0001517767false424B2We have not retained a placement agent, underwriter, broker or dealer with respect to this Offering and therefore are not paying any underwriting discounts or commissions.You will pay brokerage charges if you direct your broker or the plan agent to sell your common shares that you acquired pursuant to a DRP. You may also pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection with open-market purchases pursuant to the Fund’s DRP. The expenses of administering the DRP are included in “Other Expenses.” See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying base prospectus.The Management Fee is calculated and payable monthly in arrears at the annual rate of 1.75% of the month-end value of the Fund’s Managed Assets. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to any preferred shares or to indebtedness) minus the Fund’s liabilities other than liabilities relating to indebtedness.The Fund shall pay CGCIM an Incentive Fee calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based upon the Fund’s “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter, and is subject to a hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on the Fund’s net assets, equal to 2.00% per quarter (or an annualized hurdle rate of 8.00%), subject to a “catch-up” feature. For this purpose, “pre-incentive fee net investment income” means interest income, dividend income, income generated from original issue discounts, payment-in-kind income, and any other income earned or accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Fund’s operating expenses (which, for this purpose shall not include any distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees, litigation, any extraordinary expenses or Incentive Fee) for the quarter. For purposes of computing the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, the calculation methodology will look through total return swaps as if the Fund owned the referenced assets directly. As a result, the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income includes net interest, if any, associated with a derivative or swap, which is the difference between (a) the interest income and transaction fees related to the reference assets and (b) all interest and other expenses paid by the Fund to the derivative or swap counterparty. Net assets means the total assets of the Fund minus the Fund’s liabilities. For purposes of the Incentive Fee, net assets are calculated for the relevant quarter as the weighted average of the net asset value of the Fund as of the first business day of each month therein. The weighted average net asset value shall be calculated for each month by multiplying the net asset value as of the beginning of the first business day of the month times the number of days in that month, divided by the number of days in the applicable calendar quarter.The calculation of the Incentive Fee for each calendar quarter is as follows: • No Incentive Fee is payable to CGCIM if the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets in respect of the relevant calendar quarter, does not exceed the quarterly hurdle rate of 2.00%;• 100% of the portion of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.4242% (the “catch-up”) is payable to CGCIM if the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets in respect of the relevant calendar quarter, exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.4242% (9.6968% annualized). The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide CGCIM.• with an incentive fee of 17.5% on all of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income when the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income reaches 2.4242% of net assets; and •17.5% of the portion of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income that exceeds the “catch-up” is payable to CGCIM if the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets in respect of the relevant calendar quarter, exceeds 2.4242% (9.6968 annualized). As a result, once the hurdle rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 17.5% of all the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income thereafter is allocated to CGCIM. The Fund may issue preferred shares or debt securities. The above figure assumes an aggregate of $52 million of preferred shares with an interest rate of 8.75% per annum. In the event that the Fund were to issue additional preferred shares or debt securities, the Fund’s borrowing costs, and correspondingly its total annual expenses, including, in the case of such preferred shares, the base management fee as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets attributable to common shares, would increase.“Other expenses” includes the Fund’s overhead expenses, including payments under the Administration Agreement based on the Fund’s allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Administrator, and payment of fees in connection with outsourced administrative functions, and are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. “Other expenses” also includes the ongoing administrative expenses to the independent accountants and legal counsel of the Fund, compensation of independent directors, and cost and expenses relating to rating agencies.NAV per common share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per common share on the date of the high and low sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding common shares at the end of each period.For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, distributions made by us were comprised, in part, of a return of capital, as calculated on a per common share basis, of $0.088 per common share.Calculated as of the respective high or low closing sales price divided by the quarter end NAV.For the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2022, distributions made by us were comprised, in part, of an estimated return of capital, as calculated on a per common share basis, of $0.1253 per common share. For the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2023, distributions made by us were comprised, in part, of an estimated return of capital, as calculated on a per common share basis, of $0.0699 per common share. For the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2023, distributions made by us were comprised, in part, of an estimated return of capital, as calculated on a per common share basis, of $0.1021 per common share.For the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2024, distributions made by us were comprised, in part, of an estimated return of capital, as calculated on a per common share basis, of $0.0039 per common share. 0001517767 2024-08-26 2024-08-26 0001517767 2024-01-01 2024-03-31 0001517767 2024-04-01 2024-06-30 0001517767 2024-07-01 2024-08-20 0001517767 2023-07-01 2023-09-30 0001517767 2023-10-01 2023-12-31 0001517767 2023-01-01 2023-03-31 0001517767 2023-04-01 2023-06-30 0001517767 2022-07-01 2022-09-30 0001517767 2022-10-01 2022-12-31 0001517767 2021-10-01 2021-12-31 0001517767 2022-01-01 2022-03-31 0001517767 2022-04-01 2022-06-30 0001517767 2024-08-20 0001517767 2024-06-30 0001517767 2021-12-31 0001517767 2022-03-31 0001517767 2022-06-30 0001517767 2022-09-30 0001517767 2022-12-31 0001517767 2023-03-31 0001517767 2023-06-30 0001517767 2023-09-30 0001517767 2023-12-31 0001517767 2024-03-31 0001517767 ck0001517767:RisksRelatingToTheConcurrentPlacementMember 2024-08-26 2024-08-26 0001517767 ck0001517767:RisksRelatedToOurInvestmentsMember 2024-08-26 2024-08-26 0001517767 ck0001517767:CommonSharesMember 2024-08-26 xbrli:pure iso4217:USD iso4217:USD xbrli:shares
Filed Pursuant to Rule
424(b)(2)
1933 Act File No. 333-272426
(to Prospectus dated September 29, 2023, as supplemented from time to time)
CARLYLE CREDIT INCOME FUND
1,444,865 Common Shares
$7.9592 per Share
Carlyle Credit Income Fund, or the “
,” is a
non-diversified,
closed-end
management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “1940 Act.” Prior to July 27, 2023,
the
Fund
was
known as Vertical Capital Income Fund.
. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to generate current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. Principal Investment Strategies
. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations, or “
,” that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We may also invest in other related securities and instruments or other securities and instruments that our Adviser believes are consistent with our investment objectives, including senior debt tranches of CLOs, loan accumulation facilities, or “
,” and securities issued by other securitization vehicles, such as collateralized bond obligations, or “
.” LAFs are short- to medium- term facilities often provided by the bank that will serve as the placement agent or arranger on a CLO transaction. LAFs typically incur leverage between four and six times equity value prior to a CLO’s pricing. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are unrated or rated below investment grade and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Unrated and below investment grade securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities. In addition, the CLO equity and junior debt securities in which we invest are highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities typically being leveraged ten times), which magnifies our risk of loss on such investments. See “
Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and will increase the risk of investing in us
” in the accompanying prospectus.
Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the aggregate of the Fund’s net assets and borrowings for investment purposes in credit and credit-related instruments. For purposes of this policy, the Fund considers credit and credit-related instruments
to
include, without limitation: (i) equity and debt tranches of CLOs, LAFs and securities issued by other securitization vehicles, such as CBOs; (ii) secured and unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans; (iii) investments in corporate debt obligations, including bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal; (iv) debt issued by governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, and central banks; (v) commercial paper and
short-term
notes; (vi) convertible debt securities; (vii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits; and (viii) other credit-related instruments. The Fund’s investments in derivatives, other investment companies, and other instruments designed to obtain indirect exposure to credit and credit-related instruments will be counted towards its
80
% investment policy to the extent such instruments have similar economic characteristics to the investments included within that policy.
Our 80% policy with respect to investments in credit and credit-related instruments is not fundamental and may be changed by our board of trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be provided with sixty (
60
) da
y
s’ notice
in
the manner prescribed by the SEC before making any change to this policy.
. Our investment adviser is Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C. (“
” or the “
”). CGCIM is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “
”)
under
the
Investment Advisers
Act
of
1940, as amended (the “
”). CGCIM is a majority-owned subsidiary of Carlyle Investment Management L.L.C. (“
” and together with CGCIM, “
”).
Securities Offered
. We are offering 1,444,865 common shares of beneficial interest, or “common shares,” in a registered direct placement (the “Offering”) at a price of $7.9592 per share, to certain purchasers (the “Purchasers” and each, a “Purchaser”) in a privately negotiated transaction pursuant to a purchase agreement dated August 26, 2024. We have not retained a placement agent, underwriter, broker or dealer with respect to this Offering and therefore are not paying any underwriting discounts or commissions.
NYSE Listing
. Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange, or “NYSE,” under the symbol “CCIF.” Prior to July 27, 2023, the Fund’s common shares traded on NYSE under the symbol “VCIF.” As of August 26, 2024, the last reported sales price of our common shares on the NYSE was $
8.69
per share. The net asset value per common share as of July 31, 2024 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus for which we reported net asset value) was $
7.64.
Concurrent Placement.
Concurrently with this Offering, we have agreed, pursuant to a purchase agreement between the Fund and the Purchasers (the “Convertible Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement”), to sell to the Purchasers approximately 11,517 shares of 7.125% Series B Convertible Preferred Shares, liquidation preference $1,000.00 per share (the “Convertible Preferred Shares”), in a private placement that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), at a price equal to $930.00 per share (the “Concurrent Placement”). The Concurrent Placement is not being made pursuant to this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus and this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, the Convertible Preferred Shares or the common shares, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Shares. Completion of the Concurrent Placement is not contingent on completion of this Offering, and the completion of this Offering is not contingent on the completion of the Concurrent Placement. See “Concurrent Placement.”
Common shares of
closed-end
management investment companies that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value (“NAV”). If our common shares trade at a discount to our NAV, it will likely increase the risk of loss for purchasers of our securities.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of a substantial loss of investment. Before purchasing any securities, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in our securities, which are summarized in “
Risk Factors” beginning on page
S-14
of this prospectus supplement and page 24 of the accompanying prospectus.
This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus contains important information you should know before investing in our securities. Please read these documents before you invest and retain them for future reference. We file annual and semi-annual shareholder reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” To obtain this information free of charge or make other inquiries pertaining to us, please visit our website (
www.carlylecreditincomefund.com
) or call (866)
277-8243
(toll-free). You may also obtain a copy of any information regarding us filed with the SEC from the SEC’s website (
). Information on our website and the SEC’s website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus supplement.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
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Per Share |
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7.9592 |
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11,500,000 |
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7.9592 |
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$ |
11,500,000 |
|
(1) |
Total offering expenses payable by us are estimated to be $100,000. |
We expect to deliver the Common Shares on or about August 27, 2024.
The date of this prospectus supplement is August 26, 2024
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT
This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the specific details regarding this offering of Common Shares and also adds to and updates information contained in the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The second part is the accompanying prospectus, which provides general information about us and the securities we may offer from time to time, some of which do not apply to this offering. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from the information contained in the accompanying prospectus or the information included in any document filed prior to the date of this prospectus supplement and incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, the information in this prospectus supplement shall control. Generally, when we refer to this “prospectus,” we are referring to both this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus combined, together with any free writing prospectus that we have authorized for use in connection with this offering.
YOU SHOULD RELY ONLY ON THE INFORMATION CONTAINED IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN AND THEREIN, AND ANY FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS PREPARED BY, OR ON BEHALF OF, US THAT RELATES TO THIS OFFERING OF COMMON SHARES. WE HAVE NOT AUTHORIZED ANY OTHER PERSON TO PROVIDE YOU WITH DIFFERENT OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION. IF ANYONE PROVIDES YOU WITH DIFFERENT OR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, YOU SHOULD NOT RELY ON IT. WE ARE NOT MAKING AN OFFER TO SELL THE COMMON SHARES IN ANY JURISDICTION WHERE THE OFFER OR SALE IS NOT PERMITTED. YOU SHOULD ASSUME THAT THE INFORMATION APPEARING IN THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT AND THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, INCLUDING THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE HEREIN AND THEREIN, AND ANY FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS PREPARED BY OR ON BEHALF OF US THAT RELATES TO THIS OFFERING IS ACCURATE ONLY AS OF ITS RESPECTIVE DATE, REGARDLESS OF THE TIME OF DELIVERY OF THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT, THE ACCOMPANYING PROSPECTUS, ANY FREE WRITING PROSPECTUS OR ANY SALES OF THE COMMON SHARES. OUR BUSINESS, FINANCIAL CONDITION, RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND PROSPECTS MAY HAVE CHANGED SINCE THOSE DATES.
PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT SUMMARY
The following summary highlights some of the information included elsewhere, or incorporated by reference, in this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that you may want to consider before making any investment decision regarding the securities offered hereby. You should read carefully this entire prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the documents incorporated by reference herein or therein, and any free writing prospectus related to the offering, including “Risk Factors,” “Additional Information,” “Incorporation by Reference,” and “Use of Proceeds” and the financial statements contained elsewhere or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Together, these documents describe the specific terms of the securities we are offering.
Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms:
|
• |
|
” refer to Carlyle Credit Income Fund, a Delaware statutory trust (f/k/a Vertical Capital Income Fund), and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “ ”), as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. The Fund was previously named Vertical Capital Income Fund. |
|
• |
|
” refer to Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C., a majority- owned subsidiary of Carlyle Investment Management L.L.C. (“ ,” and together with CGCIM, “ ”), and an SEC-registered investment adviser. |
|
• |
|
” refers to the profile of expected asset returns across a range of potential macroeconomic scenarios, and does not imply that a particular strategy or investment should be considered low-risk. |
Carlyle Credit Income Fund
The Fund is a
non-diversified,
closed-end
management investment company that has registered as an investment company under 1940 Act. We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company, or “
,” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “
.”
The Fund’s primary investment objective is to generate current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations, or “
,” that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We may also invest in other related securities and instruments or other securities and instruments that the Adviser believes are consistent with our investment objectives, including senior debt tranches of CLOs, loan accumulation facilities, or “
,” and securities issued by other securitization vehicles, such as collateralized bond obligations, or “
.” LAFs are short- to medium-term facilities often provided by the bank that will serve as the placement agent or arranger on a CLO transaction. LAFs typically incur leverage between four and six times equity value prior to a CLO’s pricing. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are unrated or rated below investment grade and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Unrated and below investment grade securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities. In addition, the CLO equity and junior debt securities in which we invest are highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities typically being leveraged ten times), which magnifies our risk of loss on such investments. See “
Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and will increase the risk of investing in us
” in the accompanying prospectus.
Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the aggregate of the Fund’s net assets and borrowings for investment purposes in credit and credit-related instruments. For purposes of this policy, the Fund considers credit and credit-related instruments to include, without limitation: (i) equity and debt tranches of CLOs, LAFs and securities issued by other securitization vehicles, such as CBOs; (ii) secured and unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans; (iii) investments in corporate debt obligations, including bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal; (iv) debt issued by governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, and central banks; (v) commercial paper and short-term notes; (vi) convertible debt securities; (vii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits; and (viii) other credit-related instruments. The Fund’s investments in derivatives, other investment companies, and other instruments designed to obtain indirect exposure to credit and credit-related instruments will be counted towards its 80% investment policy to the extent such instruments have similar economic characteristics to the investments included within that policy.
Our 80% policy with respect to investments in credit and credit-related instruments is not fundamental and may be changed by our board of trustees without shareholder approval. Shareholders will be provided with sixty (60) days’ notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before making any change to this policy. These investment objectives and strategies are not fundamental policies of ours and may be changed by our board of trustees, or the “
,” without prior approval of our shareholders. See “
Regulation as a
Closed-End
Management Investment Company
” in the accompanying prospectus.
The Adviser pursues a differentiated strategy within the CLO market focused on:
|
• |
|
proactive sourcing and identification of investment opportunities; |
|
• |
|
utilization of the Adviser’s methodical investment analysis and due diligence process; |
|
• |
|
active involvement at the CLO structuring and formation stage; and |
|
• |
|
taking, in many instances, significant stakes in CLO equity and junior debt tranches. |
In conducting its investment activities, the Fund believes that it will benefit from the significant scale and resources of Carlyle and its affiliates.
The Fund seeks to source opportunities through Carlyle’s extensive global relationships and proprietary network and through the deep infrastructure Carlyle has developed in each of the Fund’s credit strategies, including:
|
• |
|
Carlyle’s well-established sponsor, bank and lending relationships cultivated over 30+ years, including over 1,000 lending relationships across the firm as of June 30, 2024. |
|
• |
|
Scale of capital with approximately $190 billion of assets under management in Carlyle’s Global Credit group and 200+ dedicated credit investment professionals as of June 30, 2024. |
|
• |
|
A broad network of dealer, investor, and manager relationships that Carlyle has developed during its 20+-year track record managing CLOs. |
|
• |
|
Integrated efforts with cross-platform sourcing capabilities and referrals from both internal and external Carlyle networks. |
|
• |
|
Ability to leverage OneCarlyle platform 1 with over 700 origination and underwriting resources and global knowledge base across Global Credit and Private Equity as of June 30, 2024. |
We believe that the Adviser’s (1) direct and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers, CLO primary desks of investment banks, and CLO secondary trading desks of investment banks and broker- dealers, (2) CLO structural expertise and (3) relative scale in the CLO market will enable us to source and execute investments with attractive economics and terms relative to other CLO opportunities.
When we make a significant primary market investment in a particular CLO tranche, we generally expect to be able to influence the CLO’s key terms and conditions. We may acquire a majority position in a CLO tranche directly, or we may benefit from the advantages of a majority position where both we and other accounts managed by the Adviser collectively hold a majority position, subject to any restrictions on our ability to invest alongside such other accounts. See “
” in the accompanying prospectus.
We seek to construct a portfolio of CLO securities that provides varied exposure across a number of key categories, including:
|
• |
|
number of borrowers underlying each CLO; |
|
• |
|
industry type of a CLO’s underlying borrowers; |
|
• |
|
number and investment style of CLO collateral managers; and |
The Adviser has a long-term investment horizon and invests primarily with a
mentality. However, on an ongoing basis, the Adviser actively monitors each investment and may sell positions if circumstances change from the time of investment or if the Adviser believes it is in our best interest to do so.
In accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, we have adopted a policy to invest at least 80% of our assets in the particular type of investments suggested by our name. Accordingly, under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the aggregate of its net assets and borrowings for investment purposes in credit and credit- related instruments. For purposes of this policy, the Fund considers credit and credit-related instruments to include, without limitation: (i) equity and debt tranches of CLOs, LAFs and securities issued by other securitization vehicles, such as CBOs; (ii) secured and unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans; (iii) investments in corporate debt obligations, including bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal; (iv) debt issued by governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, and central banks; (v) commercial paper and short-term notes; (vi) convertible debt securities; (vii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits; and (viii) other credit-related instruments. The Fund’s investments in derivatives, other investment companies, and other instruments designed to obtain indirect exposure to credit and credit-related instruments will be counted towards its 80% investment policy to the extent such instruments have similar economic characteristics to the investments included within that policy.
1 |
The OneCarlyle platform consists of Carlyle’s global network of professionals, senior advisors, portfolio company resources, and industry contacts. Within the firm, the platform includes approximately 900 Investor Services professionals who are dedicated resources to Carlyle’s asset management business. Additionally, Carlyle’s Global Credit business operates its four business segments, Liquid Credit, Private Credit, Real Assets Credit, and Asset-Backed Finance in an integrated manner which Carlyle believes provides significant competitive advantages through shared information, resources and investment capabilities. |
Our 80% policy with respect to investments in credit and credit-related instruments is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board without prior approval of our shareholders. Shareholders will be provided with sixty (60) days’ notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before making any change to this policy.
Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C.
CGCIM serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. CGCIM is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC under the Advisers Act. CGCIM is a majority-owned subsidiary of CIM.
Carlyle is a global investment firm with approximately $435 billion of assets under management as of June 30, 2024, across 606 active investment vehicles. The firm also has a large and diversified investor base with more than 3,000 active fund investors located in 86 countries.
Carlyle combines global vision with local insight, relying on a team of over 700 investment professionals operating out of 29 offices in 17 countries, as of June 30, 2024, to uncover superior opportunities in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America.
Our investment portfolio will be comprised primarily of investments in the equity and junior debt tranches of CLOs that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. CLOs are generally backed by an asset or a pool of assets that serve as collateral. Most CLOs are issued in multiple tranches, offering investors various maturity and credit risk characteristics, often categorized as senior, mezzanine and subordinated/equity according to their degree of risk. Generally, a CLO’s indenture requires that the maturity dates of a CLO’s assets, typically five to eight years from the date of issuance of a senior secured loan, be shorter than the maturity date of the CLO’s liabilities, typically 12 to 13 years from the date of issuance. If there are defaults or the relevant collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches of such securities take precedence over those of junior tranches which are the focus of our investment strategy, and scheduled payments to junior tranches have a priority in right of payment to subordinated/equity tranches. While the vast majority of the portfolio of most CLOs consists of senior secured loans, many CLOs enable the CLO collateral manager to invest up to 10% of the portfolio in assets that are not first lien senior secured loans, including second lien loans, unsecured loans, senior secured bonds and senior unsecured bonds.
CLOs are generally required to hold a portfolio of assets that is highly diversified by underlying borrower and industry and that is subject to a variety of asset concentration limitations. Most CLOs are
non-static,
revolving structures that generally allow for reinvestment over a specific period of time (the “
”) which is typically up to five years. The terms and covenants of a typical CLO structure are, with certain exceptions, based primarily on the cash flow generated by, and the par value (as opposed to the market price or fair value) of, the collateral. These covenants include collateral coverage tests, interest coverage tests and collateral quality tests.
A CLO funds the purchase of a portfolio of primarily senior secured loans via the issuance of CLO equity and debt securities, typically in the form of multiple, primarily floating rate, debt tranches. The CLO debt tranches typically are rated “AAA” (or its equivalent) at the most senior level down to “BB” or “B” (or its equivalent), which is below investment grade, at the junior level by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or “
,” S&P Global Ratings, or “
,” and/or Fitch Ratings, Inc., or “
.” The interest rate on the CLO debt tranches is the lowest at the
AAA-level
and generally increases at each level down the rating scale. The
CLO equity tranche is unrated and typically represents approximately 8% to 11% of a CLO’s capital structure. Below investment grade and unrated securities are sometimes referred to as “junk” securities. The diagram below is for illustrative purposes only and highlights a hypothetical structure intended to depict a typical CLO. A minority of CLOs also include a
B-rated
debt tranche (in which we may invest), and the structure of CLOs in which we invest may otherwise vary from this example. The left column represents the CLO’s assets, which support the liabilities and equity in the right column. The right column shows the various classes of debt and equity issued by the hypothetical CLO in order of seniority as to rights in payments from the assets. The percentage ranges appearing below the rating of each class represents the percent such class comprises of the overall “capital stack” (i.e., total debt and equity issued by the CLO).
CLOs have two
schedules (commonly called “waterfalls”), which are detailed in a CLO’s indenture and govern how cash generated from a CLO’s underlying collateral is distributed to the CLO’s equity and debt investors. The interest waterfall applies to interest payments received on a CLO’s underlying collateral.
The principal waterfall applies to cash generated from principal on the underlying collateral, primarily through loan repayments and the proceeds from loan sales. Through the interest waterfall, any excess interest- related cash flow available after the required quarterly interest payments to CLO debt investors are made and certain CLO expenses (such as administration and collateral management fees) are paid is then distributed to the CLO’s equity investors each quarter, subject to compliance with certain tests.
A CLO’s indenture typically requires that the maturity dates of a CLO’s assets, typically five to eight years from the date of issuance of a senior secured loan, be shorter than the maturity date of the CLO’s liabilities, typically 12 to 13 years from the date of issuance. However, CLO investors do face reinvestment risk with respect to a CLO’s underlying portfolio. In addition, in most CLO transactions, CLO debt investors are subject to prepayment risk in that the holders of a majority of the equity tranche can direct a call or refinancing of a CLO, which would cause the CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par. See “
Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to reinvestment risk
” in the accompanying prospectus.
Financing and Hedging Strategy
. Subject to prevailing market conditions, the Fund may add financial leverage if, immediately after such borrowing, it would have asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of 300% or more (for leverage obtained through debt) or 200% or more (for leverage obtained through preferred shares). For example, if the Fund has $100 in Net Assets (as defined below), it may utilize leverage through obtaining debt of up to $50, resulting in $150 in total assets (or 300% asset coverage). In addition, if the Fund has $100 in Net Assets, it may issue $100 in preferred shares, resulting in $200 in total assets (or 200% asset coverage). “
” means the total assets of the Fund minus the Fund’s liabilities. The Fund may use leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its leverage, or use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments, at any time based on the Fund’s assessment of market conditions and the investment environment. Over the long term, we expect to operate under normal market conditions generally with leverage within a range of 25% to 40% of total assets, although the actual amount of our leverage will vary over time. Certain instruments that create leverage are considered to be senior securities under the 1940 Act.
In the event we fail to meet our applicable asset coverage ratio requirements, we may not be able to incur additional debt and/or issue preferred shares, and could be required by law or otherwise to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt or redeem preferred shares (if any) when it is disadvantageous to do so, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make certain distributions or pay dividends of an amount necessary to continue to qualify for treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We expect that we will, or that we may need to, raise additional capital in the future to fund our continued growth, and we may do so by entering into a credit facility, issuing preferred shares or debt securities or through other leveraging instruments. Subject to the limitations under the 1940 Act, we may incur additional leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease our leverage. In addition, we may borrow for temporary, emergency or other purposes as permitted under the 1940 Act, which indebtedness would be in addition to the asset coverage requirements described above. By leveraging our investment portfolio, we may create an opportunity for increased net income and capital appreciation. However, the use of leverage also involves significant risks and expenses, which will be borne entirely by our shareholders, and our leverage strategy may not be successful. For example, the more leverage is employed, the more likely a substantial change will occur in our NAV. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of an investment would be magnified to the extent leverage is utilized. See “
Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and will increase the risk of investing in us
” in the accompanying prospectus.
. We may engage in “
,” as described below, from time to time. To the extent we engage in Derivative Transactions, we expect to do so to hedge against interest rate, credit, currency and/or other risks, or for other investment or risk management purposes. We may use Derivative Transactions for investment purposes to the extent consistent with our investment objectives if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. We may purchase and sell a variety of derivative instruments, including exchange- listed and
or “OTC,” options, futures, options on futures, swaps and similar instruments, various interest rate transactions, such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and credit transactions and credit default swaps. We also may purchase and sell derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments. Collectively, we refer to these financial management techniques as “Derivative Transactions.” Our use of Derivative Transactions, if any, will generally be deemed to create leverage for us and involves significant risks. No assurance can be given that our strategy and use of derivatives will be successful, and our investment performance could diminish compared with what it would have been if Derivative Transactions were not used. See “
Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We are subject to risks associated with any hedging or Derivative Transactions in which we participate
” in the accompanying prospectus.
Temporary Defensive Position
. We may take a temporary defensive position and invest all or a substantial portion of our total assets in cash or cash equivalents, government securities or short-term fixed income securities during periods in which we believe that adverse market, economic, political or other conditions make it advisable to maintain a temporary defensive position. As the CLOs and LAFs in which we invest are generally illiquid in nature, we may not be able to dispose of such investments and take a defensive position. To the extent that we invest defensively, we likely will not achieve our investment objectives.
Operating and Regulatory Structure
We are a
non-diversified
closed-end
management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered
closed-end
management investment company, we are required to meet certain regulatory tests. See “
Regulation as a
Closed-End
Management Investment Company
” in the accompanying prospectus. In addition, we have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.
On August 21, 2024, the Fund declared a monthly dividend for the Fund’s common shares of $0.105 per share for each of September, October and November 2024. The dividends are payable on September 30, 2024, October 31, 2024, and November 29, 2024, respectively, to shareholders of record as of September 18, 2024, October 21, 2024, and November 18, 2024, respectively. The monthly dividend represents an annualized yield of 14.81% based on the price of common shares as of August 20, 2024.
As of June 30, 2024, management’s unaudited estimated NAV per share of our common shares was $7.68. For the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024, management’s unaudited estimate of our net investment income per common share was $0.32 per share. These estimates are not a comprehensive statement of our financial condition or results for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024 and have not undergone the Fund’s typical fiscal
year-end
financial closing procedures. We advise you that current estimates of our NAV per share may differ materially from future NAV estimates or determinations, including the determination for the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2024, which will be reported in our Annual Report on Form
N-CSR.
Our financial condition, including the fair value of our portfolio investments, and results of operations may be materially impacted after June 30, 2024 by circumstances and events that are not yet known. To the extent our portfolio investments are adversely impacted by any such circumstances or events, we may experience a material adverse impact on our future net investment income, the underlying value of our investments, our financial condition and the financial condition of our portfolio investments.
The preliminary financial data included in this prospectus supplement has been prepared by, and is the responsibility of, the Fund’s management. Ernst & Young LLP has not audited, reviewed, compiled, or applied agreed-upon procedures with respect to the preliminary financial data. Accordingly, Ernst & Young LLP does not express an opinion or any other form of assurance with respect thereto.
Our Corporate Information
The principal office of the Fund is located at One Vanderbilt Avenue, Suite 3400, New York, NY 10017 and its telephone number is (866)
277-8243.
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Carlyle Credit Income Fund. |
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We are offering the common shares in a registered direct placement (the “Offering”) at a price of $7.9592 per share, to certain purchasers (the “Purchasers” and each, a “Purchaser”) in a privately negotiated transaction pursuant to a purchase agreement dated August 26, 2024. |
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We have not retained a placement agent, underwriter, broker or dealer with respect to this Offering and therefore are not paying any underwriting discounts or commissions. |
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We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our securities pursuant to this prospectus supplement to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus supplement and in the accompanying prospectus, to make distributions to our shareholders and for general working capital purposes. See “” in this prospectus supplement. |
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Concurrently with this Offering, we have agreed, pursuant to a purchase agreement between us and the Purchasers (the “Convertible Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement”), to sell to the Purchasers approximately 11,517 shares of 7.125% Series B Convertible Preferred Shares, liquidation preference $1,000.00 per share (the “Convertible Preferred Shares”), in a private placement that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), at a price equal to $930.00 per share (the “Concurrent Placement”). The Concurrent Placement is not being made pursuant to this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus and this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, the Convertible Preferred Shares or the common shares, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Shares. Completion of the Concurrent Placement is not contingent on completion of this Offering, and the completion of this Offering is not contingent on the completion of the Concurrent Placement. See “Concurrent Placement.” |
Custodian and Transfer Agent |
U.S. Bank National Association serves as our custodian, and Equiniti Trust Company serves as our transfer agent, registrar, dividend disbursement agent and shareholder servicing agent. See “Custodians, Distribution Paying Agent, Transfer Agent and Registrar ” in the accompanying prospectus. |
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An investment in our securities is subject to risks and involves a heightened risk of total loss of investment. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. See “” in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to read about factors you should consider, including the risks of leverage, before investing in our securities. |
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Our common shares are traded on the NYSE under the symbol “CCIF.” |
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Shares of closed-end investment companies that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their NAV. If our shares trade at a discount to our NAV, it will likely increase the risk of loss for purchasers in this offering. Investing in our common shares involves a high degree of risk. Before buying any securities, you should read the discussion of the material risks of investing in our common shares, under in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. |
Dividend Reinvestment Plan |
Shareholders automatically participate in the dividend reinvestment plan, or the “.” Distributions on our common shares are automatically reinvested in additional common shares by Equiniti Trust Company, or the “,” unless a Shareholder “opts-out” of the DRP. Holders of our common shares who receive distributions in the form of additional common shares are nonetheless subject to the applicable federal, state or local taxes on the reinvested distribution but will not receive a corresponding cash distribution with which to pay any applicable tax. Shareholders who elect not to participate in the DRP will receive all distributions in cash paid to the Shareholder of record (or, if the shares are held in street or other nominee name, then to such nominee). See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan ” in the accompanying prospectus. |
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We may use leverage as and to the extent permitted by the 1940 Act. We are permitted to obtain leverage using any form of financial leverage instruments, including funds borrowed from banks or other financial institutions, margin facilities, notes or preferred shares and leverage attributable to reverse repurchase agreements or similar transactions. See “Prospectus Supplement Summary — Financing and Hedging Strategy — Leverage by the Fund ” in this prospectus supplement. We expect that we will, or that we may need to, raise additional capital in the future to fund our continued growth, and we may do so by entering into a credit facility, issuing preferred shares or debt securities or through other leveraging instruments. Certain instruments that create leverage are considered to be senior securities under the 1940 Act. |
U.S. Federal Income Taxes |
We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. Prospective investors are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding the tax implications associated with acquiring holding and disposing of common shares in light of their personal investment circumstances. |
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We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 under the Securities Act, which contains additional information about us and the securities being offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. We file annual and semi- annual reports, proxy statements and other information with the SEC. Our SEC filings are also available to the public at the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. This information is also available free of charge by writing us at Carlyle Credit Income Fund., One Vanderbilt Avenue, Suite 3400, New York, NY 10017, by telephone at (866) 277-8243, or on our website at www.carlylecreditincomefund.com. |
Investing in our securities involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the risks described below and in “
” in the accompanying prospectus, you should carefully consider all other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, any free writing prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus before making a decision to purchase our securities. The risks and uncertainties described below and in the accompanying prospectus are not the only ones facing us. 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 risks actually occur, our business, financial condition or results of operations could be materially adversely affected. If that happens, our net asset value and the trading price of our securities could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment.
The risks described below specifically relate to this offering. Please see the “Risk Factors” section of the accompanying prospectus for additional risks of investing in us and our common shares.
Risks Relating to the Concurrent Placement
The Convertible Preferred Shares issued in the Concurrent Placement will constitute leverage. See “
Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and will increase the risk of investing in us
” in the accompanying prospectus.
Upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Shares being offered in the Concurrent Placement, the Fund will satisfy its conversion obligation by issuing common shares, which will dilute the ownership interests of Common Shareholders. There is no cap on the number of common shares that can be issued upon the conversion of Convertible Preferred Shares, subject to the limitation no holder of Convertible Preferred Shares may exercise its conversion right if upon conversion the holder would receive common shares that would cause funds and accounts (collectively, the “Accounts”) managed by the investment adviser to such funds and account and any person controlled by the parent company of such investment adviser (collectively, the “Institutional Adviser”) to beneficially own in the aggregate more than 4.9% of the common shares. Because the number of common shares issued upon conversion of the Convertible Preferred Shares will be based on the greater of the market price of the common shares and the NAV of the common shares at the time of conversion, the lower the market price and NAV of the common shares at the time of conversion, the more common shares into which the Convertible Preferred Shares are convertible and the greater the dilution that will be experienced by holders of common shares. Accordingly, there is no limit on the amount of dilution that may be experienced by holders of common shares.
In addition, the issuance of the Convertible Preferred Shares may provide incentives for holders thereof that intend to convert their Convertible Preferred Shares to seek to cause a decline in the price of the common shares (including through selling common shares short) in order to receive an increased number of common shares upon such conversion of the Convertible Preferred Shares. The potential decline in the price of the common shares may negatively affect the price of the common shares and the Fund’s ability to obtain financing in the future.
Certain terms of the Convertible Preferred Shares could make it more difficult or more expensive for the Fund to engage in a consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of its assets. In connection with certain such transactions, the Fund will be required to redeem all of the outstanding Convertible Preferred Shares. The Fund may not have enough available cash or be able to obtain financing in order to redeem the Convertible Preferred Shares, which may prevent the Fund from completing a transaction that would be beneficial for Common Shareholders.
The accounting for convertible instruments is subject to frequent scrutiny by the accounting regulatory bodies and is subject to change. We cannot predict if or when any such change could be made and any such change could have an adverse impact on our reported or future financial results. Any such impacts could adversely affect the market price of the common shares.
SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
All statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, other than historical facts, may constitute “forward-looking statements.” These statements may relate to, among other things, future events or our future operating results, actual and potential conflicts of interest with the Adviser and its affiliates, and the adequacy of our financing sources and working capital, among other factors. In some cases, you can identify forward-looking statements by terminology such as “estimate,” “may,” “might,” “believe,” “will,” “provided,” “anticipate,” “future,” “could,” “growth,” “plan,” “project,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “if,” “seek,” “possible,” “potential,” “likely” or the negative or other variations of such terms or comparable terminology. These forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause our actual results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include:
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changes in the economy and the capital markets; |
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risks associated with negotiation and consummation of pending and future transactions; |
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changes in our investment objectives and strategy; |
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availability, terms (including the possibility of interest rate volatility) and deployment of capital; |
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changes in interest rates, exchange rates, regulation or the general economy; |
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changes in governmental regulations, tax rates and similar matters; |
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our ability to exit investments in a timely manner; |
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our ability to maintain our qualification as a RIC; |
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use of the proceeds of this offering; |
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our ability to sell our securities in this offering in the amounts and on the terms contemplated, or at all; and |
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those factors described in the “ ” section of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and in similar sections in the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. |
We caution readers not to place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date made. Actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in our forward-looking statements and future results could differ materially from historical performance. We have based forward-looking statements on information available to us on the date of this prospectus supplement. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, after the date of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, except as otherwise required by applicable law. The forward-looking statements contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus are excluded from the safe harbor protection provided by the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and Section 27A of the Securities Act.
The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in our common shares will bear, directly or indirectly, based on the assumptions set forth below. The expenses shown in the table under “Annual Expenses” are estimated amounts based on annualizing estimates for the quarter ending December 31, 2024. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this table contains a reference to our fees or expenses, we will pay such fees and expenses out of our net assets and, consequently, shareholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in the Fund.
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SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES |
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Sales load paid by common shareholders of the Fund |
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None |
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Offering expenses borne by the Fund |
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0.87 |
% (1) |
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses |
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None |
( 2) |
Total shareholder transaction fees |
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0.87 |
% |
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(as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares) |
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2.38 |
% (3) |
Incentive Fee payable under Investment Advisory Agreement (17.5%) |
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2.93 |
% (4) |
Interest payments and fees on borrowed funds |
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3.90 |
% (5) |
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2.22 |
% (6) |
Total annual fund expenses |
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(1) |
We have not retained a placement agent, underwriter, broker or dealer with respect to this Offering and therefore are not paying any underwriting discounts or commissions. |
(2) |
You will pay brokerage charges if you direct your broker or the plan agent to sell your common shares that you acquired pursuant to a DRP. You may also pay a pro rata share of brokerage commissions incurred in connection with open-market purchases pursuant to the Fund’s DRP. The expenses of administering the DRP are included in “Other Expenses.” See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the accompanying base prospectus. |
(3) |
The Management Fee is calculated and payable monthly in arrears at the annual rate of 1.75% of the month-end value of the Fund’s Managed Assets. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to any preferred shares or to indebtedness) minus the Fund’s liabilities other than liabilities relating to indebtedness. |
(4) |
The Fund shall pay CGCIM an Incentive Fee calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based upon the Fund’s “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter, and is subject to a hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on the Fund’s net assets, equal to 2.00% per quarter (or an annualized hurdle rate of 8.00%), subject to a “catch-up” feature. For this purpose, “pre-incentive fee net investment income” means interest income, dividend income, income generated from original issue discounts, income, and any other income earned or accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Fund’s operating expenses (which, for this purpose shall not include any distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees, litigation, any extraordinary expenses or Incentive Fee) for the quarter. For purposes of computing the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, the calculation methodology will look through total return swaps as if the Fund owned the referenced assets directly. As a result, the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income includes net interest, if any, associated with a derivative or swap, which is the difference between (a) the interest income and transaction fees related to the reference assets and (b) all interest and other expenses paid by the Fund to the derivative or swap counterparty. Net assets means the total assets of the Fund minus the Fund’s liabilities. For purposes of the Incentive Fee, net assets are calculated for the relevant quarter as the weighted average of the net asset value of the Fund as of |
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the first business day of each month therein. The weighted average net asset value shall be calculated for each month by multiplying the net asset value as of the beginning of the first business day of the month times the number of days in that month, divided by the number of days in the applicable calendar quarter. |
The calculation of the Incentive Fee for each calendar quarter is as follows:
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No Incentive Fee is payable to CGCIM if the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets in respect of the relevant calendar quarter, does not exceed the quarterly hurdle rate of 2.00%; |
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100% of the portion of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.4242% (the “catch-up”) is payable to CGCIM if the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets in respect of the relevant calendar quarter, exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.4242% (9.6968% annualized). The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide CGCIM. |
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with an incentive fee of 17.5% on all of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income when the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income reaches 2.4242% of net assets; and |
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17.5% of the portion of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income that exceeds the “catch-up” is payable to CGCIM if the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets in respect of the relevant calendar quarter, exceeds 2.4242% (9.6968 annualized). As a result, once the hurdle rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 17.5% of all the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income thereafter is allocated to CGCIM. |
(5) |
The Fund may issue preferred shares or debt securities. The above figure assumes an aggregate of $52 million of preferred shares with an interest rate of 8.75% per annum. In the event that the Fund were to issue additional preferred shares or debt securities, the Fund’s borrowing costs, and correspondingly its total annual expenses, including, in the case of such preferred shares, the base management fee as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets attributable to common shares, would increase. |
(6) |
“Other expenses” includes the Fund’s overhead expenses, including payments under the Administration Agreement based on the Fund’s allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Administrator, and payment of fees in connection with outsourced administrative functions, and are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. “Other expenses” also includes the ongoing administrative expenses to the independent accountants and legal counsel of the Fund, compensation of independent directors, and cost and expenses relating to rating agencies. |
The following examples illustrate the hypothetical expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment (including estimated costs of this offering to be borne by the common shareholders) assuming annual expenses attributable to common shares remain unchanged and common shares earn a 5% annual return:
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You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return |
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$ |
117 |
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$ |
328 |
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$ |
512 |
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$ |
874 |
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The sales price per share of our common shares offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common shares at the time of such sale.
Assuming the sale of 1,444,865 common shares offered by this prospectus supplement, we anticipate that our net proceeds from this offering will be approximately $11.4 million based on a purchase price of $7.9592 per share, after deducting estimated offering expenses payable by us of approximately $100,000.
We intend to use the net proceeds from the sale of our common shares pursuant to this prospectus supplement to acquire investments in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies described in this prospectus, to make distributions to our shareholders and for general working capital purposes. We cannot estimate the approximate amount intended to be used for each of these purposes. Such amounts will depend on our cash flow needs after closing of the offering, market conditions and other factors.
We currently anticipate that it will generally take approximately not more than three months after the completion of any offering of securities to invest substantially all of the net proceeds of the offering in our targeted investments. We cannot assure you we will achieve our targeted investment pace, which may negatively impact our returns. Until appropriate investments or other uses can be found, we will invest in temporary investments, such as cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities and other high-quality debt investments that mature in one year or less, which we expect will have returns substantially lower than the returns that we anticipate earning from investments in CLO securities and related investments. Investors should expect, therefore, that before we have fully invested the proceeds of the offering in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies, assets invested in these instruments would earn interest income at a modest rate, which may not exceed our expenses during this period. To the extent that the net proceeds from an offering have not been fully invested in accordance with our investment objectives and strategies prior to the next payment of a distribution to our shareholders, a portion of the proceeds may be used to pay such distribution and may represent a return of capital.
The following table sets forth our capitalization as of July 31, 2024:
|
• |
|
on an as adjusted basis giving effect to the assumed sale of 1,444,865 common shares at a price of $7.9592 per share, after deducting estimated offering expenses of approximately $100,000 payable by us; and the issuance and sale of approximately 11,517 Convertible Preferred Shares at a price of $930.000 per Convertible Preferred Share in the Concurrent Placement with associated expenses. |
You should read this table in conjunction with “
” and our consolidated financial statements and related notes incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actual |
|
|
As Further Adjusted (unaudited) |
|
Assets: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents |
|
$ |
16,241,661 |
|
|
$ |
38,202,471 |
|
Investments at fair value |
|
$ |
144,460,997 |
|
|
$ |
144,460,997 |
|
Other assets |
|
$ |
1,246,025 |
|
|
$ |
1,246,025 |
|
Total Assets: |
|
$ |
161,948,683 |
|
|
$ |
183,909,493 |
|
Liabilities: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Series A Preferred Shares, no par value; 2,080,000 shares issued and outstanding, actual; and 2,080,000 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted |
|
$ |
49,896,478 |
|
|
$ |
49,896,478 |
|
Series B Preferred Shares, no par value; 0 shares issued and outstanding, actual; and 11,517 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
10,560,810 |
|
Other liabilities |
|
$ |
6,958,881 |
|
|
$ |
6,958,881 |
|
Total liabilities |
|
$ |
56,855,359 |
|
|
$ |
67,416,169 |
|
Net Assets applicable to 13,750,607 shares issued and outstanding, actual, and 15,195,472 shares issued and outstanding, as adjusted |
|
$ |
105,093,325 |
|
|
$ |
116,493,325 |
|
Net Assets consist of: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
$ |
128,143,576 |
|
|
$ |
139,543,576 |
|
Aggregate distributable earnings (losses) |
|
$ |
(23,050,252 |
) |
|
$ |
(23,050,252 |
) |
Total Net Assets |
|
$ |
105,093,325 |
|
|
$ |
116,493,325 |
|
DESCRIPTION OF OUR COMMON
SHARES
For a description of the particular terms of our common shares, see “
Description of our Common Shares
” in the accompanying prospectus.
PRICE RANGE OF COMMON SHARES
Our common shares began trading on May 29, 2019 and are currently traded on the NYSE under the symbol “CCIF.” Prior to July 27, 2023, the Fund’s common shares traded on NYSE under the symbol “VCIF.” The following table lists the high and low closing sale price for our common shares, the high and low closing sale price as a percentage of NAV and distributions declared per common share for each quarter since October 1, 2021.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Premium (Discount) of High Sales Price to NAV (2) |
|
|
Premium (Discount) of Low Sales Price to NAV (2) |
|
|
Distributions Declared (3) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2022 (4) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.32 |
|
|
|
10.69 |
|
|
|
9.98 |
|
|
|
(5.57 |
)% |
|
|
(11.84 |
)% |
|
|
0.3381 |
|
|
|
|
10.97 |
|
|
|
10.33 |
|
|
|
9.77 |
|
|
|
(5.83 |
)% |
|
|
(10.94 |
)% |
|
|
0.2271 |
|
|
|
|
10.65 |
|
|
|
10.00 |
|
|
|
9.07 |
|
|
|
(6.10 |
)% |
|
|
(14.84 |
)% |
|
|
0.2194 |
|
|
|
|
10.39 |
|
|
|
9.75 |
|
|
|
8.90 |
|
|
|
(6.16 |
)% |
|
|
(14.34 |
)% |
|
|
0.2139 |
|
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2023 (5) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
10.26 |
|
|
|
9.53 |
|
|
|
8.47 |
|
|
|
(7.12 |
)% |
|
|
(17.45 |
)% |
|
|
0.2068 |
|
|
|
|
10.15 |
|
|
|
10.10 |
|
|
|
8.61 |
|
|
|
(0.49 |
)% |
|
|
(15.17 |
)% |
|
|
0.2050 |
|
|
|
|
9.96 |
|
|
|
10.03 |
|
|
|
9.70 |
|
|
|
0.70 |
% |
|
|
(2.61 |
)% |
|
|
0.2022 |
|
|
|
|
8.42 |
|
|
|
9.95 |
|
|
|
7.72 |
|
|
|
18.17 |
% |
|
|
(8.31 |
)% |
|
|
0.2096 |
|
Fiscal year ending September 30, 2024 (6) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
7.99 |
|
|
|
8.16 |
|
|
|
7.48 |
|
|
|
2.13 |
% |
|
|
(6.38 |
)% |
|
|
0.2982 |
|
|
|
|
7.88 |
|
|
|
8.16 |
|
|
|
7.78 |
|
|
|
3.55 |
% |
|
|
(1.27 |
)% |
|
|
0.3038 |
|
|
|
|
7.68 |
|
|
|
8.60 |
|
|
|
7.73 |
|
|
|
11.98 |
% |
|
|
0.65 |
% |
|
|
0.3150 |
|
Fourth quarter (through August 20, 2024) |
|
|
7.42 |
|
|
|
8.73 |
|
|
|
7.57 |
|
|
|
17.65 |
% |
|
|
2.02 |
% |
|
|
0.2100 |
|
(1) |
NAV per common share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per common share on the date of the high and low sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding common shares at the end of each period. |
(2) |
Calculated as of the respective high or low closing sales price divided by the quarter end NAV. |
(3) |
Represents the cash distributions (including dividends, dividends reinvested and returns of capital, if any) per common share that we have declared on our common shares in the specified quarter. Tax characteristics of distributions will vary. |
(4) |
For the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022, distributions made by us were comprised, in part, of a return of capital, as calculated on a per common share basis, of $0.088 per common share. |
(5) |
For the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2022, distributions made by us were comprised, in part, of an estimated return of capital, as calculated on a per common share basis, of $0.1253 per common share. For the fiscal quarter ending March 31, 2023, distributions made by us were comprised, in part, of an estimated return of capital, as calculated on a per common share basis, of $0.0699 per common share. For the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2023, distributions made by us were comprised, in part, of an estimated return of capital, as calculated on a per common share basis, of $0.1021 per common share. |
(6) |
For the fiscal quarter ending June 30, 2024, distributions made by us were comprised, in part, of an estimated return of capital, as calculated on a per common share basis, of $0.0039 per common share. |
Common shares of
closed-end
management investment companies may trade at a market price that is less than the NAV that is attributable to those common shares. The possibility that our common shares of will trade at a discount to NAV or at a premium that is unsustainable over the long term is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV will decrease. It is not possible to predict whether our common shares will trade at, above or below NAV in the future. Our NAV per common share was $7.64 as of July 31, 2024. The closing sales price for common shares on the NYSE on August 20, 2024 was $8.51, which represented a 14.69% premium to NAV per common share.
Concurrently with this Offering, the Fund has agreed, pursuant to the Convertible Preferred Shares Purchase Agreement, to sell to the Purchasers approximately 11,517 Convertible Preferred Shares in a private placement that is exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities Act at a price equal to $930.00 per share. The net proceeds to the Fund from the Concurrent Placement will be approximately $10.6 million, after deducting the Fund’s estimated offering expenses. The Concurrent Placement is not being made pursuant to this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus and this Prospectus Supplement and the accompanying Prospectus do not constitute an offer to sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy, the Convertible Preferred Shares or the Common Shares, if any, issuable upon conversion of the Convertible
Preferred
Shares. Completion of the Concurrent Placement is not contingent on completion of this Offering, and the completion of this Offering is not contingent on the completion of the Concurrent Placement.
Convertible Preferred Shares
The Convertible Preferred Shares have a liquidation preference of $1,000.00 per share. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Fund’s affairs, holders of Convertible Preferred Shares will be entitled to receive a liquidating distribution per share equal to the liquidation preference, plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions on such share accumulated to (but excluding) the date fixed for distribution or payment, whether or not earned or declared by the Fund, but excluding interest on any such distribution or payment.
The Convertible Preferred Shares pay a quarterly dividend at a fixed annual rate of 7.125% of the liquidation
preference
, or $71.25 per share, per year. The dividend rate is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances.
Cumulative cash dividends or distributions on each Convertible Preferred Share are payable quarterly, when, as and if declared, or under authority granted, by the Board of Trustees of the Fund out of funds legally available for such payment. The Fund will pay dividends on the Convertible Preferred Shares every January 31, April 30, July 31 and October 31, commencing October 31, 2024.
The Convertible Preferred Shares are senior securities that constitute shares of beneficial interest of the Fund. The Convertible Preferred Shares rank senior to the Common Shares in priority of payment of dividends and as to the distribution of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or winding up of the Fund’s affairs; equal in priority with the Series A Preferred Shares due 2028 (the “
Series A Preferred Shares
”) and all other future series of Preferred Shares the Fund may issue as to priority of payment of dividends and as to distributions of assets upon dissolution, liquidation or the
winding-up of
the Fund’s affairs; and subordinate in right of payment to amounts owed under the Credit Agreement, and to the holder of any future senior Indebtedness.
The Fund is required to redeem, out of funds legally available therefor, all outstanding Convertible Preferred Shares on August 27, 2029, or the “Term Redemption Date,” at a price equal to the liquidation preference plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends and distributions, if any, on such shares (whether or not earned or declared, but excluding interest on such dividends) to, but excluding, the Term Redemption Date.
If the Fund fails to maintain asset coverage of at least 200% as of the close of business on the last Business Day of a calendar quarter, and such failure is not cured by the close of business on the date that is thirty (30) calendar days following the date of filing of the Fund’s Annual Report or Semi-Annual Report on
Form N-CSR with
respect to the Fund’s fourth and second fiscal quarters, respectively, and the applicable monthly report on
Form N-PORT filed
by the Fund with the SEC with respect to the fiscal period ending as of the last day of such calendar quarter with respect to the Fund’s first and third fiscal quarters (such date the “Asset Coverage Cure Date”), then the Fund is required to redeem, within ninety (90) calendar days of the Asset
Coverage Cure Date, such number of Preferred Shares equal to the lesser of (1) the minimum number of Preferred Shares the redemption of which, if deemed to have occurred immediately prior to the opening of business on the Asset Coverage Cure Date that will result in the Fund having an asset coverage ratio of at least 200% and (2) the maximum number of Preferred Shares that can be redeemed out of funds legally available for such redemption. In addition to Preferred Shares required to be redeemed, at the Fund’s sole discretion, the Fund may redeem such number of Preferred Shares (including Preferred Shares required to be redeemed) that will result in the Fund having an asset coverage ratio of up to and including 285%. The Preferred Shares to be redeemed may include, at the Fund’s sole option, any number or proportion of the Convertible Preferred Shares and other series of Preferred Shares. If the Convertible Preferred Shares are to be redeemed in such an event, they will be redeemed at a redemption price equal to the liquidation preference per share plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, on such liquidation preference (whether or not declared, but excluding interest on accrued but unpaid dividends, if any) to, but excluding, the date fixed for such redemption.
At any time on or after February 27, 2025, at the Fund’s sole option, the Fund may redeem, from time to time, the Convertible Preferred Shares in whole or in part, out of funds legally available for such redemption, at a price per share equal to the sum of the liquidation preference plus an amount equal to accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any, on such shares (whether or not earned or declared, but excluding interest on such dividends) to, but excluding, the date fixed for such redemption.
Each holder of a Convertible Preferred Share shall have the right, at such holder’s option, to convert any such Convertible Preferred Share, at any time on or after the date six months after the issuance date of the Convertible Preferred Share (the “Convertibility Date”) and prior to the close of business on the business day immediately preceding the Term Redemption Date, into such number of Common Shares equal to the liquidation preference of the Convertible Preferred Share plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions on such Share accumulated to (but excluding) the date of exercise, divided by the Conversion Price. The “Conversion Price” is the greater of (i) the market price per Common Share, represented by the
five-day volume-weighted average
price (“VWAP”) per Common Share ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of exercise, or (ii) the Fund’s most recently reported net asset value per Common Share immediately prior to the date of exercise. If the Fund fails to fulfil its obligations to deliver Common Shares upon conversion of any Convertible Preferred Shares, the quarterly dividend rate payable on the Convertible Preferred Shares of any
sub-series of
which one or more shares was surrendered for conversion on such exercise date will increase to a fixed annual rate of 9.125% of the liquidation preference until the date on which the Fund fulfills its delivery obligations.
No holder of Convertible Preferred Shares may exercise its conversion right if upon conversion the holder would receive Common Shares that would cause the Accounts to beneficially own in the aggregate more than 4.9% of the Common Shares.
If a change of control occurs prior to maturity, each holder of a Convertible Preferred Share shall have the right, at their option, to require the Fund to repurchase, for cash, some or all of the Convertible Preferred Shares at a repurchase price equal to 100% of the liquidation preference of the Convertible Preferred Shares being repurchased, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the redemption date.
The Fund is required to redeem the Convertible Preferred Shares at the liquidation preference, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the redemption date, if the Common Shares are no longer publicly traded on the NYSE, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the Nasdaq Global Market for a period of twenty (20) consecutive trading days.
In the case of a consolidation, merger or sale of all or substantially all of the Fund’s assets to another
closed-end fund
or business development company, the Fund must redeem the Convertible Preferred Shares at
$1,000.00, plus any accumulated and unpaid dividends thereon (whether or not authorized or declared) to, but excluding, the redemption date unless (i) the successor entity’s common shares are publicly-traded on the NYSE, the Nasdaq Capital Market, the Nasdaq Global Select Market or the Nasdaq Global Market and have average daily trading volume over the 90 days immediately preceding approval of the transaction by the Board of Trustees of the Fund that is equal to or greater than the average daily trading volume of the Common Shares over such period; (ii) if the Fund is not the successor entity, the successor entity agrees to be legally responsible for the Fund’s obligations under the Convertible Preferred Shares; and (iii) immediately after giving effect to the transaction, no default or event of default shall have occurred and be continuing.
If the Fund fails to deliver Common Shares upon the surrender of Convertible Preferred Shares for conversion, the dividend rate on the surrendered shares shall increase by 2.00%. Further, if the Convertible Preferred Shares are downgraded below investment grade or the investment grade rating is not maintained, the dividend rate on all Convertible Preferred Shares shall increase by 1.00%.
For so long as the Convertible Preferred Shares are outstanding, the Purchasers have agreed not to sell in any day, in the aggregate, an amount of Common Shares exceeding 15% of the previous 20 trading days’ average trading volume.
The Institutional Adviser and the Purchasers have granted to the Fund an irrevocable proxy to vote all Convertible Preferred Shares held by the Accounts in proportion to the vote of all other preferred shareholders.
The Convertible Preferred
Shares
will not be listed on any exchange and may not be transferred without the consent of the Fund.
The Fund is selling 1,444,865 Common Shares directly to the Purchasers. The Fund has entered into a Purchase Agreement (the “Purchase Agreement”), dated as of August 26, 2024, with the Purchasers relating to the sale of the Common Shares.
Subject to the terms and conditions of the Purchase Agreement, on the closing date, the Fund will issue the Common Shares to the Purchasers and the Fund will receive gross proceeds in the amount of $11,500,000. The Fund estimates that the expenses of this Offering payable by the Fund will be approximately $100,000.
The Common Shares were offered directly to the Purchasers without a placement agent, underwriter, broker or dealer and therefore the Fund is not paying any underwriting discounts or commissions.
We currently anticipate that the closing of the sale of the Common Shares will take place on or about August 27, 2024 subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions.
ADDITIONAL U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
4
The following is a general summary of certain material U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the Fund and an investment in the Fund’s common shares. The discussion below provides general tax information related to an investment in the Fund’s common shares, but does not purport to be a complete description of the U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Fund and does not address any state, local,
non-U.S.
or other tax consequences (such as estate and gift tax consequences). It is based on the Code, U.S. Treasury Regulations thereunder, or “Treasury Regulations,” and administrative pronouncements, all as of the date hereof, any of which is subject to change, possibly with retroactive effect. In addition, it does not describe all of the tax consequences that may be relevant in light of a Shareholder’s particular circumstances, including (but not limited to) alternative minimum tax consequences and tax consequences applicable to Shareholders subject to special tax rules, such as certain financial institutions; dealers or traders in securities who use a
method of tax accounting; persons holding common shares as part of a hedging transaction, wash sale, conversion transaction, straddle or integrated transaction or persons entering into a constructive sale with respect to common shares; entities classified as partnerships or other pass-through entities for U.S. federal income tax purposes; insurance companies; U.S. Shareholders (as defined below) whose functional currency is not the U.S. dollar; or
tax-exempt
entities, including “individual retirement accounts” or “Roth IRAs.” Unless otherwise noted, the following discussion applies only to a Shareholder that holds common shares as a capital asset and is a U.S. Shareholder. A “U.S. Shareholder” generally is a beneficial owner of common shares who is for U.S. federal income tax purposes:
|
• |
|
an individual who is a citizen or resident of the United States; |
|
• |
|
a corporation, or other entity taxable as a corporation, created or organized in or under the laws of the United States, any state thereof or the District of Columbia; |
|
• |
|
an estate the income of which is subject to U.S. federal income taxation regardless of its source; or |
|
• |
|
a trust if it (a) is subject to the primary supervision of a court within the United States and one or more U.S. persons have the authority to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) has a valid election in effect under applicable Treasury Regulations to be treated as a U.S. person. |
If a partnership (including an entity treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes) holds common shares, the tax treatment of a partner in the partnership will generally depend upon the status of the partner and the activities of the partnership. Partners in a partnership holding common shares should consult their tax advisors with respect to the tax treatment to them of the partnership’s ownership and disposition of common shares.
The discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws are complex and often change, and Shareholders should consult their tax advisors about the U.S. federal, state, local or
non-U.S.
tax consequences of an investment in the Fund.
The following summary does not address U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to preferred shares, subscription rights or debt securities. If the Fund issues preferred shares, subscription rights or debt securities, the applicable prospectus supplement will contain a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to such securities.
The Fund has elected to be treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and intends to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, the Fund generally will not be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any ordinary income or capital gains that it distributes as dividends to shareholders. To qualify as a RIC in any tax year, the Fund must, among other things, satisfy both a source of income test and asset
4 |
Subject to review by Dechert tax. |
diversification tests. The Fund will generally qualify as a RIC for a tax year if (i) at least 90% of the Fund’s gross income for such tax year consists of dividends; interest; payments with respect to certain securities loans; gains from the sale or other disposition of shares, securities or foreign currencies; other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such shares, securities or currencies; and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (such income, “
”); and (ii) the Fund’s holdings are diversified so that, at the end of each quarter of such tax year, (a) at least 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is represented by cash and cash equivalents, securities of other RICs, U.S. government securities and other securities, with such other securities limited, in respect of any one issuer, to an amount not greater than 5% of the value of the Fund’s total assets and not greater than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer and (b) not more than 25% of the value of the Fund’s total assets is invested (x) in securities (other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers that the Fund controls and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses or (y) in the securities of one or more “qualified publicly traded partnerships.” The Fund’s share of income derived from a partnership other than a “qualified publicly traded partnership” will be treated as Qualifying RIC Income only to the extent that such income would have constituted Qualifying RIC Income if derived directly by the Fund. A “qualified publicly traded partnership” is generally defined as an entity that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes if (1) interests in such entity are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof and (2) less than 90% of its gross income for the relevant tax year consists of Qualifying RIC Income (for this purpose, excluding net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships). The Code provides that the Treasury Department may by regulation exclude from Qualifying RIC Income foreign currency gains that are not directly related to the RIC’s principal business of investing in stock or securities (or options and futures with respect to stock or securities). The Fund anticipates that, in general, its foreign currency gains will be directly related to its principal business of investing in stock and securities.
In addition, to maintain RIC tax treatment, the Fund must distribute on a timely basis with respect to each tax year dividends of an amount at least equal to 90% of the sum of its “investment company taxable income” and its net
tax-exempt
interest income, determined without regard to any deduction for dividends paid, to shareholders (the “
90% distribution requirement
”). If the Fund qualifies as a RIC and satisfies the 90% distribution requirement, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its “investment company taxable income” and net capital gains (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gains over net short-term capital losses) that it distributes as dividends to shareholders (including amounts that are reinvested pursuant to the DRP). In general, a RIC’s “investment company taxable income” for any tax year is its taxable income, determined without regard to net capital gains and with certain other adjustments. The Fund intends to distribute all or substantially all of its “investment company taxable income,” net
tax-exempt
interest income (if any) and net capital gains on an annual basis. Any taxable income, including any net capital gains that the Fund does not distribute in a timely manner, will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates.
If the Fund retains any net capital gains for reinvestment, it may elect to treat such capital gains as having been distributed to its shareholders. If the Fund makes such an election, each Shareholder will be required to report its share of such undistributed net capital gains attributed to the Fund as long-term capital gain and will be entitled to claim its share of the U.S. federal income taxes paid by the Fund on such undistributed net capital gains as a credit against its own U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, and to claim a refund on a properly-filed U.S. federal income tax return to the extent that the credit exceeds such liability. In addition, each Shareholder will be entitled to increase the adjusted tax basis in its common shares by the difference between its share of such undistributed net capital gains and the related credit. There can be no assurance that the Fund will make this election if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gains for a tax year.
As a RIC, the Fund will be subject to a nondeductible 4% U.S. federal excise tax on certain undistributed amounts for each calendar year (the “
”). To avoid the 4% excise tax, the Fund must distribute in respect of each calendar year dividends of an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98% of its ordinary taxable
income (taking into account certain deferrals and elections) for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of its capital gain net income (adjusted for certain ordinary losses) generally for the
one-year
period ending on October 31 of the calendar year and (3) any ordinary income and capital gains for previous calendar years that were not distributed during those calendar years. For purposes of determining whether the Fund has met this distribution requirement, the Fund will be deemed to have distributed any income or gains previously subject to U.S. federal income tax.
Any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated for tax purposes as if it had been paid on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared.
If the Fund fails to qualify as a RIC or fails to satisfy the 90% distribution requirement in respect of any tax year, the Fund would be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on its taxable income, including its net capital gains, even if such income were distributed, and all distributions out of earnings and profits would be taxed as ordinary dividend income. Such distributions generally would be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of certain corporate Shareholders and for treatment as qualified dividend income in the case of certain
non-corporate
Shareholders. In addition, the Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay taxes and make distributions (any of which could be subject to interest charges) before
re-qualifying
for taxation as a RIC. If, however, the Fund fails to satisfy either the income test or asset diversification test described above, in certain cases, the Fund may be able to avoid losing its status as a RIC by timely providing notice of such failure to the IRS, curing such failure and possibly paying an additional tax or penalty.
Some of the investments that the Fund is expected to make, such as investments in debt instruments having market discount and/or treated as issued with OID, may cause the Fund to recognize income or gain for U.S. federal income tax purposes prior to the receipt of any corresponding cash or other property. As a result, the Fund may have difficulty meeting the 90% distribution requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment. Because this income will be included in the Fund’s investment company taxable income for the tax year it is accrued, the Fund may be required to make a distribution to Shareholders to meet the distribution requirements described above, even though the Fund will not have received any corresponding cash or property. The Fund may be required to raise additional debt or equity capital, dispose of other securities or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose.
There may be uncertainty as to the appropriate treatment of certain of the Fund’s investments for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In particular, the Fund expects to invest a portion of its Net Assets in below investment grade instruments. U.S. federal income tax rules with respect to such instruments are not entirely clear about issues such as whether and to what extent the Fund should recognize interest, OID or market discount, when and to what extent deductions may be taken for bad debts or worthless instruments, how payments received on obligations in default should be allocated between principal and income and whether exchanges of debt obligations in a bankruptcy or workout context are taxable. These and other issues will be addressed by the Fund, to the extent necessary, in connection with the Fund’s general intention to distribute sufficient income to qualify for and maintain its treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, and to minimize the risk that it becomes subject to U.S. federal income tax or the 4% excise tax.
Income received by the Fund from sources outside the United States may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries, thereby reducing income available to the Fund. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. The Fund generally intends to conduct its investment activities to minimize the impact of foreign taxation, but there is no guarantee that the Fund will be successful in this regard. If more than 50% of the value of the Fund’s total assets at the close of its tax year consists of stock or securities of foreign corporations, the Fund will be eligible to elect to “pass-through” to its Shareholders the foreign source amount of income distributed and the respective amount of foreign taxes paid by the Fund. If the Fund so elects, each Shareholder would be required to include in gross income, even though not actually received, such Shareholder’s pro rata share of the foreign taxes paid or deemed paid by the
Fund, but would be treated as having paid its pro rata share of such foreign taxes and would therefore be allowed to either deduct such amount in computing taxable income or use such amount (subject to various limitations) as a foreign tax credit against federal income tax (but not both).
The Fund may invest in shares of foreign companies that are classified under the Code as passive foreign investment companies (“
”). For these purposes, “shares” would include any interests in a PFIC that are treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In general, a foreign company is considered a PFIC in any taxable year if at least 50% of the average value of its assets constitute investment-type assets or 75% or more of its gross income is investment-type income. In general under the PFIC rules, an “excess distribution” received with respect to PFIC shares is treated as having been realized ratably over the period during which the Fund held the PFIC shares. The Fund generally will be subject to tax on the portion, if any, of the excess distribution that is allocated to the Fund’s holding period in prior tax years (and an interest factor will be added to the tax, as if the tax had actually been payable in such prior tax years) even if the Fund distributes the corresponding income to Shareholders. Excess distributions include any gain from the sale of PFIC shares as well as certain distributions from a PFIC. All excess distributions are taxable as ordinary income.
The Fund may be eligible to elect alternative tax treatment with respect to PFIC shares. Under one such election (i.e., a “
” election), the Fund generally would be required to include in its gross income its share of the PFIC’s ordinary earnings and net capital gains on a current basis, regardless of whether any distributions are received from the PFIC. If this election is made, the special rules, discussed above, relating to the taxation of excess distributions would not apply. Alternatively, the Fund may be able to elect to mark its PFIC shares to market, resulting in any unrealized gains at the Fund’s tax year end being treated as though they were recognized and reported as ordinary income. Any
losses and any loss from an actual disposition of the PFIC shares would be deductible as ordinary losses to the extent of any net
gains included in income in prior tax years with respect to the PFIC shares.
Because the application of the PFIC rules may affect, among other things, the character of gains, the amount of gain or loss and the timing of the recognition of income, gain or loss with respect to PFIC shares, as well as subject the Fund itself to tax on certain income from PFIC shares, the amount that must be distributed to Shareholders, and which will be recognized by Fund Shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain, may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a fund that did not invest in PFIC shares. Note that distributions from a PFIC are not eligible for the reduced rate of tax on distributions of “qualified dividend income” as discussed below.
Some of the CLOs in which the Fund may invest may be PFICs, which are generally subject to the tax consequences described above. Investment in certain equity interests (which for these purposes includes certain debt tranches that are treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes) of CLOs that are subject to treatment as PFICs for U.S. federal income tax purposes may cause the Fund to recognize income in a tax year in excess of the Fund’s distributions from such CLOs and other PFICs and the Fund’s proceeds from sales or other dispositions of equity interests in such CLOs and other PFICs during that tax year. As a result, the Fund generally would be required to distribute such income to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs.
If the Fund holds 10% or more (by vote or value) of the interests treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a foreign corporation that is treated as a controlled foreign corporation (“
”), including equity tranche investments and certain debt tranche investments in a CLO treated as a CFC, the Fund may be treated as receiving a deemed distribution (taxable as ordinary income) each tax year from such foreign corporation of an amount equal to the Fund’s pro rata share of the foreign corporation’s “subpart F income” for the tax year (including both ordinary earnings and capital gains), whether or not the corporation makes an actual distribution to the Fund during such tax year. This deemed distribution is required to be included in the income of certain U.S. shareholders of a CFC, such as the Fund, regardless of whether a U.S. shareholder has made a QEF election with respect to such CFC. The Fund is generally required to distribute such income in order to satisfy the distribution requirements applicable to RICs, even to the extent the Fund’s income from a CFC exceeds the
distributions from the CFC and the Fund’s proceeds from the sales or other dispositions of CFC stock during that tax year. In general, a foreign corporation will be treated as a CFC for U.S. federal income tax purposes if more than 50% of the shares of the foreign corporation, measured by reference to combined voting power or value, is owned (directly, indirectly or by attribution) by U.S. Shareholders. A “U.S. Shareholder,” for this purpose, is any U.S. person that possesses (actually or constructively) 10% or more of the combined voting power or value of all classes of shares of a corporation.
The functional currency of the Fund, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, is the U.S. dollar. Gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates that occur between the time a Fund accrues interest income or other receivables or accrues expenses or other liabilities denominated in a foreign currency and the time the Fund actually collects such income or receivables or pays such liabilities generally are respectively characterized as ordinary income or ordinary loss for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Similarly, on the sale of other disposition of certain investments, including debt securities, certain forward contracts, as well as other derivative financial instruments, denominated in a foreign currency, gains or losses attributable to fluctuations in the value of foreign currency between the date of acquisition of the security or contract and the date of disposition also are generally treated as ordinary income or loss. These gains and losses, referred to under the Code as “section 988” gains and losses, may increase or decrease the amount of the Fund’s investment company taxable income subject to distribution to Fund Shareholders as ordinary income. For example, fluctuations in exchange rates may increase the amount of income that the Fund must distribute to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC and to prevent application of corporate income tax or the 4% excise tax on undistributed income. Alternatively, fluctuations in exchange rates may decrease or eliminate income available for distribution. If section 988 losses exceed other investment company taxable income during a tax year, any distributions made by the Fund during the tax year before such losses were recognized may be recharacterized as a return of capital to Fund Shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the treatment of which is described below, rather than as ordinary dividend income.
If the Fund utilizes leverage through the issuance of preferred shares or borrowings, it will be prohibited from declaring a distribution or dividend if it would fail the applicable asset coverage test(s) under the 1940 Act after the payment of such distribution or dividend. In addition, certain covenants in credit facilities or indentures may impose greater restrictions on the Fund’s ability to declare and pay dividends on common shares. Limits on the Fund’s ability to pay dividends on common shares may prevent the Fund from meeting the distribution requirements described above and, as a result, may affect the Fund’s ability to be subject to tax as a RIC or subject the Fund to corporate income tax or the 4% excise tax. The Fund endeavors to avoid restrictions on its ability to make distributions to its Shareholders. If the Fund is precluded from making distributions on common shares because of any applicable asset coverage requirements, the terms of preferred shares (if any) may provide that any amounts so precluded from being distributed, but required to be distributed by the Fund to enable the Fund to satisfy the distribution requirements that would enable the Fund to be subject to tax as a RIC, will be paid to the holders of preferred shares as a special distribution. This distribution can be expected to decrease the amount that holders of preferred shares would be entitled to receive upon redemption or liquidation of such preferred shares.
Certain of the Fund’s investments and hedging or derivative transactions are expected to be subject to special U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (1) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, (2) convert lower-taxed
long-term
capital gains into higher-taxed
short-term
capital gains or ordinary income, (3) convert an ordinary loss or a deduction into a capital loss, the deductibility of which is more limited, (4) adversely affect when a purchase or sale of shares or securities is deemed to occur, (5) adversely alter the intended characterization of certain complex financial transactions, (6) cause the Fund to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (7) treat dividends that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income as
non-qualified
dividend income, (8) treat dividends that would otherwise be eligible for the corporate dividends received deduction as ineligible for such treatment and (9) produce income that will not constitute Qualifying RIC Income. The application of these rules could cause the Fund to be subject to U.S. federal income tax or the 4% excise tax and, under certain circumstances, could
affect the Fund’s status as a RIC. The Fund monitors its investments and may make certain tax elections to mitigate the effect of these provisions.
The remainder of this discussion assumes that the Fund has qualified for and maintained its treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes and has satisfied the distribution requirements described above.
Taxation of U.S. Common Shareholders
Distributions of the Fund’s ordinary income and net short-term capital gains will, except as described below with respect to distributions of “qualified dividend income,” generally be taxable to Shareholders as ordinary income to the extent such distributions are paid out of the Fund’s current or accumulated earnings and profits, as determined for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Distributions (or deemed distributions, as described above), if any, of net capital gains that are properly reported as “capital gain dividends” will be taxable as long-term capital gains, regardless of the length of time a Shareholder has owned common shares. The ultimate tax characterization of the Fund’s distributions made in a tax year cannot be determined until after the end of the tax year. As a result, the Fund may make total distributions during a tax year in an amount that exceeds the current and accumulated earnings and profits of the Fund. A distribution of an amount in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will be treated by a Shareholder as a return of capital that will be applied against and reduce the Shareholder’s tax basis in its common shares. To the extent that the amount of any such distribution exceeds the Shareholder’s tax basis in its common shares, the excess will be treated as gain from a sale or exchange of common shares. Distributions will be treated in the manner described above regardless of whether such distributions are paid in cash or invested in additional common shares.
A return of capital to Shareholders is a return of a portion of their original investment in the Fund, thereby reducing the tax basis of their investment. As a result from such reduction in tax basis, Shareholders may be subject to tax in connection with the sale of common shares, even if such common shares are sold at a loss relative to the Shareholder’s original investment.
It is expected that a substantial portion of the Fund’s income will consist of ordinary income. For example, interest and OID derived by the Fund are characterized as ordinary income for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In addition, the Fund has elected to recognize any accrued market discount on debt obligations as ordinary income on a current basis, instead of upon disposition of the applicable debt obligation. Debt obligations will generally be treated as acquired with “market discount” if they have a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance and are acquired by the Fund in the secondary market at a price below their stated redemption price at maturity (or, in the case of securities with OID, at a price below their revised issue price), unless the discount is less than a specified de minimis amount.
Distributions made by the Fund to a corporate Shareholder will qualify for the dividends-received deduction only to the extent that the distributions consist of qualifying dividends received by the Fund from domestic corporations. In addition, any portion of the Fund’s dividends otherwise qualifying for the dividends-received deduction will be disallowed or reduced if the corporate Shareholder fails to satisfy certain requirements, including a holding period requirement, with respect to its common shares. Distributions of “qualified dividend income” to an individual or other
non-corporate
Shareholder will be treated as “qualified dividend income” to such Shareholder and generally will be taxed at long-term capital gain rates, provided the Shareholder satisfies the applicable holding period and other requirements. “Qualified dividend income” generally includes dividends from domestic corporations and dividends from foreign corporations that meet certain specified criteria. Given the Fund’s investment strategy, it is not expected that a significant portion of the distributions made by the Fund will be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the reduced rates applicable to “qualified dividend income.”
Certain distributions reported by the Fund as Section 163(j) interest dividends may be eligible to be treated as interest income by Shareholders for purposes of the tax rules applicable to interest expense limitations under
Code Section 163(j). Such treatment by the Shareholder is generally subject to holding period requirements and other potential limitations. The amount that the Fund is eligible to report as a Section 163(j) dividend for a tax year is generally limited to the excess of the Fund’s business interest income over the sum of the Fund’s (i) business interest expense and (ii) other deductions properly allocable to the Fund’s business interest income.
If a person acquires common shares shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares may include the value of the distribution, and the person will be subject to tax on the distribution even though economically it may represent a return of the person’s investment in such shares.
Distributions paid by the Fund generally will be treated as received by a Shareholder at the time the distribution is made. However, the Fund may, under certain circumstances, elect to treat a distribution that is paid during the following tax year as if it had been paid during the tax year in which the income or gains supporting the distribution was earned. If the Fund makes such an election, the Shareholder will still be treated as receiving the distribution in the tax year in which the distribution is received. In this instance, however, any distribution declared by the Fund in October, November or December of any calendar year, payable to Shareholders of record on a specified date in such a month and actually paid during January of the following calendar year, will be treated for tax purposes as if it had been received by Shareholders on December 31 of the calendar year in which the distribution was declared.
The IRS currently requires that a RIC that has two or more classes of stock allocate to each such class proportionate amounts of each type of its taxable income (such as ordinary income, capital gains, dividends qualifying for the dividends-received deduction and qualified dividend income) based upon the percentage of total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each class for the tax year. Accordingly, if the Fund issues preferred shares, the Fund intends each year to allocate capital gain dividends (and any dividends qualifying for the dividends-received deduction or dividends treated as qualified dividend income) between its common shares and preferred shares in proportion to the total dividends paid out of current or accumulated earnings and profits to each class with respect to such tax year. Distributions in excess of the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits, if any, however, will not be allocated proportionately among the common shares and preferred shares. Since the Fund’s current and accumulated earnings and profits will first be used to pay dividends on its preferred shares, distributions in excess of such earnings and profits, if any, will be made disproportionately to holders of common shares.
Shareholders will be notified annually, as promptly as practicable after the end of each calendar year, as to the U.S. federal tax status of distributions, and Shareholders receiving distributions in the form of additional common shares will receive a report as to the NAV of those common shares.
Sale or Exchange of Common Shares
Upon the sale or exchange of common shares (except pursuant to a redemption, as described below), a Shareholder generally will recognize capital gain or loss. The amount of the gain or loss will be equal to the difference between the amount received for the common shares and the Shareholder’s adjusted tax basis in the relevant shares. Such gain or loss generally will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the Shareholder has held such common shares as capital assets for more than one year. Otherwise, the gain or loss will be treated as short- term capital gain or loss.
Losses realized by a Shareholder on the sale or exchange of common shares held as capital assets for six months or less will be treated as long-term capital losses to the extent of any distribution of long-term capital gains received (or deemed received, as discussed above) with respect to such shares. In addition, no loss will be allowed on a sale or exchange of common shares if the Shareholder acquires (including through reinvestment of distributions or otherwise), or enters into a contract or option to acquire, substantially identical shares within 30 days before or after the sale or exchange of such shares at a loss. In such a case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
In general, U.S. Shareholders currently are generally subject to a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of either 15% or 20% (depending on whether the Shareholder’s income exceeds certain threshold amounts) on their net capital gains (i.e., the excess of realized net long-term capital gains over realized net short-term capital losses), including any long-term capital gain derived from an investment in common shares. Such rate is lower than the maximum rate on ordinary income currently payable by individuals. Corporate U.S. Shareholders currently are subject to U.S. federal income tax on net capital gains at the 21% rate also applied to ordinary income.
Non-corporate
Shareholders with net capital losses for a tax year (i.e., capital losses in excess of capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each tax year. Any net capital losses of a
non-corporate
Shareholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent tax years as provided in the Code. Corporate Shareholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a tax year, but may carry back such losses for three tax years or carry forward such losses for five tax years.
If the Fund redeems any common shares held by a Shareholder, the redemption will be treated as a sale or exchange, the treatment of which is described above, if the redemption (i) is a “complete termination” of the Shareholder’s equity interest in the Fund, (ii) is a “substantially disproportionate” redemption with respect to the Shareholder or (iii) is “not essentially equivalent to a dividend” with respect to the Shareholder. In determining whether any of these tests has been met, a Shareholder must take into account not only common shares that are actually owned but also other shares that the Shareholder constructively owns within the meaning of Section 318 of the Code. If none of these alternative tests are met, the redemption will be treated as a distribution with respect to the common shares, the treatment of which is described above.
Under Treasury Regulations, if a Shareholder recognizes losses with respect to common shares of $2 million or more for an individual Shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate Shareholder, the Shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct Shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a RIC are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayer’s treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Reporting of adjusted cost basis information to the IRS and to taxpayers is generally required for covered securities, which generally include shares of a RIC acquired on or after January 1, 2012. Shareholders should contact their financial intermediaries with respect to reporting of cost basis and available elections for their accounts.
An additional 3.8% Medicare tax is imposed on certain net investment income (including ordinary dividends and capital gain distributions received from the Fund and net gains from redemptions or other taxable dispositions of common shares) of U.S. individuals, estates and trusts to the extent that such person’s “modified adjusted gross income” (in the case of an individual) or “adjusted gross income” (in the case of an estate or trust) exceeds certain threshold amounts. U.S. persons that are individuals, estates or trusts are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of this tax to their income and gains in respect of their investment in the Fund.
Backup Withholding and Information Reporting
Information returns will generally be filed with the IRS in connection with payments on common shares and the proceeds from a sale or other disposition of common shares. A Shareholder will generally be subject to backup withholding on all such amounts if it fails to provide the payor with its correct taxpayer identification number (generally, in the case of a U.S. Shareholder, on an IRS Form
W-9)
and to make required certifications or
otherwise establish an exemption from backup withholding. Corporate Shareholders and certain other Shareholders generally are exempt from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld as backup withholding may be refunded or credited against the applicable Shareholder’s U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the required information is timely furnished to the IRS.
Taxation of
Non-U.S.
Common Shareholders
Whether an investment in the Fund is appropriate for a
non-U.S.
Shareholder (as defined below) will depend upon that investor’s particular circumstances. An investment in the Fund by a
non-U.S.
Shareholder may have adverse tax consequences.
Non-U.S.
Shareholders should consult their tax advisors before investing in common shares.
The U.S. federal income taxation of a Shareholder that is a nonresident alien individual, a foreign trust or estate or a foreign corporation, as defined for U.S. federal income tax purposes (a “
”), depends on whether the income that the Shareholder derives from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by the Shareholder.
If the income that a
non-U.S.
Shareholder derives from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by such
non-U.S.
Shareholder, distributions of “investment company taxable income” will generally be subject to a U.S. federal withholding tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate provided under an applicable treaty). Alternatively, if the income that a
non-U.S.
Shareholder derives from the Fund is effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the
non-U.S.
Shareholder, the Fund will not be required to withhold U.S. federal tax if the
non-U.S.
Shareholder complies with applicable certification and disclosure requirements, although such income will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in the manner described below and at the rates applicable to U.S. residents. Backup withholding will not, however, be applied to payments that have been subject to the respective rate of withholding tax applicable to
non-U.S.
Shareholders.
A
non-U.S.
Shareholder whose income from the Fund is not “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business will generally be exempt from U.S. federal income tax on capital gains distributions, any amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of common shares. If, however, such a
non-U.S.
Shareholder is a nonresident alien individual and is physically present in the United States for 183 days or more during the tax year and meets certain other requirements, such capital gains distributions, undistributed capital gains and gains from the sale or exchange of common shares will be subject to tax at a 30% rate (or a lower rate provided under an applicable treaty).
Furthermore, properly reported distributions by the Fund that are received by
non-U.S.
Shareholders are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax when they (a) are paid by the Fund in respect of the Fund’s “qualified net interest income” (i.e., the Fund’s U.S. source interest income, subject to certain exceptions, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (b) are paid by the Fund in connection with the Fund’s “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of the Fund’s net short-term capital gains over the Fund’s long-term capital losses for such tax year). To qualify for this exemption from withholding for interest- related dividends, a
non-U.S.
Shareholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its
non-U.S.
tax residency status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form
W-8BEN,
IRS Form
IRS Form
W-8ECI,
IRS Form
W-8IMY
or IRS Form
W-8EXP,
or an acceptable substitute or successor form). However, depending on the circumstances, the Fund may report all, some or none of the Fund’s potentially eligible distributions as derived from such qualified net interest income or from such qualified short-term capital gains, and a portion of the Fund’s distributions (e.g., derived from interest from
non-U.S.
sources or any foreign currency gains) would be ineligible for this potential exemption from withholding. Moreover, in the case of common shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may have withheld amounts even if the Fund reported all or a portion of a distribution as exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax. Thus, an investment in the common shares by a
non-U.S.
Shareholder may have adverse tax consequences as compared to a direct investment in the assets in which the Fund will invest.
If the income from the Fund is “effectively connected” with a U.S. trade or business carried on by a
non-U.S.
Shareholder, any distributions of “investment company taxable income,” capital gains distributions, amounts retained by the Fund that are designated as undistributed capital gains and any gains realized upon the sale or exchange of common shares will be subject to U.S. federal income tax, on a net income basis, in the same manner as, and at the graduated rates applicable to, U.S. persons. If such a
non-U.S.
Shareholder is a corporation, it may also be subject to the U.S. branch profits tax.
A
non-U.S.
Shareholder other than a corporation may be subject to backup withholding on distributions that are otherwise exempt from withholding tax or on distributions that would otherwise be taxable at a reduced treaty rate if such Shareholder does not certify its
non-U.S.
status under penalties of perjury or otherwise establish an exemption.
If the Fund distributes net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions, a
non-U.S.
Shareholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the Shareholder’s allocable share of the tax the Fund pays on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. To obtain the refund, the
non-U.S.
Shareholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the
non-U.S.
Shareholder would not otherwise be required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return.
Under the FATCA provisions of the Code, the Fund is required to withhold U.S. tax (at the applicable rate) on payments of taxable dividends made to certain
non-U.S.
entities that fail to comply (or be deemed compliant) with extensive reporting and withholding requirements in the Code designed to inform the U.S. Department of the Treasury of U.S.-owned foreign investment accounts. Shareholders may be requested to provide additional information to the Fund to enable the Fund to determine whether withholding is required.
The tax consequences to a
non-U.S.
Shareholder entitled to claim the benefits of an applicable tax treaty may differ from those described herein.
Non-U.S.
Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund, including the potential application of the U.S. estate tax.
Shareholders may be subject to state, local and
non-U.S.
taxes applicable to their investment in the Fund. In some states or localities, entity-level tax treatment and the treatment of distributions made to Shareholders under those jurisdictions’ tax laws may differ from the treatment under the Code. Accordingly, an investment in common shares may have tax consequences for Shareholders that are different from those of a direct investment in the Fund’s portfolio investments. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors with respect to the particular tax consequences to them of an investment in the Fund.
Certain legal matters in connection with the common shares will be passed upon for us by Dechert LLP, 1900 K Street NW, Washington, DC 20006 and Richards, Layton & Finger. P.A., One Rodney Square, 1920 North King Street, Wilmington, DE 18901.
INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
Grant Thornton LLP, located at principal business address 171 N. Clark Street, Chicago, Illinois 60601, served as the Fund’s independent registered public accounting firm and provided audit services and review of certain documents filed with the SEC until July 14, 2023. Following July 14, 2023, Ernst & Young LLP an independent registered public accounting firm located at One Manhattan West, 395 9th Avenue, New York, NY 10001, provides audit services, tax return preparation, and assistance and consultation with respect to the preparation of filings with the SEC.
This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus constitute part of a registration statement on Form
N-2
that we have filed with the SEC, together with any and all amendments and related exhibits under the Securities Act. This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus do not contain all of the information set forth in the registration statement, some of which is contained in exhibits filed as part of, or incorporated by reference into, the registration statement as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the common shares we are offering under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, we refer you to the registration statement, including the exhibits filed as a part of, or incorporated by reference into, the registration statement. Statements contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or any other document are not necessarily complete. If a contract or other document has been filed as an exhibit to the registration statement or otherwise incorporated by reference as an exhibit thereto, please see the copy of the contract or document that has been filed or incorporated by reference. Each statement in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus relating to a contract or document filed or incorporated by reference as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by such exhibit.
We file with or submit to the SEC annual and semi-annual reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information we file with the SEC at www.sec.gov. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. This information is available free of charge by writing us at Carlyle Credit Income Fund., One Vanderbilt Avenue, Suite 3400, New York, NY 10017, by telephone at (866)
277-8243,
or on our website at www.carlylecreditincomefund.com. Information on our website is not incorporated by reference into or a part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
We incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement any future reports and other documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act or pursuant to Rule
30b2-1
under the 1940 Act, until all of the securities offered by this prospectus supplement have been sold or we otherwise terminate the offering of these securities (such reports and other documents deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and to be part hereof from the date of filing of such reports and other documents). To obtain copies of these filings, see “Additional Information.”
PROSPECTUS
$500,000,000
Carlyle Credit Income Fund
Common Shares
Preferred Shares
Subscription Rights
Debt Securities
Carlyle Credit Income Fund (the “Fund”) is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, or the “1940 Act.” The Fund was previously named Vertical Capital Income Fund.
Investment Objective. The Fund’s primary investment objective is to generate current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation.
Principal Investment Strategies. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations, or “CLOs,” that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We may also invest in other related securities and instruments or other securities and instruments that the Adviser believes are consistent with our investment objectives, including senior debt tranches of CLOs, loan accumulation facilities (“LAFs”) and securities issued by other securitization vehicles, such as collateralized bond obligations, or “CBOs.” LAFs are short- to medium-term facilities often provided by the bank that will serve as the placement agent or arranger on a CLO transaction. LAFs typically incur leverage between four and six times equity value prior to a CLO’s pricing. The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are unrated or rated below investment grade and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Unrated and below investment grade securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities. In addition, the CLO equity and junior debt securities in which we invest are highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities typically being leveraged ten times), which magnifies our risk of loss on such investments. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and will increase the risk of investing in us.”
Under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the aggregate of the Fund’s net assets and borrowings for investment purposes in credit and credit-related instruments. For purposes of this policy, the Fund considers credit and credit-related instruments to include, without limitation: (i) equity and debt tranches of CLOs, LAFs and securities issued by other securitization vehicles, such as CBOs; (ii) secured and unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans; (iii) investments in corporate debt obligations, including bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal; (iv) debt issued by governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, and central banks; (v) commercial paper and short-term notes; (vi) convertible debt securities; (vii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits; and (viii) other credit-related instruments. The Fund’s investments in derivatives, other investment companies, and other instruments designed to obtain indirect exposure to credit and credit-related instruments will be counted towards its 80% investment policy to the extent such instruments have similar economic characteristics to the investments included within that policy.
Our 80% policy with respect to investments in credit and credit-related instruments is not fundamental and may be changed by our board of directors without stockholder approval. Stockholders will be provided with sixty (60) days’ notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before making any change to this policy.
Investment Adviser. The investment adviser to the Fund is Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C. (“CGCIM” or the “Adviser”). CGCIM is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”). CGCIM is a majority-owned subsidiary of Carlyle Investment Management L.L.C. (“CIM” and together with CGCIM, “Carlyle”).
Securities Offered. Our shares of beneficial interest (the “common shares”), preferred shares of beneficial interest (“preferred shares”), debt securities or subscription rights to purchase our securities (collectively, the “securities”) may be offered at prices and on terms to be disclosed in one or more supplements to this prospectus. You should read this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement carefully before you invest in our securities. The securities may be offered directly to one or more purchasers, or through agents designated from time to time by us, or to or through underwriters or dealers. Each prospectus supplement relating to an offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of the securities, and will disclose any applicable purchase price, fee, discount or commissions arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters or among our underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution” in this prospectus. We may not sell any of the securities pursuant to this registration statement through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.
Our common shares are traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “CCIF.” Prior to July 27, 2023, the Fund’s common shares traded on NYSE under the symbol “VCIF.” As of September 26, 2023, the last reported sales price of our common shares on the NYSE was $8.21 per share. The net asset value per common share at September 30, 2023 (the last date prior to the date of this prospectus for which we reported net asset value) was $8.42.
Common shares of closed-end management investment companies that are listed on an exchange frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value (“NAV”). If our common shares trade at a discount to our NAV, it will likely increase the risk of loss for purchasers of our securities.
Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk, including the risk of a substantial loss of investment. Before purchasing any securities, you should read the discussion of the principal risks of investing in our securities, which are summarized in “Risk Factors” beginning on page 24 of this prospectus.
This prospectus contains important information you should know before investing in our securities. Please read this prospectus and retain it for future reference. We file annual and semi-annual shareholder reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” To obtain this information free of charge or make other inquiries pertaining to us, please visit our website (www.carlylecreditincomefund.com) or call (866) 277-8243 (toll-free). You may also obtain a copy of any information regarding us filed with the SEC from the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). Information on our website and the SEC’s website is not incorporated into or a part of this prospectus.
Neither the SEC nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined that this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.
The date of this prospectus is September 29, 2023
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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We have not authorized any person to provide you with different information from that contained in or incorporated by reference in this prospectus. We are not making an offer to sell these securities in any jurisdiction where the offer or sale is not permitted. You should assume that the information appearing in this prospectus is accurate only as of the date on the front cover of this prospectus. Our business, financial condition and results of operations may have changed since that date. We will notify security holders promptly of any material change to this prospectus during the period in which we are required to deliver the prospectus.
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ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS
This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC using the “shelf” registration process. Under the shelf registration process, we may offer from time to time up to $500,000,000 of our securities on the terms to be determined at the time of the offering. We may sell our securities through underwriters or dealers, “at-the-market” to or through a market maker, into an existing trading market or otherwise directly to one or more purchasers or through agents or through a combination of methods of sale. The identities of such underwriters, dealers, market makers or agents, as the case may be, will be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms described in one or more supplements to this prospectus. This prospectus provides you with a general description of the securities that we may offer. Each time we use this prospectus to offer securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. The prospectus supplement may also add, update or change information contained in this prospectus, and the prospectus and prospectus supplement will together serve as the prospectus. Please carefully read this prospectus and any prospectus supplement, together with any exhibits, before you make an investment decision.
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PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary highlights some of the information contained in this prospectus. It is not complete and may not contain all the information that is important to a decision to invest in our securities. You should read carefully the more detailed information set forth under “Risk Factors” and the other information included in this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. Except where the context suggests otherwise, the terms:
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The “Fund,” “we,” “us,” and “our” refer to Carlyle Credit Income Fund, a Delaware statutory trust; and is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), as a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company. |
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The “Adviser” refers to Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C. (“CGCIM”); and is an SEC-registered investment adviser. |
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The “Administrator” refers to SS&C Technologies, Inc. |
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“Risk-adjusted returns” refers to the profile of expected asset returns across a range of potential macroeconomic scenarios, and does not imply that a particular strategy or investment should be considered low-risk. |
Carlyle Credit Income Fund
The Fund is a non-diversified, closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under 1940 Act. We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code.”
On January 12, 2023, the Fund announced that it had entered into a definitive agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) with CGCIM pursuant to which, among other things, CGCIM would become the investment adviser to the Fund (the “Transaction”). Pursuant to the Transaction Agreement, the investment advisory agreement between the Fund and Oakline Advisors, LLC (“Oakline”) terminated at or prior to the closing of the Transaction (the “Closing”). As a result, the holders of the Fund’s common shares (“Shareholders”) were asked to approve a new investment advisory agreement between the Fund and CGCIM (the “Investment Advisory Agreement”) and to approve certain other proposals upon which the Closing was conditioned. The Shareholders approved the new Investment Advisory Agreement and the other proposals at a shareholder meeting on June 15, 2023 and Closing occurred on July 14, 2023. In connection with Closing, (i) the Fund sold existing investments with a gross asset value equal to approximately 97% of the total gross asset value of such investments as of August 31, 2022, subject to certain exclusions; (ii) CGCIM replaced Oakline as the Fund’s new investment adviser; (iii) the Fund’s investment strategy was changed to invest primarily in debt and equity tranches issued by collateralized loan obligations; (iv) each of the Fund’s trustees and officers were replaced; (v) the Fund changed its name on July 14, 2023 from Vertical Capital Income Fund to Carlyle Credit Income Fund; and (vi) on July 27, 2023 the Fund’s common shares began trading on NYSE under the symbol “CCIF.” In addition, (i) Shareholders of the Fund received a special one-time payment of $10,000,000 from CGCIM (or one of its affiliates), or approximately $0.96 per common share, (ii) following the Closing, an affiliate of CGCIM commenced a tender offer on July 18, 2023 to purchase up to $25,000,000 of outstanding Fund common shares at the then-current net asset value per common share (the “Tender Offer”), and (iii) following the close of the tender offer, an affiliate of CGCIM will invest $15,000,000 into the Fund through the purchase of newly issued Fund common shares at a price equal to the greater of the then-current net asset value per common share and the net asset value per common share that represents the tender offer purchase price (the “New Issuance”), and through acquiring common shares in private purchases (the “Private Purchase”). Additionally, following the completion of the Tender Offer, New Issuance and Private Purchase, Carlyle or an affiliate holds approximately 41% of the Fund’s voting securities. Shares of the Fund held by an affiliate of CGCIM were exempted from the control share acquisition provisions (the “Control Share Statute”) contained in Subchapter III of Delaware
1
Statutory Trust Act (the “DSTA”) by the Board. See “Control Persons and Principal Holders of Securities” and “Description of our Securities—Certain Aspects of the Delaware Control Share Statute.”
In connection with the Transaction, the Adviser and the Fund entered into an agreement under which the Adviser has agreed contractually to waive its Management Fee and/or reimburse the Fund’s operating expenses on a monthly basis to the extent that the Fund’s monthly total annualized fund operating expenses (excluding (i) expenses directly related to the costs of making investments, including interest and structuring costs for borrowings and line(s) of credit, taxes, brokerage costs, the Fund’s proportionate share of expenses related to co-investments, litigation and extraordinary expenses, (ii) Incentive Fees, (iii) expenses related to equity or debt offerings, and (iv) expenses associated with the Transaction Agreement, including expenses related to the liquidation as defined therein) in respect of the relevant month exceed 2.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (the “Expense Limitation Agreement”). The Expense Limitation Agreement terminated based on its terms on August 17, 2023, which was the date that 75% of the Fund’s gross assets were invested in collateralized loan obligation equity and debt investments. Pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement, approximately $325,000 in expenses were waived.
CGCIM has also agreed to irrevocably waive the portion of its management and incentive fees on Fund managed assets invested in exchange traded funds through January 12, 2024, (the “Fee Waiver Agreement”) as the Fund’s portfolio transitions to the new investment strategy. CGCIM is not entitled to recoup any waived fees under the Fee Waiver Agreement.
The Fund’s primary investment objective is to generate current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations, or “CLOs”, that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We may also invest in other related securities and instruments or other securities and instruments that the Adviser believes are consistent with our investment objectives, including senior debt tranches of CLOs, loan accumulation facilities (“LAFs”), securities issued by other securitization vehicles, such as collateralized bond obligations, or “CBOs.” We may also acquire securities issued by exchange-traded funds (“ETFs”), and may otherwise invest indirectly in securities consistent with our investment objectives, including through a joint venture vehicle in which the Fund shares equal control of the vehicle with another party. The amount that we will invest in other securities and instruments, which may include investments in debt and other securities issued by CLOs collateralized by non-U.S. loans or securities of other collective investment vehicles, will vary from time to time and, as such, may constitute a material part of our portfolio on any given date, all as based on the Adviser’s assessment of prevailing market conditions. From time to time, the Fund may receive rebates of fees paid by the Fund from the CLO issuer in connection with the acquisition of CLO equity.
The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity securities, are unrated, and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Unrated and below investment grade securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities. In addition, the CLO equity and junior debt securities in which we invest are highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities typically being leveraged ten times), which magnifies our risk of loss on such investments. LAFs are short- to medium-term facilities often provided by the bank that will serve as the placement agent or arranger on a CLO transaction. LAFs typically incur leverage between four and six times equity value prior to a CLO’s pricing.
These investment objectives and strategies are not fundamental policies of ours and may be changed by our board of trustees (the “Board”) without prior approval of our Shareholders. See “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company.”
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The Adviser pursues a differentiated strategy within the CLO market focused on:
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proactive sourcing and identification of investment opportunities; |
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utilization of the Adviser’s methodical investment analysis and due diligence process; |
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active involvement at the CLO structuring and formation stage; and |
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taking, in many instances, significant stakes in CLO equity and junior debt tranches. |
In conducting its investment activities, the Fund believes that it will benefit from the significant scale and resources of Carlyle and its affiliates.
The Fund will seek to source opportunities through Carlyle’s extensive global relationships and proprietary network and through the deep infrastructure Carlyle has developed in each of the Fund’s credit strategies, including:
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Carlyle’s well-established sponsor, bank and lending relationships cultivated over 30+ years, including ~1,000 lending relationships across the firm. |
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Scale of capital with over $146 billion under management in Carlyle’s Global Credit group and 230+ dedicated credit investment professionals. |
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A broad network of dealer, investor, and manager relationships that Carlyle has developed during its 20+-year track record managing CLOs. |
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Integrated efforts with cross-platform sourcing capabilities and referrals from both internal and external Carlyle networks. |
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Ability to leverage OneCarlyle platform1 with nearly 700 origination and underwriting resources and global knowledge base across Global Credit and Private Equity. |
We believe that the Adviser’s (1) direct and often longstanding relationships with CLO collateral managers, CLO primary desks of investment banks, and CLO secondary trading desks of investment banks and broker-dealers, (2) CLO structural expertise and (3) relative scale in the CLO market will enable us to source and execute investments with attractive economics and terms relative to other CLO opportunities.
When we make a significant primary market investment in a particular CLO tranche, we generally expect to be able to influence the CLO’s key terms and conditions. We may acquire a majority position in a CLO tranche directly, or we may benefit from the advantages of a majority position where both we and other accounts managed by the Adviser collectively hold a majority position, subject to any restrictions on our ability to invest alongside such other accounts. See “Conflicts of Interest.”
We seek to construct a portfolio of CLO securities that provides varied exposure across a number of key categories, including:
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number of borrowers underlying each CLO; |
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industry type of a CLO’s underlying borrowers; |
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number and investment style of CLO collateral managers; and |
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The OneCarlyle platform consists of Carlyle’s global network of professionals, senior advisors, portfolio company resources, and industry contacts. Within the firm, the platform includes 1,000 Investor Services professionals who are dedicated resources to Carlyle’s limited partners. Additionally, Carlyle’s Global Credit business operates its three business segments, Liquid Credit, Private Credit and Real Assets Credit, in an integrated manner which Carlyle believes provides significant competitive advantages through shared information, resources and investment capabilities. |
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The Adviser has a long-term investment horizon and invests primarily with a buy-and-hold mentality. However, on an ongoing basis, the Adviser actively monitors each investment and may sell positions if circumstances change from the time of investment or if the Adviser believes it is in our best interest to do so.
“Names Rule” Policy
In accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, we have adopted a policy to invest at least 80% of our assets in the particular type of investments suggested by our name. Accordingly, under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the aggregate of its net assets and borrowings for investment purposes in credit and credit-related instruments. For purposes of this policy, the Fund considers credit and credit-related instruments to include, without limitation: (i) equity and debt tranches of CLOs, LAFs and securities issued by other securitization vehicles, such as CBOs; (ii) secured and unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans; (iii) investments in corporate debt obligations, including bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal; (iv) debt issued by governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, and central banks; (v) commercial paper and short-term notes; (vi) convertible debt securities; (vii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits; and (viii) other credit-related instruments. The Fund’s investments in derivatives, other investment companies, and other instruments designed to obtain indirect exposure to credit and credit-related instruments will be counted towards its 80% investment policy to the extent such instruments have similar economic characteristics to the investments included within that policy.
Our 80% policy with respect to investments in credit and credit-related instruments is not fundamental and may be changed by the Board without prior approval of our Shareholders. Shareholders will be provided with sixty (60) days’ notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before making any change to this policy.
Carlyle Global Credit Investment Management L.L.C.
CGCIM serves as the Fund’s investment adviser. CGCIM is registered as an investment adviser with the SEC under the Advisers Act. CGCIM is a majority-owned subsidiary of CIM.
Carlyle is a global investment firm with more than $373 billion of assets under management as of December 31, 2022 across 543 active investment vehicles. The firm also has a large and diversified investor base with more than 2,900 active fund investors located in 88 countries.
Carlyle combines global vision with local insight, relying on a team of nearly 700 investment professionals operating out of 29 offices in 17 countries to uncover superior opportunities in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and North America.
Principal Investment Strategies
CLO Overview
Our investment portfolio is comprised primarily of investments in the equity and junior debt tranches of CLOs that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. CLOs are generally backed by an asset or a pool of assets that serve as collateral. Most CLOs are issued in multiple tranches, offering investors various maturity and credit risk characteristics, often categorized as senior, mezzanine and subordinated/equity according to their degree of risk. Generally, a CLO’s indenture requires that the maturity dates of a CLO’s assets, typically five to eight years from the date of issuance of a senior secured loan, be shorter than the maturity date of the CLO’s liabilities, typically 12 to 13 years from the date of issuance. If there are defaults or the relevant collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches of such
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securities take precedence over those of junior tranches which are the focus of our investment strategy, and scheduled payments to junior tranches have a priority in right of payment to subordinated/equity tranches. While the vast majority of the portfolio of most CLOs consists of senior secured loans, many CLOs enable the CLO collateral manager to invest up to 10% of the portfolio in assets that are not first lien senior secured loans, including second lien loans, unsecured loans, senior secured bonds and senior unsecured bonds.
CLOs are generally required to hold a portfolio of assets that is highly diversified by underlying borrower and industry and that is subject to a variety of asset concentration limitations. Most CLOs are non-static, revolving structures that generally allow for reinvestment over a specific period of time (the “reinvestment period”) which is typically up to five years. The terms and covenants of a typical CLO structure are, with certain exceptions, based primarily on the cash flow generated by, and the par value (as opposed to the market price or fair value) of, the collateral. These covenants include collateral coverage tests, interest coverage tests and collateral quality tests.
A CLO funds the purchase of a portfolio of primarily senior secured loans via the issuance of CLO equity and debt securities in the form of multiple, primarily floating rate, debt tranches. The CLO debt tranches typically are rated “AAA” (or its equivalent) at the most senior level down to “BB” or “B” (or its equivalent), which is below investment grade, at the junior level by Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., or “Moody’s,” S&P Global Ratings, or “S&P,” and/or Fitch Ratings, Inc., or “Fitch.” The interest rate on the CLO debt tranches is the lowest at the AAA-level and generally increases at each level down the rating scale. The CLO equity tranche is unrated and typically represents approximately 8% to 11% of a CLO’s capital structure. Below investment grade and unrated securities are sometimes referred to as “junk” securities. The diagram below is for illustrative purposes only and highlights a hypothetical structure intended to depict a typical CLO. A minority of CLOs also include a B-rated debt tranche (in which we may invest), and the structure of CLOs in which we invest may otherwise vary from this example. The left column represents the CLO’s assets, which support the liabilities and equity in the right column. The right column shows the various classes of debt and equity issued by the hypothetical CLO in order of seniority as to rights in payments from the assets. The percentage ranges appearing below the rating of each class represents the percent such class comprises of the overall “capital stack” (i.e., total debt and equity issued by the CLO).
CLOs have two priority-of-payment schedules (commonly called “waterfalls”), which are detailed in a CLO’s indenture and govern how cash generated from a CLO’s underlying collateral is distributed to the CLO’s equity and debt investors. The interest waterfall applies to interest payments received on a CLO’s underlying collateral.
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The principal waterfall applies to cash generated from principal on the underlying collateral, primarily through loan repayments and the proceeds from loan sales. Through the interest waterfall, any excess interest-related cash flow available after the required quarterly interest payments to CLO debt investors are made and certain CLO expenses (such as administration and collateral management fees) are paid is then distributed to the CLO’s equity investors each quarter, subject to compliance with certain tests.
A CLO’s indenture typically requires that the maturity dates of a CLO’s assets, typically five to eight years from the date of issuance of a senior secured loan, be shorter than the maturity date of the CLO’s liabilities, typically 12 to 13 years from the date of issuance. However, CLO investors do face reinvestment risk with respect to a CLO’s underlying portfolio. In addition, in most CLO transactions, CLO debt investors are subject to prepayment risk in that the holders of a majority of the equity tranche can direct a call or refinancing of a CLO, which would cause the CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to reinvestment risk.”
Financing and Hedging Strategy
Leverage by the Fund. Subject to prevailing market conditions, the Fund may add financial leverage if, immediately after such borrowing, it would have asset coverage (as defined in the 1940 Act) of 300% or more (for leverage obtained through debt) or 200% or more (for leverage obtained through preferred shares). For example, if the Fund has $100 in Net Assets (as defined below), it may utilize leverage through obtaining debt of up to $50, resulting in $150 in total assets (or 300% asset coverage). In addition, if the Fund has $100 in Net Assets, it may issue $100 in preferred shares, resulting in $200 in total assets (or 200% asset coverage). “Net Assets” means the total assets of the Fund minus the Fund’s liabilities. The Fund may use leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease its leverage, or use different types or combinations of leveraging instruments, at any time based on the Fund’s assessment of market conditions and the investment environment. Over the long term, we expect to operate under normal market conditions generally with leverage within a range of 25% to 40% of total assets, although the actual amount of our leverage will vary over time. Certain instruments that create leverage are considered to be senior securities under the 1940 Act.
In the event we fail to meet our applicable asset coverage ratio requirements, we may not be able to incur additional debt and/or issue preferred shares, and could be required by law or otherwise to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt or redeem preferred shares (if any) when it is disadvantageous to do so, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make certain distributions or pay dividends of an amount necessary to continue to qualify for treatment as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We expect that we will, or that we may need to, raise additional capital in the future to fund our continued growth, and we may do so by entering into a credit facility, issuing preferred shares or debt securities or through other leveraging instruments. Subject to the limitations under the 1940 Act, we may incur additional leverage opportunistically and may choose to increase or decrease our leverage. In addition, we may borrow for temporary, emergency or other purposes as permitted under the 1940 Act, which indebtedness would be in addition to the asset coverage requirements described above. By leveraging our investment portfolio, we may create an opportunity for increased net income and capital appreciation. However, the use of leverage also involves significant risks and expenses, which will be borne entirely by our Shareholders, and our leverage strategy may not be successful. For example, the more leverage is employed, the more likely a substantial change will occur in our NAV. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of an investment would be magnified to the extent leverage is utilized. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and will increase the risk of investing in us.”
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Derivative Transactions. We may engage in “Derivative Transactions,” as described below, from time to time. To the extent we engage in Derivative Transactions, we expect to do so to hedge against interest rate, credit, currency and/or other risks, or for other investment or risk management purposes. We may use Derivative Transactions for investment purposes to the extent consistent with our investment objectives if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. We may purchase and sell a variety of derivative instruments, including exchange-listed and over-the-counter, or “OTC,” options, futures, options on futures, swaps and similar instruments, various interest rate transactions, such as swaps, caps, floors or collars, and credit transactions and credit default swaps. We also may purchase and sell derivative instruments that combine features of these instruments. Collectively, we refer to these financial management techniques as “Derivative Transactions.” Our use of Derivative Transactions, if any, will generally be deemed to create leverage for us and involves significant risks. No assurance can be given that our strategy and use of derivatives will be successful, and our investment performance could diminish compared with what it would have been if Derivative Transactions were not used. See “Risk Factors — Risks Related to Our Investments — We are subject to risks associated with any hedging or Derivative Transactions in which we participate.”
Temporary Defensive Position. We may take a temporary defensive position and invest all or a substantial portion of our total assets in cash or cash equivalents, government securities or short-term fixed income securities during periods in which we believe that adverse market, economic, political or other conditions make it advisable to maintain a temporary defensive position. As the CLOs and LAFs in which we invest are generally illiquid in nature, we may not be able to dispose of such investments and take a defensive position. To the extent that we invest defensively, we likely will not achieve our investment objectives.
Operating and Regulatory Structure
We are a non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the 1940 Act. As a registered closed-end management investment company, we are required to meet certain regulatory tests. See “Regulation as a Closed-End Management Investment Company.” In addition, we have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.
Pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, by and between the Fund and the Adviser, and in consideration of the advisory services provided by the Adviser to the Fund, the Adviser is entitled to a fee consisting of two components—a base management fee (the “Management Fee”) and an incentive fee (the “Incentive Fee”).
The Management Fee is calculated and payable monthly in arrears at the annual rate of 1.75% of the month-end value of the Fund’s Managed Assets. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to any preferred shares or to indebtedness) minus the Fund’s liabilities other than liabilities relating to indebtedness.
The Incentive Fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based upon the Fund’s “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter, and is subject to a hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on the Fund’s Net Assets equal to 2.00% per quarter (or an annualized hurdle rate of 8.00%), subject to a “catch-up” feature. For this purpose, “pre-incentive fee net investment income” means interest income, dividend income, income generated from original issue discounts, payment-in-kind income, and any other income earned or accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Fund’s operating expenses (which, for this purpose shall not include any distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees, litigation, any extraordinary expenses or Incentive Fee) for the quarter. For purposes of computing the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, the calculation methodology will look through total return swaps as if the Fund owned the referenced assets directly. As a result, the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income includes net interest, if any, associated with a derivative or swap (“Net Interest”), which is the difference between (a) the interest income and transaction fees
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related to the reference assets and (b) all interest and other expenses paid by the Fund to the derivative or swap counterparty. For purposes of the Incentive Fee, Net Assets are calculated for the relevant quarter as the weighted average of the NAV of the Fund as of the first business day of each month therein. The weighted average NAV shall be calculated for each month by multiplying the NAV as of the beginning of the first business day of the month times the number of days in that month, divided by the number of days in the applicable calendar quarter.
The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide the Adviser with an incentive fee of 17.5% on all of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income when the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income reaches 2.424% of Net Assets in any calendar quarter.
Thus, each calendar quarter the Fund will compare its pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s Net Assets in respect of the relevant calendar quarter, to a hurdle rate of 2.00%. If the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income is less than the hurdle rate, then the Adviser will not be paid the Incentive Fee in respect of that quarter. If the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income is between 2.00% and 2.424% (the “Catch-up Range”), then the Adviser will be paid the Incentive Fee in respect of that quarter in an amount equal to 100% of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income within the Catch-up Range (the “Catch-up Amount”). If the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income exceeds 2.424%, then the Adviser will be paid the Incentive Fee in respect of that quarter in an amount equal to the Catch-up Amount plus 17.5% of net investment income above 2.424%. See “Management and Incentive Fees.”
The Adviser and the Fund entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement under which the Adviser has agreed contractually to waive its Management Fee and/or reimburse the Fund’s operating expenses on a monthly basis to the extent that the Fund’s monthly total annualized fund operating expenses (excluding (i) expenses directly related to the costs of making investments, including interest and structuring costs for borrowings and line(s) of credit, taxes, brokerage costs, the Fund’s proportionate share of expenses related to co-investments, litigation and extraordinary expenses, (ii) Incentive Fees, (iii) expenses related to equity or debt offerings, and (iv) expenses associated with the Transaction Agreement, including expenses related to the liquidation as defined therein) in respect of the relevant month exceed 2.50% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Expense Limitation Agreement terminated based on its terms on August 17, 2023, which was the date that 75% of the Fund’s gross assets were invested in collateralized loan obligation equity and debt investments. Pursuant to the Expense Limitation Agreement, approximately $325,000 in expenses were waived.
CGCIM also has a Fee Waiver Agreement under which it has agreed to irrevocably waive the portion of its management and incentive fees on Fund managed assets invested in exchange traded funds through January 12, 2024, as the Fund’s portfolio transitions to the new investment strategy. CGCIM is not entitled to recoup any waived fees under the Fee Waiver Agreement.
The Adviser is obligated to pay expenses associated with providing the investment services stated in the Investment Advisory Agreement, including compensation of and office space for its officers and employees connected with investment and economic research, trading and investment management of the Fund.
Conflicts of Interest
An affiliated investment fund, account or other similar arrangement currently formed or formed in the future and managed by the Fund’s Adviser or its affiliates may have overlapping investment objectives and strategies with the Fund’s own and, accordingly, may invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by the Fund. This creates potential conflicts in allocating investment opportunities among the Fund and such other investment funds, accounts and similar arrangements, particularly in circumstances where the availability or liquidity of such investment opportunities is limited or where co-investments by the Fund and other funds, accounts or arrangements are not permitted under applicable law, as discussed below.
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For example, Carlyle sponsors several investment funds, accounts and other similar arrangements, including, without limitation, structured credit funds as well as closed-end registered investment companies, business development funds (“BDCs”), funds that provide carried interest (i.e., the right to a share of the profits) to investors (“carry funds”), managed accounts and structured credit funds it may sponsor in the future. The SEC has granted exemptive relief that permits the Fund and certain of its affiliates to co-invest in suitable negotiated investments (the “Exemptive Relief”). If Carlyle is presented with investment opportunities that generally fall within the Fund’s investment objective and other board-established criteria and those of other Carlyle funds, accounts or other similar arrangements (including existing and future affiliated BDCs and registered closed-end funds) whether focused on a credit strategy or otherwise, Carlyle allocates such opportunities among the Fund and such other Carlyle funds, accounts or other similar arrangements in a manner consistent with the Exemptive Relief, the Adviser’s allocation policies and procedures and Carlyle’s other allocation policies and procedures, where applicable, as discussed below.
More specifically, investment opportunities in suitable negotiated investments for investment funds, accounts and other similar arrangements (including proprietary accounts) managed by the Adviser, and other funds, accounts or similar arrangements managed by affiliated investment advisers that seek to co-invest with the Fund or other Carlyle BDCs or registered closed-end funds, are allocated in accordance with the Exemptive Relief, the Adviser’s allocation policies and procedures and Carlyle’s other allocation policies and procedures, where applicable. Investment opportunities for all other investment funds, accounts and other similar arrangements not managed by the Adviser are allocated in accordance with their respective investment advisers’ and Carlyle’s other allocation policies and procedures. Such policies and procedures may result in certain investment opportunities that are attractive to the Fund being allocated to other funds that are not managed by the Adviser. Carlyle’s, including the Adviser’s, allocation policies and procedures are designed to allocate investment opportunities fairly and equitably among its clients over time, taking into account a variety of factors which may include the sourcing of the transaction, the nature of the investment focus of each such other Carlyle fund, account or other similar arrangement, each fund’s, account’s or similar arrangement’s desired level of investment, the relative amounts of capital available for investment, the nature and extent of involvement in the transaction on the part of the respective teams of investment professionals, any requirements contained in the limited partnership agreements and other governing agreements of the Carlyle funds, accounts or other similar arrangements and other considerations deemed relevant by Carlyle in good faith, including suitability considerations and reputational matters. The application of these considerations may cause differences in the performance of different Carlyle funds, accounts and similar arrangements that have similar strategies.
The Fund’s executive officers and trustees, other current and future principals of the Adviser and certain members of the Adviser’s investment committee may serve as officers, trustees or principals of other entities and affiliates of the Adviser and funds managed by the Fund’s affiliates that operate in the same or a related line of business as the Fund does. Currently, the Fund’s executive officers, as well as the other principals of the Adviser, manage other funds affiliated with Carlyle, including other existing and future affiliated BDCs and registered closed-end funds, including Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc., Carlyle Credit Solutions, Inc. and Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund. In addition, the Adviser’s investment team has responsibilities for sourcing and managing private debt investments for certain other investment funds and accounts. Accordingly, they have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of, or may be adverse to the interests of, the Fund and its Shareholders. Although the professional staff of the Adviser will devote as much time to management of the Fund as appropriate to enable the Adviser to perform its duties in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment professionals of the Adviser may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among the Fund, on the one hand, and investment vehicles managed by Carlyle or one or more of its affiliates on the other hand.
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Although the Adviser will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with its allocation policies and procedures, it is possible that, in the future, the Fund may not be given the opportunity to participate in investments made by investment funds managed by the Adviser or an investment manager affiliated with the Adviser, including Carlyle.
In the course of the Fund’s investing activities, it pays management and incentive fees to the Adviser and reimburses the Adviser for certain expenses it incurs in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement. Accordingly, a conflict may arise where the Adviser has an incentive to structure transactions to generate the higher management or incentive fees or reimbursements for the Adviser. Investors in the Fund’s common shares invest on a “gross” basis and receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, resulting in a lower rate of return than an investor might achieve through direct investments.
During periods of unusual market conditions, the Adviser may deviate from its normal trade allocation practices. For example, this may occur with respect to the management of unlevered and/or long-only investment funds, accounts or similar arrangements that are typically managed on a side-by-side basis with levered and/or long-short investment funds, accounts or similar arrangements.
Summary Risk Factors
The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our securities, will fluctuate. Our investments should be considered risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. Investors should consider their financial situation and needs, other investments, investment goals, investment experience, time horizons, liquidity needs and risk tolerance before investing in our securities. An investment in our securities may be speculative in that it involves a high degree of risk and should not be considered a complete investment program. We are designed primarily as a long-term investment vehicle, and our securities are not an appropriate investment for a short-term trading strategy. We can offer no assurance that returns, if any, on our investments will be commensurate with the risk of investment in us, nor can we provide any assurance that enough appropriate investments that meet our investment criteria will be available.
The following is a summary of certain principal risks of an investment in us. See “Risk Factors” for a more complete discussion of the risks of investing in our securities, including certain risks not summarized below.
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CLO-Specific Risks. Investments in CLO securities involve certain risks. CLOs are generally backed by an asset or a pool of assets that serve as collateral. The Fund and other investors in CLO securities ultimately bear the credit risk of the underlying collateral. Most CLOs are issued in multiple tranches, offering investors various maturity and credit risk characteristics, often categorized as senior, mezzanine and subordinated/equity according to their degree of risk. If there are defaults or the relevant collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches of such securities take precedence over those of junior tranches which are the focus of our investment strategy, and scheduled payments to junior tranches have a priority in right of payment to subordinated/equity tranches. CLOs may present risks similar to those of the other types of debt obligations and, in fact, such risks may be of greater significance in the case of CLOs. For example, investments in junior debt and equity securities issued by CLOs, involve risks, including credit risk and market risk. Changes in interest rates and credit quality may cause significant price fluctuations. In addition to the general risks associated with investing in debt securities, CLO securities carry additional risks, including: (1) the possibility that distributions from collateral assets will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (2) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (3) investments in CLO junior debt and equity tranches will likely be subordinate in right of payment to other senior classes of CLO debt; and (4) the complex structure of a particular security may not be fully understood at the |
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time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results. Changes in the collateral held by a CLO may cause payments on the instruments the Fund holds to be reduced, either temporarily or permanently. |
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General Risks of Investing in CLOs and Other Structured Debt Securities. CLOs and other structured finance securities are generally backed by a pool of credit-related assets that serve as collateral. Accordingly, CLO and structured finance securities present risks similar to those of other types of credit investments, including default (credit), interest rate and prepayment risks. In addition, CLOs and other structured finance securities are often governed by a complex series of legal documents and contracts, which increases the risk of dispute over the interpretation and enforceability of such documents relative to other types of investments. |
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Subordinated Securities. CLO equity and junior debt securities are subordinated to more senior tranches of CLO debt. CLO equity and junior debt securities are subject to increased risks of default relative to the holders of superior priority interests in the same CLO. In addition, at the time of issuance, CLO equity securities are under-collateralized in that the face amount of the CLO debt and CLO equity of a CLO at inception exceed its total assets. The Fund will typically be in a subordinated or first loss position with respect to realized losses on the underlying assets held by the CLOs in which we are invested. |
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High Yield Investment Risk. The CLO equity and junior debt securities are typically rated below investment grade, or in the case of CLO equity securities unrated, and are therefore considered “higher yield” or “junk” securities and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. The senior secured loans and other credit-related assets underlying CLOs are also typically higher yield investments. Investing in CLO equity and junior debt securities and other high yield investments involves greater credit and liquidity risk than investment grade obligations, which may adversely impact the Fund’s performance. |
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Default Risk. The Fund will be subject to risks associated with defaults on an underlying asset held by a CLO. |
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A default and any resulting loss as well as other losses on an underlying asset held by a CLO may reduce the fair value of our corresponding CLO investment. A wide range of factors could adversely affect the ability of the borrower of an underlying asset to make interest or other payments on that asset. To the extent that actual defaults and losses on the collateral of an investment exceed the level of defaults and losses factored into its purchase price, the value of the anticipated return from the investment will be reduced. The more deeply subordinated the tranche of securities in which we invest, the greater the risk of loss upon a default. For example, CLO equity is the most subordinated tranche within a CLO and is therefore subject to the greatest risk of loss resulting from defaults on the CLO’s collateral, whether due to bankruptcy or otherwise. Any defaults and losses in excess of expected default rates and loss model inputs will have a negative impact on the fair value of our investments, will reduce the cash flows that the Fund receives from its investments, adversely affect the fair value of the Fund’s assets and could adversely impact the Fund’s ability to pay dividends. Furthermore, the holders of the junior equity and debt tranches typically have limited rights with respect to decisions made with respect to collateral following an event of default on a CLO. In some cases, the senior most class of notes can elect to liquidate the collateral even if the expected proceeds are not expected to be able to pay in full all classes of notes. The Fund could experience a complete loss of its investment in such a scenario. |
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In addition, the collateral of CLOs may require substantial workout negotiations or restructuring in the event of a default or liquidation. Any such workout or restructuring is likely to lead to a substantial reduction in the interest rate of such asset and/or a substantial write-down or write-off |
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of all or a portion the principal of such asset. Any such reduction in interest rates or principal will negatively affect the fair value of the Fund’s portfolio. |
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Prepayment Risk. The assets underlying the CLO securities are subject to prepayment by the underlying corporate borrowers. In addition, the CLO securities and related investments are subject to prepayment risk. If the Fund or a CLO collateral manager is unable to reinvest prepaid amounts in a new investment with an expected rate of return at least equal to that of the investment repaid, the Fund’s investment performance will be adversely impacted. |
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Non-Diversification Risk. The Fund is a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act and expects to hold a narrower range of investments than a diversified fund under the 1940 Act. |
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Leverage Risk. The use of leverage, whether directly or indirectly through investments such as CLO equity or junior debt securities that inherently involve leverage, may magnify our risk of loss. CLO equity or junior debt securities are very highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities typically being leveraged ten times), and therefore the CLO securities in which we invest are subject to a higher degree of loss since the use of leverage magnifies losses. |
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Credit Risk. If (1) a CLO in which we invest, (2) an underlying asset of any such CLO or (3) any other type of credit investment in our portfolio declines in price or fails to pay interest or principal when due because the issuer or debtor, as the case may be, experiences a decline in its financial status, our income, NAV and/or market price would be adversely impacted. |
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Senior Management Personnel of the Adviser. Since the Fund has no employees, it depends on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of the Adviser. The Adviser evaluates, negotiates, structures, executes, monitors and services the Fund’s investments. The Fund’s future success depends to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the Adviser and its senior management team. The departure of any members of the Adviser’s senior management team could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. |
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Conflicts of Interest Risk. The Fund’s executive officers and trustees, other current and future principals of the Adviser and certain members of the Adviser’s investment committee may serve as officers, trustees or principals of other entities and affiliates of the Adviser and funds managed by the Fund’s affiliates that operate in the same or a related line of business as the Fund does. Currently, the Fund’s executive officers, as well as the other principals of the Adviser, manage other funds affiliated with Carlyle, including other existing and future affiliated BDCs and registered closed-end funds, including Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc., Carlyle Credit Solutions, Inc. and Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund. In addition, the Adviser’s investment team has responsibilities for sourcing and managing private debt investments for certain other investment funds and accounts. Accordingly, they have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of, or may be adverse to the interests of, the Fund and its Shareholders. Although the professional staff of the Adviser will devote as much time to management of the Fund as appropriate to enable the Adviser to perform its duties in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment professionals of the Adviser may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among the Fund, on the one hand, and investment vehicles managed by Carlyle or one or more of its affiliates on the other hand. |
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Liquidity Risk. Generally, there is no public market for the CLO investments we target. As such, we may not be able to sell such investments quickly, or at all. If we are able to sell such investments, the prices we receive may not reflect the Adviser’s assessment of their fair value or the amount paid for such investments by us. |
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The Adviser’s Incentive Fee Risk. The Investment Advisory Agreement entitles the Adviser to receive incentive compensation on income regardless of any capital losses. In such case, the Fund may be required to pay the Adviser incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the |
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value of the Fund’s portfolio or if the Fund incurs a net loss for that quarter. Any Incentive Fee payable by the Fund that relates to its net investment income may be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received. If an investment defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee will become uncollectible. The Adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse the Fund for any part of the Incentive Fee it received that was based on accrued income that the Fund never received as a result of a default by an entity on the obligation that resulted in the accrual of such income, and such circumstances would result in the Fund’s paying an Incentive Fee on income it never received. The Incentive Fee payable by the Fund to the Adviser may create an incentive for it to make investments on the Fund’s behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser is determined may encourage it to use leverage to increase the return on the Fund’s investments. In addition, the fact that the Management Fee is payable based upon the Fund’s Managed Assets, which would include any borrowings for investment purposes, may encourage the Adviser to use leverage to make additional investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor Shareholders. Such a practice could result in the Fund’s investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be in its best interests, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns. |
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Portfolio Fair Value Risk. Under the 1940 Act, the Fund is required to carry its portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value. There is not a public market for the CLO investments we target. As a result, the Adviser values these securities at least quarterly, or more frequently as may be required from time to time, at fair value. The Adviser, as valuation designee, is responsible for the valuation of the Fund’s portfolio investments and implementing the portfolio. See “Determination of Net Asset Value.” |
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Limited Investment Opportunities Risk. The market for CLO securities is more limited than the market for other credit related investments. We can offer no assurances that sufficient investment opportunities for our capital will be available. See “Determination of Net Asset Value.” |
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Market Risk. The success of the Fund’s activities will be affected by general economic and market conditions, such as interest rates, availability of credit, credit defaults, inflation rates, economic uncertainty, changes in laws (including laws relating to taxation of the Fund’s investments), trade barriers, currency exchange controls, disease outbreaks, pandemics, and national and international political, environmental and socioeconomic circumstances (including wars, terrorist acts or security operations). In addition, the current U.S. political environment and the resulting uncertainties regarding actual and potential shifts in U.S. foreign investment, trade, taxation, economic, environmental and other policies under the current Administration, as well as the impact of geopolitical tension, such as a deterioration in the bilateral relationship between the U.S. and China, an escalation in conflict between Russia and Ukraine or other systemic issuer or industry-specific economic disruptions, could lead to disruption, instability and volatility in the global markets. Unfavorable economic conditions also would be expected to increase our funding costs, limit our access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to us. |
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LAFs Risk. We may invest in LAFs, which are short to medium term facilities often provided by the bank that will serve as placement agent or arranger on a CLO transaction and which acquire loans on an interim basis which are expected to form part of the portfolio of a future CLO. Investments in LAFs have risks similar to those applicable to investments in CLOs. Leverage is typically utilized in such a facility and as such the potential risk of loss will be increased for such facilities employing leverage. In the event a planned CLO is not consummated, or the loans are not eligible for purchase by the CLO, the Fund may be responsible for either holding or disposing of the loans. This could expose the Fund primarily to credit and/or mark-to-market losses, and other risks. |
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Hedging Risk. Hedging transactions seeking to reduce risks may result in poorer overall performance than if we had not engaged in such hedging transactions, and they may also not properly hedge our risks. |
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Foreign Currency Risk. A portion of the Fund’s investments (and the income and gains received by the Fund in respect of such investments) may be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. However, the books of the Fund will be maintained, and contributions to and distributions from the Fund will generally be made, in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange controls may materially adversely affect the value of the investments and the other assets of the Fund. |
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Reinvestment Risk. CLOs will typically generate cash from asset repayments and sales that may be reinvested in substitute assets, subject to compliance with applicable investment tests. If the CLO collateral manager causes the CLO to purchase substitute assets at a lower yield than those initially acquired or sale proceeds are maintained temporarily in cash, it would reduce the excess interest-related cash flow, thereby having a negative effect on the fair value of our assets and the market value of our securities. In addition, the reinvestment period for a CLO may terminate early, which would cause the holders of the CLO’s securities to receive principal payments earlier than anticipated. There can be no assurance that we will be able to reinvest such amounts in an alternative investment that provides a comparable return relative to the credit risk assumed. |
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Interest Rate Risk. General interest rate fluctuations and changes in credit spreads may have a substantial negative impact on the Fund’s investments and investment opportunities and, accordingly, may have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s rate of return on invested capital, the Fund’s net investment income and the Fund’s NAV. |
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Refinancing Risk. If we incur debt financing and subsequently refinance such debt, the replacement debt may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions. If we fail to extend, refinance or replace such debt financings prior to their maturity on commercially reasonable terms, our liquidity will be lower than it would have been with the benefit of such financings, which would limit our ability to grow, and holders of our common shares would not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity that incurring leverage creates. |
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Risks Relating to Fund’s RIC Status. Although the Fund intends to qualify to be treated as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code, no assurance can be given that the Fund will be able to qualify for and maintain RIC status. If the Fund qualifies as a RIC under the Code, the Fund generally will not be subject to corporate-level federal income taxes on its income and capital gains that are timely distributed (or deemed distributed) as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to its shareholders. To qualify as a RIC under the Code and to be relieved of federal taxes on income and gains distributed as dividends for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the Fund’s shareholders, the Fund must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income, asset diversification and distribution requirements. The distribution requirement for a RIC is satisfied if the Fund distributes dividends each tax year for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the Fund’s shareholders of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of the sum of its net ordinary income, net tax-exempt interest income, if any, and net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses, if any. |
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Derivatives Risk. Derivative instruments in which we may invest may be volatile and involve various risks different from, and in certain cases greater than, the risks presented by other instruments. The primary risks related to Derivative Transactions include counterparty, correlation, liquidity, leverage, volatility, OTC trading, operational and legal risks. In addition, a small investment in derivatives could have a large potential impact on our performance, effecting a form of investment leverage on our portfolio. In certain types of Derivative Transactions, we could lose the entire amount of our investment; in other types of Derivative Transactions the potential loss is theoretically unlimited. |
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Counterparty Risk. We may be exposed to counterparty risk, which could make it difficult for us or the CLOs in which we invest to collect on obligations, thereby resulting in potentially significant losses. |
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Global Economy Risk. Global economies and financial markets are highly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. |
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Price Risk. Investors who buy common shares at different times will likely pay different prices. |
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Market Disruptions Risk. The U.S. capital markets have experienced extreme volatility and disruption following the spread of COVID-19 in the United States and the conflict between Russia and Ukraine. 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. These and future market disruptions and/or illiquidity would be expected to have an adverse effect on the Fund’s business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Unfavorable economic conditions also would be expected to increase the Fund’s funding costs, limit the Fund’s access to the capital markets or result in a decision by lenders not to extend credit to the Fund. |
U.S. and global markets recently have experienced increased volatility, including as a result of the recent failures of certain U.S. and non-U.S. banks, which could be harmful to the Fund and issuer in it invests. For example, if a bank in which the Fund or issuer has an account fails, any cash or other assets in bank accounts may be temporarily inaccessible or permanently lost by the Fund or issuer. If a bank that provides a subscription line credit facility, asset-based facility, other credit facility and/or other services to the Fund or an issuer fails, the Fund or the issuer could be unable to draw funds under its credit facilities or obtain replacement credit facilities or other services from other lending institutions with similar terms. Even if banks used by the Fund and issuers in which the Fund invests remain solvent, continued volatility in the banking sector could cause or intensify an economic recession, increase the costs of banking services or result in the issuers being unable to obtain or refinance indebtedness at all or on as favorable terms as could otherwise have been obtained. Conditions in the banking sector are evolving, and the scope of any potential impacts to the Fund and issuers, both from market conditions and also potential legislative or regulatory responses, are uncertain. Continued market volatility and uncertainty and/or a downturn in market and economic and financial conditions, as a result of developments in the banking industry or otherwise (including as a result of delayed access to cash or credit facilities), could have an adverse impact on the Fund and issuers in which it invests.
Summary of Certain Aspects of the Delaware Control Share Statute
Because the Fund is organized as a Delaware statutory trust, it is subject to the Control Share Statute. The Control Share Statute provides for a series of voting power thresholds above which shares are considered “control beneficial interests” (referred to here as “control shares”). Voting power is defined by the Control Share Statute as the power to directly or indirectly exercise or direct the exercise of the voting power of fund shares in the election of trustees. Once a threshold is reached, an acquirer has no voting rights under the DSTA or the governing documents of the Fund with respect to shares acquired in excess of that threshold (i.e., the “control shares”) unless approved by shareholders of the Fund or exempted by the Board. Approval by the shareholders requires the affirmative vote of two-thirds of all votes entitled to be cast on the matter, excluding shares held by the acquirer and its associates as well as shares held by certain insiders of the Fund. Further approval by the Fund’s shareholders would be required with respect to additional acquisitions of control shares above the next applicable threshold level. The Board is permitted, but not obligated to, exempt specific acquisitions or classes of acquisitions of control shares, either in advance or retroactively. However, Section 1.9 of the Fund’s By-Laws, provides that the voting restrictions under the Control Share Statute shall not apply to (i) any acquisition of preferred shares that may be issued by the Fund and (ii) any acquisition or proposed acquisition of shares by any company that, in accordance with the 1940 Act or SEC exemptive order or other regulatory relief or guidance, votes the shares held by it in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of such security or all securities. Shares of the Fund held by an affiliate of CGCIM were exempted from the Control Share Statute by the Board.
15
The Control Share Statute became automatically applicable to listed closed-end funds organized as Delaware statutory trusts, such as the Fund, upon its effective date of August 1, 2022. The Control Share Statute does not retroactively apply to acquisitions of shares that occurred prior to August 1, 2022. However, such shares will be aggregated with any shares acquired after August 1, 2022 for purposes of determining whether a voting power threshold is exceeded, resulting in the newly acquired shares constituting control shares.
The Control Share Statute may protect the long-term interests of Fund shareholders by limiting the ability of certain investors to use their ownership to attempt to disrupt the Fund’s long-term strategy such as by forcing a liquidity event. However, the Control Share Statute may also serve to entrench the Board and make it less responsive to shareholder requests. The totality of positive or negative affects is difficult to predict as the Control Share Statute has been in effect for a relatively short period of time. See “Description of our Securities—Certain Aspects of the Delaware Control Share Statute.”
16
Our Corporate Information
The principal office of the Fund is located at One Vanderbilt Avenue, Suite 3400, New York, NY 10017 and its telephone number is (866) 277-8243.
17
SUMMARY OF FEES AND EXPENSES
The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in our common shares will bear, directly or indirectly, based on the assumptions set forth below. The expenses shown in the table under “Annual Expenses” are estimated amounts based on annualizing estimates for the three-month period ending December 31, 2023. We caution you that some of the percentages indicated in the table below are estimates and may vary. Except where the context suggests otherwise, whenever this table contains a reference to our fees or expenses, we will pay such fees and expenses out of our net assets and, consequently, shareholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses as investors in the Fund.
|
|
|
SHAREHOLDER TRANSACTION FEES |
|
|
Sales load |
|
— %(1) |
Offering expenses borne by the Fund |
|
— %(2) |
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses |
|
0%(3) |
Total shareholder transaction fees |
|
— %(4) |
|
|
ANNUAL FUND EXPENSES (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares) |
|
|
Management Fee |
|
2.46%(5) |
Incentive Fee payable under Investment Advisory Agreement (17.5%) |
|
3.33%(6) |
Interest payments and fees on borrowed funds |
|
4.22%(7) |
Other Expenses |
|
3.81%(8) |
Total annual fund expenses |
|
13.82%(9) |
(1) |
In the event that the Fund sells its securities publicly through underwriters or agents the related prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load. |
(2) |
In the event that the Fund sells its securities publicly through underwriters or agents the related prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of total offering expenses (which may include offering expenses borne by third parties on the Fund’s behalf), the offering price and the offering expenses borne by the Fund as a percentage of the offering price. |
(3) |
The expenses of administering the dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRP”) are included in “Other Expenses.” You will pay brokerage charges if you direct your broker or the DRP Plan agent to sell your Common Shares that you acquired pursuant to the DRP. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.” |
(4) |
The related prospectus supplement will disclose the offering price and the total stockholder transaction expenses as a percentage of the offering price. |
(5) |
The Management Fee is calculated and payable monthly in arrears at the annual rate of 1.75% of the month-end value of the Fund’s Managed Assets. “Managed Assets” means the total assets of the Fund (including any assets attributable to any preferred shares or to indebtedness) minus the Fund’s liabilities other than liabilities relating to indebtedness. |
(6) |
The Fund shall pay CGCIM an Incentive Fee calculated and payable quarterly in arrears based upon the Fund’s “pre-incentive fee net investment income” for the immediately preceding quarter, and is subject to a hurdle rate, expressed as a rate of return on the Fund’s net assets, equal to 2.00% per quarter (or an annualized hurdle rate of 8.00%), subject to a “catch-up” feature. For this purpose, “pre-incentive fee net investment income” means interest income, dividend income, income generated from original issue discounts, payment-in-kind income, and any other income earned or accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Fund’s operating expenses (which, for this purpose shall not include any distribution and/or shareholder servicing fees, litigation, any extraordinary expenses or Incentive Fee) for the quarter. For purposes of computing the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, the calculation methodology will look through total return swaps as if the Fund owned the referenced assets directly. As a result, the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income includes net interest, if any, associated with a derivative or swap, which is the difference between (a) the interest income and transaction fees related to the reference assets and (b) all interest and other expenses paid by the Fund to the derivative or swap counterparty. Net assets means the total assets of the Fund minus the Fund’s liabilities. For purposes of the Incentive Fee, net |
18
|
assets are calculated for the relevant quarter as the weighted average of the net asset value of the Fund as of the first business day of each month therein. The weighted average net asset value shall be calculated for each month by multiplying the net asset value as of the beginning of the first business day of the month times the number of days in that month, divided by the number of days in the applicable calendar quarter. |
The calculation of the Incentive Fee for each calendar quarter is as follows:
|
• |
|
No Incentive Fee is payable to CGCIM if the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets in respect of the relevant calendar quarter, does not exceed the quarterly hurdle rate of 2.00%; |
|
• |
|
100% of the portion of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income that exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.4242% (the “catch-up”) is payable to CGCIM if the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets in respect of the relevant calendar quarter, exceeds the hurdle rate but is less than or equal to 2.4242% (9.6968% annualized). The “catch-up” provision is intended to provide CGCIM. |
|
• |
|
with an incentive fee of 17.5% on all of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income when the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income reaches 2.4242% of net assets; and |
|
• |
|
17.5% of the portion of the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income that exceeds the “catch-up” is payable to CGCIM if the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income, expressed as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets in respect of the relevant calendar quarter, exceeds 2.4242% (9.6968 annualized). As a result, once the hurdle rate is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 17.5% of all the Fund’s pre-incentive fee net investment income thereafter is allocated to CGCIM. |
(7) |
The Fund may issue preferred shares or debt securities. The above figure assumes an aggregate of $25 million of preferred shares with an interest rate of 8.25% per annum, and $25 million of debt securities with an interest rate of 8.00% per annum. In the event that the Fund were to issue preferred shares or debt securities, the Fund’s borrowing costs, and correspondingly its total annual expenses, including, in the case of such preferred shares, the base management fee as a percentage of the Fund’s net assets attributable to common shares, would increase. |
(8) |
“Other expenses” includes the Fund’s overhead expenses, including payments under the Administration Agreement based on the Fund’s allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Administrator, and payment of fees in connection with outsourced administrative functions, and are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. “Other expenses” also includes the ongoing administrative expenses to the independent accountants and legal counsel of the Fund, compensation of independent directors, and cost and expenses relating to rating agencies. |
The following examples illustrate the hypothetical expenses that you would pay on a $1,000 investment assuming annual expenses attributable to common shares remain unchanged and common shares earn a 5% annual return:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Example - |
|
1 Year |
|
|
3 Years |
|
|
5 Years |
|
|
10 Years |
|
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return |
|
$ |
142 |
|
|
$ |
387 |
|
|
$ |
590 |
|
|
$ |
955 |
|
The example and the expenses in the tables above should not be considered a representation of the Fund’s future expenses, and actual expenses may be greater or less than those shown. While the example assumes a 5.0% annual return, as required by the SEC, the Fund’s performance will vary and may result in a return greater or less than 5.0%. For a more complete description of the various fees and expenses borne directly and indirectly by the Fund, see “Fund Expenses” and “Management and Incentive Fees.”
19
CGCIM and the Fund have entered into an Expense Limitation Agreement and a Fee Waiver Agreement. Because these agreements are not required to remain in force for at least one year, their effect is excluded from the fee table above.
To illustrate the effect on the Fund’s fees and expenses of the Fund’s change in investment strategy following the Transaction that are anticipated for the upcoming fiscal year ending September 30, 2024, the following table provides a comparison of the estimated fees and expenses set forth in this prospectus against the pro forma fees and expenses set forth in the proxy statement of Vertical Capital Income Fund filed on May 22, 2023 (the “proxy statement”) that show the Fund’s fees and expenses if the new Investment Advisory Agreement been in place for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2022:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Proxy Statement(1) |
|
|
Prospectus(2) |
|
ANNUAL FUND EXPENSES (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common shares) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Management Fee(3) |
|
|
1.86 |
% |
|
|
2.46 |
% |
Incentive Fee payable under Investment Advisory Agreement (17.5%)(4) |
|
|
0.00 |
% |
|
|
3.33 |
% |
Interest payments and fees on borrowed funds(5) |
|
|
0.41 |
% |
|
|
4.22 |
% |
Other Expenses(6) |
|
|
1.61 |
% |
|
|
3.81 |
% |
Total annual fund expenses |
|
|
3.88 |
% |
|
|
13.82 |
% |
(1) |
The proxy statement provided pro forma figures based on the Fund’s most recent fiscal year (i.e., the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022) assuming the new Investment Advisory Agreement had been in place for such fiscal year. |
(2) |
This prospectus provides figures based on annualized estimates for the three-month period ending December 31, 2023 (i.e., annualized estimates for the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024). |
(3) |
The difference in the estimated management fee as a percentage of net assets between the proxy statement and this prospectus is due primarily to (i) an increase in estimated Managed Assets due principally to the expectation that the Fund will use higher leverage in the next fiscal year and (ii) a decrease in the Fund’s net assets since the proxy statement was filed. |
(4) |
The difference in the estimated incentive fee as a percentage of net assets between the proxy statement and this prospectus is due to the proxy statement using historical financial information that would have resulted in no incentive fee being payable had the new Investment Advisory Agreement been in effect during such period. The estimated incentive fee in this prospectus is based on estimates using annualized estimates for the next fiscal year (i.e., the fiscal year ending September 30, 2024) under the Fund’s new investment strategy and existing portfolio following the portfolio sale in connection with closing the Transaction, and CGCIM is expected to be paid an incentive fee going forward. |
(5) |
The difference in estimated interest payments and fees on borrowed funds between the proxy statement and this prospectus is due to the Fund’s minimal leverage for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2022 and the expectation that the Fund will use higher leverage in the next fiscal year ending September 30, 2024. |
(6) |
The difference in estimated other expenses between the proxy statement and this prospectus is due to a decrease in net assets since the proxy statement was filed as well as certain other higher expenses, including legal expenses related to the transition in connection with the Transaction and the estimated costs associated with the anticipated offerings as discussed in note (7) to the Fund’s fees and expenses table in this prospectus. |
20
FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS
The financial highlights table is intended to help you understand the Fund’s financial performance. The information for the Fund’s fiscal years ended September 30, 2022, September 30, 2021, September 30, 2020, September 30, 2019 and September 30, 2018 have been derived from the Fund’s financial statements, which have been audited by Grant Thornton LLP, independent registered public accounting firm, whose report, along with this information and additional Fund performance and portfolio information, appears in the Fund’s Annual Report dated September 30, 2022, which is incorporated herein by reference. The information for the Fund’s six-month period ended March 31, 2023 were derived from the Fund’s unaudited financial statements whose report, along with this information and additional Fund performance and portfolio information, appears in the Fund’s Semi-Annual Report dated March, 31, 2023, which is incorporated herein by reference.
The Fund’s financial highlights relate to the Fund’s previous investment strategy under a different adviser and do not represent the Fund’s current investment strategy, as described in this prospectus. See “Investment Objective, Opportunities and Principal Strategies.”
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Six Months Ended March 31, 2023 (Unaudited) |
|
|
Year Ended September 30, 2022 |
|
|
Year Ended September 30, 2021 |
|
|
Year Ended September 30, 2020 |
|
|
Year Ended September 30, 2019 |
|
|
Year Ended September 30, 2018 |
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year/Period: |
|
$ |
10.39 |
|
|
$ |
11.69 |
|
|
$ |
12.05 |
|
|
$ |
12.71 |
|
|
$ |
12.23 |
|
|
$ |
12.34 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(a) |
|
|
0.20 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
|
|
0.42 |
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
0.30 |
|
|
|
0.43 |
|
Net gain (loss) from investments (both realized and unrealized) |
|
|
(0.03 |
) |
|
|
(0.80 |
) |
|
|
0.33 |
|
|
|
(0.50 |
) |
|
|
0.72 |
|
|
|
0.06 |
|
Total from operations |
|
|
0.17 |
|
|
|
(0.30 |
) |
|
|
0.75 |
|
|
|
(0.14 |
) |
|
|
1.02 |
|
|
|
0.49 |
|
Distributions to shareholders from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
(0.41 |
) |
|
|
(0.73 |
) |
|
|
(0.89 |
) |
|
|
(0.33 |
) |
|
|
(0.34 |
) |
|
|
(0.39 |
) |
Net realized gains |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(0.18 |
) |
|
|
(0.22 |
) |
|
|
(0.19 |
) |
|
|
(0.20 |
) |
|
|
(0.21 |
) |
Return of capital |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
(0.09 |
) |
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
|
|
— |
|
Total Distributions |
|
|
(0.41 |
) |
|
|
(1.00 |
) |
|
|
(1.11 |
) |
|
|
(0.52 |
) |
|
|
(0.54 |
) |
|
|
(0.60 |
) |
Net Asset Value, End of Year/Period: |
|
$ |
10.15 |
|
|
$ |
10.39 |
|
|
$ |
11.69 |
|
|
$ |
12.05 |
|
|
$ |
12.71 |
|
|
$ |
12.23 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Market Price, End of Year/Period |
|
$ |
9.81 |
|
|
$ |
8.92 |
|
|
$ |
10.49 |
|
|
$ |
9.93 |
|
|
$ |
10.68 |
|
|
|
N/A |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return-NAV(b) |
|
|
1.70 |
%(c) |
|
|
(2.77 |
)% |
|
|
6.52 |
% |
|
|
(1.09 |
)% |
|
|
8.62 |
% |
|
|
4.03 |
% |
Total Return-Market Price(b) |
|
|
14.94 |
%(c) |
|
|
(5.95 |
)% |
|
|
17.59 |
% |
|
|
(2.99 |
)% |
|
|
(8.73 |
)% |
|
|
N/A |
|
Ratios/Supplemental Data: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of Year/Period (in 000’s) |
|
$ |
105,327 |
|
|
$ |
107,829 |
|
|
$ |
121,324 |
|
|
$ |
125,034 |
|
|
$ |
131,945 |
|
|
$ |
137,659 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets(d) |
|
|
4.01 |
%(e)(f) |
|
|
3.27 |
%(e) |
|
|
3.05 |
% |
|
|
3.06 |
% |
|
|
3.87 |
%(g) |
|
|
3.03 |
%(h) |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets(d) |
|
|
3.65 |
%(e)(f) |
|
|
3.09 |
%(e) |
|
|
2.88 |
% |
|
|
2.73 |
% |
|
|
3.34 |
%(g) |
|
|
2.09 |
%(h) |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(d) |
|
|
3.93 |
%(e)(f) |
|
|
4.53 |
%(e) |
|
|
3.56 |
% |
|
|
2.95 |
% |
|
|
2.43 |
%(g) |
|
|
3.52 |
%(h) |
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
|
0.49 |
%(c) |
|
|
28.39 |
% |
|
|
14.73 |
% |
|
|
20.13 |
% |
|
|
7.12 |
% |
|
|
5.11 |
% |
Loan Outstanding, End of Year/Period (000s) |
|
$ |
3,482 |
|
|
$ |
7,455 |
|
|
$ |
1,923 |
|
|
$ |
13,000 |
|
|
$ |
2,355 |
|
|
$ |
6,664 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Coverage Ratio for Loan Outstanding(i) |
|
|
3125 |
% |
|
|
1546 |
% |
|
|
6409 |
% |
|
|
1062 |
% |
|
|
5702 |
% |
|
|
2167 |
% |
Asset Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Loan Outstanding(i) |
|
$ |
31,253 |
|
|
$ |
15,463 |
|
|
$ |
64,090 |
|
|
$ |
10,618 |
|
|
$ |
53,778 |
|
|
$ |
20,680 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average Loans Outstanding (000s)(j) |
|
$ |
5,786 |
|
|
$ |
8,051 |
|
|
$ |
10,788 |
|
|
$ |
9,796 |
|
|
$ |
7,500 |
|
|
$ |
4,500 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loans Outstanding |
|
|
7.69 |
% |
|
|
4.50 |
% |
|
|
3.75 |
% |
|
|
3.79 |
% |
|
|
5.14 |
% |
|
|
4.69 |
% |
21
(a) |
Per share amounts are calculated using the annual average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period. |
(b) |
Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, and excludes the effect of sales charges. Had the Adviser not waived expenses, total returns would have been lower. |
(d) |
Ratio includes 0.49%, 0.41%, 0.41%, 0.48%, 0.46% and 0.24% for the period ended March 31, 2023 and the years ended September 30, 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019 and 2018, respectively, attributed to interest expenses and fees. |
(e) |
Ratio includes 0.66% and 0.18% for the period ended March 31, 2023 and the year ended September 30, 2022, respectively, that attributed to extraordinary expenses that relate to the strategic alternative search. |
(g) |
Ratio includes 0.77% for the year ended September 30, 2019 that attributed to reorganization (NYSE listing) expenses and contested proxy expenses. |
(h) |
Ratio includes 0.01% for the year ended September 30, 2018 that attributed to advisory transition expenses. |
(i) |
Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding at the end of the period divided by the loan outstanding at the end of the period. |
(j) |
Based on monthly weighted average. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Year Ended September 30, 2017 |
|
|
Year Ended September 30, 2016 |
|
|
Year Ended September 30, 2015 |
|
|
Year Ended September 30, 2014 |
|
|
Year Ended September 30, 2013 |
|
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year |
|
$ |
12.49 |
|
|
$ |
11.53 |
|
|
$ |
11.04 |
|
|
$ |
10.87 |
|
|
$ |
10.58 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
From Operations: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income(a) |
|
|
0.39 |
|
|
|
0.36 |
|
|
|
0.41 |
|
|
|
0.51 |
|
|
|
0.50 |
|
Net gain (loss) from investments (both realized and unrealized) |
|
|
(0.04 |
)(b) |
|
|
1.33 |
|
|
|
0.56 |
|
|
|
0.27 |
|
|
|
0.28 |
|
Total from operations |
|
|
0.35 |
|
|
|
1.69 |
|
|
|
0.97 |
|
|
|
0.78 |
|
|
|
0.78 |
|
Distributions to shareholders from: |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net investment income |
|
|
(0.40 |
) |
|
|
(0.38 |
) |
|
|
(0.44 |
) |
|
|
(0.56 |
) |
|
|
(0.42 |
) |
Net realized gains |
|
|
(0.10 |
) |
|
|
(0.35 |
) |
|
|
(0.04 |
) |
|
|
(0.05 |
) |
|
|
(0.07 |
) |
Total Distributions |
|
|
(0.50 |
) |
|
|
(0.73 |
) |
|
|
(0.48 |
) |
|
|
(0.61 |
) |
|
|
(0.49 |
) |
Net Asset Value, End of year: |
|
$ |
12.34 |
|
|
$ |
12.49 |
|
|
$ |
11.53 |
|
|
$ |
11.04 |
|
|
$ |
10.87 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total Return(c) |
|
|
2.81 |
% |
|
|
15.10 |
% |
|
|
8.86 |
% |
|
|
7.29 |
% |
|
|
7.42 |
% |
Ratios/Supplemental Data |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net assets, end of period (in 000’s) |
|
$ |
160,630 |
|
|
$ |
182,008 |
|
|
$ |
160,382 |
|
|
$ |
108,610 |
|
|
$ |
39,987 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets |
|
|
2.74 |
%(d)(e) |
|
|
2.95 |
%(d)(e) |
|
|
2.67 |
%(d)(e) |
|
|
2.32 |
%(d) |
|
|
3.20 |
% |
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets |
|
|
2.04 |
%(d)(e) |
|
|
2.26 |
%(d)(e) |
|
|
2.33 |
%(d)(e) |
|
|
1.91 |
%(d) |
|
|
1.85 |
% |
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets |
|
|
3.24 |
%(d)(e) |
|
|
2.98 |
%(d)(e) |
|
|
3.54 |
%(d)(e) |
|
|
4.68 |
%(d) |
|
|
4.61 |
% |
Portfolio turnover rate |
|
|
17.69 |
% |
|
|
13.72 |
% |
|
|
2.58 |
% |
|
|
8.37 |
% |
|
|
11.68 |
% |
Loan Outstanding, End of Year (000s) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
13,522 |
|
|
$ |
3,500 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Asset Coverage Ratio for Loan Outstanding(f) |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
|
|
1286 |
% |
|
|
3203 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
Asset Coverage, per $1,000 Principal Amount of Loan Outstanding(f) |
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
$ |
12,672 |
|
|
$ |
32,031 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average Loans Outstanding (000s)(g) |
|
$ |
14,368 |
|
|
$ |
12,330 |
|
|
$ |
12,372 |
|
|
$ |
3,398 |
|
|
$ |
— |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Weighted Average Interest Rate on Loans Outstanding |
|
|
3.88 |
% |
|
|
3.41 |
% |
|
|
3.25 |
% |
|
|
3.25 |
% |
|
|
0 |
% |
(a) |
Per share amounts are calculated using the annual average shares method, which more appropriately presents the per share data for the period. |
22
(b) |
The amount of net gain (loss) on investments (both realized and unrealized) per share does not accord with the amounts reported in the Statement of Operations due to timing of purchases and redemptions of Fund shares. |
(c) |
Total returns are historical in nature and assume changes in share price, reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions, if any, and excludes the effect of sales charges. Had the Adviser not waived expenses, total returns would have been lower. |
(d) |
Ratio includes 0.14%, 0.20%, 0.27% and 0.06% for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016, 2015 and 2014, respectively, that attributed to interest expenses and fees. |
(e) |
Ratio includes 0.05%, 0.21% and 0.21% for the years ended September 30, 2017, 2016 and the year ended 2015, respectively, that attributed to advisory transition expenses. |
(f) |
Represents value of net assets plus the loan outstanding at the end of the period divided by the loan outstanding at the end of the period. |
(g) |
Based on monthly weighted average. |
23
RISK FACTORS
Investors should carefully consider the risk factors described below, before deciding on whether to make an investment in the Fund. The risks set out below are not the only risks the Fund faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Fund or that the Fund currently deems to be immaterial also may materially adversely affect the Fund’s business, financial condition and/or operating results. If any of the following events occur, the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, the NAV of the Fund’s common shares could decline, and investors may lose all or part of their investment.
Investors should be aware that in light of the current uncertainty, volatility and distress in economies, financial markets, and labor and health conditions over the world, the risks below are heightened significantly compared to normal conditions. The fact that a particular risk below is not specifically identified as being heightened under current conditions does not mean that the risk is not greater than under normal conditions.
Risks Related to Our Investments
Our investments in CLO securities and other structured finance securities involve certain risks.
Investments in CLO securities involve certain risks. CLOs and other structured finance securities are generally backed by an asset or a pool of credit-related assets that serve as collateral. The Fund and other investors in CLO securities ultimately bear the credit risk of the underlying collateral. Most CLOs are issued in multiple tranches, offering investors various maturity and credit risk characteristics, often categorized as senior, mezzanine and subordinated/equity according to their degree of risk. If there are defaults or the relevant collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches of such securities take precedence over those of junior tranches which are the focus of our investment strategy, and scheduled payments to junior tranches have a priority in right of payment to subordinated/equity tranches. CLOs may present risks similar to those of the other types of credit investments, including default (credit), interest rate and prepayment risks and, in fact, such risks may be of greater significance in the case of CLOs. For example, investments in junior debt and equity securities issued by CLOs, involve risks, including credit risk and market risk. Changes in interest rates and credit quality may cause significant price fluctuations. In addition to the general risks associated with investing in debt securities, CLO securities carry additional risks, including: (1) the possibility that distributions from collateral assets will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (2) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (3) investments in CLO junior debt and equity tranches will likely be subordinate in right of payment to other senior classes of CLO debt; and (4) the complex structure of a particular security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results. Changes in the collateral held by a CLO may cause payments on the instruments the Fund holds to be reduced, either temporarily or permanently.
In addition, CLOs and other structured finance securities are often governed by a complex series of legal documents and contracts, which increases the risk of dispute over the interpretation and enforceability of such documents relative to other types of investments.
Investing in senior secured loans indirectly through CLO securities involves particular risks.
We obtain exposure to underlying senior secured loans through our investments in CLOs, but may obtain such exposure directly or indirectly through other means from time to time. Such loans may become nonperforming or impaired for a variety of reasons. Nonperforming or impaired loans may require substantial workout negotiations or restructuring that may entail a substantial reduction in the interest rate and/or a substantial write-down of the principal of the loan. In addition, because of the unique and customized nature of a loan agreement and the private syndication of a loan, certain loans may not be purchased or sold as easily as publicly traded securities, and, historically, the trading volume in the loan market has been small relative to other markets. Loans may
24
encounter trading delays due to their unique and customized nature, and transfers may require the consent of an agent bank and/or borrower. Risks associated with senior secured loans include the fact that prepayments generally may occur at any time without premium or penalty.
In addition, the portfolios of certain CLOs in which we invest may contain middle market loans. Loans to middle market companies may carry more inherent risks than loans to larger, publicly traded entities. These companies generally have more limited access to capital and higher funding costs, may be in a weaker financial position, may need more capital to expand or compete, and may be unable to obtain financing from public capital markets or from traditional sources, such as commercial banks. Middle market companies typically have narrower product lines and smaller market shares than large companies. Therefore, they tend to be more vulnerable to competitors’ actions and market conditions, as well as general economic downturns. These companies may also experience substantial variations in operating results. The success of a middle market business may also depend on the management talents and efforts of one or two persons or a small group of persons. The death, disability or resignation of one or more of these persons could have a material adverse impact on the obligor. Accordingly, loans made to middle market companies may involve higher risks than loans made to companies that have greater financial resources or are otherwise able to access traditional credit sources. Middle market loans are less liquid and have a smaller trading market than the market for broadly syndicated loans and may have default rates or recovery rates that differ (and may be better or worse) than has been the case for broadly syndicated loans or investment grade securities. There can be no assurance as to the levels of defaults and/or recoveries that may be experienced with respect to middle market loans in any CLO in which we may invest. As a consequence of the forgoing factors, the securities issued by CLOs that primarily invest in middle market loans (or hold significant portions thereof) are generally considered to be a riskier investment than securities issued by CLOs that primarily invest in broadly syndicated loans.
Covenant-lite loans may comprise a significant portion of the senior secured loans underlying the CLOs in which we invest. Over the past decade, the senior secured loan market has evolved from one in which covenant-lite loans represented a minority of the market to one in which such loans represent a significant majority of the market. Generally, covenant-lite loans provide borrower companies more freedom to negatively impact lenders because their covenants are incurrence-based, which means they are only tested and can only be breached following an affirmative action of the borrower, rather than by a deterioration in the borrower’s financial condition. Accordingly, to the extent that the CLOs that we invest in hold covenant-lite loans, our CLOs may have fewer rights against a borrower and may have a greater risk of loss on such investments as compared to investments in or exposure to loans with financial maintenance covenants.
Our investments in the primary CLO market involve certain additional risks.
Between the pricing date and the effective date of a CLO, the CLO collateral manager will generally expect to purchase additional collateral obligations for the CLO. During this period, the price and availability of these collateral obligations may be adversely affected by a number of market factors, including price volatility and availability of investments suitable for the CLO, which could hamper the ability of the collateral manager to acquire a portfolio of collateral obligations that will satisfy specified concentration limitations and allow the CLO to reach the target initial par amount of collateral prior to the effective date. An inability or delay in reaching the target initial par amount of collateral may adversely affect the timing and amount of interest or principal payments received by the holders of the CLO debt securities and distributions on the CLO equity securities and could result in early redemptions which may cause CLO equity and debt investors to receive less than face value of their investment.
Our portfolio of investments may lack diversification among CLO securities which may subject us to a risk of significant loss if one or more of these CLO securities experience a high level of defaults on collateral.
Our portfolio may hold investments in a limited number of CLO securities. Beyond the asset diversification requirements associated with our qualification as a RIC under the Code, we do not have fixed guidelines for
25
diversification, we do not have any limitations on the ability to invest in any one CLO, and our investments may be concentrated in relatively few CLO securities. As our portfolio may be less diversified than the portfolios of some larger funds, we are more susceptible to risk of loss if one or more of the CLOs in which we are invested experiences a high level of defaults on its collateral. Similarly, 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. We may also invest in multiple CLOs managed by the same CLO collateral manager, thereby increasing our risk of loss in the event the CLO collateral manager were to fail, experience the loss of key portfolio management employees or sell its business.
Failure to maintain a broad range of underlying obligors across the CLOs in which we invest would make us more vulnerable to defaults.
We may be subject to concentration risk since CLO portfolios tend to have a certain amount of overlap across underlying obligors. This trend is generally exacerbated when demand for bank loans by CLO issuers outpaces supply. Market analysts have noted that the overlap of obligor names among CLO issuers has increased recently and is particularly evident across CLOs of the same year of origination, as well as with CLOs managed by the same asset manager. To the extent we invest in CLOs which have a high percentage of overlap, this may increase the likelihood of defaults on our CLO investments occurring together.
Our portfolio is focused on CLO securities, and the CLO securities in which we invest may hold loans that are concentrated in a limited number of industries.
Our portfolio is focused on securities issued by CLOs and related investments, and the CLOs in which we invest may hold loans that are concentrated in a limited number of industries. As a result, a downturn in the CLO industry or in any particular industry that the CLOs in which we invest are concentrated could significantly impact the aggregate returns we realize.
Failure by a CLO in which we are invested to satisfy certain tests will harm our operating results.
The failure by a CLO in which we invest to satisfy financial covenants, including with respect to adequate collateralization and/or interest coverage tests, would lead to a reduction in its payments to us. In the event that a CLO fails certain tests, holders of CLO senior debt would be entitled to additional payments that would, in turn, reduce the payments we, as holder of junior debt or equity tranches, would otherwise be entitled to receive. Separately, we may incur expenses to the extent necessary to seek recovery upon default or to negotiate new terms, which may include the waiver of certain financial covenants, with a defaulting CLO or any other investment we may make. If any of these occur, it could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.
Negative loan ratings migration may also place pressure on the performance of certain of our investments.
Per the terms of a CLO’s indenture, assets rated “CCC+” or lower or their equivalent in excess of applicable limits typically do not receive full par credit for purposes of calculation of the CLO’s overcollateralization tests. As a result, if an asset’s credit rating were to decrease and descend to a lower credit level, also known as a negative rating migration, it could cause a CLO to be out of compliance with its overcollateralization tests. This could cause a diversion of cash flows away from the CLO equity and junior debt tranches in favor of the more senior CLO debt tranches until the relevant overcollateralization test breaches are cured. This could have a negative impact on our NAV and cash flows.
Our investments in CLOs and other investment vehicles result in additional expenses to us.
We invest in CLO securities and may invest, to the extent permitted by law, in the securities and other instruments of other investment companies, including private funds, and, to the extent we so invest, will bear our
26
ratable share of a CLO’s or any such investment vehicle’s expenses, including management and performance fees. In addition to the management and performance fees borne by our investments in CLOs we also remain obligated to pay management and incentive fees to the Adviser with respect to the assets invested in the securities and other instruments of other investment vehicles, including CLOs. With respect to each of these investments, each holder of our common shares bears his or her share of the management and incentive fee of the Adviser as well as indirectly bearing the management and performance fees charged by the underlying advisor and other expenses of any investment vehicles in which we invest.
In the course of our investing activities, we pay management and incentive fees to the Adviser and reimburse the Adviser for certain expenses it incurs. As a result, investors in our securities invest on a “gross” basis and receive distributions on a “net” basis after expenses, potentially resulting in a lower rate of return than an investor might achieve through direct investments.
Our investments in CLO securities may be less transparent to us and our Shareholders than direct investments in the collateral.
We invest primarily in equity and junior debt tranches of CLOs and other related investments. Generally, there may be less information available to us regarding the collateral held by such CLOs than if we had invested directly in the debt of the underlying obligors. As a result, our Shareholders do not know the details of the collateral of the CLOs in which we invest or receive the reports issued with respect to such CLO. In addition, none of the information contained in certain monthly reports nor any other financial information furnished to us as a noteholder in a CLO is audited and reported upon, nor is an opinion expressed, by an independent public accountant. Our CLO investments are also subject to the risk of leverage associated with the debt issued by such CLOs and the repayment priority of senior debt holders in such CLOs.
CLO investments involve complex documentation and accounting considerations.
CLOs and other structured finance securities in which we invest are often governed by a complex series of legal documents and contracts. As a result, the risk of dispute over interpretation or enforceability of the documentation may be higher relative to other types of investments.
The accounting and tax implications of the CLO investments that we make are complicated. In particular, reported earnings from CLO equity securities are recorded under U.S. generally accepted accounting principles, or “GAAP,” based upon an effective yield calculation. Current taxable earnings on certain of these investments, however, will generally not be determinable until after the end of the fiscal year of each individual CLO that ends within our fiscal year, even though the investments are generating cash flow throughout the fiscal year. The tax treatment of certain of these investments may result in higher distributable earnings in the early years and a capital loss at maturity, while for reporting purposes the totality of cash flows are reflected in a constant yield to maturity.
We are dependent on the collateral managers of the CLOs in which we invest, and those CLOs are generally not registered under the 1940 Act.
We rely on CLO collateral managers to administer and review the portfolios of collateral they manage. The actions of the CLO collateral managers may significantly affect the return on our investments; however, we, as investors of the CLO, typically do not have any direct contractual relationship with the collateral managers of the CLOs in which we invest. The ability of each CLO collateral manager to identify and report on issues affecting its securitization portfolio on a timely basis could also affect the return on our investments, as we may not be provided with information on a timely basis in order to take appropriate measures to manage our risks. We will also rely on CLO collateral managers to act in the best interests of a CLO it manages; however, such CLO collateral managers are subject to fiduciary duties owed to other classes of notes besides those in which we invest; therefore, there can be no assurance that the collateral managers will always act in the best interest of the
27
class or classes of notes in which we are invested. If any CLO collateral manager were to act in a manner that was not in the best interest of the CLOs (e.g., gross negligence, with reckless disregard or in bad faith), this could adversely impact the overall performance of our investments. Furthermore, since the underlying CLO issuer often provides an indemnity to its CLO collateral manager, we may not be incentivized to pursue actions against the collateral manager since any such action, if successful, may ultimately be borne by the underlying CLO issuer and payable from its assets, which could create losses to us as investors in the CLO. In addition, to the extent we invest in CLO equity, liabilities incurred by the CLO manger to third parties may be borne by us to the extent the CLO is required to indemnify its collateral manager for such liabilities.
In addition, the CLOs in which we invest are generally not registered as investment companies under the 1940 Act. As investors in these CLOs, we are not afforded the protections that shareholders in an investment company registered under the 1940 Act would have.
The collateral managers of the CLOs in which we invest may not continue to manage such CLOs.
Given that we invest in CLO securities issued by CLOs which are managed by unaffiliated collateral managers, we are dependent on the skill and expertise of such managers. We believe our Adviser’s ability to analyze and diligence potential CLO managers differentiates our approach to investing in CLO securities. However, we cannot assure you that, for any CLO we invest in, the collateral manager in place when we invest in such CLO securities will continue to manage such CLO through the life of our investment. Collateral managers are subject to removal or replacement by other holders of CLO securities without our consent, and may also voluntarily resign as collateral manager or assign their role as collateral manager to another entity. There can be no assurance that any removal, replacement, resignation or assignment of any particular CLO manager’s role will not adversely affect the returns on the CLO securities in which we invest.
Our investments in CLO securities may be subject to special anti-deferral provisions that could result in us incurring tax or recognizing income prior to receiving cash distributions related to such income.
Some of the CLOs in which we invest may constitute “passive foreign investment companies,” or “PFICs.” If we acquire interests in PFICs that are treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes (including equity tranche investments and certain debt tranche investments in CLOs that are PFICs), we may be subject to federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such investments even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by us to our Shareholders. Certain elections may be available to mitigate or eliminate such tax on excess distributions or gains, but such elections (if available) may require us to recognize income in any year in excess of our distributions from PFICs and our proceeds from dispositions of our investments in PFICs, and such income would nevertheless be subject to the distribution requirement necessary to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC. For instance, if we were to invest in a PFIC and elected to treat the PFIC as a qualified electing fund, or a “QEF,” under the Code, we would be required to include in income each year our share of the PFIC’s ordinary earnings and net capital gains for such year regardless of whether we receive any distributions from the PFIC. Treasury Regulations generally treat our income inclusion with respect to a PFIC with respect to which we have made a QEF election as qualifying income for purposes of determining our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC if either (i) there is a current distribution out of the earnings and profits of the PFIC that are attributable to such income inclusion or (ii) such inclusion is derived with respect to our business of investing in stock, securities, or currencies. As such, we may be restricted in our ability to make QEF elections with respect to our holdings in issuers that could be treated as PFICs in order to ensure our continued tax treatment as a RIC and/or maximize our after-tax return from these investments. As an alternative to a QEF election, we may be able to elect mark-to-market treatment for any equity investments in a PFIC. See “U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters — Taxation of the Fund.”
If we hold 10% or more (by vote or value) of the interests treated as equity for U.S. federal income tax purposes in a foreign corporation that is treated as a controlled foreign corporation, or “CFC” (including equity tranche investments and certain debt tranche investments in a CLO treated as a CFC), we may be treated as receiving a
28
deemed distribution (taxable as ordinary income) each tax year from such foreign corporation in an amount equal to our pro rata share of the corporation’s “subpart F income” for the tax year (including both ordinary earnings and capital gains). If we are required to include such deemed distributions from a CFC in our income, such income will be subject to the distribution requirement necessary to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC regardless of whether or not the CFC makes an actual distribution during such tax year. Treasury Regulations generally treat our income inclusion with respect to a CFC as qualifying income for purposes of determining our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC if either (i) there is a current distribution out of the earnings and profits of the CFC that are attributable to such income inclusion or (ii) such inclusion is derived with respect to our business of investing in stock, securities, or currencies. As such, we may limit and/or manage our holdings in issuers that could be treated as CFCs in order to ensure our continued tax treatment as a RIC and/or maximize our after-tax return from these investments.
Because income from CLO securities will be subject to the distribution requirement necessary to maintain our tax treatment as a RIC, if we are required to include amounts from CLO securities in income prior to receiving the cash distributions representing such income, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.
If a CLO in which we invest is treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such CLO could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, which could affect our operating results and cash flows.
Each CLO in which we invest will generally operate pursuant to investment guidelines intended to ensure the CLO is not treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Each CLO will generally receive an opinion of counsel, subject to certain assumptions (including compliance with the investment guidelines) and limitations, that the CLO will not be engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a CLO fails to comply with the investment guidelines or the Internal Revenue Service, or the “IRS,” otherwise successfully asserts that the CLO should be treated as engaged in a U.S. trade or business for U.S. federal income tax purposes, such CLO could be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis, which could reduce the amount available to distribute to junior debt and equity holders in such CLO, including the Fund.
If a CLO in which we invest fails to comply with certain U.S. tax reporting requirements, such CLO may be subject to withholding requirements that could materially and adversely affect our operating results and cash flows.
The U.S. Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act provisions of the Code (commonly referred to as “FATCA”) impose a withholding tax of 30% on certain U.S. source periodic payments, including interest and dividends, to certain non-U.S. entities, including certain non-U.S. financial institutions and investment funds, unless such non-U.S. entity complies with certain reporting requirements regarding its U.S. account holders and its U.S. owners. Most CLOs in which we invest will be treated as non-U.S. financial entities for this purpose, and therefore will be required to comply with these reporting requirements to avoid the 30% withholding. If a CLO in which we invest fails to properly comply with these reporting requirements, certain payments to such CLO may be subject to the 30% withholding tax, which could reduce the amount available to distribute to equity and junior debt holders in such CLO, and therefore materially and adversely affect the fair value of the CLO’s securities and our operating results and cash flows.
Increased competition in the market or a decrease in new CLO issuances may result in increased price volatility or a shortage of investment opportunities.
In recent years there has been a marked increase in the number of, and flow of capital into, investment vehicles established to pursue investments in CLO securities whereas the size of this market is relatively limited. While
29
we cannot determine the precise effect of such competition, such increase may result in greater competition for investment opportunities, which may result in an increase in the price of such investments relative to the risk taken on by holders of such investments. Such competition may also result under certain circumstances in increased price volatility or decreased liquidity with respect to certain positions.
In addition, the volume of new CLO issuances and CLO refinancings varies over time as a result of a variety of factors including new regulations, changes in interest rates, and other market forces. As a result of increased competition and uncertainty regarding the volume of new CLO issuances and CLO refinancings, we can offer no assurances that we will deploy all of our capital in a timely manner or at all. Prospective investors should understand that we may compete with other investment vehicles, as well as investment and commercial banking firms, which have substantially greater resources, in terms of financial wherewithal and research staffs, than may be available to us.
We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk.
Since we may incur leverage (including through issuance of preferred shares and/or debt securities) to make investments, our net investment income depends, in part, upon the difference between the rate at which we borrow funds and the rate at which we invest those funds.
Because of inflationary pressure, the U.S. government has recently increased interest rates. In a rising interest rate environment, any additional leverage that we incur may bear a higher interest rate than our current leverage. There may not, however, be a corresponding increase in our investment income. Any reduction in the level of rate of return on new investments relative to the rate of return on our current investments, and any reduction in the rate of return on our current investments, could adversely impact our net investment income, reducing our ability to service the interest obligations on, and to repay the principal of, our indebtedness, as well as our capacity to pay distributions to our Shareholders. See “— Benchmark Floor Risk.”
The fair value of certain of our investments may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates. Although senior secured loans are generally floating rate instruments, our investments in senior secured loans through investments in junior equity and debt tranches of CLOs are sensitive to interest rate levels and volatility. For example, because CLO debt securities are floating rate securities, a reduction in interest rates would generally result in a reduction in the coupon payment and cash flow we receive on our CLO debt investments. Further, there may be some difference between the timing of interest rate resets on the assets and liabilities of a CLO. Such a mismatch in timing could have a negative effect on the amount of funds distributed to CLO equity investors. In addition, CLOs may not be able to enter into hedge agreements, even if it may otherwise be in the best interests of the CLO to hedge such interest rate risk. Furthermore, in the event of a significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, loan defaults may increase and result in credit losses that may adversely affect our cash flow, fair value of our assets and operating results. In the event that our interest expense were to increase relative to income, or sufficient financing became unavailable, our return on investments and cash available for distribution to Shareholders or to make other payments on our securities would be reduced. In addition, future investments in different types of instruments may carry a greater exposure to interest rate risk.
Benchmark Floor Risk. Because CLOs generally issue debt on a floating rate basis, an increase in the relevant Benchmark will increase the financing costs of CLOs. Many of the senior secured loans held by these CLOs have Benchmark floors such that, when the relevant Benchmark is below the stated Benchmark floor, the stated Benchmark floor (rather than the Benchmark itself) is used to determine the interest payable under the loans. Therefore, if the relevant Benchmark increases but stays below the average Benchmark floor rate of the senior secured loans held by a CLO, there would not be a corresponding increase in the investment income of such CLOs. The combination of increased financing costs without a corresponding increase in investment income in such a scenario could result in the CLO not having adequate cash to make interest or other payments on the securities which we hold.
30
Transition from LIBOR Risk. Although The London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) is no longer published as of June 30, 2023, certain CLO securities in which we invest may continue to earn interest at (or, from the perspective of the Fund as CLO equity investor, obtain financing at) a floating rate based on LIBOR. LIBOR and other inter-bank lending rates and indices (together with LIBOR, the “IBORs”) are the subject of ongoing national and international regulatory reform. Most, but not all, LIBOR settings are now transitioned to alternative near risk-free rates (“RFRs”).
It is expected that many new financing arrangements entered into by the Fund will therefore likely reference an RFR as the applicable interest rate. The RFRs are conceptually and operationally different from LIBOR. For example, overnight rate RFRs may only be determinable on a ‘backward’ looking basis and therefore are only known at the end of an interest period, whereas LIBOR is a ‘forward’ looking rate. Moreover, certain RFRs (such as Secured Overnight Financing Rate or “SOFR” for U.S. dollar debt) are not well established in the market, and all RFRs remain novel in comparison to LIBOR. There consequently remains some uncertainty as to what the economic, accounting, commercial, tax and legal implications of the use of RFRs will be and how they will perform over significant time periods, particularly as market participants are still becoming accustomed to the use of such benchmarks. As a result, it is possible that the use of RFRs may have an adverse effect on the Fund and therefore investors. For example, the efficacy of new financing arrangements entered into by the Fund may be less than expected or desired, which could reduce the returns available to investors.
Additionally, there may be difficulties with transitioning an existing financing arrangement from LIBOR to the applicable RFR. Such difficulties could adversely impact the Fund and therefore investors. For example, there may be delays or failures in meeting the conditions to amend such a financing arrangement and there may be mismatches if the reference rate cannot be remediated or if a hedge related to such financing arrangement and the financing arrangement itself cannot be transitioned to the same RFR at the same time. The potential impact of wider conceptual and operational differences between LIBOR and RFRs would also likely apply to remediation of these contracts in due course. In addition, higher borrowing costs may apply to the Fund’s financing arrangements.
Therefore, prospective investors should be aware that the Fund is likely to bear additional costs and expenses in relation to LIBOR discontinuation and the use of RFRs. Given the relative novelty of the use of RFRs in financial markets (as discussed in further detail above), the exact impact of the use of the RFRs remains to be seen. If the Fund does enter into a LIBOR-linked financing arrangement, there may be further costs or other adverse effects incurred by the Fund in relation to remediation of these to RFRs in due course.
Interest Rate Environment. The senior secured loans underlying the CLOs in which we invest typically have floating interest rates. A rising interest rate environment may increase loan defaults, resulting in losses for the CLOs in which we invest. In addition, increasing interest rates may lead to higher prepayment rates, as corporate borrowers look to avoid escalating interest payments or refinance floating rate loans. See “— Risks Related to Our Investments — Our investments are subject to prepayment risk.” Further, a general rise in interest rates will increase the financing costs of the CLOs. However, since many of the senior secured loans within these CLOs have Benchmark floors, if the Benchmark is below the applicable Benchmark floor, there may not be corresponding increases in investment income which could result in the CLO not having adequate cash to make interest or other payments on the securities which we hold.
For detailed discussions of the risks associated with a rising interest rate environment, see “— Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to interest rate risk” and “— Risks Related to Our Investments — We and our investments are subject to risks associated with investing in high-yield and unrated, or “junk,” securities.”
Our investments are subject to credit risk.
If (1) a CLO in which we invest, (2) an underlying asset of any such CLO or (3) any other type of credit investment in our portfolio declines in price or fails to pay interest or principal when due because the issuer or
31
debtor, as the case may be, experiences a decline in its financial status either or both our income and NAV may be adversely impacted. Non-payment would result in a reduction of our income, a reduction in the value of the applicable CLO security or other credit investment experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in our NAV. With respect to our investments in CLO securities and credit investments that are secured, there can be no assurance that liquidation of collateral would satisfy the issuer’s obligation in the event of non-payment of scheduled dividend, interest or principal or that such collateral could be readily liquidated. In the event of bankruptcy of an issuer, we could experience delays or limitations with respect to its ability to realize the benefits of any collateral securing a CLO security or credit investment. To the extent that the credit rating assigned to a security in our portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected. In addition, if a CLO in which we invest triggers an event of default as a result of failing to make payments when due or for other reasons, the CLO would be subject to the possibility of liquidation, which could result in full loss of value to the CLO equity and junior debt investors. CLO equity tranches are the most likely tranche to suffer a loss of all of their value in these circumstances. Heightened inflationary pressures could increase the risk of default by the Fund’s underlying obligors.
Our investments are subject to prepayment risk.
The assets underlying the CLO securities are subject to prepayment by the underlying corporate borrowers. In addition, the CLO securities and related investments are subject to prepayment risk. If the Fund or a CLO collateral manager is unable to reinvest prepaid amounts in a new investment with an expected rate of return at least equal to that of the investment repaid, the Fund’s investment performance will be adversely impacted.
Although the Adviser’s valuations and projections take into account certain expected levels of prepayments, the collateral of a CLO may be prepaid more quickly than expected. Prepayment rates are influenced by changes in interest rates and a variety of factors beyond our control and consequently cannot be accurately predicted. Early prepayments give rise to increased reinvestment risk, as a CLO collateral manager might realize excess cash from prepayments earlier than expected. If a CLO collateral manager is unable to reinvest such cash in a new investment with an expected rate of return at least equal to that of the investment repaid, this may reduce our net income and the fair value of that asset.
In addition, in most CLO transactions, CLO debt investors, such as us, are subject to prepayment risk in that the holders of a majority of the equity tranche can direct a call or refinancing of a CLO, which would cause such CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par. Such prepayments of CLO debt securities held by us also give rise to reinvestment risk if we are unable to reinvest such cash in a new investment with an expected rate of return at least equal to that of the investment repaid.
We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and will increase the risk of investing in us.
The use of leverage, whether directly or indirectly through investments such as CLO equity or junior debt securities that inherently involve leverage, may magnify our risk of loss. CLO equity or junior debt securities are very highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities typically being leveraged ten times), and therefore the CLO securities in which we invest are subject to a higher degree of loss since the use of leverage magnifies losses.
We may incur leverage, directly or indirectly, through one or more special purpose vehicles (“SPVs”) (entities primarily engaged in investment activities in securities or other assets that are wholly owned by the Fund), indebtedness for borrowed money, as well as leverage in the form of Derivative Transactions, preferred shares, debt securities and other structures and instruments, in significant amounts and on terms that the Adviser and the Board deem appropriate, subject to applicable limitations under the 1940 Act. Such leverage may be used for the acquisition and financing of our investments, to pay fees and expenses and for other purposes. Such leverage may be secured and/or unsecured. Any such leverage does not include leverage embedded or inherent in the CLO structures in which we invest or in derivative instruments in which we may invest. Accordingly, there is a layering of leverage in our overall structure. If the Fund elects to incur leverage through an SPV, any such vehicle will comply with all applicable statutory and regulatory requirements regarding affiliated transactions and custody under
32
the 1940 Act. Additionally, the Fund will comply with all applicable 1940 Act provisions governing capital structure, leverage and investment policies on an aggregate basis with any potential use of an SPV. To the extent the Fund forms an SPV in the future, the Fund intends that the custodian of the SPV would be the Fund’s custodian.
The more leverage we employ, the more likely a substantial change will occur in our NAV. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of an investment would be magnified to the extent leverage is utilized. For instance, any decrease in our income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had we not borrowed. Such a decline could also negatively affect our ability to make distributions and other payments to our security holders. Leverage is generally considered a speculative investment technique. Our ability to service any debt that we incur will depend largely on our financial performance and will be subject to prevailing economic conditions and competitive pressures. The cumulative effect of the use of leverage with respect to any investments in a market that moves adversely to such investments could result in a substantial loss that would be greater than if our investments were not leveraged. Currently, the Fund does not intend to create or acquire primary control of any entity that primarily engages in investment activities in securities or other assets other than entities wholly owned by the Fund.
As a registered closed-end management investment company, we are required to meet certain asset coverage requirements, as defined under the 1940 Act, with respect to any senior securities. With respect to senior securities representing indebtedness (i.e., borrowings or deemed borrowings, including any notes), other than temporary borrowings as defined under the 1940 Act, we are required under current law to have an asset coverage of at least 300%, as measured at the time of borrowing and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness. With respect to senior securities that are stock (i.e., our preferred shares), we are required under current law to have an asset coverage of at least 200%, as measured at the time of the issuance of any such preferred shares and calculated as the ratio of our total assets (less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities) over the aggregate amount of our outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred shares. If legislation were passed that modifies this section of the 1940 Act and increases the amount of senior securities that we may incur, we may increase our leverage to the extent then permitted by the 1940 Act and the risks associated with an investment in us may increase.
If our asset coverage declines below 300% (or 200%, as applicable), we would not be able to incur additional debt or issue additional preferred shares, and could be required by law to sell a portion of our investments to repay some debt or redeem preferred shares when it is disadvantageous to do so, which could have a material adverse effect on our operations, and we may not be able to make certain distributions or pay dividends of an amount necessary to continue to be subject to tax as a RIC. The amount of leverage that we employ will depend on the Adviser’s and the 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.
In addition, any debt facility into which we may enter would likely impose financial and operating covenants that restrict our business activities, including limitations that could hinder our ability to finance additional loans and investments or to make the distributions required to maintain our ability to be subject to tax as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code.
The following table is furnished in response to requirements of the SEC. It is designed to illustrate the effects of the Fund’s leverage due to senior securities on corresponding share total return, assuming investment portfolio total returns (consisting of income and changes in the value of investments held in the Fund’s portfolio) of -10%, -5%, 0%, 5% and 10%. These assumed investment portfolio returns are hypothetical figures and are not necessarily indicative of the investment portfolio returns expected to be experienced by the Fund. Your actual returns may be greater or less than those appearing below. The table further assumes that we incur leverage representing 25% of our total assets and a projected annual rate of interest on the borrowings of 8%.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Assumed Return on Portfolio (Net of Expenses) |
|
(10.00)% |
|
(5.00)% |
|
0.00% |
|
5.00% |
|
10.00% |
Corresponding Share Total Return |
|
(16.00)% |
|
(9.33)% |
|
(2.67)% |
|
4.00% |
|
10.67% |
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Our investments may be highly subordinated and subject to leveraged securities risk.
Our portfolio includes equity and junior debt investments in CLOs, which involve a number of significant risks. CLO equity and junior debt securities are subordinated to more senior tranches of CLO debt. CLO equity and junior debt securities are subject to increased risks of default relative to the holders of superior priority interests in the same CLO. In addition, at the time of issuance, CLO equity securities are under-collateralized in that the face amount of the CLO debt and CLO equity of a CLO at inception exceed its total assets. The Fund will typically be in a subordinated or first loss position with respect to realized losses on the underlying assets held by the CLOs in which we are invested.
We and our investments are subject to risks associated with investing in risky and unrated, or “junk,” securities.
The CLO equity and junior debt securities in which we invest are typically rated below investment grade, or in the case of CLO equity securities unrated, and are therefore considered “higher yield” or “junk” securities and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. The senior secured loans and other credit-related assets underlying CLOs are also typically higher yield investments. Investing in CLO equity and junior debt securities and other high yield investments involves greater credit and liquidity risk than investment grade obligations, which may adversely impact the Fund’s performance.
We invest primarily in securities that are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity securities, are not rated by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization. The primary assets underlying our CLO security investments are senior secured loans, although these transactions may allow for limited exposure to other asset classes including unsecured loans, risky bonds, emerging market loans or bonds and structured finance securities with underlying exposure to CBO and CDO tranches, residential mortgage-backed securities, commercial mortgage-backed securities, trust preferred securities and other types of securitizations. CLOs generally invest in lower-rated debt securities that are typically rated below Baa/BBB by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch. In addition, we may obtain direct exposure to such financial assets/instruments. Securities that are not rated or are rated lower than Baa by Moody’s or lower than BBB by S&P or Fitch are sometimes referred to as “high yield” or “junk.” Junk debt securities have greater credit and liquidity risk than investment grade obligations. Junk debt securities are generally unsecured and may be subordinated to certain other obligations of the issuer thereof. The lower rating of junk debt securities and below investment grade loans reflects a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of an issuer or in general economic conditions or both may impair the ability of the issuer thereof to make payments of principal or interest.
Risks of junk debt securities may include:
|
(1) |
limited liquidity and secondary market support; |
|
(2) |
substantial marketplace volatility resulting from changes in prevailing interest rates; |
|
(3) |
subordination to the prior claims of banks and other senior lenders; |
|
(4) |
the operation of mandatory sinking fund or call/redemption provisions during periods of declining interest rates that could cause the CLO issuer to reinvest premature redemption proceeds in lower-yielding debt obligations; |
|
(5) |
the possibility that earnings of the junk debt security issuer may be insufficient to meet its debt service; |
|
(6) |
the declining creditworthiness and potential for insolvency of the issuer of such junk debt securities during periods of rising interest rates and/or economic downturn; and |
|
(7) |
greater susceptibility to losses and real or perceived adverse economic and competitive industry conditions than higher grade securities. |
An economic downturn or an increase in interest rates could severely disrupt the market for high-yield debt securities and adversely affect the value of outstanding junk debt securities and the ability of the issuers thereof to repay principal and interest.
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Issuers of junk debt securities may be highly leveraged and may not have available to them more traditional methods of financing. The risk associated with acquiring (directly or indirectly) the securities of such issuers generally is greater than is the case with highly rated securities. For example, during an economic downturn or a sustained period of rising interest rates, issuers of junk debt securities may be more likely to experience financial stress, especially if such issuers are highly leveraged. During such periods, timely service of debt obligations also may be adversely affected by specific issuer developments, or the issuer’s inability to meet specific projected business forecasts or the unavailability of additional financing. The risk of loss due to default by the issuer is significantly greater for the holders of junk debt securities because such securities may be unsecured and may be subordinated to obligations owed to other creditors of the issuer of such securities. In addition, the CLO issuer may incur additional expenses to the extent it (or any investment manager) is required to seek recovery upon a default on a high yield bond (or any other debt obligation) or participate in the restructuring of such obligation.
A portion of the loans held by CLOs in which we invest may consist of second lien loans. Second lien loans are secured by liens on the collateral securing the loan that are subordinated to the liens of at least one other class of obligations of the related obligor, and thus, the ability of the CLO issuer to exercise remedies after a second lien loan becomes a defaulted obligation is subordinated to, and limited by, the rights of the senior creditors holding such other classes of obligations. In many circumstances, the CLO issuer may be prevented from foreclosing on the collateral securing a second lien loan until the related first lien loan is paid in full. Moreover, any amounts that might be realized as a result of collection efforts or in connection with a bankruptcy or insolvency proceeding involving a second lien loan must generally be turned over to the first lien secured lender until the first lien secured lender has realized the full value of its own claims. In addition, certain of the second lien loans contain provisions requiring the CLO issuer’s interest in the collateral to be released in certain circumstances. These lien and payment obligation subordination provisions may materially and adversely affect the ability of the CLO issuer to realize value from second lien loans and adversely affect the fair value of and income from our investment in the CLO’s securities.
We are subject to risks associated with loan assignments and participations.
We, or the CLOs in which we invest, may acquire interests in loans either directly (by way of assignment, or “Assignments”) or indirectly (by way of participation, or “Participations”). The purchaser by an Assignment of a loan obligation typically succeeds to all the rights and obligations of the selling institution and becomes a lender under the loan or credit agreement with respect to the debt obligation. In contrast, Participations acquired by us or the CLOs in which we invest in a portion of a debt obligation held by a selling institution, or the “Selling Institution,” typically result in a contractual relationship only with such Selling Institution, not with the obligor. We or the CLOs in which we invest would have the right to receive payments of principal, interest and any fees to which we (or the CLOs in which we invest) are entitled under the Participation only from the Selling Institution and only upon receipt by the Selling Institution of such payments from the obligor. In purchasing a Participation, we or the CLOs in which we invest generally will have no right to enforce compliance by the obligor with the terms of the loan or credit agreement or other instrument evidencing such debt obligation, nor any rights of setoff against the obligor, and we or the CLOs in which we invest may not directly benefit from the collateral supporting the debt obligation in which it has purchased the Participation. As a result, we or the CLOs in which we invest would assume the credit risk of both the obligor and the Selling Institution. In the event of the insolvency of the Selling Institution, we or the CLOs in which we invest will be treated as a general creditor of the Selling Institution in respect of the Participation and may not benefit from any setoff between the Selling Institution and the obligor.
The holder of a Participation in a debt obligation may not have the right to vote to waive enforcement of any default by an obligor. Selling Institutions commonly reserve the right to administer the debt obligations sold by them as they see fit and to amend the documentation evidencing such debt obligations in all respects. However, most participation agreements with respect to senior secured loans provide that the Selling Institution may not vote in favor of any amendment, modification or waiver that (1) forgives principal, interest or fees, (2) reduces principal, interest or fees that are payable, (3) postpones any payment of principal (whether a scheduled payment or a mandatory prepayment), interest or fees or (4) releases any material guarantee or security without the consent of the participant (at least to the extent the participant would be affected by any such amendment, modification or waiver).
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A Selling Institution voting in connection with a potential waiver of a default by an obligor may have interests different from ours, and the Selling Institution might not consider our interests in connection with its vote. In addition, many participation agreements with respect to senior secured loans that provide voting rights to the participant further provide that, if the participant does not vote in favor of amendments, modifications or waivers, the Selling Institution may repurchase such Participation at par.
The lack of liquidity in our investments may adversely affect our business.
Generally, there is no public market for the CLO investments we target. As such, we may not be able to sell such investments quickly, or at all. If we are able to sell such investments, the prices we receive may not reflect the Adviser’s assessment of their fair value or the amount paid for such investments by us.
Prices of risky investments have at times experienced significant and rapid decline when a substantial number of holders (or a few holders of a significantly large “block” of the securities) decided to sell. In addition, we (or the CLOs in which we invest) may have difficulty disposing of certain risky investments because there may be a thin trading market for such securities. To the extent that a secondary trading market for non-investment grade risky investments does exist, it would not be as liquid as the secondary market for highly rated investments. Reduced secondary market liquidity would have an adverse impact on the fair value of the securities and on our direct or indirect ability to dispose of particular securities in response to a specific economic event such as deterioration in the creditworthiness of the issuer of such securities.
As secondary market trading volumes increase, new loans frequently contain standardized documentation to facilitate loan trading that may improve market liquidity. There can be no assurance, however, that future levels of supply and demand in loan trading will provide an adequate degree of liquidity or that the current level of liquidity will continue. Because holders of such loans are offered confidential information relating to the borrower, the unique and customized nature of the loan agreement, and the private syndication of the loan, loans are not purchased or sold as easily as publicly traded securities are purchased or sold. Although a secondary market may exist, risks similar to those described above in connection with an investment in risky debt investments are also applicable to investments in lower rated loans.
The securities issued by CLOs generally offer less liquidity than other investment grade or risky corporate debt, and are subject to certain transfer restrictions that impose certain financial and other eligibility requirements on prospective transferees. Other investments that we may purchase in privately negotiated transactions may also be illiquid or subject to legal restrictions on their transfer. As a result of this illiquidity, our ability to sell certain investments quickly, or at all, in response to changes in economic and other conditions and to receive a fair price when selling such investments may be limited, which could prevent us from making sales to mitigate losses on such investments. In addition, CLOs are subject to the possibility of liquidation upon an event of default, which could result in full loss of value to the CLO equity and junior debt investors. CLO equity tranches are the most likely tranche to suffer a loss of all of their value in these circumstances.
We may be exposed to counterparty risk.
We may be exposed to counterparty risk, which could make it difficult for us or the CLOs in which we invest to collect on the obligations represented by investments and result in significant losses.
We may hold investments that would expose us to the credit risk of our counterparties or the counterparties of the CLOs in which it invests. In the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency of such a counterparty, we or a CLO in which such an investment is held could suffer significant losses, including the loss of that part of our or the CLO’s portfolio financed through such a transaction, declines in the value of our investment, including declines that may occur during an applicable stay period, the inability to realize any gains on our investment during such period and fees and expenses incurred in enforcing our rights.
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In addition, with respect to certain swaps, neither a CLO nor we usually has a contractual relationship with the entities, referred to as “Reference Entities” whose payment obligations are the subject of the relevant swap agreement or security. Therefore, neither the CLOs nor we generally have a right to directly enforce compliance by the Reference Entity with the terms of this kind of underlying obligation, any rights of set-off against the Reference Entity or any voting rights with respect to the underlying obligation. Neither the CLOs nor we will directly benefit from the collateral supporting the underlying obligation and will not have the benefit of the remedies that would normally be available to a holder of such underlying obligation.
We are subject to risks associated with defaults on an underlying asset held by a CLO.
Fund will be subject to risks associated with defaults on an underlying asset held by a CLO. A default and any resulting loss as well as other losses on an underlying asset held by a CLO may reduce the fair value of our corresponding CLO investment. A wide range of factors could adversely affect the ability of the borrower of an underlying asset to make interest or other payments on that asset. To the extent that actual defaults and losses on the collateral of an investment exceed the level of defaults and losses factored into its purchase price, the value of the anticipated return from the investment will be reduced. The more deeply subordinated the tranche of securities in which we invest, the greater the risk of loss upon a default. For example, CLO equity is the most subordinated tranche within a CLO and is therefore subject to the greatest risk of loss resulting from defaults on the CLO’s collateral, whether due to bankruptcy or otherwise. Any defaults and losses in excess of expected default rates and loss model inputs will have a negative impact on the fair value of our investments, will reduce the cash flows that the Fund receives from its investments, adversely affect the fair value of the Fund’s assets and could adversely impact the Fund’s ability to pay dividends. Furthermore, the holders of the junior equity and debt tranches typically have limited rights with respect to decisions made with respect to collateral following an event of default on a CLO. In some cases, the senior most class of notes can elect to liquidate the collateral even if the expected proceeds are not expected to be able to pay in full all classes of notes. The Fund could experience a complete loss of its investment in such a scenario.
In addition, the collateral of CLOs may require substantial workout negotiations or restructuring in the event of a default or liquidation. Any such workout or restructuring is likely to lead to a substantial reduction in the interest rate of such asset and/or a substantial write-down or write-off of all or a portion the principal of such asset. Any such reduction in interest rates or principal will negatively affect the fair value of our portfolio.
We are subject to risks associated with loan accumulation facilities.
We may invest capital in LAFs, which are short- to medium-term facilities often provided by the bank that will serve as placement agent or arranger on a CLO transaction and which acquire loans on an interim basis which are expected to form part of the portfolio of a future CLO. Investments in LAFs have risks similar to those applicable to investments in CLOs. Leverage is typically utilized in such a facility and as such the potential risk of loss will be increased for such facilities employing leverage. In the event a planned CLO is not consummated, or the loans are not eligible for purchase by the CLO, the Fund may be responsible for either holding or disposing of the loans. This could expose the Fund primarily to credit and/or mark-to-market losses, and other risks.
Furthermore, we likely will have no consent rights in respect of the loans to be acquired in such a facility and in the event we do have any consent rights, they will be limited. In the event a planned CLO is not consummated, or the loans are not eligible for purchase by the CLO, we may be responsible for either holding or disposing of the loans. This could expose us primarily to credit and/or mark-to-market losses, and other risks. LAFs typically incur leverage from four to six times prior to a CLO’s closing and as such the potential risk of loss will be increased for such facilities that employ leverage.
We are subject to risks associated with the bankruptcy or insolvency of an issuer or borrower of a loan that we hold or of an underlying asset held by a CLO in which we invest.
In the event of a bankruptcy or insolvency of an issuer or borrower of a loan that we hold or of an underlying asset held by a CLO or other vehicle in which we invest, a court or other governmental entity may determine that
37
our claims or those of the relevant CLO are not valid or not entitled to the treatment we expected when making our initial investment decision.
Various laws enacted for the protection of debtors may apply to the underlying assets in our investment portfolio. The information in this and the following paragraph represents a brief summary of certain points only, is not intended to be an extensive summary of the relevant issues and is applicable with respect to U.S. issuers and borrowers only. The following is not intended to be a summary of all relevant risks. Similar avoidance provisions to those described below are sometimes available with respect to non-U.S. issuers or borrowers, and there is no assurance that this will be the case which may result in a much greater risk of partial or total loss of value in that underlying asset.
If a court in a lawsuit brought by an unpaid creditor or representative of creditors of an issuer or borrower of underlying assets, such as a trustee in bankruptcy, were to find that such issuer or borrower did not receive fair consideration or reasonably equivalent value for incurring the indebtedness constituting such underlying assets and, after giving effect to such indebtedness, the issuer or borrower (1) was insolvent; (2) was engaged in a business for which the remaining assets of such issuer or borrower constituted unreasonably small capital; or (3) intended to incur, or believed that it would incur, debts beyond our ability to pay such debts as they mature, such court could decide to invalidate, in whole or in part, the indebtedness constituting the underlying assets as a fraudulent conveyance, to subordinate such indebtedness to existing or future creditors of the issuer or borrower or to recover amounts previously paid by the issuer or borrower in satisfaction of such indebtedness. In addition, in the event of the insolvency of an issuer or borrower of underlying assets, payments made on such underlying assets could be subject to avoidance as a “preference” if made within a certain period of time (which may be as long as one year under U.S. Federal bankruptcy law or even longer under state laws) before insolvency.
Our underlying assets may be subject to various laws for the protection of debtors in other jurisdictions, including the jurisdiction of incorporation of the issuer or borrower of such underlying assets and, if different, the jurisdiction from which it conducts business and in which it holds assets, any of which may adversely affect such issuer’s or borrower’s ability to make, or a creditor’s ability to enforce, payment in full, on a timely basis or at all. These insolvency considerations will differ depending on the jurisdiction in which an issuer or borrower or the related underlying assets are located and may differ depending on the legal status of the issuer or borrower.
We are subject to risks associated with any hedging or Derivative Transactions in which we participate.
We may in the future purchase and sell a variety of derivative instruments. To the extent we engage in Derivative Transactions, we expect to do so to hedge against interest rate, credit, currency and/or other risks or for other investment or risk management purposes. We may use Derivative Transactions for investment purposes to the extent consistent with our investment objectives if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. Derivative Transactions may be volatile and involve various risks different from, and in certain cases, greater than the risks presented by other instruments. The primary risks related to Derivative Transactions include counterparty, correlation, illiquidity, leverage, volatility and over-the-counter, or “OTC,” trading, operational and legal risks. A small investment in derivatives could have a large potential impact on our performance, effecting a form of investment leverage on our portfolio. In certain types of Derivative Transactions we could lose the entire amount of our investment. In other types of Derivative Transactions, the potential loss is theoretically unlimited.
The following is a more detailed discussion of primary risk considerations related to the use of Derivative Transactions that investors should understand before investing in our securities.
Counterparty risk. Counterparty risk is the risk that a counterparty in a Derivative Transaction will be unable to honor its financial obligation to us, or the risk that the reference entity in a credit default swap or similar derivative will not be able to honor its financial obligations. Certain participants in the derivatives market, including larger financial institutions, have experienced significant financial hardship and deteriorating credit conditions. If our counterparty to a Derivative Transaction experiences a loss of capital, or is perceived to lack
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adequate capital or access to capital, it may experience margin calls or other regulatory requirements to increase equity. Under such circumstances, the risk that a counterparty will be unable to honor its obligations may increase substantially. If a counterparty becomes bankrupt, we may experience significant delays in obtaining recovery (if at all) under the derivative contract in bankruptcy or other reorganization proceeding; if our claim is unsecured, we will be treated as a general creditor of such prime broker or counterparty and will not have any claim with respect to the underlying security. We may obtain only a limited recovery or may obtain no recovery in such circumstances. The counterparty risk for cleared derivatives is generally lower than for uncleared OTC derivatives since generally a clearing organization becomes substituted for each counterparty to a cleared derivative and, in effect, guarantees the parties’ performance under the contract as each party to a trade looks only to the clearing house for performance of financial obligations. However, there can be no assurance that the clearing house, or its members, will satisfy its obligations to us.
Correlation risk. When used for hedging purposes, an imperfect or variable degree of correlation between price movements of the derivative instrument and the underlying investment sought to be hedged may prevent us from achieving the intended hedging effect or expose us to the risk of loss. The imperfect correlation between the value of a derivative and our underlying assets may result in losses on the Derivative Transaction that are greater than the gain in the value of the underlying assets in our portfolio.
The Adviser may not hedge against a particular risk because it does not regard the probability of the risk occurring to be sufficiently high as to justify the cost of the hedge, or because it does not foresee the occurrence of the risk. These factors may have a significant negative effect on the fair value of our assets and the market value of our securities.
Liquidity risk. Derivative Transactions, especially when traded in large amounts, may not be liquid in all circumstances, so that in volatile markets we would not be able to close out a position without incurring a loss. Although both OTC and exchange-traded derivatives markets may experience a lack of liquidity, OTC non-standardized derivative transactions are generally less liquid than exchange-traded instruments. The illiquidity of the derivatives markets may be due to various factors, including congestion, disorderly markets, limitations on deliverable supplies, the participation of speculators, government regulation and intervention, and technical and operational or system failures. In addition, daily limits on price fluctuations and speculative position limits on exchanges on which we may conduct transactions in derivative instruments may prevent prompt liquidation of positions, subjecting us to the potential of greater losses. As a result, we may need to liquidate other investments to meet margin and settlement payment obligations.
Leverage risk. Trading in Derivative Transactions can result in significant leverage and risk of loss. Thus, the leverage offered by trading in derivative instruments will magnify the gains and losses we experience and could cause our NAV to be subject to wider fluctuations than would be the case if we did not use the leverage feature in derivative instruments.
Volatility risk. The prices of many derivative instruments, including many options and swaps, are highly volatile. Price movements of options contracts and payments pursuant to swap agreements are influenced by, among other things, interest rates, changing supply and demand relationships, trade, fiscal, monetary and exchange control programs and policies of governments, and national and international political and economic events and policies. The value of options and swap agreements also depends upon the price of the securities or currencies underlying them.
OTC trading. Derivative Transactions that may be purchased or sold may include instruments not traded on an organized market. The risk of non-performance by the counterparty to such Derivative Transaction may be greater and the ease with which we can dispose of or enter into closing transactions with respect to such an instrument may be less than in the case of an exchange traded instrument. In addition, significant disparities may exist between “bid” and “ask” prices for certain derivative instruments that are not traded on an exchange. Such instruments are often valued subjectively and may result in mispricings or improper valuations. Improper valuations can result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties or a loss of value, or both. In
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contrast, cleared derivative transactions benefit from daily mark-to-market pricing and settlement, and segregation and minimum capital requirements applicable to intermediaries. Derivatives are also subject to operational and legal risks. Operational risk generally refers to risk related to potential operational issues, including documentation issues, settlement issues, system failures, inadequate controls, and human errors. Legal risk generally refers to insufficient documentation, insufficient capacity or authority of counterparty, or legality or enforceability of a contract. Transactions entered into directly between two counterparties generally do not benefit from such protections; however, certain uncleared derivative transactions are subject to minimum margin requirements which may require us and our counterparties to exchange collateral based on daily marked-to-market pricing. OTC trading generally exposes us to the risk that a counterparty will not settle a transaction in accordance with its terms and conditions because of a dispute over the terms of the contract (whether or not bona fide) or because of a credit or liquidity problem, thus causing us to suffer a loss. Such “counterparty risk” is accentuated for contracts with longer maturities where events may intervene to prevent settlement, or where we have concentrated our transactions with a single or small group of counterparties.
We may be subject to risks associated with investments in ETFs.
We may invest in securities of ETFs and may otherwise invest indirectly in securities consistent with our investment objectives, including through a joint venture vehicle in which the Fund shares equal control of the vehicle with another party, subject to statutory limitations prescribed by the 1940 Act. These limitations include in certain circumstances a prohibition on us acquiring more than 3% of the voting shares of any other investment company, and a prohibition on investing more than 5% of our total assets in securities of any one investment company or more than 10% of our total assets in securities of all investment companies. Subject to applicable law and/or pursuant to an exemptive order obtained from the SEC or under an exemptive rule adopted by the SEC, we may invest in certain other investment companies (including ETFs and money market funds) and business development companies beyond these statutory limits or otherwise provided that certain conditions are met. We will indirectly bear our proportionate share of any management fees and other expenses paid by such other investment companies, in addition to the fees and expenses that we regularly bear. We may only invest in other investment companies to the extent that the asset class exposure in such investment companies is consistent with the permissible asset class exposure for us had we invested directly in securities, and the portfolios of such investment companies are subject to similar risks as we are.
Investors will bear indirectly the fees and expenses of the CLO equity securities in which we invest.
Investors will bear indirectly the fees and expenses (including management fees and other operating expenses) of the CLO equity securities in which we invest. CLO collateral manager fees are charged on the total assets of a CLO but are assumed to be paid from the residual cash flows after interest payments to the CLO senior debt tranches. Therefore, these CLO collateral manager fees (which generally range from 0.30% to 0.50% of a CLO’s total assets) are effectively much higher when allocated only to the CLO equity tranche. The calculation does not include any other operating expense ratios of the CLOs, as these amounts are not routinely reported to Shareholders on a basis consistent with this methodology; however, it is estimated that additional operating expenses of 0.30% to 0.70% could be incurred. In addition, CLO collateral managers may earn fees based on a percentage of the CLO’s equity cash flows after the CLO equity has earned a cash-on-cash return of its capital and achieved a specified “hurdle” rate.
We and our investments are subject to reinvestment risk.
As part of the ordinary management of its portfolio, a CLO will typically generate cash from asset repayments and sales and reinvest those proceeds in substitute assets, subject to compliance with its investment tests and certain other conditions. The earnings with respect to such substitute assets will depend on the quality of reinvestment opportunities available at the time. If the CLO collateral manager causes the CLO to purchase substitute assets at a lower yield than those initially acquired (for example, during periods of loan compression or need to satisfy the CLO’s covenants) or sale proceeds are maintained temporarily in cash, it would reduce the
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excess interest-related cash flow that the CLO collateral manager is able to achieve. The investment tests may incentivize a CLO collateral manager to cause the CLO to buy riskier assets than it otherwise would, which could result in additional losses. These factors could reduce our return on investment and may have a negative effect on the fair value of our assets and the market value of our securities. In addition, the reinvestment period for a CLO may terminate early, which would cause the holders of the CLO’s securities to receive principal payments earlier than anticipated. In addition, in most CLO transactions, CLO debt investors are subject to the risk that the holders of a majority of the equity tranche, who can direct a call or refinancing of a CLO, causing such CLO’s outstanding CLO debt securities to be repaid at par earlier than expected. There can be no assurance that we will be able to reinvest such amounts in an alternative investment that provides a comparable return relative to the credit risk assumed.
We and our investments are subject to risks associated with non-U.S. investing.
While we invest primarily in CLOs that hold underlying U.S. assets, these CLOs may be organized outside the United States. We may also invest in CLOs that hold collateral that are non-U.S. assets or otherwise invest in securities of non-U.S. issuers to the extent consistent with our investment strategies and objectives.
Investing in foreign entities may expose us to additional risks not typically associated with investing in U.S. issuers. These risks include changes in exchange control regulations, political and social instability, restrictions on the types or amounts of investment, expropriation, imposition of foreign taxes, less liquid markets and less available information than is generally the case in the U.S., 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, currency fluctuations and greater price volatility. Further, we, and the CLOs in which we invest, may have difficulty enforcing creditor’s rights in foreign jurisdictions.
In addition, international trade tensions may arise from time to time which could result in trade tariffs, embargoes or other restrictions or limitations on trade. The imposition of any actions on trade could trigger a significant reduction in international trade, supply chain disruptions, an oversupply of certain manufactured goods, substantial price reductions of goods and possible failure of individual companies or industries, which could have a negative impact on the value of the CLO securities that we hold.
Foreign markets also have different clearance and settlement procedures, and in certain markets there have been times when settlements have failed to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. Delays in settlement could result in periods when our assets are uninvested. Our inability to make intended investments due to settlement problems or the risk of intermediary counterparty failures could cause it to miss investment opportunities. The inability to dispose of an investment due to settlement problems could result either in losses to the funds due to subsequent declines in the value of such investment or, if we have entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Transaction costs of buying and selling foreign securities also are generally higher than those involved in domestic transactions. Furthermore, foreign financial markets have, for the most part, substantially less volume than U.S. markets, and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and their prices more volatile than securities of comparable domestic companies.
The economies of individual non-U.S. countries may also differ favorably or unfavorably from the U.S. economy in such respects as growth of gross domestic product, rate of inflation, volatility of currency exchange rates, depreciation, capital reinvestment, resources self-sufficiency and balance of payments position.
A portion of our investments may be denominated in foreign currencies.
A portion of the Fund’s investments (and the income and gains received by the Fund in respect of such investments) may be denominated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. However, the books of the Fund will
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be maintained, and contributions to and distributions from the Fund will generally be made, in U.S. dollars. Accordingly, changes in foreign currency exchange rates and exchange controls may materially adversely affect the value of the investments and the other assets of the Fund.
Any unrealized losses we experience on our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution or to make payments on our other obligations.
As a registered closed-end management investment company, we are required to carry our investments at market value or, if no market value is ascertainable, at the fair value as determined in good faith by the Adviser. Decreases in the market values or fair values of our investments are recorded as unrealized depreciation. Any unrealized losses in our portfolio could be an indication of an issuer’s inability to meet its repayment obligations to us with respect to the affected investments. This could result in realized losses in the future and ultimately in reductions of our income available for distribution or to make payments on our other obligations in future periods.
If our distributions exceed our taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital.
If our distributions exceed our taxable income and capital gains realized during a taxable year, all or a portion of the distributions made in the same taxable year may be recharacterized as a return of capital to our Shareholders. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable to our Shareholders. However, a return of capital distribution will reduce a Shareholder’s cost basis in our common shares on which the distribution was received, thereby potentially resulting in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those common shares are sold or otherwise disposed of.
A portion of our income and fees may not be qualifying income for purposes of the income source requirement.
Some of the income and fees that we may recognize will not be qualifying income for purposes of the income source requirement applicable to RICs. In order to ensure that such income and fees do not disqualify us as a RIC for a failure to satisfy such requirement, we may need to recognize such income and fees indirectly through one or more entities classified as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such corporations will be subject to U.S. corporate income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce our return on such income and fees.
Risks Relating to an Investment in Our Securities
Common shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at discounts to their respective NAVs, and we cannot assure you that the market price of our common shares will not decline below our NAV per common share.
Common shares of closed-end management investment companies frequently trade at discounts to their respective NAVs and our common shares may also be discounted in the market. This characteristic of closed-end management investment companies is separate and distinct from the risk that our NAV per common share may decline. We cannot predict whether our common shares will trade above, at or below our NAV per common share. The risk of loss associated with this characteristic of closed-end management investment companies may be greater for investors expecting to sell common shares purchased in an offering soon after such offering. In addition, if our common shares trades below our NAV per common share, we will generally not be able to sell additional common shares to the public at market price except (1) in connection with a rights offering to our existing Shareholders, (2) with the consent of the majority of the holders of our common shares, (3) upon the conversion of a convertible security in accordance with its terms or (4) under such circumstances as the SEC may permit.
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The price of our common shares may be volatile and may decrease substantially.
The trading price of our common shares may fluctuate substantially. The price of our common shares that will prevail in the market may be higher or lower than the price you paid to purchase our common shares, depending on many factors, some of which are beyond our control and may not be directly related to our operating performance. These factors include the following:
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price and volume fluctuations in the overall stock market from time to time; |
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investor demand for our common shares; |
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significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of registered closed-end management investment companies or other companies in our sector, which are not necessarily related to the operating performance of these companies; |
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changes in regulatory policies or tax guidelines with respect to RICs or registered closed-end management investment companies; |
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failure to qualify as a RIC, or the loss of RIC status; |
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any shortfall in revenue or net income or any increase in losses from levels expected by investors or securities analysts; |
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changes, or perceived changes, in the value of our portfolio investments; |
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departures of any members of the Senior Investment Team; |
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operating performance of companies comparable to us; or |
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general economic conditions and trends and other external factors. |
We and the Adviser could be the target of litigation.
We or the Adviser could become the target of securities class action litigation or other similar claims if our common share price fluctuates significantly or for other reasons. The outcome of any such proceedings could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, and/or operating results and could continue without resolution for long periods of time. Any litigation or other similar claims could consume substantial amounts of our management’s time and attention, and that time and attention and the devotion of associated resources could, at times, be disproportionate to the amounts at stake. Litigation and other claims are subject to inherent uncertainties, and a material adverse impact on our financial statements could occur for the period in which the effect of an unfavorable final outcome in litigation or other similar claims becomes probable and reasonably estimable. In addition, we could incur expenses associated with defending ourselves against litigation and other similar claims, and these expenses could be material to our earnings in future periods.
Sales in the public market of substantial amounts of our common shares may have an adverse effect on the market price of our common shares.
Sales of substantial amounts of our common shares or the availability of such common shares for sale, whether or not actually sold, could adversely affect the prevailing market price of our common shares. If this occurs and continues, it could impair our ability to raise additional capital through the sale of equity securities should we desire to do so. For a discussion of the adverse effect that the concentration of beneficial ownership may have on the market price of our common shares, see “— Risks Related to Our Business and Structure — Significant Shareholders may control the outcome of matters submitted to our Shareholders or adversely impact the market price of our securities.”
Our Shareholders will experience dilution in their ownership percentage if they do not participate in our dividend reinvestment plan.
All distributions declared in cash payable to Shareholders that are participants in our dividend reinvestment plan are automatically reinvested in our common shares. As a result, our Shareholders that do not participate in our
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dividend reinvestment plan will experience dilution in their ownership percentage of our common shares over time.
Your interest in us may be diluted if you do not fully exercise your subscription rights in any rights offering.
In the event we issue subscription rights to purchase our common shares to existing Shareholders, Shareholders who do not fully exercise their rights should expect that they will, at the completion of the offer, own a smaller proportional interest in us than would otherwise be the case if they fully exercised their rights. We cannot state precisely the amount of any such dilution in common share ownership because we do not know at this time what proportion of the common shares will be purchased as a result of the offer.
In addition, if the subscription price is less than our net asset value per common share, then our Shareholders would experience an immediate dilution of the aggregate net asset value of their common shares as a result of the offer. The amount of any decrease in net asset value is not predictable because it is not known at this time what the subscription price and net asset value per common share will be on the expiration date of the rights offering or what proportion of the common shares will be purchased as a result of the offer. Such dilution could be substantial.
The impact of tax law changes on us, our securityholders and our investments is uncertain.
Changes in tax laws, regulations or administrative interpretations thereof could adversely affect us, our securityholders and the entities in which we invest. You are urged to consult with your tax advisor with respect to the impact of any such legislation or other regulatory or administrative developments and proposals and their potential effect on your investment in us.
Future issuances of preferred shares or debt securities may cause the NAV and market value of our common shares to be more volatile.
Any future issuances of preferred shares or debt securities or other indebtedness, may cause the NAV and market value of our common shares to become more volatile. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares or interest rate payable on our indebtedness were to approach the net rate of return on our investment portfolio, the benefit of leverage to the common Shareholders would be reduced. If the dividend rate on the preferred shares or interest rate payable on our indebtedness were to exceed the net rate of return on our portfolio, the leverage would result in a lower rate of return to the common Shareholders than if we had not issued preferred shares or incurred any indebtedness. Any decline in the NAV of our investments would be borne entirely by the common Shareholders. Therefore, if the market value of our portfolio were to decline, the leverage would result in a greater decrease in NAV to the common Shareholders than if we were not leveraged through the issuance of preferred shares and debt securities. This greater NAV decrease would also tend to cause a greater decline in the market price for our common shares. We might be in danger of failing to maintain the required asset coverage of the preferred shares or indebtedness or of losing our ratings, if any, on the preferred shares or indebtedness or, in an extreme case, our current investment income might not be sufficient to meet the dividend requirements on the preferred shares or interest payments on our indebtedness. In order to counteract such an event, we might need to liquidate investments in order to fund a redemption of some or all of the preferred shares or debt. In addition, we would pay (and the common Shareholders would bear) all costs and expenses relating to the issuance and ongoing maintenance of the preferred shares or indebtedness, including higher advisory fees if our total return exceeds the dividend rate on the preferred shares.
Increases in market yields would result in a decline in the price of any future issuances of preferred shares or debt securities.
The prices of fixed income investments vary inversely with changes in market yields. If the market yields on securities comparable to any future issuance by the Fund of preferred shares or debt securities increase, it would result in a decline in the secondary market price of the Fund’s preferred shares or debt securities.
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Future issuances of debt securities may be unsecured and therefore effectively subordinated to any secured indebtedness we may incur in the future.
Future issuances of debt securities may not secured by any of our assets or any of the assets of our subsidiaries. As a result, those debt securities will be subordinated to any secured indebtedness we or our subsidiaries may incur in the future (or any indebtedness that is initially unsecured to which we subsequently grant security) to the extent of the value of the assets securing such indebtedness. In any liquidation, dissolution, bankruptcy or other similar proceeding, the holders of any of our future secured indebtedness and the secured indebtedness of our subsidiaries may assert rights against the assets pledged to secure that indebtedness in order to receive full payment of their indebtedness before the assets may be used to pay other creditors, including the holders of our debt securities.
An active trading market for future issuances of debt securities may not exist, which could adversely affect the market price of those debt securities or a holder’s ability to sell them.
Future debt securities may be listed on the NYSE. However, we cannot provide any assurances that an active trading market for those debt securities will exist in the future or that you will be able to sell our debt securities. Even if an active trading market does exist, our debt securities may trade at a discount from their initial offering price depending on prevailing interest rates, the market for similar securities, our credit ratings, if any, general economic conditions, our financial condition, performance and prospects and other factors. To the extent an active trading market does not exist, the liquidity and trading price for our debt securities may be harmed. Accordingly, holders may be required to bear the financial risk of an investment in our debt securities for an indefinite period of time.
A downgrade, suspension or withdrawal of any future credit rating assigned by a rating agency to us or any future issuances of preferred shares or debt securities, if any, or change in the debt markets could cause the liquidity or market value of our preferred shares or debt securities to decline significantly.
Any credit rating is an assessment by rating agencies of our ability to pay our debts when due. Consequently, real or anticipated changes in any credit ratings will generally affect the market value of any issuances of preferred shares or debt securities. These credit ratings may not reflect the potential impact of risks relating to the structure or marketing of our preferred shares and debt securities. Credit ratings are not a recommendation to buy, sell or hold any security, and may be revised or withdrawn at any time by the issuing organization in its sole discretion. Neither we nor any underwriter undertakes any obligations to obtain or maintain any credit ratings or to advise holders of our preferred shares or debt securities of any changes in any credit ratings. There can be no assurance that any credit ratings will be assigned to us or remain for any given period of time or that such credit ratings will not be lowered or withdrawn entirely by the rating agencies if, in their judgment, future circumstances relating to the basis of the credit rating, such as adverse changes in the Fund, so warrant. The conditions of the financial markets and prevailing interest rates have fluctuated in the past and are likely to fluctuate in the future, which could have an adverse effect on the market prices of our preferred shares and debt securities.
The indenture that will govern our debt securities will contain limited protection for holders of our debt securities.
The indenture that will govern future issuances of our debt securities will offer limited protection to holders of our debt securities. The terms of the indenture do not restrict our or any of our subsidiaries’ ability to engage in, or otherwise be a party to, a variety of corporate transactions, circumstances or events that could have an adverse impact on your investment in our debt securities. In particular, the terms of the indenture do not place any restrictions on our or our subsidiaries’ ability to:
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issue securities or otherwise incur additional indebtedness or other obligations, including (1) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be equal in right of payment to our debt securities, (2) any indebtedness or other obligations that would be secured and therefore rank effectively senior in right of |
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payment to our debt securities to the extent of the values of the assets securing such debt, (3) indebtedness of ours that is guaranteed by one or more of our subsidiaries and which therefore would rank structurally senior to our debt securities and (4) securities, indebtedness or obligations issued or incurred by our subsidiaries that would be senior to our equity interests in our subsidiaries and therefore rank structurally senior to our debt securities with respect to the assets of our subsidiaries, in each case other than an incurrence of indebtedness or other obligation that would cause a violation of Section 18(a)(1)(A) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions; |
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pay distributions or dividends on, or purchase or redeem or make any payments in respect of, capital stock or other securities ranking junior in right of payment to our debt securities, other than a distribution, dividend or purchase that would cause a violation of Section 18(a)(1)(B) of the 1940 Act or any successor provisions; |
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sell assets (other than certain limited restrictions on our ability to consolidate, merge or sell all or substantially all of our assets); |
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enter into transactions with affiliates; |
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create liens (including liens on the shares of our subsidiaries) or enter into sale and leaseback transactions; |
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create restrictions on the payment of dividends or other amounts to us from our subsidiaries. |
Furthermore, the terms of the indenture do not protect holders of our debt securities in the event that we experience changes (including significant adverse changes) in our financial condition, results of operations or credit ratings, as they do not require that we or our subsidiaries adhere to any financial tests or ratios or specified levels of net worth, revenues, income, cash flow or liquidity, except as required under the 1940 Act.
Our ability to recapitalize, incur additional debt and take a number of other actions that are not limited by the terms of our debt securities may have important consequences for you as a holder of our debt securities, including making it more difficult for us to satisfy our obligations with respect to our debt securities or negatively affecting the trading value of our debt securities.
Other debt we issue or incur in the future could contain more protections for its holders than the indenture and our debt securities, including additional covenants and events of default. The issuance or incurrence of any such debt with incremental protections could affect the market for and trading levels and prices of our debt securities.
Any optional redemption provision may materially adversely affect the return on our debt securities.
Our debt securities may be redeemable in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at our sole option as set forth in the applicable indenture or otherwise. We may choose to redeem any of our debt securities at times when prevailing interest rates are lower than the interest rate paid on the applicable debt securities. In this circumstance, holders may not be able to reinvest the redemption proceeds in a comparable security at an effective interest rate as high as that of the debt securities being redeemed.
If we default on our obligations to pay our other indebtedness, we may not be able to make payments on our debt securities.
Any future indebtedness or under other indebtedness to which we may be a party that is not waived by the required lenders or holders, and the remedies sought by the holders of such indebtedness could make us unable to pay principal, premium, if any, and interest on our debt securities and substantially decrease the market value of our debt securities. If we are unable to generate sufficient cash flow and are otherwise unable to obtain funds necessary to meet required payments of principal, premium, if any, and interest on our indebtedness, or if we
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otherwise fail to comply with the various covenants, including financial and operating covenants, in the instruments governing any future indebtedness, we could be in default under the terms of the agreements governing such indebtedness. In the event of such default, the holders of such indebtedness could elect to declare all the funds borrowed thereunder to be due and payable, together with accrued and unpaid interest, the lenders of the debt we may incur in the future could elect to terminate their commitments, cease making further loans and institute foreclosure proceedings against our assets, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If our operating performance declines, we may in the future need to seek to obtain waivers from the required lenders or holders of any debt that we may incur in the future to avoid being in default. If we breach our covenants under our debt and seek a waiver, we may not be able to obtain a waiver from the required lenders or holders of the debt. If this occurs, we would be in default and our lenders or debt holders could exercise their rights as described above, and we could be forced into bankruptcy or liquidation. If we are unable to repay debt, lenders having secured obligations could proceed against the collateral securing the debt. Because any future debt will likely have customary cross-default provisions, if the indebtedness thereunder or under any future credit facility is accelerated, we may be unable to repay or finance the amounts due. See “Description of Our Debt Securities”
FATCA withholding may apply to payments to certain foreign entities.
Payments made under our securities to a foreign financial institution, or “FFI,” or non-financial foreign entity, or “NFFE” (including such an institution or entity acting as an intermediary), may be subject to a U.S. withholding tax of 30% under FATCA. This withholding tax may apply to certain payments of interest on our debt securities or dividends on our shares unless the FFI or NFFE complies with certain information reporting, withholding, identification, certification and related requirements imposed by FATCA. Depending upon the status of a holder and the status of an intermediary through which any of our debt securities or shares are held, the holder could be subject to this 30% withholding tax in respect of any interest paid on our debt securities or dividends on our shares. You should consult your own tax advisors regarding FATCA and how it may affect your investment in our securities.
Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure
The Adviser has not previously operated an exchange-listed fund with this investment strategy.
While the Adviser has managed private CLO equity funds, it has not previously operated an exchange-listed fund with this investment strategy and as a result there is no track record or history on which prospective investors can base their investment decision. We are subject to the business risks and uncertainties associated with implementation of a new investment strategy for an exchange-listed fund, including the risks associated with being a public reporting company, the risks that we will not achieve our investment objective, and the value of a Shareholder’s investment could decline substantially or become worthless. While we believe that the past professional experiences of CGCIM’s investment team managing similar investment strategies for private and registered funds will increase the likelihood that CGCIM will be able to manage the Fund successfully, there can be no assurance that this will be the case.
Our investment portfolio is recorded at fair value in accordance with the 1940 Act. As a result, there will be uncertainty as to the value of our portfolio investments.
Under the 1940 Act, we are required to carry our portfolio investments at market value or, if there is no readily available market value, at fair value as determined by the Adviser in accordance with written valuation policies and procedures, subject to oversight by the Board, in accordance with Rule 2a-5 under the 1940 Act. Typically, there is no public market for the type of investments we target. As a result, we value these securities at least quarterly based on relevant information compiled by the Adviser and third-party pricing services (when available), and with the oversight of the Board.
The determination of fair value and, consequently, the amount of unrealized gains and losses in our portfolio, are to a certain degree subjective and dependent on a valuation process approved and overseen by the Board. Certain
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factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include non-binding indicative bids and the number of trades (and the size and timing of each trade) in an investment. Valuation of certain investments is also based, in part, upon third party valuation models which take into account various market inputs. Investors should be aware that the models, information and/or underlying assumptions utilized by the Adviser or such models will not always correctly capture the fair value of an asset. Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of securities that are not publicly traded like those we hold, are inherently uncertain, they may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates. The Adviser’s determinations of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if an active public market for these securities existed. The Adviser’s determinations of the fair value of our investments have a material impact on our net earnings through the recording of unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments and may cause our NAV on a given date to understate or overstate, possibly materially, the value that we may ultimately realize on one or more of our investments. See “Determination of Net Asset Value.”
Our financial condition and results of operations depend on the Adviser’s ability to effectively manage and deploy capital.
Our ability to achieve our investment objectives depends on the Adviser’s ability to effectively manage and deploy capital, which depends, in turn, on the Adviser’s ability to identify, evaluate and monitor, and our ability to acquire, investments that meet our investment criteria.
Accomplishing our investment objectives on a cost-effective basis is largely a function of the Adviser’s handling of the investment process, its ability to provide competent, attentive and efficient services and our access to investments offering acceptable terms, either in the primary or secondary markets. Even if we are able to grow and build upon our investment operations, any failure to manage our growth effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and prospects. The results of our operations will depend on many factors, including the availability of opportunities for investment, readily accessible short and long-term funding alternatives in the financial markets and economic conditions. Furthermore, if we cannot successfully operate our business or implement our investment policies and strategies as described in this prospectus, it could adversely impact our ability to pay dividends or make distributions. In addition, because the trading methods employed by the Adviser on our behalf are proprietary, Shareholders will not be able to determine details of such methods or whether they are being followed.
We are reliant on CGCIM continuing to serve as the Adviser.
Since the Fund has no employees, it depends on the investment expertise, skill and network of business contacts of the Adviser. The Adviser evaluates, negotiates, structures, executes, monitors and services the Fund’s investments. The Fund’s future success depends to a significant extent on the continued service and coordination of the Adviser and its senior management team. The departure of any members of the Adviser’s senior management team could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective.
The Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective depends on the Adviser’s ability to identify, analyze, invest in, finance and monitor companies that meet the Fund’s investment criteria. The Adviser’s capabilities in managing the investment process, providing competent, attentive and efficient services to the Fund, and facilitating access to financing on acceptable terms depend on the employment of investment professionals in an adequate number and of adequate sophistication to match the corresponding flow of transactions. To achieve the Fund’s investment objective, the Adviser may need to hire, train, supervise and manage new investment professionals to participate in the Fund’s investment selection and monitoring process. The Adviser may not be able to find investment professionals in a timely manner or at all. Failure to support the Fund’s investment process could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business, financial condition and results of operations.
In addition, the Investment Advisory Agreement has termination provisions that allow the parties to terminate the agreements without penalty. The Investment Advisory Agreement may be terminated at any time, without
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penalty, by the Adviser upon 60 days’ notice to the Fund. If the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated, it may adversely affect the quality of the Fund’s investment opportunities. In addition, in the event the Investment Advisory Agreement is terminated, it may be difficult for the Fund to replace the Adviser. Furthermore, the termination of the Investment Advisory Agreement may adversely impact the terms of the Fund’s or its subsidiaries’ financing facilities or any financing facility into which the Fund or its subsidiaries may enter in the future, which could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s business and financial condition.
We are reliant on key personnel at CGCIM.
The Adviser depends on the diligence, skill and network of business contacts of certain professionals. The Adviser also depends, to a significant extent, on access to other investment professionals and the information and deal flow generated by these investment professionals in the course of their investment and portfolio management activities. The Fund’s success depends on the continued service of such personnel. The investment professionals associated with the Adviser are actively involved in other investment activities not concerning the Fund and will not be able to devote all of their time to the Fund’s business and affairs. The departure of any of the senior managers of the Adviser, or of a significant number of the investment professionals or partners of the Adviser’s affiliates, could have a material adverse effect on the Fund’s ability to achieve its investment objective. Individuals not currently associated with the Adviser may become associated with the Fund and the performance of the Fund may also depend on the experience and expertise of such individuals. In addition, there is no assurance that the Adviser will remain the Fund’s investment adviser or that the Adviser will continue to have access to the investment professionals and partners of its affiliates and the information and deal flow generated by the investment professionals of its affiliates.
We expect to rely to on Carlyle’s existing relationships to a significant extent.
The Fund expects that Carlyle will depend on its existing relationships with private equity sponsors, investment banks and commercial banks, and the Fund expects to rely to a significant extent upon these relationships for purposes of potential investment opportunities. If Carlyle fails to maintain its existing relationships or develop new relationships with other sources or sponsors of investment opportunities, the Fund may not be able to expand its investment portfolio. In addition, individuals with whom Carlyle has relationships are not obligated to provide the Fund with investment opportunities and, therefore, there is no assurance that such relationships will generate investment opportunities for the Fund.
The highly competitive market in which we operate may limit our investment opportunities.
The market for CLO securities is more limited than the market for other credit related investments. We can offer no assurances that sufficient investment opportunities for our capital be available.
The Fund competes for investments with other closed-end funds and investment funds, as well as traditional financial services companies such as commercial banks and other sources of funding. Moreover, alternative investment vehicles, such as hedge funds, have begun to invest in areas in which they have not traditionally invested. As a result of these new entrants, competition for investment opportunities may intensify. Many of the Fund’s competitors are substantially larger and may have considerably greater financial, technical and marketing resources than the Fund. For example, some competitors may have a lower cost of capital and access to funding sources that are not available to the Fund. In addition, some of the Fund’s competitors may have higher risk tolerances or different risk assessments than it has. These characteristics could allow the Fund’s competitors to consider a wider variety of investments, establish more relationships and pay more competitive prices for investments than it is able to do. The Fund may lose investment opportunities if it does not match its competitors’ pricing. If the Fund is forced to match its competitors’ pricing, it may not be able to achieve acceptable returns on its investments or may bear substantial risk of capital loss. A significant increase in the number and/or the size of the Fund’s competitors could force it to accept less attractive investment terms. Furthermore, many of the Fund’s competitors have greater experience operating under, or are not subject to, the regulatory restrictions that the 1940 Act imposes on it as a closed-end fund.
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The risk of our investments may not be commensurate with the returns.
No assurance can be given that the returns on the Fund’s investments will be commensurate with the risk of investment in the Fund.
The Adviser, senior management and employees have certain conflicts of interest.
The Adviser is an entity in which the Fund’s Interested Trustees, officers and members of the investment committee of the Adviser may have indirect ownership and economic interests. Certain of the Fund’s Trustees and officers and members of the investment committee of the Adviser also serve as officers or principals of other investment managers affiliated with the Adviser that currently, and may in the future, manage investment funds with investment objectives similar to the Fund’s investment objective. In addition, certain of the Fund’s officers and Trustees and the members of the investment committee of the Adviser serve or may serve as officers, trustees or principals of entities that operate in the same or related line of business as the Fund does or of investment funds managed by the Fund’s affiliates. Accordingly, the Fund may not be made aware of and/or given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by advisers affiliated with the Adviser. However, the Adviser intends to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner in accordance with the Adviser’s investment allocation policy, consistent with each fund’s or separate account’s investment objective and strategies and legal and regulatory requirements.
There may be conflicts of interest related to obligations that the Adviser has with respect to the allocation of investment opportunities.
The Adviser has adopted allocation procedures that are intended to treat each fund they advise in a manner that, over a period of time, is fair and equitable. The Adviser and its affiliates currently provide investment advisory and administration services and may provide in the future similar services to other entities (collectively, “Advised Funds”). Certain existing Advised Funds have, and future Advised Funds may have, investment objectives similar to those of the Fund, and such Advised Funds will invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by the Fund. Certain other existing Advised Funds do not, and future Advised Funds may not, have similar investment objectives, but such funds may from time to time invest in asset classes similar to those targeted by the Fund. The Adviser will endeavor to allocate investment opportunities in a fair and equitable manner, and in any event consistent with any fiduciary duties owed to the Fund and other clients and in an effort to avoid favoring one client over another and taking into account all relevant facts and circumstances, including (without limitation): (i) differences with respect to available capital, size of client, and remaining life of a client; (ii) differences with respect to investment objectives or current investment strategies, including regarding: (a) current and total return requirements, (b) emphasizing or limiting exposure to the security or type of security in question, (c) diversification, including industry or company exposure, currency and jurisdiction, or (d) rating agency ratings; (iii) differences in risk profile at the time an opportunity becomes available; (iv) the potential transaction and other costs of allocating an opportunity among various clients; (v) potential conflicts of interest, including whether a client has an existing investment in the security in question or the issuer of such security; (vi) the nature of the security or the transaction, including minimum investment amounts and the source of the opportunity; (vii) current and anticipated market and general economic conditions; (viii) existing positions in a borrower/loan/security; and (ix) prior positions in a borrower/loan/security. Nevertheless, it is possible that the Fund may not be given the opportunity to participate in certain investments made by investment funds managed by investment managers affiliated with the Adviser.
In the event investment opportunities are allocated among the Fund and the other Advised Funds, the Fund may not be able to structure its investment portfolio in the manner desired. Furthermore, the Fund and the other Advised Funds may make investments in securities where the prevailing trading activity may make impossible the receipt of the same price or execution on the entire volume of securities purchased or sold by the Fund and the other Advised Funds. When this occurs, the various prices may be averaged, and the Fund will be charged or credited with the average price. Thus, the effect of the aggregation may operate on some occasions to the
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disadvantage of the Fund. In addition, under certain circumstances, the Fund may not be charged the same commission or commission equivalent rates in connection with a bunched or aggregated order.
It is likely that the other Advised Funds may make investments in the same or similar securities at different times and on different terms than the Fund. The Fund and the other Advised Funds may make investments at different levels of a borrower’s capital structure or otherwise in different classes of a borrower’s securities, to the extent permitted by applicable law. Such investments may inherently give rise to conflicts of interest or perceived conflicts of interest between or among the various classes of securities that may be held by such entities. Conflicts may also arise because portfolio decisions regarding the Fund may benefit the other Advised Funds. For example, the sale of a long position or establishment of a short position by the Fund may impair the price of the same security sold short by (and therefore benefit) one or more Advised Funds, and the purchase of a security or covering of a short position in a security by the Fund may increase the price of the same security held by (and therefore benefit) one or more Advised Funds.
Applicable law, including the 1940 Act, may at times prevent the Fund from being able to participate in investments that it otherwise would participate in, and may require the Fund to dispose of investments at a time when it otherwise would not dispose of such investment, in each case, in order to comply with applicable law.
The 1940 Act contains prohibitions and restrictions relating to certain transactions between registered investment companies and certain affiliates (including any investment advisers or sub-advisers), principal underwriters and certain affiliates of those affiliates or underwriters. Because the Fund is a registered investment company, the Fund is not generally permitted to make loans to companies controlled by the Adviser or other funds managed by the Adviser or its affiliates, including Carlyle. The Fund is also not permitted to make any co-investments with Carlyle or its affiliates (including any fund managed by Carlyle or its affiliates) without exemptive relief from the SEC, subject to certain exceptions. The SEC has granted exemptive relief that permits the Fund and certain present and future funds advised by Carlyle-controlled investment advisers to co-invest in suitable negotiated investments. Co-investments made under the exemptive relief are subject to compliance with the conditions and other requirements contained in the exemptive relief, which could limit the Fund’s ability to participate in a co-investment transaction.
The Adviser, its affiliates and their clients may pursue or enforce rights with respect to a borrower in which the Fund has invested, and those activities may have an adverse effect on the Fund. As a result, prices, availability, liquidity and terms of the Fund’s investments may be negatively impacted by the activities of the Adviser and its affiliates or their clients, and transactions for the Fund may be impaired or effected at prices or terms that may be less favorable than would otherwise have been the case.
The Adviser may have a conflict of interest in deciding whether to cause the Fund to incur leverage or to invest in more speculative investments or financial instruments, thereby potentially increasing the management and incentive fee payable by the Fund and, accordingly, the fees received by the Adviser. Certain other Advised Funds pay the Adviser or its affiliates greater performance-based compensation, which could create an incentive for the Adviser or an affiliate to favor such investment fund or account over the Fund.
Certain personnel of the Adviser and their management may face conflicts in their time management and commitments.
The Fund’s executive officers and trustees, other current and future principals of the Adviser and certain members of the Adviser’s investment committee may serve as officers, trustees or principals of other entities and affiliates of the Adviser and funds managed by the Fund’s affiliates that operate in the same or a related line of business as the Fund does. Currently, the Fund’s executive officers, as well as the other principals of the Adviser, manage other funds affiliated with Carlyle, including other existing and future affiliated BDCs and registered closed-end funds, including Carlyle Secured Lending, Inc., Carlyle Credit Solutions, Inc. and Carlyle Tactical Private Credit Fund. In addition, the Adviser’s investment team has responsibilities for sourcing and managing
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private debt investments for certain other investment funds and accounts. Accordingly, they have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which may not be in the best interests of, or may be adverse to the interests of, the Fund and its Shareholders. Although the professional staff of the Adviser will devote as much time to management of the Fund as appropriate to enable the Adviser to perform its duties in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement, the investment professionals of the Adviser may have conflicts in allocating their time and services among the Fund, on the one hand, and investment vehicles managed by Carlyle or one or more of its affiliates on the other hand.
The Adviser and the Administrator each has the right to resign following a required notice period, and we may not be able to find a suitable replacement within that time, resulting in a disruption in our operations that could adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
The Adviser has the right, under the Investment Advisory Agreement, to resign at any time upon 60 days’ written notice, whether we have found a replacement or not. The Administrator has the right, under the Administration Agreement, to terminate the Administration Agreement upon 180 days’ written notice prior to the initial term expiration or renewal date. If the Adviser or the Administrator resigns, we may not be able to find a new investment adviser or hire internal management, or find a new administrator, as the case may be, with similar expertise and ability to provide the same or equivalent services on acceptable terms within the notice period, or at all. If we are unable to do so quickly, our operations are likely to experience a disruption, our financial condition, business and results of operations, as well as our ability to make distributions to our Shareholders and other payments to securityholders, are likely to be adversely affected and the market price of our securities may decline. In addition, the coordination of our internal management and investment activities is likely to suffer if we are unable to identify and reach an agreement with a single institution or group of executives having the expertise possessed by the Adviser and the Administrator and their affiliates. Even if we are able to retain comparable management and administration, whether internal or external, the integration of such management and their lack of familiarity with our investment objectives and operations would likely result in additional costs and time delays that may adversely affect our financial condition, business and results of operations.
Our success will depend on the ability of the Adviser to attract and retain qualified personnel in a competitive environment.
Our growth will require that the Adviser attract and retain new investment and administrative personnel in a competitive market. The Adviser’s ability to attract and retain personnel with the requisite credentials, experience and skills will depend on several factors including its ability to offer competitive compensation, benefits and professional growth opportunities. Many of the entities, including investment funds (such as private equity funds, mezzanine funds and business development companies) and traditional financial services companies, with which the Adviser will compete for experienced personnel have greater resources than the Adviser has.
Our incentive fee structure may incentivize the Adviser to pursue speculative investments, use leverage when it may be unwise to do so, or refrain from de-levering when it would otherwise be appropriate to do so.
The Investment Advisory Agreement entitles the Adviser to receive incentive compensation on income regardless of any capital losses. In such case, the Fund may be required to pay the Adviser incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of the Fund’s portfolio or if the Fund incurs a net loss for that quarter. Any Incentive Fee payable by the Fund that relates to its net investment income may be computed and paid on income that may include interest that has been accrued but not yet received. If an investment defaults on a loan that is structured to provide accrued interest, it is possible that accrued interest previously included in the calculation of the Incentive Fee will become uncollectible.
The Adviser is not under any obligation to reimburse the Fund for any part of the Incentive Fee it received that was based on accrued income that the Fund never received as a result of a default by an entity on the obligation that resulted in the accrual of such income, and such circumstances would result in the Fund’s paying an Incentive Fee on income it never received. The Incentive Fee payable by the Fund to the Adviser may create an
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incentive for it to make investments on the Fund’s behalf that are risky or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. The way in which the Incentive Fee payable to the Adviser is determined may encourage it to use leverage to increase the return on the Fund’s investments. In addition, the fact that the Management Fee is payable based upon the Fund’s Managed Assets, which would include any borrowings for investment purposes, may encourage the Adviser to use leverage to make additional investments. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would disfavor Shareholders. Such a practice could result in the Fund’s investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be in its best interests, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during cyclical economic downturns.
Additionally, the incentive fee payable by us to the Adviser may create an incentive for the Adviser to pursue investments on our behalf that are riskier or more speculative than would be the case in the absence of such compensation arrangement. Such a practice could result in our investing in more speculative securities than would otherwise be the case, which could result in higher investment losses, particularly during economic downturns. The incentive fee payable to the Adviser is based on our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, as calculated in accordance with our Investment Advisory Agreement. This may encourage the Adviser to use leverage to increase the return on our investments, even when it may not be appropriate to do so, and to refrain from de-levering when it would otherwise be appropriate to do so. Under certain circumstances, the use of leverage may increase the likelihood of default, which would impair the value of our securities. See “— Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and will increase the risk of investing in us.”
We may be obligated to pay the Adviser incentive compensation even if we incur a loss or with respect to investment income that we have accrued but not received.
The Adviser is entitled to incentive compensation for each fiscal quarter based, in part, on our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, for the immediately preceding calendar quarter above a performance threshold for that quarter. Accordingly, since the performance threshold is based on a percentage of our NAV, decreases in our NAV make it easier to achieve the performance threshold. Our Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for incentive compensation purposes excludes realized and unrealized capital losses or depreciation that we may incur in the fiscal quarter, even if such capital losses or depreciation result in a net loss on our statement of operations for that quarter. Thus, we may be required to pay the Adviser incentive compensation for a fiscal quarter even if there is a decline in the value of our portfolio or we incur a net loss for that quarter. In addition, we accrue an incentive fee on accrued income that we have not yet received in cash. However, the portion of the incentive fee that is attributable to such income will be paid to the Adviser, without interest, only if and to the extent we actually receive such income in cash.
The Adviser’s liability is limited under the Investment Advisory Agreement, and we have agreed 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.
Under the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser does not assume any responsibility to us other `than to render the services called for under the agreement, and it is not responsible for any action of the Board in following or declining to follow the Adviser’s advice or recommendations. The Adviser maintains a contractual and fiduciary relationship with us. Under the terms of the Investment Advisory Agreement, the Adviser, its officers, managers, members, agents, employees and other affiliates are not liable to us for acts or omissions performed in accordance with and pursuant to the Investment Advisory Agreement, except those resulting from acts constituting willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. In addition, we have agreed to indemnify the Adviser and each of its officers, managers, members, agents, employees and other affiliates from and against all damages, liabilities, costs and expenses (including reasonable legal fees and other amounts reasonably paid in settlement) incurred by such persons arising out of or based on performance by the Adviser of its obligations under the Investment
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Advisory Agreement, except where attributable to willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the Adviser’s duties under the Investment Advisory Agreement. These protections may lead the Adviser to act in a riskier manner when acting on our behalf than it would when acting for its own account.
The Adviser may not be able to achieve the same or similar returns as those achieved by other portfolios managed by the Senior Investment Team.
Although the Senior Investment Team manages other investment portfolios, including accounts using investment objectives, investment strategies and investment policies similar to ours, we cannot assure you that we will be able to achieve the results realized by such portfolios.
We may experience fluctuations in our NAV and quarterly operating results.
We could experience fluctuations in our NAV from month to month and in our quarterly operating results due to a number of factors, including the timing of distributions to our Shareholders, fluctuations in the value of the CLO securities that we hold, our ability or inability to make investments that meet our investment criteria, the interest and other income earned on our investments, the level of our expenses (including the interest or dividend rate payable on the debt securities or preferred shares we issue), variations in and the timing of the recognition of realized and unrealized gains or losses, the degree to which we encounter competition in our markets and general economic conditions. As a result of these factors, our NAV and results for any period should not be relied upon as being indicative of our NAV and results in future periods.
The Board may change our operating policies and strategies without Shareholder approval, the effects of which may be adverse.
The Board has the authority to modify or waive our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies, other than those that we have deemed to be fundamental, without prior Shareholder approval. We cannot predict the effect any changes to our current operating policies, investment criteria and strategies would have on our business, NAV, operating results and value of our securities. However, the effects of any such changes could adversely impact our ability to pay dividends and cause you to lose all or part of your investment.
Our management’s estimates of certain metrics relating to our financial performance for a period are subject to revision based on our actual results for such period.
Our management makes and publishes unaudited estimates of certain metrics indicative of our financial performance, including the NAV per common share and the range of NAV per common share on a monthly basis, and the range of the net investment income and realized gain/loss per common share on a quarterly basis. While any such estimate will be made in good faith based on our most recently available records as of the date of the estimate, such estimates are subject to financial closing procedures, the Adviser’s final determination of the fair value of our applicable investments as of the end of the applicable quarter and other developments arising between the time such estimate is made and the time that we finalize our quarterly financial results and may differ materially from the results reported in the audited financial statements and/or the unaudited financial statements included in filings we make with the SEC. As a result, investors are cautioned not to place undue reliance on any management estimates presented in this prospectus or any related amendment to this prospectus or related prospectus supplement and should view such information in the context of our full quarterly or annual results when such results are available.
We will be subject to corporate-level income tax if we are unable to maintain our RIC status for U.S. federal income tax purposes.
We can offer no assurance that we will be able to maintain our RIC status. To obtain and maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code, we must meet certain annual distribution, income source and asset diversification requirements.
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The annual distribution requirement for a RIC will be satisfied if we distribute dividends to our shareholders each tax year of an amount generally at least equal to 90% of the sum of our net ordinary income, net tax-exempt interest income, if any, and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. Because we use debt financing, we are subject to certain asset coverage requirements under the 1940 Act and may be subject to financial covenants that could, under certain circumstances, restrict us from making distributions necessary to satisfy the distribution requirement. If we are unable to obtain cash from other sources, we could fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.
The income source requirement will be satisfied if we obtain at least 90% of our income for each tax year from dividends, interest, gains from the sale of our securities or similar sources.
The asset diversification requirement will be satisfied if we meet certain asset composition requirements at the end of each quarter of our tax year. Failure to meet those requirements may result in our having to dispose of certain investments quickly in order to prevent the loss of RIC status. Because most of our investments are expected to be in CLO securities for which there will likely be no active public market, any such dispositions could be made at disadvantageous prices and could result in substantial losses.
If we fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment for any reason and remain or become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets and the amount of income available for distributions, and the amount of any such distributions, to our Shareholders and the holders of our other securities.
We may have difficulty paying our required distributions if we recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income.
For federal income tax purposes, we will include in income certain amounts that we have not yet received in cash, such as original issue discount , or “OID,” or market discount, which may arise if we acquire a debt security at a significant discount to par, or payment-in-kind interest, which represents contractual interest added to the principal amount of a debt security and due at the maturity of the debt security. We also may be required to include in income certain other amounts that we have not yet, and may not ever, receive in cash. Our investments in debt securities that pay payment-in-kind interest may represent a higher credit risk than debt securities for which interest must be paid in full in cash on a regular basis. For example, even if the accounting conditions for income accrual are met, the issuer of the security could still default when our actual collection is scheduled to occur upon maturity of the obligation.
Since, in certain cases, we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty meeting the annual distribution requirement necessary to maintain RIC tax treatment under the Code. In addition, since our incentive fee is payable on our income recognized, rather than cash received, we may be required to pay advisory fees on income before or without receiving cash representing such income. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times and/or at prices we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or forgo new investment opportunities for this purpose. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify for RIC tax treatment and thus become subject to corporate-level income tax.
Our cash distributions to Shareholders may change and a portion of our distributions to Shareholders may be a return of capital.
The amount of our cash distributions may increase or decrease at the discretion of the Board, based upon its assessment of the amount of cash available to us for this purpose and other factors. Unless we are able to generate sufficient cash through the successful implementation of our investment strategy, we may not be able to sustain a given level of distributions and may need to reduce the level of our cash distributions in the future. Further, to the extent that the portion of the cash generated from our investments that is recorded as interest
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income for financial reporting purposes is less than the amount of our distributions, all or a portion of one or more of our future distributions, if declared, may comprise a return of capital. A return of capital distribution will generally not be taxable to our Shareholders. However, a return of capital distribution will reduce a Shareholder’s cost basis in our common shares on which the distribution was received, thereby potentially resulting in a higher reported capital gain or lower reported capital loss when those common shares are sold or otherwise disposed of. Accordingly, Shareholders should not assume that the sole source of any of our distributions is net investment income. Any reduction in the amount of our distributions would reduce the amount of cash received by our Shareholders and could have a material adverse effect on the market price of our common shares. See “— Risks Related to Our Investments — Our investments are subject to prepayment risk” and “— Any unrealized losses we experience on our portfolio may be an indication of future realized losses, which could reduce our income available for distribution or to make payments on our other obligations.”
Our Shareholders may receive our common shares as distributions, which could result in adverse tax consequences to them.
In order to satisfy certain annual distribution requirements to maintain RIC tax treatment under Subchapter M of the Code, we may declare a large portion of a distribution in our common shares instead of in cash even if a Shareholder has opted out of participation in the DRP. We do not intend to declare any portion of our distributions in our common shares. If, however, we do make such a declaration, as long as at least 20% of such distribution is paid in cash and certain requirements are met, the entire distribution will be treated as a dividend for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a Shareholder generally would be subject to tax on the distribution in the same manner as a cash distribution, even though most of the distribution was paid in our common shares.
We incur significant costs as a result of being a publicly traded company.
As a publicly traded company, we incur legal, accounting and other expenses, including costs associated with the periodic reporting requirements applicable to a company whose securities are registered under the Exchange Act as well as additional corporate governance requirements, including requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and other rules implemented by the SEC.
Because we expect to distribute substantially all of our ordinary income and net realized capital gains to our shareholders, we may need additional capital to finance the acquisition of new investments and such capital may not be available on favorable terms, or at all.
In order to maintain our RIC tax treatment, we are required to distribute at least 90% of the sum of our net ordinary income, net tax-exempt interest income, if any, and realized net short-term capital gains in excess of realized net long-term capital losses, if any. As a result, these earnings will not be available to fund new investments, and we will need additional capital to fund growth in our investment portfolio. If we fail to obtain additional capital, we could be forced to curtail or cease new investment activities, which could adversely affect our business, operations and results. Even if available, if we are not able to obtain such capital on favorable terms, it could adversely affect our net investment income.
A disruption or downturn in the capital markets and the credit markets could impair our ability to raise capital and negatively affect our business.
We may be materially affected by market, economic and political conditions globally and in the jurisdictions and sectors in which we invest or operate, including conditions affecting interest rates and the availability of credit. Unexpected volatility, illiquidity, governmental action, currency devaluation or other events in the global markets in which we directly or indirectly hold positions could impair our ability to carry out our business and could cause us to incur substantial losses. These factors are outside our control and could adversely affect the liquidity and value of our investments, and may reduce our ability to make attractive new investments.
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In particular, economic and financial market conditions significantly deteriorated for a significant part of the past decade as compared to prior periods. Global financial markets experienced considerable declines in the valuations of equity and debt securities, an acute contraction in the availability of credit and the failure of a number of leading financial institutions. As a result, certain government bodies and central banks worldwide, including the U.S. Treasury Department and the U.S. Federal Reserve, undertook unprecedented intervention programs, the effects of which remain uncertain. Although certain financial markets have improved, to the extent economic conditions experienced during the past decade recur, they may adversely impact our investments. Signs of deteriorating sovereign debt conditions in Europe and elsewhere and uncertainty regarding the U.S. economy more generally could lead to further disruption in the global markets. Trends and historical events do not imply, forecast or predict future events, and past performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. There can be no assurance that the assumptions made or the beliefs and expectations currently held by the Adviser will prove correct, and actual events and circumstances may vary significantly.
We may be subject to risk arising from a default by one of several large institutions that are dependent on one another to meet their liquidity or operational needs, so that a default by one institution may cause a series of defaults by the other institutions. This is sometimes referred to as “systemic risk” and may adversely affect financial intermediaries with which we interact in the conduct of our business.
We also may be subject to risk arising from a broad sell off or other shift in the credit markets, which may adversely impact our income and NAV. In addition, if the value of our assets declines substantially, we may fail to maintain the minimum asset coverage imposed upon us by the 1940 Act. Any such failure would affect our ability to issue preferred shares, debt securities and other senior securities, including borrowings, and may affect our ability to pay distributions on our capital stock, which could materially impair our business operations. Our liquidity could be impaired further by an inability to access the capital markets or to obtain additional debt financing. For example, we cannot be certain that we would be able to obtain debt financing on commercially reasonable terms, if at all. In previous market cycles, many lenders and institutional investors have previously reduced or ceased lending to borrowers. In the event of such type of market turmoil and tightening of credit, increased market volatility and widespread reduction of business activity could occur, thereby limiting our investment opportunities. Moreover, we are unable to predict when economic and market conditions may be favorable in future periods. Even if market conditions are broadly favorable over the long term, adverse conditions in particular sectors of the financial markets could adversely impact our business.
If we are unable to refinance and/or obtain debt capital or issue preferred shares, the Fund’s operations could be materially adversely affected.
We may obtain debt financing or issue preferred shares in order to obtain funds to make additional investments and grow our portfolio of investments. Such debt capital may take the form of a term credit facility with a fixed maturity date or other fixed term instruments, and we may be unable to extend, refinance or replace such debt financings prior to their maturity. If we are unable to issue preferred shares or refinance and/or obtain additional debt capital on commercially reasonable terms, our liquidity will be lower than it would have been with the benefit of such financings, which would limit our ability to grow our business. Any such limitations on our ability to grow and take advantage of leverage may decrease our earnings, if any, and distributions to Shareholders, which in turn may lower the trading price of our securities. In addition, in such event, we may need to liquidate certain of our investments, which may be difficult to sell if required, meaning that we may realize significantly less than the value at which we have recorded our investments. Furthermore, to the extent we are not able to raise capital and are at or near our targeted leverage ratios, we may receive smaller allocations, if any, on new investment opportunities under the Adviser’s allocation policy.
Debt capital that is available to us in the future, if any, including upon the refinancing of then-existing debt prior to its maturity, may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions than costs and other terms and conditions at which we can currently obtain debt capital. In addition, if we are unable to repay amounts outstanding under any such debt financings and are declared in default or are unable to renew or refinance these
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debt financings, we may not be able to make new investments or operate our business in the normal course. These situations may arise due to circumstances that we may be unable to control, such as lack of access to the credit markets, a severe decline in the value of the U.S. dollar, an economic downturn or an operational problem that affects third parties or us, and could materially damage our business.
We may be more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by any single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence.
The Fund is a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act and expects to hold a narrower range of investments than a diversified fund under the 1940 Act. Since the Fund will only participate in a limited number of investments, and since the Fund’s investments generally will involve a high degree of risk, poor performance by a few investments could severely affect the total returns to investors, which may be exacerbated by the use of leverage. See “— Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and will increase the risk of investing in us.”
In addition, the Fund cannot provide assurance as to the degree of diversification of the Fund’s investments. To the extent the Fund concentrates investments in a particular asset, investors will be subject to concentration levels higher than currently targeted for the Fund, which concentration would result in the Fund being more susceptible to fluctuations in value resulting from adverse economic, business or market conditions. In particular, because our portfolio of investments may lack diversification among CLO securities and related investments, we are susceptible to a risk of significant loss if one or more of these CLO securities and related investments experience a high level of defaults on the collateral that they hold. Moreover, there is no guarantee that all of the Fund’s investments will perform well or provide a return capital. Therefore, if certain Investments perform unfavorably, for the Fund to achieve above-average returns, one or a few of its Investments must perform exceptionally well. There are no assurances that this will be the case.
Regulations governing our operation as a registered closed-end management investment company affect our ability to raise additional capital and the way in which we do so. The raising of debt capital or issuance of preferred shares may expose us to risks, including the typical risks associated with leverage.
Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we are permitted, as a registered closed-end management investment company, to issue senior securities (including debt securities, preferred shares and/or borrowings from banks or other financial institutions); provided we meet certain asset coverage requirements (i.e., 300% for senior securities representing indebtedness and 200% in the case of the issuance of preferred shares under current law). See “— Risks Related to Our Investments — We may leverage our portfolio, which would magnify the potential for gain or loss on amounts invested and will increase the risk of investing in us” for details concerning how asset coverage is calculated. If the value of our assets declines, we may be unable to satisfy this test. If that happens, we may be required to sell a portion of our investments and, depending on the nature of our leverage, repay a portion of our indebtedness (including by redeeming a portion of any series of preferred shares or debt that may be outstanding) at a time when such sales or redemptions may be disadvantageous. Also, any amounts that we use to service or repay our indebtedness would not be available for distributions to our Shareholders.
We are not generally able to issue and sell our common shares at a price below the then current NAV per common share (exclusive of any distributing commission or discount). We may, however, sell our common shares at a price below the then current NAV per share (1) in connection with a rights offering to our existing Shareholders, (2) with the consent of the majority of our Shareholders, (3) upon the conversion of a convertible security in accordance with its terms or (4) under such circumstances as the SEC may permit.
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Significant Shareholders may control the outcome of matters submitted to our Shareholders or adversely impact the market price or liquidity of our securities.
To the extent any Shareholder, individually or acting together with other Shareholders, controls a significant number of our voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) or any class of voting securities, they may have the ability to control the outcome of matters submitted to our Shareholders for approval, including the election of trustees and any merger, consolidation or sale of all or substantially all of our assets, and may cause actions to be taken that you may not agree with or that are not in your interests or those of other investors.
This concentration of beneficial ownership also might harm the market price of our securities by:
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impeding a merger, consolidation, takeover or other business combination involving us; or |
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discouraging a potential acquirer from making a tender offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of us. |
The Fund is subject to the Control Share Statute, which may restrict the voting rights of certain Shareholders.
Because the Fund is organized as a Delaware statutory trust, it is subject to the Control Share Statute. With certain exceptions, the Control Share Statute provides that a holder of “control shares” of a Delaware statutory trust acquired in a “control share acquisition” has no voting rights with respect to those shares except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter, unless otherwise exempted by the Board. The Control Share Statute became automatically applicable to the Fund as of August 1, 2022. The Control Share Statute does not retroactively apply to acquisitions of shares that occurred prior to August 1, 2022. However, such shares will be aggregated with any shares acquired after August 1, 2022 for purposes of determining whether a voting power threshold is exceeded, resulting in the newly acquired shares constituting control shares. Shares of the Fund that are held by an affiliate of CGCIM were exempted from the provisions of the Control Share Statute by the Board. See “Description of our Securities — Certain Aspects of the Delaware Control Share Statute.”
We are subject to the risk of legislative and regulatory changes impacting our business or the markets in which we invest.
Legal and regulatory changes could occur and may adversely affect us and our ability to pursue our investment strategies and/or increase the costs of implementing such strategies. New or revised laws or regulations may be imposed by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, or the “CFTC,” the SEC, the U.S. Federal Reserve, other banking regulators, other governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations that supervise the financial markets that could adversely affect us. In particular, these agencies are empowered to promulgate a variety of new rules pursuant to recently enacted financial reform legislation in the United States. We also may be adversely affected by changes in the enforcement or interpretation of existing statutes and rules by these governmental regulatory authorities or self-regulatory organizations. Such changes, or uncertainty regarding any such changes, could adversely affect the strategies and plans set forth in this prospectus and may result in our investment focus shifting from the areas of expertise of the Senior Investment Team to other types of investments in which the investment team may have less expertise or little or no experience. Thus, any such changes, if they occur, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and the value of your investment.
Derivative Investments. The derivative investments in which we may invest are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations and margin requirements. In particular, certain provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, or the “Dodd-Frank Act,” requires certain standardized derivatives to be executed on a regulated market and cleared through a central counterparty, which may result in increased margin requirements and costs for us. The Dodd-Frank Act also established minimum margin requirements on certain
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uncleared derivatives which may result in us and our counterparties posting higher margin amounts for uncleared derivatives. In addition, we have claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” pursuant to CFTC No-Action Letter 12-38 issued by the staff of the CFTC Division of Swap Dealer and Intermediary Oversight. For us to continue to qualify for this exclusion, (i) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish our positions in derivative instruments subject to the jurisdiction of the U.S. Commodity Exchange Act, as amended, or the “CEA,” and (other than positions entered into for hedging purposes) may not exceed five percent of our liquidation value, (ii) the net notional value of our aggregate investments in CEA-regulated derivative instruments (other than positions entered into for hedging purposes) may not exceed 100% of our liquidation value, or (iii) we must meet an alternative test appropriate for a “fund of funds” as set forth in CFTC No-Action Letter 12-38. In the event we fail to qualify for the exclusion and the Adviser is required to register as a “commodity pool operator” in connection with serving as our investment adviser and becomes subject to additional disclosure, recordkeeping and reporting requirements, our expenses may increase. The Adviser has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator