EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1508655
Filing Year: 2024
Filename: 1508655_10-K_2024_0000950170-24-015845.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS
General
Our Company
We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. Since we began our investment activities in July 2011, through December 31, 2023, we have originated approximately $31.5 billion aggregate principal amount of investments and retained approximately $10.0 billion aggregate principal amount of these investments on our balance sheet prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income primarily in U.S.-domiciled middle-market companies through direct originations of senior secured loans and, to a lesser extent, originations of mezzanine and unsecured loans and investments in corporate bonds and equity securities.
By “middle-market companies,” we mean companies that have annual earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA, which we believe is a useful proxy for cash flow, of $10 million to $250 million, although we may invest in larger or smaller companies on occasion. As of December 31, 2023, our core portfolio companies, which exclude certain investments that fall outside of our typical borrower profile and represent 95.3% of our total investments based on fair value, had weighted average annual revenue of $230.3 million and weighted average annual EBITDA of $79.3 million.
We generate revenues primarily in the form of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we may generate income from dividends on equity investments, capital gains on the sale of investments and various loan origination and other fees.
We have operated as a business development company, or a BDC, since we began our investment activities in July 2011. In conducting our investment activities, we believe that we benefit from the significant scale and resources of our Adviser and its affiliates.
We invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt, mezzanine and unsecured debt and equity and other investments. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans; “last out” first-lien loans, which are loans that have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans; “unitranche” loans, which are loans that combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position; and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans. Our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt.
The debt in which we invest typically is not rated by any rating agency, but if these instruments were rated, they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3 as defined by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Services, respectively), which is often referred to as “junk.”
As of December 31, 2023, we had investments in 136 portfolio companies (including 42 structured credit investments, which include each series of collateralized loan obligation as a separate portfolio company investment), the average investment size in each of our portfolio companies was approximately $24.1 million based on fair value. Portfolio companies includes investments in structured credit investments, which include each series of collateralized loan obligation as a portfolio company investment. When excluding investments in structured credit investments the average investment in our remaining portfolio companies was approximately $34.3 million as of December 31, 2023. The companies in which we invest use our capital to support organic growth, acquisitions, market or product expansion and recapitalizations (including restructurings). As of December 31, 2023, the largest single investment based on fair value represented 2.6% of our total investment portfolio.
As of December 31, 2023, our portfolio was invested across 18 different industries. The largest industry in our portfolio as of December 31, 2022 was Business Services, which represented, as a percentage of our portfolio, 18.0% of the total portfolio based on fair value.
Relationship with our Adviser, and Sixth Street
Our Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company. Our Adviser acts as our investment adviser and administrator, and is a registered investment adviser with the SEC under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). Our Adviser sources and manages our portfolio through a dedicated team of investment professionals predominately focused on us, which
we refer to as our Investment Team. Our Investment Team is led by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our Adviser’s Co-Chief Investment Officer Joshua Easterly and our Adviser’s Co-Chief Investment Officer Alan Waxman, both of whom have substantial experience in credit origination, underwriting and asset management. Our investment decisions are made by our Investment Review Committee, which includes senior personnel of our Adviser and Sixth Street Partners, LLC or “Sixth Street.”
Sixth Street is a global investment business with over $75 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2023. Sixth Street’s direct lending platforms include Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Sixth Street Lending Partners, which is aimed at U.S. upper middle-market loan originations, Sixth Street Specialty Lending Europe, which is aimed at European middle-market loan originations. Additional Sixth Street core platforms include Sixth Street TAO, which has the flexibility to invest across all of Sixth Street’s private credit market investments, Sixth Street Opportunities, which focuses on actively managed opportunistic investments across the credit cycle, Sixth Street Credit Market Strategies, which is the firm’s “public-side” credit investment platform focused on investment opportunities in broadly syndicated leveraged loan markets, Sixth Street Growth, which provides financing solutions to growing companies, Sixth Street Fundamental Strategies, which primarily invests in secondary credit, and Sixth Street Agriculture, which invests in niche agricultural opportunities. Sixth Street has a long-term oriented, highly flexible capital base that allows it to invest across industries, geographies, capital structures and asset classes. Sixth Street has extensive experience with highly complex, global public and private investments executed through primary originations, secondary market purchases and restructurings, and has a team of over 580 investment and operating professionals. As of December 31, 2023, seventy (70) of these personnel are dedicated to direct lending, including fifty-five (55) investment professionals.
Our Adviser consults with Sixth Street in connection with a substantial number of our investments. The Sixth Street platform provides us with the breadth of large and scalable investment resources. We believe we benefit from Sixth Street’s market expertise, insights into industry, sector and macroeconomic trends and intensive due diligence capabilities, which help us discern market conditions that vary across industries and credit cycles, identify favorable investment opportunities and manage our portfolio of investments. Sixth Street and its affiliates will refer all middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States to us and conduct those activities through us. The Adviser will determine whether it would be permissible, advisable or otherwise appropriate for us to pursue a particular investment opportunity allocated to us.
On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that allows us to co-invest, subject to certain conditions and to the extent the size of an investment opportunity exceeds the amount our Adviser has independently determined is appropriate to invest, with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of Sixth Street) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders. Subsequent further applications were also made, most recently as June 29, 2022. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted the new order in response to our application.
We believe our ability to co-invest with Sixth Street affiliates is particularly useful where we identify larger capital commitments than otherwise would be appropriate for us. We expect that with the ability to co-invest with Sixth Street affiliates we will continue to be able to provide “one-stop” financing to a potential portfolio company in these circumstances, which may allow us to capture opportunities where we alone could not commit the full amount of required capital or would have to spend additional time to locate unaffiliated co-investors. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company-Transactions with our Affiliates.”
The Adviser is responsible for managing our day-to-day business affairs, including implementing investment policies and strategic initiatives set by our Investment Team and managing our portfolio under the general oversight of our Investment Review Committee.
On April 15, 2011, we entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement was subsequently amended on December 12, 2011. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides investment advisory services to us.
Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to furnish similar or other services to others so long as its services to us are not impaired. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay the Adviser the base management fee (the “Management Fee”), and may also pay certain incentive fees (the “Incentive Fees”). For a discussion of the Management Fee and Incentive Fee payable by us to the Adviser, see “Management Agreements-Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement; License Agreement.” Our Board monitors the mix and performance of our investments over time and seeks to satisfy itself that the Adviser is acting in our interests and that our fee structure appropriately incentivizes the Adviser to do so.
Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser also provides administrative services to us. These services include providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to stockholders and reports filed with the SEC, and managing the payment of expenses and the oversight of the performance of administrative and professional
services rendered by others. Certain of these services are reimbursable to the Adviser under the terms of the Administration Agreement.
In November 2023, our Board renewed the Investment Advisory Agreement. Unless earlier terminated, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect until November 2024, and may be extended subject to required approvals.
Investment Criteria/Guidelines
Investment Decision Process
Our investment approach involves, among other things:
•an assessment of the markets, overall macroeconomic environment and how the assessment may impact industry and investment selection;
•substantial company-specific research and analysis; and
•with respect to each individual company, an emphasis on capital preservation, low volatility and management of downside risk.
The foundation of our investment philosophy incorporates intensive analysis, a management discipline based on both market technical and fundamental value-oriented research, and consideration of diversification within our portfolio. We follow a rigorous investment process based on:
•a comprehensive analysis of issuer creditworthiness, including a quantitative and qualitative assessment of the issuer’s business;
•an evaluation of management and its economic incentives;
•an analysis of business strategy and industry trends; and
•an in-depth examination of a prospective portfolio company’s capital structure, financial results and projections.
We seek to identify those companies exhibiting superior fundamental risk-reward profiles and strong defensible business franchises, while focusing on the absolute and relative value of the investment.
Investment Process Overview
Origination and Sourcing
The substantial majority of our investments are not intermediated and are originated without the assistance of investment banks or other traditional Wall Street sources. In addition to executing direct calling campaigns on companies based on the Adviser’s sector and macroeconomic views, our Investment Team also maintains direct contact with financial sponsors, banks, corporate advisory firms, industry consultants, attorneys, investment banks, “club” investors and other potential sources of investment opportunities. The substantial majority of our deals are informed by our current sector views and are sourced directly by our Adviser through our network of contacts. We also identify opportunities through our Adviser’s relationships with Sixth Street.
Due Diligence Process
The process through which an investment decision is made involves extensive research into the company, its industry, its growth prospects and its ability to withstand adverse conditions. If the investment team responsible for the transaction determines that an investment opportunity should be pursued, we will engage in an intensive due diligence process. Though each transaction will involve a somewhat different approach, our diligence of each opportunity may include:
•understanding the purpose of the capital requirement, the key personnel and variables, as well as the sources and uses of the proceeds;
•meeting the company’s management, including top and middle-level executives, to get an insider’s view of the business, and to probe for potential weaknesses in business prospects;
•checking management’s backgrounds and references;
•performing a detailed review of historical financial performance, including performance through various economic cycles, and the quality of earnings;
•contacting customers and vendors to assess both business prospects and standard practices;
•conducting a competitive analysis, and comparing the company to its main competitors on an operating, financial, market share and valuation basis;
•researching the industry for historic growth trends and future prospects as well as to identify future exit alternatives;
•assessing asset value and the ability of physical infrastructure and information systems to handle anticipated growth;
•leveraging Sixth Street internal resources with institutional knowledge of the company’s business; and
•investigating legal and regulatory risks and financial and accounting systems and practices.
Selective Investment Process
After an investment has been identified and preliminary diligence has been completed, a credit research and analysis report is prepared. This report is reviewed by senior investment professionals. If these senior and other investment professionals are supportive of pursuing the potential investment, then a more extensive due diligence process is employed. Additional due diligence with respect to any investment may be conducted on our behalf by attorneys, independent accountants, and other third-party consultants and research firms prior to the closing of the investment, as appropriate, on a case-by-case basis.
Issuance of Formal Commitment
Approval of an investment requires the approval of the Investment Review Committee. Once we have determined that a prospective portfolio company is suitable for investment, we work with the management or financial sponsor of that company and its other capital providers, including senior, junior and equity capital providers, if any, to finalize the structure and terms of the investment.
Portfolio Monitoring
The Adviser monitors our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. The Adviser monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if it is meeting its business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action for each company.
The Adviser has a number of methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance of our investments, which may include the following:
•assessment of success of the portfolio company in adhering to its business plan and compliance with covenants;
•periodic and regular contact with portfolio company management and, if appropriate, the financial or strategic sponsor, to discuss financial position, requirements and accomplishments;
•comparisons to other companies in the industry;
•attendance at, and participation in, board meetings; and
•review of monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial projections for portfolio companies.
As part of the monitoring process, the Adviser regularly assesses the risk profile of each of our investments and, on a quarterly basis, grades each investment on a risk scale of 1 to 5. Risk assessment is not standardized in our industry and our risk assessment may not be comparable to ones used by our competitors. Our assessment is based on the following categories:
•An investment is rated 1 if, in the opinion of the Adviser, it is performing as agreed and there are no concerns about the portfolio company’s performance or ability to meet covenant requirements. For these investments, the Adviser generally prepares monthly reports on investment performance and intensive quarterly asset reviews.
•An investment is rated 2 if it is performing as agreed, but, in the opinion of the Adviser, there may be concerns about the company’s operating performance or trends in the industry. For these investments, in addition to monthly reports and quarterly asset reviews, the Adviser also researches any areas of concern with the objective of early intervention with the portfolio company.
•An investment will be assigned a rating of 3 if it is paying its obligations to us as agreed but a material covenant violation is expected. For these investments, in addition to monthly reports and quarterly asset reviews, the Adviser also adds the investment to its “watch list” and researches any areas of concern with the objective of early intervention with the portfolio company.
•An investment will be assigned a rating of 4 if a material covenant has been violated, but the company is making its scheduled payments on its obligations to us. For these investments, the Adviser generally prepares a bi-monthly asset review email and generally has monthly meetings with the portfolio company’s senior management. For investments where there have been material defaults, including bankruptcy filings, failures to achieve financial performance requirements or failure to maintain liquidity or loan-to-value requirements, the Adviser often will take immediate action to protect its position. These remedies may include negotiating for additional collateral, modifying investment terms or structure, or payment of amendment and waiver fees.
•A rating of 5 indicates an investment is in default on its interest and/or principal payments. For these investments, our Adviser reviews the investment on a bi-monthly basis and, where possible, pursues workouts that achieve an early resolution to avoid further deterioration of our investment. The Adviser retains legal counsel and takes actions to preserve our rights, which may include working with the portfolio company to have the default cured, to have the investment restructured or to have the investment repaid through a consensual workout.
For more information on the investment performance ratings of our portfolio, see “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-Portfolio and Investment Activity.”
Investment Review Committee
The Adviser manages our portfolio under the general oversight of the Investment Review Committee. The Investment Review Committee includes certain individuals who are senior personnel of the Adviser and Sixth Street, as well as certain other persons appointed by the Adviser from time to time. Our Investment Team and the Investment Review Committee are supported by and have access to the investment professionals, analytical capabilities and support personnel of Sixth Street.
Structure of Investments
Since beginning our investment activities in July 2011, we have sought to generate current income primarily in U.S.-domiciled middle-market companies through direct originations of senior secured loans and, to a lesser extent, originations of mezzanine and unsecured loans and investments in corporate bonds and equity and other investments.
Debt Investments
The terms of our debt investments are tailored to the facts and circumstances of each transaction and prospective portfolio company. We negotiate the structure of each investment to protect our rights and manage our risk while providing funding to help the portfolio company achieve its business plan. We invest in the following types of debt:
•First-lien debt. First-lien debt is typically senior on a lien basis to other liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a first-priority security interest in assets of the issuer. The security interest ranks above the security interest of any second-lien lenders in those assets. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans, “last out” first-lien loans, “unitranche” loans and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans.
•Stand-alone first-lien loans. Stand-alone first-lien loans are traditional first-lien loans. All lenders in the facility have equal rights to the collateral that is subject to the first-priority security interest.
•“Last out” first-lien loans. “Last out” first-lien loans have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans in the collateral securing the loans in certain circumstances. The arrangements for a “last out” first-lien loan are set forth in an “agreement among lenders,” which provides lenders with “first out” and “last out” payment streams based on a single lien on the collateral. Since the “first out” lenders generally have priority over the “last out” lenders for receiving payment under certain specified events of default, or upon the occurrence of other triggering events under intercreditor agreements or agreements among lenders, the “last out” lenders bear a greater risk and, in exchange, receive a higher effective interest rate, through arrangements among the lenders, than the “first out” lenders or lenders in stand-alone first-lien loans. Agreements among lenders also typically provide greater voting rights to the “last out” lenders than the intercreditor agreements to which second-lien lenders often are subject.
•“Unitranche” loans. Unitranche loans combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position. In many cases, we may provide the borrower most, if not all, of the capital structure above the equity. The primary advantages to the borrower are the ability to negotiate the entire debt financing with one lender and the elimination of intercreditor issues.
•Second-lien debt. Our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt. Second-lien debt typically is senior on a lien basis to other liabilities in the issuer’s capital structure and has the benefit of a security interest over assets of the issuer, though ranking junior to first-lien debt secured by those assets. First-lien lenders and second-lien lenders typically have separate liens on the collateral, and an intercreditor agreement provides the first-lien lenders with priority over the second-lien lenders’ liens on the collateral.
•“Mezzanine” and “Unsecured” debt. Structurally, mezzanine debt usually ranks subordinate in priority of payment to first-lien and second-lien debt and may not have the benefit of financial covenants common in first-lien and second-lien debt. Unsecured debt may rank junior as it relates to proceeds in certain liquidations where it does not have the benefit of a lien in specific collateral held by creditors (typically first lien and/or second lien) who have a perfected security interest in such collateral. However, both mezzanine and unsecured debt ranks senior to common and preferred equity in an issuer’s capital structure. Mezzanine and unsecured debt investments generally offer lenders fixed returns in the form of interest payments and mezzanine debt will often provide lenders an opportunity to participate in the capital appreciation, if any, of an issuer through an equity interest. This equity interest typically takes the form of an equity co-investment or warrants. Due to its higher risk profile and often less restrictive covenants compared to senior secured loans, mezzanine and unsecured debt generally bears a higher stated interest rate than first-lien and second-lien debt.
Our debt investments are typically structured with the maximum seniority and collateral that we can reasonably obtain while seeking to achieve our total return target. We seek to limit the downside potential of our investments by:
•requiring a total return on our investments (including both interest and potential equity appreciation) that compensates us for credit risk; and
•negotiating covenants in connection with our investments that afford our portfolio companies as much flexibility in managing their businesses as possible, consistent with preservation of our capital. Such restrictions may include affirmative covenants (including reporting requirements), negative covenants (including financial covenants), lien protection, change of control provisions and board rights, including either observation or rights to a seat on the board under some circumstances.
Among the types of first-lien debt in which we invest, we generally are able to obtain higher effective interest rates on our “last out” first-lien loans than on other types of first-lien loans, since our “last-out” first-lien loans generally are more junior in the capital structure. Within our portfolio, we aim to maintain the appropriate proportion among the various types of first-lien loans, as well as second-lien debt and mezzanine debt, which allows us to achieve our target returns while maintaining our targeted amount of credit risk.
Equity and Other Investments
Our loans may include an equity interest in the issuer, such as a warrant or profit participation right. In certain instances, we also will make equity investments, although those situations are generally limited to those cases where we are also making an investment in a more senior part of the capital structure of the issuer.
Investments
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had made investments with an aggregate fair value of $3,283.1 million and $2,787.9 million, respectively, in 136 and 121 portfolio companies, respectively.
Investments consisted of the following at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
Net Unrealized
($ in millions)
Amortized Cost (1)
Fair Value
Gain (Loss)
First-lien debt investments
$
2,956.1
$
2,996.2
$
40.1
Second-lien debt investments
51.4
36.0
(15.4
)
Mezzanine debt investments
38.0
39.5
1.5
Equity and other investments
152.6
155.6
3.0
Structured credit investments
52.9
55.8
2.9
Total Investments
$
3,251.0
$
3,283.1
$
32.1
December 31, 2022
Net Unrealized
($ in millions)
Amortized Cost (1)
Fair Value
Gain (Loss)
First-lien debt investments
$
2,529.3
$
2,517.9
$
(11.4
)
Second-lien debt investments
42.7
40.8
(1.9
)
Mezzanine debt investments
7.5
10.1
2.6
Equity and other investments
142.1
167.7
25.6
Structured credit investments
53.1
51.4
(1.7
)
Total Investments
$
2,774.7
$
2,787.9
$
13.2
(1)Amortized cost represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts or premiums, as applicable, on debt investments using the effective interest method.
The industry composition of investments at fair value at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Automotive
1.3
%
1.2
%
Business Services
18.0
%
14.4
%
Chemicals
0.8
%
0.7
%
Communications
3.3
%
2.7
%
Education
5.3
%
5.8
%
Financial Services
11.1
%
12.8
%
Healthcare
8.9
%
9.9
%
Hotel, Gaming and Leisure
3.7
%
4.5
%
Human Resource Support Services
11.2
%
11.9
%
Insurance
0.1
%
-
Internet Services
15.1
%
13.9
%
Manufacturing
2.5
%
1.3
%
Marketing Services
0.3
%
0.4
%
Office Products
0.5
%
0.7
%
Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
4.7
%
3.9
%
Other
2.9
%
3.3
%
Pharmaceuticals (1)
-
0.0
%
Retail and Consumer Products
8.2
%
11.4
%
Transportation
2.1
%
1.2
%
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%
(1) Value sums to less than 0.1%
We classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as Healthcare, and Business Services) and not by the product or services (such as Software) directed to those end-markets.
The geographic composition of investments at fair value at December 31, 2023 and 2022 was as follows:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
United States
Midwest
10.7
%
11.6
%
Northeast
25.4
%
25.4
%
South
20.7
%
24.3
%
West
32.0
%
30.7
%
Australia
1.8
%
2.2
%
Canada
4.5
%
4.3
%
Finland (1)
0.0
%
-
Germany
0.3
%
0.1
%
Luxembourg
0.1
%
0.1
%
Netherlands
0.1
%
-
Norway
1.5
%
0.7
%
United Kingdom
2.9
%
0.6
%
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%
(1) Value sums to less than 0.1%
Investment Commitments
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had the following commitments to fund investments in current portfolio companies:
($ in millions)
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Alaska Bidco Oy - Delayed Draw & Revolver
$
0.2
$
-
Alpha Midco, Inc. - Delayed Draw
0.5
0.9
American Achievement, Corp. - Revolver
2.4
2.4
Arrow Buyer, Inc. - Delayed Draw
7.6
-
Artisan Bidco, Inc - Revolver
5.7
-
ASG II, LLC - Delayed Draw
3.4
7.0
Avalara, Inc. - Revolver
3.9
3.9
Axonify, Inc. - Delayed Draw
3.4
6.1
Banyan Software Holdings, LLC - Delayed Draw
10.0
-
Bayshore Intermediate #2, L.P. - Revolver
1.9
1.6
BCTO Ace Purchaser, Inc. - Delayed Draw
0.5
6.6
BCTO Bluebill Buyer, Inc. - Delayed Draw
5.1
-
Bear OpCo, LLC - Delayed Draw
1.2
2.6
BlueSnap, Inc. - Revolver
2.5
2.5
BTRS Holdings, Inc. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
5.6
8.6
Carlstar Group, LLC - Revolver
-
8.5
Cordance Operations, LLC - Revolver
2.0
12.0
Coupa Holdings, LLC - Delayed Draw & Revolver
6.8
-
CrunchTime Information Systems, Inc. - Delayed Draw
-
7.1
Crewline Buyer, Inc. - Revolver & Partnership Interest
6.1
-
Disco Parent, Inc. - Revolver
0.5
-
Dye & Durham Corp. - Revolver
1.2
6.3
EDB Parent, LLC - Delayed Draw
11.4
18.0
Edge Bidco B.V. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
1.1
-
Elysian Finco Ltd. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
4.7
6.8
Employment Hero Holdings Pty Ltd. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
8.9
8.8
EMS Linq, Inc. - Revolver
8.8
8.8
Erling Lux Bidco SARL - Delayed Draw & Revolver
3.2
5.6
ExtraHop Networks, Inc. - Delayed Draw
9.8
17.1
Fullsteam Operations, LLC - Delayed Draw & Revolver
11.2
-
ForeScout Technologies, Inc. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
3.4
3.4
G Treasury SS, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
3.3
Galileo Parent, Inc. - Revolver
6.8
-
Hirevue, Inc. - Revolver
6.9
-
Hornetsecurity Holding GmbH - Delayed Draw & Revolver
2.1
2.0
Ibis Intermediate Co. - Delayed Draw
6.3
6.3
IRGSE Holding Corp. - Revolver
0.9
0.3
Kangaroo Bidco AS - Delayed Draw
9.4
-
Kyriba Corp. - Delayed Draw & Revolver (1)
2.5
0.0
Laramie Energy, LLC - Delayed Draw
7.7
-
LeanTaaS Holdings, Inc. - Delayed Draw
38.0
47.2
Lithium Technologies, LLC - Revolver
-
2.0
Lucidworks, Inc. - Delayed Draw
0.8
0.8
Marcura Equities LTD - Delayed Draw & Revolver
11.7
-
Murchison Oil and Gas, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
9.8
Netwrix Corp. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
13.1
13.9
Neuintel, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
4.2
OutSystems Luxco SARL - Delayed Draw
2.2
2.1
PageUp People, Ltd. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
-
5.8
Passport Labs, Inc. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
2.8
2.8
Ping Identity Holding Corp. - Revolver
2.3
2.3
PrimePay Intermediate, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
2.5
PrimeRevenue, Inc. - Revolver
6.3
6.3
Project44, Inc. - Delayed Draw
19.9
19.9
Rapid Data GmbH Unternehmensberatung - Delayed Draw & Revolver
6.3
-
ReliaQuest Holdings, LLC - Delayed Draw, Revolver & Preferred Equity
4.4
22.7
SkyLark UK DebtCo - Delayed Draw
7.1
-
SL Buyer Corp. - Delayed Draw
13.2
-
Tango Management Consulting, LLC - Delayed Draw & Revolver
11.0
26.6
TRP Assets, LLC - Delayed Draw & Membership Interest
1.0
7.8
WideOrbit, Inc. - Revolver
-
4.8
Wrangler TopCo, LLC - Revolver
0.4
-
Total Portfolio Company Commitments (2)(3)
$
316.1
$
338.0
(1)Value sums to less than $0.1 million.
(2)Represents the full amount of our commitments to fund investments on such date. Commitments may be subject to limitations on borrowings set forth in the agreements between us and the applicable portfolio company. As a result, portfolio companies may not be eligible to borrow the full commitment amount on such date.
(3)Our estimate of the fair value of the current investments in these portfolio companies includes as analysis of the fair value of any unfunded commitments.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we did not have any unfunded commitments to fund investments to new borrowers that were not current portfolio companies as of such date.
From time to time, we may become a party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of our business. As of December 31, 2023, management is not aware of any material pending or threatened litigation that would require accounting recognition or financial statement disclosure.
Competition
We compete for investments with a number of capital providers, including BDCs, other investment funds (including private debt and equity funds and venture capital funds), special purpose acquisition company sponsors, investment banks with underwriting activities, hedge funds that invest in private investments in public equities, traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks, and other sources of financing, including the broadly syndicated loan market and high yield capital market. Many of these capital providers have greater financial and managerial resources than we do. In addition, many of our competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC. For additional information concerning the competitive risks we expect to face, see “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS-Risks Related to Our Business and Structure-We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.”
Capital Resources and Borrowings
We anticipate generating cash in the future from cash flows from operations, including interest received on our cash and cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, and through issuances of common stock.
Additionally, we are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after each such issuance. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our asset coverage was 181.6% and 188.6%, respectively. See “Regulation as a Business Development Company-Senior Securities” below.
Furthermore, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit any distribution to our stockholders (which may cause us to fail to distribute amounts necessary to avoid entity-level taxation under the Code), or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. In addition, we must also comply with positive and negative covenants customary for these types of facilities.
Debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
Aggregate Principal
Outstanding
Amount
Carrying
($ in millions)
Amount Committed
Principal
Available (1)
Value (2)(3)
Revolving Credit Facility
$
1,710.0
$
889.7
$
820.2
$
874.5
2024 Notes
347.5
347.5
-
335.9
2026 Notes
300.0
300.0
-
270.9
2028 Notes
300.0
300.0
-
299.0
Total Debt
$
2,657.5
$
1,837.2
$
820.2
$
1,780.3
(1)The amount available may be subject to limitations related to the borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility, outstanding letters of credit issued and asset coverage requirements.
(2)The carrying values of the Revolving Credit Facility, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes are presented net of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts totaling $15.2 million, $1.2 million, $3.0 million, and $5.7 million, respectively.
(3)The carrying value of the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes, and 2028 Notes are presented inclusive of an incremental $(10.4) million $(26.1) million and $4.7 million, respectively, which represents an adjustment in the carrying values of the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes, each resulting from a hedge accounting relationship.
December 31, 2022
Aggregate Principal
Outstanding
Amount
Carrying
($ in millions)
Amount Committed
Principal
Available (1)
Value (2)(3)
Revolving Credit Facility
$
1,585.0
$
719.3
$
865.7
$
706.2
2023 Notes
150.0
150.0
-
149.9
2024 Notes
347.5
347.5
-
325.5
2026 Notes
300.0
300.0
-
260.2
Total Debt
$
2,382.5
$
1,516.8
$
865.7
$
1,441.8
(1)The amount available may be subject to limitations related to the borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility and asset coverage requirements.
(2)The carrying values of the Revolving Credit Facility, 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes are presented net of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts totaling $13.2 million, less than $0.1 million, $2.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively.
(3)The carrying value of the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes is presented inclusive of an incremental $(19.4) million and $(35.7) million, respectively, which represents an adjustment in the carrying values of the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes, each resulting from a hedge accounting relationship.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, December 31, 2022, and December 31 2021, the components of interest expense were as follows:
Year ended
($ in millions)
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Interest expense
$
95.5
$
49.9
$
39.7
Commitment fees
2.9
4.1
4.4
Amortization of deferred financing costs
5.2
5.7
6.1
Accretion of original issue discount
0.9
0.8
0.7
Swap settlement
29.2
2.5
(12.1
)
Total Interest Expense
$
133.7
$
63.0
$
38.8
Average debt outstanding
$
1,705.6
$
1,342.0
$
1,223.4
Weighted average interest rate
7.3
%
3.9
%
2.3
%
For more information on our debt, see “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS--Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources.”
Dividend Policy
To maintain our status as a RIC, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes of an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as well as other taxable income, excluding any net capital gains reduced by deductible expenses) and 90% of our net tax-exempt income for that taxable year. As a RIC, we generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on our investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to stockholders. In addition, to avoid the imposition of a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:
•98% of our net ordinary income, excluding certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized during a calendar year;
•98.2% of our capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized for the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of such calendar year; and
•100% of any income or gains recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years.
We have previously incurred, and can be expected to incur in the future, such excise tax on a portion of our income and gains. While we intend to distribute income and capital gains to minimize exposure to the 4% U.S. federal excise tax, we may not be able to, or may choose not to, distribute amounts sufficient to avoid the imposition of the excise tax entirely. In that event, we will be liable for the excise tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS-Risks Related to Our Business and Structure-We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.”
Dividend Reinvestment Plan
We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash dividends or distributions declared by the Board on behalf of investors who do not elect to receive their cash dividends or distributions in cash as provided below. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or distribution, then our stockholders who have not elected to “opt out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends or distributions automatically reinvested in additional common stock as described below.
Those stockholders whose shares are held by a broker or other financial intermediary may receive cash dividends and other distributions in cash by notifying their broker or other financial intermediary of their election.
No action is required on the part of a registered stockholder to have its cash dividend or other distribution reinvested in our common stock. A registered stockholder is able to elect to receive an entire cash dividend or distribution in cash by notifying Equiniti Trust Company, LLC, the plan administrator and our transfer agent and registrar, in writing, so that notice is received by the plan administrator no later than 10 days prior to the record date for the cash dividend or distributions to the stockholders. The plan administrator has set up an account for shares acquired through the plan for each stockholder who has not elected to receive cash dividends or distributions in cash and hold the shares in non-certificated form.
We expect to use primarily newly issued shares to implement the plan, whether our shares are trading at a premium or at a discount to net asset value. We reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the plan. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the cash dividend or distribution payable to a stockholder by the market price per share of our common stock at the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange, or “NYSE,” on the payment date of a distribution, or if no sale is reported for such day, the average of the reported bid and ask prices. However, if the market price per share on the payment date of a cash dividend or distribution exceeds the most recently computed net asset value per share, we will issue shares at the greater of (i) the most recently computed net asset value per share and (ii) 95% of the current market price per share (or such lesser discount to the current market price per share that still exceeded the most recently computed net asset value per share). Shares purchased in open market transactions by the plan administrator will be allocated to a stockholder based on the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares of common stock purchased in the open market.
The number of shares of our common stock that will be outstanding after giving effect to payment of a cash dividend or distribution cannot be established until the value per share at which additional shares will be issued has been determined and elections of our stockholders have been tabulated. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder pursuant to the foregoing will be rounded down to the nearest whole share to avoid the issuance of fractional shares, with any fractional shares being paid in cash. For non-U.S. stockholders, the number of shares to be issued to the stockholder will be the amount equal to the total dollar amount of the cash dividend or distribution payable, net of applicable withholding taxes.
There are no brokerage charges or other charges to stockholders who participate in the plan. The plan is terminable by us upon notice in writing mailed to each stockholder of record at least 30 days prior to any record date for the payment of any cash dividend or distribution by us. If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $15.00 transaction fee plus a brokerage commission from the proceeds.
Administration
Each of our executive officers is an employee of our Adviser or its affiliates. We do not currently have any employees and do not expect to have any employees. Individuals who are employees of our Adviser or its affiliates provide services necessary for our business under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. Our day-to-day investment operations are managed by our Adviser and the services necessary for the origination and administration of our investment portfolio are provided by investment professionals employed by our Adviser or its affiliates. Our Investment Team focuses on origination and transaction development and the ongoing monitoring of our investments. In addition, we reimburse the Adviser for the allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to our Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other professionals who spend time on those related activities (based on the percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs). See “Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement; License Agreement” below.
In addition to our Adviser, Sixth Street has a team of over 580 investment and operating professionals. As of December 31, 2023, seventy (70) personnel are dedicated to direct lending, including fifty-five (55) investment professionals.
Management Agreements
Investment Advisory Agreement; Administration Agreement; License Agreement
On April 15, 2011, we entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with our Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement was subsequently amended on December 12, 2011.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser:
•determines the composition of our portfolio, the nature and timing of the changes to our portfolio and the manner of implementing those changes;
•identifies, evaluates and negotiates the structure of the investments we make (including performing due diligence on our prospective portfolio companies);
•determines the assets we will originate, purchase, retain or sell;
•closes, monitors and administers the investments we make, including the exercise of any rights in our capacity as a lender or equity holder; and
•provides us other investment advisory, research and related services as we may, from time to time, reasonably require for the investment of our funds, including providing operating and managerial assistance to us and our portfolio companies, as required.
The Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to furnish similar or other services to others so long as its services to us are not impaired.
Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, we pay the Adviser a base management fee (the “Management Fee”) and may also pay certain incentive fees (the “Incentive Fees”).
The Management Fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% based on the average value of our gross assets calculated using the values at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the period. The Management Fee is payable quarterly in arrears.
For each of the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, Management Fees (gross of waivers) were $46.4 million, $39.9 million and $37.1 million, respectively.
Any waived Management Fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.
The Adviser intends to waive a portion of the Management Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement by reducing the Management Fee on assets financed using leverage over 200% asset coverage (in other words, over 1.0x debt to equity) (the “Leverage Waiver”). Pursuant to the Leverage Waiver, the Adviser intends to waive the portion of the Management Fee in excess of an annual rate of 1.0% (0.250% per quarter) on the average value of our gross assets as of the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters that exceeds the product of (i) 200% and (ii) the average value of our net asset value at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Management Fees of $1.2 million, $0.4 million and $0.2 million, respectively, have been waived pursuant to the Leverage Waiver.
The Incentive Fee consists of two parts, as follows:
(i)The first component, payable at the end of each quarter in arrears, equals 100% of the pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of a 1.5% quarterly “hurdle rate,” the calculation of which is further explained below, until the Adviser has received 17.5% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that quarter and, for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% quarterly, 17.5% of all remaining pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that quarter. The 100% “catch-up” provision for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the 1.5% “hurdle rate” is intended to provide the Adviser with an Incentive Fee of 17.5% on all pre-Incentive Fee net investment income when that amount equals 1.82% in a quarter (7.28% annualized), which is the rate at which catch-up is achieved. Once the “hurdle rate” is reached and catch-up is achieved, 17.5% of any pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% in any quarter is payable to the Adviser.
Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income means dividends, interest and fee income accrued by us during the calendar quarter, minus our operating expenses for the quarter (including the Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement to the Administrator, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with pay-in-kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued
income that we may not have received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses.
(ii)The second component, payable at the end of each fiscal year in arrears, equaled 15% through March 31, 2014 and, beginning April 1, 2014, equals a weighted percentage of cumulative realized capital gains from our inception to the end of that fiscal year, less cumulative realized capital losses and unrealized capital losses. This component of the Incentive Fee is referred to as the Capital Gains Fee. Each year, the fee paid for this component of the Incentive Fee is net of the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Fee for prior periods. For capital gains that accrue following March 31, 2014, the Incentive Fee rate is 17.5%. We accrue, but do not pay, a Capital Gains Fee with respect to unrealized capital gains because a Capital Gains Fee would be owed to the Adviser if we were to sell the relevant investment and realize a capital gain. The weighted percentage is intended to ensure that for each fiscal year following the completion of the initial public offering ("IPO"), the portion of our realized capital gains that accrued prior to March 31, 2014, is subject to an Incentive Fee rate of 15% and the portion of our realized capital gains that accrued beginning April 1, 2014 is subject to an Incentive Fee rate of 17.5%. As of March 31, 2020, there are no remaining investments that were made prior to April 1, 2014, and as a result, the Incentive Fee rate of 17.5% is applicable to any future realized capital gains.
For purposes of determining whether pre-Incentive Fee net investment income exceeds the hurdle rate, pre-Incentive Fee net investment income is expressed as a rate of return on the value of our net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter.
Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses. Because of the structure of the Incentive Fee, it is possible that we may pay an Incentive Fee in a quarter in which we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly minimum hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable Incentive Fee even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses. In addition, because the quarterly minimum hurdle rate is calculated based on our net assets, decreases in our net assets due to realized or unrealized capital losses in any given quarter may increase the likelihood that the hurdle rate is reached and therefore the likelihood of us paying an Incentive Fee for that quarter. Our net investment income used to calculate this component of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the Management Fee because gross assets are total assets (including cash received) before deducting liabilities (such as declared dividend payments).
Section 205(b)(3) of the Advisers Act, as amended, prohibits the Adviser from receiving the payment of fees on unrealized gains until those gains are realized, if ever. There can be no assurance that such unrealized gains will be realized in the future.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Incentive Fees were $47.0 million, $24.5 million, and $46.6 million, respectively, of which $42.6 million, $33.4 million, and $33.1 million, respectively, were realized and payable to the Adviser. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, $4.4 million, $(8.9) million, and $13.5 million, respectively, of Incentive Fees were accrued related to Capital Gains Fees. As of December 31, 2023, these accrued Incentive Fees are not contractually payable to the Adviser. The Adviser did not waive any Incentive Fees for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021.
Any waived Incentive Fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.
Since our IPO, with the exception of its waiver of Management Fees and certain Incentive Fees attributable to our ownership of certain investments and the Leverage Waiver, the Adviser has not waived its right to receive any Management Fees or Incentive Fees payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement.
In November 2023, the Board renewed the Investment Advisory Agreement. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Investment Advisory Agreement will remain in effect until November 2024, and may be extended subject to required approvals. The Investment Advisory Agreement will automatically terminate in the event of an assignment and may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party.
Our Board monitors the mix and performance of our investments over time and seeks to satisfy itself that the Adviser is acting in our interests and that our fee structure appropriately incentivizes the Adviser to do so.
On March 15, 2011, we entered into the Administration Agreement with our Adviser. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser provides administrative services to us. These services include providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to stockholders and reports filed with the SEC, and managing the payment of expenses and the oversight of the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others. Certain of these services are reimbursable to the Adviser under the terms of the Administration Agreement. See “-Payment of Our Expenses” below. In addition, the Adviser is permitted to delegate its duties under the Administration Agreement to affiliates or third parties and we pay or reimburse the Adviser expenses incurred by any such affiliates or third parties for work done on our behalf. For the years ended
December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we incurred expenses of $3.2 million, $3.1 million, and $4.8 million, respectively, for administrative services payable under the terms of the Administration Agreement, which are included in Other general and administrative expenses.
From time to time, the Adviser may pay amounts owed by us to third-party providers of goods or services, including the Board, and we will subsequently reimburse the Adviser for such amounts paid on our behalf. Amounts payable to the Adviser are settled in the normal course of business without formal payment terms.
In November 2023, the Board renewed the Administration Agreement. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Administration Agreement will remain in effect until November 2024, and may be extended subject to required approvals. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party.
No person who is an officer, director or employee of the Adviser or its affiliates and who serves as our director receives any compensation from us for his or her services as a director. However, we reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for the allocable portion of the costs of compensation, benefits, and related administrative expenses of our officers who provide operational and administrative services to us pursuant to the Administration Agreement, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to us (including, in each case, employees of the Adviser or an affiliate). Such reimbursable amounts include the allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser or its affiliates to our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and other professionals who provide operational and administrative services to us pursuant to the Administration Agreement, including individuals who provide “back office” or “middle office” financial, operational, legal and/or compliance services to us. We reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for the allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser or its affiliates to such individuals based on the percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs and in acting on behalf of us. We may also reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for the allocable portion of overhead expenses (including rent, office equipment and utilities) attributable thereto. Directors who are not affiliated with the Adviser receive compensation for their services and reimbursement of expenses incurred to attend meetings.
The Adviser does not assume any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in, and on the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, and is not responsible for any action of our Board in declining to follow the advice or recommendations of the Adviser. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, the Adviser (and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with it) shall not be liable to us for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Administration Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of ours (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services). We shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, provide indemnification and the right to the advancement of expenses, to each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, by reason of the fact that he or she is or was a member, manager, officer, employee, agent, controlling person of the Adviser or any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, or is or was a member of the Adviser’s Investment Review Committee, on the same general terms set forth in Article VIII of our certificate of incorporation.
United States federal and state securities laws may impose liability under certain circumstances on persons who act in good faith. Nothing in the Investment Advisory Agreement will constitute a waiver or limitation of any rights that we may have under any applicable federal or state securities laws.
Payment of Our Expenses
The costs associated with the Investment Team and staff of the Adviser, when and to the extent engaged in providing us investment advisory and management services are paid for by the Adviser. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including those relating to:
•calculating individual asset values and our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firms);
•expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by the Adviser, or members of our Investment Team, or payable to third parties, in respect of due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, in respect of enforcing our rights with respect to investments in existing portfolio companies;
•the costs of any public offerings of our common stock and other securities, including registration and listing fees;
•the Management Fee and any Incentive Fee;
•certain costs and expenses relating to distributions paid on our shares;
•administration fees payable under our Administration Agreement;
•debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements;
•the Adviser’s allocable share of costs incurred in providing significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it;
•amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making or holding investments;
•transfer agent and custodial fees;
•costs of hedging;
•commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers;
•taxes;
•Independent Director fees and expenses;
•costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records and filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the preparation of the foregoing, including the allocable portion of the compensation of our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and other professionals who spend time on those related activities (based on the percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs);
•the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders (including printing and mailing costs), the costs of any stockholders’ meetings and the compensation of investor relations personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters;
•our fidelity bond;
•directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;
•indemnification payments;
•direct costs and expenses of administration, including audit, accounting, consulting and legal costs; and
•all other expenses reasonably incurred by us in connection with making investments and administering our business.
In addition, from time to time, the Adviser pays amounts owed by us to third-party providers of goods or services, including the Board. We subsequently reimburse the Adviser for those amounts paid on our behalf. Amounts payable to the Adviser are settled in the normal course of business without formal payment terms. We also reimburse the Adviser for the allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser or its affiliates to our Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer, and other professionals who spend time on those related activities (based on the percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs).
Duration and Termination
Unless earlier terminated as described below, both the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement will remain in effect until November 2024, and each may be extended subject to required approvals. Each agreement will remain in effect from year to year thereafter if approved annually by our Board or by the affirmative vote of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities, and, in either case, if also approved by a majority of the directors of the Board who are not “interested persons” of us, the Adviser or any of our or its respective affiliates, as defined in the 1940 Act (known as Independent Directors). The Investment Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by the Adviser. Each agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities may also terminate each agreement without penalty on 60 days’ written notice. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS-Risks Related to Our Business and Structure-We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, Sixth Street, and their affiliates for our future success.”
Indemnification
The Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement provide that the Adviser and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with it shall not be liable to us for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under the Investment
Advisory Agreement, the Administration Agreement or otherwise as an investment adviser of ours (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services). We will, to the fullest extent permitted by law, provide indemnification and the right to the advancement of expenses, to each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including, without limitation, as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, because he or she is or was a member, manager, officer, employee, agent, controlling person or any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser, including without limitation the Administrator, or is or was a member of the Adviser’s Investment Review Committee, on the same general terms set forth in our certificate of incorporation. Our obligation to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses is subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and Investment Company Act Release No. 11330, which, among other things, preclude indemnification for any liability (whether or not there is an adjudication of liability or the matter has been settled) arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties, and require reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification will be made.
Board Approval of the Investment Advisory Agreement
Our Board, including our Independent Directors, and holders of a majority of our outstanding securities, approved our Investment Advisory Agreement in December 2011. Our Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, renewed the Investment Advisory Agreement in November 2023. In its consideration of the Investment Advisory Agreement at the time of approval and renewal, the Board focused on information it had received relating to, among other things:
•the nature, quality and extent of the advisory and other services to be provided to us by the Adviser;
•our investment and financial performance on a standalone basis and against a comparative universe of peers;
•the extent to which economies of scale would be realized as we grow, and whether the fees payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement reflect these economies of scale for the benefit of our stockholders;
•comparative data with respect to advisory fees or similar expenses paid by other BDCs with similar investment objectives;
•our expense ratio compared to BDCs with similar investment objectives;
•any existing and potential sources of indirect income to the Adviser from its relationships with us and the profitability of those income sources;
•information about the services to be performed and the personnel performing those services under the Investment Advisory Agreement;
•the organizational and functional capabilities and financial condition of the Adviser and its respective affiliates; and
•the possibility of obtaining similar services from other third-party service providers or through an internally managed structure.
The Board also takes into consideration the reimbursement of expenses incurred by the Adviser on our behalf when determining whether to approve renewal of the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. No one factor was given greater weight than any others, but rather the Board considered all factors collectively as a whole.
Based on the information reviewed and the discussion thereof, the Board, including a majority of the Independent Directors, concluded that the investment advisory fee rates are reasonable in relation to the services to be provided.
Regulation as a Business Development Company
We are regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. A BDC must be organized in the United States for the purpose of investing in or lending to primarily private companies and making significant managerial assistance available to them. A BDC may use capital provided by public stockholders and from other sources to make long-term, private investments in businesses.
As with other companies regulated by the 1940 Act, a BDC must adhere to certain substantive regulatory requirements. A majority of our directors must be persons who are not “interested persons,” as that term is defined in the 1940 Act. Additionally, we are required to provide and maintain a bond issued by a reputable fidelity insurance company to protect us against larceny and embezzlement. Furthermore, as a BDC, we are prohibited from protecting any director or officer against any liability to us or our stockholders arising from willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such person’s office.
As a BDC, we are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after any borrowing or
issuance. See “-Senior Securities” for more information. In addition, while any preferred stock or publicly traded debt securities are outstanding, we may be prohibited from making distributions to our stockholders or repurchasing securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratio at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS-Risks Related to Our Business and Structure-We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.” As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our asset coverage was 181.6% and 188.6% respectively.
We may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be, or withdraw our election as, a BDC unless authorized by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities, as required by the 1940 Act. A majority of the outstanding voting securities of a company is defined under the 1940 Act as the lesser of: (a) 67% or more of such company’s voting securities present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company are present or represented by proxy, and (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities of such company.
We do not anticipate any substantial change in the nature of our business.
We do not intend to acquire securities issued by any investment company that exceed the limits imposed by the 1940 Act. Under these limits, except for registered money market funds, we generally cannot acquire more than 3% of the voting stock of any investment company, invest more than 5% of the value of our total assets in the securities of one investment company or invest more than 10% of the value of our total assets in the securities of investment companies in the aggregate. The portion of our portfolio invested in securities issued by investment companies ordinarily will subject our stockholders to additional expenses. Our investment portfolio is also subject to diversification requirements by virtue of our status as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes. See “-Regulated Investment Company Classification” for more information.
In addition, investment companies registered under the 1940 Act and private funds that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” pursuant to either Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940 Act may not acquire directly or through a controlled entity more than 3% of our total outstanding voting stock (measured at the time of the acquisition), unless the funds comply with an exemption under the 1940 Act. As a result, certain of our investors may hold a smaller position in our shares than if they were not subject to these restrictions.
We are generally not able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS-Risks Related to Our Business and Structure-Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.” We may, however, elect to issue and sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value of our common stock if our Board determines that the sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders have approved our policy and practice of making these sales within the preceding 12 months. Pursuant to approval granted at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 25, 2023, we are currently permitted to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a price below our then-current net asset value per share, subject to the approval of our Board and certain other conditions. Such stockholder approval expires on May 25, 2024. We may in the future seek such approval again; however, there is no assurance such approval will be obtained. In this 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, closely approximates the market value of such securities. In addition, we may generally issue new common stock at a price below net asset value in rights offerings to existing stockholders, in payment of dividends and in certain other limited circumstances.
We are subject to periodic examination by the SEC for compliance with the 1940 Act.
Compliance with regulations has not had a material effect on our capital expenditure, earnings or competitive position.
As a BDC, we are subject to certain risks and uncertainties. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS-Risks Related to Our Business and Structure.”
Transactions with our Affiliates
We may also be prohibited under the 1940 Act from knowingly participating in certain transactions with our affiliates, including our officers, directors, investment adviser, and principal underwriters, and certain of their affiliates, without the prior approval of the members of our Board who are not interested persons and, in some cases, prior approval by the SEC through an exemptive order (other than in certain limited situations pursuant to current regulatory guidance).
On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that allows us to co-invest, subject to certain conditions and to the extent the size of an investment opportunity exceeds the amount our Adviser has independently determined is appropriate for us to invest, with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of Sixth Street) in middle-market loan origination activities for
companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders. Subsequent further applications were also made, most recently as June 29, 2022. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted the new order in response to our application.
We believe our ability to co-invest with Sixth Street affiliates is particularly useful where we identify larger capital commitments than otherwise would be appropriate for us. We expect that with the ability to co-invest with Sixth Street affiliates we will continue to be able to provide “one-stop” financing to a potential portfolio company in these circumstances, which may allow us to capture opportunities where we alone could not commit the full amount of required capital or would have to spend additional time to locate unaffiliated co-investors.
Further, in accordance with the exemptive order, we have undertaken that, in connection with any commitment to a co-investment or follow-on investment, a “required majority” (as defined in Section 57(o) of the 1940 Act) of Independent Directors must make certain conclusions, including that:
•the terms of the proposed transaction (including the consideration to be paid) are reasonable and fair to us and our stockholders and do not involve overreaching of us or our stockholders on the part of any person concerned;
•the transaction is consistent with the interests of our stockholders and our investment strategies and policies;
•the investment by our affiliate would not disadvantage us, and our participation is not on a basis different from or less advantageous than that of our affiliate; and
•our investment will not benefit any affiliate other than the affiliate participating in the investment, and as otherwise permitted by the order.
See “ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE.”
Qualifying Assets
Under the 1940 Act, a BDC may not acquire any assets other than assets of the type listed in Section 55(a) of the 1940 Act, which are referred to as qualifying assets, unless, at the time the acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of the company’s total assets. The principal categories of qualifying assets relevant to our business are the following:
•Securities purchased in transactions not involving any public offering from the issuer of such securities, which issuer (subject to certain limited exceptions) is an eligible portfolio company, or from any person who is, or has been during the preceding 13 months, an affiliated person of an eligible portfolio company, or from any other person, subject to such rules as may be prescribed by the SEC. An eligible portfolio company is defined in the 1940 Act as any issuer which:
•is organized under the laws of, and has its principal place of business in, the United States;
•is not an investment company (other than a small business investment company wholly owned by us) or a company that would be an investment company but for certain exclusions under the 1940 Act; and
•satisfies any of the following:
•has an equity market capitalization of less than $250 million or does not have any class of securities listed on a national securities exchange;
•is controlled by a BDC or a group of companies including a BDC, the BDC actually exercises a controlling influence over the management or policies of the eligible portfolio company, and, as a result thereof, the BDC has an affiliated person who is a director of the eligible portfolio company; or
•is a small and solvent company having total assets of not more than $4 million and capital and surplus of not less than $2 million.
•Securities of any eligible portfolio company that we control;
•Securities purchased in a private transaction from a U.S. issuer that is not an investment company or from an affiliated person of the issuer, or in transactions incident thereto, if the issuer is in bankruptcy and subject to reorganization or if the issuer, immediately prior to the purchase of its securities was unable to meet its obligations as they came due without material assistance other than conventional lending or financing arrangements;
•Securities of an eligible portfolio company purchased from any person in a private transaction if there is no ready market for such securities and we already own 60% of the outstanding equity of the eligible portfolio company;
•Securities received in exchange for or distributed on or with respect to securities described above, or pursuant to the exercise of warrants or rights relating to such securities;
•Cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment.
Pending investment in other types of “qualifying assets,” as described above, our investments may consist of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. Government securities or high-quality debt securities maturing in one year or less from the time of investment, which we refer to, collectively, as temporary investments, such that at least 70% of our assets are qualifying assets.
Managerial Assistance to Portfolio Companies
A BDC must be operated for the purpose of making investments in the types of securities described under “Qualifying Assets” above. However, to count portfolio securities as qualifying assets for the purpose of the 70% test, the BDC must offer to make available to the issuer of the securities (other than small and solvent companies described above) significant managerial assistance; except that, where the BDC purchases such securities in conjunction with one or more other persons acting together, the BDC will satisfy this test if one of the other persons in the group makes available such managerial assistance. Making available managerial assistance means, among other things, either controlling the issuer of the securities or any arrangement whereby the BDC, through its directors, officers or employees, offers to provide, and, if accepted, does in fact provide, significant guidance and counsel concerning the management, operations or business objectives and policies of a portfolio company.
Senior Securities
Under the 1940 Act, a BDC generally is not permitted to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred stock unless immediately after the borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock is at least 150%.
We are permitted, under specified conditions, to issue multiple classes of indebtedness and one class of shares senior to our common stock if our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least equal to 150% immediately after any borrowing or issuance. In addition, while any preferred stock or publicly-traded debt securities are outstanding, we may be prohibited from making distributions to our stockholders or repurchasing securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratio at the time of the distribution or repurchase. We may also borrow amounts up to 5% of the value of our total assets for temporary or emergency purposes without regard to asset coverage.
The 1940 Act imposes limitations on a BDC’s issuance of preferred stock, which is considered a “senior security” and thus is subject to the 150% asset coverage requirement described above.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our asset coverage was 181.6% and 188.6% respectively.
Code of Ethics
As required by the Advisers Act and the 1940 Act, we and the Adviser have adopted codes of ethics which apply to, among others, our and our Adviser’s executive officers, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as well as our Adviser’s officers, directors and employees. The codes of ethics establish procedures for personal investments and restrict certain personal securities transactions. Personnel subject to the codes may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the codes’ requirements. There have been no material changes to the codes or material waivers of the codes that apply to our Chief Executive Officer or Chief Financial Officer.
Compliance Policies and Procedures
We and our Adviser have adopted and implemented written policies and procedures reasonably designed to detect and prevent violation of the federal securities laws and we are required to review these compliance policies and procedures annually for their adequacy and the effectiveness of their implementation and designate a Chief Compliance Officer to be responsible for administering the policies and procedures.
Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 imposes a wide variety of regulatory requirements on certain publicly held companies and their insiders. Assuming certain requirements are met, many of these requirements affect us. For example:
•pursuant to Rule 13a-14 of the Exchange Act, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer certify the accuracy of the financial statements contained in our periodic reports;
•pursuant to Item 307 of Regulation S-K, our periodic reports disclose our conclusions about the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures;
•pursuant to Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, subject to certain assumptions, our management is required to prepare an annual report regarding its assessment of our internal control over financial reporting, which is required to be audited by our independent registered public accounting firm; and
•pursuant to Item 308 of Regulation S-K and Rule 13a-15 of the Exchange Act, our periodic reports disclose whether there were significant changes in our internal controls over financial reporting or in other factors that could significantly affect these controls subsequent to the date of their evaluation, including any corrective actions with regard to significant deficiencies and material weaknesses.
The Sarbanes-Oxley Act requires us to review our policies and procedures to determine whether we comply with the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and the regulations promulgated thereunder. We continue to monitor our compliance with all regulations that are adopted under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act and take actions necessary to ensure that we are in compliance therewith.
The NYSE Corporate Governance Rules
The NYSE has adopted corporate governance rules that listed companies must comply with. We believe we are in compliance with these rules.
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
We delegate our proxy voting responsibility to our Adviser. The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of our Adviser are set forth below. The guidelines are reviewed periodically by the Adviser and our Independent Directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change.
An investment adviser registered under the Advisers Act has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of its clients. As part of this duty, the Adviser recognizes that it must vote client securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of its clients. These policies and procedures for voting proxies for the Adviser’s investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.
The Adviser will vote all proxies based upon the guiding principle of seeking the maximization of the ultimate long-term economic value of our stockholders’ holdings, and ultimately all votes are cast on a case-by-case basis, taking into consideration the contractual obligations under the relevant advisory agreements or comparable documents, and all other relevant facts and circumstances at the time of the vote. All proxy voting decisions will require a mandatory conflicts of interest review by our Chief Compliance Officer in accordance with these policies and procedures, which will include consideration of whether the Adviser or any investment professional or other person recommending how to vote the proxy has an interest in how the proxy is voted that may present a conflict of interest. It is the Adviser’s general policy to vote or give consent on all matters presented to security holders in any proxy, and these policies and procedures have been designed with that in mind. However, the Adviser reserves the right to abstain on any particular vote or otherwise withhold its vote or consent on any matter if, in the judgment of our Chief Compliance Officer or the relevant investment professional(s), the costs associated with voting such proxy outweigh the benefits to our stockholders or if the circumstances make such an abstention or withholding otherwise advisable and in the best interest of the relevant stockholder(s).
Privacy Principles
We are committed to maintaining the confidentiality, integrity and security of nonpublic personal information relating to investors. The following information is provided to help investors understand what personal information we collect, how we protect that information and why, in certain cases, we may share information with select other parties.
We generally will not receive any nonpublic personal information relating to stockholders who purchase common stock. We may collect nonpublic personal information regarding certain investors from sources such as subscription agreements, investor questionnaires and other forms; individual investors’ account histories; and correspondence between us and individual investors. We
may share information that we collect regarding an investor with our affiliates and the employees of such affiliates for legitimate business purposes, for example, to service the investor’s accounts or provide the investor with information about other products and services offered by us or our affiliates that may be of interest to the investor. In addition, we may disclose information that we collect regarding investors to third parties who are not affiliated with us (i) as authorized by our investors in investor subscription agreements or our organizational documents; (ii) as required by law or in connection with regulatory or law enforcement inquiries; or, (iii) as otherwise permitted by law to the extent necessary to effect, administer or enforce investor transactions or our transactions.
Any party that receives nonpublic personal information relating to investors from us is permitted to use the information only for legitimate business purposes or as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law or regulation. In this regard, our officers, employees and agents and those of our affiliates, access to such information is restricted to those who need such access to provide services to us and our investors. We maintain physical, electronic and procedural safeguards to seek to guard investor nonpublic personal information.
Reporting Obligations
We will furnish our stockholders with annual reports containing audited financial statements, quarterly reports, and such other periodic reports, as we determine to be appropriate or as may be required by law. We are required to comply with all periodic reporting, proxy solicitation and other applicable requirements under the Exchange Act.
We make available on our website (www.sixthstreetspecialtylending.com) our proxy statements, our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and our current reports on Form 8-K that we file with the SEC. Information contained on our website is not incorporated into this Annual Report and you should not consider such information to be part of this Annual Report.
The SEC also maintains a website (www.sec.gov) that contains this information.
Regulated Investment Company Classification
As a BDC, we have elected to be treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
To maintain our status as a RIC, we must, among other things:
•maintain our election under the 1940 Act to be treated as a BDC;
•derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock or securities and other specified categories of investment income; and
•maintain diversified holdings so that, subject to certain exceptions and cure periods, at the end of each quarter of our taxable year:
•at least 50% of the value of our total gross assets is represented by cash and cash items, U.S. government securities, the securities of other RICs and “other securities,” provided that such “other securities” shall not include any amount of any one issuer, if our holdings of such issuer are greater in value than 5% of our total assets or greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and
•no more than 25% of the value of our assets may be invested in securities of any one issuer, the securities of any two or more issuers that are controlled by us and are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses (excluding U.S. government securities and securities of other RICs), or the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships.”
To maintain our status as a RIC, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes of an amount equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income (which includes, among other items, dividends, interest, the excess of any net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses, as well as other taxable income, excluding any net capital gains reduced by deductible expenses) and 90% of our net tax-exempt income for that taxable year. As a RIC, we generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on our investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to stockholders. In addition, to avoid the imposition of a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:
•98% of our net ordinary income, excluding certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized during a calendar year;
•98.2% of our capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized for the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of such calendar year; and
•100% of any income or gains recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years.
We have previously incurred, and can be expected to incur in the future, such excise tax on a portion of our income and gains. While we intend to distribute income and capital gains to minimize exposure to the 4% excise tax, we may not be able to, or may choose not to, distribute amounts sufficient to avoid the imposition of the tax entirely. In that event, we will be liable for the tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.
We generally expect to distribute substantially all of our earnings on a quarterly basis, but will reinvest dividends on behalf of those investors that do not elect to receive their dividends in cash. See “-Dividend Policy” and “-Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for a description of our dividend policy and obligations. One or more of the considerations described below, however, could result in the deferral of dividend distributions until the end of the fiscal year:
•We may make investments that are subject to tax rules that require us to include amounts in our income before we receive cash corresponding to that income or that defer or limit our ability to claim the benefit of deductions or losses. For example, if we acquire securities issued with original issue discount, that original issue discount may be accrued in income before we receive any corresponding cash payments.
•In cases where our taxable income exceeds our available cash flow, we will need to fund distributions with the proceeds of sale of securities or with borrowed money, and may raise funds for this purpose opportunistically over the course of the year.
In certain circumstances (e.g., where we are required to recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income), we may have difficulty making distributions in the amounts necessary to satisfy the requirements for maintaining RIC status and for avoiding U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Accordingly, we may have to sell investments at times we would not otherwise consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.
If in any particular taxable year, we do not qualify as a RIC, all of our taxable income (including our net capital gains) will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to stockholders, and distributions will be taxable to our stockholders as ordinary dividends to the extent of our current or accumulated earnings and profits, and distributions would not be required. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as capital gain. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two consecutive taxable years, to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year we may be subject to regular corporate tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain assets (that is, the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had sold the property at fair market value at the end of the taxable year) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next five years.
In the event we invest in foreign securities, we may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes with respect to those securities. We do not expect to satisfy the conditions necessary to pass through to our stockholders their share of the foreign taxes paid by us.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. Before you invest in our securities, you should be aware of various risks associated with the investment, including those described below. The risks set out below are not the only risks we face. Additional risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or not presently deemed material by us may also impair our operations and performance. If any of the following events occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected. In such case, our net asset value and the trading price of our securities could decline, and you may lose all or part of your investment.
Summary of Risk Factors
The following is a summary of the principal risks that could adversely affect our business, operations and financial results.
Risks Related to Our Business and Structure
•We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, Sixth Street and their affiliates for our future success.
•We are subject to significant regulations governing our operation as a BDC, which affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital. Changes in regulation could adversely affect our business.
•We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.
•We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.
•If we are unable to source investments, access financing or manage future growth effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective.
•Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser.
•To the extent that we do not realize income or choose not to retain after-tax realized net capital gains, we will have a greater need for additional capital to fund our investments and operating expenses.
•We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC.
•We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in excess of what is permissible for excise tax purposes and such amounts will be subject to 4% U.S. federal excise tax.
•Our Adviser and its affiliates, officers and employees may face certain conflicts of interest.
•Our Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations and a loss of the benefits from our relationship with Sixth Street.
•The Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner.
•Any failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.
•We incur significant costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.
•Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
•Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us.
•Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or those of our portfolio companies.
•Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.
•The interest rates of our debt investments to our portfolio companies and our indebtedness that extend beyond 2023 might be subject to change based on recent regulatory changes.
Risks Related to Economic Conditions
•The current state of the economy and financial markets increases the likelihood of adverse effects on our financial position and results of operations.
•Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.
Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments
•Our investments are very risky and highly speculative.
•The value of most of our portfolio securities will not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, which valuation is inherently subjective, may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment and could result in a conflict of interest with the Adviser.
•The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
•Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or industries, which will subject us to a risk of
significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.
•We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.
•Because we generally do not hold controlling interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over those portfolio companies or prevent decisions by management of those portfolio companies.
•We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
•We may not be able to realize expected returns on our invested capital.
•By originating loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to distressed lending risks.
•Our portfolio companies in some cases may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in those companies and we may be exposed to special risks associated with bankruptcy cases.
•Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our investments.
•Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.
•Any acquisitions or strategic investments that we pursue are subject to risks and uncertainties.
•We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where they may be required in the future.
•Our investments in foreign companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.
•We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions.
•The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.
•Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues, and there are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations
that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest.
Risks Related to Our Securities
•There is a risk that investors in our common stock may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time.
•Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk and the market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly and could decline.
•Our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan.
•Purchases of our common stock by us under the Company 10b5-1 Plan may result in dilution to our net asset value per share and the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.
General Risk Factors
•We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividend.
•Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business.
•The effect of geopolitical conflicts and global climate change may impact us and our portfolio companies.
Risks Related to Our Business and Structure
We are dependent upon management personnel of the Adviser, Sixth Street and their affiliates for our future success.
We depend on the experience, diligence, skill and network of business contacts of senior members of our Investment Team. Our Investment Team, together with other professionals at Sixth Street and its affiliates, identifies, evaluates, negotiates, structures, closes, monitors and manages our investments. Our success will depend to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the senior members of our Investment Team. The senior members of our Investment Team are not contractually restricted from leaving the Adviser. The departure of any of these key personnel, including members of our Adviser’s Investment Review Committee, could have a material adverse effect on us.
In addition, we cannot assure you that the Adviser will remain our investment adviser or that we will continue to have access to Sixth Street or its investment professionals. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party. The holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities may also terminate the Investment Advisory Agreement without penalty on 60 days’ written notice.
Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.
The 1940 Act imposes numerous constraints on the operations of BDCs. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS-Regulation as a Business Development Company” for a discussion of BDC limitations. For example, BDCs are required to invest at least 70% of their total assets in securities of nonpublic or thinly traded U.S. companies, cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less. These constraints may hinder the Adviser’s ability to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and to achieve our investment objective.
We may need to periodically access the debt and equity capital markets to raise cash to fund new investments in excess of our repayments, and we may also need to access the capital markets to refinance existing debt obligations to the extent such maturing obligations are not repaid with availability under our revolving credit facilities or cash flows from operations.
Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to raise additional capital, and the ways in which we can do so. Raising additional capital may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage, and may result in dilution to our current stockholders. The 1940 Act limits our ability to incur borrowings and issue debt securities and preferred stock, which we refer to as senior securities, requiring that after any borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock, is at least 150%.
We may need to continue to borrow from financial institutions and issue additional securities to fund our growth. Unfavorable economic or capital market conditions may increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or could result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. An inability to successfully access the capital markets may limit our ability to refinance our existing debt obligations as they come due and/or to fully execute our business strategy and could limit our ability to grow or cause us to have to shrink the size of our business, which could decrease our earnings, if any. Consequently, if the value of our assets declines or we are unable to access the capital markets we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness at a time when this may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our common stockholders. If we borrow money or issue senior securities, we will be exposed to typical risks associated with leverage, including an increased risk of loss.
If we issue preferred stock, the preferred stock would rank senior to common stock in our capital structure. Preferred stockholders would have separate voting rights on certain matters and may have other rights, preferences or privileges more favorable than those of our common stockholders. The issuance of preferred stock could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change of control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in your best interest. Holders of our common stock will directly or indirectly bear all of the costs associated with offering and servicing any preferred stock that we issue. In addition, any interests of preferred stockholders may not necessarily align with the interests of holders of our common stock and the rights of holders of shares of preferred stock to receive dividends would be senior to those of holders of shares of our common stock.
Our Board may decide to issue additional common stock to finance our operations rather than issuing debt or other senior securities. However, we generally are not able to issue and sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, elect to issue and sell our common stock, or warrants, options or rights to acquire our common stock, at a price below the then-current net asset value of our common stock if our Board determines that the sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders have approved our policy and practice of making these sales within the preceding 12 months. Pursuant to approval granted at a special meeting of stockholders held on May 25, 2023, we are currently permitted to sell or otherwise issue shares of our common stock at a price below our then-current net asset value per share, subject to the approval of our
Board and certain other conditions. Such stockholder approval expires on May 25, 2024. We may in the future seek such approval again; however, there is no assurance such approval will be obtained. 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, closely approximates the market value of those securities (less any distribution commission or discount). In the event we sell shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value per share, existing stockholders will experience net asset value dilution. This dilution would occur as a result of the sale of shares at a price below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock and would cause a proportionately greater decrease in the stockholders’ interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest in us than the increase in our assets resulting from such issuance. As a result of any such dilution, our market price per share may decline. Because the number of shares of common stock that could be so issued and the timing of any issuance is not currently known, the actual dilutive effect cannot be predicted.
In addition to issuing securities to raise capital as described above, we could securitize our investments to generate cash for funding new investments. To securitize our investments, we likely would create a wholly owned subsidiary, contribute a pool of loans to the subsidiary and have the subsidiary issue primarily investment grade debt securities to purchasers who we would expect would be willing to accept a substantially lower interest rate than the loans earn. We would retain all or a portion of the equity in the securitized pool of loans. Our retained equity would be exposed to any losses on the portfolio of investments before any of the debt securities would be exposed to the losses. An inability to successfully securitize our investment portfolio could limit our ability to grow or fully execute our business and could adversely affect our earnings, if any. The successful securitization of our investment could expose us to losses because the portions of the securitized investments that we would typically retain tend to be those that are riskier and more apt to generate losses. The 1940 Act also may impose restrictions on the structure of any securitization. In connection with any future securitization of investments, we may incur greater set-up and administration fees relating to such vehicles than we have in connection with financing of our investments in the past. See “-Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments-We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.”
We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.
As part of our business strategy, we borrow from and may in the future issue additional senior debt securities to banks, insurance companies and other lenders. Holders of these loans or senior securities would have fixed-dollar claims on our assets that have priority over the claims of our stockholders. If the value of our assets decreases, leverage will cause our net asset value to decline more sharply than it otherwise would have without leverage. Similarly, any decrease in our income would cause our net income to decline more sharply than it would have if we had not borrowed. This decline could negatively affect our ability to make dividend payments on our common stock. Our ability to service our borrowings depends largely on our financial performance and is subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. In addition, the Management Fee is payable based on our gross assets, including cash and assets acquired through the use of leverage, which may give our Adviser an incentive to use leverage to make additional investments. See “-Risks Related to Our Business and Structure-Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser.” The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on our Adviser’s and our Board’s assessment of market and other factors at the time of any proposed borrowing. We cannot assure you that we will be able to obtain credit at all or on terms acceptable to us.
Our credit facilities and indentures governing our indebtedness also impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, remedies on default and similar matters. As of the date of this Annual Report, we are in compliance with the covenants of our credit facilities and indentures. However, our continued compliance with these covenants depends on many factors, some of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, although we believe we will continue to be in compliance, we cannot assure you that we will continue to comply with the covenants in our credit facilities and indentures. Failure to comply with these covenants could result in a default. If we were unable to obtain a waiver of a default from the lenders or holders of that indebtedness, as applicable, those lenders or holders could accelerate repayment under that indebtedness. An acceleration could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Lastly, we may be unable to obtain additional leverage, which would, in turn, affect our return on capital.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $1,837.2 million principal amount of outstanding indebtedness, which had an annualized interest cost of 7.8% under the terms of our debt, excluding fees (such as fees on undrawn amounts and amortization of upfront fees) and giving effect to the swap-adjusted interest rates on our 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes.
As of December 31, 2023, as adjusted to give effect to the interest rate swaps, the interest rate on the 2024 Notes was three-month SOFR plus 2.54% (on a weighted-average basis), the interest rate on the 2026 Notes was three-month SOFR plus 2.17%, and the interest rate on the 2028 Notes was three-month SOFR plus 2.99%.
For us to cover these annualized interest payments on indebtedness, we must achieve annual returns on our investments of at least 4.4%. Since we generally pay interest at a floating rate on our debt, an increase in interest rates will generally increase our borrowing
costs. We expect that our annualized interest cost and returns required to cover interest will increase if we issue additional debt securities.
In order to assist investors in understanding the effects of leverage, the following table illustrates the effect of leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. Leverage generally magnifies the return of stockholders when the portfolio return is positive and magnifies their losses when the portfolio return is negative. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing below.
Effects of Leverage Based on Actual Amount of Borrowings Incurred by us as of December 31, 2023
Assumed Return on Our Portfolio
(net of expenses) (1)
-10%
-5%
0%
5%
10%
Corresponding return to stockholder (2)
(31.9%)
(20.7%)
(9.6%)
1.6%
12.8%
(1)The assumed portfolio return is required by SEC regulations and is not a prediction of, and does not represent, our projected or actual performance. Actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing in the table. Pursuant to SEC regulations, this table is calculated as of December 31, 2023. As a result, it has not been updated to take into account any changes in assets or leverage since December 31, 2023.
(2)In order to compute the “Corresponding return to stockholder,” the “Assumed Return on Our Portfolio” is multiplied by the total value of our assets at December 31, 2023 to obtain an assumed return to us. From this amount, the interest expense (calculated by multiplying the weighted average annualized stated interest rate of 7.79% by the approximately $1,837.2 million of principal debt outstanding) is subtracted to determine the return available to stockholders. The return available to stockholders is then divided by the total value of our net assets as of December 31, 2023 to determine the “Corresponding return to stockholder.”
Our indebtedness could adversely affect our business, financial conditions or results of operations.
We cannot assure you that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available to us under our credit facilities or otherwise in an amount sufficient to enable us to pay our indebtedness or to fund our other liquidity needs. We may need to refinance all or a portion of our indebtedness on or before it matures. We cannot assure you that we will be able to refinance any of our indebtedness on commercially reasonable terms or at all. If we cannot service our indebtedness, we may have to take actions such as selling assets or seeking additional equity. We cannot assure you that any such actions, if necessary, could be effected on commercially reasonable terms or at all, or on terms that would not be disadvantageous to our stockholders or on terms that would not require us to breach the terms and conditions of our existing or future debt agreements.
Legislation allows us to incur additional leverage.
Under the 1940 Act, a BDC generally is not permitted to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred stock unless immediately after the borrowing or issuance the ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock is at least 200%. However, under the SBCAA, which became law in March 2018, BDCs have the ability to elect to become subject to a lower asset coverage requirement of 150%, subject to the receipt of the requisite board or stockholder approvals under the SBCAA and satisfaction of certain other conditions.
On October 8, 2018, our stockholders approved the application of the minimum asset coverage ratio of 150% to us, as set forth in Section 61(a)(2) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA. As a result and subject to certain additional disclosure requirements, as of October 9, 2018, our minimum asset coverage ratio was reduced from 200% to 150%. In other words, pursuant to Section 61(a) of the 1940 Act, as amended by the SBCAA, we are permitted to potentially increase our maximum debt-to-equity ratio from an effective level of one-to-one to two-to-one.
As a result, you may face increased investment risk. We may not be able to implement our strategy to utilize additional leverage successfully. See “-We operate in a highly competitive environment for investment opportunities.” Any impact on returns or equity or our business associated with additional leverage may not outweigh the additional risk. See “-We borrow money, which magnifies the potential for gain or loss and increases the risk of investing in us.”
We operate in a highly competitive market for investment opportunities.
Other public and private entities, including commercial banks, commercial financing companies, other BDCs and insurance companies compete with us to make the types of investments that we make in middle-market companies. Certain of these competitors may be substantially larger, have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than we have and offer a wider array of financial services. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of funds and access to funding sources that are not
available to us. In addition, some of our competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments, which could allow them to consider a wider variety of investments and establish more relationships. We may lose investment opportunities if we do not match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure. If we match our competitors’ pricing, terms and structure, however, we may experience decreased net interest income and increased risk of credit loss.
In addition, many competitors are not subject to the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on us as a BDC or the restrictions that the Code imposes on us as a RIC. As a result, we face additional constraints on our operations, which may put us at a competitive disadvantage. As a result of this existing and potentially increasing competition, we may not be able to take advantage of attractive investment opportunities and we cannot assure you that we will be able to identify and make investments that are consistent with our investment objective. The competitive pressures we face could have a material adverse effect on our ability to achieve our investment objective.
If we are unable to source investments, access financing or manage future growth effectively, we may be unable to achieve our investment objective.
Our ability to achieve our investment objective depends on our Investment Team’s ability to identify, evaluate, finance and invest in suitable companies that meet our investment criteria. Accomplishing this result on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of our marketing capabilities, our management of the investment process, our ability to provide efficient services and our access to financing sources on acceptable terms, including equity financing. Moreover, our ability to structure investments may also depend upon the participation of other prospective investors. For example, our ability to offer loans above a certain size and to structure loans in a certain way may depend on our ability to partner with other investors. As a result, we could fail to capture some investment opportunities if we cannot provide “one-stop” financing to a potential portfolio company either alone or with other investment partners.
In addition to monitoring the performance of our existing investments, members of our Investment Team 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. To grow, our Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new employees. Failure to manage our future growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our growth prospects and ability to achieve our investment objective.
Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser.
Even in the event the value of your investment declines, the Management Fee and, in certain circumstances, the Incentive Fee will still be payable to the Adviser. The Management Fee is calculated as a percentage of the value of our gross assets at a specific time, which would include any borrowings for investment purposes, and may give our Adviser an incentive to use leverage to make additional investments. In addition, the Management Fee is payable regardless of whether the value of our gross assets or your investment have decreased. The use of increased leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor holders of our common stock. Given the subjective nature of the investment decisions that our Adviser will make on our behalf, we may not be able to monitor this potential conflict of interest.
The Incentive Fee is calculated as a percentage of pre-Incentive Fee net investment income. Since pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses, it is possible that we may pay an Incentive Fee in a quarter in which we incur a loss. For example, if we receive pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the quarterly minimum hurdle rate, we will pay the applicable Incentive Fee even if we have incurred a loss in that quarter due to realized and unrealized capital losses. In addition, because the quarterly minimum hurdle rate is calculated based on our net assets, decreases in our net assets due to realized or unrealized capital losses in any given quarter may increase the likelihood that the hurdle rate is reached in that quarter and, as a result, that an Incentive Fee is paid for that quarter. Our net investment income used to calculate this component of the Incentive Fee is also included in the amount of our gross assets used to calculate the Management Fee.
Also, one component of the Incentive Fee is calculated annually based upon our realized capital gains, computed net of realized capital losses and unrealized capital losses on a cumulative basis. As a result, we may owe the Adviser an Incentive Fee during one year as a result of realized capital gains on certain investments, and then incur significant realized capital losses and unrealized capital losses on the remaining investments in our portfolio during subsequent years. Incentive Fees earned in prior years cannot be clawed back even if we later incur losses.
In addition, the Incentive Fee payable by us to the Adviser may create an incentive for the Adviser 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. The Adviser receives the Incentive Fee based, in part, upon capital gains realized on our investments. Unlike the portion of the Incentive Fee that is based on income, there is no hurdle rate applicable to the portion of the Incentive Fee based on capital gains. As a result, the Adviser may have an incentive to invest more in companies whose securities are likely to yield capital gains, as compared to
income-producing investments. Such a practice could result in our making more speculative investments than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns.
To the extent that we do not realize income or choose not to retain after-tax realized net capital gains, we will have a greater need for additional capital to fund our investments and operating expenses.
To maintain our status as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes equal to at least 90% of our investment company taxable income and net tax-exempt income for that taxable year, and may either distribute or retain our realized net capital gains from investments. Unless investors elect to reinvest dividends, earnings that we are required to distribute to stockholders will not be available to fund future investments. Accordingly, we may have insufficient funds to make new and follow-on investments, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Because of the structure and objectives of our business, we may experience operating losses and expect to rely on proceeds from sales of investments, rather than on interest and dividend income, to pay our operating expenses. We cannot assure you that we will be able to sell our investments and thereby fund our operating expenses.
We will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, including as a result of our failure to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements.
We will incur corporate-level U.S. federal income tax costs if we are unable to maintain our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, including as a result of our failure to satisfy the RIC distribution requirements. Although we have elected to be treated as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we cannot assure you that we will be able to continue to qualify for and maintain RIC status. To maintain RIC status under the Code and to avoid corporate-level U.S. federal income tax, we must meet the following annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements:
•We must distribute (or be treated as distributing) dividends for tax purposes in each taxable year equal to at least 90% of each of:
•the sum of our net ordinary income and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses or, investment company taxable income, if any, for that taxable year; and
•our net tax-exempt income for that taxable year.
The asset coverage ratio requirements under the 1940 Act and financial covenants under our loan and credit agreements could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. In addition, as discussed in more detail below, our income for tax purposes may exceed our available cash flow. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to satisfy the distribution requirements that apply to a RIC. As a result, we could lose our RIC status and become subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.
•We must derive at least 90% of our gross income for each taxable year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of or other disposition of stock or securities or similar sources.
•We must meet specified asset diversification requirements at the end of each quarter of our taxable year. The need to satisfy these requirements to prevent the loss of RIC status may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly on unfavorable terms. Because most of our investments will be relatively illiquid, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.
If we fail to maintain our qualification for tax treatment as a RIC for any reason, the resulting U.S. federal income tax liability could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distribution, and the amount of our distributions.
We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in excess of what is permissible for excise tax purposes and such amounts will be subject to 4% U.S. federal excise tax.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we elected to retain approximately $91.6 million and $62.8 million of taxable income and capital gains, respectively, in order to provide us with additional liquidity and we recorded an expense of $2.3 million and $2.2 million, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax as a result. We can be expected to retain some income and capital gains in the future, including for purposes of providing us with additional liquidity, which amounts would similarly be subject to the 4% U.S. federal excise tax. In that event, we will be liable for the tax on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS-Regulation as a Business Development Company-Regulated Investment Company Classification” for more information.
We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
The majority of our debt investments are based on floating rates, such as Euro Interbank Offer Rate (“EURIBOR”), Term Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”), Sterling Overnight Index Average ("SONIA"), the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. On one hand, a reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net interest income, which also could be negatively impacted by our borrowers making prepayments on their loans. On the other hand, an increase in interest rates could increase the interest repayment obligations of our borrowers and result in challenges to their financial performance and ability to repay their obligations, adversely affecting the credit quality of our investments.
An increase in interest rates could also decrease the value of any investments we hold that earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans, senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Moreover, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock. Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates and the decision to end its quantitative easing policy, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a return to unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect our business.
A rise in the general level of interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates may result in an increase in the amount of the Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser.
We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act.
Our Revolving Credit Facility is subject to variable rates that expose us to interest rate risk. We may also incur additional indebtedness subject to variable rates in the future. When interest rates increase, our debt service obligations on the variable rate indebtedness increase even though the amount borrowed remains the same.
U.S. dollar borrowings under our Revolving Credit Facility bear interest at a rate derived from SOFR. SOFR is a relatively new reference rate and has a very limited history. The future performance of SOFR cannot be predicted based on its limited historical performance. Since the initial publication of SOFR in April 2018, changes in SOFR have, on occasion, been more volatile than changes in other benchmark or market rates, such as U.S. dollar LIBOR. The use of SOFR is relatively new, and there could be unanticipated difficulties or disruptions with the calculation and publication of SOFR. Additionally, any successor rate to SOFR under our revolving credit facility may not have the same characteristics as SOFR or LIBOR. As a result, the amount of interest we may pay on our revolving credit facility is difficult to predict.
Our Adviser and its affiliates, officers and employees may face certain conflicts of interest.
Sixth Street and its affiliates will refer all middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States to us and conduct those activities through us. The Adviser will determine whether it would be permissible, advisable or otherwise appropriate for us to pursue a particular investment opportunity allocated to us. However, the Adviser, its officers and employees and members of its Investment Review Committee serve or may serve as investment advisers, officers, directors or principals of entities or investment funds that operate in the same or a related line of business as us or of investment funds managed by our affiliates. Accordingly, these individuals may have obligations to investors in those entities or funds, the fulfillment of which might not be in our best interests or the best interests of our stockholders.
In addition, any affiliated investment vehicle currently formed or formed in the future and managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, particularly in connection with any future growth of their respective businesses, may have overlapping investment objectives with our own and, accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by us. For example, Sixth Street has organized a separate investment vehicle, Sixth Street Specialty Lending Europe, aimed specifically at European middle-market loan originations and may
in the future organize vehicles aimed at other loan origination opportunities outside our primary focus. Our ability to pursue investment opportunities other than middle-market loan originations for companies domiciled in the United States is subject to the contractual and other requirements of these other funds and allocation decisions by their respective senior professionals. As a result, the Adviser and its affiliates may face conflicts in allocating investment opportunities between us and those other entities. It is possible that we may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by those other entities that would otherwise be suitable for us.
On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that, if certain conditions are met, allows us to co-invest with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of Sixth Street) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. These conditions include, among others, prior approval by a majority of our Independent Directors and that the terms and conditions of the investment applicable to those affiliates must be the same as those applicable to us. If the Adviser, Sixth Street and their affiliates were to determine that an investment is appropriate both for us and for one or more other affiliated vehicles, we would only be able to make the investment in conjunction with another vehicle to the extent the exemptive order granted to us by the SEC permits us to do so or the investment is otherwise permitted under relevant SEC guidance.
On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC, which was most recently amended on June 29, 2022, in order to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders, including flexibility to allow certain private funds affiliated with us to participate in “follow-on” investments in issuers in which the we are invested, but such private affiliated funds are not invested. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted the new order in response to our application. The new order provides us with greater flexibility to participate in co-investment transactions with certain proprietary accounts that are majority-owned by our Adviser or its affiliates, to participate in “follow-on” investments in so-called “pre-boarding” investments in which we or an affiliated fund acquired a prior position not in reliance on the prior SEC exemptive order, and to participate in certain “follow-on” investments and pro rata distributions of existing co-investment positions without seeking approval by a majority of our Independent Directors. Our Board has established certain criteria to describe the characteristics of potential co-investment transactions in which we are permitted to participate and regarding which the Adviser should be notified.
We cannot assure you when or whether we will apply for any other exemptive relief in the future and whether such orders will be obtained.
Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.
We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates without the prior approval of our Independent Directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities is our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we generally are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our Independent Directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our Independent Directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates.
The decision by Sixth Street, our Adviser or their affiliates to allocate an opportunity to another entity could cause us to forgo an investment opportunity that we otherwise would have made. We also generally will be unable to invest in any issuer in which Sixth Street and its other affiliates or a fund managed by Sixth Street or its other affiliates has previously invested or in which they are making an investment. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates. These restrictions may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.
On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that, if certain conditions are met, allows us to co-invest with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of Sixth Street) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC, which was most recently amended on June 29, 2022, in order to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders, including flexibility to allow certain private funds affiliated with us to participate in “follow-on” investments in issuers in which the we are invested, but such private affiliated funds are not invested. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted the new order in response to our application. The new order provides us with greater flexibility to participate in co-investment transactions with certain proprietary accounts that are majority-owned by our Adviser or its affiliates, to participate in “follow-on” investments in so-called “pre-boarding” investments in which we or an affiliated fund acquired a prior position not in reliance on the prior SEC exemptive order, and to participate in certain “follow-on” investments and pro rata distributions of existing co-investment positions
without seeking approval by a majority of our Independent Directors. Our Board has established certain criteria to describe the characteristics of potential co-investment transactions in which we are permitted to participate and regarding which the Adviser should be notified. We and our affiliates, including investment funds managed by our affiliates, are only permitted to co-invest in accordance with the terms of the exemptive order or in the limited circumstances otherwise currently permitted by regulatory guidance.
Our Adviser can resign on 60 days’ notice. We may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations and a loss of the benefits from our relationship with Sixth Street. Any new investment advisory agreement would require stockholder approval.
The Adviser has the right, under the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement, to resign at any time on 60 days’ written notice, regardless of whether we have found a replacement. In addition, our Board has the authority to remove the Adviser for any reason or for no reason, or may choose not to renew the Investment Advisory Agreement and the Administration Agreement. Furthermore, the Investment Advisory Agreement automatically terminates in the event of its assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act, by the Adviser. If the Adviser resigns or is terminated, or if we do not obtain the requisite approvals of stockholders and our Board to approve an agreement with the Adviser after an assignment, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or hire internal management with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within 60 days, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption and costs under any new agreements that we enter into could increase. Our financial condition, business and results of operations, as well as our ability to pay dividends, are likely to be adversely affected, and the value of our common stock may decline.
Any new Investment Advisory Agreement would be subject to approval by our stockholders. Even if we are able to enter into comparable management or administrative arrangements, the integration of a new adviser or administrator and their lack of familiarity with our investment objective may result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, if the Adviser resigns or is terminated, we would lose the benefits of our relationship with Sixth Street, including insights into our existing portfolio, market expertise, sector and macroeconomic views and due diligence capabilities, as well as any investment opportunities referred to us.
The Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we are required to indemnify the Adviser against certain liabilities, which may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
The Adviser has not assumed any responsibility to us other than to render the services described in the Investment Advisory Agreement, and it will not be responsible for any action of our Board in declining to follow the Adviser’s advice or recommendations. Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and any other person or entity affiliated with it will not be liable to us for any action taken or omitted to be taken by the Adviser in connection with the performance of any of its duties or obligations under the Investment Advisory Agreement or otherwise as our investment adviser (except to the extent specified in Section 36(b) of the 1940 Act concerning loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty (as the same is finally determined by judicial proceedings) with respect to the receipt of compensation for services).
We have agreed to the fullest extent permitted by law, to provide indemnification and the right to the advancement of expenses, to each person who was or is made a party or is threatened to be made a party to or is involved (including as a witness) in any actual or threatened action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal, administrative or investigative, because he or she is or was a member, manager, officer, employee, agent, controlling person or any other person or entity affiliated with the Adviser with respect to all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses resulting from acts of the Adviser in the performance of the person’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. Our obligation to provide indemnification and advancement of expenses is subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act and Investment Company Act Release No. 11330, which, among other things, preclude indemnification for any liability (whether or not there is an adjudication of liability or the matter has been settled) arising by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence, or reckless disregard of duties, and require reasonable and fair means for determining whether indemnification will be made. Despite these limitations, the rights to indemnification and advancement of expenses may lead the Adviser and its members, managers, officers, employees, agents, controlling persons and other persons and entities affiliated with the Adviser to act in a riskier manner than they would when acting for their own account.
Any failure to maintain our status as a BDC would reduce our operating flexibility.
If we do not remain a BDC, we might be regulated as a closed-end investment company under the 1940 Act, which would subject us to substantially more regulatory restrictions under the 1940 Act and correspondingly decrease our operating flexibility. In addition, failure to comply with the requirements imposed on BDCs by the 1940 Act could cause the SEC to bring an enforcement action against us.
We incur significant costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.
As a publicly traded company, we incur legal, accounting, investor relations and other expenses, including costs associated with corporate governance requirements, such as those under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, other rules implemented by the SEC and the listing standards of the NYSE. Our independent registered public accounting firm is required to attest to the effectiveness of our internal controls over financial reporting pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which increases the costs associated with our periodic reporting requirements.
We are obligated to maintain proper and effective internal control over financial reporting. We may not complete our analysis of our internal control over financial reporting in a timely manner, or our internal controls may not be determined to be effective, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our company and, as a result, the value of our securities.
We are required to comply with the independent auditor attestation requirements of Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. Complying with Section 404 requires a rigorous compliance program as well as adequate time and resources. We may not be able to complete our internal control evaluation, testing and any required remediation in a timely fashion. Matters impacting our internal control may cause us to be unable to report our financial information on a timely basis and thereby subject us to adverse regulatory consequences, including sanctions by the SEC or violations of applicable stock exchange listing rules, and result in a breach of the covenants under the agreements governing any of our financing arrangements. Additionally, if we identify one or more material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting, we will be unable to assert that our internal controls are effective. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our auditors are unable to attest to management’s report on the effectiveness of our internal controls, we could lose investor confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, which would have a material adverse effect on the price of our securities.
We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly results.
We may experience fluctuations in our quarterly operating results as a result of a number of factors, including the pace at which investments are made, rates of repayment, interest rates payable on investments, changes in realized and unrealized gains and losses, syndication and other fees, the level of our expenses and default rates on our investments. As a result of these and other possible factors, results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of performance in future periods.
Provisions of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware and our certificate of incorporation and bylaws could deter takeover attempts and have an adverse effect on the price of our common stock.
The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the “DGCL”), our amended and restated certificate of incorporation, which we refer to as our certificate of incorporation, and bylaws contain provisions that may discourage, delay or make more difficult a change in control of us or the removal of our directors. Among other provisions, we have a staggered board and our directors may be removed for cause only by the affirmative vote of 75% of the holders of our outstanding capital stock. Our Board also is authorized to issue preferred stock in one or more series. In addition, our certificate of incorporation requires the favorable vote of a majority of our Board followed by the favorable vote of the holders of at least 75% of our outstanding shares of common stock, to approve, adopt or authorize certain transactions, including mergers and the sale, lease or exchange of all or any substantial part of our assets with 10% or greater holders of our outstanding common stock and their affiliates or associates, unless the transaction has been approved by at least 80% of our Board, in which case approval by “a majority of the outstanding voting securities” (as defined in the 1940 Act) is required. Our certificate of incorporation further provides that stockholders may not take action by written consent in lieu of a meeting and our bylaws provide that any stockholder action required or permitted at an annual meeting or special meeting of stockholders may only be taken if it is properly brought before such meeting. These provisions may also discourage another person or entity from making a tender offer for our common stock, because such person or entity, even if it acquired a majority of our outstanding voting securities, would be able to take action as a stockholder (such as electing new directors or approving a merger) only at a duly called stockholders’ meeting and not by written consent. We also are subject to Section 203 of the DGCL, which generally prohibits us from engaging in mergers and other business combinations with stockholders that beneficially own 15% or more of our voting stock, or with their affiliates, unless our directors or stockholders approve the business combination in the prescribed manner. These measures may delay, defer or prevent a transaction or a change in control that might otherwise be in the best interests of our stockholders and could have the effect of depriving stockholders of an opportunity to sell their shares at a premium over prevailing market prices.
Certain investors are limited in their ability to make significant investments in us.
Investment companies registered under the 1940 Act are restricted from acquiring directly or through a controlled entity more than 3% of our total outstanding voting stock (measured at the time of the acquisition), unless these funds comply with an exemption under the 1940 Act as well as other limitations under the 1940 Act that would restrict the amount that they are able to invest in our securities. Private funds that are excluded from the definition of “investment company” either pursuant to Section 3(c)(1) or 3(c)(7) of the 1940
Act are also subject to this restriction. As a result, certain investors may be precluded from acquiring additional shares at a time that they might desire to do so.
Cybersecurity risks and cyber incidents may adversely affect our business or those of our portfolio companies by causing a disruption to our operations, a compromise or corruption of confidential information and/or damage to business relationships, or those of our portfolio companies, all of which could negatively impact our business, results of operations or financial condition.
A cyber incident is considered to be any adverse event that threatens the confidentiality, integrity or availability of our information resources. These incidents may be an intentional attack or an unintentional event and could involve gaining unauthorized access to, use, alteration or destruction of our information systems for purposes of misappropriating assets, obtaining ransom payments, stealing confidential information, corrupting data or causing operational disruption, or may involve phishing. The result of these incidents may include disrupted operations, misstated or unreliable financial data, liability for stolen information, misappropriation of assets, increased cybersecurity protection and insurance costs, litigation and damage to our business relationships. This could result in significant losses, reputational damage, litigation, regulatory fines or penalties, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, we may be required to expend significant additional resources to modify our protective measures and to investigate and remediate vulnerabilities or other exposures arising from operational and security risks. The costs related to cybersecurity incidents may not be fully insured or indemnified. 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 our Adviser and third-party service providers, and the information systems of our portfolio companies. We, our Adviser and its affiliates have 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, may be ineffective and do not guarantee that a cyber incident will not occur or that our financial results, operations or confidential information will not be negatively impacted by such an incident.
Third parties with which we do business (including, but not limited to, service providers, such as accountants, custodians, transfer agents and administrators, and the issuers of securities in which we invest) may also be sources or targets of cybersecurity or other technological risks. We outsource certain functions and these relationships allow for the storage and processing of our information and assets, as well as certain investor, counterparty, employee and borrower information. While we engage in actions to reduce our exposure resulting from outsourcing, we cannot control the cybersecurity plans and systems put in place by these third parties and ongoing threats may result in unauthorized access, loss, exposure or destruction of data, or other cybersecurity incidents, with increased costs and other consequences, including those described above. Privacy and information security laws and regulation changes, and compliance with those changes, may also result in cost increases due to system changes and the development of new administrative processes.
Our Board may change our investment objective, operating policies and strategies without prior notice or stockholder approval.
Our Board has the authority to change our investment objective and modify or waive certain of our operating policies and strategies without prior notice (except as required by the 1940 Act) and without stockholder approval. However, absent stockholder approval, we may not change the nature of our business so as to cease to be a BDC and we may not withdraw our election as a BDC. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies or strategies would have on our business, operating results and value of our common stock. Nevertheless, the effects may adversely affect our business and impact our ability to pay dividends.
Changes in tax laws, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the Inflation Reduction Act may adversely affect our business.
Changes to U.S. tax laws, including the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act enacted on December 22, 2017 (“Tax Reform”), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act enacted on March 27, 2020 (the “CARES Act”) and the Inflation Reduction Act, enacted on August 16, 2022 (the “IRA”) have made significant changes to the U.S. federal income tax system. Among other things, Tax Reform may limit the ability of borrowers to fully deduct interest expense. This could potentially affect the loan market, for example by impacting the demand for loans available from us or the terms of such loans. In addition, the IRA introduced a corporate alternative minimum tax of 15% of the “adjusted financial statement income” of certain domestic corporations as well as a 1% excise tax on the fair market value of stock repurchases by certain domestic corporations, effective for tax years beginning in 2023. Further changes could be made under the new Presidential administration in the United States. Such changes to the tax laws, including (i) changes to interest deductibility, utility of net operating losses and other provisions of Tax Reform, (ii) the corporate alternative minimum tax, excise tax on stock repurchases and other provisions of the IRA or (iii) changes pursuant to future legislation or regulatory guidance could also in certain circumstances increase the U.S. tax burden on our portfolio assets which, in turn, could negatively impact their ability to service their interest expense obligations to us. Prospective investors are urged to consult with their own advisors about the potential effects of Tax Reform, IRA and other changes in tax laws on the loan market and about the tax consequences of an investment in us.
We are subject to risks associated with artificial intelligence, including the application of various forms of artificial intelligence such as machine learning technology.
Recent technological advances in artificial intelligence, including machine learning technology (“Machine Learning Technology”), pose risks to us and our portfolio companies. We and our portfolio companies could be exposed to the risks of Machine Learning Technology if third-party service providers or any counterparties use Machine Learning Technology in their business activities. We and the Adviser are not in a position to control the use of Machine Learning Technology in third-party products or services. Use of Machine Learning Technology could include the input of confidential information in contravention of applicable policies, contractual or other obligations or restrictions, resulting in such confidential information becoming partly accessible by other third-party Machine Learning Technology applications and users. Machine Learning Technology and its applications continue to develop rapidly, and we cannot predict the risks that may arise from such developments.
Machine Learning Technology is generally highly reliant on the collection and analysis of large amounts of data, and it is not possible or practicable to incorporate all relevant data into the model that Machine Learning Technology utilizes to operate. Certain data in such models will inevitably contain a degree of inaccuracy and error and could otherwise be inadequate or flawed, which would be likely to degrade the effectiveness of Machine Learning Technology. To the extent we or our portfolio companies are exposed to the risks of Machine Learning Technology use, any such inaccuracies or errors could adversely impact us or our portfolio companies.
Risks Related to Economic Conditions
Inflation and global supply chain issues may adversely affect our business.
Inflation and fluctuations in inflation rates have had in the past, and may in the future have, negative effects on economies and financial markets, particularly in emerging economies. For example, wages and prices of inputs increase during periods of inflation, which can negatively impact returns on investments. In an attempt to stabilize inflation, countries may impose wage and price controls or otherwise intervene in the economy. Governmental efforts to curb inflation often have negative effects on the level of economic activity. There can be no assurance that inflation will not become a serious problem in the future and have an adverse impact on the Company's returns.
Economic activity has continued to accelerate across sectors and regions. Nevertheless, global supply chain issues have, and may in the future, lead to a rise in energy prices. Inflation may continue in the near to medium-term, particularly in the U.S., with the possibility that monetary policy may tighten in response. Persistent inflationary pressures could affect our obligors’ profit margins.
Additionally, the continuing trade dispute between the United States and China, pursuant to which both countries have, among other things, imposed tariffs on one another, has had an adverse economic effect on U.S. markets and international trade more broadly. This adverse economic effect is likely to become more pronounced if the dispute remains unresolved, which could have a material adverse impact on the Company's portfolio investments. For example, existing and any additional supply chain and other laws, regulations, or executive orders by either country that restrict or prohibit transactions or impose requirements or limitations on business could impair the ability of U.S.-based companies (in which the Company is likely to invest) to expand into markets in China and the ability of such companies’ to produce or obtain component parts necessary for production. Also, for the foreseeable future, the trade dispute will likely continue to be an ongoing source of instability, resulting in significant currency fluctuations, increased capital markets volatility, and other adverse effects on international markets, international trade agreements, and other existing cross-border cooperation arrangements (whether economic, tax, fiscal, legal, regulatory or otherwise), which could present similar and additional potential risks and consequences for the Company and is portfolio investments.
We are currently operating in a period of disruption, volatility and uncertainty in the capital markets and in the economy generally.
The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption in recent years, following the spread of COVID-19 in the United States and globally. Disruptions in the capital markets have increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. The federal government and the Federal Reserve, as well as foreign governments and central banks, have implemented, and may in the future implement, significant fiscal and monetary policies in response to these disruptions, and additional government and regulatory responses may be possible. These actions, future market disruptions and illiquidity could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. 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 limit our investment originations and our ability to grow, and could have a material negative impact on our operating results and the fair values of our debt and equity investments.
We believe that attractive investment opportunities may present themselves during this volatile period as in other periods of market volatility, and we may have opportunities to make investments at compelling values. However, periods of market disruption and instability, like the one we are experiencing currently, may adversely affect our access to sufficient debt and equity capital in order to
take advantage of attractive investment opportunities that are created during these periods. In addition, the debt capital that will be available in the future, if any, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions.
The current state of the economy and financial markets increases the likelihood of adverse effects on our financial position and results of operations.
The U.S. and global capital markets experienced extreme volatility and disruption in recent years, leading to periods of recessionary conditions and depressed levels of consumer and commercial spending. For instance, monetary policies of the Federal Reserve and political uncertainty resulting from recent events, including changes to U.S. trade policies, the impact of the end of the transition period following United Kingdom’s exit from the European Union in January 2020 (“Brexit”), the provisional application of the EU-UK Trade and Cooperation Agreement and ongoing conflicts between Russia and Ukraine and Israel and Hamas and related responses, has led to, from time to time, disruption and instability in the global markets. Disruptions in the capital markets increased the spread between the yields realized on risk-free and higher risk securities, resulting in illiquidity in parts of the capital markets. We cannot assure you that these conditions will not worsen. If conditions worsen, a prolonged period of market illiquidity could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. 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 limit our investment originations, limit our ability to grow and negatively impact our operating results.
In addition, to the extent that recessionary conditions return, the financial results of small to mid-sized companies, like those in which we invest, will likely experience deterioration, which could ultimately lead to difficulty in meeting debt service requirements and an increase in defaults. Additionally, the end markets for certain of our portfolio companies’ products and services have experienced, and continue to experience, negative economic trends. The performances of certain of our portfolio companies have been, and may continue to be, negatively impacted by these economic or other conditions, which may ultimately result in:
•our receipt of a reduced level of interest income from our portfolio companies;
•decreases in the value of collateral securing some of our loans and the value of our equity investments; and
•ultimately, losses or charge-offs related to our investments.
Uncertainty about financial stability could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Due to federal budget deficit concerns, S&P downgraded the federal government’s credit rating from AAA to AA+ for the first time in history on August 5, 2011. Further, in 2023, Fitch downgraded the federal government’s credit rating from AAA to AA+. Further downgrades or warnings by S&P, Moody’s or other rating agencies, and the government’s credit and deficit concerns in general, could cause interest rates and borrowing costs to rise, which may negatively impact both the perception of credit risk associated with our debt portfolio and our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms. In addition, a decreased credit rating could create broader financial turmoil and uncertainty, which may weigh heavily on our financial performance and the value of our common stock. Also, to the extent uncertainty regarding any economic recovery in Europe and Brexit continue to negatively impact consumer confidence and consumer credit factors, our business and results of operations could be significantly and adversely affected.
After raising the target range for the federal funds rate in 2017 and 2018, the Federal Reserve lowered the target rate three times in 2019 and two times in 2020. Following recent heightened inflation, the Federal Reserve raised the target rate four times in 2023, raising the fed funds rate by about three percentage points in a six month period. In 2024, it is possible that the Federal Reserve will raise the interest rates further. Further changes in key economic indicators, such as the unemployment rate or inflation, could lead to additional changes to the target range for the federal funds rate that may cause instability or may negatively impact our ability to access the debt markets on favorable terms.
As a result of the 2022 U.S. election, the Democratic Party currently controls the executive branch of government and the Senate, while the Republican Party controls the House of Representatives. The divided U.S. Congress makes passage of legislation that could significantly affect the regulation of U.S. financial markets less likely. Despite the reduced likelihood of congressional action with respect to financial services, areas subject to potential change or amendment include the Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the Dodd-Frank Act, and the authority of the Federal Reserve and the Financial Stability Oversight Council. Additionally, under the divided control of the Congress, the likelihood of a failure to increase the debt ceiling and a default by the federal government is increased. The United States may also potentially withdraw from, renegotiate or enter into various trade agreements and take other actions that would change current trade policies of the United States. We cannot predict which, if any, of these actions will be taken or, if taken, their effect on the financial stability of the United States. Such actions could have a significant adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
Economic recessions or downturns could impair our portfolio companies and harm our operating results.
Many of the portfolio companies in which we make investments may be susceptible to economic slowdowns or recessions and during these periods may be unable to repay the loans we made to them. 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.
Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments
Our investments are very risky and highly speculative.
We primarily invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt, mezzanine and unsecured debt or equity or other securities issued by middle-market companies. The companies in which we intend to invest are typically highly leveraged, and, in most cases, our investments in these companies are not rated by any rating agency. If these instruments were rated, we believe that they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3, which is often referred to as “junk”). Exposure to below investment grade instruments involves certain risks, including speculation with respect to the borrower’s capacity to pay interest and repay principal.
First-Lien Debt. When we make a first-lien loan, we generally take a security interest in the available assets of the portfolio company, including the equity interests of its subsidiaries, which we expect to help mitigate the risk that we will not be repaid. However, there is a risk that the collateral securing our loans 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 business and market conditions, including as a result of the inability of the portfolio company to raise additional capital. In some circumstances, our lien is, or could become, subordinated to claims of other creditors. Consequently, the fact that a loan is secured does not guarantee that we will receive principal and interest payments according to the loan’s terms, or at all, or that we will be able to collect on the loan should we need to enforce our remedies. In addition, in connection with our “last out” first-lien loans, we enter into agreements among lenders. Under these agreements, our interest in the collateral of the first-lien loans may rank junior to those of other lenders in the loan under certain circumstances. This may result in greater risk and loss of principal on these loans.
Second-Lien and Mezzanine Debt. Our investments in second-lien and mezzanine debt generally are subordinated to senior loans and will either have junior security interests or be unsecured. As such, other creditors may rank senior to us in the event of insolvency. This may result in greater risk and loss of principal.
Equity and Other Investments. When we invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt or mezzanine debt, we may acquire equity securities, such as warrants, options and convertible instruments. In addition, we may invest directly in the equity securities of portfolio companies. We seek to dispose of these equity interests and realize gains upon our disposition of these 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.
Preferred Stock. To the extent we invest in preferred securities, we may incur particular risks, including:
•preferred securities may include provisions that permit the issuer, at its discretion, to defer distributions for a stated period without any adverse consequences to the issuer. If we own a preferred security that is deferring its distributions, we may be required to report income for U.S. federal income tax purposes before we receive such distributions;
•preferred securities are subordinated to bonds and other debt instruments in a company’s capital structure in terms of priority to corporate income and liquidation payments, and therefore are subject to greater credit risk than more senior debt instruments; and
•generally, preferred security holders have no voting rights with respect to the issuing company unless preferred dividends have been in arrears for a specified number of periods, at which time the preferred security holders may elect a number of directors to the issuer’s board; generally, once all the arrearages have been paid, the preferred security holders no longer have voting rights.
In addition, our investments generally involve a number of significant risks, including:
•the companies in which we invest may have limited financial resources and may be unable to meet their obligations under their debt securities 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 we may have obtained in connection with our investment;
•the companies in which we invest typically have shorter operating histories, narrower product lines and smaller market shares than larger businesses, which tend to render them more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns;
•the companies in which we invest 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;
•the companies in which we invest 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;
•the debt investments in our portfolio generally have a significant portion of principal due at the maturity of the investment, which would result in a substantial loss to us if such borrowers are unable to refinance or repay their debt at maturity;
•our executive officers, directors and Adviser may, in the ordinary course of business, be named as defendants in litigation arising from our investments in the portfolio companies;
•the companies in which we invest generally have less publicly available information about their businesses, operations and financial condition and, if we are unable to uncover all material information about these companies, we may not make a fully informed investment decision; and
•the companies in which we invest may have difficulty accessing the capital markets to meet future capital needs, which may limit their ability to grow or to repay their outstanding indebtedness upon maturity.
The value of most of our portfolio securities will not have a readily available market price and we value these securities at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, which valuation is inherently subjective, may not reflect what we may actually realize for the sale of the investment and could result in a conflict of interest with the Adviser.
Investments are valued at the end of each fiscal quarter. The majority of our investments are expected to be in loans that do not have readily ascertainable market prices. The fair value of investments that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available are determined in good faith by the Board, which is supported by the valuation committee of our Adviser and by the audit committee of our Board. The Board has retained independent third-party valuation firms to perform certain limited third-party valuation services that the Board identified and requested them to perform. In accordance with our valuation policy, our Investment Team prepares portfolio company valuations using sources or proprietary models depending on the availability of information on our investments and the type of asset being valued. The participation of the Adviser in our valuation process could result in a conflict of interest, since the Management Fee is based on the value of our gross assets.
Factors that we may consider 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 similar publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors. Because fair valuations, and particularly fair valuations of private securities and private companies, are inherently uncertain, may fluctuate over short periods of time and are often based to a large extent on estimates, comparisons and qualitative evaluations of private information, our determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been determined if a ready market for these securities existed. This could make it more difficult for investors to value accurately our portfolio investments and could lead to undervaluation or overvaluation of our common stock. In addition, the valuation of these types of securities may result in substantial write-downs and earnings volatility.
Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized losses. The effect of all of these factors on our portfolio can reduce our net asset value by increasing net unrealized losses in our portfolio. Depending on market conditions, we could incur substantial realized losses and may suffer unrealized losses, which could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
We generally make loans to private companies. There may not be a ready market for our loans and certain loans may contain transfer restrictions, which may also limit liquidity. The illiquidity of these investments may make it difficult for us to sell positions if the need arises. In addition, if we are required to liquidate all or a portion of our portfolio quickly, we may realize significantly less than the value at which we had previously recorded these investments. In addition, we may face other restrictions on our ability to liquidate an investment in a portfolio company to the extent that we hold a significant portion of a company’s equity or if we have material nonpublic information regarding that company.
Our portfolio may be focused on a limited number of portfolio companies or industries, which will subject us to a risk of significant loss if any of these companies defaults on its obligations under any of its debt instruments or if there is a downturn in a particular industry.
Our portfolio is currently invested in a limited number of portfolio companies and industries and may continue to be in the near future. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we do not have fixed guidelines for diversification. While we are not targeting any specific industries, our investments may be focused on relatively few industries. For example, although we classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare, and business services) and not by the products or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets, many of our portfolio companies principally provide software products or services, which exposes us to downturns in that sector. As a result, the aggregate returns we realize may be significantly adversely affected if a small number of investments perform poorly or if we need to write down the value of any one investment. Additionally, a downturn in any particular industry in which we are invested could significantly affect our aggregate returns.
We may securitize certain of our investments, which may subject us to certain structured financing risks.
Although we have not done so to date, we may securitize certain of our investments in the future, including through the formation of one or more collateralized loan obligations, or CLOs, while retaining all or most of the exposure to the performance of these investments. This would involve contributing a pool of assets to a special purpose entity, and selling debt interests in that entity on a non-recourse or limited-recourse basis to purchasers.
If we were to create a CLO or other securitization vehicle, we would depend on distributions from the vehicle to pay dividends to our stockholders. The ability of a CLO or other securitization vehicle to make distributions will be subject to various limitations, including the terms and covenants of the debt it issues. For example, tests (based on interest coverage or other financial ratios or other criteria) may restrict our ability, as holder of a CLO or other securitization vehicle equity interest, to receive cash flow from these investments. We cannot assure you that any such performance tests would be satisfied. Also, a CLO or other securitization vehicle may take actions that delay distributions to preserve ratings and to keep the cost of present and future financings lower or the financing vehicle may be obligated to retain cash or other assets to satisfy over-collateralization requirements commonly provided for holders of its debt. As a result, there may be a lag, which could be significant, between the repayment or other realization on a loan or other assets in, and the distribution of cash out of, a CLO or other securitization vehicle, or cash flow may be completely restricted for the life of the CLO or other securitization vehicle.
In addition, a decline in the credit quality of loans in a CLO or other securitization vehicle due to poor operating results of the relevant borrower, declines in the value of loan collateral or increases in defaults, among other things, may force the sale of certain assets at a loss, reducing their earnings and, in turn, cash potentially available for distribution to us for distribution to our stockholders. If we were to form a CLO or other securitization vehicle, to the extent that any losses were incurred by the financing vehicle in respect of any collateral, these losses would be borne first by us as owners of its equity interests. Any equity interests that we were to retain in a CLO or other securitization vehicle would not be secured by its assets and we would rank behind all of its creditors.
A CLO or other securitization vehicle, if created, also would likely be consolidated in our financial statements and consequently affect our asset coverage ratio, which may limit our ability to incur additional leverage. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS - Regulation as a Business Development Company.”
Because we generally do not hold controlling interests in our portfolio companies, we may not be in a position to exercise control over those portfolio companies or prevent decisions by management of those portfolio companies that could decrease the value of our investments.
We are a lender, and loans (and any equity investments we make) typically will be non-controlling investments, meaning we will not be in a position to control the management, operation and strategic decision-making of the companies we invest in (outside of, potentially, the context of a restructuring, insolvency or similar event). As a result, we will be subject to the risk that a portfolio company we do not control, or in which we do not have a majority ownership position, may make business decisions with which we
disagree, and the equity holders and management of such a portfolio company may take risks or otherwise act in ways that are adverse to our interests. We may not be able to dispose of our investments in the event that we disagree with the actions of a portfolio company, and may therefore suffer a decrease in the value of our investments.
We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates.
The majority of our debt investments are based on floating rates, such as SOFR, EURIBOR, SONIA, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate. General interest rate fluctuations may have a substantial negative impact on our investments, the value of our common stock and our rate of return on invested capital. On one hand, a reduction in the interest rates on new investments relative to interest rates on current investments could have an adverse impact on our net interest income, which also could be negatively impacted by our borrowers making prepayments on their loans. On the other hand, an increase in interest rates could increase the interest repayment obligations of our borrowers and result in challenges to their financial performance and ability to repay their obligations.
An increase in interest rates could also decrease the value of any investments we hold that earn fixed interest rates, including subordinated loans, senior and junior secured and unsecured debt securities and loans and high yield bonds, and also could increase our interest expense, thereby decreasing our net income. Moreover, an increase in interest rates available to investors could make investment in our common stock less attractive if we are not able to increase our dividend rate, which could reduce the value of our common stock. Federal Reserve policy, including with respect to certain interest rates and the decision to end its quantitative easing policy, may also adversely affect the value, volatility and liquidity of dividend- and interest-paying securities. Market volatility, rising interest rates and/or a return to unfavorable economic conditions could adversely affect our business. See “-Risks Related to Economic Conditions-Uncertainty about financial stability could have a significant adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.”
A rise in the general level of interest rates typically leads to higher interest rates applicable to our debt investments. Accordingly, an increase in interest rates may result in an increase in the amount of the Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser.
We may use interest rate risk management techniques in an effort to limit our exposure to interest rate fluctuations. These techniques may include various interest rate hedging activities to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. See “-Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments-We expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions.”
We may not be able to realize expected returns on our invested capital.
We may not realize expected returns on our investment in a portfolio company due to changes in the portfolio company’s financial position or due to an acquisition of the portfolio company. If a portfolio company repays our loans prior to their maturity, we may not receive our expected returns on our invested capital. Many of our investments are structured to provide a disincentive for the borrower to pre-pay or call the security, but this call protection may not cover the full expected value of an investment if that investment is repaid prior to maturity.
Middle-market companies operate in a highly acquisitive market with frequent mergers and buyouts. If a portfolio company is acquired or merged with another company prior to drawing on our commitment, we would not realize our expected return. Similarly, in many cases companies will seek to restructure or repay their debt investments or buy our other equity ownership positions as part of an acquisition or merger transaction, which may result in a repayment of debt or other reduction of our investment.
By originating loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, we may be exposed to distressed lending risks.
As part of our lending activities, we may originate loans to companies that are experiencing significant financial or business difficulties, including companies involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization and liquidation proceedings. Although the terms of such financing may result in significant financial returns to us, they involve a substantial degree of risk. The level of analytical sophistication, both financial and legal, necessary for successful financing to companies experiencing significant business and financial difficulties is unusually high. We cannot assure you that we will correctly evaluate the value of the assets collateralizing our loans or the prospects for a successful reorganization or similar action. In any reorganization or liquidation proceeding relating to a company that we fund, we may lose all or part of the amounts advanced to the borrower or may be required to accept collateral with a value less than the amount of the loan advanced by us to the borrower.
Our portfolio companies in some cases may incur debt or issue equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments in those companies.
Our portfolio companies may have, or may be permitted to incur, other debt, or issue other equity securities that rank equally with, or senior to, our investments. By their terms, those instruments may provide that the holders are entitled to receive payment of dividends, interest or principal on or before the dates on which we are entitled to receive payments in respect of our investments. These debt instruments would usually prohibit the portfolio companies from paying interest on or repaying our investments in the event and during the continuance of a default under the 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 typically would be entitled to receive payment in full before we receive any distribution in respect of our investment. After repaying those holders, the portfolio company may not have any remaining assets to use for repaying its obligation to us. In the case of securities ranking equally with our investments, we would have to share on an equal basis any distributions with other security holders in the event of an insolvency, liquidation, dissolution, reorganization or bankruptcy of the relevant portfolio company.
The rights we may have with respect to the collateral securing certain loans we make to our portfolio companies may also be limited pursuant to the terms of one or more intercreditor agreements or agreements among lenders. Under these agreements, we may forfeit certain rights with respect to the collateral to holders with prior claims. These rights may include the right to commence enforcement proceedings against the collateral, the right to control the conduct of those enforcement proceedings, the right to approve amendments to collateral documents, the right to release liens on the collateral and the right to waive past defaults under collateral documents. We may not have the ability to control or direct such actions, even if as a result our rights as lenders are adversely affected.
We may be exposed to special risks associated with bankruptcy cases.
One or more of our portfolio companies may be involved in bankruptcy or other reorganization or liquidation proceedings. Many of the events within a bankruptcy case are adversarial and often beyond the control of the creditors. While creditors generally are afforded an opportunity to object to significant actions, we cannot assure you that a bankruptcy court would not approve actions that may be contrary to our interests. There also are instances where creditors can lose their ranking and priority if they are considered to have taken over management of a borrower. 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.
The reorganization of a company can involve substantial legal, professional and administrative costs to a lender and the borrower. It is subject to unpredictable and lengthy delays, and during the process a company’s competitive position may erode, key management may depart and a company may not be able to invest adequately. In some cases, the debtor company may not be able to reorganize and may be required to liquidate assets. The debt of companies in financial reorganization will, in most cases, not pay current interest, may not accrue interest during reorganization and may be adversely affected by an erosion of the issuer’s fundamental value.
In addition, lenders can be subject to lender liability claims for actions taken by them where they become too involved in the borrower’s business or exercise control over the borrower. For example, we could become subject to a lender liability claim (alleging that we misused our influence on the borrower for the benefit of its lenders), if, among other things, the borrower requests significant managerial assistance from us and we provide that assistance.
Our failure to make follow-on investments in our portfolio companies could impair the value of our investments.
Following an initial investment in a portfolio company, we may make additional investments in that portfolio company as “follow-on” investments to:
•increase or maintain in whole or in part our equity ownership percentage;
•exercise warrants, options or convertible securities that were acquired in the original or subsequent financing; or
•attempt to preserve or enhance the value of our investment.
We may elect not to make follow-on investments, may be constrained in our ability to employ available funds, or otherwise may lack sufficient funds to make those investments. We have the discretion to make any follow-on investments, subject to the availability of capital resources. However, doing so could be placing even more capital at risk in existing portfolio companies.
The failure to make follow-on investments may, in some circumstances, jeopardize the continued viability of a portfolio company and our initial investment, or may result in a missed opportunity for us to increase our participation in a successful operation. Even if we have sufficient capital to make a desired follow-on investment, we may elect not to make a follow-on investment because we may not want to increase our concentration of risk, because we prefer other opportunities or because we are inhibited by compliance with BDC requirements or the desire to maintain our tax status.
Our ability to enter into transactions with our affiliates is restricted.
We are prohibited under the 1940 Act from participating in certain transactions with certain of our affiliates without the prior approval of our Independent Directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC. Any person that owns, directly or indirectly, 5% or more of our outstanding voting securities is our affiliate for purposes of the 1940 Act, and we generally are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such affiliate, absent the prior approval of our Independent Directors. The 1940 Act also prohibits certain “joint” transactions with certain of our affiliates, which could include investments in the same portfolio company (whether at the same or different times), without prior approval of our Independent Directors and, in some cases, exemptive relief from the SEC. If a person acquires more than 25% of our voting securities, we are prohibited from buying or selling any security from or to such person or certain of that person’s affiliates, or entering into prohibited joint transactions with such persons, absent the prior approval of the SEC. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates.
The decision by Sixth Street, our Adviser or their affiliates to allocate an opportunity to another entity could cause us to forgo an investment opportunity that we otherwise would have made. We also generally will be unable to invest in any issuer in which Sixth Street and its other affiliates or a fund managed by Sixth Street or its other affiliates has previously invested or in which they are making an investment. Similar restrictions limit our ability to transact business with our officers or directors or their affiliates. These restrictions may limit the scope of investment opportunities that would otherwise be available to us.
On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that, if certain conditions are met, allows us to co-invest with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of Sixth Street) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC, which was most recently amended on June 29, 2022, in order to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders, including flexibility to allow certain private funds affiliated with us to participate in “follow-on” investments in issuers in which the we are invested, but such private affiliated funds are not invested. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted the new order in response to our application. The new order provides us with greater flexibility to participate in co-investment transactions with certain proprietary accounts that are majority-owned by our Adviser or its affiliates, to participate in “follow-on” investments in so-called “pre-boarding” investments in which we or an affiliated fund acquired a prior position not in reliance on the prior SEC exemptive order, and to participate in certain “follow-on” investments and pro rata distributions of existing co-investment positions without seeking approval by a majority of our Independent Directors. Our Board has established certain criteria to describe the characteristics of potential co-investment transactions in which we are permitted to participate and regarding which the Adviser should be notified. We and our affiliates, including investment funds managed by our affiliates, are only permitted to co-invest in accordance with the terms of the exemptive order or in the limited circumstances otherwise currently permitted by regulatory guidance.
Any acquisitions or strategic investments that we pursue are subject to risks and uncertainties.
We have pursued and may continue to pursue growth through acquisitions or strategic investments in new businesses. Completion and timing of any such acquisitions or strategic investments may be subject to a number of contingencies, including the uncertainty in reaching a commercial agreement with our counterparty, our ability to obtain required board, shareholder and regulatory approvals, as well as any required financing (or the risk that these are obtained subject to terms and conditions that are not anticipated). The announcement or consummation of any transaction also may adversely impact our business relationships or engender competitive responses.
Acquisitions could involve numerous additional risks, such as unanticipated litigation, unexpected costs, liabilities, charges or expenses resulting from a transaction, the inability to generate sufficient revenue to offset acquisition costs and any changes in general economic or industry specific conditions. There can be no assurance that the integration of an acquired business will be successful or that an acquired business will prove to be profitable or sustainable. The failure to integrate successfully or to manage the challenges presented by an integration process may adversely impact our financial results. In addition, the proposal and negotiation of acquisitions or strategic investments, whether or not completed, as well as the integration of those businesses into our existing portfolio, could result in substantial expenses and the diversion of our Adviser’s time, attention and resources from our day-to-day operations.
Our ability to manage our growth through acquisitions or strategic investments will depend, in part, on our success in addressing these risks. Any failure to effectively implement our acquisition or strategic investment strategies could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
We cannot guarantee that we will be able to obtain various required licenses in U.S. states or in any other jurisdiction where they may be required in the future.
We are required to have and may be required in the future to obtain various state licenses to, among other things, originate commercial loans, and may be required to obtain similar licenses from other authorities, including outside of the United States, in the future in connection with one or more investments. Applying for and obtaining required licenses can be costly and take several months. We cannot assure you that we will maintain or obtain all of the licenses that we need on a timely basis. We also are and will be subject to various information and other requirements to maintain and obtain these licenses, and we cannot assure you that we will satisfy those requirements. Our failure to maintain or obtain licenses that we require, now or in the future, might restrict investment options and have other adverse consequences.
Our investments in foreign companies may involve significant risks in addition to the risks inherent in U.S. investments.
Our investment strategy may include potential investments in foreign companies. Investing in foreign companies may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. companies. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, U.S. trade policy, 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. Uncertainty in the wake of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East, among other current events, could have negative impacts on the economies of countries in Europe and elsewhere. In addition, interest income derived from loans to foreign companies is not eligible to be distributed to our non-U.S. stockholders free from withholding taxes.
Although most of our investments will 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 gains 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 expose ourselves to risks when we engage in hedging transactions.
We have entered, and may in the future enter, into hedging transactions, which may expose us to risks associated with such transactions. We may seek 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 and the relative value of certain debt securities from changes in market interest rates. Use of these hedging instruments may include counterparty credit risk. To the extent we have non-U.S. investments, particularly investments denominated in non-U.S. currencies, our hedging costs will increase.
We also have the ability to borrow in certain foreign currencies under the second amended and restated senior secured revolving credit agreement, as amended, with Truist Bank (as a successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as administrative agent, and certain lenders, which we refer to as the Revolving Credit Facility. Instead of entering into a foreign exchange forward contract in connection with loans or other investments we have made that are denominated in a foreign currency, we may borrow in that currency to establish a natural hedge against our loan or investment. To the extent the loan or investment is based on a floating rate other than a rate under which we can borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility, we may seek to utilize interest rate derivatives to hedge our exposure to changes in the associated rate.
Hedging against a decline in the values of our portfolio positions would not eliminate the possibility of fluctuations in the values of such positions or prevent losses if the values of such positions were to 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 were to increase. It also 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 strategy will depend on our ability to correctly identify appropriate exposures for hedging. To date, we have entered into hedging transactions to seek to reduce currency exchange rate risk and interest rate risk related to specific portfolio companies. In addition, in connection with our 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes, which bear interest at fixed rates, we entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which
consists of predominately floating rate loans. However, unanticipated changes in currency exchange rates or other exposures that we might hedge 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, as may the time period in which the hedge is effective relative to the time period of the related exposure.
For a variety of reasons, we may not seek to (or be able to) establish a perfect correlation between such hedging instruments and the positions being hedged. Any such imperfect correlation may prevent us from achieving the intended hedge and expose us to risk of loss. In addition, it may not be possible to hedge fully or perfectly against currency fluctuations affecting the value of securities denominated in non-U.S. currencies because the value of those securities is likely to fluctuate as a result of factors not related to currency fluctuations. Income derived from hedging transactions also is not eligible to be distributed to non-U.S. stockholders free from withholding taxes. Changes to the regulations applicable to the financial instruments we use to accomplish our hedging strategy could affect the effectiveness of that strategy. For additional information on these regulatory changes, see “-Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments-The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.” See also “-Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments-We are exposed to risks associated with changes in interest rates” and “ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS-Results of Operations-Hedging.”
Finally, the SEC has recently adopted Rule 18f-4, which constrains our ability to use swaps and other derivatives. Among other requirements, the rule would force us to reduce our use of derivatives, unless we were to qualify as a limited derivatives user under the rule, if the value-at-risk of our investment portfolio including our swap or derivative positions, exceeds 200 percent of a “designated reference portfolio,” which is a designated index that is unleveraged and reflects the market or asset classes in which we invest or our securities portfolio. If we could not identify a suitable reference portfolio, our value-at-risk would not be permitted to exceed 20% of our net assets. In addition, we are required under the final rule to establish a risk management program for our use of swaps or other derivative positions. Based on our current use of derivatives primarily for interest rate hedging purposes, we believe that we qualify, and will continue to qualify, as a limited derivatives user under the rule. However, we cannot assure you that we will be treated as a limited derivatives user or that our approach to our use of derivatives will not change.
The new market structure applicable to derivatives imposed by the Dodd-Frank Act may affect our ability to use over-the-counter (“OTC”) derivatives for hedging purposes.
The Dodd-Frank Act enacted, and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or CFTC, and SEC have issued or proposed rules to implement, both broad new regulatory requirements and broad new structural requirements applicable to OTC derivatives markets and, to a lesser extent, listed commodity futures (and futures options) markets. Similar changes are in the process of being implemented in other major financial markets.
Recent and anticipated regulatory changes require that certain types of OTC derivatives, including those that we may use for hedging activities such as interest rate and credit default swaps, be cleared and traded on regulated platforms, and these regulatory changes are expected to apply to foreign exchange transactions in the future. Our cleared OTC derivatives (such as the interest rate swaps we entered into in connection with certain investments in portfolio companies and our 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes) are subject to margin requirements established by regulated clearinghouses, including daily exchanges of cash variation (or mark-to-market) margin and an upfront posting of cash or securities initial margin to cover the clearinghouse’s potential future exposure to the default of a party to a particular OTC derivatives transaction. U.S. regulators have also adopted rules imposing margin requirements for OTC derivatives executed with registered swap dealers or security-based swap dealers that are not cleared. The margin requirements for cleared and uncleared OTC derivatives may require that our Adviser, in order to maintain its exclusion from commodity pool operator (“CPO”) registration under CFTC Rule 4.5, limit our ability to enter into hedging transactions or to obtain synthetic investment exposures, in either case adversely affecting our ability to mitigate risk. Furthermore, any failure by us to fulfill any collateral requirement (e.g., a so-called “margin call”) may result in a default and could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations.
The Dodd-Frank Act and the rules adopted by the CFTC and SEC thereunder also imposed requirements relating to real-time public and regulatory reporting of OTC derivative transactions, enhanced documentation requirements, position limits on an expanded array of derivatives, and recordkeeping requirements. Taken as a whole, these changes could significantly increase the cost of using uncleared OTC derivatives to hedge risks, including interest rate and foreign exchange risk; reduce the level of exposure we are able to obtain for risk management purposes through OTC derivatives (including as the result of the CFTC imposing position limits on additional products); reduce the amounts available to us to make non-derivatives investments; impair liquidity in certain OTC derivatives; and adversely affect the quality of execution pricing obtained by us, all of which could adversely impact our investment returns.
If we cease to be eligible for an exemption from regulation as a commodity pool operator, our compliance expenses could increase substantially.
Our Adviser has filed with the National Futures Association a notice of exclusion from registration with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator (“CPO”) pursuant to CFTC Rule 4.5. CFTC Rule 4.5 relieves our Adviser from registering with the CFTC as the CPO of us, so long as we:
•continue to be regulated by the SEC as a BDC;
•confine our trading in CFTC-regulated derivatives within specified thresholds; and
•are not marketed to the public as a commodity pool or as a vehicle for trading in CFTC-regulated derivatives.
If we were unable to satisfy the conditions of CFTC Rule 4.5 in the future, our Adviser may be subject to registration with the CFTC as a CPO, unless it can rely on a different exclusion, exemption or no-action relief. Registered CPOs must comply with numerous substantive regulations related to disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping, and are required to become members of the NFA, and be subject to the NFA’s rules and bylaws. Compliance with these additional registration and regulatory requirements could increase our expenses and impact performance.
Our portfolio investments may present special tax issues.
Investments in below-investment grade debt instruments and certain equity securities may present special tax issues for us. U.S. federal income tax rules are not entirely clear about certain issues, including when we may cease to accrue interest, original issue discount or market discount, when and to what extent certain deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless equity securities, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and interest income, as well as whether exchanges of debt instruments in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These matters could cause us to recognize taxable income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, even in the absence of cash or economic gain, and require us to make taxable distributions to our stockholders to maintain our RIC status or preclude the imposition of either U.S. federal corporate income or excise taxation. Additionally, because such taxable income may not be matched by corresponding cash received by us, we may be required to borrow money or dispose of other investments to be able to make distributions to our stockholders. These and other issues will be considered by us, to the extent determined necessary, so that we aim to minimize the level of any U.S. federal income or excise tax that we would otherwise incur. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS-Regulation as a Business Development Company-Regulated Investment Company Classification” for more information.
There are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest.
Original issue discount, or OID, may arise if we hold securities issued at a discount, receive warrants in connection with the making of a loan, or in certain other circumstances. OID creates the risk that Incentive Fees will be paid to the Adviser based on non-cash accruals that ultimately may not be realized, while the Adviser will be under no obligation to reimburse us for these fees.
The higher interest rates of OID instruments reflect the payment deferral and increased credit risk associated with these instruments, and OID instruments generally represent a significantly higher credit risk than coupon loans. Even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, the borrower could still default when our actual collection is supposed to occur at the maturity of the obligation.
OID instruments 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. OID income may also create uncertainty about the source of our cash dividends.
For accounting purposes, any cash dividends to stockholders representing OID income are not treated as coming from paid-in capital, even if the cash to pay them comes from the proceeds of issuances of our common stock. As a result, despite the fact that a dividend representing OID income could be paid out of amounts invested by our stockholders, the 1940 Act does not require that stockholders be given notice of this fact by reporting it as a return of capital.
Payment-in-kind, or PIK, interest has the effect of generating investment income at a compounding rate, thereby further increasing the Incentive Fees payable to the Adviser. Similarly, all things being equal, the deferral associated with PIK interest also increases the loan-to-value ratio at a compounding rate.
Risks Related to Our Securities
There is a risk that investors in our common stock may not receive dividends or that our dividends may not grow over time.
We intend to continue paying dividends on a quarterly basis to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. We cannot assure you that we will achieve investment results or maintain a tax status that will allow or require any specified level of cash dividends or year-to-year increases in cash dividends. Our ability to pay dividends might be adversely affected by the impact of one or more of the risk factors described in this Annual Report. Due to the asset coverage test applicable to us under the 1940 Act as a BDC or restrictions under our credit facilities, we may be limited in our ability to pay dividends. Although a portion of our expected earnings and dividend distributions will be attributable to net interest income, we do not expect to generate capital gains from the sale of our portfolio investments on a level or uniform basis from quarter to quarter. This may result in substantial fluctuations in our quarterly dividend payments.
In some cases where we receive certain upfront fees in connection with loans we originate, we treat the loan as having OID under applicable accounting and tax regulations, even though we have received the corresponding cash. In other cases, however, we may recognize income before or without receiving the corresponding cash, including in connection with the accretion of OID. For other risks associated with debt obligations treated as having OID, see “-Risks Related to Our Portfolio Company Investments-There are certain risks associated with holding debt obligations that have original issue discount or payment-in-kind interest.”
Therefore, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the annual distribution requirement necessary to qualify for and maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code, even though we may not have received the corresponding cash amount. Accordingly, we may have to sell investments at times we would not otherwise consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level income tax.
To the extent that the amounts distributed by us exceed our current and accumulated earnings and profits, these excess distributions will be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of a stockholder’s tax basis in his or her shares and then as capital gain. Reducing a stockholder’s tax basis will have the effect of increasing his or her gain (or reducing loss) on a subsequent sale of shares.
The part of the Incentive Fee payable by us that relates to our net investment income is computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received in cash. If a portfolio company defaults on a loan, it is possible that accrued interest previously used in the calculation of the Incentive Fee will become uncollectible. Consequently, while we may make Incentive Fee payments on income accruals that we may not collect in the future and with respect to which we do not have a clawback right against our Adviser, the amount of accrued income written off in any period will reduce the income in the period in which the write-off is taken and thereby reduce that period’s Incentive Fee payment, if any.
In addition, the middle-market companies in which we intend to invest may be more susceptible to economic downturns than larger operating companies, and therefore may be more likely to default on their payment obligations to us during recessionary periods. Any such defaults could substantially reduce our net investment income available for distribution in the form of dividends to our stockholders.
Investing in our securities may involve a high degree of risk.
The investments we make in accordance with our investment objective may result in a higher amount of risk than alternative investment options and volatility or loss of principal. Our investments in portfolio companies may be highly speculative and aggressive and, therefore, an investment in our securities may not be suitable for someone with lower risk tolerance.
The market price of our common stock may fluctuate significantly.
The market price and liquidity of the market for shares of our common stock may be significantly affected by numerous factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include:
•significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of BDCs or other companies in our sector, which is not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies;
•changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines, particularly with respect to RICs or BDCs;
•the exclusion of BDC common stock from certain market indices, which could reduce the ability of certain investment funds to own our common stock and put short term selling pressure on our common stock;
•loss of RIC or BDC status;
•changes or perceived changes in earnings or variations in operating results;
•changes in our portfolio of investments;
•changes or perceived changes in the value of our portfolio of investments;
•changes in accounting guidelines governing valuation of our investments;
•any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts;
•any downgrades to our credit rating or placement on a negative watch status by a credit rating agency;
•departure of the Adviser’s or any of its affiliates’ key personnel;
•operating performance of companies comparable to us;
•short-selling pressure with respect to shares of our common stock or BDCs generally;
•future sales of our securities convertible into or exchangeable or exercisable for our common stock or the conversion of such securities;
•uncertainty surrounding the strength of the U.S. economy;
•concerns regarding European sovereign debt and Brexit;
•concerns regarding volatility in the Chinese stock market and Chinese currency;
•concerns regarding U.S. and global tariffs and trade policy;
•the impact of the large-scale invasion of Ukraine by Russia that began in February 2022, related sanctions
and other potential retaliatory actions or responses;
•fluctuations in base interest rates, such as SOFR, EURIBOR, SONIA, the Federal Funds Rate or the Prime Rate;
•the impact of public health epidemics on the global economy, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and its worldwide impact;
•general economic trends and other external factors; and
•loss of a major funding source.
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. If our stock price fluctuates significantly, we may be the target of securities litigation in the future. Securities litigation could result in substantial costs and divert management’s attention and resources from our business.
We cannot assure you that the market price of shares of our common stock will not decline.
Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value and our stock may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic of closed-end investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value per share of common stock may decline. In the past, shares of BDCs, including at times shares of our common stock, have traded at prices per share below net asset value per share. We cannot predict whether our common stock will trade at a price per share above, at or below net asset value per share. In addition, if our common stock trades below its net asset value per share, we will generally not be able to sell additional shares of our common stock to the public at its market price without first obtaining the approval of a majority of our stockholders (including a majority of our unaffiliated stockholders) and our Independent Directors for such issuance. See“-Risks Related to Our Business and Structure-Regulations governing our operation as a BDC affect our ability to, and the way in which we, raise additional capital.”
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, the availability of such common stock for sale or the perception that such sales could occur could adversely affect the prevailing market prices for our common stock. If this occurs, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities should we desire to do so. We cannot predict what effect, if any, future sales of
securities or the availability of securities for future sales will have on the market price of our common stock prevailing from time to time.
Our stockholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan.
We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan, pursuant to which we will reinvest all cash dividends and distributions declared by the Board on behalf of investors who do not elect to receive their dividends in cash. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and we declare, a cash dividend or other distribution, then our stockholders who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distributions automatically reinvested in additional common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividend or other distribution. See “ITEM 1. BUSINESS-Dividend Policy” and “ITEM 1. BUSINESS-Dividend Reinvestment Plan” for a description of our dividend policy and obligations.
In addition, the number of shares issued pursuant to the dividend reinvestment plan will be determined based on the market price of shares of our common stock, except in circumstances where the market price exceeds our most recently computed net asset value per share, in which case we will issue shares at the greater of (i) the most recently computed net asset value per share and (ii) 95% of the current market price per share or such lesser discount to the current market price per share that still exceeds the most recently computed net asset value per share. Accordingly, participants in the dividend reinvestment plan may receive a greater number of shares of our common stock than the number of shares associated with the market price of our common stock, resulting in dilution for other stockholders. Stockholders that opt out of our dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of our common stock over time.
Purchases of our common stock by us under the Company 10b5-1 Plan may result in the price of our common stock being higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.
We have entered into an agreement with Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, which we refer to as the Company 10b5-1 Plan, in accordance with Rules 10b5-1 and 10b-18 under the Exchange Act, under which Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC, as agent for us, will buy up to $50 million of our common stock in the aggregate during the period ending on the earlier of the date on which all the capital committed to the plan has been exhausted or May 31, 2024.
Whether purchases will be made under the Company 10b5-1 Plan and how much will be purchased at any time is uncertain, dependent on prevailing market prices and trading volumes, all of which we cannot predict. These activities may have the effect of maintaining the market price of our common stock or retarding a decline in the market price of the common stock, and, as a result, the price of our common stock may be higher than the price that otherwise might exist in the open market.
Purchases of our common stock by us under the Company 10b5-1 Plan may result in dilution to our net asset value per share.
On August 4, 2015, the Board authorized us to acquire up to $50 million in aggregate of our common stock from time to time over an initial six month period, and has continued to authorize the refreshment of the $50 million amount authorized under and extension of the stock repurchase program prior to its expiration since that time, most recently as of November 15, 2023. Under the Company 10b5-1 Plan, the agent will increase the volume of purchases made as the price of our common stock declines, subject to volume restrictions.
Dilution to our net asset value per share will occur if we purchase shares of our common stock at a price above the net asset value per share, as it would cause a proportionately smaller increase in our stockholders’ interest in our earnings and assets and their voting interest in us than the decrease in our assets resulting from such repurchase.
As a result of any such dilution, our market price per share may decline. The actual dilutive effect will depend on the number of shares of common stock that could be so repurchased, the price and the timing of any repurchases under the Company 10b5-1 Plan.
General Risk Factors
We are highly dependent on information systems and systems failures could significantly disrupt our business, which may, in turn, negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends.
Our business is highly dependent on the communications and information systems of the Adviser, its affiliates and third parties. Further, in the ordinary course of our business we or the Adviser engage certain third party service providers to provide us with services necessary for our business. 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 activities. Our financial, accounting, data processing, backup or other operating systems and facilities may fail to operate properly or become
disabled or damaged as a result of a number of factors including events that are wholly or partially beyond our control and adversely affect our business. There could be:
•sudden electrical or telecommunications outages;
•natural disasters such as earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes;
•disease pandemics;
•events arising from local or larger scale political or social matters, including wars or terrorist acts;
•outages due to idiosyncratic issues at specific providers; and
•cyber-attacks.
These events, in turn, could have a material adverse effect on our operating results and negatively affect the market price of our common stock and our ability to pay dividends to our stockholders.
Changes in laws or regulations governing our operations may adversely affect our business.
We and our portfolio companies are subject to regulation by laws and regulations at the local, state, federal and, in some cases, foreign levels. These laws and regulations, as well as their interpretation, may be changed from time to time, and new laws and regulations may be enacted. Accordingly, any change in these laws or regulations, changes in their interpretation, or newly enacted laws or regulations and any failure by us or our portfolio companies to comply with these laws or regulations, could require changes to certain business practices of us or our portfolio companies, negatively impact the operations, cash flows or financial condition of us or our portfolio companies, impose additional costs on us or our portfolio companies or otherwise adversely affect our business or the business of our portfolio companies. In particular, changes to the laws and regulations governing BDCs or the interpretation of these laws and regulations by the staff of the SEC could disrupt our business model. For example, tax reform legislation could have an adverse impact on us, the credit markets and our portfolio companies, to the extent the reduction in corporate tax rates or limitations on interest expense deductibility impact the credit markets and our portfolio companies. Any changes to the laws and regulations governing our operations or the U.S. federal income tax treatment of our assets may cause us to alter our investment strategy to avail ourselves of new or different opportunities. For more information on tax regulatory risks, see “Risks Related to our Portfolio Company Investments.”
Over the last several years, there has been an increase in regulatory attention to the extension of credit outside of the traditional banking sector, raising the possibility that some portion of the non-bank financial sector will be subject to new regulation. While it cannot be known at this time whether these regulations will be implemented or what form they will take, increased regulation of non-bank credit extension could negatively impact our operations, cash flows or financial condition, impose additional costs on us, intensify the regulatory supervision of us or otherwise adversely affect our business.
The ongoing armed conflicts as a result of the Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas may have a material adverse impact on us and our portfolio companies.
On February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin commenced a full-scale invasion of Russia’s pre-positioned forces into Ukraine, which could have a negative impact on the economy and business activity globally (including in the countries in which the Company invests), and therefore could adversely affect the performance of the Company’s investments. The Russian invasion of Ukraine and the war between Israel and Hamas in the Middle East have led, are currently leading, and for an unknown period of time may continue to lead to disruptions in local, regional, national, and global markets and economies affected thereby. Furthermore, the aforementioned conflicts and the varying involvement of the United States and other NATO countries could preclude prediction as to their ultimate adverse impact on global economic and market conditions, and, as a result, presents material uncertainty and risk with respect to the Company and the performance of its investments or operations, and the ability of the Company to achieve its investment objectives. Additionally, to the extent that third parties, investors, or related customer bases have material operations or assets in such conflict zones, they may have adverse consequences related to the ongoing conflict.
The effect of global climate change may adversely affect our business and impact the operations of our portfolio companies.
We and our portfolio companies face risks associated with climate change including risks related to the impact of climate-and ESG-related legislation and regulation (both domestically and internationally), risks related to climate-related business trends, and risks stemming from the physical impacts of climate change.
New climate change-related regulations or interpretations of existing laws may result in enhanced disclosure obligations, which could negatively affect us or our portfolio companies and materially increase our regulatory burden. Increased regulations generally increase our costs, and we could continue to experience higher costs if new laws require us to spend more time or buy new technology to comply effectively. At the portfolio company level, while we have increasingly and substantially sought to invest in sectors that are inherently lower carbon intensity (e.g., business services) which decreases transition risk, there are still individual portfolio companies in these and other sectors that could face transition risk if carbon-related regulations or taxes are implemented. Further, advances in climate science may change society’s understanding of sources and magnitudes of negative effects on climate, which could negatively impact portfolio company financial performance and regulatory jeopardy. For our portfolio companies, business trends related to climate change may require capital expenditures, product or service redesigns, and changes to operations and supply chains to meet changing customer expectations. While this can create opportunities, not addressing these changed expectations could create business risks for portfolio companies.
Further, significant physical effects of climate change including extreme weather events such as hurricanes or floods, can also have an adverse impact on certain of our portfolio companies and investments, especially our portfolio companies that rely locations in the affected areas. As the effects of climate change increase, we expect the frequency and impact of weather and climate related events and conditions to increase as well. For example, unseasonal or violent weather events can have a material impact to businesses that focus on tourism or recreational travel. Additionally, the needs of customers of energy companies vary with weather conditions, primarily temperature and humidity. To the extent weather conditions are affected by climate change, energy use could increase or decrease depending on the duration and magnitude of any changes. Increases in the cost of energy could adversely affect the cost of operations of our portfolio companies if the use of energy products or services is material to their business. A decrease in energy use due to weather changes may affect some of our portfolio companies’ financial condition, through decreased revenues. Extreme weather conditions in general require more system backup, adding to costs, and can contribute to increased system stresses, including service interruptions.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
We maintain our principal executive office at 2100 McKinney Avenue, Suite 1500, Dallas, Texas 75201. We do not own any real estate.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
From time to time, we may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of our rights under loans to or other contracts with our portfolio companies. As of December 31, 2023 we are not aware of any material legal proceedings, nor, to our knowledge, is any material legal proceeding threatened against us.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
Price Range of Common Stock
Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “TSLX.” Our common stock has historically traded at prices both above and below our net asset value per share. It is not possible to predict whether our common stock will trade at a price per share at, above or below net asset value per share. See “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS-Risks Related to Our Securities-We cannot assure you that the market price of shares of our common stock will not decline.”
Holders
As of February 15, 2024, there were approximately 2 holders of record of our common stock (including Cede & Co.).
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
For the year ended December 31, 2023 there was no common stock repurchased by the Company.
Stock Performance Graph
The following graph compares the total return on our common stock from December 31, 2018 to December 29, 2023 with that of the Standard & Poor’s BDC Index, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, the S&P LSTA Leveraged Loan Index (“Leverage Loan Index”), and the Bloomberg Barclays US Corporate High Yield Total Return Index (“High Yield Bond Index”). This graph assumes that on December 31, 2018, $100 was invested in our common stock, the Standard & Poor’s BDC Index, the Standard & Poor’s 500 Stock Index, the Leverage Loan Index and the High Yield Bond Index. The graph also assumes the reinvestment of all cash dividends prior to any tax effect. The graph and other information furnished under this Part II Item 5 of this annual report on Form 10-K shall not be deemed to be “soliciting material” or to be “filed” with the SEC or subject to Regulation 14A or 14C under, or to the liabilities of Section 18 of, the Exchange Act. The performance included in the below graph is not necessarily indicative of future performance.
SENIOR SECURITIES
Information about our senior securities is shown in the following table as of the end of the last ten fiscal years. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, on the senior securities table as of December 31, 2023 is attached as an exhibit to this annual report on Form 10-K. The “-” indicates information that the SEC expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.
Class and Year/Period
Total Amount
Outstanding
Exclusive of Treasury
Securities (1)
($ in millions)
Asset Coverage
Per Unit (2)
Involuntary
Liquidating
Preference Per
Unit (3)
Average
Market Value
Per Unit (4)
Revolving Credit Facilities
December 31, 2023
$
889.7
$
1,815.9
$
-
N/A
December 31, 2022
719.3
1,885.7
-
N/A
December 31, 2021
316.4
2,053.6
-
N/A
December 31, 2020
472.3
2,045.4
-
N/A
December 31, 2019
495.7
2,004.1
-
N/A
December 31, 2018
187.5
2,705.2
-
N/A
December 31, 2017
486.8
2,355.3
-
N/A
December 31, 2016
578.7
2,376.6
-
N/A
December 31, 2015
540.3
2,257.3
-
N/A
December 31, 2014
283.9
3,110.3
-
N/A
Convertible Senior Notes due 2019
December 31, 2023
$
-
$
-
$
-
N/A
December 31, 2022
-
-
-
N/A
December 31, 2021
-
-
-
N/A
December 31, 2020
-
-
-
N/A
December 31, 2019
-
-
-
N/A
December 31, 2018
114.3
2,705.2
-
N/A
December 31, 2017
113.7
2,355.3
-
N/A
December 31, 2016
113.1
2,376.6
-
N/A
December 31, 2015
112.5
2,257.3
-
N/A
December 31, 2014
111.9
3,110.3
-
N/A
Convertible Senior Note due 2022
December 31, 2023
$
-
$
-
$
-
N/A
December 31, 2022
-
-
-
N/A
December 31, 2021
100.0
2,053.6
-
N/A
December 31, 2020
142.5
2,045.4
-
N/A
December 31, 2019
171.9
2,004.1
-
N/A
December 31, 2018
171.7
2,705.2
-
N/A
December 31, 2017
114.7
2,355.3
-
N/A
2023 Notes
December 31, 2023
$
-
$
-
$
-
N/A
December 31, 2022
150.0
1,885.7
-
N/A
December 31, 2021
150.0
2,053.6
-
N/A
December 31, 2020
150.0
2,045.4
-
N/A
December 31, 2019
150.0
2,004.1
-
N/A
December 31, 2018
150.0
2,705.2
-
N/A
2024 Notes
December 31, 2023
$
347.2
$
1,815.9
$
-
N/A
December 31, 2022
346.8
1,885.7
-
N/A
December 31, 2021
346.4
2,053.6
-
N/A
December 31, 2020
346.1
2,045.4
-
N/A
December 31, 2019
297.2
2,004.1
-
N/A
2026 Notes
December 31, 2023
$
298.9
$
1,815.9
$
-
N/A
December 31, 2022
298.5
1,885.7
-
N/A
December 31, 2021
298.1
2,053.6
-
N/A
2028 Notes
December 31, 2023
$
298.3
$
1,815.9
$
-
N/A
(1)Total amount of each class of senior securities outstanding at carrying value, excluding the impact of deferred financing costs and hedge accounting relationships, at the end of the period presented.
(2)Asset coverage per unit is the ratio of the carrying value of our total assets, less all liabilities excluding indebtedness represented by senior securities in this table, to the aggregate amount of senior securities representing indebtedness. Asset coverage per unit is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 of indebtedness and is calculated on a consolidated basis.
(3)The amount to which such class of senior security would be entitled upon our involuntary liquidation in preference to any security junior to it. The “-” in this column indicates information that the SEC expressly does not require to be disclosed for certain types of senior securities.
(4)Not applicable because the senior securities are not registered for public trading.

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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6. RESERVED

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
Introduction
Management’s Discussion and Analysis should be read in conjunction with ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA. This discussion contains forward-looking statements and involves numerous risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, those described in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.” Actual results may differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
Overview
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. is a Delaware corporation formed on July 21, 2010. The Adviser is our external manager. We have four wholly owned subsidiaries, TC Lending, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which holds a California finance lender and broker license, Sixth Street SL SPV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company Sixth Street SL Holding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, and Sixth Street Specialty Lending Sub, LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company.
We have elected to be regulated as a BDC under the 1940 Act and as a RIC under the Code. We made our BDC election on April 15, 2011. As a result, we are required to comply with various statutory and regulatory requirements, such as:
•the requirement to invest at least 70% of our assets in “qualifying assets”;
•source of income limitations;
•asset diversification requirements; and
•the requirement to distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year at least 90% of our investment company taxable income and tax-exempt interest for that taxable year.
Our shares are listed on the NYSE under the symbol “TSLX.”
Our Investment Framework
We are a specialty finance company focused on lending to middle-market companies. Since we began our investment activities in July 2011, through December 31, 2023, we have originated more than $31.5 billion aggregate principal amount of investments and retained approximately $10.0 billion aggregate principal amount of these investments on our balance sheet prior to any subsequent exits and repayments. We seek to generate current income primarily in U.S.-domiciled middle-market companies through direct investment originations of senior secured loans and, to a lesser extent, originations of mezzanine and unsecured loans and investments in corporate bonds, equity securities, and other instruments.
By “middle-market companies,” we mean companies that have annual EBITDA, which we believe is a useful proxy for cash flow, of $10 million to $250 million, although we may invest in larger or smaller companies on occasion. As of December 31, 2023, our core portfolio companies, which exclude certain investments that fall outside of our typical borrower profile and represent 95.3% of our total investments based on fair value, had weighted average annual revenue of $230.3 million and weighted average annual EBITDA of $79.3 million.
We invest in first-lien debt, second-lien debt, mezzanine and unsecured debt and equity and other investments. Our first-lien debt may include stand-alone first-lien loans; “last out” first-lien loans, which are loans that have a secondary priority behind super-senior “first out” first-lien loans; “unitranche” loans, which are loans that combine features of first-lien, second-lien and mezzanine debt, generally in a first-lien position; and secured corporate bonds with similar features to these categories of first-lien loans. Our second-lien debt may include secured loans, and, to a lesser extent, secured corporate bonds, with a secondary priority behind first-lien debt.
The debt in which we invest typically is not rated by any rating agency, but if these instruments were rated, they would likely receive a rating of below investment grade (that is, below BBB- or Baa3 as defined by Standard & Poor’s and Moody’s Investors Services, respectively), which is often referred to as “junk.”
The companies in which we invest use our capital to support organic growth, acquisitions, market or product expansion and recapitalizations (including restructurings). As of December 31, 2023, the largest single investment based on fair value represented 2.6% of our total investment portfolio.
As of December 31, 2023, the average investment size in each of our portfolio companies was approximately $24.1 million based on fair value. Portfolio companies includes investments in structured credit investments, which include each series of collateralized
loan obligation as a portfolio company investment. When excluding investments in structured credit investments, the average investment in our remaining portfolio companies was approximately $34.3 million as of December 31, 2023.
Through our Adviser, we consider potential investments utilizing a four-tiered investment framework and against our existing portfolio as a whole:
Business and sector selection. We focus on companies with enterprise value between $50 million and $1 billion. When reviewing potential investments, we seek to invest in businesses with high marginal cash flow, recurring revenue streams and where we believe credit quality will improve over time. We look for portfolio companies that we think have a sustainable competitive advantage in growing industries or distressed situations. We also seek companies where our investment will have a low loan-to-value ratio.
We currently do not limit our focus to any specific industry and we may invest in larger or smaller companies on occasion. We classify the industries of our portfolio companies by end-market (such as healthcare, and business services) and not by the products or services (such as software) directed to those end-markets.
As of December 31, 2023, the largest industry represented 18.0% of our total investment portfolio based on fair value.
Investment Structuring. We focus on investing at the top of the capital structure and protecting that position. As of December 31, 2023, approximately 92.4% of our portfolio was invested in secured debt, including 91.3% in first-lien debt investments. We carefully perform diligence and structure investments to include strong investor covenants. As a result, we structure investments with a view to creating opportunities for early intervention in the event of non-performance or stress. In addition, we seek to retain effective voting control in investments over the loans or particular class of securities in which we invest through maintaining affirmative voting positions or negotiating consent rights that allow us to retain a blocking position. We also aim for our loans to mature on a medium term, between two to six years after origination. For the year ended December 31, 2023, the weighted average term on new investment commitments in new portfolio companies was 6.0 years.
Deal Dynamics. We focus on, among other deal dynamics, direct origination of investments, where we identify and lead the investment transaction. A substantial majority of our portfolio investments are sourced through our direct or proprietary relationships.
Risk Mitigation. We seek to mitigate non-credit-related risk on our returns in several ways, including call protection provisions to protect future interest income. As of December 31, 2023, we had call protection on 75.1% of our debt investments based on fair value, with weighted average call prices of 106.5% for the first year, 103.2% for the second year and 101.0% for the third year, in each case from the date of the initial investment. As of December 31, 2023, 99.7% of our debt investments based on fair value bore interest at floating rates, with 100% of these subject to interest rate floors, which we believe helps act as a portfolio-wide hedge against inflation.
Relationship with our Adviser and Sixth Street
Our Adviser is a Delaware limited liability company. Our Adviser acts as our investment adviser and administrator and is a registered investment adviser with the SEC under the Advisers Act. Our Adviser sources and manages our portfolio through a dedicated team of investment professionals predominately focused on direct lending, which we refer to as our Investment Team. Our Investment Team is led by our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and our Adviser’s Co-Chief Investment Officer Joshua Easterly and our Adviser’s Co-Chief Investment Officer Alan Waxman, both of whom have substantial experience in credit origination, underwriting and asset management. Our investment decisions are made by our Investment Review Committee, which includes senior personnel of our Adviser and affiliates of Sixth Street Partners, LLC, or “Sixth Street.”
Sixth Street is a global investment business with over $75 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2023. Sixth Street’s direct lending platforms include Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Sixth Street Lending Partners, which is aimed at U.S. upper middle-market loan originations, Sixth Street Specialty Lending Europe, which is aimed at European middle-market loan originations. Additional Sixth Street core platforms include Sixth Street TAO, which has the flexibility to invest across all of Sixth Street’s private credit market investments, Sixth Street Opportunities, which focuses on actively managed opportunistic investments across the credit cycle, Sixth Street Credit Market Strategies, which is the firm’s “public-side” credit investment platform focused on investment opportunities in broadly syndicated leveraged loan markets, Sixth Street Growth, which provides financing solutions to growing companies, Sixth Street Fundamental Strategies, which primarily invests in secondary credit, and Sixth Street Agriculture, which invests in niche agricultural opportunities. Sixth Street has a long-term oriented, highly flexible capital base that allows it to invest across industries, geographies, capital structures and asset classes. Sixth Street has extensive experience with highly complex, global public and private investments executed through primary originations, secondary market purchases and restructurings, and has a team of over 580 investment and operating professionals. As of December 31, 2023, seventy (70) of these personnel are dedicated to direct lending, including fifty-five (55) investment professionals.
Our Adviser consults with Sixth Street in connection with a substantial number of our investments. The Sixth Street platform provides us with a breadth of large and scalable investment resources. We believe we benefit from Sixth Street’s market expertise, insights into industry, sector and macroeconomic trends and intensive due diligence capabilities, which help us discern market conditions that vary across industries and credit cycles, identify favorable investment opportunities and manage our portfolio of investments. Sixth Street and its affiliates will refer all middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States to us and conduct those activities through us. The Adviser will determine whether it would be permissible, advisable or otherwise appropriate for us to pursue a particular investment opportunity allocated to us.
On December 16, 2014, we were granted an exemptive order from the SEC that allows us to co-invest, subject to certain conditions and to the extent the size of an investment opportunity exceeds the amount our Adviser has independently determined is appropriate to invest, with certain of our affiliates (including affiliates of Sixth Street) in middle-market loan origination activities for companies domiciled in the United States and certain “follow-on” investments in companies in which we have already co-invested pursuant to the order and remain invested. On January 16, 2020, we filed a further application for co-investment exemptive relief with the SEC to better align our existing co-investment relief with more recent SEC exemptive orders. Subsequent further applications were also made, most recently as June 29, 2022. On August 3, 2022, the SEC granted the new order in response to our application.
We believe our ability to co-invest with Sixth Street affiliates is particularly useful where we identify larger capital commitments than otherwise would be appropriate for us. We expect that with the ability to co-invest with Sixth Street affiliates we will continue to be able to provide “one-stop” financing to a potential portfolio company in these circumstances, which may allow us to capture opportunities where we alone could not commit the full amount of required capital or would have to spend additional time to locate unaffiliated co-investors.
Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement and Administration Agreement, the Adviser’s services are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to furnish similar or other services to others, so long as its services to us are not impaired. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, we will pay the Adviser the base management fee (the “Management Fee”), and may also pay certain incentive fees (the “Incentive Fees”).
Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser also provides administrative services to us. These services include providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to stockholders and reports filed with the SEC, and managing the payment of expenses and the oversight of the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others. Certain of these services are reimbursable to the Adviser under the terms of the Administration Agreement.
Key Components of Our Results of Operations
Investments
We focus primarily on the direct origination of loans to middle-market companies domiciled in the United States.
Our level of investment activity (both the number of investments and the size of each investment) can and does vary substantially from period to period depending on many factors, including the amount of debt and equity capital generally available to middle-market companies, the level of merger and acquisition activity for such companies, the general economic environment and the competitive environment for the types of investments we make.
In addition, as part of our risk strategy on investments, we may reduce certain levels of investments through partial sales or syndication to additional investors.
Revenues
We generate revenues primarily in the form of interest income from the investments we hold. In addition, we may generate income from dividends on direct equity investments, capital gains on the sale of investments and various loan origination and other fees. Our debt investments typically have a term of two to six years, and, as of December 31, 2023, 99.7% of these investments based on fair value bore interest at a floating rate, with 100% of these subject to interest rate floors. Interest on debt investments is generally payable monthly or quarterly. Some of our investments provide for deferred interest payments or PIK interest. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, 4.5%, 4.1% and 3.6%, respectively, of our total investment income was comprised of PIK interest.
Changes in our net investment income are primarily driven by the spread between the payments we receive from our investments in our portfolio companies against our cost of funding, rather than by changes in interest rates. Our investment portfolio primarily consists of floating rate loans, and our Revolving Credit Facility, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes after taking into account the
effect of the interest rate swaps we have entered into in connection with these securities, all bear interest at floating rates. Macro trends in base interest rates like SOFR or other reference rates may affect our net investment income over the long term. However, because we generally originate loans to a limited number of portfolio companies each quarter, and those investments also vary in size, our results in any given period-including the interest rate on investments that were sold or repaid in a period compared to the interest rate of new investments made during that period-often are idiosyncratic, and reflect the characteristics of the particular portfolio companies that we invested in or exited during the period and not necessarily any trends in our business.
In addition to interest income, our net investment income is also driven by prepayment and other fees, which also can vary significantly from quarter to quarter. The level of prepayment fees is generally correlated to the movement in credit spreads and risk premiums, but also will vary based on corporate events that may take place at an individual portfolio company in a given period-e.g., merger and acquisition activity, initial public offerings and restructurings. As noted above, generally a small but varied number of portfolio companies may make prepayments in any quarter, meaning that changes in the amount of prepayment fees received can vary significantly between periods and can vary without regard to underlying credit trends.
Loan origination fees, original issue discount and market discount or premium are capitalized, and we accrete or amortize such amounts as interest income using the effective interest method for term instruments and the straight-line method for revolving or delayed draw instruments. Repayments of our debt investments can reduce interest income from period to period. We record prepayment premiums on loans as interest income when earned. We also may generate revenue in the form of commitment, amendment, structuring, syndication or due diligence fees, fees for providing managerial assistance and consulting fees. The frequency or volume of these items of revenue may fluctuate significantly.
Dividend income on common equity investments is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.
Our portfolio activity also reflects the proceeds of sales of investments. We recognize realized gains or losses on investments based on the difference between the net proceeds from the disposition and the amortized cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized. We record current period changes in fair value of investments that are measured at fair value as a component of the net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Expenses
Our primary operating expenses include the payment of fees to our Adviser under the Investment Advisory Agreement, expenses reimbursable under the Administration Agreement and other operating costs described below. Additionally, we pay interest expense on our outstanding debt. We bear all other costs and expenses of our operations, administration and transactions, including those relating to:
•calculating individual asset values and our net asset value (including the cost and expenses of any independent valuation firms);
•expenses, including travel expenses, incurred by the Adviser, or members of our Investment Team, or payable to third parties, in respect of due diligence on prospective portfolio companies and, if necessary, in respect of enforcing our rights with respect to investments in existing portfolio companies;
•the costs of any public offerings of our common stock and other securities, including registration and listing fees;
•the Management Fee and any Incentive Fee;
•certain costs and expenses relating to distributions paid on our shares;
•administration fees payable under our Administration Agreement;
•costs of preparing financial statements and maintaining books and records and filing reports or other documents with the SEC (or other regulatory bodies) and other reporting and compliance costs, and the compensation of professionals responsible for the preparation of the foregoing, including the allocable portion of the compensation of our Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer and other professionals who spend time on those related activities (based on the percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs);
•debt service and other costs of borrowings or other financing arrangements;
•the Adviser’s allocable share of costs incurred in providing significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies that request it;
•amounts payable to third parties relating to, or associated with, making or holding investments;
•transfer agent and custodial fees;
•costs of hedging;
•commissions and other compensation payable to brokers or dealers;
•taxes;
•Independent Director fees and expenses;
•the costs of any reports, proxy statements or other notices to our stockholders (including printing and mailing costs), the costs of any stockholders’ meetings and the compensation of investor relations personnel responsible for the preparation of the foregoing and related matters;
•our fidelity bond;
•directors and officers/errors and omissions liability insurance, and any other insurance premiums;
•indemnification payments;
•direct costs and expenses of administration, including audit, accounting, consulting and legal costs; and
•all other expenses reasonably incurred by us in connection with making investments and administering our business.
We expect that during periods of asset growth, our general and administrative expenses will be relatively stable or will decline as a percentage of total assets, and will increase as a percentage of total assets during periods of asset declines.
Leverage
While as a BDC the amount of leverage that we are permitted to use is limited in significant respects, we use leverage to increase our ability to make investments. The amount of leverage we use in any period depends on a variety of factors, including cash available for investing, the cost of financing and general economic and market conditions, however, under the 1940 Act, our total borrowings are limited so that our asset coverage ratio cannot fall below 150% immediately after any borrowing, as defined in the 1940 Act. In any period, our interest expense will depend largely on the extent of our borrowing and we expect interest expense will increase as we increase leverage over time within the limits of the 1940 Act. In addition, we may dedicate assets as collateral to financing facilities from time to time.
Market Trends
We believe trends in the middle-market lending environment, including the limited availability of capital from traditional regulated financial institutions, strong demand for debt capital and specialized lending requirements, are likely to continue to create favorable opportunities for us to invest at attractive risk-adjusted rates.
Subsequent to the global financial crisis, the implementation of regulatory changes such as Basel III requirements, Leverage Lending Guidance, and the Volcker Rule, tightened risk appetites and reduced the capacity of traditional lenders to serve middle-market companies. We believe that these dynamics create a significant opportunity for us to directly originate investments. We also believe that the large amount of uninvested capital held by private equity firms will continue to drive deal activity, which may in turn create additional demand for debt capital.
This market dynamic is further exacerbated by the specialized due diligence and underwriting capabilities, as well as extensive ongoing monitoring, required for middle-market lending. We believe middle-market lending is generally more labor-intensive than lending to larger companies due to smaller investment sizes and the lack of publicly available information on these companies. As a result, the opportunities for dedicated private lenders such as us has continued to expand.
An imbalance between the supply of, and demand for, middle-market debt capital creates attractive pricing dynamics for investors such as BDCs. The negotiated nature of middle-market financings also generally provides for more favorable terms to the lenders, including stronger covenant and reporting packages, better call protection and lender-protective change of control provisions. We believe that BDCs have flexibility to develop loans that reflect each borrower’s distinct situation, provide long-term relationships and a potential source for future capital, which renders BDCs, including us, attractive lenders.
Portfolio and Investment Activity
As of December 31, 2023, our portfolio based on fair value consisted of 91.3% first-lien debt investments, 1.1% second-lien debt investments, 1.2% mezzanine debt investments, 4.7% equity and other investments and 1.7% structured credit investments. As of December 31, 2022, our portfolio based on fair value consisted of 90.3% first-lien debt investments, 1.5% second-lien debt investments, 0.4% mezzanine debt investments, 6.0% equity and other investments and 1.8% structured credit investments.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, our weighted average total yield of debt and income producing securities at fair value (which includes interest income and amortization of fees and discounts) was 14.1% and 13.5%, respectively, and our weighted average total yield of debt and income-producing securities at amortized cost (which includes interest income and amortization of fees and discounts) was 14.2% and 13.4%, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had investments in 136 portfolio companies (including 42 structured credit investments, which include each series of collateralized loan obligation as a separate portfolio company investment) and 121 portfolio companies (including 43 structured credit investments, which include each series of collateralized loan obligation as a separate portfolio company investment), respectively, with an aggregate fair value of $3,283.1 million and $2,787.9 million, respectively.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, the principal amount of new investments funded was $808.4 million in 30 new portfolio companies and 16 existing portfolio companies. For this period, we had $469.1 million aggregate principal amount in exits and repayments.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, the principal amount of new investments funded was $864.0 million in 65 new portfolio companies and 20 existing portfolio companies. For this period, we had $653.8 million aggregate principal amount in exits and repayments.
Our investment activity for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 is presented below (information presented herein is at par value unless otherwise indicated).
Year Ended
($ in millions)
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
New investment commitments:
Gross originations (1)
$
6,516.6
$
4,240.9
$
4,269.9
Less: Syndications/sell downs (1)
5,558.0
3,156.7
3,152.5
Total new investment commitments
$
958.6
$
1,084.2
$
1,117.4
Principal amount of investments funded:
First-lien
$
753.4
$
761.7
$
1,022.1
Second-lien
8.4
-
43.5
Mezzanine
32.2
-
6.1
Equity and other
12.8
44.8
-
Structured Credit
1.6
57.5
45.7
Total
$
808.4
$
864.0
$
1,117.4
Principal amount of investments sold or repaid:
First-lien
$
460.3
$
645.4
$
962.6
Second-lien
-
-
5.8
Mezzanine
-
-
-
Equity and other
6.0
4.3
31.7
Structured Credit
2.8
4.1
4.4
Total
$
469.1
$
653.8
$
1,004.5
Number of new investment commitments in
new portfolio companies
Average new investment commitment amount in
new portfolio companies
$
29.2
$
14.6
$
47.5
Weighted average term for new investment
commitments in new portfolio companies
(in years)
6.0
6.1
5.3
Percentage of new debt investment commitments
at floating rates
99.5
%
98.9
%
99.5
%
Weighted average interest rate of new
investment commitments
12.9
%
11.9
%
9.2
%
Weighted average spread over reference rate of new
floating rate investment commitments
7.6
%
7.8
%
9.0
%
Weighted average interest rate on investments
fully sold or paid down
13.7
%
9.9
%
9.1
%
(1) Includes affiliates of Sixth Street
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, our investments consisted of the following:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
($ in millions)
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
Amortized Cost
Fair Value
First-lien debt investments
$
2,956.1
$
2,996.2
$
2,529.3
$
2,517.9
Second-lien debt investments
51.4
36.0
42.7
40.8
Mezzanine debt investments
38.0
39.5
7.5
10.1
Equity and other investments
152.6
155.6
142.1
167.7
Structured credit investments
52.9
55.8
53.1
51.4
Total
$
3,251.0
$
3,283.1
$
2,774.7
$
2,787.9
The following tables show the fair value and amortized cost of our performing and non-accrual investments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
($ in millions)
Fair Value
Percentage
Fair Value
Percentage
Performing
$
3,262.4
99.4
%
$
2,787.7
100.0
%
Non-accrual (1)
20.7
0.6
0.2
0.0
Total
$
3,283.1
100.0
%
$
2,787.9
100.0
%
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
($ in millions)
Amortized Cost
Percentage
Amortized Cost
Percentage
Performing
$
3,222.9
99.1
%
$
2,772.8
99.9
%
Non-accrual (1)
28.1
0.9
1.9
0.1
Total
$
3,251.0
100.0
%
$
2,774.7
100.0
%
(1)Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when management has reasonable doubt that the borrower will pay principal or interest in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest has been paid and, in management’s judgment, the borrower is likely to make principal and interest payments in the future. Management may determine to not place a loan on non-accrual status if, notwithstanding any failure to pay, the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection. See “-Critical Accounting Policies - Interest and Dividend Income Recognition.”
The weighted average yields and interest rates of our performing debt investments at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022 were as follows:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Weighted average total yield of debt and income
producing securities (1)
14.1
%
13.5
%
Weighted average interest rate of debt and income
producing securities
13.7
%
13.1
%
Weighted average spread over reference rate of all floating
rate investments
8.3
%
8.7
%
(1)Weighted average total portfolio yield at fair value was 13.4% at December 31, 2023 and 12.8% at December 31, 2022.
The Adviser monitors our portfolio companies on an ongoing basis. The Adviser monitors the financial trends of each portfolio company to determine if it is meeting its business plans and to assess the appropriate course of action for each company. The Adviser has a number of methods of evaluating and monitoring the performance of our investments, which may include the following:
•assessment of success of the portfolio company in adhering to its business plan and compliance with covenants;
•periodic and regular contact with portfolio company management and, if appropriate, the financial or strategic sponsor, to discuss financial position, requirements and accomplishments;
•comparisons to other companies in the industry;
•attendance at, and participation in, board meetings; and
•review of monthly and quarterly financial statements and financial projections for portfolio companies.
As part of the monitoring process, the Adviser regularly assesses the risk profile of each of our investments and, on a quarterly basis, grades each investment on a risk scale of 1 to 5. Risk assessment is not standardized in our industry and our risk assessment may not be comparable to ones used by our competitors. Our assessment is based on the following categories:
•An investment is rated 1 if, in the opinion of the Adviser, it is performing as agreed and there are no concerns about the portfolio company’s performance or ability to meet covenant requirements. For these investments, the Adviser generally prepares monthly reports on investment performance and intensive quarterly asset reviews.
•An investment is rated 2 if it is performing as agreed, but, in the opinion of the Adviser, there may be concerns about the company’s operating performance or trends in the industry. For these investments, in addition to monthly reports and quarterly asset reviews, the Adviser also researches any areas of concern with the objective of early intervention with the portfolio company.
•An investment will be assigned a rating of 3 if it is paying its obligations to us as agreed but a material covenant violation is expected. For these investments, in addition to monthly reports and quarterly asset reviews, the Adviser also adds the investment to its “watch list” and researches any areas of concern with the objective of early intervention with the portfolio company.
•An investment will be assigned a rating of 4 if a material covenant has been violated, but the company is making its scheduled payments on its obligations to us. For these investments, the Adviser generally prepares a bi-monthly asset review email and generally has monthly meetings with the portfolio company’s senior management. For investments where there have been material defaults, including bankruptcy filings, failures to achieve financial performance requirements or failure to maintain liquidity or loan-to-value requirements, the Adviser often will take immediate action to protect its position. These remedies may include negotiating for additional collateral, modifying investment terms or structure, or payment of amendment and waiver fees.
•A rating of 5 indicates an investment is in default on its interest and/or principal payments. For these investments, our Adviser reviews the investments on a bi-monthly basis and, where possible, pursues workouts that achieve an early resolution to avoid further deterioration of our investment. The Adviser retains legal counsel and takes actions to preserve our rights, which may include working with the portfolio company to have the default cured, to have the investment restructured or to have the investment repaid through a consensual workout.
The following table shows the distribution of our investments on the 1 to 5 investment performance rating scale at fair value as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. Investment performance ratings are accurate only as of those dates and may change due to subsequent developments relating to a portfolio company’s business or financial condition, market conditions or developments, and other factors.
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Investment
Investments at
Investments at
Performance
Fair Value
Percentage of
Fair Value
Percentage of
Rating
($ in millions)
Total Portfolio
($ in millions)
Total Portfolio
$
2,939.1
89.5
%
$
2,472.8
88.7
%
196.6
6.0
293.6
10.5
126.7
3.9
21.3
0.8
-
-
-
-
20.7
0.6
0.2
0.0
Total
$
3,283.1
100.0
%
$
2,787.9
100.0
%
Results of Operations
Operating results for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
Year Ended
($ in millions)
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Total investment income
$
438.1
$
309.3
$
278.6
Less: Net expenses
239.3
140.4
135.8
Net investment income before income taxes
198.8
168.9
142.8
Less: Income taxes, including excise taxes
2.4
2.6
0.4
Net investment income
196.4
166.3
142.4
Net realized gains (losses) (1)
12.4
16.7
28.9
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) (1)
13.2
(74.9
)
40.5
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$
222.0
$
108.1
$
211.8
(1)Includes foreign exchange hedging activity.
Investment Income
For the Year Ended December 31,
($ in millions)
Interest from investments
$
418.8
$
297.6
$
266.7
Dividend income
4.2
2.2
4.2
Other income
15.1
9.5
7.7
Total investment income
$
438.1
$
309.3
$
278.6
Interest from investments, which includes amortization of upfront fees and prepayment fees, increased from $297.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $418.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in interest from investments was primarily the result of an increase in interest earned due to an increase in reference rates for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022 and a larger average portfolio size for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. Dividend income increased from $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 due to increased investments in dividend yielding securities in 2023. Other income increased from $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $15.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, primarily due to increased amendment and other miscellaneous fees earned during 2023.
Interest from investments, which includes amortization of upfront fees and prepayment fees, increased from $266.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $297.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to an increase in interest rates and total assets outstanding for the year ended December 31, 2022 compared to the same period in 2021. Dividend income decreased from $4.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $2.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 due to decreased investment in dividend yielding securities in 2022. Other income increased from $7.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $9.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, primarily due to increased amendment and other miscellaneous fees earned during 2022.
Expenses
Operating expenses for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
For the Year Ended December 31,
($ in millions)
Interest
$
133.7
$
63.0
$
38.8
Management fees (net of waivers)
45.2
39.5
36.9
Incentive fees related to pre-incentive fee net investment
income (net of waivers)
42.6
33.4
33.1
Incentive fees related to realized/unrealized capital gains
4.4
(8.9
)
13.5
Professional fees
7.3
7.2
6.6
Directors fees
0.8
0.7
0.7
Other general and administrative
5.3
5.5
6.2
Net Expenses
$
239.3
$
140.4
$
135.8
Interest
Interest expense, including other debt financing expenses, increased from $63.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $133.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the average interest rate on our debt outstanding and an increase in the average debt outstanding from $1,342.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $1,705.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The average interest rate on our debt outstanding increased from 3.9% for the year ended December 31, 2022 to 7.3% for the year ended December 31, 2023 due to a change in the mix of our debt financing sources and a change in SOFR rates.
Interest expense, including other debt financing expenses, increased from $38.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $63.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. This increase was primarily due to an increase in the average interest rate on our debt outstanding and an increase in the average debt outstanding from $1,223.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $1,342.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. The average interest rate on our debt outstanding increased from 2.3% for the year ended December 31, 2021 to 3.9% for the year ended December 31, 2022 due to a change in the mix of our debt financing sources and a change in SOFR rates.
Management Fees
Management Fees (gross of waivers) increased from $39.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $46.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 due to an increase in average assets. Management Fees (net of waivers) increased from $39.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $45.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Management Fees waived were $1.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, pursuant to the Leverage Waiver. Management Fees waived were $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 pursuant to the Leverage Waiver. Any waived management fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.
Management Fees (gross of waivers) increased from $37.1 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $39.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 due to an increase in average total assets. Management Fees (net of waivers) increased from $36.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $39.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022. Management Fees waived were $0.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022, pursuant to the Leverage Waiver. Management Fees waived were $0.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Incentive Fees
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Incentive Fees were $47.0 million, $24.5 million and $46.6 million, respectively, of which $42.6 million, $33.4 million, and $33.1 million, respectively, were realized and payable to the Adviser. The increase in Incentive Fees from 2022 to 2023 was primarily due to an increase in reference rates and a larger average portfolio size for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the same period in 2022. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, $4.4 million, $(8.9) million, and $13.5 million, respectively, of Incentive Fees were accrued related to Capital Gains Fees. As of December 31, 2023, these accrued Incentive Fees are not contractually payable to the Adviser.
Professional Fees and Other General and Administrative Expenses
Professional fees increased from $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $7.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 due to higher legal fees and higher independent third-party valuation firm and sub-agent administration costs due to a larger portfolio. Other general and administrative fees decreased from $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 to $5.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily driven by a decrease in administrative services incurred under the Administration Agreement.
Professional fees increased from $6.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $7.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 due to higher legal fees and higher independent third-party valuation firm and sub-agent administration costs due to a larger portfolio. Other general and administrative fees decreased from $6.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2021 to $5.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2022 primarily driven by a decrease in administrative services incurred under the Administration Agreement.
Income Taxes, Including Excise Taxes
We have elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, and we intend to operate in a manner so as to continue to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, distribute to our stockholders in each taxable year generally at least 90% of our investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, and net tax-exempt income for that taxable year. To maintain our RIC status, we, among other things, have made and intend to continue to make the requisite distributions to our stockholders, which generally relieve us from corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes.
Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, we can be expected to carry forward taxable income (including net capital gains, if any) in excess of current year dividend distributions from the current tax year into the next tax year and pay a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax on such taxable income, as required. To the extent that we determine that our estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of estimated current year dividend distributions from such income, we accrue excise tax on estimated excess taxable income.
For the calendar years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 we recorded a net expense of $2.4 million, $2.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax and other taxes.
Net Realized and Unrealized Gains and Losses
The following table summarizes our net realized and unrealized gains (losses) for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
For the Years Ended December 31,
($ in millions)
Net realized gains (losses) on investments
$
12.2
$
14.7
$
28.8
Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency transactions
0.2
(0.1
)
0.1
Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency investments
(0.5
)
(0.7
)
(3.4
)
Net realized gains (losses) on foreign currency borrowings
0.5
0.5
3.4
Net realized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps
-
2.3
-
Net Realized Gains (Losses)
$
12.4
$
16.7
$
28.9
Change in unrealized gains on investments
$
75.3
$
22.3
$
97.7
Change in unrealized (losses) on investments
(56.4
)
(98.7
)
(48.0
)
Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) on
Investments
$
18.9
$
(76.4
)
$
49.7
Unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency borrowings
(6.0
)
8.4
(0.6
)
Unrealized gains (losses) on foreign currency cash
(0.3
)
0.3
0.0
Unrealized gains (losses) on interest rate swaps
0.1
(6.6
)
(6.7
)
Income tax provision on unrealized gains (losses)
0.5
(0.6
)
(1.9
)
Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses) on Foreign
Currency Transactions and Interest Rate Swaps
$
(5.7
)
$
1.5
$
(9.2
)
Net Change in Unrealized Gains (Losses)
$
13.2
$
(74.9
)
$
40.5
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we had net realized gains on investments of $12.2 million, net realized gains on investments of $14.7 million and net realized gains on investments of $28.8 million, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had net realized gains of $0.2 million, and for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had net realized losses of $0.1 million and net realized gains of $0.1 million, respectively, on foreign currency transactions, primarily as a result of translating foreign currency related to our non-USD denominated investments. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we had net realized losses on foreign currency investments of $0.5 million, $0.7 million and $3.4 million, respectively. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, and 2021, we had net realized gains on foreign currency borrowings of $0.5 million, $0.5 million and $3.4 million, respectively. The net realized gains on foreign currency borrowings were a result of payments on our revolving credit facility. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, there was no net realized gain or loss, a net realized gain of $2.3 million and no net realized gain or loss, respectively, on interest rate swaps.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had $75.3 million in unrealized gains on 130 portfolio company investments, which was offset by $56.4 million in unrealized losses on 21 portfolio company investments. Unrealized gains for the year ended December 31, 2023 resulted from an increase in fair value, primarily due to positive valuation adjustments, unwind of prior period unrealized losses, and changes in credit spreads. Unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2023 resulted from the reversal of prior period unrealized gains due to realizations and negative credit-related adjustments.
For the year ended December 31, 2022, we had $22.3 million in unrealized gains on 26 portfolio company investments, which was offset by $98.7 million in unrealized losses on 106 portfolio company investments. Unrealized gains for the year ended December 31, 2022 resulted from an increase in fair value, primarily due to positive valuation adjustments, unwind of prior period unrealized losses, and changes in credit spreads. Unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2022 resulted from the reversal of prior period unrealized gains due to realizations, negative credit-related adjustments and changes in credit spreads.
For the year ended December 31, 2021, we had $97.7 million in unrealized gains on 47 portfolio company investments, which was offset by $48.0 million in unrealized losses on 44 portfolio company investments. Unrealized gains for the year ended December 31, 2021 resulted from an increase in fair value, primarily due to positive valuation adjustments, unwind of prior period unrealized losses, and changes in credit spreads. Unrealized losses for the year ended December 31, 2021 resulted from the reversal of prior period unrealized gains due to realizations and negative credit-related adjustments.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, we had unrealized losses on foreign currency borrowings of $6.0 million, primarily as a result of fluctuations in the AUD, CAD, GBP and EUR exchange rates. For the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021, we had an unrealized gain on foreign currency borrowings of $8.4 million and an unrealized loss on foreign currency borrowings of $0.6 million,
respectively, primarily as a result of fluctuations in the AUD, CAD, GBP and EUR exchange rates. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we had unrealized losses of $0.3 million, an unrealized gain of $0.3 million, and an unrealized gain of less than $0.1 million, respectively, on foreign currency cash. For the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we had unrealized gains on interest rate swaps of $0.1 million, an unrealized loss on interest swaps of $6.7 million and an unrealized loss on interest swaps of $6.7 million, respectively, due to fluctuations in interest rates.
As of December 31, 2023, we had a deferred tax liability of $2.8 million pertaining to net unrealized gains, related to seven of its investments. Given the unrealized gains generated by this entity, the deferred tax liability has been offset by a deferred tax asset of $0.9 million pertaining to operating losses. We recorded a current tax expense of $0.1 million and a deferred tax benefit of $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2022, we had a deferred tax liability of $3.3 million pertaining to net unrealized gains, related to eight of its investments. Given the unrealized gains generated by this entity, the deferred tax liability has been offset by a deferred tax asset of $0.8 million pertaining to operating losses.
As of December 31, 2021, we had a deferred tax liability of $2.8 million pertaining to net unrealized gains, related to six of its investments. Given the unrealized gains generated by the entity, the deferred tax liability has been offset by a deferred tax asset of $0.9 million pertaining to operating losses. We carried back a portion of its operating losses to the previous tax years generating a $0.3 million tax refund.
Realized Gross Internal Rate of Return
Since we began investing in 2011 through December 31, 2023, weighted by capital invested, our exited investments have generated an average realized gross internal rate of return to us of 17.4% (based on total capital invested of $7.0 billion and total proceeds from these exited investments of $8.9 billion). Ninety percent of these exited investments resulted in a realized gross internal rate of return to us of 10% or greater.
Gross IRR, with respect to an investment, is calculated based on the dates that we invested capital and dates we received distributions, regardless of when we made distributions to our stockholders. Initial investments are assumed to occur at time zero, and all cash flows are deemed to occur on the fifteenth of each month in which they occur.
Gross IRR reflects historical results relating to our past performance and is not necessarily indicative of our future results. In addition, gross IRR does not reflect the effect of Management Fees, expenses, Incentive Fees or taxes borne, or to be borne, by us or our stockholders, and would be lower if it did.
Average gross IRR is the average of the gross IRR for each of our exited investments (each calculated as described above), weighted by the total capital invested for each of those investments.
Average gross IRR on our exited investments reflects only invested and realized cash amounts as described above, and does not reflect any unrealized gains or losses in our portfolio.
Internal rate of return, or IRR, is a measure of our discounted cash flows (inflows and outflows). Specifically, IRR is the discount rate at which the net present value of all cash flows is equal to zero. That is, IRR is the discount rate at which the present value of total capital invested in each of our investments is equal to the present value of all realized returns from that investment. Our IRR calculations are unaudited.
Capital invested, with respect to an investment, represents the aggregate cost basis allocable to the realized or unrealized portion of the investment, net of any upfront fees paid at closing for the term loan portion of the investment. Capital invested also includes realized losses on hedging activity, with respect to an investment, which represents any inception-to-date realized losses on foreign currency forward contracts allocable to the investment, if any.
Realized returns, with respect to an investment, represents the total cash received with respect to each investment, including all amortization payments, interest, dividends, prepayment fees, upfront fees, administrative fees, agent fees, amendment fees, accrued interest, and other fees and proceeds. Realized returns also include realized gains on hedging activity, with respect to an investment, which represents any inception-to-date realized gains on foreign currency forward contracts allocable to the investment, if any.
Interest Rate and Foreign Currency Hedging
We use interest rate swaps to hedge our fixed rate debt and certain fixed rate investments. We have designated certain interest rate swaps to be in a hedge accounting relationship. See Note 2 for additional disclosure regarding our accounting for derivative
instruments designated in a hedge accounting relationship. See Note 5 for additional disclosure regarding these derivative instruments and the interest payments paid and received. See Note 7 for additional disclosure regarding the carrying value of our debt.
Our current approach to hedging the foreign currency exposure in our non-U.S. dollar denominated investments is primarily to borrow the par amount in local currency under our Revolving Credit Facility to fund these investments. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, we had $6.0 million of unrealized losses, $8.4 million of unrealized gains and $0.6 million of unrealized losses, respectively, on the translation of our non-U.S. dollar denominated debt into U.S. dollars; such amounts approximate the corresponding unrealized gains and losses on the translation of our non-U.S. dollar denominated investments into U.S. dollars for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021. See Note 2 for additional disclosure regarding our accounting for foreign currency. See Note 7 for additional disclosure regarding the amounts of outstanding debt denominated in each foreign currency at December 31, 2023. See our Consolidated Schedule of Investments for additional disclosure regarding the foreign currency amounts (in both par and fair value) of our non-U.S. dollar denominated investments.
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our liquidity and capital resources are derived primarily from proceeds from equity issuances, advances from our credit facilities, and cash flows from operations. The primary uses of our cash and cash equivalents are:
•investments in portfolio companies and other investments and to comply with certain portfolio diversification requirements;
•the cost of operations (including paying our Adviser);
•debt service, repayment, and other financing costs; and
•cash dividends to the holders of our shares.
We intend to continue to generate cash primarily from cash flows from operations, future borrowings and future offerings of securities. We may from time to time enter into additional debt facilities, increase the size of existing facilities or issue debt securities. Any such incurrence or issuance would be subject to prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual and regulatory restrictions and other factors. In accordance with the 1940 Act, with certain limited exceptions, we are only allowed to incur borrowings, issue debt securities or issue preferred stock if immediately after the borrowing or issuance our ratio of total assets (less total liabilities other than indebtedness) to total indebtedness plus preferred stock, is at least 150%. For more information, see “Key Components of Our Results of Operations - Leverage” above. As of December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, our asset coverage ratio was 181.6%, 188.6%, and 205.4%, respectively. We carefully consider our unfunded commitments for the purpose of planning our capital resources and ongoing liquidity, including our financial leverage. Further, we maintain sufficient borrowing capacity within the 150% asset coverage limitation under the 1940 Act and the asset coverage limitation under our credit facilities to cover any outstanding unfunded commitments we are required to fund.
Cash and cash equivalents as of December 31, 2023, taken together with cash available under our credit facilities, is expected to be sufficient for our investing activities and to conduct our operations in the near term. As of December 31, 2023, we had approximately $0.8 billion of availability on our Revolving Credit Facility, subject to asset coverage limitations.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $25.2 million in cash and cash equivalents, including $24.0 million of restricted cash. During the year ended December 31, 2023, cash used in operating activities was $236.8 million, primarily attributable to funding portfolio investments of $943.5 million and other operating activity of $30.0 million, which was partially offset by repayments and proceeds from investments of $514.7 million and an increase in net assets resulting from operations of $222.0 million. Cash provided by financing activities was $236.3 million during the period due to borrowings of $1,546.2 million and proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering and underwriting costs of $89.2 million, which was partially offset by paydowns on our Revolving Credit Facility of $1,233.3 million, dividends paid of $156.4 million and deferred financing costs of $9.4 million.
As of December 31, 2022, we had $25.6 million in cash and cash equivalents, including $15.4 million of restricted cash. During the year ended December 31, 2022, cash used in operating activities was $224.5 million, primarily attributable to funding portfolio investments of $995.6 million, and other operating activity of $36.2 million which was partially offset by repayments and proceeds from investments of $699.3 million and an increase in net assets resulting from operations of $108.0 million. Cash provided by financing activities was $234.2 million during the period due to borrowings of $1,329.8 million and proceeds from the issuance of common stock as settlement of a portion of the 2022 Convertible Notes at maturity of $77.6 million, which was partially offset by paydowns on our Revolving Credit Facility of $918.1 million, dividends paid of $144.3 million, settlement of $100.0 million of principal on the 2022 Convertible Notes, repurchases of common stock of $6.2 million, and deferred financing costs of $4.3 million.
As of December 31, 2021, we had $16.0 million in cash and cash equivalents, including $14.4 million of restricted cash. During the year ended December 31, 2021, we provided $2.5 million in cash from operating activities as a result of repayments and proceeds
from investments of $1,088.8 million and an increase in net assets resulting from operations of $211.8 million, which was partially offset by funding portfolio investments of $1,198.9 million, and other operating activity of $99.2 million. Lastly, cash provided by financing activities was $0.2 million during the period, consisting of borrowings of $1,616.7 million (including net proceeds of $293.7 million from the issuance of our 2026 Notes), proceeds from the issuance of common stock, net of offering and underwriting costs, of $85.9 million, and proceeds from the issuance of common stock for the settlement of a portion of the 2022 Convertible Notes of $42.3 million, which was partially offset by paydowns on our Revolving Credit Facility of $1,472.0 million, dividends paid of $221.9 million, settlement of $42.8 million of principal on the 2022 Convertible Notes, and deferred financing costs of $8.0 million.
As of December 31, 2023, we had $24.0 million restricted cash pledged as collateral under our interest rate swap agreements, compared to $15.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2022.
Equity
In February 2021, we issued a total of 4,000,000 shares of common stock at $21.30 per share. Net of underwriting fees and offering costs, we received total cash proceeds of $84.9 million. Subsequent to the offering we issued an additional 49,689 shares on March 24, 2021 pursuant to the overallotment option granted to underwriters and received, net of underwriting fees, total cash proceeds of $1.0 million.
In December 2021, we issued a total of 2,324,820 shares of common stock, or $42.3 million, as settlement for the conversion of $42.8 million principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes.
In August 2022, we issued a total of 4,360,125 share of common stock, or $77.6 million, as settlement for the conversion of $79.2 million principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes.
In May 2023, we issued a total of 4,500,000 shares of common stock at $17.33 per share. Net of underwriting fees and offering costs, we received total cash proceeds of $77.6 million. Subsequent to the offering we issued an additional 675,000 shares on June 12, 2023 pursuant to the overallotment option granted to underwriters and received, net of underwriting fees, total cash proceeds of $11.7 million.
During the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, we issued 1,265,212 and 1,625,826 shares of our common stock, respectively, to investors who have not opted out of our dividend reinvestment plan for proceeds of $23.5 million and $30.5 million, respectively.
On August 4, 2015, our Board authorized us to acquire up to $50 million in aggregate of our common stock from time to time over an initial six month period, and has continued to authorize the refreshment of the $50 million amount authorized under and extension of the stock repurchase program prior to its expiration since that time, most recently as of May 8, 2023. The amount and timing of stock repurchases under the program may vary depending on market conditions, and no assurance can be given that any particular amount of common stock will be repurchased.
For the year ended December 31, 2023, no shares were repurchased. For the year ended December 31, 2022, we repurchased 368,206 shares at a weighted average share price of $16.75 inclusive of commissions, for a total cost of $6.2 million.
Debt
Revolving Credit Facility
On August 23, 2012, we entered into a senior secured revolving credit agreement with Truist Bank (as a successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as administrative agent, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and certain other lenders (as amended and restated, the “Revolving Credit Facility”).
As of April 25, 2022, aggregate commitments under the facility were $1.585 billion. Pursuant to an amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility dated as of June 12, 2023 (the “Fourteenth Amendment”), the aggregate commitments under the facility were increased to $1.710 billion. The facility includes an uncommitted accordion feature that allows us, under certain circumstances, to increase the size of the facility to up to $2.0 billion.
Pursuant to the Fourteenth Amendment, with respect to $1.465 billion in commitments, the revolving period, during which period the Company, subject to certain conditions, may make borrowings under the facility, was extended to June 11, 2027 and the stated maturity date was extended to June 12, 2028. For the remaining $245.0 million of commitments, (A) with respect to $25.0 million of
commitments, the revolving period ends January 31, 2024 and the stated maturity is January 31, 2025, and (B) with respect to $50.0 million of commitments, the revolving period ends on February 4, 2025 and the stated maturity is February 4, 2026 and (C) with respect to $170.0 million of commitments, the revolving period ends April 24, 2026 and the stated maturity is April 23, 2027.
We may borrow amounts in U.S. dollars or certain other permitted currencies. As of December 31, 2023, we had outstanding debt denominated in Australian dollars (AUD) of 66.4 million, British pounds (GBP) of 32.3 million, Canadian dollars (CAD) of 96.8 million, and Euro (EUR) of 57.2 million on our Revolving Credit Facility, included in the Outstanding Principal amount in the table above. As of December 31, 2022, we had outstanding debt denominated in Australian dollars (AUD) of 69.0 million, British pounds (GBP) of 12.9 million, Canadian dollars (CAD) of 96.6 million, and Euro (EUR) of 23.4 million on its Revolving Credit Facility, included in the Outstanding Principal amount in the table above.
The Revolving Credit Facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $75 million. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million respectively in outstanding letters of credit issued through the Revolving Credit Facility. The amount available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by any letters of credit issued through the Revolving Credit Facility.
Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility, including amounts drawn in respect of letters of credit, bear interest at either the applicable reference rate plus an applicable credit spread adjustment, plus a margin of either 1.75% or 1.875%, or the base rate plus a margin of either 0.75% or 0.875%, in each case, based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the sum of the total commitments (or, if greater, the total exposure) under the Revolving Credit Facility plus certain other designated secured debt. We may elect either the applicable reference rate or base rate at the time of drawdown, and loans may be converted from one rate to another at any time, subject to certain conditions. We also pay a fee of 0.375% on undrawn amounts and, in respect of each undrawn letter of credit, a fee and interest rate equal to the then applicable margin while the letter of credit is outstanding.
The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by Sixth Street SL SPV, LLC, TC Lending, LLC and Sixth Street SL Holding, LLC. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a perfected first-priority security interest in substantially all the portfolio investments held by us and each guarantor. Proceeds from borrowings may be used for general corporate purposes, including the funding of portfolio investments.
The Revolving Credit Facility includes customary events of default, as well as customary covenants, including restrictions on certain distributions and financial covenants. In accordance with the terms of the Fourteenth Amendment, the financial covenants require:
•an asset coverage ratio of no less than 1.5 to 1 on the last day of any fiscal quarter;
•stockholders’ equity of at least $500 million plus 25% of the net proceeds of the sale of equity interests after January 31, 2020;
and
•minimum asset coverage ratio of no less than 2 to 1 with respect to (i) the consolidated assets of the Company and the subsidiary
guarantors (including certain limitations on the contribution of equity in financing subsidiaries) to (ii) the secured debt of the
Company and its subsidiary guarantors (the “Obligor Asset Coverage Ratio”).
The Revolving Credit Facility also contains certain additional concentration limits in connection with the calculation of the borrowing base, based on the Obligor Asset Coverage Ratio.
Net proceeds received from the Company’s common stock issuance in February 2023 and net proceeds received from the issuance of the 2028 Notes and 2029 Notes were used to pay down borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility.
2022 Convertible Notes
In February 2017, we issued in a private offering $115.0 million aggregate principal amount convertible notes due August 2022 (the “2022 Convertible Notes”). The 2022 Convertible Notes were issued in a private placement only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The 2022 Convertible Notes were unsecured, and bore interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semiannually. In June 2018, we issued an additional $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2022 Convertible Notes. The additional 2022 Convertible Notes were issued with identical terms, and were fungible with and were part of a single series with the previously outstanding $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of our 2022 Convertible Notes issued in February 2017. In connection with the offering of 2022 Convertible Notes in February 2017 and the reopening in June 2018, we entered into interest rate swaps to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swaps matched the amount of principal outstanding, and matured on August 1, 2022, matching the maturity date of the 2022 Convertible Notes.
On August 1, 2022, the 2022 Convertible Notes matured in accordance with the governing indenture. Holders of $79.2 million aggregate principal amount of notes provided valid notice of conversion and were subject to the combination settlement method previously elected by us, with a specified cash amount (as defined in the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes) of $20.00 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes and any additional amounts in stock based on the applicable conversion rate as described in the indenture. In accordance with the settlement method, we issued a total of 4,360,125 shares of common stock, or $77.6 million at the adjusted conversion price per share of $17.92. The remaining balance of the notes that were not converted into newly issued shares of common stock were settled with existing cash resources, including through utilization of our Revolving Credit Facility. The interest rate swaps associated with the principal amount of the notes outstanding were terminated on the date of maturity of the 2022 Convertible Notes.
2023 Notes
In January 2018, we issued $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that matured on January 22, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2023 Notes was payable at maturity. The 2023 Notes bore interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on July 22, 2018, and were redeemable in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and offering costs, were $146.9 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2023 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility. The 2023 Notes matured on January 22, 2023 and were fully repaid in cash. The swap transaction associated with the issuance of the 2023 Notes also matured on January 22, 2023.
2024 Notes
In November 2019, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2024 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2024 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.875% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on May 1, 2020, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount were $292.9 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2024 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
On February 5, 2020, we issued an additional $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2024. The additional 2024 Notes are a further issuance of, fungible with, rank equally in right of payment with and have the same terms (other than the issue date and the public offering price) as the initial issuance of 2024 Notes. Total proceeds from the issuance of the additional 2024 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue premium were $50.1 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2024 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
In connection with the 2024 Notes offering and reopening of the 2024 Notes, we entered into interest rate swaps to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the two interest rates swaps is $300.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, each of which matures on November 1, 2024, matching the maturity date of the 2024 Notes. As a result of the swaps, our effective interest rate on the 2024 Notes is three-month SOFR plus 2.54% (on a weighted average basis).
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we repurchased on the open market and extinguished $2.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes for $2.4 million. These repurchases resulted in a gain on extinguishment of debt of less than $0.1 million. This gain is included in the extinguishment of debt in the accompanying Consolidated Statements of Operations. In connection with the repurchase of the 2024 Notes, we entered into a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap with a notional amount equal to the amount of 2024 Notes repurchased, which had the effect of reducing the notional exposure of the fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps, which were entered into in connection with the issuance of the 2024 Notes, to match the remaining principal amount of the 2024 Notes outstanding. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the outstanding 2024 Notes is SOFR plus 2.54% (on a weighted average basis).
2026 Notes
On February 3, 2021, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on August 1, 2026 (the “2026 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2026 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2026 Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.50% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on August 1, 2021, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2026 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount, were $293.7 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2026 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
In connection with the issuance of the 2026 Notes, we entered into an interest rate swap to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $300.0 million, which matures on August 1, 2026, matching the maturity date of the 2026 Notes. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the 2026 Notes is SOFR plus 2.17%.
2028 Notes
On August 14, 2023, we issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on August 14, 2028 (the “2028 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2028 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2028 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.95% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on February 14, 2024, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2028 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount, were $293.9 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2028 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
In connection with the issuance of the 2028 Notes, we entered into an interest rate swap to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $300.0 million, which matures on August 14, 2028, matching the maturity date of the 2028 Notes. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the 2028 Notes is SOFR plus 2.99%.
2029 Notes
Subsequent to year end December 31, 2023, on January 8, 2024, the we issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on March 1, 2029 (the “2029 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2029 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2029 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on September 1, 2024, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2029 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount, were $341.8 million. We used the net proceeds of the 2029 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Subsequent to year end December 31, 2023, in connection with the issuance of the 2029 Notes, we entered into an interest rate swap to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $350.0 million, which matures on March 1, 2029, matching the maturity date of the 2029 Notes. As a result of the swap, our effective interest rate on the 2029 Notes is SOFR plus 2.44%.
Debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
Aggregate Principal
Outstanding
Amount
Carrying
($ in millions)
Amount Committed
Principal
Available (1)
Value (2)(3)
Revolving Credit Facility
$
1,710.0
$
889.7
$
820.2
$
874.5
2024 Notes
347.5
347.5
-
335.9
2026 Notes
300.0
300.0
-
270.9
2028 Notes
300.0
300.0
-
299.0
Total Debt
$
2,657.5
$
1,837.2
$
820.2
$
1,780.3
(1)The amount available may be subject to limitations related to the borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility, outstanding letters of credit issued and asset coverage requirements.
(2)The carrying values of the Revolving Credit Facility, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes are presented net of the combination of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts totaling $15.2 million, $1.2 million, $3.0 million and $5.7 million, respectively.
(3)The carrying values of the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes are presented inclusive of an incremental $(10.4) million, $(26.1) million and $4.7 million, which represents an adjustment in the carrying values of the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes, each resulting from a hedge accounting relationship.
December 31, 2022
Aggregate Principal
Outstanding
Amount
Carrying
($ in millions)
Amount Committed
Principal
Available (1)
Value (2)(3)
Revolving Credit Facility
$
1,585.0
$
719.3
$
865.7
$
706.2
2023 Notes
150.0
150.0
-
149.9
2024 Notes
347.5
347.5
-
325.5
2026 Notes
300.0
300.0
-
260.2
Total Debt
$
2,382.5
$
1,516.8
$
865.7
$
1,441.8
(1)The amount available may be subject to limitations related to the borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility and asset coverage requirements.
(2)The carrying values of the Revolving Credit Facility, 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes are presented net of the combination of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts totaling $13.2 million, less than $0.1 million, $2.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively.
(3)The carrying values of the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes are presented inclusive of an incremental $(19.4) million and $(35.7) million, which represents an adjustment in the carrying values of the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes, each resulting from a hedge accounting relationship.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we were in compliance with the terms of our debt arrangements. We intend to continue to utilize our credit facilities to fund investments and for other general corporate purposes.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
Portfolio Company Commitments
From time to time, we may enter into commitments to fund investments. We incorporate these commitments into our assessment of our liquidity position. Our senior secured revolving loan commitments are generally available on a borrower’s demand and may remain outstanding until the maturity date of the applicable loan. Our senior secured delayed draw term loan commitments are generally available on a borrower’s demand and, once drawn, generally have the same remaining term as the associated loan agreement. Undrawn senior secured delayed draw term loan commitments generally have a shorter availability period than the term of the associated loan agreement. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, we had the following commitments to fund investments in current portfolio companies:
($ in millions)
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Alaska Bidco Oy - Delayed Draw & Revolver
$
0.2
$
-
Alpha Midco, Inc. - Delayed Draw
0.5
0.9
American Achievement, Corp. - Revolver
2.4
2.4
Arrow Buyer, Inc. - Delayed Draw
7.6
-
Artisan Bidco, Inc - Revolver
5.7
-
ASG II, LLC - Delayed Draw
3.4
7.0
Avalara, Inc. - Revolver
3.9
3.9
Axonify, Inc. - Delayed Draw
3.4
6.1
Banyan Software Holdings, LLC - Delayed Draw
10.0
-
Bayshore Intermediate #2, L.P. - Revolver
1.9
1.6
BCTO Ace Purchaser, Inc. - Delayed Draw
0.5
6.6
BCTO Bluebill Buyer, Inc. - Delayed Draw
5.1
-
Bear OpCo, LLC - Delayed Draw
1.2
2.6
BlueSnap, Inc. - Revolver
2.5
2.5
BTRS Holdings, Inc. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
5.6
8.6
Carlstar Group, LLC - Revolver
-
8.5
Cordance Operations, LLC - Revolver
2.0
12.0
Coupa Holdings, LLC - Delayed Draw & Revolver
6.8
-
CrunchTime Information Systems, Inc. - Delayed Draw
-
7.1
Crewline Buyer, Inc. - Revolver & Partnership Interest
6.1
-
Disco Parent, Inc. - Revolver
0.5
-
Dye & Durham Corp. - Revolver
1.2
6.3
EDB Parent, LLC - Delayed Draw
11.4
18.0
Edge Bidco B.V. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
1.1
-
Elysian Finco Ltd. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
4.7
6.8
Employment Hero Holdings Pty Ltd. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
8.9
8.8
EMS Linq, Inc. - Revolver
8.8
8.8
Erling Lux Bidco SARL - Delayed Draw & Revolver
3.2
5.6
ExtraHop Networks, Inc. - Delayed Draw
9.8
17.1
Fullsteam Operations, LLC - Delayed Draw & Revolver
11.2
-
ForeScout Technologies, Inc. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
3.4
3.4
G Treasury SS, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
3.3
Galileo Parent, Inc. - Revolver
6.8
-
Hirevue, Inc. - Revolver
6.9
-
Hornetsecurity Holding GmbH - Delayed Draw & Revolver
2.1
2.0
Ibis Intermediate Co. - Delayed Draw
6.3
6.3
IRGSE Holding Corp. - Revolver
0.9
0.3
Kangaroo Bidco AS - Delayed Draw
9.4
-
Kyriba Corp. - Delayed Draw & Revolver (1)
2.5
0.0
Laramie Energy, LLC - Delayed Draw
7.7
-
LeanTaaS Holdings, Inc. - Delayed Draw
38.0
47.2
Lithium Technologies, LLC - Revolver
-
2.0
Lucidworks, Inc. - Delayed Draw
0.8
0.8
Marcura Equities LTD - Delayed Draw & Revolver
11.7
-
Murchison Oil and Gas, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
9.8
Netwrix Corp. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
13.1
13.9
Neuintel, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
4.2
OutSystems Luxco SARL - Delayed Draw
2.2
2.1
PageUp People, Ltd. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
-
5.8
Passport Labs, Inc. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
2.8
2.8
Ping Identity Holding Corp. - Revolver
2.3
2.3
PrimePay Intermediate, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
2.5
PrimeRevenue, Inc. - Revolver
6.3
6.3
Project44, Inc. - Delayed Draw
19.9
19.9
Rapid Data GmbH Unternehmensberatung - Delayed Draw & Revolver
6.3
-
ReliaQuest Holdings, LLC - Delayed Draw, Revolver & Preferred Equity
4.4
22.7
SkyLark UK DebtCo - Delayed Draw
7.1
-
SL Buyer Corp. - Delayed Draw
13.2
-
Tango Management Consulting, LLC - Delayed Draw & Revolver
11.0
26.6
TRP Assets, LLC - Delayed Draw & Membership Interest
1.0
7.8
WideOrbit, Inc. - Revolver
-
4.8
Wrangler TopCo, LLC - Revolver
0.4
-
Total Portfolio Company Commitments (2)(3)
$
316.1
$
338.0
(1)Value sums to less than $0.1 million.
(2)Represents the full amount of our commitments to fund investments on such date. Commitments may be subject to limitations on borrowings set forth in the agreements between us and the applicable portfolio company. As a result, portfolio companies may not be eligible to borrow the full commitment amount on such date.
(3)Our estimate of the fair value of the current investments in these portfolio companies includes an analysis of the fair value of any unfunded commitments.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we did not have any unfunded commitments to fund investments to new borrowers that were not current portfolio companies as of such date.
From time to time, we may become a party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of our business. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, management is not aware of any material pending or threatened litigation that would require accounting recognition or financial statement disclosure.
We have certain contracts under which we have material future commitments. Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, our Adviser provides us with investment advisory and management services. For these services, we pay the Management Fee and the Incentive Fee.
Under the Administration Agreement, our Adviser furnishes us with office facilities and equipment, provides us clerical, bookkeeping and record keeping services at such facilities and provides us with other administrative services necessary to conduct our day-to-day operations. We reimburse our Adviser for the allocable portion (subject to the review and approval of our Board) of expenses incurred by it in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions and our allocable portion of the compensation of our Chief Compliance Officer, Chief Financial Officer and other professionals who spend time on those related activities (based on a percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to our business and affairs). Our Adviser also offers on our behalf significant managerial assistance to those portfolio companies to which we are required to offer to provide such assistance.
Contractual Obligations
A summary of our contractual payment obligations as of December 31, 2023 is as follows:
Payments Due by Period
Less than
($ in millions)
Total
1 year
1-3 years
3-5 years
After 5 years
Revolving Credit Facility
$
889.7
$
-
$
-
$
889.7
$
-
2024 Notes
347.5
347.5
-
-
-
2026 Notes
300.0
-
300.0
-
-
2028 Notes
300.0
-
-
300.0
-
Total Contractual Obligations
$
1,837.2
$
347.5
$
300.0
$
1,189.7
$
-
In addition to the contractual payment obligations in the tables above, we also have commitments to fund investments and to pledge assets as collateral under the terms of our derivatives agreements.
Distributions
We have elected and qualified to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code. To maintain our RIC status, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) in each taxable year dividends for tax purposes equal to at least 90 percent of the sum of our:
•investment company taxable income (which is generally our ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses), determined without regard to the deduction for dividends paid, for such taxable year; and
•net tax-exempt interest income (which is the excess of our gross tax exempt interest income over certain disallowed deductions) for such taxable year.
As a RIC, we (but not our stockholders) generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on investment company taxable income and net capital gains that we distribute to our stockholders.
We intend to distribute annually all or substantially all of such income. To the extent that we retain our net capital gains or any investment company taxable income, we generally will be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax. We may choose to retain our net capital gains or any investment company taxable income, and pay the U.S. federal excise tax described below.
Amounts not distributed on a timely basis in accordance with a calendar year distribution requirement are subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax payable by us. To avoid this tax, we must distribute (or be treated as distributing) during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of:
•98% of our net ordinary income excluding certain ordinary gains or losses for that calendar year;
•98.2% of our capital gain net income, adjusted for certain ordinary gains and losses, recognized for the twelve-month period ending on October 31 of that calendar year; and
•100% of any income or gains recognized, but not distributed, in preceding years.
While we intend to distribute any income and capital gains in the manner necessary to minimize imposition of the 4% U.S. federal excise tax, sufficient amounts of our taxable income and capital gains may not be distributed to avoid entirely the imposition of this tax. In that event, we will be liable for this tax only on the amount by which we do not meet the foregoing distribution requirement.
We intend to pay quarterly dividends to our stockholders out of assets legally available for distribution. All dividends will be paid at the discretion of our Board and will depend on our earnings, financial condition, maintenance of our RIC status, compliance with applicable BDC regulations and such other factors as our Board may deem relevant from time to time.
To the extent our current taxable earnings for a year fall below the total amount of our distributions for that year, a portion of those distributions may be deemed a return of capital to our stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Thus, the source of a distribution to our stockholders may be the original capital invested by the stockholder rather than our income or gains. Stockholders should read any written disclosure carefully and should not assume that the source of any distribution is our ordinary income or gains.
We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a cash dividend or other distribution, each stockholder that has not “opted out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their dividends or distributions automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock rather than receiving cash dividends. Stockholders who receive distributions in the form of shares of common stock will be subject to the same U.S. federal, state and local tax consequences as if they received cash distributions.
Related-Party Transactions
We have entered into a number of business relationships with affiliated or related parties, including the following:
•the Investment Advisory Agreement;
•the Administration Agreement; and
•an ongoing agreement with an affiliate of TPG Global, LLC governing, inter alia, the parties’ respective ownership of and rights
to use the “Sixth Street” and “TPG” trademarks and certain variations thereof.
Critical Accounting Estimates
The preparation of our consolidated financial statements requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues, and expenses. Changes in the economic environment, financial markets, and any other parameters used in determining such estimates could cause actual results to differ. Our critical accounting policies, including those relating to the valuation of our investment portfolio, are described below. The critical accounting policies should be read in connection with our risk factors as disclosed in “ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.”
Investments at Fair Value
Loan originations are recorded on the date of the binding commitment, which is generally the funding date. Investment transactions purchased through the secondary markets are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds received (excluding prepayment fees, if any) and the amortized cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized, and include investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. The net change in unrealized gains or losses primarily reflects the change in investment values and also includes the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses with respect to investments realized during the period.
Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at those market quotations. To validate market quotations, we utilize a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and number of the quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available, as is the case for substantially all of our investments, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board, based on, among
other things, the input of the Adviser, our Audit Committee and independent third-party valuation firms engaged at the direction of the Board.
As part of the valuation process, the Board takes into account relevant factors in determining the fair value of our investments, including and in combination of:
•the estimated enterprise value of a portfolio company (that is, the total value of the portfolio company’s net debt and equity);
•the nature and realizable value of any collateral;
•the portfolio company’s ability to make payments based on its earnings and cash flow;
•the markets in which the portfolio company does business;
•a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to any similar publicly traded securities; and
•overall changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future.
When an external event, such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, the Board considers whether the pricing indicated by the external event corroborates our valuation.
The Board undertakes a multi-step valuation process, which includes, among other procedures, the following:
•The valuation process begins with each investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment in conjunction with the portfolio management team.
•The Adviser’s management reviews the preliminary valuations with the investment professionals. Agreed-upon valuation recommendations are presented to the Audit Committee.
•The Audit Committee reviews the valuations presented and recommends values for each investment to the Board.
•The Board reviews the recommended valuations and determines the fair value of each investment; valuations that are not based on readily available market quotations are valued in good faith based on, among other things, the input of the Adviser, Audit Committee and, where applicable, other third parties, including independent third party valuation firms engaged at the direction of the Board.
We conduct this valuation process on a quarterly basis.
The Board has engaged independent third-party valuation firms to perform certain limited procedures that the Board has identified and requested them to perform in connection with the valuation process of investments for which no market quotations are readily available. At December 31, 2023, the independent third-party valuation firms performed their procedures over substantially all of our investments. Upon completion of such limited procedures, the third-party valuation firms determined that the fair value, as determined by the Board, of those investments subjected to their limited procedures, appeared reasonable.
We apply Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC Topic 820”), as amended, which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and required disclosures of fair value measurements. ASC Topic 820 determines fair value to be the price that would be received for an investment in a current sale, which assumes an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal or most advantageous market (which may be a hypothetical market) that are independent, knowledgeable, and willing and able to transact. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, we consider our principal market to be the market that has the greatest volume and level of activity. ASC Topic 820 specifies a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in determination of fair value. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, these levels are summarized below:
•Level 1-Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access.
•Level 2-Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
•Level 3-Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur. In addition to using the above inputs in investment valuations, we apply the valuation policy approved by our Board that is consistent with ASC Topic 820. Consistent with the valuation policy, we evaluate the source of inputs, including any markets in which our investments are trading (or any markets in which securities with similar attributes are trading), in determining fair value. When a security is valued based on prices provided by reputable dealers or pricing services (that is, broker quotes), we subject those prices to various additional criteria in making the determination as to whether a particular investment would qualify for treatment as a Level 2 or Level 3 investment. For example, we review pricing and methodologies provided by dealers or pricing services in order to determine if observable market information is being used, versus unobservable inputs. Some additional factors considered include the number of prices obtained, as well as an assessment as to their quality, such as the depth of the relevant market relative to the size of the Company’s position.
Our accounting policy on the fair value of our investments is critical because the determination of fair value involves subjective judgments and estimates. Accordingly, the notes to our consolidated financial statements express the uncertainty with respect to the possible effect of these valuations, and any change in these valuations, on the consolidated financial statements.
See Note 6 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K for more information on the fair value of our investments.
Interest and Dividend Income Recognition
Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes the amortization of discounts and premiums. Discounts and premiums to par value on securities purchased or originated are amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the respective security using the effective interest method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts and premiums, if any.
Unless providing services in connection with an investment, such as syndication, structuring or diligence, all or a portion of any loan fees received by us will be deferred and amortized over the investment’s life using the effective interest method.
Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when management has reasonable doubt that the borrower will pay principal or interest in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest has been paid and, in management’s judgment, the borrower is likely to make principal and interest payments in the future. Management may determine to not place a loan on non-accrual status if, notwithstanding any failure to pay, the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.
Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded on an 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 securities is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly traded portfolio companies.
Our accounting policy on interest and dividend income recognition is critical because it involves the primary source of our revenue and accordingly is significant to the financial results as disclosed in our consolidated financial statements.
U.S. Federal Income Taxes
We have elected to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act. We also have elected to be treated as a RIC under the Code. So long as we maintain our status as a RIC, we will generally not pay corporate-level U.S. federal income or excise taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that we distribute at least annually to our stockholders as dividends. As a result, any tax liability related to income earned and distributed by us represents obligations of our stockholders and will not be reflected in our consolidated financial statements.
We evaluate tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing our financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are reversed and recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. All penalties and interest associated with income taxes are included in income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. As of December 31, 2023, we did not have any uncertain tax positions that met the recognition or measurement criteria, nor did we have any unrecognized tax benefits. Our 2022, 2021 and 2020 tax year returns remain subject to examination by the relevant federal, state, and local tax authorities.
Our accounting policy on income taxes is critical because if we are unable to maintain our status as a RIC, we would be required to record a provision for corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes which may be significant to our financial results.

---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are subject to financial market risks, including valuation risk, interest rate risk and currency risk.
Valuation Risk
We have invested, and plan to continue to invest, primarily in illiquid debt and equity securities of private companies. Most of our investments will not have a readily available market price, and we value these investments at fair value as determined in good faith by our Board in accordance with our valuation policy. There is no single standard for determining fair value. As a result, determining fair value requires that judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments we make. If we were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, we may realize amounts that are different from the amounts presented and such differences could be material.
Interest Rate Risk
Interest rate sensitivity refers to the change in earnings that may result from changes in the level of interest rates. We also fund portions of our investments with borrowings. Our net investment income is affected by the difference between the rate at which we invest and the rate at which we borrow. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that a significant change in market interest rates will not have a material adverse effect on our net investment income.
We regularly measure our exposure to interest rate risk. We assess interest rate risk and manage our interest rate exposure on an ongoing basis by comparing our interest rate-sensitive assets to our interest rate-sensitive liabilities. Based on that review, we determine whether or not any hedging transactions are necessary to mitigate exposure to changes in interest rates.
As of December 31, 2023, 99.7% of our debt investments based on fair value in our portfolio bore interest at floating rates, with 100% of these subject to interest rate floors. Our credit facilities also bear interest at floating rates, and in connection with our 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes, which bear interest at fixed rates, we entered into fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps in order to align the interest rates of our liabilities with our investment portfolio.
Assuming that our Consolidated Balance Sheet as of December 31, 2023 were to remain constant and that we took no actions to alter our existing interest rate sensitivity, the following table shows the annualized impact of hypothetical base rate changes in interest rates (considering interest rate floors for floating rate instruments):
($ in millions)
Basis Point Change
Interest Income
Interest Expense
Net Interest Income
Up 300 basis points
$
93.7
$
55.1
$
38.6
Up 200 basis points
$
62.5
$
36.7
$
25.8
Up 100 basis points
$
31.2
$
18.4
$
12.8
Down 25 basis points
$
(7.8
)
$
(4.6
)
$
(3.2
)
Down 50 basis points
$
(15.6
)
$
(9.2
)
$
(6.4
)
Although we believe that this analysis is indicative of our existing sensitivity to interest rate changes, it does not adjust for changes in the credit market, credit quality, the size and composition of the assets in our portfolio and other business developments that could affect our net income. Accordingly, we cannot assure you that actual results would not differ materially from the analysis above.
We 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 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.
Currency Risk
From time to time, we may make investments that are denominated in a foreign currency. These investments are translated into U.S. dollars at each balance sheet date, exposing us to movements in foreign exchange rates. 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 seek to utilize instruments such as, but not limited to, forward contracts to seek to hedge against fluctuations in the relative values of our portfolio positions from changes in currency exchange rates. We also have the ability to borrow in certain foreign currencies under our Revolving Credit Facility. Instead of entering into a foreign exchange forward contract in connection with loans or other investments we have made that are denominated in a foreign currency, we may borrow in that currency to establish a natural hedge against our loan or investment. To the extent the loan or investment is based on a floating rate other than a rate under which we can borrow under our Revolving Credit Facility, we may seek to utilize interest rate derivatives to hedge our exposure to changes in the associated rate.

---

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
SIXTH STREET SPECIALTY LENDING, INC.
INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Consolidated Balance Sheets as of December 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Operations for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Schedules of Investments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
To the Stockholders and Board of Directors
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.:
Opinions on the Consolidated Financial Statements and Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
We have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. and subsidiaries (the Company), including the consolidated schedules of investments, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the related consolidated statements of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, and the related notes (collectively, the consolidated financial statements). We also have audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements referred to above present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, and the results of its operations, changes in its net assets, and its cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December 31, 2023, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Also in our opinion, the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023 based on criteria established in Internal Control - Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
Basis for Opinions
The Company’s management is responsible for these consolidated financial statements, for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting, and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting, included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s consolidated financial statements and an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.
We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audits to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud, and whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects.
Our audits of the consolidated financial statements included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the consolidated financial statements. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, by correspondence with custodians, agents, the underlying investees or by other appropriate auditing procedures. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Our audit of internal control over financial reporting included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, and testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk. Our audits also included performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinions.
Definition and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
A company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Critical Audit Matter
The critical audit matter communicated below is a matter arising from the current period audit of the consolidated financial statements that was communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relates to accounts or disclosures that are material to the consolidated financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective, or complex judgments. The communication of a critical audit matter does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matter below, providing a separate opinion on the critical audit matter or on the accounts or disclosures to which it relates.
Assessment of the fair value of investments
As discussed in Notes 2, 4, and 6 to the consolidated financial statements, the Company classified $3.21 billion of its debt and equity investments as Level 3 in the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2023 as the fair value of such investments was measured using unobservable inputs. The Company typically determines the fair value of performing debt investments utilizing a yield analysis where a price is ascribed for each investment based upon an assessment of market yields for similar investments and, for its equity investments, multiples of similar companies’ revenues, earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization or some combination thereof and comparable market transactions.
We identified the assessment of the fair value of Level 3 debt and equity investments as a critical audit matter because evaluating the assumptions used to measure fair value involved a high degree of subjective auditor judgment and changes in these assumptions could have had a significant impact on the investments’ estimated fair value. Specifically, the assumptions related to market yields for investments with similar terms and risks used in yield analyses, comparable financial performance multiples, and expected lives used in discounted cash flow analyses required subjective auditor judgment.
The following are the primary procedures we performed to address this critical audit matter. We evaluated the design and tested the operating effectiveness of certain internal controls related to the Company’s investment valuation process, including controls related to the determination of the market yields, financial performance multiples, and expected lives used to estimate the fair value of investments. We involved valuation professionals with specialized skills and knowledge who, for a selection of the Company’s investments, evaluated the Company’s estimate of fair value by developing an independent estimate of fair value through the use of relevant market information to develop a range of comparable financial performance multiples and market yield assumptions. We evaluated the Company’s ability to estimate fair value by comparing prior period values to prices of transactions occurring subsequent to the prior period valuation date.
/s/ KPMG LLP
We have served as the Company’s auditor since 2010.
New York, New York
February 15, 2024
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
December 31,
December 31,
Assets
Investments at fair value
Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments (amortized cost of $3,172,853 and $2,707,442, respectively)
$
3,223,152
$
2,717,170
Controlled, affiliated investments (amortized cost of $78,159 and $67,284, respectively)
59,913
70,755
Total investments at fair value (amortized cost of $3,251,012 and $2,774,726, respectively)
3,283,065
2,787,925
Cash and cash equivalents (restricted cash of $23,979 and $15,437, respectively)
25,196
25,647
Interest receivable
27,969
18,846
Prepaid expenses and other assets
7,578
4,529
Total Assets
$
3,343,808
$
2,836,947
Liabilities
Debt (net of deferred financing costs of $21,930 and $17,760, respectively)
$
1,780,307
$
1,441,796
Management fees payable to affiliate
11,962
10,526
Incentive fees on net investment income payable to affiliate
11,451
10,918
Incentive fees on net capital gains accrued to affiliate
10,446
6,064
Other payables to affiliate
2,802
3,265
Other liabilities
30,465
22,809
Total Liabilities
1,847,433
1,495,378
Commitments and contingencies (Note 8)
Net Assets
Preferred stock, $0.01 par value; 100,000,000 shares authorized; no shares
issued and outstanding
-
-
Common stock, $0.01 par value; 400,000,000 shares authorized, 88,493,749
and 82,053,537 shares issued, respectively; and 87,829,499 and 81,389,287
shares outstanding, respectively
Additional paid-in capital
1,405,173
1,294,751
Treasury stock at cost; 664,250 and 664,250 shares held, respectively
(10,459
)
(10,459
)
Distributable earnings
100,776
56,456
Total Net Assets
1,496,375
1,341,569
Total Liabilities and Net Assets
$
3,343,808
$
2,836,947
Net Asset Value Per Share
$
17.04
$
16.48
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Operations
(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
Year Ended
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Income
Investment income from non-controlled, non-affiliated investments:
Interest from investments
$
411,022
$
292,442
$
261,782
Dividend income
4,181
2,159
3,426
Other income
15,122
9,502
7,751
Total investment income from non-controlled, non-affiliated investments
430,325
304,103
272,959
Investment income from non-controlled, affiliated investments:
Interest from investments
-
Dividend income
-
-
Other income
-
-
-
Total investment income from non-controlled, affiliated investments
-
1,578
Investment income from controlled, affiliated investments:
Interest from investments
7,756
5,064
4,039
Other income
Total investment income from controlled, affiliated investments
7,762
5,069
4,056
Total Investment Income
438,087
309,305
278,593
Expenses
Interest
133,731
62,991
38,825
Management fees
46,382
39,900
37,081
Incentive fees on net investment income
42,590
33,401
33,062
Incentive fees on net capital gains
4,382
(8,864
)
13,507
Professional fees
7,323
7,192
6,586
Directors’ fees
Other general and administrative
5,280
5,427
6,236
Total expenses
240,494
140,783
136,040
Management and incentive fees waived (Note 3)
(1,171
)
(427
)
(190
)
Net Expenses
239,323
140,356
135,850
Net Investment Income Before Income Taxes
198,764
168,949
142,743
Income taxes, including excise taxes
2,365
2,622
Net Investment Income
196,399
166,327
142,359
Unrealized and Realized Gains (Losses)
Net change in unrealized gains (losses):
Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments
40,571
(70,085
)
17,938
Non-controlled, affiliated investments
-
(14,350
)
14,350
Controlled, affiliated investments
(21,717
)
8,054
17,450
Translation of other assets and liabilities in foreign currencies
(6,393
)
8,721
(591
)
Interest rate swaps
(6,748
)
(6,699
)
Income tax provision
(561
)
(1,902
)
Total net change in unrealized gains (losses)
13,191
(74,969
)
40,546
Realized gains (losses):
Non-controlled, non-affiliated investments
12,095
1,072
28,849
Non-controlled, affiliated investments
13,608
(33
)
Controlled, affiliated investments
-
-
Interest rate swaps
-
2,251
-
Foreign currency transactions
(291
)
Total net realized gains (losses)
12,433
16,695
28,875
Total Net Unrealized and Realized Gains (Losses)
25,624
(58,274
)
69,421
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
222,023
$
108,053
$
211,780
Earnings per common share-basic
$
2.61
$
1.38
$
2.93
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-basic
85,131,264
78,197,826
72,169,488
Earnings per common share-diluted
$
2.61
$
1.38
$
2.79
Weighted average shares of common stock outstanding-diluted
85,131,264
78,197,826
77,702,258
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2023
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
Company (1)
Investment
Initial
Acquisition
Date
Reference
Rate and
Spread
Interest Rate
Amortized
Cost (2)(8)
Fair Value (9)
Percentage
of Net Assets
Debt Investments
Automotive
Bestpass, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($44,800 par, due 5/2029)
5/26/2023
SOFR + 5.75%
11.11%
$
43,571
$
44,240
3.0%
Business Services
Acceo Solutions, Inc. (3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan (CAD 52,941 par, due 10/2025)
7/6/2018
C + 4.75%
10.21%
40,026
40,150
(CAD 52,941)
2.7%
Alpha Midco, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($68,885 par, due 8/2025)
8/15/2019
SOFR + 7.63%
12.97%
68,287
69,751
4.7%
Artisan Bidco, Inc.(3)
First-lien loan ($38,112 par, due 11/2029)
11/7/2023
SOFR + 7.00%
12.38%
37,250
37,563
2.5%
First-lien loan (EUR 17,735 par, due 11/2029)
11/7/2023
E + 7.00%
10.96%
18,681
19,346
(EUR 17,513)
1.3%
BCTO Ignition Purchaser,
Inc. (3)
First-lien holdco loan ($31,935 par, due 10/2030)
4/18/2023
SOFR + 9.00%
14.40% PIK
31,086
31,775
2.1%
Crewline Buyer, Inc.(3)
First-lien loan ($56,324 par, due 11/2030)
11/8/2023
SOFR + 6.75%
12.10%
54,781
55,236
3.7%
Dye & Durham Corp. (3)(4)
First-lien loan (CAD 37,874 par, due 12/2027)
12/3/2021
C + 5.75%
11.20%
28,873
28,938
(CAD 38,158)
1.9%
First-lien revolving loan (CAD 1,086 par, due 12/2026)
12/3/2021
C + 5.75%
11.20%
(CAD 1,086)
0.1%
ExtraHop Networks, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($66,197 par, due 7/2027)
7/22/2021
SOFR + 7.60%
12.96%
65,245
65,866
4.4%
ForeScout Technologies, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($5,476 par, due 8/2026)
7/1/2022
SOFR + 8.10%
13.45%
5,420
5,498
0.4%
Galileo Parent, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($64,742 par, due 5/2030)
5/3/2023
SOFR + 7.25%
12.60%
62,920
63,770
4.3%
First-lien revolving loan ($3,317 par, due 5/2029)
5/3/2023
SOFR + 7.25%
12.60%
3,048
3,166
0.2%
Hornetsecurity Holding GmbH (3)(4)
First-lien loan (EUR 3,150 par, due 11/2029)
11/14/2022
E + 6.50%
10.50%
3,154
3,536
(EUR 3,201)
0.2%
Information Clearinghouse, LLC and MS Market Service, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($17,640 par, due 12/2026)
12/20/2021
SOFR + 6.65%
12.02%
17,342
17,598
1.2%
Mitnick Corporate Purchaser, Inc. (3)(9)
First-lien loan ($329 par, due 5/2029)
5/2/2022
SOFR + 4.50%
9.98%
0.0%
Netwrix Corp. (3)
First-lien loan ($36,594 par, due 6/2029)
6/9/2022
SOFR + 5.00%
10.39%
36,074
36,842
2.4%
OutSystems Luxco SARL(3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan (EUR 3,004 par, due 12/2028)
12/8/2022
E + 5.75%
9.59%
3,091
3,332
(EUR 3,016)
0.2%
Price Fx Inc. (3)(4)
First-lien loan (EUR 910 par, due 10/2029)
10/27/2023
E + 7.00%
10.94%
(EUR 890)
0.1%
ReliaQuest Holdings, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($82,626 par, due 10/2026)
10/8/2020
SOFR + 7.25%
12.63%
81,711
83,658
5.6%
Wrangler TopCo, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($4,043,546 par, due 7/2029)
7/7/2023
SOFR + 7.50%
12.88%
4,044
4,118
0.3%
563,017
572,260
38.3%
Chemicals
Erling Lux Bidco SARL(3)(4)
First-lien loan (EUR 7,239 par, due 9/2028)
9/6/2022
E + 6.75%
10.70%
6,954
8,053
(EUR 7,290)
0.5%
First-lien loan (GBP 12,287 par, due 9/2028)
9/6/2022
S + 6.75%
11.98%
13,860
15,742
(GBP 12,349)
1.1%
First-lien revolving loan (GBP 312 par, due 9/2028)
9/6/2022
S + 6.75%
11.98%
(GBP 313)
0.0%
21,214
24,194
1.6%
Communications
Banyan Software Holdings, LLC (3)(4)
First-lien loan ($29,739 par, due 10/2026)
1/27/2023
SOFR + 7.35%
12.71%
28,771
29,739
2.0%
Celtra Technologies, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($34,038 par, due 11/2026)
11/19/2021
SOFR + 6.35%
11.71%
33,357
34,038
2.3%
IntelePeer Holdings, Inc.
First-lien loan ($33,646 par, due 12/2024) (3)
12/2/2019
SOFR + 8.40%
13.75%
33,625
33,394
2.2%
Convertible note ($4,700 par, due 5/2028)
5/12/2021
7.50%
7.50% PIK
4,674
4,994
0.3%
100,427
102,165
6.8%
Education
Astra Acquisition Corp. (3)
Second-lien loan ($43,479 par, due 10/2029)
10/22/2021
SOFR + 9.14%
14.48%
42,814
27,174
1.8%
Destiny Solutions Parent Holding Company (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($59,550 par, due 6/2026)
6/8/2021
SOFR + 5.85%
11.21%
58,858
59,252
4.0%
EMS Linq, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($56,216 par, due 12/2027)
12/22/2021
SOFR + 6.35%
11.71%
55,288
55,079
3.7%
Kangaroo Bidco AS (3)(4)
First-lien loan ($25,582 par, due 11/2030)
11/2/2023
SOFR + 7.50%
12.94%
24,621
24,794
1.7%
181,581
166,299
11.2%
Financial Services
Alaska Bidco Oy (3)(4)
First-lien loan (EUR 727 par, due 5/2030)
5/30/2023
E + 6.25%
10.39%
(EUR 720)
0.1%
BCTO Bluebill Buyer,
Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($28,640 par, due 7/2029)
7/20/2023
SOFR + 7.25%
12.60%
27,635
27,996
1.9%
BTRS Holdings, Inc.(3)
First-lien loan ($47,051 par, due 12/2028)
12/16/2022
SOFR + 8.00%
13.38%
45,931
47,168
3.2%
First-lien revolving loan ($1,205 par, due 12/2028)
12/16/2022
SOFR + 7.25%
12.63%
1,085
1,217
0.1%
Bear OpCo, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($21,392 par, due 10/2024)
10/10/2019
SOFR + 7.65%
13.01%
21,294
21,713
1.5%
BlueSnap, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($41,895 par, due 10/2025)
10/25/2019
SOFR + 7.15%
12.50%
41,516
42,117
2.8%
CLGF Holdco 2, LLC(3)(4)
First-lien loan ($3,916 par, due 11/2027)
11/7/2023
SOFR + 8.50%
13.85%
3,845
3,867
0.3%
Second-lien loan ($3,357 par, due 11/2028)
11/7/2023
SOFR + 12.00%
17.35%
3,116
3,164
0.2%
Fullsteam Operations, LLC(3)
First-lien loan ($29,663 par, due 11/2029)
11/27/2023
SOFR + 8.40%
13.78%
28,611
29,049
1.9%
Ibis Intermediate Co. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($1,201 par, due 5/2027)
5/28/2021
SOFR + 4.65%
10.04%
1,066
1,257
0.1%
Ibis US Blocker Co. (3)
First-lien loan ($15,958 par, due 5/2028)
5/28/2021
SOFR + 8.40%
13.79% PIK
15,743
15,838
1.1%
Kyriba Corp. (3)
First-lien loan ($35,634 par, due 4/2028)
12/21/2023
SOFR + 8.50%
13.87% (incl. 8.50% PIK)
34,875
34,871
2.3%
First-lien loan (EUR 10,924 par, due 4/2028)
12/21/2023
E + 8.50%
12.42% (incl. 8.50% PIK)
11,766
11,825
(EUR 10,705)
0.8%
Passport Labs, Inc.
First-lien loan ($24,603 par, due 4/2026) (3)
4/28/2021
SOFR + 8.40%
13.75%
24,444
24,555
1.6%
Convertible Promissory Note A ($1,086 par, due 8/2026)
3/2/2023
8.00%
8.00%
1,086
2,025
0.1%
Ping Identity Holding Corp. (3)
First-lien loan ($22,727 par, due 10/2029)
10/17/2022
SOFR + 7.00%
12.36%
22,183
23,165
1.5%
PrimeRevenue, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($9,007 par, due 12/2024)
12/31/2018
SOFR + 7.10%
12.46%
8,996
9,083
0.6%
TradingScreen, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($47,198 par, due 4/2027)
4/30/2021
SOFR + 6.35%
11.73%
46,360
47,080
3.1%
Volante Technologies, Inc.
First-lien loan ($2,604 par, due 9/2028)
9/29/2023
16.50%
16.50% PIK
2,578
2,598
0.2%
342,885
349,384
23.4%
Healthcare
BCTO Ace Purchaser, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($69,231 par, due 11/2027) (5)
11/23/2020
SOFR + 7.45%
12.84%
68,325
69,746
4.7%
Second-lien loan ($5,623 par, due 1/2030)
1/23/2023
SOFR + 10.70%
16.10%
5,493
5,637
0.4%
Edge Bidco B.V. (3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan (EUR 3,850 par, due 2/2029)
2/24/2023
E + 7.00%
16.10% (incl. 3.25% PIK)
3,951
4,266
(EUR 3,862)
0.3%
Company (1)
Investment
Initial
Acquisition
Date
Reference
Rate and
Spread
Interest Rate
Amortized
Cost (2)(8)
Fair Value (9)
Percentage
of Net Assets
Homecare Software Solutions, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($65,000 par, due 10/2026)
10/6/2021
SOFR + 5.70%
11.06%
64,017
64,838
4.3%
Merative L.P. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($70,103 par, due 6/2028)
6/30/2022
SOFR + 7.25%
12.60%
68,205
69,753
4.7%
Raptor US Buyer II Corp. (3)
First-lien loan ($15,569 par, due 3/2029)
3/24/2023
SOFR + 6.75%
12.10%
15,070
15,491
1.0%
SL Buyer Corp. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($31,475 par, due 7/2029)
7/7/2023
SOFR + 7.00%
12.36%
30,139
30,902
2.1%
255,200
260,633
17.5%
Hotel, Gaming and Leisure
ASG II, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($61,609 par, due 5/2028)
5/25/2022
SOFR + 6.40%
11.77%
60,383
61,934
4.1%
IRGSE Holding Corp. (3)(6)
First-lien loan ($30,261 par, due 6/2024)
12/21/2018
SOFR + 9.65%
15.00%
28,594
30,109
2.0%
First-lien revolving loan ($27,622 par, due 6/2024)
12/21/2018
SOFR + 9.65%
15.03%
27,622
27,480
1.8%
116,599
119,523
7.9%
Human Resource Support Services
Axonify, Inc. (3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan ($41,607 par, due 5/2027)
5/5/2021
SOFR + 7.65%
13.04%
41,035
41,718
2.7%
bswift, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($44,358 par, due 11/2028)
11/7/2022
SOFR + 6.63%
12.03%
43,236
44,802
3.0%
Elysian Finco Ltd. (3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan ($19,519 par, due 1/2028)
1/31/2021
SOFR + 6.65%
12.03% (incl. 6.50% PIK)
19,112
19,987
1.3%
Employment Hero Holdings Pty Ltd. (3)(4)
First-lien loan (AUD 50,000 par, due 12/2026)
12/6/2021
B + 6.25%
10.67%
34,834
34,117
(AUD 50,000)
2.3%
HireVue, Inc.(3)
First-lien loan ($54,113 par, due 5/2029)
5/3/2023
SOFR + 7.25%
12.63%
52,478
53,808
3.6%
Madcap Software, Inc.(3)(5)
First-lien loan ($32,500 par, due 12/2026)
12/15/2023
SOFR + 6.10%
11.46%
31,713
31,769
2.1%
PageUp People, Ltd. (3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan (AUD 13,400 par, due 12/2025)
1/11/2018
B + 5.00%
9.36%
10,114
9,143
(AUD 13,400)
0.6%
First-lien loan (GBP 3,104 par, due 12/2025)
10/28/2021
S + 5.03%
10.22%
4,276
3,957
(GBP 3,104)
0.3%
First-lien loan ($10,557 par, due 12/2025)
10/28/2021
SOFR + 5.10%
10.45%
10,549
10,557
0.7%
PayScale Holdings, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($71,196 par, due 5/2027)
5/3/2019
SOFR + 6.35%
11.70%
70,826
71,374
4.8%
PrimePay Intermediate, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($34,375 par, due 12/2026)
12/17/2021
SOFR + 7.15%
12.54%
33,672
34,375
2.3%
351,845
355,607
23.7%
Insurance
Disco Parent, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($4,545 par, due 3/2029)
3/30/2023
SOFR + 7.50%
12.89%
4,436
4,533
0.3%
Internet Services
Arrow Buyer, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($33,125 par, due 7/2030)
6/30/2023
SOFR + 6.50%
11.85%
32,249
32,820
2.2%
Bayshore Intermediate #2, L.P. (3)
First-lien loan ($36,629 par, due 10/2028)
10/1/2021
SOFR + 7.60%
12.96% PIK
36,129
36,446
2.4%
First-lien revolving loan ($480 par, due 10/2027)
10/1/2021
SOFR + 6.60%
12.01%
0.0%
Coupa Holdings, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($43,191 par, due 2/2030)
2/27/2023
SOFR + 7.50%
12.86%
42,135
43,441
2.9%
CrunchTime Information, Systems, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($59,500 par, due 6/2028)
6/17/2022
SOFR + 6.00%
11.36%
58,477
59,947
4.0%
EDB Parent, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($63,508 par, due 7/2028)
7/7/2022
SOFR + 6.75%
12.10%
62,301
63,032
4.2%
Higher Logic, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($52,937 par, due 1/2025)
6/18/2018
SOFR + 6.75%
12.10%
52,781
53,069
3.5%
LeanTaaS Holdings, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($36,966 par, due 7/2028)
7/12/2022
SOFR + 7.50%
12.85%
36,190
37,411
2.5%
Lithium Technologies, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($57,665 par, due 1/2025)
10/3/2017
SOFR + 9.00%
14.39% (incl. 4.50% PIK)
57,673
56,367
3.8%
Lucidworks, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($8,912 par, due 2/2027)
2/11/2022
SOFR + 7.50%
12.86% (incl. 3.50% PIK)
8,912
8,912
0.6%
Piano Software, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($50,889 par, due 2/2026)
2/25/2021
SOFR + 7.10%
12.45%
50,282
50,508
3.3%
SMA Technologies Holdings, LLC(3)(5)
First-lien loan ($36,833 par, due 10/2028)
10/31/2022
SOFR + 6.75%
12.11%
35,459
37,110
2.5%
473,034
479,531
31.9%
Manufacturing
ASP Unifrax Holdings, Inc. (9)
First-lien loan ($1,130 par, due 12/2025) (3)
8/25/2023
SOFR + 3.90%
9.25%
1,053
1,051
0.1%
First-lien loan (EUR 1,023 par, due 12/2025) (3)
9/14/2023
E + 3.75%
7.68%
1,030
(EUR 932)
0.1%
Secured Note ($91 par, due 9/2028)
12/19/2023
5.25%
5.25%
0.0%
Unsecured Note ($1,059 par, due 9/2029)
8/31/2023
7.50%
7.50%
0.0%
Avalara, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($38,636 par, due 10/2028)
10/19/2022
SOFR + 7.25%
12.60%
37,736
38,743
2.6%
Skylark UK DebtCo Limited (3)(4)
First-lien loan ($16,340 par, due 9/2030)
9/7/2023
SOFR + 6.25%
11.60%
15,722
15,812
1.1%
First-lien loan (EUR 4,851 par, due 9/2030)
9/7/2023
E + 6.25%
10.18%
5,055
5,238
(EUR 4,742)
0.4%
First-lien loan (GBP 16,640 par, due 9/2030)
9/7/2023
S + 6.25%
11.52%
20,207
20,735
(GBP 16,265)
1.4%
81,403
83,215
5.7%
Office Products
USR Parent, Inc. (3)(5)
ABL FILO term loan ($17,000 par, due 4/2027)
4/25/2022
SOFR + 6.50%
11.84%
16,703
16,914
1.1%
Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Laramie Energy, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($27,317 par, due 2/2027)
2/21/2023
SOFR + 7.10%
12.46%
26,768
27,142
1.8%
Mach Natural Resources LP(3)(4)
First-lien loan ($5,000 par, due 12/2026)
12/28/2023
SOFR + 6.65%
12.00%
4,900
4,900
0.3%
Murchison Oil and Gas, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($27,849 par, due 6/2026)
6/30/2022
SOFR + 8.65%
14.00%
27,453
28,267
1.9%
TRP Assets, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($65,000 par, due 12/2025)
12/3/2021
SOFR + 7.76%
13.11%
64,372
66,980
4.5%
123,493
127,289
8.5%
Other
Omnigo Software, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($39,943 par, due 3/2026)
3/31/2021
SOFR + 6.60%
11.96%
39,440
39,743
2.7%
Retail and Consumer Products
99 Cents Only Stores LLC (3)
ABL FILO term loan ($25,000 par, due 5/2025)
9/6/2017
SOFR + 8.65%
14.03%
24,868
25,000
1.7%
American Achievement, Corp. (3)(14)
First-lien loan ($27,046 par, due 9/2026)
9/30/2015
SOFR + 6.35%
11.19% PIK
26,219
20,488
1.4%
First-lien loan ($1,352 par, due 9/2026)
6/10/2021
SOFR + 14.10%
18.94% PIK
1,352
0.0%
Subordinated note ($4,740 par, due 9/2026)
3/16/2021
SOFR + 1.15%
6.54% PIK
0.0%
Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. (3)(15)
ABL FILO term loan ($14,065 par, due 8/2027)
9/2/2022
SOFR + 9.90%
15.26%
13,787
13,468
0.9%
Roll Up DIP term loan ($25,931 par, due 9/2024)
4/24/2023
SOFR + 7.90%
13.26% (incl. 13.26% PIK)
25,931
24,828
1.7%
Super-Priority DIP term loan ($4,739 par, due 9/2024)
4/24/2023
SOFR + 7.90%
13.26%
4,739
4,538
0.3%
Cordance Operations, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($49,543 par, due 7/2028)
7/25/2022
SOFR + 9.25%
14.66%
48,641
49,801
3.2%
Neuintel, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($57,701 par, due 12/2026)
12/20/2021
SOFR + 7.65%
13.03%
56,923
58,134
3.9%
Rapid Data GmbH Unternehmensberatung (3)(4)
First-lien loan (EUR 4,495 par, due 7/2029)
7/11/2023
E + 6.50%
10.48%
4,676
4,853
(EUR 4,393)
0.3%
Tango Management Consulting, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($57,007 par, due 12/2027)
12/1/2021
SOFR + 6.85%
12.20%
56,247
56,703
3.8%
263,928
257,985
17.2%
Company (1)
Investment
Initial
Acquisition
Date
Reference
Rate and
Spread
Interest Rate
Amortized
Cost (2)(8)
Fair Value (9)
Percentage
of Net Assets
Transportation
Project44, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($35,139 par, due 11/2027)
11/12/2021
SOFR + 6.40%
11.78%
34,139
35,001
2.3%
Marcura Equities LTD (3)(4)
First-lien loan ($32,007 par, due 8/2029)
8/11/2023
SOFR + 7.00%
12.18%
31,020
31,482
2.1%
First-lien revolving loan ($1,667 par, due 8/2029)
8/11/2023
SOFR + 7.00%
12.18%
1,589
1,625
0.1%
66,748
68,108
4.5%
Total Debt Investments
3,045,524
3,071,623
205.3%
Equity and Other Investments
Business Services
Artisan Topco LP(11)(12)
Class A Preferred Units (2,117,264 units)
11/7/2023
2,117
2,117
0.1%
Newark FP Co-Invest, L.P.(11)(12)
Partnership (2,527,719 units)
11/8/2023
2,532
2,532
0.2%
Dye & Durham, Ltd. (4)(10)
Common Shares (126,968 shares)
12/3/2021
3,909
1,383
(CAD 1,823)
0.1%
Mitnick TA Aggregator, L.P. (11)
Membership Interest (0.43% ownership)
5/2/2022
5,243
4,496
0.3%
ReliaQuest, LLC (13)
Class A-1 Units (637,713 units) (11)
11/23/2021
1,120
1,414
0.1%
Class A-2 Units (2,989 units) (11)
6/21/2022
0.0%
Class A-3 Units (16,957 units) (11)(12)
11/10/2023
0.0%
Series A Preferred Stock (1,667 Units) (12)
12/20/2023
1,502
1,504
0.1%
90,634 Warrants (11)(12)
12/20/2023
0.0%
Sprinklr, Inc. (10)(11)
Common Shares (315,005 shares)
6/24/2021
2,716
3,793
0.3%
Warrior TopCo LP (11)(12)
Class A Units (423,728 units)
7/7/2023
0.0%
19,707
17,819
1.2%
Communications
Celtra Technologies, Inc. (11)
Class A Units (1,250,000 units)
11/19/2021
1,250
1,250
0.1%
IntelePeer Holdings, Inc. (11)
Series C Preferred Shares (1,816,295 shares)
4/8/2021
1,816
1,957
0.1%
Series D Preferred Shares (1,598,874 shares)
4/8/2021
2,925
2,099
0.1%
280,000 Series C Warrants
2/28/2020
-
0.0%
106,592 Series D Warrants
4/8/2021
-
-
0.0%
6,174
5,306
0.3%
Education
Astra 2L Holdings II LLC (11)
Membership Interest (10.17% ownership)
1/13/2022
3,255
0.0%
EMS Linq, Inc. (11)
Class B Units (5,522,526 units)
12/22/2021
5,522
4,762
0.4%
RMCF IV CIV XXXV, LP. (11)
Partnership Interest (11.94% ownership)
6/8/2021
1,000
1,455
0.1%
9,777
6,526
0.5%
Financial Services
AF Eagle Parent, L.P.(11)(12)
Partnership (121,329 units)
11/27/2023
4,091
4,091
0.3%
CLGF Holdco 2, LLC(4)(11)(12)
334,682 Warrants
11/7/2023
0.0%
Newport Parent Holdings, L.P. (11)
Class A-2 Units (131,569 units)
12/10/2020
4,177
11,591
0.8%
Oxford Square Capital Corp. (4)(10)
Common Shares (1,620 shares)
8/5/2015
0.0%
Passport Labs, Inc. (11)
17,534 Warrants
4/28/2021
-
0.0%
TradingScreen, Inc. (11)(13)
Class A Units (600,000 units)
5/14/2021
0.0%
9,249
16,470
1.1%
Healthcare
Caris Life Sciences, Inc. (11)
Series C Preferred Shares (1,915,114 shares)
10/13/2020
3,500
6,676
0.4%
Series D Preferred Shares (1,240,740 shares)
5/11/2021
10,050
9,899
0.7%
633,376 Warrants
9/21/2018
1,187
0.1%
569,991 Warrants
4/2/2020
0.1%
Merative Topco L.P. (11)
989,691 Class A-1 Units
6/30/2022
9,897
9,600
0.6%
Raptor US Buyer II Corp. (11)(12)
20,268 Ordinary Shares
3/24/2023
2,033
2,033
0.1%
25,922
30,280
2.0%
Hotel, Gaming and Leisure
IRGSE Holding Corp. (7)(11)
Class A Units (33,790,171 units)
12/21/2018
21,842
2,281
0.2%
Class C-1 Units (8,800,000 units)
12/21/2018
0.0%
21,942
2,324
0.2%
Human Resource Support Services
Axonify, Inc. (4)(11)(13)
Class A-1 Units (3,780,000 units)
5/5/2021
3,780
4,026
0.3%
bswift, LLC (11)(12)
Class A-1 Units (2,393,509 units)
11/7/2022
2,394
2,394
0.2%
DaySmart Holdings, LLC (11)
Class A Units (166,811 units)
12/18/2020
1,347
2,138
0.1%
Employment Hero Holdings Pty Ltd. (4)(11)
Series E Preferred Shares (113,250 shares)
3/1/2022
2,134
2,605
(AUD 3,817)
0.2%
9,655
11,163
0.8%
Internet Services
Bayshore Intermediate #2, L.P. (11)(13)
Co-Invest Common Units (8,837,008 units)
10/1/2021
8,837
8,461
0.5%
Co-Invest 2 Common Units (3,493,701 units)
10/1/2021
3,494
3,345
0.2%
Lucidworks, Inc. (11)
Series F Preferred Shares (199,054 shares)
8/2/2019
0.1%
Piano Software, Inc. (11)
Series C-1 Preferred Shares (418,527 shares)
12/22/2021
3,000
3,000
0.2%
Series C-2 Preferred Shares (27,588 shares)(12)
11/18/2022
0.0%
SMA Technologies Holdings, LLC (11)(12)
Class A Units (1,300 shares)
11/21/2022
1,300
1,300
0.1%
Class B Units (923,250 shares)
11/21/2022
-
-
0.0%
17,629
17,104
1.1%
Marketing Services
Validity, Inc.
Series A Preferred Shares (3,840,000 shares)
5/31/2018
3,840
10,368
0.7%
Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Murchison Oil and Gas, LLC (13)
13,355 Preferred Units
6/30/2022
13,355
14,156
0.9%
TRP Assets, LLC (11)(13)
Partnership Interest (1.89% ownership)
8/25/2022
8,755
11,513
0.8%
22,110
25,669
1.7%
Pharmaceuticals
TherapeuticsMD, Inc. (4)(11)
14,256 Warrants
8/5/2020
1,029
-
0.0%
Retail and Consumer Products
American Achievement, Corp. (11)
Class A Units (687 units)
3/16/2021
-
0.0%
Copper Bidco, LLC
Trust Certificates (132,928 Certificates)
12/7/2020
-
-
0.0%
Trust Certificates (996,958 Certificates) (9)
1/30/2021
2,589
10,089
0.6%
Neuintel, LLC (11)(13)
Class A Units (1,176,494 units)
12/21/2021
3,000
2,430
0.2%
Company (1)
Investment
Initial
Acquisition
Date
Reference
Rate and
Spread
Interest Rate
Amortized
Cost (2)(8)
Fair Value (9)
Percentage
of Net Assets
5,589
12,569
0.8%
Structured Credit
Allegro CLO Ltd, Series 2018-1A, (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 6/2031)
5/26/2022
SOFR + 3.11%
8.51%
0.0%
American Money Management Corp CLO Ltd, Series 2016-18A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,500 par, due 5/2031)
6/22/2022
SOFR + 3.31%
8.70%
1,359
1,475
0.1%
Ares CLO Ltd, Series 2021-59A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 4/2034)
6/23/2022
SOFR + 6.51%
11.89%
0.0%
Ares Loan Funding I Ltd, Series 2021-ALFA, Class E (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 10/2034)
6/24/2022
SOFR + 6.96%
12.36%
0.0%
Bain Capital Credit CLO Ltd, Series 2018-1A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($500 par, due 4/2031)
10/15/2020
SOFR + 5.61%
11.02%
0.0%
Battalion CLO Ltd, Series 2021-21A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,300 par, due 7/2034)
7/13/2022
SOFR + 3.56%
8.96%
1,170
1,252
0.1%
Benefit Street Partners CLO Ltd, Series 2015-BR (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($2,500 par, due 7/2034)
7/13/2022
SOFR + 4.11%
9.53%
2,194
2,465
0.2%
Benefit Street Partners CLO Ltd, Series 2015-8A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,425 par, due 1/2031)
9/13/2022
SOFR + 3.01%
8.43%
1,289
1,367
0.1%
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd, Series 2014-4RA (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 7/2030)
5/26/2022
SOFR + 3.16%
8.56%
0.1%
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd, Series 2016-1, Ltd (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,600 par, due 4/2034)
2/15/2023
SOFR + 6.86%
12.28%
1,430
1,521
0.1%
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd, Series 2018-1A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,550 par, due 4/2031)
8/11/2020
SOFR + 6.01%
11.42%
1,264
1,442
0.1%
CarVal CLO III Ltd, Series 2019-2A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 7/2032)
6/30/2022
SOFR + 6.70%
12.11%
0.1%
Cedar Funding CLO Ltd, Series 2018-7A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 1/2031)
7/21/2022
SOFR + 4.81%
10.23%
0.0%
CIFC CLO Ltd, Series 2018-3A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 7/2031)
6/16/2022
SOFR + 5.76%
11.16%
0.0%
CIFC CLO Ltd, Series 2021-4A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 7/2033)
7/14/2022
SOFR + 6.26%
11.66%
0.1%
Crown Point CLO Ltd, Series 2021-10A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 7/2034)
6/14/2022
SOFR + 7.11%
12.53%
0.1%
Dryden Senior Loan Fund, Series 2018-55A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 4/2031)
7/25/2022
SOFR + 3.11%
8.51%
0.1%
Dryden Senior Loan Fund, Series 2020-86A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,500 par, due 7/2034)
8/17/2022
SOFR + 6.76%
12.16%
1,463
1,433
0.1%
Eaton CLO Ltd, Series 2015-1A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($2,500 par, due 1/2030)
6/23/2022
SOFR + 2.76%
8.18%
2,260
2,410
0.2%
Eaton CLO Ltd, Series 2020-1A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 10/2034)
8/11/2022
SOFR + 6.51%
11.91%
0.1%
GoldenTree CLO Ltd, Series 2020-7A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 4/2034)
6/17/2022
SOFR + 6.76%
12.18%
0.1%
Gulf Stream Meridian, Series 2021-4A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,015 par, due 7/2034)
6/3/2022
SOFR + 6.61%
12.01%
0.0%
Gulf Stream Meridian, Series 2021-6A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($2,000 par, due 1/2037)
9/12/2022
SOFR + 6.62%
11.93%
1,851
1,928
0.1%
Jefferson Mill CLO Ltd, Series 2015-1A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 10/2031)
5/23/2022
SOFR + 3.81%
9.22%
0.0%
KKR CLO Ltd, 49A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 7/2035)
6/2/2022
SOFR + 8.26%
13.42%
0.1%
Madison Park CLO, Series 2018-28A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 7/2030)
6/28/2022
SOFR + 5.51%
10.91%
0.0%
Magnetite CLO Ltd, Series 2021-30A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 10/2034)
6/13/2022
SOFR + 6.46%
11.84%
0.1%
MidOcean Credit CLO Ltd, Series 2016-6A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($3,500 par, due 4/2033)
5/23/2022
SOFR + 3.78%
9.20%
3,170
3,274
0.2%
MidOcean Credit CLO Ltd, Series 2018-9A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,100 par, due 7/2031)
6/1/2022
SOFR + 6.31%
11.73%
1,012
0.1%
Octagon 57 LLC, Series 2021-1A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 10/2034)
5/24/2022
SOFR + 6.86%
12.26%
0.0%
Octagon Investment Partners 18 Ltd, Series 2018-18A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 4/2031)
7/26/2022
SOFR + 2.96%
8.36%
0.1%
Octagon Investment Partners 38 Ltd, Series 2018-1A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($2,800 par, due 7/2030)
9/20/2022
SOFR + 3.21%
8.63%
2,505
2,713
0.2%
Park Avenue Institutional Advisers CLO Ltd, Series 2018-1A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 10/2031)
9/23/2022
SOFR + 3.59%
9.01%
0.1%
Pikes Peak CLO, Series 2021-9A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($2,000 par, due 10/2034)
8/31/2022
SOFR + 6.84%
12.23%
1,787
1,890
0.1%
RR Ltd, Series 2020-8A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 4/2033)
8/22/2022
SOFR + 6.66%
12.06%
0.1%
Signal Peak CLO LLC, Series 2018-5A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($333 par, due 4/2031)
8/9/2022
SOFR + 5.91%
11.29%
0.0%
Southwick Park CLO Ltd, Series 2019-4A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 7/2032)
5/25/2022
SOFR + 6.51%
11.93%
0.1%
Stewart Park CLO Ltd, Series 2015-1A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,000 par, due 1/2030)
7/25/2022
SOFR + 2.86%
8.26%
0.1%
Voya CLO Ltd, Series 2018-3A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($2,750 par, due 10/2031)
6/22/2022
SOFR + 6.01%
11.41%
2,441
2,484
0.2%
Wind River CLO Ltd, Series 2014-2A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($1,500 par, due 1/2031)
6/23/2022
SOFR + 3.16%
8.56%
1,407
1,404
0.1%
Wind River CLO Ltd, Series 2017-1A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($3,000 par, due 4/2036)
7/14/2022
SOFR + 3.98%
9.38%
2,633
2,911
0.2%
Wind River CLO Ltd, Series 2018-3A (3)(4)(9)
Structured Credit ($2,000 par, due 1/2031)
12/12/2022
SOFR + 5.91%
11.33%
1,721
1,856
0.1%
52,865
55,844
3.7%
Total Equity and Other Investments
205,488
211,442
14.1%
Total Investments
$
3,251,012
$
3,283,065
219.4%
Interest Rate Swaps as of December 31, 2023
Company
Receives
Company
Pays
Maturity Date
Notional
Amount
Fair
Market
Value
Upfront
(Payments) /
Receipts
Change in
Unrealized
Gains / (Losses)
Interest rate swap (a)
SOFR + 2.54%
3.875%
11/1/2024
$
2,500
$
-
$
-
$
-
Interest rate swap (a)(b)(c)(d)
3.875%
SOFR + 2.51%
11/1/2024
300,000
(8,846
)
-
7,647
Interest rate swap (a)(b)(c)(d)
3.875%
SOFR + 2.72%
11/1/2024
50,000
(1,563
)
-
1,362
Interest rate swap (a)(b)
2.50%
SOFR + 2.17%
8/1/2026
300,000
(26,111
)
-
9,554
Interest rate swap (a)(b)
6.95%
SOFR + 2.99%
8/14/2028
300,000
4,680
-
4,680
Total Hedge Accounting Swaps
952,500
(31,840
)
-
23,243
Cash collateral
-
55,819
-
-
Total derivatives
$
952,500
$
23,979
$
-
$
23,243
a)Contains a variable rate structure. Bears interest at a rate determined by SOFR.
b)Instrument is used in a hedge accounting relationship. The associated change in fair value is recorded along with the change in fair value of the hedged item within interest expense.
c)$2.5 million in aggregate notional value of these instruments is no longer designated as instruments in a hedge accounting relationship. The associated change in fair value of the de-designated portion is recorded within unrealized gain/(loss).
d)The fair market value of this instrument is presented net with the $2.5 million in aggregate notional value of instruments no longer designated as instruments in a hedge accounting relationship.
(1)Certain portfolio company investments are subject to contractual restrictions on sales.
(2)The amortized cost represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts and premiums, as applicable, on debt investments using the effective interest method.
(3)Investment contains a variable rate structure, subject to an interest rate floor. Variable rate investments bear interest at a rate that may be determined by reference to either Euro Interbank Offer Rate (“Euribor” or “E”), Sterling Overnight Index Average ("SONIA"), Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (“CDOR” or “C”), Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) which may also contain a credit spread adjustment depending on the tenor election, Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate (“BBSY” or “B”), Sterling Overnight Interbank Average Rate (“SONIA” or “S”) or an alternate base rate (which can include the Federal Funds Effective Rate or the Prime Rate or “P”), all of which include an available tenor, selected at the borrower’s option, which reset periodically based on the terms of the credit agreement. For investments with multiple interest rate contracts, the interest rate shown is the weighted average interest rate in effect at December 31, 2023.
(4)This portfolio company is not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Under the 1940 Act, the Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time such acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of total assets. Non-qualifying assets represented 13.1% of total assets as of December 31, 2023.
(5)In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this investment, which is the amount reflected in this schedule, the Company may be entitled to receive additional interest as a result of an arrangement with other members in the syndicate to the extent an investment has been allocated to “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any amounts due thereunder and the Company holds the “last out” tranche.
(6)Under the 1940 Act, the Company is deemed to be both an “Affiliated Person” of and “Control,” as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act, this portfolio company, as the Company owns more than 25% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or has the power to exercise control over management or policies of such portfolio company (including through a management agreement). Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2023 in which the issuer was an Affiliated Person of and was deemed to Control a portfolio company are as follows:
Controlled, Affiliated Investments during the year ended December 31, 2023
Company
Fair
Value at
December 31,
Gross
Additions (a)
Gross
Reductions (b)
Net Change
In Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
Realized
Gain/(Loss)
Transfers
Fair
Value at
December 31,
Other
Income
Interest
Income
IRGSE Holding Corp.
$
70,755
$
10,875
$
-
$
(21,717
)
$
-
$
-
$
59,913
$
$
7,756
Total
$
70,755
$
10,875
$
-
$
(21,717
)
$
-
$
-
$
59,913
$
$
7,756
(a)Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new investments, payment-in-kind interest or dividends, the amortization of any unearned income or discounts on debt investments, as applicable.
(b)Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal collections related to investment repayments or sales, and the amortization of any premiums on debt investments, as applicable. When an investment is placed on non-accrual status, any cash flows received by the Company are applied to the outstanding principal balance.
(7)As of December 31, 2023, the estimated cost basis of investments for U.S. federal tax purposes was $3,256,630 resulting in estimated gross unrealized gains and losses of $159,281 and $135,606, respectively.
(8)In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC Topic 820”), unless otherwise indicated, the fair values of all investments were determined using significant unobservable inputs and are considered Level 3 investments. See Note 6 for further information related to investments at fair value.
(9)This investment is valued using observable inputs and is considered a Level 2 investment. See Note 6 for further information related to investments at fair value.
(10)This investment is valued using observable inputs and is considered a Level 1 investment. See Note 6 for further information related to investments at fair value.
(11)This investment is non-income producing.
(12)All or a portion of this security was acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, and may be deemed to be “restricted securities” under the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2023, the aggregate fair value of these securities is $13,032, or 0.9% of the Company’s net assets.
(13)Ownership of equity investments may occur through a holding company or partnership.
(14)Investment is on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2022.
(15)In addition to the principal amount outstanding and accrued interest owed on this investment, the Company is entitled to a
separate Make-Whole Amount (the “Make-Whole”) of $11.8 million. The Make-Whole is a contractual obligation of the
borrower and accrues interest on the balance outstanding. The Make-Whole is included on the Company’s consolidated balance
sheet within other assets, net of any valuation allowance. Given uncertainty relating to collectability of the Make-Whole, the
Company has applied a full valuation allowance against the amount of the Make-Whole balance outstanding.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.
Consolidated Schedule of Investments as of December 31, 2022
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
Company (1)
Investment
Initial
Acquisition
Date
Reference
Rate and
Spread
Interest Rate
Amortized
Cost (2)(8)
Fair Value (9)
Percentage
of Net Assets
Debt Investments
Automotive
Carlstar Group, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($33,575 par, due 7/2027)
7/8/2022
SOFR + 6.60%
10.92
%
$
32,739
$
33,049
2.5
%
Business services
Acceo Solutions, Inc. (3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan (CAD 57,353 par, due 10/2025)
7/6/2018
C + 4.75%
9.49
%
43,241
42,540
(CAD 57,640)
3.2
%
Alpha Midco, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($68,720 par, due 8/2025)
8/15/2019
SOFR + 7.63%
12.21
%
67,831
69,242
5.2
%
Dye & Durham Corp. (3)(4)
First-lien loan (CAD 34,220 par, due 12/2027)
12/3/2021
C + 5.75%
10.69
%
25,076
24,113
(CAD 32,672)
1.8
%
First-lien revolving loan (CAD 1,448 par, due 12/2026)
12/3/2021
P + 6.75%
11.20
%
1,095
1,069
(CAD 1,448)
0.1
%
ExtraHop Networks, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($57,950 par, due 7/2027)
7/22/2021
L + 7.50%
12.23
%
56,812
56,791
4.2
%
ForeScout Technologies, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($2,606 par, due 8/2026)
7/1/2022
L + 9.00%
13.72% (incl. 9.00% PIK)
2,533
2,489
0.2
%
First-lien loan ($6,502 par, due 8/2026)
8/17/2020
L + 9.50%
14.23% (incl. 9.50% PIK)
6,412
6,421
0.5
%
Hornetsecurity Holding GmbH (3)(4)
First-lien loan (EUR 3,150 par, due 11/2029)
11/14/2022
E + 6.50%
8.26
%
3,140
3,213
(EUR 3,011)
0.2
%
Information Clearinghouse, LLC and MS Market Service, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($17,820 par, due 12/2026)
12/20/2021
SOFR + 6.65%
11.16
%
17,433
17,375
1.3
%
Mitnick Corporate Purchaser, Inc. (3)(10)
First-lien loan ($333 par, due 5/2029)
5/2/2022
SOFR + 4.85%
8.94
%
0.0
%
Netwrix Corp. (3)
First-lien loan ($36,119 par, due 6/2029)
6/9/2022
SOFR + 5.00%
9.70
%
35,515
35,119
2.6
%
OutSystems Luxco SARL(3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan (EUR 3,004 par, due 12/2028)
12/8/2022
E + 5.75%
7.74
%
3,060
3,112
(EUR 2,916)
0.2
%
ReliaQuest Holdings, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($63,477 par, due 10/2026)
10/8/2020
SOFR + 7.25%
11.83
%
62,411
63,477
4.7
%
TIBCO Software Inc. (10)
First-lien note ($13,000 par, due 3/2029)
9/20/2022
6.50
%
6.50
%
10,924
10,944
0.8
%
First-lien loan ($12,000 par, due 3/2029) (3)
9/20/2022
SOFR + 4.60%
9.19
%
10,947
10,680
0.8
%
WideOrbit, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($35,548 par, due 7/2025)
7/8/2020
L + 8.50%
12.88
%
35,213
36,347
2.7
%
381,976
383,243
28.5
%
Chemicals
Erling Lux Bidco SARL(3)(4)
First-lien loan (EUR 7,239 par, due 9/2028)
9/6/2022
E + 6.75%
8.73
%
6,908
7,326
(EUR 6,864)
0.5
%
First-lien loan (GBP 10,217 par, due 9/2028)
9/6/2022
S + 6.75%
10.20
%
11,245
11,922
(GBP 9,911)
0.9
%
18,153
19,248
1.4
%
Communications
Celtra Technologies, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($34,650 par, due 11/2026)
11/19/2021
L + 7.00%
11.38
%
33,764
33,264
2.5
%
IntelePeer Holdings, Inc.
First-lien loan ($34,677 par, due 12/2024) (3)
12/2/2019
L + 8.25%
12.63
%
34,633
33,983
2.5
%
Convertible note ($4,382 par, due 5/2028)
5/12/2021
6.50
%
6.50% PIK
4,350
4,240
0.3
%
72,747
71,487
5.3
%
Education
Astra Acquisition Corp. (3)
Second-lien loan ($43,479 par, due 10/2029)
10/25/2021
L + 8.88%
13.26
%
42,743
40,762
3.0
%
Destiny Solutions Parent Holding Company (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($60,000 par, due 6/2026)
6/8/2021
L + 5.75%
10.13
%
59,046
58,350
4.3
%
EMS Linq, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($56,216 par, due 12/2027)
12/22/2021
L + 6.25%
10.63
%
55,103
53,291
4.0
%
156,892
152,403
11.3
%
Financial Services
BTRS Holdings, Inc.(3)
First-lien loan ($45,180 par, due 12/2028)
12/16/2022
SOFR + 8.00%
12.50
%
43,688
43,465
3.2
%
Bear OpCo, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($20,169 par, due 10/2024)
10/10/2019
SOFR + 7.65%
11.97
%
19,953
20,169
1.5
%
BlueSnap, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($42,000 par, due 10/2024)
10/25/2019
L + 6.75%
11.48
%
41,646
41,889
3.1
%
G Treasury SS, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($65,859 par, due 4/2024)
4/9/2018
SOFR + 8.40%
12.94
%
65,709
65,859
4.9
%
Ibis Intermediate Co. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($1,526 par, due 5/2027)
5/28/2021
L + 5.00%
9.73
%
1,416
1,565
0.1
%
Ibis US Blocker Co. (3)
First-lien loan ($13,957 par, due 5/2028)
5/28/2021
L + 8.25%
12.98% PIK
13,713
13,643
1.0
%
Jonas Collections and Recovery, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($19,125 par, due 6/2026)
6/21/2021
L + 5.25%
10.40
%
18,832
18,790
1.4
%
Kyriba Corp.(3)
First-lien loan ($19,051 par, due 4/2025)
4/9/2019
L + 9.00%
13.73% (incl. 9.00% PIK)
18,870
19,147
1.4
%
First-lien loan (EUR 9,924 par, due 4/2025)
4/9/2019
E + 9.00%
11.20% (incl. 9.00% PIK)
11,004
10,645
(EUR 9,974)
0.8
%
First-lien revolving loan ($1,411 par, due 4/2025)
4/9/2019
L + 7.25%
11.98
%
1,394
1,418
0.1
%
First-lien revolving loan (EUR 336 par, due 4/2025)
4/9/2019
E + 7.25%
9.45
%
(EUR 336)
0.0
%
Passport Labs, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($23,390 par, due 4/2026)
4/28/2021
L + 8.25%
12.58% (incl. 4.125% PIK)
23,169
22,783
1.7
%
Ping Identity Holding Corp. (3)
First-lien loan ($22,727 par, due 10/2029)
10/17/2022
SOFR + 7.00%
11.32
%
22,116
21,977
1.6
%
PrimeRevenue, Inc. (3)
First-lien loan ($22,507 par, due 12/2023)
12/31/2018
L + 7.00%
11.38
%
22,434
22,507
1.7
%
TradingScreen, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($44,663 par, due 4/2027)
4/30/2021
L + 6.25%
10.66
%
43,648
43,769
3.3
%
347,964
347,984
25.8
%
Healthcare
BCTO Ace Purchaser, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($63,565 par, due 11/2026)
11/23/2020
SOFR + 7.70%
12.10
%
62,440
62,930
4.7
%
Caris Life Sciences, Inc.
First-lien loan ($5,000 par, due 9/2023)
9/21/2018
11.30
%
11.30
%
4,967
5,100
0.4
%
First-lien loan ($3,750 par, due 4/2025)
4/2/2020
11.30
%
11.30
%
3,601
3,900
0.3
%
Convertible note ($2,602 par, due 9/2023)
9/21/2018
8.00
%
8.00
%
2,602
5,848
0.4
%
Homecare Software Solutions, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($65,000 par, due 10/2026)
10/6/2021
SOFR + 5.70%
10.02
%
63,733
63,213
4.7
%
Integrated Practice Solutions, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($46,312 par, due 10/2024)
6/30/2017
L + 7.50%
11.89
%
45,590
46,312
3.5
%
Merative L.P. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($70,103 par, due 6/2028)
6/30/2022
SOFR + 7.25%
11.84
%
67,906
67,299
5.0
%
250,839
254,602
19.0
%
Hotel, Gaming and Leisure
ASG II, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($58,048 par, due 5/2028)
5/25/2022
SOFR + 6.35%
10.67
%
56,609
56,260
4.2
%
IRGSE Holding Corp. (3)(7)
First-lien loan ($30,261 par, due 6/2023)
9/29/2015
L + 9.50%
14.19
%
28,595
29,807
2.2
%
First-lien revolving loan ($16,747 par, due 6/2023)
9/29/2015
L + 9.50%
14.23
%
16,747
16,492
1.2
%
101,951
102,559
7.6
%
Human Resource Support Services
Company (1)
Investment
Initial
Acquisition
Date
Reference
Rate and
Spread
Interest Rate
Amortized
Cost (2)(8)
Fair Value (9)
Percentage
of Net Assets
Axonify, Inc. (3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan ($47,122 par, due 5/2026)
5/5/2021
SOFR + 7.65%
11.83
%
46,204
46,190
3.4
%
bswift, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($44,806 par, due 11/2028)
11/7/2022
SOFR + 6.63%
10.81
%
43,430
43,574
3.2
%
Elysian Finco Ltd. (3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan ($17,314 par, due 1/2028)
1/31/2022
SOFR + 6.65%
10.99
%
16,831
17,107
1.3
%
Employment Hero Holdings Pty Ltd. (3)(4)
First-lien loan (AUD 50,000 par, due 12/2026)
12/6/2021
B + 6.50%
9.77
%
34,664
32,839
(AUD 51,076)
2.4
%
PageUp People, Ltd. (3)(4)(5)
First-lien loan (AUD 14,520 par, due 12/2025)
1/11/2018
B + 5.50%
9.28
%
10,899
9.534
(AUD 14,059)
0.7
%
First-lien loan (GBP 3,766 par, due 12/2025)
10/28/2021
S + 5.62%
8.55
%
5,184
4,439
(GBP 3,690)
0.3
%
First-lien loan ($12,011 par, due 12/2025)
10/28/2021
L + 5.50%
10.65
%
11,997
11,771
0.9
%
PayScale Holdings, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($68,775 par, due 5/2024)
5/3/2019
L + 5.75%
10.48
%
68,199
67,572
5.0
%
PrimePay Intermediate, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($32,242 par, due 12/2026)
12/17/2021
SOFR + 7.15%
11.73
%
31,297
31,355
2.3
%
Modern Hire, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($28,878 par, due 5/2024)
5/15/2019
L + 7.00%
11.38
%
28,624
28,950
2.2
%
Workwell Acquisition Co. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($23,798 par, due 10/2025)
10/19/2020
SOFR + 7.40%
11.80
%
23,433
23,441
1.7
%
320,762
316,772
23.4
%
Internet Services
Bayshore Intermediate #2, L.P. (3)
First-lien loan ($32,194 par, due 10/2028)
10/1/2021
L + 7.75%
12.04% PIK
31,631
31,308
2.3
%
First-lien revolving loan ($780 par, due 10/2027)
10/1/2021
L + 6.75%
10.89
%
0.1
%
CrunchTime Information, Systems, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($53,121 par, due 6/2028)
6/17/2022
SOFR + 6.00%
10.32
%
51,969
51,766
3.9
%
EDB Parent, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($56,963 par, due 7/2028)
7/7/2022
SOFR + 7.00%
11.58
%
55,607
55,539
4.1
%
Higher Logic, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($55,820 par, due 1/2025)
6/18/2018
SOFR + 7.25%
11.83
%
55,506
55,541
4.1
%
LeanTaaS Holdings, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($27,782 par, due 7/2028)
7/12/2022
SOFR + 7.50%
12.08
%
26,906
26,709
2.0
%
Lithium Technologies, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($54,700 par, due 1/2024)
10/3/2017
SOFR + 8.00%
12.06
%
54,651
53,469
4.0
%
First-lien revolving loan ($1,320 par, due 1/2024)
10/3/2017
SOFR + 8.00%
12.06
%
1,323
1,245
0.1
%
Lucidworks, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($8,330 par, due 2/2027)
2/11/2022
SOFR + 7.50%
11.82% (incl. 3.50% PIK)
8,330
8,170
0.6
%
Piano Software, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($51,312 par, due 2/2026)
2/25/2021
SOFR + 7.10%
11.42
%
50,454
50,029
3.7
%
SMA Technologies Holdings, LLC(3)(5)
First-lien loan ($36,833 par, due 10/2028)
10/31/2022
SOFR + 6.75%
11.07
%
35,258
35,268
2.6
%
372,372
369,758
27.5
%
Manufacturing
Avalara, Inc (3)
First-lien loan ($38,636 par, due 10/2028)
10/19/2022
SOFR + 7.25%
11.83
%
37,601
37,255
2.8
%
Office Products
USR Parent, Inc. (3)(5)
ABL FILO term loan ($19,000 par, due 4/2027)
4/25/2022
SOFR + 6.50%
10.62
%
18,634
18,478
1.4
%
Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Murchison Oil and Gas, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($26,873 par, due 6/2026)
6/30/2022
SOFR + 8.65%
13.23
%
26,345
26,781
2.0
%
TRP Assets, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($57,818 par, due 12/2025)
12/3/2021
SOFR + 7.76%
12.34
%
56,927
58,468
4.4
%
83,272
85,249
6.4
%
Other
Omnigo Software, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($40,353 par, due 3/2026)
3/31/2021
SOFR + 6.60%
10.92
%
39,655
39,445
2.9
%
Retail and Consumer Products
99 Cents Only Stores LLC (3)
ABL FILO term loan ($25,000 par, due 5/2025)
9/6/2017
L + 8.50%
13.23
%
24,782
25,063
1.9
%
American Achievement, Corp. (3)
First-lien loan ($27,171 par, due 9/2026)
9/30/2015
L + 6.25%
10.38% (incl. 9.88% PIK)
26,339
20,922
1.6
%
First-lien loan ($1,363 par, due 9/2026) (15)
6/10/2021
L + 14.00%
18.13% (incl. 17.63% PIK)
1,362
0.0
%
Subordinated note ($4,740 par, due 9/2026) (15)
3/16/2021
L + 1.00%
4.75% PIK
0.0
%
Bed Bath and Beyond Inc. (3)
ABL FILO term loan ($55,000 par, due 8/2027)
9/2/2022
SOFR + 7.90%
12.30
%
53,696
53,900
4.0
%
Cordance Operations, LLC (3)
First-lien loan ($32,907 par, due 7/2028)
7/25/2022
SOFR + 8.75%
13.27
%
32,091
32,135
2.4
%
Neuintel, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($56,400 par, due 12/2026)
12/20/2021
L + 6.25%
10.76
%
55,414
55,272
4.1
%
Project P Intermediate 2, LLC (3)
ABL FILO term loan ($73,125 par, due 5/2026)
11/8/2021
L + 8.00%
12.41
%
71,976
72,943
5.4
%
Tango Management Consulting, LLC (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($44,674 par, due 12/2027)
12/1/2021
L + 6.75%
10.49
%
43,752
42,997
3.2
%
309,957
303,381
22.6
%
Transportation
Project44, Inc. (3)(5)
First-lien loan ($35,139 par, due 11/2027)
11/12/2021
L + 6.25%
11.41
%
34,043
33,901
2.5
%
Total Debt Investments
2,579,557
2,568,814
188.1
%
Equity and Other Investments
Business Services
Dye & Durham, Ltd. (4)(11)
Common Shares (126,968 shares)
12/3/2021
3,909
1,538
(CAD 2,284)
0.1
%
Mitnick TA Aggregator, LP (12)(13)(14)
Membership Interest (0.43% ownership)
5/2/2022
5,243
5,243
0.4
%
ReliaQuest, LLC (12)(14)
Class A-1 Units (567,683 units)
11/23/2021
1,120
1,512
0.1
%
Class A-2 Units (2,580 units)(13)
6/21/2022
0.0
%
Sprinklr, Inc. (11)(12)
Common Shares (484,700 shares)
6/24/2021
4,180
3,960
0.3
%
WideOrbit, Inc. (12)
1,567,807 Warrants
7/8/2020
4,869
0.4
%
14,785
17,131
1.3
%
Communications
Celtra Technologies, Inc. (12)
Class A Units (1,250,000 units)
11/19/2021
1,250
1,250
0.1
%
IntelePeer Holdings, Inc. (12)
Series C Preferred Shares (1,816,295 shares)
4/8/2021
1,816
1,794
0.1
%
Series D Preferred Shares (1,598,874 shares)
4/8/2021
2,925
1,923
0.1
%
280,000 Warrants
2/28/2020
-
0.0
%
106,592 Warrants
4/8/2021
-
-
0.0
%
6,174
4,967
0.3
%
Education
Astra 2L Holdings II LLC (12)(13)
Membership Interest (10.17% ownership)
1/13/2022
3,255
2,555
0.2
%
EMS Linq, Inc. (12)
Class B Units (5,522,526 units)
12/22/2021
5,523
4,763
0.4
%
RMCF IV CIV XXXV,
LP. (12)
Partnership Interest (11.94% ownership)
6/8/2021
1,000
1,190
0.1
%
9,778
8,508
0.7
%
Financial Services
AvidXchange, Inc. (11)(12)
Common Shares (200,721 shares)
10/15/2021
1,022
1,995
0.1
%
Newport Parent Holdings, LP (12)
Class A-2 Units (131,569 units)
12/10/2020
4,177
4,845
0.4
%
Company (1)
Investment
Initial
Acquisition
Date
Reference
Rate and
Spread
Interest Rate
Amortized
Cost (2)(8)
Fair Value (9)
Percentage
of Net Assets
Oxford Square Capital Corp. (4)(11)
Common Shares (1,620 shares)
8/5/2015
0.0
%
Passport Labs, Inc. (12)
17,534 Warrants
4/28/2021
0.0
%
TradingScreen, Inc. (12)(14)
Class A Units (600,000 units)
5/14/2021
0.0
%
5,997
7,516
0.5
%
Healthcare
Caris Life Sciences, Inc. (12)
Series C Preferred Shares (362,319 shares)
10/13/2020
1,000
1,310
0.1
%
Series D Preferred Shares (1,240,740 shares)
5/11/2021
10,050
8,668
0.6
%
633,376 Warrants
9/21/2018
1,270
0.1
%
569,991 Warrants
4/2/2020
0.1
%
Merative L.P. (12)(13)(14)
989,691 Class A-1 Units
6/30/2022
9,897
9,897
0.7
%
21,389
22,104
1.6
%
Hotel, Gaming and Leisure
IRGSE Holding Corp. (7)(12)
Class A Units (33,790,171 units)
12/21/2018
21,842
24,413
1.8
%
Class C-1 Units (8,800,000 units)
12/21/2018
0.0
%
21,942
24,456
1.8
%
Human Resource Support Services
Axonify, Inc. (4)(12)(14)
Class A-1 Units (3,780,000 units)
5/5/2021
3,780
4,262
0.3
%
bswift, LLC (12)(13)
Class A-1 Units (2,393,509 units)
11/7/2022
2,394
2,394
0.2
%
ClearCompany, LLC (12)(14)
Series A Preferred Units (1,429,228 units)
8/24/2018
2,014
4,869
0.4
%
DaySmart Holdings, LLC (12)(14)
Class A Units (166,811 units)
10/1/2019
1,347
1,798
0.1
%
Employment Hero Holdings Pty Ltd. (4)(12)(13)
Series E Preferred Shares (113,250 shares)
3/1/2022
2,134
2,034
(AUD 3,164)
0.2
%
11,669
15,357
1.2
%
Internet Services
Bayshore Intermediate #2, L.P. (12)(14)
Common Units (12,330,709 units)
10/1/2021
12,331
11,375
0.8
%
Lucidworks, Inc. (12)
Series F Preferred Shares (199,054 shares)
8/2/2019
0.1
%
Piano Software, Inc. (12)
Series C-1 Preferred Shares (418,527 shares)
12/22/2021
3,000
3,000
0.2
%
Series C-2 Preferred Shares (27,588 shares)(13)
11/18/2022
0.0
%
SMA Technologies Holdings, LLC (12)(13)
Class A Units (1,300 shares)
11/21/2022
1,300
1,300
0.1
%
Class B Units (923,250 shares)
11/21/2022
-
-
0.0
%
17,629
16,673
1.2
%
Marketing Services
Validity, Inc. (12)
Series A Preferred Shares (3,840,000 shares)
5/31/2018
3,840
11,520
0.9
%
Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
Murchison Oil and Gas, LLC (13)(14)
13,355 Preferred Units
6/30/2022
13,355
13,088
1.0
%
TRP Assets, LLC (12)(13)(14)
Partnership Interest (1.89% ownership)
8/25/2022
8,067
10,205
0.8
%
21,422
23,293
1.8
%
Pharmaceuticals
TherapeuticsMD, Inc. (4)(12)
14,256 Warrants
8/5/2020
1,028
-
0.0
%
65,250 Warrants (13)
7/29/2022
0.0
%
1,437
-
Retail and Consumer Products
American Achievement, Corp. (12)
Class A Units (687 units)
3/16/2021
-
0.0
%
Copper Bidco, LLC (10)
Trust Certificates (132,928 Certificates)
12/7/2020
-
0.0
%
Trust Certificates (996,958 Certificates)
1/30/2021
3,041
12,462
0.9
%
Neuintel, LLC (12)(14)
Class A Units (1,176,494 units)
12/21/2021
3,000
2,618
0.2
%
6,041
15,795
1.1
%
Structured Credit
Allegro CLO Ltd, Series 2018-1A, (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 6/2031)
5/26/2022
L + 2.85%
5.36
%
0.1
%
American Money Management Corp CLO Ltd, Series 2016-18A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,500 par, due 5/2031)
6/22/2022
L + 3.05%
6.06
%
1,347
1,309
0.1
%
Ares CLO Ltd, Series 2021-59A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 4/2034)
6/23/2022
L + 6.25%
9.03
%
0.1
%
Ares Loan Funding I Ltd, Series 2021-ALFA, Class E (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 10/2034)
6/24/2022
L + 6.70%
9.21
%
0.1
%
Bain Capital Credit CLO Ltd, Series 2018-1A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($500 par, due 4/2031)
10/15/2020
L + 5.35%
8.13
%
0.0
%
Battalion CLO Ltd, Series 2021-21A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,300 par, due 7/2034)
7/13/2022
L + 3.30%
5.81
%
1,158
1,158
0.1
%
Benefit Street Partners CLO Ltd, Series 2015-BR (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($2,500 par, due 7/2034)
7/13/2022
L + 3.85%
6.56
%
2,179
2,285
0.2
%
Benefit Street Partners CLO Ltd, Series 2015-8A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,425 par, due 1/2031)
9/13/2022
L + 2.75%
5.46
%
1,265
1,214
0.1
%
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd, Series 2014-4RA (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 7/2030)
5/26/2022
L + 2.90%
5.41
%
0.1
%
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO Ltd, Series 2018-1A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,550 par, due 4/2031)
8/11/2020
L + 5.75%
8.46
%
1,246
1,241
0.1
%
CarVal CLO III Ltd, Series 2019-2A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 7/2032)
6/30/2022
L + 6.44%
9.15
%
0.1
%
Cedar Funding CLO Ltd, Series 2018-7A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 1/2031)
7/21/2022
L + 4.55%
7.26
%
0.1
%
CIFC CLO Ltd, Series 2018-3A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 7/2031)
6/16/2022
L + 5.50%
8.24
%
0.1
%
CIFC CLO Ltd, Series 2021-4A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 7/2033)
7/14/2022
L + 6.00%
8.51
%
0.1
%
Crown Point CLO Ltd, Series 2021-10A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 7/2034)
6/14/2022
L + 6.85%
9.56
%
0.1
%
Dryden Senior Loan Fund, Series 2018-55A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 4/2031)
7/25/2022
L + 2.85%
5.36
%
0.1
%
Company (1)
Investment
Initial
Acquisition
Date
Reference
Rate and
Spread
Interest Rate
Amortized
Cost (2)(8)
Fair Value (9)
Percentage
of Net Assets
Dryden Senior Loan Fund, Series 2020-86A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,500 par, due 7/2034)
8/17/2022
L + 6.50%
9.24
%
1,417
1,307
0.1
%
Eaton CLO Ltd, Series 2015-1A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($2,500 par, due 1/2030)
6/23/2022
L + 2.50%
5.21
%
2,227
2,183
0.2
%
Eaton CLO Ltd, Series 2020-1A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 10/2034)
8/11/2022
L + 6.25%
8.76
%
0.1
%
GoldenTree CLO Ltd, Series 2020-7A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 4/2034)
6/17/2022
L + 6.50%
9.21
%
0.1
%
Gulf Stream Meridian, Series 2021-4A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,015 par, due 7/2034)
6/3/2022
L + 6.35%
8.86
%
0.1
%
Gulf Stream Meridian, Series 2021-6A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($2,000 par, due 1/2037)
9/12/2022
L + 6.36%
8.87
%
1,799
1,718
0.1
%
Jefferson Mill CLO Ltd, Series 2015-1A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 10/2031)
5/23/2022
L + 3.55%
6.26
%
0.1
%
KKR CLO Ltd, 49A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 7/2035)
6/2/2022
L + 8.00%
10.17
%
0.1
%
Madison Park CLO, Series 2018-28A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 7/2030)
6/28/2022
L + 5.25%
7.76
%
0.1
%
Magnetite CLO Ltd, Series 2021-30A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 10/2034)
6/13/2022
L + 6.20%
8.98
%
0.1
%
MidOcean Credit CLO Ltd, Series 2016-6A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($3,500 par, due 4/2033)
5/23/2022
L + 3.52%
6.23
%
3,151
2,971
0.2
%
MidOcean Credit CLO Ltd, Series 2018-9A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,100 par, due 7/2031)
6/1/2022
L + 6.05%
8.76
%
0.1
%
Octagon 57 LLC, Series 2021-1A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 10/2034)
5/24/2022
L + 6.60%
9.11
%
0.1
%
Octagon Investment Partners 18 Ltd, Series 2018-18A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 4/2031)
7/26/2022
L + 2.70%
5.44
%
0.1
%
Octagon Investment Partners 38 Ltd, Series 2018-1A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($2,800 par, due 7/2030)
9/20/2022
L + 2.95%
5.66
%
2,456
2,436
0.2
%
Park Avenue Institutional Advisers CLO Ltd, Series 2018-1A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 10/2031)
9/23/2022
L + 3.33%
6.04
%
0.1
%
Pikes Peak CLO, Series 2021-9A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($2,000 par, due 10/2034)
8/31/2022
L + 6.58%
9.35
%
1,782
1,721
0.1
%
RR Ltd, Series 2020-8A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 4/2033)
8/22/2022
L + 6.40%
8.91
%
0.1
%
Shackelton CLO Ltd, Series 2015-7RA (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 7/2031)
5/23/2022
L + 3.33%
5.84
%
0.1
%
Signal Peak CLO LLC, Series 2018-5A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 4/2031)
8/9/2022
L + 5.65%
8.43
%
0.1
%
Southwick Park CLO Ltd, Series 2019-4A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 7/2032)
5/25/2022
L + 6.25%
8.96
%
0.1
%
Stewart Park CLO Ltd, Series 2015-1A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,000 par, due 1/2030)
7/25/2022
L + 2.60%
5.11
%
0.1
%
Voya CLO Ltd, Series 2018-3A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($2,750 par, due 10/2031)
6/22/2022
L + 5.75%
8.26
%
2,382
2,166
0.1
%
Whitebox CLO I Ltd, Series 2020-2A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,125 par, due 10/2034)
7/12/2022
L + 3.35%
6.13
%
1,005
1,056
0.0
%
Wind River CLO Ltd, Series 2014-2A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($1,500 par, due 1/2031)
6/23/2022
L + 2.90%
5.41
%
1,347
1,293
0.0
%
Wind River CLO Ltd, Series 2017-1A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($3,000 par, due 4/2036)
7/14/2022
L + 3.72%
6.46
%
2,617
2,624
0.1
%
Wind River CLO Ltd, Series 2018-3A (3)(4)(10)
Structured Product ($2,000 par, due 1/2031)
12/12/2022
L + 5.65%
6.46
%
1,680
1,659
0.1
%
53,066
51,426
4.4
%
Total Equity and Other Investments
195,169
219,111
16.8
%
Total Investments
$
2,774,726
$
2,787,925
204.9
%
Interest Rate Swaps as of December 31, 2022
Company
Receives
Company Pays
Maturity
Date
Notional
Amount
Fair
Market
Value
Upfront
Payments /
Receipts
Change in
Unrealized Gains
/ (Losses)
Interest rate swap (a)
4.50%
L + 1.99%
1/22/2023
$
150,000
$
(231
)
$
-
$
(3,292
)
Interest rate swap (a)(e)
L + 2.28%
3.875%
11/1/2024
2,500
-
-
Interest rate swap (a)(b)
4.50%
L + 2.37%
8/1/2022
-
-
-
(1,192
)
Interest rate swap (a)(b)
4.50%
L + 1.59%
8/1/2022
-
-
-
(751
)
Interest rate swap (a)(b)
4.50%
L + 1.60%
8/1/2022
-
-
-
(112
)
Interest rate swap (a)(b)
L + 2.11%
4.50%
8/1/2022
-
-
1,252
(924
)
Interest rate swap (a)(b)
L + 2.11%
4.50%
8/1/2022
-
-
(70
)
Interest rate swap (a)(b)
L + 2.11%
4.50%
8/1/2022
-
-
(394
)
Interest rate swap (a)(b)
L
0.16%
7/30/2022
-
-
-
(13
)
Total
152,500
(231
)
2,380
(6,748
)
Interest rate swap (a)(c)(d)
3.875%
L + 2.25%
11/1/2024
300,000
(16,493
)
-
(20,489
)
Interest rate swap (a)(c)(d)
3.875%
L + 2.46%
11/1/2024
50,000
(2,925
)
-
(3,302
)
Interest rate swap (a)(c)
2.50%
L + 1.91%
8/1/2026
300,000
(35,665
)
-
(25,426
)
Total
650,000
(55,083
)
-
(49,217
)
Cash collateral
-
57,786
-
-
Total
$
802,500
$
2,472
$
2,380
$
(55,965
)
(a)Contains a variable rate structure. Bears interest at a rate determined by three-month LIBOR.
(b)Interest rate swap was terminated or matured during the period.
(c)Instrument is used in a hedge accounting relationship. The associated change in fair value is recorded along with the change in fair value of the hedged item within interest expense.
(d)$2.5 million in aggregate notional value of these instruments is no longer designated as instruments in a hedge accounting relationship. The associated change in fair value of the de-designated portion is recorded within unrealized gain/(loss).
(e)The fair market value of this instrument is presented net with the $2.5 million in aggregate notional value of instruments no longer designated as instruments in a hedge accounting relationship.
(1)Certain portfolio company investments are subject to contractual restrictions on sales.
(2)The amortized cost represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts and premiums, as applicable, on debt investments using the effective interest method.
(3)Investment contains a variable rate structure, subject to an interest rate floor. Variable rate investments bear interest at a rate that
may be determined by reference to either London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR” or “L”), Euro Interbank Offer Rate
(“Euribor” or “E”), Canadian Dollar Offered Rate (“CDOR” or “C”), Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) which may
also contain a credit spread adjustment depending on the tenor election, Bank Bill Swap Bid Rate (“BBSY” or “B”), Sterling
Overnight Interbank Average Rate (“SONIA” or “S”) or an alternate base rate (which can include the Federal Funds Effective
Rate, the Canadian Prime rate, or the Prime Rate or “P”), all of which include an available tenor, selected at the borrower’s option, which reset periodically based on the terms of the credit agreement. For investments with multiple interest rate contracts, the interest rate shown is the weighted average interest rate in effect at December 31, 2022.
(4)This portfolio company is not a qualifying asset under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). Under the 1940 Act, the Company may not acquire any non-qualifying asset unless, at the time such acquisition is made, qualifying assets represent at least 70% of total assets. Non-qualifying assets represented 9.7% of total assets as of December 31, 2022.
(5)In addition to the interest earned based on the stated interest rate of this investment, which is the amount reflected in this schedule, the Company may be entitled to receive additional interest as a result of an arrangement with other members in the syndicate to the extent an investment has been allocated to “first out” and “last out” tranches, whereby the “first out” tranche will have priority as to the “last out” tranche with respect to payments of principal, interest and any amounts due thereunder and the Company holds the “last out” tranche.
(6)Under the 1940 Act, the Company is deemed to be an “Affiliated Person” of, as defined in the 1940 Act, this portfolio company, as the Company owns more than 5% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2022 in which the Company was an Affiliated Person of the portfolio company are as follows:
Non-controlled, Affiliated Investments during the year ended December 31, 2022
Company
Fair
Value at
December 31,
Gross
Additions (a)
Gross
Reductions (b)
Net Change
In Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
Realized
Gain/(Loss)
Transfers
Fair
Value at
December 31,
Dividend
Income
Interest
Income
MD America Energy,
LLC (c)
$
27,017
$
-
$
(12,667
)
$
(14,350
)
$
13,608
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
Total
$
27,017
$
-
$
(12,667
)
$
(14,350
)
$
13,608
$
-
$
-
$
-
$
(a)Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new investments, payment-in-kind interest or dividends, the amortization of any unearned income or discounts on debt investments, as applicable.
(b)Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal collections related to investment repayments or sales, and the amortization of any premiums on debt investments, as applicable. When an investment is placed on non-accrual status, any cash flows received by the Company are applied to the outstanding principal balance.
(c)Includes investment in SMPA Holdings, LLC of 15,000 common equity units.
(7)Under the 1940 Act, the Company is deemed to be both an “Affiliated Person” of and “Control,” as such terms are defined in the 1940 Act, this portfolio company, as the Company owns more than 25% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities or has the power to exercise control over management or policies of such portfolio company (including through a management agreement). Transactions during the year ended December 31, 2022 in which the issuer was an Affiliated Person of and was deemed to Control a portfolio company are as follows:
Controlled, Affiliated Investments during the year ended December 31, 2022
Company
Fair
Value at
December 31,
Gross
Additions (a)
Gross
Reductions (b)
Net Change
In Unrealized
Gain/(Loss)
Realized
Gain/(Loss)
Transfers
Fair
Value at
December 31,
Other
Income
Interest
Income
IRGSE Holding Corp.
$
59,779
$
4,420
$
-
$
6,556
$
-
$
-
$
70,755
$
$
5,064
Mississippi Resources,
LLC
-
-
(1,553
)
1,498
-
-
-
-
Total
$
59,779
$
4,420
$
(1,553
)
$
8,054
$
$
-
$
70,755
$
$
5,064
(a)Gross additions include increases in the cost basis of investments resulting from new investments, payment-in-kind interest or dividends, the amortization of any unearned income or discounts on debt investments, as applicable.
(b)Gross reductions include decreases in the cost basis of investments resulting from principal collections related to investment repayments or sales, and the amortization of any premiums on debt investments, as applicable. When an investment is placed on non-accrual status, any cash flows received by the Company are applied to the outstanding principal balance.
(8)As of December 31, 2022, the estimated cost basis of investments for U.S. federal tax purposes was $2,787,005 resulting in estimated gross unrealized gains and losses of $109,609 and $105,786, respectively.
(9)In accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements (“ASC Topic 820”), unless otherwise indicated, the fair values of all investments were determined using significant unobservable inputs and are considered Level 3 investments. See Note 6 for further information related to investments at fair value.
(10)This investment is valued using observable inputs and is considered a Level 2 investment. See Note 6 for further information related to investments at fair value.
(11)This investment is valued using observable inputs and is considered a Level 1 investment. See Note 6 for further information related to investments at fair value.
(12)This investment is non-income producing.
(13)All or a portion of this security was acquired in a transaction exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, and may be deemed to be “restricted securities” under the Securities Act. As of December 31, 2022, the aggregate fair value of these securities is $47,288, or 3.5% of the Company’s net assets.
(14)Ownership of equity investments may occur through a holding company or partnership.
(15)Investment is on non-accrual status as of December 31, 2022.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets
(Amounts in thousands, except share amounts)
Common Stock
Treasury Stock
Shares
Par
Amount
Shares
Cost
Paid in
Capital in
Excess
of Par
Distributable
Earnings
Total Net
Assets
Balance at December 31, 2020
67,684,209
$
296,044
$
(4,291
)
$
1,025,676
$
139,250
$
1,161,315
Cumulative effect adjustment for the adoption of ASU 2020-06
-
-
-
-
(457
)
(285
)
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations:
Net investment income
-
-
-
-
-
142,359
142,359
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currency translation
-
-
-
-
-
40,546
40,546
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
-
-
-
-
-
28,875
28,875
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Issuance of common stock, net of offering and underwriting costs
4,049,689
-
-
85,863
-
85,904
Common stock issued in settlement of convertible notes
2,324,820
-
-
42,249
-
42,273
Dividends to stockholders:
Stock issued in connection with dividend reinvestment plan
1,712,824
-
-
36,335
-
36,351
Dividends declared from distributable earnings
-
-
-
-
-
(261,490
)
(261,490
)
Tax reclassification of stockholders' equity in accordance with GAAP (1)
-
-
-
-
(391
)
-
Balance at December 31, 2021
75,771,542
$
296,044
$
(4,291
)
$
1,189,275
$
90,103
$
1,275,848
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations:
Net investment income
-
-
-
-
-
166,327
166,327
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currency translation
-
-
-
-
-
(74,969
)
(74,969
)
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
-
-
-
-
-
16,695
16,695
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Issuance of common stock, net of offering and underwriting costs
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Common stock issued in settlement of convertible notes
4,360,125
-
-
77,598
-
77,642
Purchases of treasury stock
(368,206
)
-
368,206
(6,168
)
-
-
(6,168
)
Dividends to stockholders:
Stock issued in connection with dividend reinvestment plan
1,625,826
-
-
30,500
-
30,516
Dividends declared from distributable earnings
-
-
-
-
-
(144,322
)
(144,322
)
Tax reclassification of stockholders' equity in accordance with GAAP (1)
-
-
-
-
(2,622
)
2,622
-
Balance at December 31, 2022
81,389,287
$
664,250
$
(10,459
)
$
1,294,751
$
56,456
$
1,341,569
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations:
Net investment income
-
-
-
-
-
196,399
196,399
Net change in unrealized gains (losses) on investments and foreign currency translation
-
-
-
-
-
13,191
13,191
Net realized gain (loss) on investments and foreign currency transactions
-
-
-
-
-
12,433
12,433
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from capital share transactions
Issuance of common stock, net of offering and underwriting costs
5,175,000
-
-
89,152
-
89,204
Common stock issued in settlement of convertible notes
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Purchases of treasury stock
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Dividends to stockholders:
Stock issued in connection with dividend reinvestment plan
1,265,212
-
-
23,533
-
23,545
Dividends declared from distributable earnings
-
-
-
-
-
(179,966
)
(179,966
)
Tax reclassification of stockholders' equity in accordance with GAAP (1)
-
-
-
-
(2,263
)
2,263
-
Balance at December 31, 2023
87,829,499
$
664,250
$
(10,459
)
$
1,405,173
$
100,776
$
1,496,375
(1)The Company's tax year end is currently March 31, however the Company intends to change its tax year end to December 31 during calendar year 2024.
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(Amounts in thousands)
Year Ended
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations
$
222,023
$
108,053
$
211,780
Adjustments to reconcile increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Net change in unrealized (gains) losses on investments
(18,854
)
76,381
(49,738
)
Net change in unrealized (gains) losses on foreign currency transactions
6,393
(8,721
)
Net change in unrealized (gains) losses on interest rate swaps
(174
)
6,748
6,699
Net realized (gains) losses on investments
(12,253
)
(14,735
)
(28,816
)
Net realized (gains) losses on foreign currency transactions
(335
)
Net realized (gains) losses on interest rate swaps
-
(2,251
)
-
Net amortization of discount on investments
(17,596
)
(19,387
)
(27,816
)
Amortization of deferred financing costs
5,245
5,683
6,053
Amortization of discount on debt
Purchases and originations of investments, net
(943,451
)
(995,620
)
(1,198,944
)
Proceeds from investments, net
42,152
23,468
92,869
Repayments on investments
472,536
675,787
995,903
Paid-in-kind interest
(18,161
)
(12,881
)
(9,639
)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Interest receivable
(7,605
)
(8,430
)
(1,550
)
Interest receivable paid-in-kind
(1,518
)
(642
)
Prepaid expenses and other assets
(3,049
)
(1,011
)
12,136
Management fees payable to affiliate
1,436
1,146
Incentive fees on net investment income payable to affiliate
1,129
2,537
Incentive fees on net capital gains accrued to affiliate
4,382
(8,864
)
13,507
Payable to affiliate
(463
)
Other liabilities
31,072
(52,777
)
(24,703
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities
(236,788
)
(224,532
)
2,452
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Borrowings on debt
1,546,233
1,329,868
1,616,739
Repayments on debt
(1,233,264
)
(918,113
)
(1,471,961
)
Deferred financing costs
(9,415
)
(4,296
)
(7,953
)
Settlement of convertible notes
-
-
(547
)
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering and
underwriting costs
89,204
-
85,904
Conversion of convertible notes
-
(22,348
)
-
Purchases of treasury stock
-
(6,168
)
-
Dividends paid to stockholders
(156,421
)
(144,731
)
(221,941
)
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities
236,337
234,212
Net Increase (Decrease) in Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash
(451
)
9,680
2,693
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash, beginning of period
25,647
15,967
13,274
Cash, Cash Equivalents, and Restricted Cash, End of Period
$
25,196
$
25,647
$
15,967
Supplemental Information:
Interest paid during the period
$
119,396
$
55,584
$
29,327
Excise and other taxes paid during the period
$
2,437
$
1,672
$
3,874
Dividends declared during the period
$
179,966
$
144,322
$
261,490
Non-Cash Financing Activities:
Reinvestment of dividends during the period
$
23,545
$
30,516
$
36,351
Common stock issued in settlement of convertible notes during the period
$
-
$
77,642
$
42,273
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated financial statements.
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements
(Amounts in thousands, unless otherwise indicated)
1. Organization and Basis of Presentation
Organization
Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. (the “Company”) is a Delaware corporation formed on July 21, 2010. The Company was formed primarily to lend to, and selectively invest in, middle-market companies in the United States. The Company has elected to be regulated as a business development company (“BDC”) under the 1940 Act. In addition, for tax purposes, the Company has elected to be treated as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). The Company is managed by Sixth Street Specialty Lending Advisers, LLC (the “Adviser”). On June 1, 2011, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, TC Lending, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. On March 22, 2012, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Sixth Street SL SPV, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. On May 19, 2014, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Sixth Street SL Holding, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company. On December 9, 2020, the Company formed a wholly-owned subsidiary, Sixth Street Specialty Lending Sub, LLC, a Cayman Islands limited liability company.
On March 21, 2014, the Company completed its initial public offering (“IPO”) and the Company’s shares began trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “TSLX.”
Basis of Presentation
The accompanying consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”), and include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements for the periods presented have been included. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
The Company is an investment company and, therefore, applies the specialized accounting and reporting guidance in Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946, Financial Services - Investment Companies.
Fiscal Year End
The Company’s fiscal year ends on December 31.
2. Significant Accounting Policies
Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements. Actual amounts could differ from those estimates and such differences could be material.
Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents may consist of demand deposits, highly liquid investments (e.g., money market funds, U.S. Treasury notes, and similar type instruments) with original maturities of three months or less, and restricted cash pledged as collateral for certain centrally cleared derivative instruments. Cash and cash equivalents denominated in U.S. dollars are carried at cost, which approximates fair value. The Company deposits its cash and cash equivalents with highly-rated banking corporations and, at times, cash deposits may exceed the insured limits under applicable law.
Investments at Fair Value
Loan originations are recorded on the date of the binding commitment, which is generally the funding date. Investment transactions purchased through the secondary markets are recorded on the trade date. Realized gains or losses are measured by the difference between the net proceeds received (excluding prepayment fees, if any) and the amortized cost basis of the investment without regard to unrealized gains or losses previously recognized, and include investments charged off during the period, net of recoveries. The net change in unrealized gains or losses primarily reflects the change in investment values and also includes the reversal of previously recorded unrealized gains or losses with respect to investments realized during the period.
Investments for which market quotations are readily available are typically valued at those market quotations. To validate market quotations, the Company utilizes a number of factors to determine if the quotations are representative of fair value, including the source and number of the quotations. Debt and equity securities that are not publicly traded or whose market prices are not readily available, as is the case for substantially all of our investments, are valued at fair value as determined in good faith by the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”), based on, among other things, the input of the Adviser, the Company’s Audit Committee and independent third-party valuation firms engaged at the direction of the Board.
As part of the valuation process, the Board takes into account relevant factors in determining the fair value of its investments, including and in combination of: the estimated enterprise value of a portfolio company (that is, the total value of the portfolio company’s net debt and equity), the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments based on its earnings and cash flow, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, a comparison of the portfolio company’s securities to any similar publicly traded securities, and overall changes in the interest rate environment and the credit markets that may affect the price at which similar investments may be made in the future. When an external event such as a purchase transaction, public offering or subsequent equity sale occurs, the Board considers whether the pricing indicated by the external event corroborates its valuation.
The Board undertakes a multi-step valuation process, which includes, among other procedures, the following:
•The valuation process begins with each investment being initially valued by the investment professionals responsible for the portfolio investment in conjunction with the portfolio management team.
•The Adviser’s management reviews the preliminary valuations with the investment professionals. Agreed upon valuation recommendations are presented to the Audit Committee.
•The Audit Committee reviews the valuations presented and recommends values for each investment to the Board.
•The Board reviews the recommended valuations and determines the fair value of each investment; valuations that are not based on readily available market quotations are valued in good faith based on, among other things, the input of the Adviser, Audit Committee and, where applicable, other third parties including independent third-party valuation firms engaged at the direction of the Board.
The Company conducts this valuation process on a quarterly basis.
The Board has engaged independent third-party valuation firms to perform certain limited procedures that the Board has identified and requested them to perform in connection with the valuation process of investments for which no market quotations are readily available. At December 31, 2023, the independent third-party valuation firms performed their procedures over substantially all of the Company’s investments. Upon completion of such limited procedures, the third-party valuation firms concluded that the fair value, as determined by the Board, of those investments subjected to their limited procedures, appeared reasonable.
The Company applies Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 820, Fair Value Measurement (“ASC Topic 820”), as amended, which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with U.S. GAAP and required disclosures of fair value measurements. ASC Topic 820 determines fair value to be the price that would be received for an investment in a current sale, which assumes an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Market participants are defined as buyers and sellers in the principal or most advantageous market (which may be a hypothetical market) that are independent, knowledgeable, and willing and able to transact. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, the Company considers its principal market to be the market that has the greatest volume and level of activity. ASC Topic 820 specifies a fair value hierarchy that prioritizes and ranks the level of observability of inputs used in determination of fair value. In accordance with ASC Topic 820, these levels are summarized below:
•Level 1-Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access.
•Level 2-Valuations based on quoted prices in markets that are not active or for which all significant inputs are observable, either directly or indirectly.
•Level 3-Valuations based on inputs that are unobservable and significant to the overall fair value measurement.
Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur. In addition to using the above inputs in investment valuations, the Company applies the valuation policy approved by its Board that is consistent with ASC Topic 820. Consistent with the valuation policy, the Company evaluates the source of inputs, including any markets in which its investments are trading (or any markets in which securities with similar attributes are trading), in determining fair value. When a security is valued based on prices provided by reputable dealers or pricing services (that is, broker quotes), the Company subjects
those prices to various additional criteria in making the determination as to whether a particular investment would qualify for treatment as a Level 2 or Level 3 investment. For example, the Company reviews pricing provided by dealers or pricing services in order to determine if observable market information is being used, versus unobservable inputs. Some additional factors considered include the number of prices obtained as well as an assessment as to their quality, such as the depth of the relevant market relative to the size of the Company’s position.
Due to the inherent uncertainty of determining the fair value of investments that do not have a readily available market value, the fair value of the Company’s investments may fluctuate from period to period. Additionally, the fair value of such investments may differ significantly from the values that would have been used had a ready market existed for such investments and may differ materially from the values that may ultimately be realized. Further, such investments are generally less liquid than publicly traded securities and may be subject to contractual and other restrictions on resale. If the Company were required to liquidate a portfolio investment in a forced or liquidation sale, it could realize amounts that are different from the amounts presented and such differences could be material.
In addition, changes in the market environment including the impact of changes in broader market indices and credit spreads 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 unrealized gains or losses reflected herein.
Financial and Derivative Instruments
The Company recognizes all derivative instruments as assets or liabilities at fair value in its consolidated financial statements, pursuant to ASC Topic 815 Derivatives and Hedging, further clarified by the FASB’s issuance of the Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) No. 2017-12, Derivatives and Hedging, which was adopted in 2019 by the Company. For all derivative instruments designated in a hedge accounting relationship, the entire change in the fair value of the hedging instrument shall be recorded in the same line item of the Consolidated Statements of Operations as the hedged item. The Company uses certain interest rate swaps as derivative instruments to hedge the Company’s fixed rate debt, and therefore both the periodic payment and the change in fair value for the effective hedge, if applicable, will be recognized as components of interest expense in the Consolidated Statements of Operations. For derivative contracts entered into by the Company that are not designated in a hedge accounting relationship, the Company presents changes in the fair value through current period earnings.
In the normal course of business, the Company has commitments and risks resulting from its investment transactions, which may include those involving derivative instruments. Derivative instruments are measured in terms of the notional contract amount and derive their value based upon one or more underlying instruments. While the notional amount gives some indication of the Company’s derivative activity, it generally is not exchanged, but is only used as the basis on which interest and other payments are exchanged. Derivative instruments are subject to various risks similar to non-derivative instruments including market, credit, liquidity, and operational risks. The Company manages these risks on an aggregate basis as part of its risk management process.
Derivatives, including the Company’s interest rate swaps, for which broker quotes are available are typically valued at those broker quotes.
Offsetting Assets and Liabilities
Foreign currency forward contract and interest rate swap receivables or payables pending settlement are offset, and the net amount is included with receivable or payable for foreign currency forward contracts or interest rate swaps in the Consolidated Balance Sheets when, and only when, they are with the same counterparty, the Company has the legal right to offset the recognized amounts, and it intends to either settle on a net basis or realize the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.
Foreign Currency
Foreign currency amounts are translated into U.S. dollars on the following basis:
•cash and cash equivalents, market value of investments, outstanding debt on revolving credit facilities, other assets and liabilities: at the spot exchange rate on the last business day of the period; and
•purchases and sales of investments, borrowings and repayments of such borrowings, income and expenses: at the rates of exchange prevailing on the respective dates of such transactions.
Although net assets and fair values are presented based on the applicable foreign exchange rates described above, the Company does not isolate that portion of the results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in fair values of investments held. Such fluctuations are included with the net realized and unrealized gain or loss from investments. The Company’s current approach to hedging the foreign currency exposure in its non-U.S. dollar denominated investments is primarily to borrow the par amount in local currency under the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility to fund these investments. Fluctuations arising from the translation of foreign currency borrowings are included with the net
change in unrealized gains (losses) on translation of assets and liabilities in foreign currencies on the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Investments denominated in foreign currencies and foreign currency transactions may involve certain considerations and risks not typically associated with those of domestic origin, including unanticipated movements in the value of the foreign currency relative to the U.S. dollar.
Equity Offering Expenses
The Company records expenses related to equity offerings as a reduction of capital upon completion of an offering of registered securities. The costs associated with renewals of the Company’s shelf registration statement are expensed as incurred.
Debt Issuance Costs
The Company records origination and other expenses related to its debt obligations as deferred financing costs, which are presented as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the related debt liability. These expenses are deferred and amortized using the effective interest method, or straight-line method, over the stated maturity of the debt obligation.
Interest and Dividend Income Recognition
Interest income is recorded on an accrual basis and includes the amortization of discounts and premiums. Discounts and premiums to par value on securities purchased or originated are amortized into interest income over the contractual life of the respective security using the effective interest method. The amortized cost of investments represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts and premiums, if any.
Unless providing services in connection with an investment, such as syndication, structuring or diligence, all or a portion of any loan fees received by the Company will be deferred and amortized over the investment’s life using the effective interest method.
Loans are generally placed on non-accrual status when principal or interest payments are past due 30 days or more or when management has reasonable doubt that the borrower will pay principal or interest in full. Accrued and unpaid interest is generally reversed when a loan is placed on non-accrual status. Interest payments received on non-accrual loans may be recognized as income or applied to principal depending upon management’s judgment regarding collectability. Non-accrual loans are restored to accrual status when past due principal and interest has been paid and, in management’s judgment, the borrower is likely to make principal and interest payments in the future. Management may determine to not place a loan on non-accrual status if, notwithstanding any failure to pay, the loan has sufficient collateral value and is in the process of collection.
Dividend income on preferred equity securities is recorded on an 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 securities is recorded on the record date for private portfolio companies or on the ex-dividend date for publicly-traded portfolio companies.
Other Income
From time to time, the Company may receive fees for services provided to portfolio companies by the Adviser. The services that the Adviser provides vary by investment, but may include syndication, structuring, diligence fees, or other service-based fees and fees for providing managerial assistance to our portfolio companies and are recognized as revenue when earned.
Earnings per share
The Company's earnings per share (“EPS”) amounts have been computed based on the weighted-average number of shares of common stock outstanding for the period. Basic EPS is computed by dividing net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations by the weighted average number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period. Diluted EPS is computed by dividing net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations by the weighted average number of shares of common stock assuming all potential shares had been issued and the additional shares of common stock were dilutive. Diluted EPS reflects the potential dilution, using the if-converted method for convertible debt, which could occur if all potentially dilutive securities were exercised.
Reimbursement of Transaction-Related Expenses
The Company may receive reimbursement for certain transaction-related expenses in pursuing investments. Transaction-related expenses, which are expected to be reimbursed by third parties, are typically deferred until the transaction is consummated and are recorded in Prepaid expenses and other assets on the date incurred. The transaction-related costs of pursuing investments not otherwise reimbursed are borne by the Company and for successfully completed investments included as a component of the investment’s cost basis.
Cash advances received in respect of transaction-related expenses are recorded as Cash and cash equivalents with an offset to Other liabilities or Other payables to affiliates. Other liabilities or Other payables to affiliates are relieved as reimbursable expenses are incurred.
Income Taxes, Including Excise Taxes
The Company has elected to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, and the Company intends to operate in a manner so as to continue to qualify for the tax treatment applicable to RICs. To qualify as a RIC, the Company must, among other things, distribute to its stockholders in each taxable year generally at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code, and net tax-exempt income for that taxable year. To maintain its RIC status, the Company, among other things, has made and intends to continue to make the requisite distributions to its stockholders, which generally relieves the Company from corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes.
The Company evaluates tax positions taken or expected to be taken in the course of preparing its financial statements to determine whether the tax positions are “more-likely-than-not” to be sustained by the applicable tax authority. Tax positions not deemed to meet the “more-likely-than-not” threshold are reserved and recorded as a tax benefit or expense in the current year. All penalties and interest associated with income taxes are included in income tax expense. Conclusions regarding tax positions are subject to review and may be adjusted at a later date based on factors including, but not limited to, on-going analyses of tax laws, regulations and interpretations thereof. As of December 31, 2023, the Company did not have any uncertain tax positions that met the recognition or measurement criteria, nor did the Company have any unrecognized tax benefits. The Company’s 2022, 2021 and 2020 tax year returns remain subject to examination by the relevant federal, state, and local tax authorities.
Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, the Company can be expected to carry forward taxable income (including net capital gains, if any) in excess of current year dividend distributions from the current tax year into the next tax year and pay a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax on such taxable income, as required. To the extent that the Company determines that the estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of estimated current year dividend distributions from such income, the Company accrues excise tax on estimated excess taxable income.
For the calendar years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 we recorded a net expense of $2.4 million, $2.6 million and $0.4 million, respectively, for U.S. federal excise tax and other taxes.
Dividends to Common Stockholders
Dividends to common stockholders are recorded on the record date. The amount to be paid out as a dividend is determined by the Board and is generally based upon the earnings estimated by the Adviser. Net realized long-term capital gains, if any, would generally be distributed at least annually, although the Company may decide to retain such capital gains.
The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of any dividends declared in cash on behalf of stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if the Board authorizes, and it declares, a cash dividend, then the stockholders who have not “opted out” of the dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash dividends automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Company’s common stock, rather than receiving the cash dividend. The Company expects to use newly issued shares to satisfy the dividend reinvestment plan.
Recent Accounting Standards and Regulatory Updates
In December 2022, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued Accounting Standards Update 2022-06 (“ASU 2022-06”) “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848): Deferral of the Sunset Date of Topic 848.” Topic 848 provides optional expedients and exceptions for applying generally accepted accounting principles to contract modifications and hedging relationships, subject to meeting certain criteria, that reference LIBOR or another reference rate expected to be discontinued. ASU 2022-06 defers the sunset date of Topic 848 from December 31, 2022, to December 31, 2024, after which entities will no longer be permitted to apply the relief
in Topic 848. ASU 2022-06 is effective for all entities in scope upon issuance of ASU 2022-06. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on the Company’s financial position, result of operations or cash flows.
3. Agreements and Related Party Transactions
Administration Agreement
On March 15, 2011, the Company entered into the Administration Agreement with the Adviser. Under the terms of the Administration Agreement, the Adviser provides administrative services to the Company. These services include providing office space, equipment and office services, maintaining financial records, preparing reports to stockholders and reports filed with the SEC, and managing the payment of expenses and the oversight of the performance of administrative and professional services rendered by others. Certain of these services are reimbursable to the Adviser under the terms of the Administration Agreement. In addition, the Adviser is permitted to delegate its duties under the Administration Agreement to affiliates or third parties and the Company pays or reimburses the Adviser for certain expenses incurred by any such affiliates or third parties for work done on its behalf.
In February 2017, the Board of Directors of the Company and the Adviser entered into an amended and restated administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) reflecting certain clarifications to the agreement to provide greater detail regarding the scope of the reimbursable costs and expenses of the Administrator’s services.
In November 2023, the Board renewed the Administration Agreement. Unless earlier terminated as described below, the Administration Agreement will remain in effect until November 2024, and may be extended subject to required approvals. The Administration Agreement may be terminated by either party without penalty on 60 days’ written notice to the other party.
No person who is an officer, director or employee of the Adviser or its affiliates and who serves as a director of the Company receives any compensation from the Company for his or her services as a director. However, the Company reimburses the Adviser (or its affiliates) for the allocable portion of the costs of compensation, benefits, and related administrative expenses of the Company’s officers who provide operational and administrative services to the Company pursuant to the Administration Agreement, their respective staffs and other professionals who provide services to the Company (including, in each case, employees of the Adviser or an affiliate). Such reimbursable amounts include the allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser or its affiliates to the Company’s Chief Financial Officer, Chief Compliance Officer, and other professionals who provide operational and administrative services to the Company pursuant to the Administration Agreement, including individuals who provide “back office” or “middle office” financial, operational, legal and/or compliance services to the Company. The Company reimburses the Adviser (or its affiliates) for the allocable portion of the compensation paid by the Adviser (or its affiliates) to such individuals based on the percentage of time those individuals devote, on an estimated basis, to the business and affairs of the Company and in acting on behalf of the Company. The Company may also reimburse the Adviser or its affiliates for the allocable portion of overhead expenses (including rent, office equipment and utilities) attributable thereto. Directors who are not affiliated with the Adviser receive compensation for their services and reimbursement of expenses incurred to attend meetings.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company incurred expenses of $3.2 million, $3.1 million and $4.8 million, respectively, for administrative services payable to the Adviser under the terms of the Administration Agreement, which is included in other general and administrative expenses in the Consolidated Statements of Operations.
Investment Advisory Agreement
On April 15, 2011, the Company entered into the Investment Advisory Agreement with the Adviser. The Investment Advisory Agreement was subsequently amended on December 12, 2011. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser provides investment advisory services to the Company. The Adviser’s services under the Investment Advisory Agreement are not exclusive, and the Adviser is free to furnish similar or other services to others so long as its services to the Company are not impaired. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Company will pay the Adviser the Management Fee and may also pay certain Incentive Fees.
The Management Fee is calculated at an annual rate of 1.5% based on the average value of the Company’s gross assets calculated using the values at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters, adjusted for any share issuances or repurchases during the period. The Management Fee is payable quarterly in arrears.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Management Fees (gross of waivers) were $46.4 million, $39.9 million and $37.1 million, respectively.
Any waived Management Fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.
The Adviser intends to waive a portion of the Management Fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement by reducing the Management Fee on assets financed using leverage over 200% asset coverage (in other words, over 1.0x debt to equity) (the “Leverage Waiver”). Pursuant to the Leverage Waiver, the Adviser intends to waive the portion of the Management Fee in excess of an annual rate of 1.0% (0.250% per quarter) on the average value of the Company's gross assets as of the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters that exceeds the product of (i) 200% and (ii) the average value of our net asset value at the end of the two most recently completed calendar quarters. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Management Fees of $1.2 million, $0.4 million, and $0.2 million, respectively, have been waived pursuant to the Leverage Waiver.
The Incentive Fee consists of two parts, as follows:
1.The first component, payable at the end of each quarter in arrears, equals 100% of the pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of a 1.5% quarterly “hurdle rate,” the calculation of which is further explained below, until the Adviser has received 17.5% of the total pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that quarter and, for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% quarterly, 17.5% of all remaining pre-Incentive Fee net investment income for that quarter. The 100% “catch-up” provision for pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of the 1.5% “hurdle rate” is intended to provide the Adviser with an Incentive Fee of 17.5% on all pre-Incentive Fee net investment income when that amount equals 1.82% in a quarter (7.28% annualized), which is the rate at which catch-up is achieved. Once the “hurdle rate” is reached and catch-up is achieved, 17.5% of any pre-Incentive Fee net investment income in excess of 1.82% in any quarter is payable to the Adviser.
Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income means dividends, interest and fee income accrued by the Company during the calendar quarter, minus the Company’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the Management Fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement to the Administrator, and any interest expense and dividends paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock, but excluding the Incentive Fee). Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with pay-in-kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that the Company may not have received in cash. Pre-Incentive Fee net investment income does not include any realized capital gains, realized capital losses or unrealized capital gains or losses.
2.The second component, payable at the end of each fiscal year in arrears, equaled 15% through March 31, 2014 and, beginning April 1, 2014, equals a weighted percentage of cumulative realized capital gains from the Company’s inception to the end of that fiscal year, less cumulative realized capital losses and unrealized capital losses. This component of the Incentive Fee is referred to as the Capital Gains Fee. Each year, the fee paid for this component of the Incentive Fee is net of the aggregate amount of any previously paid Capital Gains Fee for prior periods. For capital gains that accrue following March 31, 2014, the Incentive Fee rate is 17.5%. The Company accrues, but does not pay, a Capital Gains Fee with respect to unrealized capital gains because a Capital Gains Fee would be owed to the Adviser if the Company were to sell the relevant investment and realize a capital gain. The weighted percentage is intended to ensure that for each fiscal year following the completion of the IPO, the portion of the Company’s realized capital gains that accrued prior to March 31, 2014, is subject to an Incentive Fee rate of 15% and the portion of the Company’s realized capital gains that accrued beginning April 1, 2014 is subject to an Incentive Fee rate of 17.5%. As of March 31, 2020, there are no remaining investments that were made prior to April 1, 2014, and as a result, the Incentive Fee rate of 17.5% is applicable to any future realized capital gains.
For purposes of determining whether pre-Incentive Fee net investment income exceeds the hurdle rate, pre-Incentive Fee net investment income is expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter.
Section 205(b)(3) of the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”), prohibits the Adviser from receiving the payment of fees on unrealized gains until those gains are realized, if ever. There can be no assurance that such unrealized gains will be realized in the future.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, Incentive Fees were $47.0 million, $24.5 million and $46.6 million, respectively, of which $42.6 million, $33.4 million, and $33.1 million, respectively, were realized and payable to the Adviser. For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, $4.4 million, $(8.9) million, and $13.5 million, respectively, of Incentive Fees were accrued related to Capital Gains Fees. As of December 31, 2023, these accrued Incentive Fees are not contractually payable to the Adviser.
Any waived Incentive Fees are not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.
Since the Company’s IPO, with the exception of its waiver of Management Fees and certain Incentive Fees attributable to the Company’s ownership of certain investments and the Leverage Waiver, the Adviser has not waived its right to receive any Management Fees or Incentive Fees payable pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement.
From time to time, the Adviser may pay amounts owed by the Company to third-party providers of goods or services, including the Board, and the Company will subsequently reimburse the Adviser for such amounts paid on its behalf. Amounts payable to the Adviser are settled in the normal course of business without formal payment terms.
4. Investments at Fair Value
Under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to separately identify non-controlled investments where it owns 5% or more of a portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities as investments in “affiliated” companies. In addition, under the 1940 Act, the Company is required to separately identify investments where it owns more than 25% of a portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities and/or had the power to exercise control over the management or policies of such portfolio company as investments in “controlled” companies. Detailed information with respect to the Company’s non-controlled, non-affiliated; non-controlled, affiliated; and controlled, affiliated investments is contained in the accompanying consolidated financial statements, including the consolidated schedules of investments. The information in the tables below is presented on an aggregate portfolio basis, without regard to whether they are non-controlled, non-affiliated; non-controlled, affiliated; or controlled, affiliated investments.
Investments at fair value consisted of the following at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
Amortized Cost (1)
Fair Value
Net Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
First-lien debt investments
$
2,956,079
$
2,996,177
$
40,098
Second-lien debt investments
51,423
35,975
(15,448
)
Mezzanine debt investments
38,022
39,471
1,449
Equity and other investments
152,623
155,600
2,977
Structured credit investments
52,865
55,842
2,977
Total Investments
$
3,251,012
$
3,283,065
$
32,053
December 31, 2022
Amortized Cost (1)
Fair Value
Net Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
First-lien debt investments
$
2,529,317
$
2,517,894
$
(11,423
)
Second-lien debt investments
42,743
40,762
(1,981
)
Mezzanine debt investments
7,497
10,158
2,661
Equity and other investments
142,103
167,685
25,582
Structured credit investments
53,066
51,426
(1,640
)
Total Investments
$
2,774,726
$
2,787,925
$
13,199
(1)The amortized cost represents the original cost adjusted for the amortization of discounts or premiums, as applicable, on debt investments using the effective interest method.
The industry composition of investments at fair value at December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Automotive
1.3
%
1.2
%
Business Services
18.0
%
14.4
%
Chemicals
0.8
%
0.7
%
Communications
3.3
%
2.7
%
Education
5.3
%
5.8
%
Financial Services
11.1
%
12.8
%
Healthcare
8.9
%
9.9
%
Hotel, Gaming and Leisure
3.7
%
4.5
%
Human Resource Support Services
11.2
%
11.9
%
Insurance
0.1
%
-
Internet Services
15.1
%
13.9
%
Manufacturing
2.5
%
1.3
%
Marketing Services
0.3
%
0.4
%
Office Products
0.5
%
0.7
%
Oil, Gas and Consumable Fuels
4.7
%
3.9
%
Other
2.9
%
3.3
%
Pharmaceuticals(1)
-
0.0
%
Retail and Consumer Products
8.2
%
11.4
%
Transportation
2.1
%
1.2
%
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%
(1)Value sums to less than 0.1%
The geographic composition of investments at fair value at December 31, 2023 and 2022 is as follows:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
United States
Midwest
10.7
%
11.6
%
Northeast
25.4
%
25.4
%
South
20.7
%
24.3
%
West
32.0
%
30.7
%
Australia
1.8
%
2.2
%
Canada
4.5
%
4.3
%
Finland (1)
0.0
%
-
Germany
0.3
%
0.1
%
Luxembourg
0.1
%
0.1
%
Netherlands
0.1
%
-
Norway
1.5
%
0.7
%
United Kingdom
2.9
%
0.6
%
Total
100.0
%
100.0
%
(1)Value sums to less than 0.1%
5. Derivatives
Interest Rate Swaps
The Company enters into interest rate swap transactions from time to time to hedge fixed rate debt obligations and certain fixed rate debt investments. The Company’s interest rate swaps are all with one counterparty and are centrally cleared through a registered commodities exchange. Refer to the Consolidated Schedule of Investments for additional disclosure regarding these interest rate swaps.
Cash flows related to the Company's derivatives are included within operating activities on the Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows. The following tables present the amounts paid and received on the Company’s interest rate swap transactions for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
For the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Maturity Date
Notional Amount
Paid
Received
Net
Interest rate swap (1)
1/22/2023
$
-
$
(663
)
$
$
(232
)
Interest rate swap
11/1/2024
300,000
(22,776
)
11,625
(11,151
)
Interest rate swap
11/1/2024
50,000
(3,903
)
1,938
(1,965
)
Interest rate swap
11/1/2024
2,500
(97
)
Interest rate swap
8/1/2026
300,000
(21,745
)
7,479
(14,266
)
Interest rate swap
8/14/2028
300,000
(9,306
)
7,587
(1,719
)
Total
$
952,500
$
(58,490
)
$
29,251
$
(29,239
)
(1)As of December 31, 2023, these interest rate swaps had either matured or been terminated due to repayment of the underlying
investment or security.
For the Year Ended December 31, 2022
Maturity Date
Notional Amount
Paid
Received
Net
Interest rate swap (1)
8/1/2022
$
115,000
$
(2,158
)
$
3,048
$
Interest rate swap (1)
8/1/2022
50,000
(706
)
1,325
Interest rate swap (1)
8/1/2022
7,500
(106
)
Interest rate swap (1)
8/1/2022
27,531
(730
)
(256
)
Interest rate swap (1)
8/1/2022
2,160
(57
)
(20
)
Interest rate swap (1)
8/1/2022
42,819
(1,135
)
(398
)
Interest rate swap
1/22/2023
150,000
(5,728
)
6,750
1,022
Interest rate swap
11/1/2024
300,000
(12,227
)
11,625
(602
)
Interest rate swap
11/1/2024
50,000
(2,144
)
1,938
(206
)
Interest rate swap
11/1/2024
2,500
(97
)
Interest rate swap
8/1/2026
300,000
(11,196
)
7,479
(3,717
)
Total
$
1,047,510
$
(36,284
)
$
33,714
$
(2,570
)
(1)As of December 31, 2022, these interest rate swaps had either matured or been terminated due to repayment of the underlying investment or security.
For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company recognized a $0.1 million net change in unrealized gains and a $6.7 million net change in unrealized losses, respectively, on interest rate swaps not designated as hedging instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations related to the swap transactions. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company recognized $2.3 million in realized gains on interest rate swaps not designated as hedging instruments in the Consolidated Statement of Operations related to. For the year ended December 31, 2023 the company recognized a $23.2 million net change in gains on interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments as a component of interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operation. For the year ended December 31, 2023 the company recognized no net realized gain or loss on interest rate swaps. For the year ended December 31, 2022 the Company recognized a $49.2 million net change in losses on interest rate swaps designated as hedging instruments as a component of interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. For the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, this amount is offset by an increase of $9.0 million and a decrease of $23.8 million, respectively, for a change in the carrying value of the 2024 Notes and for the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022, an increase of $9.6 million and $25.4 million, respectively, for a change in carrying value of the 2026 Notes. For the year ended December 31, 2023 this amount is additionally offset by an increase of $4.7 million for a change in carrying value of the 2028 Notes.
As of December 31, 2023, the swap transactions had a fair value of $(31.8) million which is netted against cash collateral on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet. As of December 31, 2022, the swap transactions had a fair value of $(55.3) million which is netted against cash collateral on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The Company is required under the terms of its derivatives agreements to pledge assets as collateral to secure its obligations underlying the derivatives. The amount of collateral required varies over time based on the mark-to-market value, notional amount and remaining term of the derivatives, and may exceed the amount owed by the Company on a mark-to-market basis. Any failure by the Company to fulfill any collateral requirement (e.g., a so-called “margin call”) may result in a default. In the event of a default by a counterparty, the Company would be an unsecured creditor to the extent of any such overcollateralization.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, $24.0 million and $15.4 million, respectively, of cash is pledged as collateral under the Company’s derivative agreements and is included in restricted cash as a component of cash and cash equivalents on the Company’s Consolidated Balance Sheet.
The Company may enter into other derivative instruments and incur other exposures with the same or other counterparties in the future.
6. Fair Value of Financial Instruments
Investments
The following tables present fair value measurements of investments as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Fair Value Hierarchy at December 31, 2023
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
First-lien debt investments
$
-
$
2,391
$
2,993,786
$
2,996,177
Second-lien debt investments
-
-
35,975
35,975
Mezzanine debt investments
-
38,865
39,471
Equity and other investments
5,180
10,089
140,331
155,600
Structured credit investments
-
55,842
-
55,842
Total investments at fair value
$
5,180
$
68,928
$
3,208,957
$
3,283,065
Interest rate swaps
-
(31,840
)
-
(31,840
)
Total
$
5,180
$
37,088
$
3,208,957
$
3,251,225
Fair Value Hierarchy at December 31, 2022
Level 1
Level 2
Level 3
Total
First-lien debt investments
$
-
$
21,935
$
2,495,959
$
2,517,894
Second-lien debt investments
-
-
40,762
40,762
Mezzanine debt investments
-
-
10,158
10,158
Equity and other investments
7,498
13,128
147,059
167,685
Structured credit investments
-
51,426
-
51,426
Total investments at fair value
$
7,498
$
86,489
$
2,693,938
$
2,787,925
Interest rate swaps
-
(55,314
)
-
(55,314
)
Total
$
7,498
$
31,175
$
2,693,938
$
2,732,611
Transfers between levels, if any, are recognized at the beginning of the quarter in which the transfers occur.
The following tables present the changes in the fair value of investments for which Level 3 inputs were used to determine the fair value as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023 and 2022:
As of and for the Year Ended
December 31, 2023
First-lien
debt
investments
Second-lien
debt
investments
Mezzanine
debt
investments
Equity
and other
investments
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
2,495,959
$
40,762
$
10,158
$
147,059
$
2,693,938
Purchases or originations
887,495
7,961
30,197
13,709
939,362
Repayments / redemptions
-
-
-
(11,217
)
(11,217
)
Sales Proceeds
(472,044
)
-
(102
)
-
(472,146
)
Paid-in-kind interest
15,296
2,242
-
18,161
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)
51,240
(13,467
)
(1,186
)
(20,917
)
15,670
Net realized gains (losses)
(487
)
-
-
8,466
7,979
Net amortization of discount on securities
16,327
-
16,479
Transfers within Level 3
-
-
(2,500
)
2,500
-
Transfers into (out of) Level 3
-
-
-
Balance, End of Period
$
2,993,786
$
35,975
$
38,865
$
140,331
$
3,208,957
Certain of the Company's investment positions in Copper Bidco, LLC were transferred into Level 3 from Level 2 for fair value measurement purposes during the year ended December 31, 2023, as a result of changes in the observability of inputs into the security valuation for this portfolio company.
As of and for the Year Ended
December 31, 2022
First-lien debt investments
Second-lien debt investments
Mezzanine debt investments
Equity and other investments
Total
Balance, beginning of period
$
2,298,856
$
-
$
18,549
$
117,233
$
2,434,638
Purchases or originations
876,485
-
45,144
921,683
Repayments / redemptions
(665,531
)
(10
)
-
(18,316
)
(683,857
)
Paid-in-kind interest
12,623
-
-
12,881
Net change in unrealized gains (losses)
(44,455
)
(2,081
)
(6,520
)
(13,158
)
(66,214
)
Net realized gains (losses)
(602
)
-
-
14,022
13,420
Net amortization of discount on securities
18,583
-
18,658
Transfers within Level 3
-
-
(2,134
)
2,134
-
Transfers into (out of) Level 3
-
42,729
-
-
42,729
Balance, End of Period
$
2,495,959
$
40,762
$
10,158
$
147,059
$
2,693,938
Astra Acquisition Corp. was transferred into Level 3 from Level 2 for fair value measurement purposes during the year ended December 31, 2022, as a result of changes in the observability of inputs into the security valuation for this portfolio company.
The following table presents information with respect to the net change in unrealized gains or losses on investments for which Level 3 inputs were used in determining fair value that are still held by the Company at December 31, 2023 and 2022:
Net Change in Unrealized
Net Change in Unrealized
Gains or (Losses)
Gains or (Losses)
for the Year Ended
for the Year Ended
December 31, 2023 on
December 31, 2022 on
Investments Held at
Investments Held at
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
First-lien debt investments
$
55,032
$
(35,643
)
Second-lien debt investments
(13,467
)
(2,081
)
Mezzanine debt investments
2,060
(6,519
)
Equity and other investments
(12,834
)
1,454
Total
$
30,791
$
(42,789
)
The following tables present the fair value of Level 3 Investments and the significant unobservable inputs used in the valuations as of December 31, 2023 and 2022. The tables are not intended to be all-inclusive, but instead capture the significant unobservable inputs relevant to the Company’s determination of fair values.
December 31, 2023
Valuation
Unobservable
Range (Weighted
Impact to Valuation
from an
Fair Value
Technique
Input
Average)
Increase to Input
First-lien debt investments
$
2,993,786
Income approach (1)
Discount rate
8.7% - 17.9% (14.2%)
Decrease
Second-lien debt investments
35,975
Income approach (2)
Discount rate
15.3% - 21.7% (17.6%)
Decrease
Mezzanine debt investments
38,865
Income approach (3)
Discount rate
14.6% - 22.5% (15.4%)
Decrease
Equity and other investments
140,331
Market Multiple (4)
Comparable multiple
2.0x - 19.2x (6.7x)
Increase
Total
$
3,208,957
(1)Includes $63.4 million of debt investments which were valued using an asset valuation waterfall.
(2)Includes $27.2 million of debt investments which were valued using an asset valuation waterfall.
(3)Includes $0.1 million of debt investments which were valued using an asset valuation waterfall.
(4)Includes $6.4 million of equity investments which were valued using an asset valuation waterfall, $2.4 million of equity investments using a Black-Scholes model, $15.7 million of equity investments using a discounted cash flow analysis and $6.2 million of equity investments which, due to the proximity of the transactions relative to the measurement dates, we valued using the cost of the investments.
December 31, 2022
Valuation
Unobservable
Range (Weighted
Impact to Valuation
from an
Fair Value
Technique
Input
Average)
Increase to Input
First-lien debt investments
$
2,495,959
Income approach (1)
Discount rate
9.3% - 18.5% (15.1%)
Decrease
Second-lien debt investments
40,762
Income approach
Discount rate
19.6% - 19.6% (19.6%)
Decrease
Mezzanine debt investments
10,158
Income approach (2)
Discount rate
14.5% - 18.0% (16.0%)
Decrease
Equity and other investments
147,059
Market Multiple (3)
Comparable multiple
2.0x - 26.6x (7.9x)
Increase
Total
$
2,693,938
(1)Includes $21.0 million of first-lien debt investments which were valued using an asset valuation waterfall.
(2)Includes $0.1 million of debt investments which were valued using an asset valuation waterfall.
(3)Includes $38.4 million of equity investments which were valued using an asset valuation waterfall, $7.5 million of equity investments using a Black-Scholes model, and $13.1 million using a discounted cash flow analysis.
The Company typically determines the fair value of its performing Level 3 debt investments utilizing a yield analysis. In a yield analysis, a price is ascribed for each investment based upon an assessment of current and expected market yields for similar investments and risk profiles. Additional consideration is given to the expected life, portfolio company performance since close, and other terms and risks associated with an investment. Among other factors, a determinant of risk is the amount of leverage used by the portfolio company relative to the total enterprise value of the company, and the rights and remedies of our investment within each portfolio company’s capital structure.
Significant unobservable quantitative inputs typically considered in the fair value measurement of the Company’s Level 3 debt investments primarily include current market yields, including relevant market indices, but may also include quotes from brokers, dealers, and pricing services as indicated by comparable investments. If debt investments are credit impaired, an enterprise value analysis may be used to value such debt investments; however, in addition to the methods outlined above, other methods such as a liquidation or wind-down analysis may be utilized to estimate enterprise value. For the Company’s Level 3 equity investments, multiples of similar companies’ revenues, earnings before income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”) or some combination thereof and comparable market transactions are typically used.
Financial Instruments Not Carried at Fair Value
Debt
The fair value of the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility, which is categorized as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022, approximates its carrying value as the outstanding balance is callable at carrying value.
The following table presents the fair value of the Company’s 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes, as of December 31, 2023 and 2022.
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Outstanding
Principal
Fair
Value (1)
Outstanding
Principal
Fair
Value (1)
2023 Notes
$
-
$
-
$
150,000
$
149,640
2024 Notes
347,500
340,862
347,500
332,853
2026 Notes
300,000
273,410
300,000
261,750
2028 Notes
300,000
309,420
-
-
Total
$
947,500
$
923,692
$
797,500
$
744,243
(1)The fair value is based on broker quotes received by the Company and is categorized as Level 2 within the fair value hierarchy.
Other Financial Assets and Liabilities
The carrying amounts of the Company’s assets and liabilities, other than investments at fair value and the 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes, approximate fair value due to their short maturities or their close proximity of the originations to the measurement date. Under the fair value hierarchy, cash and cash equivalents are classified as Level 1 while the Company’s other assets and liabilities, other than investments at fair value and Revolving Credit Facility, are classified as Level 2.
7. Debt
Revolving Credit Facility
On August 23, 2012, the Company entered into a senior secured revolving credit agreement with Truist Bank (as a successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as administrative agent, and J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, N.A., as syndication agent, and certain other lenders (as amended and restated, the “Revolving Credit Facility”).
As of April 25, 2023, aggregate commitments under the facility were $1.585 billion. Pursuant to an amendment to the Revolving Credit Facility dated as of June 12, 2023 (the “Fourteenth Amendment”), the aggregate commitments under the facility were increased to $1.710 billion. The facility includes an uncommitted accordion feature that allows the Company, under certain circumstances, to increase the size of the facility to up to $2.0 billion.
Pursuant to the Fourteenth Amendment, with respect to $1.465 billion in commitments, the revolving period, during which period the Company, subject to certain conditions, may make borrowings under the facility, was extended to June 11, 2027 and the stated maturity date was extended to June 12, 2028. For the remaining $245.0 million of commitments, (A) with respect to $25.0 million of commitments, the revolving period ends January 31, 2024 and the stated maturity is January 31, 2025, (B) with respect to $50.0 million of commitments, the revolving period ends on February 4, 2025 and the stated maturity is February 4, 2026 and (C) with respect to $170.0 million of commitments, the revolving period ends April 24, 2026 and the stated maturity is April 23, 2027.
The Company may borrow amounts in U.S. dollars or certain other permitted currencies. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had outstanding debt denominated in Australian dollars (AUD) of 66.4 million, British pounds (GBP) of 32.3 million, Canadian dollars (CAD) of 96.8 million, and Euro (EUR) of 57.2 million on its Revolving Credit Facility, included in the Outstanding Principal amount in the table above. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had outstanding debt denominated in Australian dollars (AUD) of 69.0 million, British pounds (GBP) of 12.9 million, Canadian dollars (CAD) of 96.6 million, and Euro (EUR) of 23.4 million on its Revolving Credit Facility, included in the Outstanding Principal amount in the table above.
The Revolving Credit Facility also provides for the issuance of letters of credit up to an aggregate amount of $75 million. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $0.2 million and less than $0.1 million outstanding letters of credit issued through the Revolving Credit Facility. The amount available for borrowing under the Revolving Credit Facility is reduced by any letters of credit issued through the Revolving Credit Facility.
Amounts drawn under the Revolving Credit Facility, including amounts drawn in respect of letters of credit, bear interest at either the applicable reference rate plus an applicable credit spread adjustment, plus a margin of either 1.75% or 1.875%, or the base rate plus a margin of either 0.75% or 0.875%, in each case, based on the total amount of the borrowing base relative to the sum of the total commitments (or, if greater, the total exposure) under the Revolving Credit Facility plus certain other designated secured debt. The Company may elect either the applicable reference rate or base rate at the time of drawdown, and loans may be converted from one rate to another at any time, subject to certain conditions. The Company also pays a fee of 0.375% on undrawn amounts and, in respect of each undrawn letter of credit, a fee and interest rate equal to the then applicable margin while the letter of credit is outstanding.
The Revolving Credit Facility is guaranteed by Sixth Street SL SPV, LLC, TC Lending, LLC and Sixth Street SL Holding, LLC. The Revolving Credit Facility is secured by a perfected first-priority security interest in substantially all the portfolio investments held by the Company and each guarantor. Proceeds from borrowings may be used for general corporate purposes, including the funding of portfolio investments.
The Revolving Credit Facility includes customary events of default, as well as customary covenants, including restrictions on certain distributions and financial covenants. In accordance with the terms of the Thirteenth Amendment, the financial covenants require:
•an asset coverage ratio of no less than 1.5 to 1 on the last day of any fiscal quarter;
•stockholders’ equity of at least $500 million plus 25% of the net proceeds of the sale of equity interests after January 31, 2020;
and
•a minimum asset coverage ratio of no less than 2 to 1 with respect to (i) the consolidated assets of the Company and the
subsidiary guarantors (including certain limitations on the contribution of equity in financing subsidiaries) to (ii) the secured
debt of the Company and its subsidiary guarantors (the “Obligor Asset Coverage Ratio”).
The Revolving Credit Facility also contains certain additional concentration limits in connection with the calculation of the borrowing base, based on the Obligor Asset Coverage Ratio.
Net proceeds received from the issuance of the 2022 Convertible Notes, 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes were used to pay down borrowings on the Revolving Credit Facility.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the Revolving Credit Facility.
2022 Convertible Notes
In February 2017, the Company issued in a private offering $115.0 million aggregate principal amount convertible notes due August 2022 (the “2022 Convertible Notes”). The 2022 Convertible Notes were issued in a private placement only to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act. The 2022 Convertible Notes were unsecured, and bore interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semiannually. In June 2018, the Company issued an additional $57.5 million aggregate principal amount of 2022 Convertible Notes. The additional 2022 Convertible Notes were issued with identical terms, and were fungible with and were part of a single series with the previously outstanding $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of the Company’s 2022 Convertible Notes issued in February 2017. In connection with the offering of 2022 Convertible Notes in February 2017 and the reopening in June 2018, the Company entered into interest rate swaps to align the interest rates of its liabilities with its investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swaps matched the amount of principal outstanding, and matured on August 1, 2022, matching the maturity date of the 2022 Convertible Notes.
On August 1, 2022, the 2022 Convertible Notes matured in accordance with the governing indenture. Holders of $79.2 million aggregate principal amount of notes provided valid notice of conversion and were subject to the combination settlement method previously elected by the Company, with a specified cash amount (as defined in the indenture governing the 2022 Convertible Notes) of $20.00 per $1,000 principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes and any additional amounts in stock based on the applicable conversion rate as described in the indenture. In accordance with the settlement method, the Company issued a total of 4,360,125 shares of common stock, or $77.6 million at the adjusted conversion price per share of $17.92. The remaining balance of the notes that were not converted into newly issued shares of common stock were settled with existing cash resources, including through utilization of the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility. The interest rate swaps associated with the principal amount of the notes outstanding were terminated on the date of maturity of the 2022 Convertible Notes.
2023 Notes
In January 2018, the Company issued $150.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that matured on January 22, 2023 (the “2023 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2023 Notes was payable at maturity. The 2023 Notes bore interest at a rate of 4.50% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on July 22, 2018, and were redeemable in whole or in part at the Company’s option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2023 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and offering costs, were $146.9 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2023 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility. The 2023 Notes matured on January 22, 2023 and were fully repaid in cash. The swap transaction associated with the issuance of the 2023 Notes also matured on January 22, 2023.
2024 Notes
In November 2019, the Company issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2024 (the “2024 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2024 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2024 Notes bear interest at a rate of 3.875% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on May 1, 2020, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at our option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2024 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount were $292.9 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2024 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
On February 5, 2020, the Company issued an additional $50.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on November 1, 2024. The additional 2024 Notes are a further issuance of, fungible with, rank equally in right of payment with and have the same terms (other than the issue date and the public offering price) as the initial issuance of 2024 Notes. Total proceeds from the issuance of the additional 2024 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue premium were $50.1 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2024 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
In connection with the 2024 Notes offering and the reopening of the 2024 Notes, the Company entered into interest rate swaps to align the interest rates of its liabilities with the Company’s investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the two interest rates swaps is $300.0 million and $50.0 million, respectively, each of which matures on November 1, 2024, matching the maturity date of the 2024 Notes. As a result of the swaps, the Company’s effective interest rate on
the 2024 Notes is SOFR plus 2.54% (on a weighted average basis). The interest expense related to the 2024 Notes is offset by proceeds received from the interest rate swaps designated as a hedge. The swap adjusted interest expense is included as a component of interest expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2023, and December 31, 2022, the effective hedge interest rate swaps had a fair value of $(10.4) million and $(19.4) million, respectively, which is offset within interest expense by an equal, but opposite, fair value change for the hedged risk on the 2024 Notes.
During the year ended December 31, 2020, the Company repurchased on the open market and extinguished $2.5 million in aggregate principal amount of the 2024 Notes for $2.4 million. In connection with the repurchase of the 2024 Notes, the Company entered into a floating-to-fixed interest rate swap with a notional amount equal to the amount of 2024 Notes repurchased, which had the effect of reducing the notional exposure of the fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps, which were entered into in connection with the issuance of the 2024 Notes, to match the remaining principal amount of the 2024 Notes outstanding. As a result of the swap, the Company’s effective interest rate on the outstanding 2024 Notes is SOFR plus 2.54% (on a weighted average basis).
2026 Notes
On February 3, 2021, the Company issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on August 1, 2026 (the “2026 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2026 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2026 Notes bear interest at a rate of 2.50% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on August 1, 2021, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at the Company’s option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2026 Notes, net of underwriting discounts and estimated offering costs, were $293.7 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2026 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
In connection with the issuance of the 2026 Notes, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to align the interest rates of its liabilities with the Company’s investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $300.0 million, which matures on August 1, 2026, matching the maturity date of the 2026 Notes. As a result of the swap, the Company’s effective interest rate on the 2026 Notes is SOFR plus 2.17%. The interest expense related to the 2026 Notes is offset by proceeds received from the interest rate swaps designated as a hedge. The swap adjusted interest expense is included as a component of interest expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022 the effective hedge interest rate swaps had a fair value of $(26.1) million and $(35.7) million, respectively, which is offset within interest expense by an equal, but opposite, fair value change for the hedged risk on the 2026 Notes.
2028 Notes
On August 14, 2023, the Company issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on August 14, 2028 (the “2028 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2028 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2028 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.95% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on February 14, 2024, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at the Company’s option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2028 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount, were $293.9 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2028 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
In connection with the issuance of the 2028 Notes, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to align the interest rates of its liabilities with the Company’s investment portfolio, which consists of predominately floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $300.0 million, which matures on August 14, 2028, matching the maturity date of the 2028 Notes. As a result of the swap, the Company’s effective interest rate on the 2028 Notes is SOFR plus 2.99%. The interest expense related to the 2028 Notes is offset by proceeds received from the interest rate swaps designated as a hedge. The swap adjusted interest expense is included as a component of interest expense on the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. As of December 31, 2023 the effective hedge interest rate swaps had a fair value of $4.7 million which is offset within interest expense by an equal, but opposite, fair value change for the hedged risk on the 2028 Notes.
2029 Notes
Subsequent to year end December 31, 2023, on January 8, 2024, the Company issued $350.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured notes that mature on March 1, 2029 (the “2029 Notes”). The principal amount of the 2029 Notes is payable at maturity. The 2029 Notes bear interest at a rate of 6.125% per year, payable semi-annually commencing on September 1, 2024, and may be redeemed in whole or in part at the Company’s option at any time at par plus a “make whole” premium. Total proceeds from the issuance of the 2029 Notes, net of underwriting discounts, offering costs and original issue discount, were $341.8 million. The Company used the net proceeds of the 2029 Notes to repay outstanding indebtedness under the Revolving Credit Facility.
Subsequent to year end December 31, 2023, in connection with the issuance of the 2029 Notes, the Company entered into an interest rate swap to align the interest rates of its liabilities with the Company’s investment portfolio, which consists of predominately
floating rate loans. The notional amount of the interest rate swap is $350.0 million, which matures on March 1, 2029, matching the maturity date of the 2029 Notes. As a result of the swap, the Company’s effective interest rate on the 2029 Notes is SOFR plus 2.44%.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the components of interest expense related to the 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes were as follows:
For the Year Ended
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Interest expense
$
29,294
$
27,716
$
27,086
Accretion of original issue discount
Amortization of deferred financing costs
2,131
2,408
2,338
Total Interest Expense
$
32,324
$
30,890
$
30,131
Total interest expense in the table above does not include the effect of the interest rate swaps related to the 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes. During the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the Company received $29.5 million, $27.9 million, and $27.2 million, respectively, and paid $58.5 million, $31.4 million and $17.8 million, respectively, related to the settlements of its interest rate swaps related to the 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes. These net amounts are included in interest expense in the Company’s Consolidated Statements of Operations. Please see Note 5 for further information about the Company’s interest rate swaps.
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the components of the carrying value of the 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes and the stated interest rates were as follows:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
2024 Notes
2026 Notes
2028 Notes
2023 Notes
2024 Notes
2026 Notes
Principal amount of debt
$
347,500
$
300,000
$
300,000
$
150,000
$
347,500
$
300,000
Original issue discount, net of accretion
(335
)
(1,072
)
(1,675
)
(1
)
(721
)
(1,468
)
Deferred financing costs
(852
)
(1,932
)
(3,994
)
(39
)
(1,869
)
(2,679
)
Fair value of an effective hedge
(10,409
)
(26,111
)
4,680
-
(19,418
)
(35,665
)
Carrying value of debt
$
335,904
$
270,885
$
299,011
$
149,960
$
325,492
$
260,188
Stated interest rate
3.88
%
2.50
%
6.95
%
4.50
%
3.88
%
2.50
%
The stated interest rate in the table above does not include the effect of the interest rate swaps. As of December 31, 2022, the Company’s swap-adjusted interest rate on the 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes was three month LIBOR plus 1.99%, 2.28% (on a weighted average basis), and 1.91%, respectively. On September 25, 2023, the Company’s swap-adjusted interest rate on the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes transitioned to SOFR plus 2.54% (on a weighted average basis), and SOFR plus 2.17%, respectively. As of December 31, 2023, the Company's swap-adjusted interest rate on the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes was SOFR plus 2.54% (on a weighted average basis), 2.17%, and 2.99%, respectively.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the indentures governing the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes. As of December 31, 2022, the Company was in compliance with the terms of the indentures governing the 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes.
In accordance with the 1940 Act, with certain limitations, the Company is allowed to borrow amounts such that its asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, is at least 150% after such borrowing. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company’s asset coverage was 181.6% and 188.6% respectively.
Debt obligations consisted of the following as of December 31, 2023 and 2022:
December 31, 2023
Aggregate
Principal
Amount
Committed
Outstanding
Principal
Amount
Available (1)
Carrying
Value (2)(3)
Revolving Credit Facility
$
1,710,000
$
889,659
$
820,160
$
874,507
2024 Notes
347,500
347,500
-
335,904
2026 Notes
300,000
300,000
-
270,885
2028 Notes
300,000
300,000
-
299,011
Total Debt
$
2,657,500
$
1,837,159
$
820,160
$
1,780,307
(1)The amount available may be subject to limitations related to the borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility and asset coverage requirements.
(2)The carrying values of the Revolving Credit Facility, 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes are presented net of the combination of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts totaling $15.2 million, $1.2 million, $3.0 million and $5.7 million, respectively.
(3)The carrying values of the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes are presented inclusive of an incremental $(10.4) million, $(26.1) million and $4.7 million, respectively, which represents an adjustment in the carrying values of the 2024 Notes, 2026 Notes and 2028 Notes, each resulting from a hedge accounting relationship.
December 31, 2022
Aggregate
Principal
Amount
Committed
Outstanding
Principal
Amount
Available (1)
Carrying
Value (2)(3)
Revolving Credit Facility
$
1,585,000
$
719,328
$
865,672
$
706,156
2023 Notes
150,000
150,000
-
149,960
2024 Notes
347,500
347,500
-
325,492
2026 Notes
300,000
300,000
-
260,188
Total Debt
$
2,382,500
$
1,516,828
$
865,672
$
1,441,796
(1)The amount available may be subject to limitations related to the borrowing base under the Revolving Credit Facility and asset coverage requirements.
(2)The carrying values of the Revolving Credit Facility, 2023 Notes, 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes are presented net of the combination of deferred financing costs and original issue discounts totaling $13.2 million, less than $0.1 million, $2.6 million and $4.1 million, respectively.
(3)The carrying values of the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes are presented inclusive of an incremental $(19.4) million and $(35.7) million, respectively, which represents an adjustment in the carrying values of the 2024 Notes and 2026 Notes, each resulting from a hedge accounting relationship.
For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, the components of interest expense were as follows:
Year Ended
Year Ended
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Interest expense
$
95,496
$
49,897
$
39,698
Commitment fees
2,852
4,075
4,454
Amortization of deferred financing costs
5,245
5,683
6,053
Accretion of original issue discount
Swap settlement
29,239
2,570
(12,087
)
Total Interest Expense
$
133,731
$
62,991
$
38,825
Average debt outstanding (in millions)
$
1,705.6
$
1,342.0
$
1,223.4
Weighted average interest rate
7.3
%
3.9
%
2.3
%
8. Commitments and Contingencies
Portfolio Company Commitments
From time to time, the Company may enter into commitments to fund investments; such commitments are incorporated into the Company’s assessment of its liquidity position. The Company’s senior secured revolving loan commitments are generally available on a borrower’s demand and may remain outstanding until the maturity date of the applicable loan. The Company’s senior secured delayed draw term loan commitments are generally available on a borrower’s demand and, once drawn, generally have the same remaining term as the associated loan agreement. Undrawn senior secured delayed draw term loan commitments generally have a shorter availability period than the term of the associated loan agreement.
As of December 31, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had the following commitments to fund investments in current portfolio companies:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
Alaska Bidco Oy - Delayed Draw & Revolver
$
$
-
Alpha Midco, Inc. - Delayed Draw
American Achievement, Corp. - Revolver
2,403
2,403
Arrow Buyer, Inc. - Delayed Draw
7,644
-
Artisan Bidco, Inc. - Revolver
5,716
-
ASG II, LLC - Delayed Draw
3,391
6,952
Avalara, Inc. - Revolver
3,863
3,864
Axonify, Inc. - Delayed Draw
3,506
6,113
Banyan Software Holdings, LLC - Delayed Draw
10,036
-
Bayshore Intermediate #2, L.P. - Revolver
1,918
1,618
BCTO Ace Purchaser, Inc. - Delayed Draw
6,556
BCTO Bluebill Buyer, Inc. - Delayed Draw
5,110
-
Bear OpCo, LLC - Delayed Draw
1,183
2,606
BlueSnap, Inc. - Revolver
2,500
2,500
BTRS Holdings, Inc. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
5,563
8,638
Carlstar Group, LLC - Revolver
-
8,500
Cordance Operations, LLC - Revolver
1,956
12,093
Coupa Holdings, LLC - Delayed Draw & Revolver
6,809
-
CrunchTime Information Systems, Inc. - Delayed Draw
-
7,101
Crewline Buyer, Inc. - Revolver & Partnership Interest
6,148
-
Disco Parent, Inc. - Revolver
-
Dye & Durham Corp. - Revolver
1,236
6,280
EDB Parent, LLC - Delayed Draw
11,492
18,037
Edge Bidco B.V. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
1,060
-
Elysian Finco Ltd. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
4,704
6,792
Employment Hero Holdings Pty Ltd. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
8,871
8,816
EMS Linq, Inc. - Revolver
8,784
8,784
Erling Lux Bidco SARL - Delayed Draw & Revolver
3,184
5,618
ExtraHop Networks, Inc. - Delayed Draw
9,803
17,050
Fullsteam Operations, LLC - Delayed Draw & Revolver
11,246
-
ForeScout Technologies, Inc. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
3,425
3,425
G Treasury SS, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
3,400
Galileo Parent, Inc. - Revolver
6,779
-
Hirevue, Inc. - Revolver
6,887
-
Hornetsecurity Holding GmbH - Delayed Draw & Revolver
2,113
2,041
Ibis Intermediate Co. - Delayed Draw
6,338
6,338
IRGSE Holding Corp. - Revolver
Kangaroo Bidco AS - Delayed Draw
9,418
-
Kyriba Corp. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
2,488
Laramie Energy, LLC - Delayed Draw
7,683
-
LeanTaaS Holdings, Inc. - Delayed Draw
38,034
47,218
Lithium Technologies, LLC - Revolver
-
1,979
Lucidworks, Inc. - Delayed Draw
Marcura Equities LTD - Delayed Draw & Revolver
11,667
-
Murchison Oil and Gas, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
9,772
Netwrix Corp. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
13,056
13,881
Neuintel, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
4,200
OutSystems Luxco SARL - Delayed Draw
2,212
2,137
PageUp People, Ltd. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
-
5,764
Passport Labs, Inc. - Delayed Draw & Revolver
2,778
2,778
Ping Identity Holding Corp. - Revolver
2,273
2,273
PrimePay Intermediate, LLC - Delayed Draw
-
2,474
PrimeRevenue, Inc. - Revolver
6,250
6,250
Project44, Inc. - Delayed Draw
19,861
19,861
Rapid Data GmbH Unternehmensberatung - Delayed Draw & Revolver
6,254
-
ReliaQuest Holdings, LLC - Delayed Draw, Revolver & Preferred Equity
4,424
22,752
SkyLark UK DebtCo Limited - Delayed Draw
7,071
-
SL Buyer Corp. - Delayed Draw
13,175
-
Tango Management Consulting, LLC - Delayed Draw & Revolver
11,043
26,576
TRP Assets, LLC - Delayed Draw & Membership Interest
1,000
7,806
WideOrbit, Inc. - Revolver
-
4,756
Wrangler TopCo, LLC - Revolver
-
Total Portfolio Company Commitments (1)(2)
$
316,107
$
338,043
(1)Represents the full amount of the Company’s commitments to fund investments on such date. Commitments may be subject to limitations on borrowings set forth in the agreements between the Company and the applicable portfolio company. As a result, portfolio companies may not be eligible to borrow the full commitment amount on such date.
(2)The Company’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.
Other Commitments and Contingencies
As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, the Company did not have any unfunded commitments to fund investments to new borrowers that were not current portfolio companies as of such date.
From time to time, the Company may become a party to certain legal proceedings incidental to the normal course of its business. As of December 31, 2023 and 2022, management is not aware of any material pending or threatened litigation that would require accounting recognition or financial statement disclosure.
9. Net Assets
On February 23, 2021, the Company issued a total of 4,000,000 shares of common stock at $21.30 per share. Net of underwriting fees and offering costs, the Company received total cash proceeds of $84.9 million. Subsequent to the offering the Company issued an additional 49,689 shares on March 24, 2021 pursuant to the overallotment option granted to underwriters and received, net of underwriting fees, total cash proceeds of $1.0 million.
During the three months ended December 31, 2021, the Company issued a total of 2,324,820 shares of common stock as settlement for the conversion of $42.8 million principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes.
On August 1, 2022, the Company issued a total of 4,360,125 shares of common stock, or $77.6 million as settlement for the conversion of $79.2 million principal amount of the 2022 Convertible Notes.
On May 15, 2023, the Company issued a total of 4,500,000 shares of common stock at $17.33 per share. Net of underwriting fees and offering costs, the Company received total cash proceeds of $77.6 million. Subsequent to the offering, the Company issued an additional 675,000 shares on June 12, 2023 pursuant to the overallotment option granted to underwriters and received, net of underwriting fees, additional total cash proceeds of $11.7 million.
The Company has a dividend reinvestment plan, whereby the Company may buy shares of its common stock in the open market or issue new shares in order to satisfy dividend reinvestment requests. The number of shares to be issued to a stockholder is determined by dividing the total dollar amount of the cash dividend or distribution payable to a stockholder by the market price per share of the Company’s common stock at the close of regular trading on the NYSE on the payment date of a distribution, or if no sale is reported for such day, the average of the reported bid and ask prices. However, if the market price per share on the payment date of a cash dividend or distribution exceeds the most recently computed net asset value per share, the Company will issue shares at the greater of (i) the most recently computed net asset value per share and (ii) 95% of the current market price per share (or such lesser discount to the current market price per share that still exceeded the most recently computed net asset value per share). Shares purchased in open market transactions by the plan administrator will be allocated to a stockholder based on the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares of common stock purchased in the open market.
Pursuant to the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, the following tables summarize the shares issued to stockholders who have not opted out of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan during the years ended December 31, 2023 and 2022. All shares issued to stockholders in the tables below are newly issued shares.
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Date
Date Declared
Dividend (1)
Record Date
Shares Issued
Shares Issued
February 16, 2023
Supplemental
February 28, 2023
March 20, 2023
61,590
February 16, 2023
Base
March 15, 2023
March 31, 2023
300,988
May 8, 2023
Supplemental
May 31, 2023
June 20, 2023
23,686
May 8, 2023
Base
June 15, 2023
June 30, 2023
290,680
August 3, 2023
Supplemental
August 31, 2023
September 20, 2023
35,504
August 3, 2023
Base
September 15, 2023
September 29, 2023
269,763
November 2, 2023
Supplemental
November 30, 2023
December 20, 2023
32,157
November 2, 2023
Base
December 15, 2023
December 29, 2023
250,844
Total Shares Issued
1,265,212
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
Date
Date Declared
Dividend (1)
Record Date
Shares Issued
Shares Issued
November 2, 2021
Base
December 15, 2021
January 14, 2022
233,542
February 17, 2022
Supplemental
February 28, 2022
March 31, 2022
65,596
February 17, 2022
Base
March 15, 2022
April 18, 2022
239,376
May 3, 2022
Supplemental
May 31, 2022
June 30, 2022
29,459
May 3, 2022
Base
June 15, 2022
July 15, 2022
294,337
August 2, 2022
Base
September 15, 2022
September 30, 2022
357,530
November 1, 2022
Base
December 15, 2022
December 30, 2022
405,986
Total Shares Issued
1,625,826
(1)See Note 11 for further information on base, supplemental and special dividends.
On August 4, 2015, the Company's Board authorized the Company to acquire up to $50 million in aggregate of the Company’s common stock from time to time over an initial six month period, and has continued to authorize the refreshment of the $50 million amount authorized under and extension of the stock repurchase program prior to its expiration since that time, most recently as of November 1, 2022. The amount and timing of stock repurchases under the program may vary depending on market conditions, and no assurance can be given that any particular amount of common stock will be repurchased.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, no shares were repurchased. For the year ended December 31, 2022, the Company repurchased 368,206 shares at a weighted average price per share of $16.75 inclusive of commissions, for a total cost of $6.2 million.
10. Earnings per share
The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share:
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Earnings per common share-basic
Numerator for basic earnings per share
$
222,023
$
108,053
$
211,780
Denominator for basic weighted average
shares
85,131,264
78,197,826
72,169,488
Earnings per common share-basic
$
2.61
$
1.38
$
2.93
Earnings per common share-diluted
Numerator for increase in net assets per
share
$
222,023
$
108,053
$
211,780
Adjustment for interest expense and
deferred financing costs on 2022 Convertible
Notes, incentive fee and excise tax, net
-
-
5,194
Numerator for diluted earnings per share
$
222,023
$
108,053
$
216,974
Denominator for basic weighted average
shares
85,131,264
78,197,826
72,169,488
Adjustment for dilutive effect of 2022 Convertible Notes
-
-
5,532,770
Denominator for diluted weighted average
shares
85,131,264
78,197,826
77,702,258
Earnings per common share-diluted
$
2.61
$
1.38
$
2.79
The 2022 Convertible Notes were convertible into a combination of cash and shares of the Company’s common stock, which could have been dilutive to common stockholders. Diluted earnings per share is the amount of earnings available to each share of common stock outstanding during the reporting period including any additional shares of common stock that would be issued if all potentially dilutive securities were exercised. Upon adoption of ASU 2020-06 during the period ended March 31, 2021 the Company is required to disclose diluted EPS using the if-converted method. The if-converted method is a method of computing EPS that assumes
conversion of convertible securities at the beginning of the reporting period and is intended to show the maximum dilution effect to common stockholders regardless of how the conversion can occur.
For the purpose of calculating diluted earnings per common share, the average closing price of the Company’s common stock for the year ended December 31, 2021 was greater than the estimated adjusted conversion price for the 2022 Convertible Notes outstanding as of December 31, 2021. Therefore, for this period presented in the consolidated financial statements the Company applied the if-converted method for purposes of calculating diluted earnings per common share.
11. Dividends
The Company has historically paid a dividend to stockholders on a quarterly basis. The Company has a dividend framework that provides for a quarterly base dividend and a variable supplemental dividend, subject to satisfaction of certain measurement tests and the approval of the Board.
The following tables summarize dividends declared during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Year Ended
December 31, 2023
Date Declared
Dividend
Record Date
Payment Date
Dividend per Share
February 16, 2023
Supplemental
February 28, 2023
March 20, 2023
$
0.09
February 16, 2023
Base
March 15, 2023
March 31, 2023
0.46
May 8, 2023
Supplemental
May 31, 2023
June 20, 2023
0.04
May 8, 2023
Base
June 15, 2023
June 30, 2023
0.46
August 3, 2023
Supplemental
August 31, 2023
September 20, 2023
0.06
August 3, 2023
Base
September 15 2023
September 29, 2023
0.46
November 2, 2023
Supplemental
November 30, 2023
December 20, 2023
0.07
November 2, 2023
Base
December 15, 2023
December 29, 2023
0.46
Total Dividends Declared
$
2.10
Year Ended
December 31, 2022
Date Declared
Dividend
Record Date
Payment Date
Dividend per Share
February 17, 2022
Supplemental
February 28, 2022
March 31, 2022
$
0.11
February 17, 2022
Base
March 15, 2022
April 18, 2022
0.41
May 3, 2022
Supplemental
May 31, 2022
June 30, 2022
0.04
May 3, 2022
Base
June 15, 2022
July 15, 2022
0.41
August 2, 2022
Base
September 15, 2022
September 30, 2022
0.42
November 1, 2022
Base
December 15, 2022
December 30, 2022
0.45
Total Dividends Declared
$
1.84
Year Ended
December 31, 2021
Date Declared
Dividend
Record Date
Payment Date
Dividend per Share
February 17, 2021
Supplemental
February 26, 2021
March 31, 2021
$
0.05
February 17, 2021
Base
March 15, 2021
April 15, 2021
0.41
February 17, 2021
Special
March 25, 2021
April 8, 2021
1.25
May 4, 2021
Supplemental
May 28, 2021
June 30, 2021
0.06
May 4, 2021
Base
June 15, 2021
July 15, 2021
0.41
August 3, 2021
Supplemental
August 31, 2021
September 30, 2021
0.02
August 3, 2021
Base
September 15, 2021
October 15, 2021
0.41
November 2, 2021
Supplemental
November 30, 2021
December 31, 2021
0.07
November 2, 2021
Special
December 7, 2021
December 20, 2021
0.50
November 2, 2021
Base
December 15, 2021
January 14, 2022
0.41
Total Dividends Declared
$
3.59
The dividends declared during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were derived from net investment income and long-term capital gains, determined on a tax basis.
12. Income Taxes
The tax character of shareholder distributions attributable to the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
Twelve Months Ended
Twelve Months Ended
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Ordinary Income (1)
$
151,336
$
124,760
$
225,522
Long Term Capital Gains
28,630
19,562
35,968
Total
$
179,966
$
144,322
$
261,490
(1)For the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, 87.01%, 87.86%, and 84.46% of ordinary income qualified as interest related dividend which is exempt from U.S. withholding tax applicable to non-U.S. shareholders.
The tax basis components of distributable earnings for the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021 were as follows:
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Undistributed net investment income - tax basis
$
85,002
$
36,436
$
17,209
Undistributed net realized gains - tax basis
6,562
26,377
14,818
Net unrealized gains on investments
23,675
3,823
77,220
Other temporary differences
(14,463
)
(10,180
)
(19,144
)
Total distributable earnings - book basis
$
100,776
$
56,456
$
90,103
The following reconciles increase in net assets resulting from operations for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, to taxable income at December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021:
Twelve Months Ended
Twelve Months Ended
Twelve Months Ended
December 31, 2023
December 31, 2022
December 31, 2021
Increase in net assets resulting from
operations
$
222,023
$
108,053
$
211,780
Adjustments:
Net unrealized (gains) losses on investments
(13,191
)
74,969
(40,546
)
Other income for tax purposes, not book
2,680
4,957
Deferred organization costs
(100
)
(100
)
(100
)
Other expenses not currently deductible
2,263
2,621
Other book-tax differences
(4,959
)
(11,123
)
(3,771
)
Taxable Income
$
208,716
$
175,108
$
172,711
Note: Taxable income is an estimate and is not fully determined until the Company’s tax return is filed. The Company's tax year end is currently March 31, however the Company intends to change its tax year end to December 31 during calendar year 2024.
Taxable income generally differs from increase in net assets resulting from operations due to temporary and permanent differences in the recognition of income and expenses, and generally excludes net unrealized gains or losses, as unrealized gains or losses are generally not included in taxable income until they are realized.
The Company makes certain adjustments to the classification of stockholders’ equity as a result of permanent book-to-tax differences, which include differences in the book and tax basis of certain assets and liabilities, and nondeductible federal taxes or losses among other items. To the extent these differences are permanent, they are charged or credited to additional paid in capital, or distributable earnings, as appropriate. In addition, due to the Company’s differing fiscal, tax, and excise tax year ends, the best estimates available are recorded to the above accounts in the period that such differences arise or are identifiable.
During the period April 1, 2023 through December 31, 2023, the Company increased distributable earnings and decreased additional paid in capital by $1.9 million which was primarily attributable to U.S. federal excise taxes.
During the period April 1, 2022 through December 31, 2022, the Company increased distributable earnings and decreased additional paid in capital by $2.3 million which was primarily attributable to U.S. federal excise taxes.
During the period April 1, 2021 through December 31, 2021, the Company increased distributable earnings and decreased additional paid in capital by $0.1 million which was primarily attributable to U.S. federal excise taxes.
The Company’s wholly-owned subsidiary, Sixth Street SL Holding, LLC, is a taxable subsidiary in which the Company holds certain equity investments. Sixth Street SL Holding, LLC is not consolidated for U.S. federal income tax purposes and may generate income tax expense as a result of its ownership of certain portfolio companies. The income tax expense, or benefit, and the related tax assets and liabilities, if any, are reflected in our Statement of Operations.
As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a deferred tax liability of $2.8 million pertaining to unrealized gains, related to seven of its investments. Given the unrealized gains generated by this entity, the deferred tax liability has been offset by a deferred tax asset of $0.9 million pertaining to operating losses. The Company recorded a current tax expense of $0.1 million and a deferred tax benefit of $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
As of December 31, 2022, the Company had a deferred tax liability of $3.3 million pertaining to unrealized gains, related to five of its investments. Given the unrealized gains generated by this entity, the deferred tax liability has been offset by a deferred tax asset of $0.8 million pertaining to operating losses.
As of December 31, 2021, the Company had a deferred tax liability of $2.8 million pertaining to unrealized gains, related to six of its investments. Given the unrealized gains generated by the entity, the deferred tax liability has been offset by a deferred tax asset of $0.9 million pertaining to operating losses. The Company carried back a portion of its operating losses to the previous tax years generating a $0.3 million tax refund.
The tax cost of the Company’s investments as of December 31, 2023 was $3,256,630, resulting in estimated gross unrealized gains and losses of $159,281 and $135,606, respectively. The tax cost of the Company’s investments as of December 31, 2022 was $2,787,005, resulting in estimated gross unrealized gains and losses of $109,609 and $105,786, respectively. The tax cost of the Company’s investments as of December 31, 2021 was $2,445,863, resulting in estimated gross unrealized gains and losses of $156,819 and $79,599, respectively.
To the extent that the Company determines that its estimated current year annual taxable income will exceed its estimated current year dividends from such taxable income, the Company accrues excise tax on estimated excess taxable income. For the year ended December 31, 2023, 2022 and 2021, a net expense of $2.3 million, $2.2 million and $0.7 million, respectively, was recorded for U.S. federal excise tax.
13. Financial Highlights
The following per share data and ratios have been derived from information provided in the consolidated financial statements. The following are the financial highlights for one share of common stock outstanding during the years ended December 31, 2023, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, and 2014:
For the Years Ended December 31,
Per Share Data (7)(8)
Net asset value, beginning of period
$
16.48
$
16.84
$
17.16
$
16.83
$
16.25
$
16.09
$
15.95
$
15.15
$
15.53
$
15.52
Net investment income (1)
2.31
2.13
1.97
2.19
1.94
2.25
2.00
1.83
1.76
2.07
Net realized and unrealized gains
(losses) (1)
0.30
(0.75
)
0.96
0.46
0.40
(0.39
)
(0.14
)
0.51
(0.58
)
(0.33
)
Total from operations
2.61
1.38
2.93
2.65
2.34
1.86
1.86
2.34
1.18
1.74
Issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (2)
0.05
0.04
0.31
0.01
0.04
0.08
0.03
0.03
-
(0.20
)
Settlement of 2022 Convertible Notes (2)
-
0.08
0.03
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
Repurchase of common stock (2)
-
(0.02
)
-
0.01
-
-
-
-
-
-
Repurchase of debt (2)
-
-
-
(0.01
)
-
-
-
-
-
-
Dividends declared from net investment income (2)
(2.10
)
(1.59
)
(2.80
)
(2.07
)
(1.81
)
(1.77
)
(1.53
)
(1.39
)
(1.15
)
(1.51
)
Dividends declared from realized
gains (2)
-
(0.25
)
(0.79
)
(0.23
)
-
(0.01
)
(0.22
)
(0.17
)
(0.41
)
(0.02
)
Total increase/(decrease) in net assets
0.56
(0.36
)
(0.32
)
0.33
0.58
0.16
0.14
0.81
(0.38
)
0.01
Net Asset Value, End of Period
$
17.04
$
16.48
$
16.84
$
17.16
$
16.83
$
16.25
$
16.09
$
15.95
$
15.15
$
15.53
Per share market value at end of period
$
21.60
$
17.80
$
23.39
$
20.75
$
21.47
$
18.09
$
19.80
$
18.68
$
16.22
$
16.82
Total return based on market value with reinvestment of dividends (3)
35.68
%
(15.78)%
32.80
%
11.24
%
30.57
%
4.24
%
15.75
%
26.74
%
5.75
%
12.28
%
Total return based on market value (4)
33.14
%
(16.03)%
30.02
%
7.36
%
28.69
%
0.35
%
15.36
%
24.78
%
5.71
%
14.69
%
Total return based on net asset value (5)
16.09
%
8.79
%
19.06
%
15.63
%
14.71
%
12.06
%
11.87
%
15.54
%
7.62
%
9.92
%
Shares Outstanding, End of Period
87,829,499
81,389,287
75,771,542
67,684,209
66,524,591
65,412,817
60,247,201
59,716,205
54,163,960
53,797,358
Ratios / Supplemental Data (6)
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets
16.92
%
11.05
%
11.17
%
11.10
%
11.27
%
11.32
%
9.41
%
9.39
%
9.31
%
7.56
%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets
13.75
%
12.85
%
11.67
%
13.26
%
11.73
%
13.80
%
12.49
%
11.84
%
11.35
%
13.42
%
Portfolio turnover
16.92
%
26.67
%
44.23
%
41.88
%
30.89
%
44.57
%
58.08
%
37.40
%
34.51
%
53.16
%
Net assets, end of period
$
1,496,375
$
1,341,569
$
1,275,848
$
1,161,315
$
1,119,297
$
1,063,202
$
969,284
$
952,212
$
820,741
$
835,405
(1)The per share data was derived by using the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.
(2)The per share data was derived by using the actual shares outstanding at the date of the relevant transactions.
(3) Total return based on market value with dividends reinvested is calculated as the change in market value per share during the period plus declared dividends per share, assuming reinvestment of dividends, divided by the beginning market value per share.
(4)Total return based on market value is calculated as the change in market value per share during the period plus declared dividends per share, divided by the beginning market value per share.
(5)Total return based on net asset value is calculated as the change in net asset value per share during the period plus declared dividends per share, divided by the beginning net asset value per share.
(6)The ratios reflect an annualized amount.
(7)The ratio of net expenses to average net assets in the table above reflects the Adviser’s waivers of its right to receive a portion of the Management Fee pursuant to the Leverage Waiver for the year ended December 31, 2023. Excluding the effects of the waivers, the ratio of net expenses to average net assets would have been 17.00% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The ratio of net expenses to average net assets in the table above reflects the Adviser’s waivers of its right to receive a portion of the Management Fee pursuant to the Leverage Waiver for the years ended December 31, 2022 and 2021 and the Adviser’s waivers of its right to receive a portion of the Management and Incentive Fees with respect to the Company’s ownership of shares of common stock of Oxford Square Capital Corp. and Triangle Capital Corp. for the year ended December 31, 2018. Excluding the effects of the waivers, the ratio of net expenses to average net assets would have been 11.08%, 11.19% and 11.33% for the years ended December 31, 2022, 2021 and 2018, respectively. The Adviser did not waive any Management Fees or Incentive Fees for the years ended December 31, 2020 and 2019. Excluding the effects of the waivers, the ratio of net expenses to average net assets would have been 9.42%, 9.43% and 9.33% for the years ended December 31, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively. For the year ended December 31, 2014 the Company did not own any shares of common stock of TICC Capital Corp. or Triangle Capital Corp. For the year ended December 31, 2014, the ratio of net expenses to average net assets in the table above reflects the Adviser’s waivers of its right to receive a portion of the Management Fee prior to the Company’s IPO. Excluding the effects of the waiver, the ratio of net expenses to average net assets would have been 7.88% for the year ended December 31, 2014.
(8)Table may not sum due to rounding.
14. Selected Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
Investment Income
$
119,542
$
114,435
$
107,605
$
96,505
Net Expenses (1)
$
64,269
$
63,980
$
57,919
$
53,155
Net Investment Income
$
54,684
$
49,994
$
48,784
$
42,937
Total unrealized and realized gains (losses)
$
(3,523
)
$
14,826
$
4,306
$
10,015
Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
51,161
$
64,820
$
53,090
$
52,952
Net Asset Value per Share as of the End of the Quarter
$
17.04
$
16.97
$
16.74
$
16.59
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
Investment Income
$
100,149
$
77,839
$
63,888
$
67,429
Net Expenses (1)
$
47,536
$
40,659
$
23,066
$
31,717
Net Investment Income
$
52,613
$
37,180
$
40,822
$
35,712
Total unrealized and realized gains (losses)
$
(6,351
)
$
(2,749
)
$
(54,347
)
$
5,173
Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
46,262
$
34,431
$
(13,525
)
$
40,885
Net Asset Value per Share as of the End of the Quarter
$
16.48
$
16.36
$
16.27
$
16.88
Q4
Q3
Q2
Q1
Investment Income
$
78,323
$
71,200
$
62,828
$
66,242
Net Expenses (1)
$
32,132
$
34,730
$
35,440
$
33,932
Net Investment Income
$
46,191
$
36,470
$
27,388
$
32,310
Total unrealized and realized gains (losses)
$
(4,373
)
$
18,486
$
30,966
$
24,342
Increase in Net Assets Resulting from Operations
$
41,818
$
54,956
$
58,354
$
56,652
Net Asset Value per Share as of the End of the Quarter
$
16.84
$
17.18
$
16.85
$
16.47
(1)Net expenses include income taxes, including excise taxes.
15. Subsequent Events
The Company’s management has evaluated subsequent events through the date of issuance of the consolidated financial statements included herein. There have been no subsequent events, except as already disclosed, that occurred during such period that would require disclosure in this Form 10-K or would be required to be recognized in the consolidated financial statements as of and for the year ended December 31, 2023.

---

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
None.

---

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures. As of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act). Based on that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded that our current disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information relating to us that is required to be disclosed by us in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act.
Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting. Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act). Under the supervision and with the participation of management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, we conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting based on the criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework (2013) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 COSO Framework). Based on our evaluation under the framework in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, management concluded that our internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2023.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Attestation Report of the Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm. Our independent registered public accounting firm, KPMG LLP, has issued an audit report on the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, which is set forth under the heading “Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” on page.
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting. There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during our most recently completed fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

---

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
None.

---

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Except for the information regarding the SOX Code of Business Conduct and Ethics (which is set forth below), information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement relating to our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders. The Proxy Statement will be filed with the SEC within 120 days after the end of the fiscal year covered by this Form 10-K pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Exchange Act.
Our SOX Code of Business Conduct and Ethics may be found at http://www.sixthstreetspecialtylending.com in the “Investor Resources” section of our website. We intend to disclose any substantive amendments to or waivers of required provisions of the SOX Code of Business Conduct and Ethics on our website or on a current report on Form 8-K.

---

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement relating to our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders.

---

ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement relating to our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders.

---

ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIP AND RELATED TRANSACTION, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement relating to our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders.

---

ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES
Information in response to this item is incorporated by reference from our Proxy Statement relating to our 2024 annual meeting of stockholders.
PART IV

---

ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
The following documents are filed as part of this Annual Report:
(1)Financial Statements-Financial statements are included in Item 8. See the Index to the consolidated financial statements on page of this annual report on Form 10-K.
(2)Financial Statement Schedules-None. We have omitted financial statements schedules because they are not required or are not applicable, or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes to the consolidated financial statements included in this annual report on Form 10-K.
(3)Exhibits-The following is a list of all exhibits filed as a part of this annual report on Form 10-K, including those incorporated by reference.
Exhibit No
Description of Exhibits
3.1
Restated Certificate of Incorporation (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on June 19, 2020).
3.2
Second Amended and Restated Bylaws dated July 10, 2023 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K/A filed on July 17, 2023).
4.1
Form of Common Stock Certificate (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 22, 2012).
4.2
Second Supplemental Indenture, dated as of November 1, 2019, between TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2019).
4.3
Form of 3.875% Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on November 1, 2019).
4.4
Third Supplemental Indenture, dated as of February 3, 2021, between Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2021).
4.5
Form of 2.500% Note (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on February 3, 2021).
4.6
Fourth Supplemental Indenture, dated as of August 14, 2023, between Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc. and Computershare Trust Company, N.A., as successor to Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 14, 2023).
4.7
Form of 6.950% Note Due 2028 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on August 14, 2023).
4.8
Description of Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
10.1
Form of Indemnification Agreement between the Company and certain officers and directors (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to Amendment No. 1 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form 10 filed on March 14, 2011).
Exhibit No
Description of Exhibits
10.2
Amended and Restated Investment Advisory and Management Agreement, dated December 12, 2011, between the Company and the Adviser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 13, 2011).
10.3
Custodian Agreement dated November 29, 2012 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on December 4, 2012).
10.4
Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated February 27, 2014, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders Party Hereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.20 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on March 4, 2014).
10.5
Dividend Reinvestment Plan of TPG Specialty Lending, Inc. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit (e) to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 4 to the Company’s Registration Statement on Form N-2 filed on March 17, 2014).
10.6
Form of Increase Letter pursuant to the Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Credit Agreement, dated February 27, 2014, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders Party Hereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent, and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Syndication Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.3 to the Company’s Quarterly Annual Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2014).
10.7
First Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated June 3, 2014, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent and Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.4 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2014).
10.8
Second Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated June 27, 2014, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, Morgan Stanley Bank, N.A., as a Lender, and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.5 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 4, 2014).
10.9
Third Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated October 17, 2014, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 3, 2014).
10.10
Second Amended and Restated Credit and Security Agreement, dated as of March 27, 2015, among TPG SL SPV, LLC, as Borrower, the Lenders from time to time parties thereto, Natixis, New York Branch, as Facility Agent and State Street Bank and Trust Company, as Collateral Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed on March 30, 2015).
10.11
Fourth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated October 2, 2015, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 3, 2015).
10.12
Fifth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated December 22, 2016, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.15 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2017).
10.13
Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, dated as of February 22, 2017 between the Company and the Adviser (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 22, 2017).
10.14
Sixth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated February 20, 2018, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 21, 2018).
10.15
Seventh Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of November 5, 2018, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on November 6, 2018).
Exhibit No
Description of Exhibits
10.16
Eighth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 14, 2019, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.16 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 20, 2019).
10.17
Ninth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of January 31, 2020, among TPG Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent. (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.17 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 19, 2020).
10.18
Tenth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of February 5, 2021, among Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.18 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on February 17, 2021).
10.19
Eleventh Amendment to Second Amended and
Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of December 21, 2021, among Sixth Street Specialty
Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as
Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.19 to the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K filed on
February 17, 2022).
10.20
Twelfth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 25, 2022, among Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on May 5, 2022).
10.21
Thirteenth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of May 19, 2022, among Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.2 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 2, 2022).
10.22
Fourteenth Amendment to Second Amended and Restated Senior Secured Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2023, among Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc., as Borrower, the Lenders party thereto and Truist Bank (as successor by merger to SunTrust Bank), as Administrative Agent (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Company’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q filed on August 3, 2023).
21.1
Subsidiaries of Sixth Street Specialty Lending, Inc.
23.1
Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
24.1
Power of Attorney (set forth on the signature page to this Annual Report on Form 10-K)
31.1
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
31.2
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
Certification of CEO and CFO Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as Adopted Pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
97.1
Incentive Compensation Clawback Policy
99.1
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm on Supplemental Information.
101.INS
Inline XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCH
Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema With Embedded Linkbase Documents
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