLO vehicles carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: (i) the possibility that distributions from collateral securities will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (ii) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (iii) the fact that our investments in CLO tranches will likely be subordinate to other senior classes of note tranches thereof; and (iv) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the CLO vehicle or unexpected investment results. Our NAV may also decline over time if our principal recovery with respect to CLO equity investments is less than the price we paid for those investments.
Investments in structured vehicles, including equity and junior debt instruments issued by CLO vehicles, involve risks, including credit risk and market risk. Changes in interest rates and credit quality may cause significant price fluctuations. Additionally, changes in the underlying leveraged corporate loans held by a CLO vehicle may cause payments on the instruments we hold to be reduced, either temporarily or permanently. Structured investments, particularly the subordinated interests in which we intend to invest, may be less liquid than many other types of securities and may be more volatile than the leveraged corporate loans underlying the CLO vehicles we intend to target. Fluctuations in interest rates may also cause payments on the tranches of CLO vehicles that we hold to be reduced, either temporarily or permanently.
Any interests we acquire in CLO vehicles will likely be thinly traded or have only a limited trading market and may be subject to restrictions on resale. Securities issued by CLO vehicles are generally not listed on any U.S. national securities exchange and no active trading market may exist for the securities of CLO vehicles in which we may invest. Although a secondary market may exist for our investments in CLO vehicles, the market for our investments in CLO vehicles may be subject to irregular trading activity, wide bid/ask spreads and extended trade settlement periods. As a result, these types of investments may be more difficult to value. In addition, our investments in CLO warehouse facilities are short term investments and therefore may be subject to a greater risk relating to market conditions and economic recession or downturns.
We may be subject to risks associated with syndicated loans.
From time to time, we may acquire interests in syndicated loans. Under the documentation for syndicated loans, a financial institution or other entity typically is designated as the administrative agent and/or collateral agent. This agent is granted a lien on any collateral on behalf of the other lenders and distributes payments on the indebtedness as they are received. The agent is the party responsible for administering and enforcing the loan and generally may take actions only in accordance with the instructions of a majority or two-thirds in commitments and/or principal amount of the associated indebtedness. In most cases, we do not expect to hold a sufficient amount of the indebtedness to be able to compel any actions by the agent. Consequently, we would only be able to direct such actions if instructions from us were made in conjunction with other holders of associated indebtedness that together with us compose the requisite percentage of the related indebtedness then entitled to take action. Conversely, if holders of the required amount of the associated indebtedness other than us desire to take certain actions, such actions may be taken even if we did not support such actions. Furthermore, if an investment is subordinated to one or more senior loans made to the applicable obligor, our ability to exercise such rights may be subordinated to the exercise of such rights by the senior lenders. Accordingly, we may be precluded from directing such actions unless we act together with other holders of the indebtedness. If we are unable to direct such actions, we cannot assure you that the actions taken will be in our best interests.
If an investment is a syndicated revolving loan or delayed drawdown loan, other lenders may fail to satisfy their full contractual funding commitments for such loan, which could create a breach of contract, result in a lawsuit by the obligor against the lenders and adversely affect the fair market value of our investment.
There is a risk that a loan agent in respect of one of our loans may become bankrupt or insolvent. Such an event would delay, and possibly impair, any enforcement actions undertaken by holders of the associated indebtedness, including attempts to realize upon the collateral securing the associated indebtedness and/or direct the agent to take actions against the related obligor or the collateral securing the associated indebtedness and actions to realize on proceeds of payments made by obligors that are in the possession or control of any other financial institution. In addition, we may be unable to remove the agent in circumstances in which removal would be in our best interests. Moreover, agented loans typically allow the agent to resign with certain advance notice.
Our special situations investments involve a high degree of credit and market risk.
Our special situations investments, which consist of investments in the securities and debt of financially troubled issuers or borrowers and operationally troubled issuers or borrowers, involve a high degree of credit and market risk. Although we may invest in select companies that, in the view of the Adviser, have the potential over the long-term for capital growth, there can be no assurance that such financially troubled issuers or operationally troubled issuers can be successfully transformed into profitable operating companies. There is a possibility that we may incur substantial or total losses on investments or that such investments may not show any return for a considerable period of time. Under such circumstances, the returns generated from the investments may not compensate investors adequately for the risks assumed.
The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful investment in companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. There can be no assurance that the Adviser will correctly evaluate the value of a company’s assets or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. During an economic downturn or recession, securities of financially troubled or operationally troubled issuers and borrowers are more likely to go into default than securities of other issuers. In addition, it may be difficult to obtain information about such issuers and borrowers.
Securities and debt of financially troubled issuers or borrowers and operationally troubled issuers or borrowers are less liquid and more volatile than securities of companies not experiencing financial or operational difficulties. The market prices of such securities are subject to erratic and abrupt market movements, and the spread between bid and asked prices may be greater than normally expected. In addition, it is anticipated that many investments may not be widely traded and that our investment in such securities may be substantial relative to the market for such securities. As a result, we may experience delays and incur losses and other costs in connection with the sale of investments.
Troubled company and other asset-based investments require active monitoring and may, at times, require participation in business strategy or reorganization proceedings by the Adviser. To the extent that the Adviser becomes involved in such proceedings, we may have a more active participation in the affairs of the issuer than that assumed generally by an investor. In addition, involvement by the Adviser in an issuer’s reorganization proceedings could result in the imposition of restrictions limiting our ability to liquidate its position in the issuer or increase the likelihood of us being involved in litigation.
Risks Relating to Our Securities
Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount to their NAV and may trade at premiums that may prove to be unsustainable.
Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount from NAV, and may trade at premiums that may prove to be unsustainable. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies and BDCs is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV per share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at, above or below NAV. The risk of purchasing shares of a BDC that might trade at a discount or unsustainable premium is more pronounced for investors who wish to sell their shares in a relatively short period of time because, for those investors, realization of a gain or loss on their investments is likely to be more dependent upon changes in premium or discount levels than upon increases or decreases in NAV per share. As
of December 31, 2025, the closing price of our common stock on the NYSE was $9.18 per share, an approximately 17.2% discount to our NAV per share as of December 31, 2025.
In addition, at times when our common stock trades below NAV, we will generally not be able to issue additional common stock at the market price without first obtaining the approval of our stockholders and our independent directors. We may, however, sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the current NAV per share of our common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve such sale. Any such sale would be dilutive to the NAV per share of our common stock. In any such case, the price at which our securities are to be issued and sold may not be less than a price that, in the determination of our board of directors, closely approximates the market value of such securities (less any commission or discount). If our common stock trades at a discount to NAV, this restriction could adversely affect our ability to raise capital.
Investing in our securities may involve an above-average degree of risk.
The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and a higher risk of volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative, and therefore, an investment in our shares may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.
The market price of our securities may be volatile and fluctuate significantly.
Fluctuations in the trading prices of our shares may adversely affect the liquidity of the trading market for our shares and, if we seek to raise capital through future equity financings, our ability to raise such equity capital. The market price and liquidity of the market for our securities may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:
• significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of BDCs or other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;
• changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs or BDCs;
• inability to obtain certain exemptive relief from the SEC;
• loss of RIC tax treatment;
• changes in earnings or variations in operating results;
• changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;
• any shortfall in investment income or net investment income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;
• conversion features of subscription rights, warrants or convertible debt;
• loss of a major funding source;
• fluctuations in interest rates;
• the operating performance of companies comparable to us;
• departure of Barings’ or any of its affiliates’ key personnel;
• proposed, or completed, offerings of our securities, including classes other than our common stock;
• global or national credit market changes; and
• general economic trends and other external factors.
The market for any security is subject to volatility. The loans and securities purchased by us and issued by us are no exception to this fundamental investment truism that prices will fluctuate.
We may be unable to invest a significant portion of the net proceeds raised from our offerings on acceptable terms, which would harm our financial condition and operating results.
Delays in investing the net proceeds raised in our offerings may cause our performance to be worse than that of other fully invested BDCs or other lenders or investors pursuing comparable investment strategies. We cannot assure you that we will be able to identify any investments that meet our investment objective or that any investment that we make will produce a positive return. We may be unable to invest the net proceeds from any offering on acceptable terms within the time period that we anticipate or at all, which could harm our financial condition and operating results.
We anticipate that, depending on market conditions, it may take a substantial period of time to invest substantially all of the net proceeds from any offering in securities meeting our investment objective. During such a period, we have and will continue to invest the net proceeds from any offering primarily in cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, repurchase agreements and high-quality debt instruments maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which may produce returns that are significantly lower than the returns which we expect to achieve when our portfolio is fully invested in securities meeting our investment objective, and given our expense ratio and the prevailing interest rate climate, there is a possible risk of losing money on the offering proceeds from certain securities, such as debt securities during this interval. As a result, any dividends or distributions that we pay during such period may be substantially lower than the dividends or distributions that we may be able to pay when our portfolio is fully invested in securities meeting our investment objective. In addition, until such time as the net proceeds from any offering are invested in securities meeting our investment objective, the market price for our securities may decline. Thus, the return on your investment may be lower than when, if ever, our portfolio is fully invested in securities meeting our investment objective.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock in the public market may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common stock.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common stock, or the availability of such common stock for sale, could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of securities should we desire to do so.
If we sell common stock at a discount to our NAV per share, stockholders will experience immediate dilution in an amount that may be material.
Any sale of common stock at a price below NAV would result in an immediate dilution to existing common stockholders. During periods of time in which we have authority from stockholders to issue shares of common stock at a price below NAV, such shares of common stock could be issued at a price that is substantially below the NAV per share, and the resulting dilution could be substantial. This dilution would include reduction in the NAV per share as a result of the issuance of shares at a price below the NAV per share and a proportionately greater decrease in a stockholder’s interest in the earnings and assets of the Company and voting interest in the Company than the increase in the assets, potential earnings and voting interests of the Company resulting from such issuance. In addition, such issuances or sales may adversely affect the price at which our common stock trades. We do not currently have the authorization from our stockholders to issue common stock at a price below the then-current NAV per share and there is no guarantee that we will obtain such authorization from our stockholders in the future.
Provisions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and by-laws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse impact on the price of our common stock.
The Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and by-laws contain provisions that may have the effect of discouraging, delaying or making difficult a change in control of our Company or the removal of our incumbent directors. Specifically, the Board has adopted a resolution explicitly subjecting us to the Maryland Business Combination Act under the Maryland General Corporation Law, which, subject to limitations, prohibits certain business combinations between us and an “interested stockholder” (defined generally as any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of our outstanding voting stock) or an affiliate thereof for five years after the most recent date on which the stockholder becomes an interested stockholder and thereafter imposes fair price and/or super majority voting requirements on these combinations. In addition, our charter classifies the
Board in three classes serving staggered three-year terms and provides that a director may be removed only for cause by the vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast for the election of directors generally. In addition, our by-laws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of stockholders will be called by our secretary to act upon any matter that may properly be considered at a meeting of stockholders only upon the written request of the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast on such matter at the meeting.
In addition, subject to the provisions of the 1940 Act, our charter permits the Board, without stockholder action, to authorize the issuance of shares of stock in one or more classes or series, including preferred stock. Subject to compliance with the 1940 Act, the Board may, without stockholder action, amend our charter from time to time to increase or decrease the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue. The existence of these provisions, among others, may have a negative impact on the price of our common stock and may discourage third-party bids for ownership of our company. These provisions may prevent any premiums being offered to you for shares of our common stock.
If we issue preferred stock and/or debt securities, the NAV and market value of our common stock may become more volatile.
We cannot assure you that the issuance of preferred stock and/or debt securities would result in a higher yield or return to the holders of our common stock. The issuance of preferred stock and/or debt securities would likely cause the NAV and market value of our common stock to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to approach the net rate of return on our investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the holders of our common stock would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred stock, or the interest rate on the debt securities, were to exceed the net rate of return on our portfolio, the use of leverage would result in a lower rate of return to the holders of common stock than if we had not issued the preferred stock or debt securities. Any decline in the NAV of our investment would be borne entirely by the holders of our common stock. Therefore, if the market value of our portfolio were to decline, the leverage would result in a greater decrease in NAV to the holders of our common stock than if we were not leveraged through the issuance of preferred stock or debt securities. This decline in NAV would also tend to cause a greaterdecline in the market price for our common stock.
There is also a risk that, in the event of a sharp decline in the value of our net assets, we would be in danger of failing to maintain required asset coverage ratios which may be required by the preferred stock and/or debt securities or of a downgrade in the ratings of the preferred stock and/or debt securities or our current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred stock or the interest payments on the debt securities. In order to counteract such an event, we might need to liquidate investments in order to fund redemption of some or all of the preferred stock and/or debt securities. In addition, we would pay (and the holders of our common stock would bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred stock and/or debt securities. Holders of preferred stock and/or debt securities may have different interests than holders of common stock and may at times have disproportionate influence over our affairs.
There is a risk that investors in our common stock may not receive a specified level of dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time and that investors in any debt securities we may issue may not receive all of the interest income to which they are entitled.
We intend to make distributions on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results that will allow us to make a specified level of cash distributions or year-to-year increases in cash distributions. If we declare a dividend and if more stockholders opt to receive cash distributions rather than participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, we may be forced to sell some of our investments in order to make cash dividend payments.
In addition, due to the asset coverage and NAV tests applicable to us as a BDC and under covenants under our financing agreements, we may be limited in our ability to make distributions. Further, if we invest a greater amount of assets in equity securities that do not pay current dividends, it could reduce the amount available for distribution.
See “Item 5. — Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities — Distribution Policy” of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for further discussion of distributions.
The above-referenced restrictions on distributions may also inhibit our ability to make required interest payments to holders of our current debt including the Series C Notes, the February Notes, the November 2026 Notes, the February 2029 Notes and the September 2028 Notes (each as defined below under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K), and any future debt we may issue, which may cause a default under the terms of the relevant debt agreements. Such a default could materially increase our cost of raising capital, as well as cause us to incur penalties under the terms of our debt agreements.
Terms relating to redemption may materially adversely affect your return on any debt securities that we may issue.
If you are holding debt securities issued by us and such securities are redeemable at our option, we may choose to redeem your debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on your debt securities. In addition, if you are holding debt securities issued by us and such securities are subject to mandatory redemption, we may be required to redeem your debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on your debt securities. In this circumstance, you may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as your debt securities being redeemed.
We may not be able to prepay the Series C Notes, the February Notes, the November 2026 Notes, the February 2029 Notes or the September 2028 Notes upon a change in control.
The note purchase agreements governing the Series C Notes and the February Notes, and the indentures governing the November 2026 Notes, the February 2029 Notes and the September 2028 Notes, require us to offer to prepay all of the respective issued and outstanding notes upon the occurrence of certain change in control events, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Upon a change in control event, holders of the notes may require us to prepay in cash some or all of the notes at a prepayment price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount of the notes being prepaid, plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of prepayment. If a change in control were to occur, we may not have sufficient funds to prepay any such accelerated indebtedness.
Future offerings of debt securities, which would be senior to our common stock upon liquidation, or equity securities, which could dilute our existing stockholders and may be senior to our common stock for the purposes of distributions, may harm the value of our common stock.
In the future, we may attempt to increase our capital resources by making offerings of additional debt securities or additional equity securities, including commercial paper, medium-term notes, senior or subordinated notes and classes of preferred stock or common stock subject to the restrictions of the 1940 Act. Upon a liquidation of our company, holders of our debt securities and shares of preferred stock and lenders with respect to other borrowings would receive a distribution of our available assets prior to the holders of our common stock. Additional equity offerings by us may dilute the holdings of our existing stockholders or reduce the value of our common stock, or both. Any preferred stock we may issue would have a preference on distributions that could limit our ability to make distributions to the holders of our common stock. Because our decision to issue securities in any future offering will depend on market conditions and other factors beyond our control, we cannot predict or estimate the amount, timing or nature of our future offerings. Thus, our stockholders bear the risk of our future offerings reducing the market price of our common stock and diluting their stock holdings in us. In addition, proceeds from a sale of common stock will likely be used to increase our total assets or to pay down our borrowings, among other uses. This would increase our asset coverage ratio and permit us to incur additional leverage under rules pertaining to BDCs by increasing our borrowings or issuing senior securities such as preferred stock or debt securities.
You may have a current tax liability on distributions reinvested in our common stock pursuant to our dividend reinvestment plan or otherwise but would not receive cash from such distributions to pay such tax liability.
If you participate in our dividend reinvestment plan, you will be deemed to have received, and for U.S. federal income tax purposes will be taxed on, the amount reinvested in our common stock to the extent the amount reinvested was not a tax-free return of capital. As a result, unless you are a tax-exempt entity, you may have to use funds from other sources to pay your tax liability on the value of our common stock received from the distribution.
In addition, in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs, we have the ability to declare a large portion of a dividend in shares of our common stock instead of in cash. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash (which portion may be as low as 20% of the declared dividend) and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a stockholder generally would be subject to tax on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend on the date the dividend is received by the stockholder in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of our common stock. We currently do not intend to pay dividends in shares of our common stock other than in connection with our dividend reinvestment plan.
A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of the credit rating, if any, assigned by a rating agency to us or any of our outstanding unsecured notes, or change in the debt markets could cause the liquidity or market value of our securities to decline significantly.
Our credit ratings are an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in our credit ratings will generally affect the value and trading prices, if any, of our outstanding unsecured notes. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks relating to the structure or marketing of the notes. Credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization in its sole discretion. We undertake no obligation to maintain our credit ratings or to advise any holders of our unsecured notes of any changes in our credit ratings, except as may be required under the terms of any applicable indenture or other governing document, including the November 2020 NPA, the February 2021 NPA (each as defined below under “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Liquidity and Capital Resources” included in Item 7 of Part II of this Annual Report on Form 10-K) and the indenture governing the November 2026 Notes, the February 2029 Notes and the September 2028 Notes. There can be no assurance that our credit ratings will remain for any given period of time or that such credit ratings will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by the rating agency if in their judgment future circumstances relating to the basis of the credit ratings, such as adverse changes in our business or operations, so warrant. Any downgrades to us or our securities could increase our cost of capital or otherwise have a negative effect on our results of operations and financial condition. In this regard, the fixed rates of the Series C Notes and the February Notes are subject to increase in the event that a Below Investment Grade Event (as defined in relevant note purchase agreement) occurs. The conditions of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future, which could have an adverse effect on the market prices and value of our unsecured notes.
General Risk Factors
We are currently operating in a period of capital markets disruption and economic uncertainty.
The success of our activities is affected by general economic and market conditions, including, among others, interest rates, availability of credit, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws, and trade barriers. These factors could affect the level and volatility of securities prices and the liquidity of our investments. Volatility or illiquidity could impair our profitability or result in losses. These factors also could adversely affect the availability or cost of our leverage, which would result in lower returns. In addition, the U.S. capital markets have experienced volatility and disruption in recent years. Disruptions in the capital markets have in the past increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets.
These and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity would be expected to have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unfavorable economic conditions also would be
expected to increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events have limited and could continue to limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and have a material negative impact on our operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.
Global capital markets may experience periods of disruption and instability or an economic recession in the future. These conditions have historically affected and could again materially and adversely affect debt and equity capital markets in the United States and around the world and could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.
The U.S. and global capital markets have from time to time experienced periods of disruption characterized by the freezing of available credit, a lack of liquidity in the debt capital markets, significant losses in the principal value of investments, the re-pricing of credit risk in the broadly syndicated credit market, the failure of major financial institutions and general volatility in the financial markets. During these periods of disruption, general economic conditions deteriorated with material and adverse consequences for the broader financial and credit markets, and the availability of debt and equity capital for the market as a whole, and financial services firms in particular, was reduced significantly. These conditions may reoccur for a prolonged period of time or materially worsen in the future.
Market conditions may in the future make it difficult to extend the maturity of or refinance our existing indebtedness and any failure to do so could have a material adverse effect on our business. 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.
Given the volatility and dislocation that the capital markets have historically experienced, many BDCs have faced, and may in the future face, a challenging environment in which to raise capital. We may in the future have difficulty accessing debt and equity capital on attractive terms, or at all, and a severedisruption or instability in the global financial markets or deteriorations in credit and financing conditions may cause us to reduce the volume of the loans we originate and/or fund, which may adversely affect the value of our portfolio investments or otherwise have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, significant changes in the capital markets, including instances of extreme volatility and disruption, have had, and may in the future have, a negative effect on the valuations of our investments and on the potential for liquidity events involving our investments. We monitor developments and seek to manage our investments in a manner consistent with achieving our investment objective, but there can be no assurance that we will be successful in doing so, and we may not timely anticipate or manage existing, new or additional risks, contingencies or developments, including regulatory developments in the current or future market environment.
An inability to raise capital, and any required sale of our investments for liquidity purposes, could have a material effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations. The debt capital that will be available to us in the future, if at all, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions than what we currently experience, including being at a higher cost in rising rate environments. 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. In addition, equity capital may be difficult to raise during periods of adverse or volatile market conditions because, subject to some limited exceptions, as a BDC, we are generally not able to issue additional shares of our common stock at a price less than NAV without first obtaining approval for such issuance from our stockholders and our Independent Directors.
Many of the portfolio companies in which we make investments may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and may be unable to repay the loans we made to them during these periods. 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 harm 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.
Terrorist attacks, acts of war, national disasters, or public health crises (such as outbreaks or pandemics) may affect any market for our securities, impact the businesses in which we invest and harm our business, operating results and financial condition.
Terrorist acts, acts of war, national disasters, or public health crises (such as outbreaks or pandemics) may disrupt our operations, as well as the operations of the businesses in which we invest. Such acts have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to global economic instability. For example, many countries have experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses in recent decades, including swine flu, avian influenza, SARS and COVID-19.
Geopolitical conflicts, and resulting market volatility, could also adversely affect our business, operating results, and financial condition. The extent and duration or escalation of such conflicts, resulting sanctions and future market disruptions are impossible to predict, but could be significant. Any disruptions resulting from such conflicts and any future conflict (including cyberattacks, espionage or the use or threatened use of nuclear weapons) or resulting from actual or threatened responses to such actions could cause disruptions to any of our portfolio companies located in affected regions or that have substantial business relationships with companies in affected regions. It is not possible to predict the duration or extent of longer-term consequences of these conflicts, which could include further sanctions, retaliatory and escalating measures, embargoes, regional instability, geopolitical shifts and adverse effects on or involving macroeconomic conditions, the energy sector, supply chains, inflation, security conditions, currency exchange rates and financial markets around the globe. Any such market disruptions could affect our portfolio companies’ operations and, as a result, could have a material effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The extent to which any disease outbreaks or health pandemics may negatively affect our and our portfolio companies’ operating results, or the duration of any potential business or supply chain disruption, is uncertain. These potential impacts, while uncertain, could adversely affect our operating results and the operating results of the portfolio companies in which we invest. There is a risk that any future disease outbreaks or health pandemics (including a recurrence of COVID-19) would impact our ability to achieve our investment objectives. Further, if a future pandemic occurs during a period when our investments are maturing, we may not be able to realize our investments within the Company’s term, or at all. In addition, future terrorist activities, military or security operations, natural disasters, disease outbreaks, pandemics or other similar events could weaken the domestic/global economies and create additional uncertainties, which may negatively impact our portfolio companies and, in turn, could have a material effect on our business, operating results and financial condition.
We are subject to risks related to corporate social responsibility.
Our business faces increasing public scrutiny related to corporate social responsibility activities. We risk damage to our brand and reputation if we fail to act responsibly in a number of areas, such as environmental stewardship, corporate governance and transparency and the consideration of corporate social responsibility factors in our investment processes. Adverseincidents with respect to such corporate social responsibility activities could impact the value of our brand, the cost of our operations and relationships with investors, all of which could adversely affect our business and results of operations. At the same time, different stakeholder groups have
divergent views on corporate social responsibility matters, which increases the risk that any action or lack thereof with respect to corporate social responsibility matters will be perceived negatively by at least some stakeholders and may adversely impact our reputation and business. If we do not successfully manage corporate social responsibility-related expectations across these varied stakeholder interests, it could erode stakeholder trust, impact our reputation and constrain our business.
We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.
We could experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including our ability or inability to make investments in companies that meet our investment criteria, the interest rate payable on the debt securities we acquire, the level of our expenses, variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.
Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.
Many of our portfolio companies may be susceptible to economic downturns or recessions and may be unable to repay our loans or meet other obligations during these periods. Therefore, during these periods our non-performing assets may increase and the value of these assets may decrease. Adverse economic conditions may also decrease the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our debt and equity investments. Economic slowdowns or recessions could lead to financial losses in our portfolio and a decrease in revenues, net income and assets. Unfavorable economic conditions also could increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. These events could prevent us from increasing investments and harm 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, termination of its loans and foreclosure on its assets, which could trigger cross-defaults under other agreements and jeopardize our portfolio company’s ability to meet its obligations under the debt securities that we hold. We may incur 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, even though we may have structured our interest as senior debt or preferred equity, depending on the facts and circumstances, including the extent to which we actually provided managerial assistance to that portfolio company, a bankruptcy court might recharacterize our debt or equity holding and subordinate all or a portion of our claim to those of other creditors.
The outcome of the U.S. presidential, congressional and other elections creates significant uncertainty with respect to the legal, tax and regulatory regime in which we and our portfolio companies will operate.
Changes in the composition of the U.S. government following an election could result in changes to U.S. and non-U.S. fiscal, tax and other policies, as well as the global financial markets generally. Any significant changes in economic policy, the regulation of the asset management industry, international trade policy and/or tax law, among other things, could have a material adverse impact on us and our investments. General fluctuations in the market prices of securities and interest rates could affect our investment opportunities and the value of our investments. We could also be affected by difficult conditions in the capital markets and any overall weakening of the financial services industry. Ongoing disruptions in the global credit markets could affect issuers’ ability to pay debts and obligations on a timely basis. If defaults occur, we could lose both invested capital in, and anticipated profits from, any affected investments.
While the current U.S. administration has signaled a reduced emphasis on regulation, past U.S. administrations supported an enhanced regulatory agenda. Changes in regulation can impose greater costs on certain sectors, including financial services, or otherwise impact the competitive environment for obligors, which could adversely impact us and our clients.
Changes to U.S. tariff and import/export regulations may have a negative effect on our portfolio companies and, in turn, harm us.
The U.S. government has indicated its intent, made proposals and taken actions to alter its approach to international trade policy and in some cases to renegotiate, or potentially terminate, existing bilateral or multi-lateral trade agreements and treaties with foreign countries. Some foreign governments, including China, have instituted retaliatory tariffs on certain U.S. goods. These developments, or the perception that more 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 United States. 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.
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.
Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business or cause us to alter our business strategy.
We, our subsidiaries and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation at the local, state and federal level. New legislation may be enacted or new interpretations, rulings or regulations could be adopted, including those governing the types of investments we are permitted to make, any of which could harm us and our stockholders, potentially with retroactive effect. Additionally, new regulatory initiatives related to environmental, social and corporate governance could adversely affect our business.
Additionally, any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations relating to permitted investments may cause us to alter our investment strategy in order to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. Such changes could result in material differences to the strategies and plans set forth in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of our management team to other types of investments in which our management team may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment .
We, the Adviser, and our portfolio companies may maintain cash balances at financial institutions that exceed federally insured limits and may otherwise be materially affected by adverse developments affecting the financial services industry, such as actual events or concerns involving liquidity, defaults or non-performance by financial institutions or transactional counterparties.
Our cash and our Adviser’s cash is held in accounts at U.S. banking institutions that we believe are of high quality. Cash held by us, our Adviser and by our portfolio companies in non-interest-bearing and interest-bearing operating accounts may exceed the FDIC insurance limits. If such banking institutions were to fail, we, our Adviser, or our portfolio companies could lose all or a portion of those amounts held in excess of such insurance limitations. In addition, actual events involving limited liquidity, defaults, non-performance or other adverse developments that affect financial institutions, transactional counterparties or other companies in the financial services industry or the financial services industry generally, or concerns or rumors about any events of these kinds or other similar risks, have in the past and may in the future lead to market-wide liquidity problems, which could adversely affect our, our Adviser’s and our portfolio companies’ business, financial condition, results of operations, or prospects.
Although we and our Adviser assess our banking relationships and those of our portfolio companies’ banking relationships as we believe necessary or appropriate, our access and that of our portfolio companies’ to funding sources and other credit arrangements in amounts adequate to finance or capitalize our respective current and projected future business operations could be significantly impaired by factors that affect us, our Adviser or our
portfolio companies, the financial institutions with which we, our Adviser or our portfolio companies have arrangements directly, or the financial services industry or economy in general. These factors could include, among others, events such as liquidity constraints or failures, the ability to perform obligations under various types of financial, credit or liquidity agreements or arrangements, disruptions or instability in the financial services industry or financial markets, or concerns or negative expectations about the prospects for companies in the financial services industry. These factors could involve financial institutions or financial services industry companies with which we, our Adviser or our portfolio companies have financial or business relationships, but could also include factors involving financial markets or the financial services industry generally.
In addition, investor concerns regarding the U.S. or international financial systems could result in less favorable commercial financing terms, including higher interest rates or costs and tighter financial and operating covenants, or systemic limitations on access to credit and liquidity sources, thereby making it more difficult for us, our Adviser, or our portfolio companies to acquire financing on acceptable terms or at all.
Restated
Restated
Restated
effective
An externally-managed BDC generally does not have any employees, and its investment and management functions are provided by an outside investment adviser and administrator under an advisory agreement and administration agreement. Instead of directly compensating employees, we pay Barings for investment management and administrative services pursuant to the terms of an investment advisory agreement and an administration agreement. Under the terms of the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement, the fees paid to Barings for managing our affairs are determined based upon an objective and fixed formula, as compared with the subjective and variable nature of the costs associated with employing management and employees in an internally-managed BDC structure, which include bonuses that cannot be directly tied to Company performance because of restrictions on incentive compensation under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”).
Barings focuses on investing our portfolio primarily in senior secured private debt investments in well-established middle-market businesses that operate across a wide range of industries. The 2026 Co-Investment Order permits us and Barings’ affiliated private and SEC-registered funds to co-invest in Barings-originated loans, which allows Barings to efficiently implement its senior secured private debt investment strategy for us.
Barings employs fundamental credit analysis, and targets investments in businesses with relatively low levels of cyclicality and operating risk. The holding size of each position will generally be dependent upon a number of factors including total facility size, pricing and structure, and the number of other lenders in the facility. Barings has experience managing levered vehicles, both public and private, and will seek to enhance our returns through the use of leverage with a prudent approach that prioritizes capital preservation. Barings believes this strategy and approach offers attractive risk/return with lower volatility given the potential for fewer defaults and greater resilience through market cycles. A significant portion of our investments are expected to be rated below investment grade by rating agencies or, if unrated would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “junk,” have predominantly speculative characteristics with respect to the issuer’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
We generate revenues in the form of interest income, primarily from our investments in debt securities, loan origination and other fees and dividend income. Fees generated in connection with our debt investments are recognized over the life of the loan using the effective interest method or, in some cases, recognized as earned. Our senior secured, middle-market, private debt investments generally have terms of between five and seven years. Our senior secured, middle-market, first lien private debt investments generally bear interest between the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) (or the applicable currency rate for investments in foreign currencies) plus 450 basis points and SOFR plus 650 basis points per annum. Our subordinated middle-market, private debt investments generally bear interest between SOFR (or the applicable currency rate for investments in foreign currencies) plus 700 basis points and SOFR plus 900 basis points per annum if floating rate, and between 8% and 15% if fixed rate. From time to time, certain of our investments may have a form of interest, referred to as payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest, which is not paid currently but is instead accrued and added to the loan balance and paid at the end of the term. To a lesser extent, we will invest opportunistically in assets such as, without limitation, equity, special situations, structured credit (e.g., private asset-backed securities), syndicated loan opportunities and/or high yield investments.
As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the weighted average yield on the principal amount of our outstanding debt investments other than non-accrual debt investments was approximately 9.5% and 10.2%, respectively. The weighted average yield on the principal amount of all of our outstanding debt investments (including non-accrual debt investments) was approximately 9.0% and 9.8% as of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, respectively.
Portfolio Composition
The total fair value of our investment portfolio was $2,398.5 million as of December 31, 2025, as compared to $2,449.3 million as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2025, we had investments in 333 portfolio companies with an aggregate cost of $2,424.3 million. As of December 31, 2024, we had investments in 328 portfolio companies with an aggregate cost of $2,522.7 million. As of both December 31, 2025 and 2024, none of our portfolio investments represented greater than 10% of the total fair value of our investment portfolio.
As of December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, our investment portfolio consisted of the following investments:
($ in thousands)
Cost
Percentage of
Total Portfolio
Fair Value
Percentage of
Total Portfolio
December 31, 2025:
Senior debt and 1 st lien notes
Subordinated debt and 2 nd lien notes
Structured products
Equity shares
Equity warrants
Royalty rights
Investments in joint ventures
December 31, 2024:
Senior debt and 1 st lien notes
Subordinated debt and 2 nd lien notes
Structured products
Equity shares
Equity warrants
Royalty rights
Investments in joint ventures / PE fund
Investment Activity
During the year ended December 31, 2025, we made 66 new portfolio company investments totaling $ 454.9 million, made investments in existing portfolio companies totaling $ 233.1 million and made a $ 2.9 million debt investment alongside other related party affiliates in a portfolio company that specializes in providing financing to plaintiff law firms engaged in mass tort and other civil litigation. We had 45 loans repaid totaling $271.5 million and recognized a net realized loss on these transactions of $34.8 million. We also received $195.7 million of portfolio company principal payments and sales proceeds and recognized a net realized loss on these transactions of $4.6 million. We received $34.1 million of return of capital from our joint ventures, equity, and royalty rights investments. We also received proceeds of $4.7 million related to the exit of one of our royalty rights investments and recognized a realized gain on such exit of $2.5 million. In addition, we sold $240.4 million of investments to our joint ventures, recognizing a net realized gain on these transactions of $1.8 million. Also, investments in four portfolio companies were restructured, which resulted in a net realized loss of $10.0 million. Lastly, we received proceeds related to the sale of equity investments totaling $28.1 million and recognized a net realized gain on such sales totaling $5.7 million.
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we made 45 new portfolio company investments totaling $341.7 million, made investments in existing portfolio companies totaling $298.6 million and made a $3.5 million equity co-investment alongside certain affiliates in a portfolio company that specializes in providing financing to plaintiff law firms engaged in mass tort and other civil litigation. We had 47 loans repaid totaling $360.8 million and recognized a net realized loss on these transactions of $13.5 million. We also received $213.8 million of portfolio company principal payments and sales proceeds and recognized a net realized loss of $1.0 million. We received $17.1 million of return of capital from our joint ventures, equity, and royalty rights investments. In addition, we sold $27.2 million of middle-market portfolio debt investments to our joint ventures, recognizing a net realized loss on these transactions of $0.4 million. In addition, investments in four portfolio companies were restructured, which resulted in a net realized loss of $17.3 million. Lastly, we received proceeds related to the sale of equity investments totaling $38.0 million and recognized a net realized gain on such sales totaling $8.5 million.
Total portfolio investment activity for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was as follows:
December 31, 2025
($ in thousands)
Senior Debt
and 1 st Lien
Notes
Subordinated Debt and 2 nd Lien Notes
Structured Products
Equity
Shares
Equity Warrants
Royalty Rights
Investments in Joint Ventures / PE Fund
Total
Fair value, beginning of period
New investments
Investment restructuring
Proceeds from sales of investments / return of capital
Loan origination fees received
Principal repayments received
Payment-in-kind interest /dividends
Accretion of loan premium / discount
Accretion of deferred loan origination revenue
Realized gain (loss)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
Fair value, end of period
December 31, 2024
($ in thousands)
Senior Debt
and 1 st Lien
Notes
Subordinated
Debt and 2 nd
Lien Notes
Structured Products
Equity
Shares
Equity Warrants
Royalty Rights
Investments in Joint Ventures / PE Fund
Total
Fair value, beginning of period
New investments
Investment restructuring
Proceeds from sales of investments / return of capital
Loan origination fees received
Principal repayments received
Payment-in-kind interest /dividends
Accretion of loan premium / discount
Accretion of deferred loan origination revenue
Realized gain (loss)
Unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
Fair value, end of period
Portfolio Risk Monitoring
The Adviser monitors our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. As part of the monitoring process, the Adviser regularly assesses the risk profile of each of our investments and, on a quarterly basis, rates each investment on a risk scale of 1 to 5. Risk assessment is not standardized in our industry and our risk ratings may not be comparable to ones used by other companies. For additional information regarding the Adviser’s portfolio management and investment monitoring, see “Item 1. Business — Portfolio Management and Investment Monitoring” in Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2025.
Our risk assessment is based on the following risk rating categories:
• Risk Rating 1: In the opinion of the Adviser, the issuer is performing materially above expectations at the time of underwriting and the business trends and/or risk factors are favorable.
• Risk Rating 2: In the opinion of the Adviser, the issuer is performing in a manner consistent with expectations at the time of underwriting and the current risk is believed to be similar to that at the time the asset was originated.
• Risk Rating 3: In the opinion of the Adviser, the issuer is performing below expectations at the time of underwriting and the investment risk has increased since underwriting.
• Risk Rating 4: In the opinion of the Adviser, the issuer is performing materially below expectations at the time of underwriting and the investment risk has increased materially since underwriting. Issuers with a risk rating of 4 are typically in violation of one or more debt covenants.
• Risk Rating 5: In the opinion of the Adviser, the issuer is performing substantially below expectations at the time of underwriting and indicates the investment risk has increased substantially since underwriting. Loans with a risk rating of 5 are not anticipated to be repaid in full or have a possibility to not be repaid in full, and the fair market value reflects the Adviser’s current estimate of recoverable value.
The following table shows the classification of our investments by risk rating as of December 31, 2025 and 2024. Investment risk ratings are accurate only as of these dates and may change due to subsequent developments to a portfolio company’s business or financial condition, market conditions or developments, and other factors.
($ in thousands)
December 31, 2025
December 31, 2024
Risk Rating Category
Fair Value (1)
Percentage of
Total
Portfolio
Fair Value (1)
Percentage of
Total
Portfolio
Category 1
Category 2
Category 3
Category 4
Category 5
Total
(1) Excludes 9.1% member interest in Jocassee Partners LLC.
Non-Accrual Assets
Generally, when interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if we otherwise do not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, we will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing interest income on that loan for financial reporting purposes until all principal and interest have been brought current through payment or due to a restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. As of December 31, 2025, we had seven portfolio companies with investments on non-
accrual, the aggregate fair value of which was $17.0 million, which comprised 0.7% of the total fair value of our portfolio, and the aggregate cost of which was $33.5 million, which comprised 1.4% of the total cost of our portfolio. Excluding the non-accrual assets that are covered by the Sierra Credit Support Agreement with Barings, the non-accruals as of December 31, 2025 comprised 0.2% of the total fair value of our portfolio and 0.7% of the aggregate cost of our portfolio. As of December 31, 2024, we had eight portfolio companies with investments on non-accrual, the aggregate fair value of which was $8.0 million, which comprised 0.3% of the total fair value of our portfolio, and the aggregate cost of which was $41.6 million, which comprised 1.6% of the total cost of our portfolio. Excluding the non-accrual assets that are covered by the Sierra Credit Support Agreement with Barings, the non-accruals as of December 31, 2024 comprised 0.2% of the total fair value of our portfolio and 0.9% of the aggregate cost of our portfolio.
A summary of our non-accrual assets as of December 31, 2025 is provided below:
Acogroup
During the quarter ended June 30, 2025, we placed our debt investment in Acogroup on non-accrual status. As a result, under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“U.S. GAAP”), we will not recognize interest income on our debt investment in Acogroup for financial reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2025, the cost of our debt investment in Acogroup was $8.1 million and the fair value of such investment was $3.3 million.
Bariacum S.A.
During the quarter ended December 31, 2025, we placed our first lien EURIBOR + 4.00% debt investment in Bariacum S.A., or Bariacum, on non-accrual status. As a result, under U.S. GAAP, we will not recognize interest income on our first lien EURIBOR + 4.00% debt investment in Bariacum for financial reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2025, the cost of our first lien EURIBOR + 4.00% debt investment in Bariacum was $3.3 million and the fair value of such investment was $0.7 million.
Biolam Group
During the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we placed our debt investment in Biolam Group, or Biolam, on non-accrual status. As a result, under U.S. GAAP, we will not recognize interest income on our debt investment in Biolam for financial reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2025, the cost of our debt investment in Biolam was $2.5 million and the fair value of such investment was $1.7 million.
Canadian Orthodontic Partners Corp.
During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, we placed our first lien senior secured debt investment in Canadian Orthodontic Partners Corp., or Canadian Orthodontics, on non-accrual status. As a result, under U.S. GAAP, we will not recognize interest income on our first lien senior secured debt investment in Canadian Orthodontics for financial reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2025, the cost of our first lien senior secured debt investment in Canadian Orthodontics was $1.9 million and the fair value of such investment was $0.2 million.
GPNZ II GmbH
During the quarter ended March 31, 2024, we placed our first lien EURIBOR + 6.00% debt investment in GPNZ II GmbH, or GPNZ, on non-accrual status. As a result, under U.S. GAAP, we will not recognize interest income on our first lien EURIBOR + 6.00% debt investment in GPNZ for financial reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2025, the cost of our first lien EURIBOR + 6.00% debt investment in GPNZ was $0.4 million and the fair value of such investment was nil.
Polymer Solutions Group Holdings, LLC
In connection with the Sierra Merger, we purchased our debt investment in Polymer Solutions Group Holdings, LLC, or Polymer. During the quarter ended December 31, 2024, we placed our debt investment in Polymer on non-accrual status. As a result, under U.S. GAAP, we will not recognize interest income on our debt
investment in Polymer for financial reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2025, the cost of our debt investment in Polymer was $1.0 million and the fair value of such investment was $0.4 million.
RA Outdoors, LLC
In connection with the Sierra Merger, we purchased our debt investments in RA Outdoors, LLC, or RA Outdoors. During the quarter ended September 30, 2025, we placed our debt investments in RA Outdoors on non-accrual status. As a result, under U.S. GAAP, we will not recognize interest income on debt investments in RA Outdoors for financial reporting purposes. As of December 31, 2025, the cost of our debt investments in RA Outdoors was $16.4 million and the fair value of such investments was $10.7 million.
PIK Non-Accrual Assets
In addition to our non-accrual assets, during the quarter ended September 30, 2024, we placed our first lien senior secured debt investment in A.T. Holdings II LTD, or A.T. Holdings, on non-accrual status only with respect to the PIK interest component of the loan. As of December 31, 2025, the cost of our debt investment in A.T. Holdings was $11.9 million, or 0.5% of the total cost of our portfolio, and the fair value of such investment was $7.5 million, or 0.3% of the total fair value of our portfolio.
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
Set forth below is a comparison of the results of operations and changes in financial condition for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 . The comparison of, and changes between, the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023 can be found within “Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Part II of our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024, which is incorporated herein by reference.
Results of Operations
Comparison of years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024
Operating results for the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)
Total investment income
Total operating expenses
Net investment income before taxes
Income taxes, including excise tax expense
Net investment income after taxes
Net realized gains (losses)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
Net realized gains (losses) and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, credit support agreements, foreign currency transactions and forward currency contracts
Provision for taxes
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations
Net increases or decreases in net assets resulting from operations vary substantially from period to period due to various factors, including recognition of realized gains and losses and unrealized appreciation and depreciation. As a result, yearly comparisons of net increases or decreases in net assets resulting from operations may not be meaningful.
Investment Income
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)
Investment income:
Total interest income
Total dividend income
Total fee and other income
Total payment-in-kind interest income
Interest income from cash
Total investment income
The change in total investment income for the year ended December 31, 2025, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, was primarily due to a decrease in the amount of our outstanding debt investments and decreased weighted average yield on the portfolio, partially offset by increased dividends from portfolio companies and joint venture investments, and increased PIK income. The amount of our outstanding debt investments decreased from $2,118.3 million as of December 31, 2024 to $2,048.1 million as of December 31, 2025. In addition, the weighted average yield on the principal amount of our outstanding debt investments, other than non-accrual debt investments, decreased from 10.2% as of December 31, 2024 to 9.5% as of December 31, 2025. For the year ended December 31, 2025, dividend income was $51.2 million as compared to $41.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2024. For the year ended December 31, 2025, PIK income was $19.0 million, as compared to $15.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Operating Expenses
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)
Operating expenses:
Interest and other financing fees
Base management fee
Incentive management fees
General and administrative expenses
Total operating expenses
Interest and Other Financing Fees
Interest and other financing fees during the year ended December 31, 2025 were attributable to borrowings under our February 2019 Credit Facility, the August 2025 Notes, the November Notes, the February Notes, the November 2026 Notes, the February 2029 Notes and the September 2028 Notes (each as defined below under “Liquidity and Capital Resources”). Interest and other financing fees during the year ended December 31, 2024 were attributable to borrowings under the February 2019 Credit Facility, the August 2025 Notes, the November Notes, the February Notes, the November 2026 Notes and the February 2029 Notes. The decrease in interest and other financing fees for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2024, was primarily attributable to a lower weighted average interest rate, partially offset by increased weighted average borrowings outstanding. The weighted average interest rate was 5.1% for the year ended December 31, 2025 as compared to 5.6% for the year ended December 31, 2024. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the weighted average borrowings outstanding were $1,539.2 million and $1,413.0 million, respectively.
Base Management Fee
Under the terms of the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement, we pay Barings a Base Management Fee, quarterly in arrears on a calendar quarter basis. The Base Management Fee is calculated based on the average value of our gross assets, excluding cash and cash equivalents, at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters prior to the quarter for which such fees are being calculated. Base Management Fees for any partial month or quarter are appropriately pro-rated. See “Note 2. Agreements and Related Party Transactions” to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the terms of the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement and the fee arrangements thereunder. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the Base Management
Fee was approximately $33.2 million and $32.4 million, respectively. The increase in the Base Management Fee for the year ended December 31, 2025 versus the year ended December 31, 2024 is primarily related to the average value of gross assets used in the calculation increasing from $2,592.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 to $2,655.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2025. The Base Management Fee rate was 1.250% for both the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024.
Incentive Fee
Under the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement, we pay Barings an Incentive Fee. The Income-Based Fee is based on our income and the Capital Gains Fee is based on our capital gains. The Income-Based Fee is determined and paid quarterly in arrears based on the amount by which (x) the aggregate pre-incentive fee net investment income in respect of the current calendar quarter and the eleven preceding calendar quarters beginning with the calendar quarter that commences on or after January 1, 2021, as the case may be (or the appropriate portion thereof in the case of any of our first eleven calendar quarters that commences on or after January 1, 2021) exceeds (y) the hurdle amount as calculated for the same period. See “Note 2. Agreements and Related Party Transactions” to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the terms of the Barings BDC Advisory Agreement and the fee arrangements thereunder. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024, the amount of Income-Based Fees incurred was $31.5 million and $23.8 million, respectively. The Income-Based Fee is subject to the Incentive Fee Cap. The Incentive Fee Cap in any quarter is an amount equal to (a) 20% of the Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return during the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters less (b) the aggregate Income-Based Fees that were paid to the Adviser in the preceding eleven calendar quarters (or portion thereof) comprising the relevant Trailing Twelve Quarters. See “Note 2. Agreements and Related Party Transactions” to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the terms of the Incentive Fee Cap. The Incentive Fee for both the years ended December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024 was limited due to the Incentive Fee Cap. The Incentive Fee Cap in 2025 was higher than the Incentive Fee Cap in 2024 as a result of an increase in Cumulative Pre-Incentive Fee Net Return partially offset by a smaller increase in incentive fees paid in the trailing twelve quarters (or portion thereof).
General and Administrative Expenses
We entered into the Administration Agreement with Barings in August 2018. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, Barings performs (or oversees, or arranges for, the performance of) the administrative services necessary for our operations. We reimburse Barings for the costs and expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations and providing personnel and facilities under the Administration Agreement in an amount to be negotiated and mutually agreed to by us and Barings quarterly in arrears; provided that the agreed-upon quarterly expense amount will not exceed the amount of expenses that would otherwise be reimbursable by us under the Administration Agreement for the applicable quarterly period, and Barings will not be entitled to the recoupment of any amounts in excess of the agreed-upon quarterly expense amount. See “Note 2. Agreements and Related Party Transactions” to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the Administration Agreement. For the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024, the amount of administration expense incurred and invoiced by Barings for expenses was approximately $ 1.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively. In addition to expenses incurred under the Administration Agreement, general and administrative expenses include fees payable to the Board for their service on the Board, directors’ and officers’ insurance costs, as well as legal and accounting expenses.
Net Realized Gains (Losses)
Net realized gains (losses) during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 were as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)
Net realized gains (losses):
Non-Control / Non-Affiliate investments
Affiliate investments
Control investments
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
Credit support agreements
Foreign currency transactions
Forward currency contracts
Net realized gain (losses)
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we recognized net realized losses totaling $22.7 million, which consisted primarily of net losses on our investment portfolio of $39.5 million and a net loss on forward currency contracts of $0.3 million, partially offset by a net gain on the termination of the MVC Credit Support Agreement with Barings of $ 9.4 million and a net gain on foreign currency transactions of $7.6 million. The net loss on our investment portfolio was predominantly related to a $40.2 million loss on the exit of six loan investments and a $10.0 million loss on the restructuring of four investments, which were predominantly reclassified from unrealized depreciation, partially offset by a $5.7 million net gain on the sale of equity investments, a $2.5 million gain on the exit of one royalty rights investment, and a $1.8 million net gain on the sale of investments to our joint venture.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized a net realized loss totaling $38.1 million, which consisted primarily of net losses on our investment portfolio of $23.8 million, a net loss on forward currency contracts of $13.8 million and a net loss on foreign currency transactions of $0.5 million. The net loss on our investment portfolio was primarily comprised of a $17.3 million loss on the restructuring of four investments, a $16.7 million loss on the sale and exit of two investments, which were primarily reclassified from unrealized appreciation, partially offset by a $12.2 million gain on the sale of three investments during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Net Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) during the years ended December 31, 2025 and 2024 was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation):
Non-Control / Non-Affiliate investments
Affiliate investments
Control investments
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments
Credit support agreements
Foreign currency transactions
Forward currency contracts
Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation)
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we recorded net unrealized appreciation totaling $6.9 million consisting of net unrealized appreciation reclassification adjustments of $43.1 million related to the net realized losses on the sales / exits and restructuring of certain investments, unrealized appreciation of $16.3 million on the Sierra Credit Support Agreement with Barings and net unrealized appreciation on our current portfolio of $4.5 million, partially offset by net unrealized depreciation related to foreign currency transactions of $28.7 million, net unrealized depreciation on forward currency contracts of $21.2 million, unrealized depreciation of $5.6 million
on the MVC Credit Support Agreement with Barings and deferred taxes of $1.5 million. The net unrealized appreciation on our current portfolio of $4.5 million was driven primarily by the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on investments of $48.1 million, partially offset by the credit or fundamental performance of investments of $37.2 million and broad market moves for investments of $6.4 million.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we recorded net unrealized appreciation totaling $17.2 million consisting of net unrealized appreciation on forward currency contracts of $31.1 million, net unrealized appreciation reclassification adjustments of $30.0 million related to the net realized losses on the sales / exits and restructuring of certain investments, net unrealized appreciation related to foreign currency transactions of $9.3 million, unrealized appreciation of $3.7 million on the Sierra Credit Support Agreement with Barings and unrealized appreciation of $1.9 million on the MVC Credit Support Agreement with Barings, partially offset by net unrealized depreciation on our current portfolio of $56.6 million, and deferred taxes of $2.3 million. The net unrealized depreciation on our current portfolio of $56.6 million was driven primarily by the credit or fundamental performance of investments of $36.2 million and the impact of foreign currency exchange rates on investments of $23.0 million, partially offset by broad market moves for investments of $2.6 million.
Liquidity and Capital Resources
We believe that our current cash and foreign currencies on hand, our available borrowing capacity under the February 2019 Credit Facility and our anticipated cash flows from operations will be adequate to meet our cash needs for our daily operations for at least the next twelve months. This “Liquidity and Capital Resources” section should be read in conjunction with the notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31, 2025, we experienced a net decrease in cash in the amount of $24.6 million. During that period, our operating activities provided $160.5 million in cash, with proceeds from sales or repayments of portfolio investments totaling $734.9 million and other cash collections from investments exceeding purchases of portfolio investments of $698.1 million. In addition, our financing activities used net cash of $185.1 million, consisting of net repayments of the February 2019 Credit Facility of $235.9 million, dividends paid in the amount of $125.2 million, repayments of the $62.5 million Series B Notes (as defined below) and the $50.0 million August 2025 Notes, and share repurchases of $6.3 million, partially offset by net proceeds of $294.8 million from the issuance of the September 2028 Notes. At December 31, 2025, we had $66.8 million of cash and foreign currencies on hand, including $12.9 million of restricted cash.
For the year ended December 31, 2024, we experienced a net increase in cash in the amount of $20.8 million. During that period, our operating activities provided $122.2 million in cash, with proceeds from sales or repayments of portfolio investments totaling $641.8 million and other cash collections from investments exceeding purchases of portfolio investments of $637.4 million. In addition, our financing activities used net cash of $101.4 million, consisting of net repayments of the February 2019 Credit Facility of $277.7 million, dividends paid in the amount of $110.1 million and share repurchases of $6.4 million, partially offset by net proceeds of $292.8 million from the issuance of the February 2029 Notes. At December 31, 2024, we had $91.3 million of cash and foreign currencies on hand.
Financing Transactions
February 2019 Credit Facility
On February 21, 2019, we entered into a senior secured credit facility with ING Capital LLC (“ING”), as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto (as amended, restated and otherwise modified from time to time, the “February 2019 Credit Facility”). The initial commitments under the February 2019 Credit Facility totaled $800.0 million. Effective on November 4, 2021, we increased aggregate commitments under the February 2019 Credit Facility to $875.0 million from $800.0 million pursuant to the accordion feature under the February 2019 Credit Facility, which allowed for an increase in the total commitments to an aggregate of $1.2 billion subject to certain conditions and the satisfaction of specified financial covenants. Effective on February 25, 2022, we increased aggregate commitments under the February 2019 Credit Facility to $965.0 million from $875.0 million pursuant to
the accordion feature under the February 2019 Credit Facility, which allowed for an increase in the total commitments to an aggregate of $1.5 billion from $1.2 billion subject to certain conditions and the satisfaction of specified financial covenants. Effective on April 1, 2022, we increased the aggregate commitments under the February 2019 Credit Facility to $1.1 billion from $965.0 million pursuant to the accordion feature under the February 2019 Credit Facility, which allowed for an increase in the total commitments to an aggregate of $1.5 billion subject to certain conditions and the satisfaction of specified financial covenants. We can borrow foreign currencies directly under the February 2019 Credit Facility. The February 2019 Credit Facility, which is structured as a revolving credit facility, is secured primarily by a material portion of our assets and guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries. Following the termination of the August 2018 Credit Facility on June 30, 2020, Barings BDC Senior Funding I, LLC, our indirect wholly-owned Delaware limited liability company, became a subsidiary guarantor whose assets secure the February 2019 Credit Facility. Effective May 9, 2023, the revolving period of the February 2019 Credit Facility was extended to February 21, 2025, followed by a one-year repayment period, and the maturity date was extended to February 21, 2026. Effective November 5, 2024 we amended the February 2019 Credit Facility to, among other things, (a) extend the revolving period from February 21, 2025 to November 5, 2028; (b) extend the stated maturity date from February 21, 2026 to November 5, 2029; (c) adjust the interest rate charged on the February 2019 Credit Facility from an applicable spread of either the term SOFR plus 2.25% (or 2.00% for so long as we maintain an investment grade credit rating) plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% for borrowings with an interest period of one month, 0.15% for borrowings with an interest period of three months, or 0.25% for borrowings with an interest period of six months to an applicable spread of 1.875% plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10%; and (d) reduce the total commitments under the facility from $1,065 million to $825 million, of which $100 million has been reallocated from revolving commitments to term loan commitments. Effective September 25, 2025, we repaid the $100.0 million term loan commitment, reducing the total commitments under the February 2019 Credit Facility to $725.0 million from $825.0 million. Effective November 13, 2025, we amended the February 2019 Credit Facility to, among other things, (a) extend the revolving period from November 5, 2028 to November 13, 2029; (b) extend the stated maturity date from November 5, 2029 to November 13, 2030; and (c) add a new €85.0 million term loan facility, increasing the total commitments under the February 2019 Credit Facility to $825 million from $725 million.
Borrowings denominated in U.S. Dollars under the February 2019 Credit Facility bear interest, subject to our election, on a per annum basis equal to (i) the alternate base rate plus 0.875% or (ii) term SOFR plus an applicable spread of 1.875% plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10%. Borrowings denominated in certain foreign currencies, other than Australian dollars, bear interest on a per annum basis equal to the applicable currency rate for the foreign currency as defined in the credit agreement plus 1.875% or for borrowings denominated in Australian dollars, 1.875% plus the applicable Australian benchmark rate, which is defined as the applicable Australian dollar Screen Rate plus 0.20%. The alternate base rate is equal to the greatest of (i) the prime rate, (ii) the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, (iii) the Overnight Bank Funding Rate plus 0.5%, (iv) one-month term SOFR plus 1.0% plus a credit spread adjustment of 0.10% and (v) 1.0%.
In addition, we pay a commitment fee of 0.375% per annum on undrawn amounts of the February 2019 Credit Facility. In connection with entering into the February 2019 Credit Facility, we incurred financing fees of approximately $6.4 million, which will be amortized over the life of the February 2019 Credit Facility. In connection with all amendments to the February 2019 Credit Facility, we incurred financing fees of approximately $12.5 million, which will be amortized over the remaining life of the February 2019 Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with all covenants under the February 2019 Credit Facility and we had borrowings outstanding under the February 2019 Credit Facility denominated in Euros of € 193.1 million ($ 226.8 million U.S. dollars) with an interest rate of 3.847% (one month EURIBOR of 1.972%). The borrowings denominated in foreign currencies were translated into U.S. dollars based on the spot rate at the relevant balance sheet date. The impact resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on the February 2019 Credit Facility borrowings is included in “Net unrealized appreciation (depreciation) - foreign currency transactions” in our Consolidated Statements of Operations.
The fair values of the borrowings outstanding under the February 2019 Credit Facility are based on a market yield approach and current interest rates, which are Level 3 inputs to the market yield model. As of December 31, 2025 , the total fair value of the borrowings outstanding under the February 2019 Credit Facility was $226.8 million. See “Note 4. Borrowings - February 20219 Credit Facility” to our Consolidated Financial Statements for additional information regarding the February 2019 Credit Facility.
August 2025 Notes
On August 3, 2020, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “August 2020 NPA”) with Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company governing the issuance of (1) $ 50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Series A senior unsecured notes due August 2025 (the “Series A Notes due 2025”) with a fixed interest rate of 4.66% per year, and (2) up to $ 50.0 million in aggregate principal amount of additional senior unsecured notes due August 2025 with a fixed interest rate per year to be determined (the “Additional Notes” and, collectively with the Series A Notes due 2025, the “August 2025 Notes”), in each case, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement. An aggregate principal amount of $25.0 million of the Series A Notes due 2025 were issued on September 24, 2020 and an aggregate principal amount of $25.0 million of the Series A Notes due 2025 were issued on September 29, 2020, both of which matured on August 4, 2025. Interest on the August 2025 Notes was due semiannually in March and September, beginning in March 2021. In addition, we were obligated to offer to repay the August 2025 Notes at par (plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of prepayment) if certain change in control events occur. Subject to the terms of the August 2020 NPA, we could have redeemed the August 2025 Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option at par plus accrued interest to the prepayment date and, if redeemed on or before November 3, 2024, a make-whole premium. The August 2025 Notes were guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries, and were our general unsecured obligations that ranked pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by us.
Our permitted issuance period for the Additional Notes under the August 2020 NPA expired on February 3, 2022, prior to which date we issued no Additional Notes.
The August 2020 NPA contained certain representations and warranties, and various covenants and reporting requirements customary for senior unsecured notes issued in a private placement, including, without limitation, affirmative and negative covenants such as information reporting, maintenance of our status as a BDC within the meaning of the 1940 Act, certain restrictions with respect to transactions with affiliates, fundamental changes, changes of line of business, permitted liens, investments and restricted payments, minimum shareholders’ equity, maximum net debt to equity ratio and minimum asset coverage ratio. The August 2020 NPA also contained customary events of default with customary cure and notice periods, including, without limitation, nonpayment, incorrect representation in any material respect, breach of covenant, cross-default under our other indebtedness or that of our subsidiary guarantors, certain judgments and orders, and certain events of bankruptcy. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the holders of at least 66-2/3% in principal amount of the August 2025 Notes at the time outstanding could have declared all August 2025 Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable.
The August 2025 Notes were offered in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The August 2025 Notes were not registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and could not have been offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act, as applicable.
On August 4, 2025, the August 2025 Notes matured in accordance with the terms of the August 2020 NPA and we repaid in full the par amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.
November Notes
On November 4, 2020, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “November 2020 NPA”) governing the issuance of (1) $ 62.5 million in aggregate principal amount of Series B senior unsecured notes due November 2025 (the “Series B Notes”) with a fixed interest rate of 4.25% per year and (2) $ 112.5 million in aggregate principal amount of Series C senior unsecured notes due November 2027 (the “Series C Notes,” and, collectively with the Series B Notes, the “November Notes”) with a fixed interest rate of 4.75% per year, in each case, to qualified
institutional investors in a private placement. Each stated interest rate is subject to a step up of (x) 0.75% per year, to the extent the applicable November Notes do not satisfy certain investment grade conditions and/or (y) 1.50% per year, to the extent the ratio of our secured debt to total assets exceeds specified thresholds, measured as of each fiscal quarter end. The November Notes were delivered and paid for on November 5, 2020.
The Series B Notes matured on November 4, 2025, and the Series C Notes will mature on November 4, 2027 unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us in accordance with their terms. Interest on the November Notes is due semiannually in May and November, beginning in May 2021. In addition, we are obligated to offer to repay the November Notes at par (plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of prepayment) if certain change in control events occur. Subject to the terms of the November 2020 NPA, we could have redeemed the Series B Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option at par plus accrued interest to the prepayment date and, if redeemed on or before May 4, 2025, a make-whole premium. Subject to the terms of the November 2020 NPA, we may redeem the Series C Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option at par plus accrued interest to the prepayment date and, if redeemed on or before May 4, 2027, a make-whole premium. The November Notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries, and are our general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by us.
The November 2020 NPA contains certain representations and warranties, and various covenants and reporting requirements customary for senior unsecured notes issued in a private placement, including, without limitation, affirmative and negative covenants such as information reporting, maintenance of our status as a BDC within the meaning of the 1940 Act, certain restrictions with respect to transactions with affiliates, fundamental changes, changes of line of business, permitted liens, investments and restricted payments, minimum shareholders’ equity, maximum net debt to equity ratio and minimum asset coverage ratio. The November 2020 NPA also contains customary events of default with customary cure and notice periods, including, without limitation, nonpayment, incorrect representation in any material respect, breach of covenant, cross-default under our other indebtedness or that of our subsidiary guarantors, certain judgments and orders, and certain events of bankruptcy. Upon the occurrence of an event of default, the holders of at least 66-2/3% in principal amount of the November Notes at the time outstanding may declare all November Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with all covenants under the November 2020 NPA.
The November Notes were offered in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The November Notes have not and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act, as applicable.
On November 4, 2025, the Series B Notes matured in accordance with the terms of the November 2020 NPA and we repaid in full the par amount plus accrued and unpaid interest.
As of December 31, 2025, the fair value of the outstanding Series C Notes was $111.4 million. The fair value determinations of the Series C Notes were based on a market yield approach and current interest rates, which are Level 3 inputs to the market yield model.
February Notes
On February 25, 2021, we entered into a Note Purchase Agreement (the “February 2021 NPA”) governing the issuance of (1) $ 80.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Series D senior unsecured notes due February 26, 2026 (the “Series D Notes”) with a fixed interest rate of 3.41% per year and (2) $ 70.0 million in aggregate principal amount of Series E senior unsecured notes due February 26, 2028 (the “Series E Notes” and, collectively with the Series D Notes, the “February Notes”) with a fixed interest rate of 4.06% per year, in each case, to qualified institutional investors in a private placement. Each stated interest rate is subject to a step up of (x) 0.75% per year, to the extent the applicable February Notes do not satisfy certain investment grade rating conditions and/or (y) 1.50%
per year, to the extent the ratio of our secured debt to total assets exceeds specified thresholds, measured as of each fiscal quarter end. The February Notes were delivered and paid for on February 26, 2021.
The Series D Notes will mature on February 26, 2026, and the Series E Notes will mature on February 26, 2028 unless redeemed, purchased or prepaid prior to such date by us in accordance with the terms of the February 2021 NPA. Interest on the February Notes is due semiannually in February and August of each year, beginning in August 2021. In addition, we are obligated to offer to repay the February Notes at par (plus accrued and unpaid interest to, but not including, the date of prepayment) if certain change in control events occur. Subject to the terms of the February 2021 NPA, we may redeem the Series D Notes and the Series E Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our option at par plus accrued interest to the prepayment date and, if redeemed on or before August 26, 2025, with respect to the Series D Notes, or on or before August 26, 2027, with respect to the Series E Notes, a make-whole premium. The February Notes are guaranteed by certain of our subsidiaries, and are our general unsecured obligations that rank pari passu with all outstanding and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by us.
The February 2021 NPA contains certain representations and warranties, and various covenants and reporting requirements customary for senior unsecured notes issued in a private placement, including, without limitation, information reporting, maintenance of our status as a BDC within the meaning of the 1940 Act, and certain restrictions with respect to transactions with affiliates, fundamental changes, changes of line of business, permitted liens, investments and restricted payments. In addition, the February 2021 NPA contains the following financial covenants: (a) maintaining a minimum obligors’ net worth, measured as of each fiscal quarter end; (b) not permitting our asset coverage ratio, as of the date of the incurrence of any debt for borrowed money or the making of any cash dividend to shareholders, to be less than the statutory minimum then applicable to us under the 1940 Act; and (c) not permitting our net debt to equity ratio to exceed 2.0x, measured as of each fiscal quarter end.
The February 2021 NPA also contains customary events of default with customary cure and notice periods, including, without limitation, nonpayment, incorrect representation in any material respect, breach of covenant, cross-default under other indebtedness or that of our subsidiary guarantors, certain judgments and orders, and certain events of bankruptcy. Upon the occurrence of certain events of default, the holders of at least 66-2/3% in principal amount of the February Notes at the time outstanding may declare all February Notes then outstanding to be immediately due and payable. As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with all covenants under the February 2021 NPA.
The February Notes were offered in reliance on Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act. The February Notes have not and will not be registered under the Securities Act or any state securities laws and, unless so registered, may not be offered or sold in the United States except pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, the registration requirements of the Securities Act, as applicable.
As of December 31, 2025, the fair value of the outstanding Series D Notes and the Series E Notes was $79.4 million and $67.9 million, respectively. The fair value determinations of the Series D Notes and Series E Notes were based on a market yield approach and current interest rates, which are Level 3 inputs to the market yield model.
November 2026 Notes
On November 23, 2021, we entered into an Indenture (the “Base Indenture”) and a First Supplemental Indenture (the “First Supplemental Indenture” and, together with the Base Indenture, the “November 2026 Notes Indenture”) with U.S. Bank Trust Company, National Association (as successor-in-interest to U.S. Bank National Association, the “Trustee”). The First Supplemental Indenture relates to our issuance of $ 350.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 3.300% notes due 2026 (the “November 2026 Notes”).
The November 2026 Notes will mature on November 23, 2026 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time or from time to time at the redemption prices set forth in the November 2026 Notes Indenture. The November 2026 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.300% per year payable semi-annually on May 23 and November 23 of each year, commencing on May 23, 2022. The November 2026 Notes are our general unsecured obligations that rank senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the November 2026 Notes, rank pari passu with all existing and future unsecured
unsubordinated indebtedness issued by us, rank effectively junior to any of our secured indebtedness (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and rank structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.
The November 2026 Notes Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to comply with the asset coverage requirements of Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) and (2) of the 1940 Act, whether or not we are subject to those requirements, and to provide financial information to the holders of the November 2026 Notes and the Trustee if we are no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the November 2026 Notes Indenture. As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with all covenants under the November 2026 Notes Indenture.
In addition, on the occurrence of a “change of control repurchase event,” as defined in the November 2026 Notes Indenture, we will generally be required to make an offer to purchase the outstanding November 2026 Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such November 2026 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date.
The November 2026 Notes were offered to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act and to certain non-U.S. persons outside the United States pursuant to Regulation S under the Securities Act. Concurrent with the closing of November 2026 Notes offering, we entered into a registration rights agreement for the benefit of the purchasers of the November 2026 Notes. Pursuant to the terms of this registration rights agreement, we filed a registration statement on Form N-14 with the SEC, which was subsequently declared effective, to permit electing holders of the November 2026 Notes to exchange all of their outstanding restricted November 2026 Notes for an equal aggregate principal amount of new November 2026 Notes (the “Exchange Notes”). The Exchange Notes have terms substantially identical to the terms of the November 2026 Notes, except that the Exchange Notes are registered under the Securities Act, and certain transfer restrictions, registration rights, and additional interest provisions relating to the November 2026 Notes do not apply to the Exchange Notes.
As of December 31, 2025, the fair value of the outstanding November 2026 Notes was $340.9 million. The fair value determinations of the November 2026 Notes were based on a market yield approach and current interest rates, which are Level 3 inputs to the market yield model.
February 2029 Notes
On February 7, 2024, we entered into an underwriting agreement among us, Barings LLC, and Wells Fargo Securities, LLC, SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., BMO Capital Markets Corp., and Fifth Third Securities, Inc., in connection with the issuance and sale of $ 300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 7.000% senior unsecured notes due February 15, 2029 (the “February 2029 Notes”). The February 2029 Notes offering closed on February 12, 2024 and the February 2029 Notes were issued under a Second Supplemental Indenture, dated February 12, 2024, between us and the Trustee, to the Base Indenture (the “Second Supplemental Indenture,” and together with the Base Indenture, the “February 2029 Notes Indenture”).
The February 2029 Notes will mature on February 15, 2029 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time or from time to time at the redemption prices set forth in the February 2029 Notes Indenture. The February 2029 Notes bear interest at a rate of 7.000% per year payable semi-annually on February 15 and August 15 of each year, commencing on August 15, 2024. The February 2029 Notes are general unsecured obligations of ours that rank senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the February 2029 Notes, rank pari passu with all existing and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by us, rank effectively junior to any of our secured indebtedness (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and rank structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.
The February 2029 Notes Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to comply with the asset coverage requirements of Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) and (2) of the 1940
Act, whether or not we are subject to those requirements (but giving effect to exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC), and to provide financial information to the holders of the February 2029 Notes and the Trustee if we are no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the February 2029 Notes Indenture. As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with all covenants under the February 2029 Notes Indenture.
In addition, on the occurrence of a “change of control repurchase event,” as defined in the February 2029 Notes Indenture, we may be required by the holders of the February 2029 Notes to make an offer to purchase the outstanding February 2029 Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such February 2029 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date.
The net proceeds received by us in connection with the February 2029 Notes offering were approximately $292.9 million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
As of December 31, 2025, the fair value of the outstanding February 2029 Notes was $303.3 million. The fair value determinations of the February 2029 Notes were based on a market yield approach and current interest rates, which are Level 3 inputs to the market yield model.
In connection with the offering of the February 2029 Notes, on February 12, 2024, we entered into a $300.0 million notional value interest rate swap. We receive a fixed rate interest at 7.00% paid semi-annually and pay semi-annually based on a compounded daily rate of SOFR plus 3.14750%. The swap transaction matures on February 15, 2029. The interest expense related to the February 2029 Notes will be equally offset by proceeds received from the interest rate swap. The swap adjusted interest expense is included as a component of interest and other financing fees in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2025, the interest rate swap had a fair value of $3.3 million. Depending on the nature of the balance at period end, the fair value of the interest rate swap is either included as a component of derivative assets or derivative liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The change in fair value of the interest rate swap is offset by the change in fair value of the February 2029 Notes. The fair value of the interest rate swap is based on unadjusted prices from independent pricing services and independent indicative broker quotes, which are Level 2 inputs.
September 2028 Notes
On September 8, 2025, we entered into an underwriting agreement among us, Barings LLC, and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC, ING Financial Markets LLC, MUFG Securities Americas Inc. and SMBC Nikko Securities America, Inc., in connection with the issuance and sale of $300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 5.200% senior unsecured notes due September 15, 2028 (the “September 2028 Notes”). The September 2028 Notes offering closed on September 15, 2025 and the September 2028 Notes were issued under a Third Supplemental Indenture, dated September 15, 2025, between us and the Trustee, to the Base Indenture (the “Third Supplemental Indenture,” and together with the Base Indenture, the “September 2028 Notes Indenture”).
The September 2028 Notes will mature on September 15, 2028 and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time or from time to time prior to August 15, 2028 at par value plus a “make-whole” premium calculated in accordance with the terms under “optional redemption” in the September 2028 Notes Indenture and at par value on August 15, 2028 or thereafter. The September 2028 Notes bear interest at a rate of 5.200% per year payable semi-annually on March 15 and September 15 of each year, commencing on March 15, 2026. The September 2028 Notes are general unsecured obligations of ours that rank senior in right of payment to all of our existing and future indebtedness that is expressly subordinated in right of payment to the September 2028 Notes, rank pari passu with all existing and future unsecured unsubordinated indebtedness issued by us, rank effectively junior to any of our secured indebtedness (including unsecured indebtedness that we later secure) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness, and rank structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities.
The September 2028 Notes Indenture contains certain covenants, including covenants requiring us to comply with the asset coverage requirements of Section 18(a)(1)(A) as modified by Section 61(a)(1) and (2) of the 1940 Act, whether or not it is subject to those requirements (but giving effect to exemptive relief granted to us by the
SEC), and to provide financial information to the holders of the September 2028 Notes and the Trustee if we are no longer subject to the reporting requirements under the Exchange Act. These covenants are subject to important limitations and exceptions that are described in the September 2028 Notes Indenture. As of December 31, 2025, we were in compliance with all covenants under the September 2028 Notes Indenture.
In addition, on the occurrence of a “change of control repurchase event,” as defined in the September 2028 Notes Indenture, we may be required by the holders of the September 2028 Notes to make an offer to purchase the outstanding September 2028 Notes at a price equal to 100% of the principal amount of such September 2028 Notes plus accrued and unpaid interest to the repurchase date.
The net proceeds received by us in connection with the September 2028 Notes offering were approximately $294.7 million, after deducting the underwriting discounts and estimated offering expenses payable by us.
As of December 31, 2025, the fair value of the outstanding September 2028 Notes was $ 297.9 million. The fair value determinations of the September 2028 Notes were based on a market yield approach and current interest rates, which are Level 3 inputs to the market yield model.
In connection with the offering of the September 2028 Notes, on September 15, 2025, we entered into a $300.0 million notional value interest rate swap. We receive a fixed rate interest at 5.20% paid semi-annually and pays semi-annually based on a compounded daily rate of SOFR plus 2.059%. The swap transaction matures on September 15, 2028. The interest expense related to the September 2028 Notes will be equally offset by proceeds received from the interest rate swap. The swap adjusted interest expense is included as a component of interest and other financing fees in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2025, the interest rate swap had a fair value of $( 2.1 ) million. Depending on the nature of the balance at period end, the fair value of the interest rate swap is either included as a component of derivative assets or derivative liabilities on our Consolidated Balance Sheets. The change in fair value of the interest rate swap is offset by the change in fair value of the September 2028 Notes. The fair value of the interest rate swap is based on unadjusted prices from independent pricing services and independent indicative broker quotes, which are Level 2 inputs.
Share Repurchase Program
On February 22, 2024, our Board authorized the Prior Share Repurchase Program. Under the Prior Share Repurchase Program, we were able to repurchase, during the 12 -month period commencing on March 1, 2024, up to $ 30.0 million in the aggregate of our outstanding common stock in the open market at prices below the then-current NAV per share. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases was determined by us, in our discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, our stock price, applicable legal, contractual and regulatory requirements and other factors. The Prior Share Repurchase Program terminated on March 1, 2025. The Prior Share Repurchase Program did not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares, and we could not assure stockholders that any shares would be repurchased under the Prior Share Repurchase Program. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we did not repurchase any shares pursuant to the Prior Share Repurchase Program.
On February 20, 2025, our Board authorized a 12 -month Share Repurchase Program. Under the Share Repurchase Program, we may repurchase, during the 12 -month period commencing on March 1, 2025, up to $ 30.0 million in the aggregate of our outstanding common stock in the open market at prices below the then-current NAV per share. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by us, in our discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, our stock price, applicable legal, contractual and regulatory requirements and other factors. The Share Repurchase Program is expected to be in effect until March 1, 2026, unless extended or until the aggregate repurchase amount that has been approved by the Board has been expended. The Share Repurchase Program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares, and we cannot assure stockholders that any shares will be repurchased under the Share Repurchase Program. The Share Repurchase Program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time. During the year ended December 31, 2025, we repurchased a total of 702,054 shares of common stock in the open market under the Share Repurchase Program at an average price of $ 9.04 per share, including brokerage commissions.
Distributions to Stockholders
We intend to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”) that provides for reinvestment of dividends on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, when we declare a dividend, stockholders who have not opted out of the DRIP will have their dividends automatically reinvested (net of applicable withholding tax) in shares of our common stock, rather than receiving cash dividends.
We have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code, and intend to make the required distributions to our stockholders as specified therein. In order to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC and to obtain RIC tax benefits, we must meet certain minimum distribution, source-of-income and asset diversification requirements. If such requirements are met, then we are generally required to pay income taxes only on the portion of our taxable income and gains we do not distribute (actually or constructively) and certain built-in gains. We have historically met our minimum distribution requirements and continually monitor our distribution requirements with the goal of ensuring compliance with the Code. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any level of cash distributions and our ability to make distributions will be limited by the asset coverage requirement and related provisions under the 1940 Act and contained in any applicable indenture or financing agreement and related supplements. In addition, in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement applicable to RICs, we may declare a significant portion of our dividends in shares of our common stock instead of in cash. As long as a portion of such dividend is paid in cash (which portion may be as low as 20% of such dividend under published guidance from the IRS) and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a stockholder generally would be subject to tax on 100% of the fair market value of the dividend on the date the dividend is received by the stockholder in the same manner as a cash dividend, even though most of the dividend was paid in shares of our common stock.
The minimum distribution requirements applicable to RICs require us to distribute to our stockholders each year at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, or ICTI, as defined in the Code. Depending on the level of ICTI and net capital gain, if any, earned in a tax year, we may choose to carry forward ICTI in excess of current year distributions into the next tax year and pay a 4% U.S. federal excise tax on such excess. Any such carryover ICTI must be distributed before the end of the next tax year through a dividend declared prior to filing the final tax return related to the year which generated such ICTI.
ICTI generally differs from net investment income for financial reporting purposes due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses. We may be required to recognize ICTI in certain circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having OID (such as debt instruments issued with warrants), we must include in ICTI each year a portion of the OID 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 ICTI other amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as (i) PIK interest income and (ii) interest income from investments that have been classified as non-accrual for financial reporting purposes. Interest income on non-accrual investments is not recognized for financial reporting purposes, but generally is recognized in ICTI. Because any OID or other amounts accrued will be included in our ICTI for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements, even though we will not have received and may not ever receive any corresponding cash amount. ICTI also excludes net unrealized appreciation or depreciation, as investment gains or losses are not included in taxable income until they are realized.
Critical Accounting Policies and Use of Estimates
The preparation of our financial statements in accordance with U.S. GAAP requires management to make certain estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses for the periods covered by such financial statements. We have identified investment valuation and revenue recognition as our most critical accounting estimates. On an ongoing basis, we evaluate our estimates, including those related to the matters described below. These estimates are based on the information that is currently available to us and on various other assumptions that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances. Actual results could differ materially from those estimates under different assumptions or conditions. A discussion of our critical accounting policies follows. We describe our most significant accounting policies in “Note 1. Organization, Business, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” to our Consolidated Financial Statements.
Valuation of Investments
The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of our financial statements is the valuation of investments and the related amounts of unrealized appreciation and depreciation of investments recorded. We have a valuation policy, as well as established and documented processes and methodologies for determining the fair values of portfolio company investments on a recurring (at least quarterly) basis in accordance with the 1940 Act and Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures (“ASC Topic 820”). Our current valuation policy and processes were established by Barings and were approved by the Board.
As of December 31, 2025, our investment portfolio, valued at fair value in accordance with the Board-approved valuation policies, represented approximately 207% of our total net assets, as compared to approximately 206 % of our total net assets as of December 31, 2024.
Under ASC Topic 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between a willing buyer and a willing seller at the measurement date. For our portfolio securities, fair value is generally the amount that we might reasonably expect to receive upon the current sale of the security. The fair value measurement assumes that the sale occurs in the principal market for the security, or in the absence of a principal market, in the most advantageous market for the security. If no market for the security exists or if we do not have access to the principal market, the security should be valued based on the sale occurring in a hypothetical market.
Under ASC Topic 820, there are three levels of valuation inputs, as follows:
Level 1 Inputs – include quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities.
Level 2 Inputs – include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, and inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3 Inputs – include inputs that are unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement.
A financial instrument is categorized within the ASC Topic 820 valuation hierarchy based upon the lowest level of input to the valuation process that is significant to the fair value measurement. For example, a Level 3 fair value measurement may include inputs that are observable (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable (Level 3). Therefore, unrealized appreciation and depreciation related to such investments categorized as Level 3 investments within the tables in the notes to our consolidated financial statements may include changes in fair value that are attributable to both observable inputs (Levels 1 and 2) and unobservable inputs (Level 3).
Our investment portfolio includes certain debt and equity instruments of privately held companies for which quoted prices or other observable inputs falling within the categories of Level 1 and Level 2 are generally not available. In such cases, the Adviser determines the fair value of our investments in good faith primarily using Level 3 inputs. In certain cases, quoted prices or other observable inputs exist, and if so, the Adviser assesses the appropriateness of the use of these third-party quotes in determining fair value based on (i) its understanding of the
level of actual transactions used by the broker to develop the quote and whether the quote was an indicative price or binding offer and (ii) the depth and consistency of broker quotes and the correlation of changes in broker quotes with underlying performance of the portfolio company.
There is no single approach for determining fair value in good faith, as fair value depends upon the specific circumstances of each individual investment. The recorded fair values of our Level 3 investments may differ significantly from fair values that would have been used had an active market for the securities existed. In addition, changes in the market environment and other events that may occur over the life of the investments may cause the gains or losses ultimately realized on these investments to be different than the valuations currently assigned. For a discussion of the risks inherent in determining the value of securities for which readily available market values do not exist, see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — Our investment portfolio is and will continue to be recorded at fair value as determined in accordance with the Adviser’s valuation policies and procedures and, as a result, there is and will continue to be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments” included in Item 1A of Part I of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Investment Valuation Process
The Board must determine fair value in good faith for any or all of our investments for which market quotations are not readily available. The Board has designated Barings as Valuation Designee to perform the fair value determinations relating to the value of the assets held by us for which market quotations are not readily available. Barings has established a pricing committee that is, subject to the oversight of the Board, responsible for the approval, implementation and oversight of the processes and methodologies that relate to the pricing and valuation of assets we hold. Barings uses independent third-party providers to price the portfolio, but in the event an acceptable price cannot be obtained from an approved external source, Barings will utilize alternative methods in accordance with internal pricing procedures established by Barings’ pricing committee.
At least annually, Barings conducts reviews of the primary pricing vendors to validate that the inputs used in the vendors’ pricing process are deemed to be market observable. While Barings is not provided access to proprietary models of the vendors, the reviews have included on-site walkthroughs of the pricing process, methodologies and control procedures for each asset class and level for which prices are provided. The review also includes an examination of the underlying inputs and assumptions for a sample of individual securities across asset classes, credit rating levels and various durations, a process Barings continues to perform annually. In addition, the pricing vendors have an established challenge process in place for all security valuations, which facilitates identification and resolution of prices that fall outside expected ranges. Barings believes that the prices received from the pricing vendors are representative of prices that would be received to sell the assets at the measurement date (i.e. exit prices).
Our money market fund investments are generally valued using Level 1 inputs and our equity investments listed on an exchange or on the NASDAQ National Market System are valued using Level 1 inputs, using the last quoted sale price of that day. Our syndicated senior secured loans and structured product investments are generally valued using Level 2 inputs, which are generally valued at the bid quotation obtained from dealers in loans by an independent pricing service. Our middle-market, private debt and equity investments are generally valued using Level 3 inputs.
Independent Valuation
The fair value of loans and equity investments that are not syndicated or for which market quotations are not readily available, including middle-market loans, are generally submitted to independent providers to perform an independent valuation on those loans and equity investments as of the end of each quarter. Such loans and equity investments are initially held at cost, as that is a reasonable approximation of fair value on the acquisition date, and monitored for material changes that could affect the valuation (for example, changes in interest rates or the credit quality of the borrower). At the quarter end following that of the initial acquisition, such loans and equity investments are generally sent to a valuation provider which will determine the fair value of each investment. The independent valuation providers apply various methods (synthetic rating analysis, discounting cash flows, and re-underwriting analysis) to establish the rate of return a market participant would require (the “discount rate”) as of the
valuation date, given market conditions, prevailing lending standards and the perceived credit quality of the issuer. Future expected cash flows for each investment are discounted back to present value using these discount rates in the discounted cash flow analysis. A range of values will be provided by the valuation provider and Barings will determine the point within that range that it will use. If the Barings pricing committee disagrees with the price range provided, it may make a fair value recommendation to Barings that is outside of the range provided by the independent valuation provider and the reasons therefore. In certain instances, we may determine that it is not cost-effective, and as a result is not in the stockholders’ best interests, to request an independent valuation firm to perform an independent valuation on certain investments. Such instances include, but are not limited to, situations where the fair value of the investment in the portfolio company is determined to be insignificant relative to the total investment portfolio.
Valuation Inputs
The Adviser’s valuation techniques are based upon both observable and unobservable pricing inputs. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect the Adviser’s market assumptions. The Adviser’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and considers factors specific to the financial instrument. An independent pricing service provider is the preferred source of pricing a loan, however, to the extent the independent pricing service provider price is unavailable or not relevant and reliable, the Adviser will utilize alternative approaches such as broker quotes or manual prices. The Adviser attempts to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs. The availability of observable inputs can vary from investment to investment and is affected by a wide variety of factors, including the type of security, whether the security is new and not yet established in the marketplace, the liquidity of markets and other characteristics particular to the security.
Valuation of Investments in Jocassee, Thompson Rivers, Waccamaw River and Sierra JV
As Jocassee, Thompson Rivers, Waccamaw River and Sierra JV are investment companies with no readily determinable fair values, the Adviser estimates the fair value of our investments in these entities using the NAV of each company and our ownership percentage as a practical expedient. The NAV is determined in accordance with the specialized accounting guidance for investment companies.
Revenue Recognition
Interest and Dividend Income
Interest income, including amortization of premium and accretion of discount, is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are expected to be collected. Generally, when interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if we otherwise do not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, we will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing interest income on that loan for financial reporting purposes until all principal and interest have been brought current through payment or due to a restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. The cessation of recognition of such interest will negatively impact the reported fair value of the investment. We write off any previously accrued and uncollected interest when it is determined that interest is no longer considered collectible.
Interest income from investments in the equity class of a collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) security (typically subordinated notes) is recorded based upon an estimation of an effective yield to expected maturity utilizing assumed cash flows in accordance with ASC 325-40, Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets . We monitor the expected cash flows from these investments, including the expected residual payments, and the effective yield is determined and updated periodically. Any difference between the cash distribution received and the amount calculated pursuant to the effective interest method is recorded as an adjustment to the cost basis of such investments.
Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded on the accrual basis to the extent that such amounts are payable by the portfolio company and are expected to be collected. Dividend income on common equity is recorded on the ex-dividend date.
We may have to include interest income in our ICTI, including OID income, from investments that have been classified as non-accrual for financial reporting purposes. Interest income on non-accrual investments is not recognized for financial reporting purposes, but generally is recognized in ICTI. As a result, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements to maintain our RIC tax treatment, even though we will not have received and may not ever receive any corresponding cash amount. Additionally, any loss recognized by us for U.S. federal income tax purposes on previously accrued interest income will be treated as a capital loss.
Fee and Other Income
Origination, facility, commitment, consent and other advance fees received in connection with the origination of a loan, or Loan Origination Fees, are recorded as deferred income and recognized as investment income over the term of the loan. Upon prepayment of a loan, any unamortized Loan Origination Fees are recorded as investment income. In the general course of our business, we receive certain fees from portfolio companies, which are non-recurring in nature. Such fees include loan prepayment penalties, structuring fees, covenant waiver fees and loan amendment fees, and are recorded as investment income when earned. Other income includes royalty income received in connection with revenue participation rights which is recorded on an accrual basis in accordance with revenue participation right agreements and recognized as investment income over the term of the rights.
Fee and other income for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)
Recurring Fee and Other Income:
Amortization of loan origination fees
Management, valuation and other fees
Royalty income
Total Recurring Fee and Other Income
Non-Recurring Fee and Other Income:
Prepayment fees
Acceleration of unamortized loan origination fees
Advisory, loan amendment and other fees
Total Non-Recurring Fee and Other Income
Total Fee and Other Income
Payment-in-Kind (PIK) Income
We currently hold, and expect to hold in the future, some loans in our portfolio that contain PIK interest provisions. PIK interest, computed at the contractual rate specified in each loan agreement, is periodically added to the principal balance of the loan, rather than being paid to us in cash, and is recorded as interest income. Thus, the actual collection of PIK interest may be deferred until the time of debt principal repayment.
We have certain preferred equity securities in our portfolio that contain a PIK dividend provision that are accrued and recorded as dividend income at the contractual rates specified in each applicable agreement. The accrued PIK and non-cash dividends are capitalized to the cost basis of the preferred equity security and are generally collected when redeemed by the portfolio company.
PIK interest and dividend income for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024 and 2023 was as follows:
Year Ended December 31,
($ in thousands)
PIK interest income
PIK interest income as a % of investment income
PIK dividend income
PIK dividend income as a % of investment income
Total PIK income
Total PIK income as a % of investment income
PIK interest, which is a non-cash source of income at the time of recognition, is included in our taxable income and therefore affects the amount we are required to distribute to our stockholders to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, even though we have not yet collected the cash. Generally, when current cash interest and/or principal payments on a loan become past due, or if we otherwise do not expect the borrower to be able to service its debt and other obligations, we will place the loan on non-accrual status and will generally cease recognizing PIK interest income on that loan for financial reporting purposes until all principal and interest have been brought current through payment or due to a restructuring such that the interest income is deemed to be collectible. We write off any previously accrued and uncollected PIK interest when it is determined that the PIK interest is no longer collectible.
We may have to include in our ICTI, PIK interest income from investments that have been classified as non-accrual for financial reporting purposes. Interest income on non-accrual investments is not recognized for financial reporting purposes, but generally is recognized in ICTI. As a result, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the minimum distribution requirements, even though we will not have received and may not ever receive any corresponding cash amount.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
We are subject to market risk. Market risk includes risks that arise from changes in interest rates, commodity prices, equity prices and other market changes that affect market sensitive instruments. The fair value of securities held by us may decline in response to certain events, including those directly involving the companies we invest in; conditions affecting the general economy; overall market changes; global pandemics; legislative reform; local, regional, national or global political, social or economic instability; and interest rate fluctuations.
In addition, we are subject to interest rate risk. Interest rate risk is defined as the sensitivity of our current and future earnings to interest rate volatility, variability of spread relationships, the difference in re-pricing intervals between our assets and liabilities and the effect that interest rates may have on our cash flows. Changes in the general level of interest rates can affect our net interest income, which is the difference between the interest income earned on interest earning assets and our interest expense incurred in connection with our interest bearing debt and liabilities. Changes in interest rates can also affect, among other things, our ability to acquire and originate loans and securities and the value of our investment portfolio. Our net investment income is affected by fluctuations in various interest rates, including EURIBOR, BBSY, STIBOR, CORRA, SOFR, SONIA, SARON, NIBOR and BKBM. Our risk management systems and procedures are designed to identify and analyze our risk, to set appropriate policies and limits and to continually monitor these risks. We regularly measure exposure to interest rate risk and determine whether or not any hedging transactions are necessary to mitigate exposure to changes in interest rates. We currently, and may in the future, hedge against interest rate fluctuations by using hedging instruments such as additional interest rate swaps, futures, options and forward contracts. While hedging activities may mitigate our exposure to adverse fluctuations in interest rates, certain hedging transactions that we have entered into and may enter into in the future, such as interest rate swap agreements, may also limit our ability to participate in the benefits of changes in interest rates with respect to our portfolio investments.
Following a campaign by the U.S. Federal Reserve of raising interest rates to address significant and persistent inflation in order to slow economic growth and reduce price pressure, in 2024 and 2025, the U.S. Federal Reserve announced several benchmark rate cuts. A prolonged reduction in interest rates will reduce our gross investment income and could result in a decrease in our net investment income if such decreases in SOFR are not offset by a corresponding increase in the spread over SOFR that we earn on any portfolio investments, a decrease in our operating expenses, including with respect to our income incentive fee, or a decrease in the interest rate of our floating interest rate liabilities tied to SOFR.
As of December 31, 2025, approximately $1,900.5 million (principal amount) of our debt portfolio investments bore interest at variable rates, which generally are SOFR-based (or based on an equivalent applicable currency rate), and many of which are subject to certain floors. As of December 31, 2025, approximately $826.8 million (principal amount) of our borrowings bore interest at variable rates (approximately 57.4% of our total borrowings as of December 31, 2025) under the February 2019 Credit Facility, the February 2029 Notes and the September 2028 Notes. See “Note 4. Borrowings” to our Consolidated Financial Statements for information about the variable interest rates and spreads applicable to borrowings under the February 2019 Credit Facility, the February 2029 Notes and the September 2028 Notes.
Based on our December 31, 2025 Consolidated Balance Sheet, the following table shows the annual impact on net income of hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates on our debt investments and borrowings (considering interest rate floors for variable rate instruments) assuming no changes in our investment and borrowing structure:
(in thousands)
Basis Point Change (1)
Interest Income
Interest Expense
Net Income (2)
Up 300 basis points
Up 200 basis points
Up 100 basis points
Down 25 basis points
Down 50 basis points
(1) Excludes the impact of foreign currency exchange.
(2) Excludes the impact of income based fees. See “Note 2. Agreements and Related Party Transactions” in the Notes to our Consolidated Financial Statements for more information on the income based fees.
We may also have exposure to foreign currencies related to certain investments. Such investments are translated into U.S. dollars based on the spot rate at the relevant balance sheet date, exposing us to movements in the exchange rate. In order to reduce our exposure to fluctuations in exchange rates, we generally borrow in local foreign currencies under the February 2019 Credit Facility to finance such investments. As of December 31, 2025, we had borrowings under the February 2019 Credit Facility denominated in Euros of € 193.1 million ($ 226.8 million U.S. dollars) with an interest rate of 3.847 % (one month EURIBOR of 1.972 %).
Unused Commitments
In the normal course of business, we are party to financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk, consisting primarily of unused commitments to extend financing to our portfolio companies. Since commitments may expire without being drawn upon, the total commitment amount does not necessarily represent future cash requirements. As of December 31, 2025, we believed we have adequate financial resources to satisfy our unfunded commitments. The balance of unused commitments to extend financing as of December 31, 2025 was as follows:
The Caprock Group, Inc. (aka TA/TCG Holdings, LLC)(2)
Delayed Draw Term Loan
The Caprock Group, Inc. (aka TA/TCG Holdings, LLC)(2)
Revolver
THG Acquisition, LLC
Delayed Draw Term Loan
THG Acquisition, LLC
Revolver
Transportation Insight, LLC(2)
Revolver
Trintech, Inc.
Revolver
TSYL Corporate Buyer, Inc.
Delayed Draw Term Loan
TSYL Corporate Buyer, Inc.
Revolver
UBC Ledgers Holding AB(9)
Delayed Draw Term Loan
UHY Advisors, Inc.
Delayed Draw Term Loan
UHY Advisors, Inc.
Revolver
Unither (Uniholding)(3)
Delayed Draw Term Loan
Unosquare, LLC(2)
Delayed Draw Term Loan
Unosquare, LLC(2)
Revolver
WEST-NR ACQUISITIONCO, LLC
Delayed Draw Term Loan
Whitcraft Holdings, Inc.
Delayed Draw Term Loan
Whitcraft Holdings, Inc.
Revolver
Woodland Foods, LLC(2)
Line of Credit
Portfolio Company (1)
($ in thousands)
Investment Type
December 31, 2025
World 50, Inc.
Revolver
WWEC Holdings III Corp
Revolver
Zelda Luxco S.A.S(3)
Delayed Draw Term Loan
Total unused commitments to extend financing
(1) The Adviser’s estimate of the fair value of the current investments in these portfolio companies includes an analysis of the fair value of any unfunded commitments.
(2) Represents a commitment to extend financing to a portfolio company where one or more of our current investments in the portfolio company are carried at less than cost.
(3) Actual commitment amount is denominated in Euros. Commitment was translated into U.S. dollars based on the spot rate at the relevant balance sheet date.
(4) Actual commitment amount is denominated in British pounds sterling. Commitment was translated into U.S. dollars based on the spot rate at the relevant balance sheet date.
(5) Actual commitment amount is denominated in Australian dollars. Commitment was translated into U.S. dollars based on the spot rate at the relevant balance sheet date.
(6) Actual commitment amount is denominated in Canadian dollars. Commitment was translated into U.S. dollars based on the spot rate at the relevant balance sheet date.
(7) Actual commitment amount is denominated in New Zealand dollars. Commitment was translated into U.S. dollars based on the spot rate at the relevant balance sheet date.
(8) Actual commitment amount is denominated in Norwegian kroner. Commitment was translated into U.S. dollars based on the spot rate at the relevant balance sheet date.
(9) Actual commitment amount is denominated in Swedish kronor. Commitment was translated into U.S. dollars based on the spot rate at the relevant balance sheet date.
In the normal course of business, we guarantee certain obligations in connection with our portfolio companies (in particular, certain controlled portfolio companies). Under these guarantee arrangements, payments may be required to be made to third parties if such guarantees are called upon or if the portfolio companies were to default on their related obligations, as applicable. As of December 31, 2025 and 2024, we had guaranteed € 6.0 million ($ 7.0 million U.S. dollars) and € 9.9 million ($ 10.3 million U.S. dollars) respectively, relating to credit facilities among Erste Bank and MVC Automotive Group GmbH (“MVC Auto”), that mature on June 30, 2026. As of December 31, 2025 we had guaranteed € 4.0 million ($ 4.7 million U.S. dollars) relating to a credit facility among Santander Consumer Bank GmbH and MVC Auto, which will be in place for the holding period of the associated asset, unless terminated earlier in accordance with the terms of the credit facility. We would be required to make payments to Erste Bank and Santander Consumer Bank GmbH if MVC Auto were to default on their related payment obligations. None of the credit facility guarantees are recorded as a liability on our Consolidated Balance Sheets, as such the credit facility liabilities are considered in the valuation of the investments in MVC Auto. The guarantees denominated in foreign currencies were translated into U.S. dollars based on the spot rate at the relevant balance sheet date.
Recent Developments
Subsequent to December 31, 2025, we made approximately $47.6 million of new commitments, of which $37.9 million closed and funded. The $37.9 million of investments consists of $22.9 million of first lien senior secured debt investments, $14.7 million of second lien senior secured debt investments and $0.3 million of equity investments. The weighted average yield of the debt investments was 8.6%. In addition, we funded $16.3 million of previously committed revolvers and delayed draw term loans.
On February 19, 2026, the Board authorized a new 12-month share repurchase program. Under the program, we may repurchase, during the 12-month period commencing on March 1, 2026, up to $30.0 million in the aggregate of our outstanding common stock in the open market at prices below the then-current NAV per share. The timing, manner, price and amount of any share repurchases will be determined by us, in our discretion, based upon the evaluation of economic and market conditions, our stock price, applicable legal, contractual and regulatory requirements and other factors. The program is expected to be in effect until March 1, 2027, unless extended or until the aggregate repurchase amount that has been approved by the Board has been expended. The program does not require us to repurchase any specific number of shares, and we cannot assure stockholders that any shares will be repurchased under the program. The program may be suspended, extended, modified or discontinued at any time.
On February 19, 2026, the Board declared a quarterly distribution of $ 0.26 per share payable on March 11, 2026 to holders of record as of March 4, 2026.
