Filed pursuant to Rule 424(b)(3)

File No. 333-256366

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

(to Prospectus dated July 7, 2021)

 

Saratoga Investment Corp.

 

$150,000,000

Common Stock

 

 

We are a specialty finance company that invests primarily in senior and unitranche leveraged loans and mezzanine debt issued by private U.S. middle-market companies, both through direct lending and through participation in loan syndicates, and, to a lesser extent, equity issued by private U.S. middle-market companies. Our investment objective is to create attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation from our investments.

 

We are externally managed and advised by Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC, a New York-based investment firm affiliated with Saratoga Partners, a middle-market private equity investment firm.

 

We have entered into an equity distribution agreement, dated July 30, 2021, with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. and Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC, each an “Agent” and, collectively, the “Agents,” relating to the shares of common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. The equity distribution agreement provides that we may offer and sell shares of our common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $150,000,000 from time to time through the Agents. Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”), including sales made directly on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) or similar securities exchange or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

 

The Agents will receive a commission from us up to 1.5% of the gross sales price of any shares of our common stock sold through the Agents under the equity distribution agreement. The Agents are not required to sell any specific number or dollar amount of common stock, but will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its sales and trading practices to sell the shares of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. See “Plan of Distribution” beginning on page S-12 of this prospectus supplement. The sales price per share of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, less the Agents’ commission, will not be less than the net asset value (“NAV”) per share of our common stock at the time of such sale.

 

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “SAR.” On July 28, 2021, the last reported sales price on the NYSE for our common stock was $27.11 per share. We are required to determine the NAV per share of our common stock on a quarterly basis. Our NAV per share of our common stock as of May 31, 2021 was $28.70.

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, including the information incorporated by reference, contain important information about us that a prospective investor should know before investing in our common stock. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with this offering. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any related free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference, before investing in our common stock. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, or the “SEC.” This information is available free of charge by contacting us at 535 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, by telephone at (212) 906-7800, or on our website at http://www.saratogainvestmentcorp.com. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus. The SEC also maintains a website at www.sec.gov that contains information about us.

 

 

Investing in our common stock involves a high degree of risk and should be considered speculative. For example, our investment in the subordinated notes of one collateralized loan obligation fund, Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd., represents a first loss position in a portfolio that is composed predominantly of senior secured first lien term loans. A first loss position means that we will suffer the first economic losses if losses are incurred on loans held by the collateralized loan obligation fund or losses are otherwise incurred by the collateralized loan obligation fund, including its incurrence of operating expenses in excess of its operating income. For more information regarding the risks you should consider, including the risk of leverage, please see “Risk Factors” beginning on page S-9 of this prospectus supplement and page 14 of the accompanying prospectus.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

Ladenburg Thalmann

Compass Point

 

Prospectus Supplement dated July 30, 2021.

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

	Page
About this Prospectus Supplement	S-1
Prospectus Supplement Summary	S-2
The Offering	S-6
Fees and Expenses	S-7
Risk Factors	S-9
Note about Forward-Looking Statements	S-10
Use of Proceeds	S-11
Plan of Distribution	S-12
Legal Matters	S-14
Available Information	S-14

 

PROSPECTUS

 

	Page
Prospectus Summary	1
The Offering	5
Fees and Expenses	8
Selected Financial and Other Data	11
Risk Factors	14
Use of Proceeds	15
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	16
Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions	18
Financial Highlights	20
Dividend Reinvestment Plan	22
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
Senior Securities	24
The Company	25
Portfolio Companies	26
Management	28
Management and Other Agreements	29
Portfolio Management	30
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions	31
Control Persons and Principal Stockholders	32
Regulation	33
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations	34
Determination of Net Asset Value	41
Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value	44
Description of Our Capital Stock	48
Description of Our Subscription Rights	54
Description of Our Debt Securities	55
Description of Our Warrants	68
Plan of Distribution	70
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices	72
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar	73
Legal Matters	74
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	75
Available Information	76
Incorporation Of Certain Information by Reference	77

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2 (File No. 333-256366) utilizing a shelf registration process relating to the securities described in this prospectus supplement, which registration statement was declared effective on July 7, 2021. This document is in two parts. The first part is this prospectus supplement, which describes the terms of this offering of common stock 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 gives more general information and about us and the securities we may offer from time to time, some of which may not apply to this offering. To the extent the information contained in this prospectus supplement differs from or is additional to 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, 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 and the documents incorporated by reference. You should carefully read this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and any related free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference, particularly the information described under the headings “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and “Risk Factor” in the accompanying prospectus and our most recently filed Annual Report on Form 10-K, before investing in our common stock.

 

You should rely only on the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, or in any free writing prospectuses prepared by or on behalf of us that relates to this offering of common stock. Neither we nor the Agents have authorized any other person to provide you with different information or to make representations as to matters not stated in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us that relates to this offering of common stock. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us that relates to this offering of common stock do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any shares of our common stock by any person in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful for that person to make such an offer or solicitation or to any person in any jurisdiction to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information included in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus or in any free writing prospectus is complete and accurate as of any date other than their respective dates, or that any information incorporated by reference herein or therein is complete and accurate as of any date other than the date of the document incorporated by reference containing such information, regardless of the time of delivery of this prospectus supplement or of any of our common stock. To the extent required by law, we will amend or supplement the information contained in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to reflect any material changes subsequent to the date of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus and prior to the completion of any offering pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus.

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our common stock involves a number of significant risks. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, you should carefully consider the risk factor set forth below, the risk factors incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus and as described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in their entirety, before making an investment in common stock. In addition to the other information contained in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference, you should carefully consider the risk factors set forth below, the risk factors incorporated by reference in the accompanying prospectus and as described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as well as subsequent filings with the SEC, which are incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus in their entirety, before making an investment in the Company’s common stock. If any of the risks occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations could be materially adversely affected. In such case, our NAV and the trading price of our securities could decline and you may lose all or part of your investment. Please also read carefully the section titled “Note about Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus supplement and the section titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in the accompanying prospectus.

 

Our common stock is subject to a risk of subordination relative to holders of our debt instruments and holders of our preferred stock.

 

Rights of holders of our common stock are subordinated to the rights of holders of our indebtedness and to the rights of holders of our preferred stock. Therefore, dividends, distributions and other payments to holders of our common stock in liquidation or otherwise may be subject to prior payments due to the holders of our indebtedness or our preferred stock. In addition, under some circumstances the 1940 Act may provide debt holders with voting rights that are superior to the voting rights of holders of our equity securities.

 

 

NOTE ABOUT FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

Information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus relating to this offering of common stock may contain forward-looking statements, which can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “may,” “predict,” “will,” “continue,” “likely,” “would,” “could,” “should,” “expect,” “anticipate,” “potential,” “estimate,” “indicate,” “seek,” “believe,” “target,” “intend” or “project” or the negative of these words or other variations on these words or comparable terminology. The matters described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the accompanying prospectus and our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, which is incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, as well as subsequent filings with the SEC, or in any free writing prospectus relating to this offering and certain other factors noted throughout or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and in any free writing prospectus relating to this offering constitute cautionary statements identifying important factors with respect to any such forward-looking statements, including certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to revise or update any forward-looking statements but advise you to consult any additional disclosures that we may make directly to you or through reports that we may file in the future with the SEC, including annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K. Accordingly, there are or will be important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus, and in any free writing prospectus relating to this offering of common stock may include statements as to:

 

●

our future operating results;

 

●

market conditions and our ability to access debt and equity capital and our ability to manage our capital resources effectively;

 

●

the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies;

 

●

our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies;

 

●

the impact of investments that we expect to make;

 

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the financial condition and ability of our existing and prospective portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

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the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

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our ability to recover unrealized losses;

 

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our expected financings and investments;

 

●

our contractual arrangements and other relationships with third parties;

 

●

the impact of fluctuations in interest rates on our business;

 

●

the impact of a protracted decline in the liquidity of credit markets on our business;

 

●

our ability to operate as a BDC and a RIC, including the impact of changes in laws or regulations governing our operations or the operations of our portfolio companies;

 

●

the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest;

 

●

our ability to successfully invest any capital raised in an offering;

 

●

the return or impact of current and future investments;

 

●

the valuation of our investments in portfolio companies, particularly those having no liquid trading market;

 

●

our regulatory structure and tax treatment; and

 

●

the timing, form and amount of any dividend distributions.

 

You should not place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements because the matters they describe are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other unpredictable factors, many of which are beyond our control. In addition to other information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement, please read carefully the sections titled “Business,” “Risk Factors” and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and other documents that we may file with the SEC, as well as the sections entitled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus supplement and “Note About Forward-Looking Statements” in the accompanying prospectus, before making any investment in common stock.

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE or similar securities exchange or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange, at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. There is no guarantee that there will be any sales of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Actual sales, if any, of our common stock under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be less than the amount set forth in this paragraph depending on, among other things, the market price of our common stock at the time of any such sale. As a result, the actual net proceeds we receive may be more or less than the amount of net proceeds estimated in this prospectus supplement. However, the sales price per share of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, less the Agents’ commission, will not be less than the NAV per share of our common stock at the time of such sale. If we sell shares of our common stock with an aggregate offering price of $150,000,000, we anticipate that our net proceeds, after deducting the commissions payable to the Agents and estimated expenses payable by us, will be approximately $147,250,000.

 

We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities to make investments in middle-market companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in the accompanying prospectus, and for general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to reduce any of our outstanding borrowings.

 

We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds from any offering of our common stock will be used as described above within six to twelve months. Pending such use, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in high quality, short-term debt securities consistent with our business development company election and our election to be taxed as a RIC. See “Regulation—Business Development Company Regulations—Temporary Investments” in the accompanying prospectus. Our ability to achieve our investment objective may be limited to the extent that the net proceeds from an offering, pending full investment, are held in interest-bearing deposits or other short-term instruments.

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. and Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC (which we refer to as each an “Agent” and, collectively, the “Agents”) are acting as our sales agents in connection with the offer and sale of shares of our common stock pursuant to this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus. Upon written instructions from us, each Agent will use its commercially reasonable efforts consistent with its sales and trading practices to sell, as our sales agents, our common stock under the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in our equity distribution agreement with the Agents dated July 30, 2021. We will instruct the Agents as to the amount of common stock to be sold by it. We may instruct the Agents not to sell common stock if the sales cannot be effected at or above the price designated by us in any instruction. The sales price per share of our common stock offered by this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, less the Agents’ commission, will not be less than the NAV per share of our common stock at the time of such sale. We or Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. on behalf of the Agents may suspend the offering of shares of common stock upon proper notice and subject to other conditions.

 

Sales of our common stock, if any, under this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus may be made in negotiated transactions or transactions that are deemed to be an “at-the-market” offering as defined in Rule 415 under the Securities Act, including sales made directly on the NYSE or similar securities exchange or sales made to or through a market maker other than on an exchange at prices related to the prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices.

 

The Agents will provide written confirmation of a sale to us no later than the opening of the trading day on the NYSE following each trading day in which shares of our common stock are sold under the equity distribution agreement. Each confirmation will include the number of shares of common stock sold on the preceding day, the net proceeds to us and the compensation payable by us to the Agents in connection with the sales.

 

The Agents will receive a commission from us equal to the lesser of (i) 1.5% of the gross sales price per share from such sale and (ii) the difference between the gross sale price per share from such sale and our most recently determined NAV per share, with respect to any shares of our common stock sold through the Agents under the equity distribution agreement. We estimate that the total expenses for the offering, excluding compensation payable to the Agents under the terms of the equity distribution agreement, will be approximately $500,000. In addition to the commission payable to the Agents, we have agreed to reimburse the Agents for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, including fees and disbursements of counsel, incurred by the Agents in connection with this offering; provided that such reimbursements shall not exceed $25,000.

 

Settlement for sales of shares of common stock will occur on the third trading day following the end of the month in which such sales are made, or on some other date that is agreed upon by us and the Agents in connection with a particular transaction, in return for payment of the net proceeds to us. There is no arrangement for funds to be received in an escrow, trust or similar arrangement.

 

We will report at least quarterly the number of shares of our common stock sold through the Agents under the equity distribution agreement and the net proceeds to us.

 

In connection with the sale of the common stock on our behalf, the Agents may be deemed to be “underwriters” within the meaning of the Securities Act, and the compensation of the Agents may be deemed to be underwriting commissions or discounts. We have agreed to provide indemnification and contribution to the Agents against certain civil liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act.

 

The offering of our shares of common stock pursuant to the equity distribution agreement will terminate upon the earlier of (i) the sale of the dollar amount of common stock subject to the equity distribution agreement or (ii) the termination of the equity distribution agreement. The equity distribution agreement may be terminated by us in our sole discretion under the circumstances specified in the equity distribution agreement by giving notice to the Agents. In addition, Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., on behalf of the Agents, may terminate the equity distribution agreement under the circumstances specified in the equity distribution agreement by giving notice to us.

 

Potential Conflicts of Interest

 

The Agents and their affiliates have provided, or may in the future provide, various investment banking, commercial banking, financial advisory, brokerage and other services to us and our affiliates for which services they have received, and may in the future receive, customary fees and expense reimbursement.

 

On February 5, 2019, pursuant to an underwriting agreement with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. as representative of the several underwriters, including Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC and BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, we issued $20.0 million in principal amount of our 6.25% fixed-rate notes due 2025 for net proceeds of $19.0 million after deducting underwriting commissions and discounts of approximately $0.8 million and offering costs of approximately $0.2 million.

 

 

On August 28, 2018, pursuant to an underwriting agreement with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. as representative of the several underwriters, including, BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, B. Riley FBR, Inc., Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC, National Securities Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Holding Corporation, William Blair & Company L.L.C. and Maxim Group LLC, we issued $40 million in principal amount of our 6.25% fixed-rate notes due 2025 for net proceeds of $38.6 million after deducting underwriting commissions of approximately $1.25 million and offering costs of approximately $0.2 million.

 

On July 13, 2018, pursuant to an underwriting agreement with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. as representative of the several underwriters, including BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, B. Riley FBR, Inc., Compass Point Research & Trading, LLC, Janney Montgomery Scott LLC, National Securities Corporation, a wholly owned subsidiary of National Holding Corporation, and Maxim Group LLC, we issued 1,150,000 shares of our common stock for net proceeds of $27.2 million after deducting underwriting commissions of approximately $1.15 million and offering costs of approximately $0.2 million.

 

On March 16, 2017, we entered into an equity distribution agreement, as amended, with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, and B. Riley FBR, Inc., through which we may offer for sale, from time to time, up to $30.0 million of our common stock through an at-the-market (“ATM”) offering. On July 11, 2019, the amount of common stock to be offered through this offering was increased to $70.0 million. Prior to termination of the equity distribution agreement, effective as of July 29, 2021, the Company sold 3,992,018 shares for gross proceeds of $97.1 million at an average price of $24.77 for aggregate net proceeds of $95.9 million (net of transaction costs).

 

On December 21, 2016, pursuant to an underwriting agreement with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. as representative of the several underwriters, including BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, Compass Point Research & Trading LLC and William Blair & Company, L.L.C., we issued $74.5 million in aggregate principal amount of our 6.75% fixed-rate notes due 2023 for net proceeds of $71.7 million after deducting underwriting commissions of approximately $2.3 million and offering costs of approximately $0.5 million.

 

On May 29, 2015, we entered into a Debt Distribution Agreement, as amended with Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc., as sales agent, through which we may offer for sale, from time to time, up to $20.0 million in aggregate principal amount of the our 7.5% fixed-rate notes due 2020, initially issued by us in May 2013 (the “2020 Notes”) through an ATM offering. As of February 29, 2016, and at the close of the ATM offering, we had sold 2020 Notes with a total principal of $13,493,125 at an average price of $25.31 for aggregate net proceeds of $13,385,766 (net of transaction costs), and we paid Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. an agent fee of $273,436 in connection with the sales. We have not sold any additional 2020 Notes under this ATM offering and are no longer actively selling on this ATM offering.

 

Pursuant to an underwriting agreement dated May 2, 2013, for which Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. acted as representative of the underwriters, including BB&T Capital Markets, a division of BB&T Securities, LLC, William Blair and Company, LLC, Maxim Group LLC, National Securities Corporation, C&Co/PrinceRidge LLC, Dominick & Dominick LLC and Gilford Securities Incorporated, on May 10, 2013, we issued $42.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 2020 Notes. In addition, on May 17, 2013, we closed an additional $6.3 million in aggregate principal amount of 2020 Notes, initially issued by us in May 2013, pursuant to the full exercise of the underwriters’ option to purchase additional 2020 Notes. In connection with the foregoing, we paid underwriting discounts and commissions of approximately $1.9 million to the underwriters.

 

The Agents and their affiliates may, from time to time, engage in transactions with and perform services for us in the ordinary course of their business for which they may receive customary fees and reimbursement of expenses. In the ordinary course of their various business activities, the Agents and their affiliates may make or hold a broad array of investments and actively trade debt and equity securities (or related derivative securities) and financial instruments (including bank loans) for their own account and for the accounts of their customers and such investment and securities activities may involve securities and/or instruments of our company. The Agents and their affiliates may also make investment recommendations and/or publish or express independent research views in respect of such securities or instruments and may at any time hold, or recommend to clients that they acquire, long and/or short positions in such securities and instruments.

 

The principal business address of Ladenburg Thalmann & Co. Inc. is 277 Park Avenue, 26th Floor, New York, NY 10172. The principal business address of BB&T Capital Markets is 901 East Byrd Street, Suite 300, Richmond, VA 23219. The principal business address of B. Riley FBR, Inc. is 299 Park Avenue, 7^th Floor, New York, New York 10171.

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus supplement will be passed upon for us by Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP, Washington, D.C. Certain legal matters in connection with this offering will be passed upon for the Agents by Blank Rome LLP, New York, New York.

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

This prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus constitute part of a universal shelf 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 to the registration statement and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein as permitted by the rules and regulations of the SEC. For further information with respect to us and the common stock 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 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, please see the copy of the contract or document that has been filed. Each statement in this prospectus supplement, the accompanying prospectus and the documents incorporated by reference herein and therein relating to a contract or document filed as an exhibit is qualified in all respects by the filed exhibit.

 

As a public company, we file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. The SEC maintains an Internet site that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information filed electronically by us with the SEC, which are available free of charge on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. This information is also available free of charge on our website at www.saratogainvestmentcorp.com. Except for the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus, information contained on our website is not incorporated into this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus and you should not consider such information to be part of this prospectus supplement or the accompanying prospectus.

 

INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

 

We incorporate by reference in this prospectus supplement the documents listed below and any reports and other documents we file with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14, or 15(d) of the Exchange Act after the date of this prospectus supplement and prior to the termination of this offering (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); provided, however, that information “furnished” under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K, or other information “furnished” to the SEC pursuant to the Exchange Act will not be incorporated by reference into this prospectus supplement:

 

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our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021 filed with the SEC on May 5, 2021;

 

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our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 31, 2021 filed with the SEC on July 7, 2021; and

 

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our Current Reports on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on March 4, 2021, March 5, 2021, March 10, 2021, July 20, 2021, and July 28, 2021.

 

Any statement contained in any document incorporated or deemed to be incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded for purposes of this prospectus supplement and the accompanying prospectus to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus supplement, in the accompanying prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement modifies or supersedes such earlier statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus supplement.

 

We will provide without charge to each person, including any beneficial owner, to whom a copy of this prospectus supplement is delivered, upon written or oral request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the information that has been incorporated by reference in this prospectus supplement but not delivered with this prospectus supplement, excluding exhibits to a document unless an exhibit has been specifically incorporated by reference in that document. To obtain copies of these filings, see “Available Information” in this prospectus supplement.

 

PROSPECTUS

 

$500,000,000

 

 

 

Common Stock

Preferred Stock

Subscription Rights

Debt Securities

Warrants

 

We are a specialty finance company that invests primarily in senior and unitranche leveraged loans and mezzanine debt issued by private U.S. middle-market companies, both through direct lending and through participation in loan syndicates, and, to a lesser extent, equity issued by private U.S. middle-market companies. Our investment objective is to create attractive risk-adjusted returns by generating current income and, to a lesser extent, capital appreciation from our investments.

 

We are externally managed and advised by Saratoga Investment Advisors, LLC, a New York-based investment firm affiliated with Saratoga Partners, a middle-market private equity investment firm.

 

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, up to $500,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock, debt securities, and warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, which we refer to, collectively, as our “securities.” The preferred stock, subscription rights, warrants and debt securities offered hereby may be convertible or exchangeable into shares of our common stock. The securities may be offered at prices and on terms to be described in one or more supplements to this prospectus.

 

Absent approval by the majority of our common stockholders, the offering price per share of our common stock less any underwriting commissions or discounts will not be less than the net asset value per share of our common stock at the time we make the offering unless we issue shares in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders or under such other circumstances as the Securities and Exchange Commission may permit. We do not currently have stockholder approval of issuances below net asset value. In addition, we cannot issue shares of our common stock below net asset value unless our board of directors determines that it would be in our and our stockholders’ best interests to do so. Sales of common stock at prices below net asset value per share dilute the interests of existing stockholders, have the effect of reducing our net asset value per share and may reduce our market price per share. In addition, sales of common stock below net asset value may have a negative impact on total returns and could have a negative impact on the market price of our shares of common stock. See “Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value.”

 

Our 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. The prospectus supplement relating to an offering will identify any agents or underwriters involved in the sale of our securities, and will disclose any applicable purchase price, fee, commission or discount arrangement between us and our agents or underwriters or among our underwriters or the basis upon which such amount may be calculated. See “Plan of Distribution.” We may not sell any of our securities through agents, underwriters or dealers without delivery of this prospectus and a prospectus supplement describing the method and terms of the offering of such securities.

 

 

We generally invest in securities that would be rated below investment grade if they were rated. Below investment grade securities, which are often referred to as “high yield” or “junk,” have speculative characteristics with respect to our capacity to pay interest and repay principal. See “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part II, Item 1A of our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for more information.

 

Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “SAR.” On June 29, 2021, the last reported sales price on the NYSE for our common stock was $26.95 per share. We are required to determine the net asset value per share of our common stock on a quarterly basis. Our net asset value per share of our common stock as of February 28, 2021 was $27.25.

 

This prospectus describes some of the general terms that may apply to an offering of our securities. We will provide the specific terms of these offerings and securities in one or more supplements to this prospectus. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you in connection with these offerings. The prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus may also add, update, or change information contained in this prospectus. You should carefully read this prospectus, the applicable prospectus supplement, and any related free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference, before buying any of the securities being offered. We file annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which is available free of charge upon written or oral request by contacting us by mail at 535 Madison Avenue, New York, New York 10022, by accessing our website at http://www.saratogainvestmentcorp.com or by calling us collect at (212) 906-7800. The Securities and Exchange Commission also maintains a website at http://www.sec.gov that contains such information, including the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any supplements to this prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be part of this prospectus or any supplements to this prospectus. The contact information provided above may be used by you to make investor inquiries. This prospectus should be retained for future reference.

 

An investment in our securities is very risky and highly speculative. Shares of closed-end investment companies, including BDCs, frequently trade at a discount to their net asset value. In addition, the companies in which we invest are subject to special risks. See “Risk Factors” beginning on page 14 of this prospectus, in Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in Part II, Item 1A of our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and in, or incorporated by reference into, the applicable prospectus supplement and in any free writing prospectuses we may authorize for use in connection with a specific offering, and under similar headings in the other documents that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus, to read about factors you should consider, including the risk of leverage, before investing in our securities.

 

Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved of these securities or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense.

 

This prospectus may not be used to consummate sales of securities unless accompanied by a prospectus supplement.

 

The date of this prospectus is July 7, 2021

 

 

TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

	Page
Prospectus Summary	1
The Offering	5
Fees and Expenses	8
Selected Financial and Other Data	11
Risk Factors	14
Use of Proceeds	15
Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements	16
Price Range of Common Stock and Distributions	18
Financial Highlights	20
Dividend Reinvestment Plan	22
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	23
Senior Securities	24
The Company	25
Portfolio Companies	26
Management	28
Management and Other Agreements	29
Portfolio Management	30
Certain Relationships and Related Transactions	31
Control Persons and Principal Stockholders	32
Regulation	33
Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations	34
Determination of Net Asset Value	41
Sales of Common Stock Below Net Asset Value	44
Description of Our Capital Stock	48
Description of Our Subscription Rights	54
Description of Our Debt Securities	55
Description of Our Warrants	68
Plan of Distribution	70
Brokerage Allocation and Other Practices	72
Custodian, Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent and Registrar	73
Legal Matters	74
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm	75
Available Information	76
Incorporation Of Certain Information by Reference	77

 

 

ABOUT THIS PROSPECTUS

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC, using the “shelf” registration process. Under this shelf registration statement, we may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings, up to $500,000,000 of our common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights to purchase shares of our common stock, debt securities or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock or debt securities, on terms to be determined at the time of the offering. Our 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 our securities and the offerings thereof that we may make pursuant to this prospectus. Each time we use this prospectus to offer our securities, we will provide a prospectus supplement that will contain specific information about the terms of that offering. We may also authorize one or more free writing prospectuses to be provided to you that may contain material information relating to such offerings. In a prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, we may also add, update or change any of the information contained in this prospectus or in the documents we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. This prospectus, together with the applicable prospectus supplement, any related free writing prospectus, and the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, will include all material information relating to the applicable offering. Before buying any of the securities being offered, you should carefully read both this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, together with any exhibits and the additional information described in the sections titled “Available Information,” “Incorporation of Certain Information by Reference,” “Summary” and “Risk Factors” in this prospectus.

 

This prospectus may contain estimates and information concerning our industry, including market size and growth rates of the markets in which we participate, that are based on industry publications and reports. This information involves many assumptions and limitations, and you are cautioned not to give undue weight to these estimates. We have not independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the data contained in these industry publications and reports. The industry in which we operate is subject to a high degree of uncertainty and risk due to a variety of factors, including those described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in this prospectus, in Part I, Item 1A our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in Part II, Item 1A of our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, that could cause results to differ materially from those expressed in these publications and reports.

 

This prospectus includes summaries of certain provisions contained in some of the documents described in this prospectus, but reference is made to the actual documents for complete information. All of the summaries are qualified in their entirety by the actual documents. Copies of some of the documents referred to herein have been filed, will be filed, or will be incorporated by reference as exhibits to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part, and you may obtain copies of those documents as described in the section titled “Available Information” in this prospectus.

 

You should rely only on the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus, any prospectus supplement or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We have not authorized any dealer, salesperson or other person to provide you with different information or to make representations as to matters not stated in this prospectus or in any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you. We take no responsibility for, and can provide no assurance as to the reliability of, any other information that others may give you. If anyone provides you with different or inconsistent information, you should not rely on it. This prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement and any free writing prospectus prepared by or on behalf of us or to which we have referred you do not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an offer to buy, any securities by any person in any jurisdiction where it is unlawful for that person to make such an offer or solicitation or to any person in any jurisdiction to whom it is unlawful to make such an offer or solicitation. You should not assume that the information included or incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement or in any such free writing prospectus is accurate as of any date other than their respective dates.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RISK FACTORS

 

Investing in our securities involves a high degree of risk. Before deciding whether to invest in our securities, you should carefully consider the risks and uncertainties described in the section titled “Risk Factors” in the applicable prospectus supplement and any related free writing prospectus, and discussed in the section titled “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and any subsequent filings we have made with the SEC that are incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, together with other information in this prospectus, the documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement, and any free writing prospectus that we may authorize for use in connection with this offering. The risks described in these documents are not the only ones we face. Additional risks and uncertainties that we are unaware of, or that we currently believe are not material, may also become important factors that adversely affect our business. Past financial performance may not be a reliable indicator of future performance, and historical trends should not be used to anticipate results or trends in future periods. If any of these risks actually occurs, our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, revenue, and future prospects could be seriously harmed. This could cause our net asset value and the trading price of our securities to decline, resulting in a loss of all or part of your investment. Please also read carefully the section titled “Special Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” in this prospectus.

 

 

USE OF PROCEEDS

 

We intend to use substantially all of the net proceeds from the sale of our securities to make investments in middle-market companies in accordance with our investment objective and strategies described in this prospectus, and for general corporate purposes. We may also use a portion of the net proceeds to reduce any of our outstanding borrowings.

 

We anticipate that substantially all of the net proceeds from any offering of our securities will be used as described above within six to twelve months. Pending such use, we will invest the net proceeds primarily in high quality, short-term debt securities consistent with our business development company election and our election to be taxed as a RIC. See “Regulation—Business Development Company Regulations” In Part I, Item 1 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our ability to achieve our investment objective may be limited to the extent that the net proceeds from an offering, pending full investment, are held in interest-bearing deposits or other short-term instruments. The supplement to this prospectus relating to an offering will more fully identify the use of proceeds from such an offering.

 

 

SPECIAL NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

 

This prospectus contains forward-looking statements that involve substantial risks and uncertainties. These forward-looking statements are not historical facts, but rather are based on current expectations, estimates and projections about us, our current and prospective portfolio investments, our industry, our beliefs, and our assumptions. Words such as “anticipates,” “expects,” “intends,” “plans,” “will,” “may,” “continue,” “believes,” “seeks,” “estimates,” “would,” “should,” “targets,” “projects” and variations of these words and similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this report involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

 

The forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus involve risks and uncertainties, including statements as to:

 

●

our future operating results and the impact of the coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic thereon;

 

●

the introduction, withdrawal, success and timing of business initiatives and strategies;

 

●

changes in political, economic or industry conditions, the interest rate environment or financial and capital markets, which could result in changes in the value of our assets;

 

●

pandemics or other serious public health events, such as the recent global outbreak of COVID-19;

 

●

the relative and absolute investment performance and operations of our Investment Manager;

 

●

the impact of increased competition;

 

●

our ability to turn potential investment opportunities into transactions and thereafter into completed and successful investments;

 

●

the unfavorable resolution of any future legal proceedings;

 

●

our business prospects and the prospects of our portfolio companies, including our and their ability to achieve our respective objectives as a result of the current COVID-19 pandemic;

 

●

the impact of investments that we expect to make and future acquisitions and divestitures;

 

●

our contractual arrangements and relationships with third parties;

 

●

the dependence of our future success on the general economy and its impact on the industries in which we invest and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic thereon;

 

●

the ability of our portfolio companies to achieve their objectives;

 

●

our expected financings and investments;

 

●

our regulatory structure and tax status, including our ability to operate as a business development company (“BDC”), or to operate our small business investment company (“SBIC”) subsidiaries, and to continue to qualify to be taxed as a regulated investment company (“RIC”);

 

●

the adequacy of our cash resources and working capital;

 

 

●

the timing of cash flows, if any, from the operations of our portfolio companies and the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic thereon;

 

●

the impact of interest rate volatility on our results, particularly because we use leverage as part of our investment strategy;

 

●

the impact of legislative and regulatory actions and reforms and regulatory, supervisory or enforcement actions of government agencies relating to us or our Manager;

 

●

the impact of changes to tax legislation and, generally, our tax position;

 

●

our ability to access capital and any future financings by us;

 

●

the ability of our Manager to attract and retain highly talented professionals; and

 

●

the ability of our Manager to locate suitable investments for us and to monitor and effectively administer our investments and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic thereon.

 

Although we believe that the assumptions on which these forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, any of those assumptions could prove to be inaccurate, and as a result, the forward-looking statements based on those assumptions also could be inaccurate. Important assumptions include our ability to originate new debt investments, certain margins and levels of profitability and the availability of additional capital. In light of these and other uncertainties, the inclusion of a projection or forward-looking statement in this prospectus should not be regarded as a representation by us that our plans and objectives will be achieved. These risks and uncertainties include those described or identified in “Risk Factors” in Part I, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, in Part II, Item 1A of our most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and elsewhere in this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, including the documents we incorporate by reference. You should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which are based on information available to us as of the applicable date of this prospectus, any applicable prospectus supplement or free writing prospectus, including any documents incorporated by reference, and while we believe such information forms, or will form, a reasonable basis for such statements, such information may be limited or incomplete, and our statements should not be read to indicate that we have conducted an exhaustive inquiry into, or review of, all potentially available relevant information. These statements are inherently uncertain and investors are cautioned not to unduly rely on these statements.

 

 

PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK AND DISTRIBUTIONS

 

Our common stock is traded on the NYSE under the symbol “SAR”. The following table lists the high and low closing sale price for our common stock, and the closing sale price as a percentage of net asset value, or NAV, and the cash distributions per share that we have declared on our common stock for each fiscal quarter during the last two most recently completed fiscal years.

 

Period		NAV (1)				High Closing Sales Price				Low Closing Sales Price				Premium / (Discount) of High Sales Price to NAV (2)				Premium / (Discount) of Low Sales Price to NAV (2)				Distributions Per Share (3)
Year ended February 28, 2022
First Quarter		$	*			$	26.54			$	22.66				*	%			*	%		$	*
Second Quarter (through June 29, 2021)			*				26.95				25.70				*				*				*
Year ended February 28, 2021
First Quarter			25.11				24.97				8.40				(0.6	)			(66.5	)			-
Second Quarter			26.68				18.71				15.08				(29.9	)			(43.5	)			0.40
Third Quarter			26.84				22.67				16.21				(15.5	)			(39.6	)			0.41
Fourth Quarter			27.25				24.20				20.43				(11.2	)			(25.0	)			0.42
Year ended February 29, 2020
First Quarter			24.06				25.60				22.27				6.4				(7.4	)			0.55
Second Quarter			24.47				25.50				23.31				4.2				(4.7	)			0.56
Third Quarter			25.30				26.23				24.00				3.7				(5.1	)			-
Fourth Quarter			27.13				28.35				22.91				4.5				(15.6	)			0.56

 

(1)	Net asset value per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the net asset value per share on the date of the high and low sales prices. The net asset values shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of each period.
(2)	Calculated as the respective high or low closing sales price divided by the quarter end net asset value and subtracting 1.
(3)	Represents the regular and special, if applicable, distribution declared in the specified quarter. We have adopted an “opt out” dividend reinvestment plan for our common stockholders. As a result, if we declare a distribution, stockholders’ cash distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, unless they specifically “opt out” of the dividend reinvestment plan so as to receive cash distributions. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan.”

 

On June 29, 2021, the last reported sales price of our common stock was $26.95 per share. As of June 29, 2021, we had approximately 11 stockholders of record.

 

Shares of BDCs may trade at a market price that is less than the net asset value of those shares. The possibilities that our shares of common stock will trade at a discount from net asset value or at premiums that are unsustainable over the long term are separate and distinct from the risk that our net asset value will decrease. It is not possible to predict whether any common stock offered pursuant to this prospectus supplement will trade at, above, or below net asset value. As of June 29, 2021, our shares of common stock traded at a discount equal to approximately 1.1% of the net assets attributable to those shares based upon our $27.25 net asset value per share as of February 28, 2021. It is not possible to predict whether the shares offered hereby will trade at, above, or below net asset value.

 

We intend to continue to pay quarterly distributions to our stockholders. Our quarterly distributions, if any, are determined by our board of directors. We have elected to be taxed as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code. As long as we qualify for tax treatment as a RIC, we will not be taxed on our investment company taxable income or net capital gain, to the extent that such income or gain is distributed, or deemed to be distributed, to stockholders on a timely basis.

 

 

There were no deemed distributions during the fiscal years ended February 28, 2021; February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019.

 

We may not be able to achieve operating results that will allow us to make distributions at a specific level or to increase the amount of these distributions from time to time. If we do not distribute a certain percentage of our income annually, we will suffer adverse tax consequences, including possible loss of our tax treatment as a RIC. We cannot assure stockholders that they will receive any distributions at a particular level.

 

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan that provides for reinvestment of our distributions on behalf of our stockholders, unless a stockholder elects to receive cash. As a result, if our board of directors authorizes, and we declare, a cash distribution, then our stockholders who have not “opted out” of our dividend reinvestment plan will have their cash distribution automatically reinvested in additional shares of our common stock, rather than receiving the cash distribution. Under the terms of our dividend reinvestment plan, dividends will primarily be paid in newly issued shares of common stock. However, we reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with the implementation of the plan. This feature of the plan means that, under certain circumstances, we may issue shares of our common stock at a price below net asset value per share, which could cause our stockholders to experience dilution.

 

To maintain our qualification as a RIC, we must, among other things, distribute at least 90.0% of our net ordinary income and our net short-term capital gains in excess of our net long-term capital losses, if any. In order to avoid certain excise taxes imposed on RICs, we currently intend to distribute during each calendar year an amount at least equal to the sum of (1) 98.0% of our net ordinary income for the calendar year, (2) 98.2% of our capital gain net income for the calendar year and (3) any net ordinary income and capital gain net income that we recognized for preceding years, but were not distributed during such years, and on which we paid no U.S. federal income tax. We may retain for investment some or all of our net capital gain (i.e., net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses) and treat such amounts as deemed distributions to our stockholders. If we do this, you will be treated as if you received an actual distribution of the capital gain we retain and then reinvested the net after-tax proceeds in our common stock. You also may be eligible to claim a tax credit (or, in certain circumstances, a tax refund) equal to your allocable share of the tax we paid on the capital gain deemed distributed to you. Please refer to “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations” for further information regarding the consequences of our retention of net capital gain. We can offer no assurance that we will achieve results that will permit the payment of any cash distributions and, if we issue senior securities, we will be prohibited from making distributions if doing so causes us to fail to maintain the asset coverage ratios stipulated by the 1940 Act or if distributions are limited by the terms of any of our borrowings. See “Regulation” and “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations.”

 

We may make distributions that are payable in cash or shares of our common stock at the election of each stockholder. In accordance with Treasury regulations and published guidance issued by the Internal Revenue Service, a publicly offered RIC may treat distributions of its own stock as counting towards its RIC distribution requirements if each stockholder may elect to receive his, her, or its entire distribution in either cash or stock of the RIC. This published guidance indicates that the rule will apply where the aggregate amount of cash to be distributed to all stockholders is not less than 20% of the aggregate declared distribution. Under the published guidance, if too many stockholders elect to receive their distributions in cash, the cash available for distribution must be allocated among the stockholders electing to receive cash (with the balance of the distribution paid in stock). If we decide to make any distributions that are payable in part in shares of our stock, U.S. stockholders receiving such distributions generally will be required to include the full amount of the distribution (whether received in cash, shares of our stock, or a combination thereof) as ordinary income (or as long-term capital gain to the extent such distribution is properly reported as a capital gain dividend) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such distributions in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the distribution, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. Furthermore, with respect to non-U.S. stockholders, we may be required to withhold U.S. federal tax with respect to such distributions, including in respect of all or a portion of such distributions that are payable in stock. In addition, if a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on such distributions, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of shares of our stock.

 

Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated profits and earnings would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. The determination of the tax attributes of our distributions will be made annually as of the end of our fiscal year based upon our taxable income for the full year and distributions paid for the full year. Therefore, a determination made on a quarterly basis may not be representative of the actual tax attributes of our distributions for a full year. Each year, a statement on Form 1099-DIV identifying the source of the distribution will be sent to our U.S. stockholders of record. Our board of directors presently intends to declare and pay quarterly dividends. Our ability to pay dividends could be affected by future business performance, liquidity, capital needs, alternative investment opportunities and loan covenants.

 

 

FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS

 

The following table of financial highlights is intended to help a prospective investor understand the Company’s financial performance for the periods shown. The financial data set forth in the following table as of and for the years ended February 28, 2021 to 2012 are derived from our consolidated financial statements, which have been audited by Ernst & Young LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm whose reports thereon are incorporated by reference in this prospectus, certain documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement, or our Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC, which may be obtained from www.sec.gov or upon request. In addition, the financial highlights table under the caption “Note 13. Financial Highlights” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference. You should read these financial highlights in conjunction with our consolidated financial statements and notes thereto and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in this prospectus, any documents incorporated by reference in this prospectus or the accompanying prospectus supplement, or our Annual Reports on Form 10-K filed with the SEC.

 

		For the year ended
		February 28, 2021				February 29, 2020				February 28, 2019				February 28, 2018				February 28, 2017
Per share data:
Net asset value at beginning of period			27.13				23.62				22.96				21.97				22.06
Adoption of ASC 606			-				-				(0.01	)			-				-
Net asset value at beginning of period, as adjusted			27.13				23.62				22.95				21.97				22.06
Net investment income(1)			2.07				1.59				2.60				2.11				1.94
Net realized and unrealized gain and (losses) on investments(1)			(0.74	)			4.56				0.03				0.82				0.30
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt*			(0.01	)			(0.17	)			-				-				(0.26	)
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations			1.32				5.98				2.63				2.93				2.24
Distributions declared from net investment income			(1.23	)			(2.21	)			(2.06	)			(1.90	)			(1.93	)
Total distributions to stockholders			(1.23	)			(2.21	)			(2.06	)			(1.90	)			(1.93	)
Issuance of common stock above net asset value(2)			-				-				0.15				-				-
Repurchases of common stock(3)			0.13				-				-				-				-
Dilution(4)			(0.10	)			(0.26	)			(0.05	)			(0.04	)			(0.14	)
Net asset value at end of period			27.25				27.13				23.62				22.96				21.97
Per share market value at end of period		$	23.08			$	22.91			$	23.04			$	21.86			$	22.74
Total return based on market value(5)(6)			7.63	%			9.28	%			16.11	%			5.28	%			80.83	%
Total return based on net asset value(5)(7)			7.31	%			26.22	%			13.33	%			14.45	%			12.62	%
Shares outstanding at end of period			11,161,416				11,217,545				7,657,156				6,257,029				5,794,600
Ratio/Supplemental data:
Net assets at end of period			304,185,770				304,286,853				180,875,187				143,691,367				127,294,777
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets(8)*			11.60	%			18.49	%			18.03	%			19.05	%			17.27	%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(8)*			7.77	%			6.31	%			11.22	%			9.37	%			8.71	%
Portfolio turnover rate(5)(9)			25.26	%			36.82	%			35.26	%			19.73	%			43.76	%

 

 

		For the year ended
		February 29, 2016				February 28, 2015				February 28, 2014				February 28, 2013				February 29, 2012
Per share data:
Net asset value at beginning of period			22.70				21.08				22.71				24.94				26.20
Adoption of ASC 606			-				-				-				-				-
Net asset value at beginning of period, as adjusted			22.70				21.08				22.71				24.94				26.20
Net investment income(1)			1.91				1.80				1.80				1.57				1.52
Net realized and unrealized gain and (losses) on investments(1)			0.18				0.24				(0.07	)			1.85				2.21
Realized losses on extinguishment of debt*			-				-				-				-				-
Net increase in net assets resulting from operations			2.09				2.04				1.73				3.42				3.73
Distributions declared from net investment income			(2.36	)			(0.40	)			(2.65	)			(4.25	)			(3.00	)
Total distributions to stockholders			(2.36	)			(0.40	)			(2.65	)			(4.25	)			(3.00	)
Issuance of common stock above net asset value(2)
Repurchases of common stock(3)
Dilution(4)			(0.37	)			(0.02	)			(0.71	)			(1.40	)			(1.99	)
Net asset value at end of period			22.06				22.70				21.08				22.71				24.94
Per share market value at end of period		$	14.22			$	15.76			$	15.85			$	17.02			$	15.88
Total return based on market value(5)(6)			4.27	%			1.63	%			9.11	%			36.67	%			12.82	%
Total return based on net asset value(5)(7)			11.10	%			10.09	%			8.75	%			16.12	%			16.98	%
Shares outstanding at end of period			5,672,227				5,401,899				5,379,616				4,730,116				3,876,661
Ratio/Supplemental data:
Net assets at end of period			125,149,875				122,598,742				113,427,929				107,437,874				96,689,122
Ratio of total expenses to average net assets(8)*			15.46	%			14.85	%			12.59	%			10.19	%			8.91	%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets(8)*			8.52	%			8.11	%			7.97	%			6.26	%			5.64	%
Portfolio turnover rate(5)(9)			26.22	%			31.28	%			37.82	%			17.30	%			36.34	%

 

*

Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to current period presentation.

(1)

Per share amounts are calculated using the weighted average shares outstanding during the period.

(2)

The continuous issuance of common stock may cause an incremental increase in net asset value per share due to the sale of shares at the then prevailing public offering price and the receipt of net proceeds per share by the Company in excess of net asset value per share on each subscription closing date. The per share data was derived by computing (i) the sum of (A) the number of shares issued in connection with subscriptions and/or distribution reinvestment on each share transaction date multiplied by (B) the differences between the net proceeds per share and the net asset value per share on each share transaction date, divided by (ii) the total shares outstanding during the period.

(3)

Represents the anti-dilutive impact on the net asset value per share ("NAV") of the Company due to the repurchase of common shares. See Note 10, Stockholders’ Equity.

(4)

Represents the dilutive effect of issuing common stock below net asset value per share during the period in connection with the satisfaction of the Company’s annual RIC distribution requirement and may include the impact of the different share amounts used for different items (weighted average basic common shares outstanding for the corresponding year and actual common shares outstanding at the end of the year) in the per common share data calculation and rounding impacts. See Note 12, Dividend.

(5)

Ratios are not annualized.

(6)

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common shares at the current market value on the first day and a sale at the current market value on the last day of the periods reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Company’s DRIP. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions.

(7)

Total investment return is calculated assuming a purchase of common shares at the current net asset value on the first day and a sale at the current net asset value on the last day of the periods reported. Dividends and distributions, if any, are assumed for purposes of this calculation to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Company’s DRIP. Total investment return does not reflect brokerage commissions.

(8)

Ratios are annualized. Incentive management fees included within the ratio are not annualized.

(9)

Portfolio turnover rate is calculated using the lesser of year-to-date sales or year-to-date purchases over the average of the invested assets at fair value.

 

 

DIVIDEND REINVESTMENT PLAN

 

We have adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (the “Plan”) that provides that, unless you elect to receive your dividends or other distributions in cash, they will be automatically reinvested by the Plan Administrator, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., in additional shares of our common stock. If you elect to receive your dividends or other distributions in cash, you will receive them in cash paid by check mailed directly to you by the Plan Administrator. The reinvestment of our distributions does not relieve stockholders of any tax that may be payable on such distributions. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, stockholders will be treated as receiving the amount of the distributions made by us, which amount generally will be either equal to the amount of the cash distribution the stockholder would have received if the stockholder had elected to receive cash or, for shares issued by us, the fair market value of the shares issued to the stockholder.

 

No action is required on the part of a registered stockholder to have their cash dividend reinvested in shares of our common stock. When the share price of our common stock is trading above net asset value, we intend to primarily use newly issued shares to implement the plan. However, we reserve the right to purchase shares in the open market in connection with our implementation of the plan even if the share price of our common stock is trading below net asset value. Unless you or your brokerage firm decides to opt out of the Plan, the number of shares of common stock you will receive will be determined as follows:

 

(1) If we use newly issued shares under the Plan, we will issue the new shares at a price equal to 95% of the average of the market prices of our common stock at the close of trading on the ten trading days immediately preceding and ending on the date fixed by our board of directors for the payment of the dividend.

 

(2) If we use shares purchased in the open market under the Plan, the Plan Administrator will receive the dividend or distribution in cash and will purchase common stock in the open market, on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere, for the participants’ accounts. Shares purchased in the open market will be allocated to a participant based on the average purchase price, excluding any brokerage charges or other charges, of all shares purchased with respect to the dividend.

 

You may withdraw from the Plan at any time by giving written notice to the Plan Administrator, or by telephone in accordance with such reasonable requirements as we and the Plan Administrator may agree upon. If you withdraw or the Plan is terminated, you will receive a certificate for each whole share in your account under the Plan and you will receive a cash payment for any fraction of a share in your account. If you wish, the Plan Administrator will sell your shares and send you the proceeds, minus brokerage commissions.

 

The Plan Administrator maintains all common stockholders’ accounts in the Plan and gives written confirmation of all transactions in the accounts, including information you may need for tax records. Common stock in your account will be held by the Plan Administrator in non-certificated form. The Plan Administrator will forward to each participant any proxy solicitation material and will vote any shares so held only in accordance with proxies returned to us. Any proxy you receive will include all common stock you have received under the Plan.

 

There is no brokerage charge for reinvestment of your dividends or distributions in common stock.

 

Automatically reinvesting dividends and distributions does not mean that you do not have to pay U.S. federal income taxes due upon the reinvestment of such dividends and distributions. See “Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Considerations”.

 

If you hold your common stock with a brokerage firm that does not participate in the Plan, you will not be able to participate in the Plan and any dividend reinvestment may be effected on different terms than those described above. Consult your financial advisory for more information.

 

Neither us nor the Plan Administrator nor its nominee or nominees shall be liable for any act done in good faith, or for any good faith omission to act, including without limitation, any claims of liability arising out of failure to terminate a participant’s account upon the participant’s death prior to receipt of notice in writing of such death, and with respect to the price at which shares are purchased or sold for the participant’s account.

 

The Plan Administrator’s fees under the Plan will be borne by us. There is no direct service charge to participants in the Plan; however, we reserve the right to amend or terminate the Plan, including amending the Plan to include a service charge payable by the participants, if in the judgment of the board of directors the change is warranted. Any amendment to the Plan, except amendments necessary or appropriate to comply with applicable law or the rules and policies of the SEC or any other regulatory authority, require us to provide at least 30 days written notice to each participant. Additional information about the Plan may be obtained from Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., 1717 Arch St., Suite 1300, Philadelphia, PA 19103.

 

 

MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

 

The information included under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Part II, Item 7 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

SENIOR SECURITIES

 

Information about our senior securities as of the fiscal years ended February 28, 2021 to February 28, 2007 is located in the notes to our consolidated financial statements under the caption “Note 7. Borrowings” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, and is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. The report of our independent registered public accounting firm on the consolidated financial statements as of February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 and for each of the three years ended February 28, 2020, February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 is included in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, filed on May 5, 2021, and is incorporated by reference into the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part.

 

  

THE COMPANY

 

The information in the sections entitled “Business” in Part I, Item 1 and “Properties” in Part I, Item 2 and “Legal Proceedings” in Part I, Item 3 in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

PORTFOLIO COMPANIES

 

The following table sets forth certain information as of February 28, 2021 for each portfolio company in which we had a debt or equity investment. Other than these investments, our only relationships with our portfolio companies are the managerial assistance we may separately provide to our portfolio companies, which services would be ancillary to our investments, and the board observer or participation rights we may receive.

 

Company		Industry		Investment Interest Rate/ Maturity		Original Acquisition Date		Principal/ Number of Shares				Cost				Fair Value (c)				% of Net Assets				Company Address
Non-control/Non-affiliate investments - 154.5% (b)
Targus Holdings, Inc. (d), (h)		Consumer Products		Common Stock		12/31/2009			210,456				1,589,630				475,116				0.2	%		1211 North Miller Street, Anaheim, CA 92806 USA
				Total Consumer Products									1,589,630				475,116				0.2	%
My Alarm Center, LLC (k)		Consumer Services		Preferred Equity Class A Units 8.00% PIK		7/14/2017			2,227				2,357,879				-				0.0	%
My Alarm Center, LLC (h)		Consumer Services		Preferred Equity Class B Units		7/14/2017			1,797				1,796,880				-				0.0	%
My Alarm Center, LLC (h)		Consumer Services		Preferred Equity Class Z Units		9/12/2018			676				712,343				181,240				0.1	%
My Alarm Center, LLC (h)		Consumer Services		Common Stock		7/14/2017			96,224				-				-				0.0	%		3803 West Chester Pike, Suite 100, Newton Square, PA 19073
				Total Consumer Services									4,867,102				181,240				0.1	%
Schoox, Inc. (i), (h)		Corporate Education Software		Series 1 Membership Interest		12/8/2020			226,782				1,050,000				1,050,000				0.3	%		701 Brazos St#539, Austin, TX 78701
				Total Corporate Education Software									1,050,000				1,050,000				0.3	%
Passageways, Inc.		Corporate Governance		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.00%), 8.75% Cash, 12/31/2025		7/5/2018		$	5,000,000				4,972,250				5,050,000				1.7	%
Passageways, Inc. (j)		Corporate Governance		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.00%), 8.75% Cash, 12/31/2025		1/3/2020		$	5,000,000				4,980,871				5,050,000				1.7	%
Passageways, Inc. (h)		Corporate Governance		Series A Preferred Stock		7/5/2018			2,027,205				1,000,000				3,164,579				1.0	%		8 North 3rd Street, Suite 101, Lafayette, Indiana 47901
				Total Corporate Governance									10,953,121				13,264,579				4.4	%
New England Dental Partners		Dental Practice Management		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.00%), 8.50% Cash, 11/25/2025		11/25/2020		$	6,555,000				6,491,331				6,489,450				2.1	%
New England Dental Partners (j)		Dental Practice Management		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.00%), 8.50% Cash, 11/25/2025		11/25/2020		$	650,000				644,419				643,500				0.2	%		1 Technology Park Drive, Bourne, MA 02536
				Total Dental Practice Management									7,135,750				7,132,950				2.3	%
PDDS Buyer, LLC		Dental Practice Management Software		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.00%), 9.50% Cash, 7/15/2024		7/15/2019		$	14,000,000				13,895,777				14,278,600				4.7	%
PDDS Buyer, LLC		Dental Practice Management Software		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.00%), 9.50% Cash, 7/15/2024		7/15/2019		$	7,000,000				6,938,964				7,139,300				2.3	%
PDDS Buyer, LLC (h)		Dental Practice Management Software		Series A-1 Preferred Shares		8/10/2020			1,755,831				2,000,000				2,240,946				0.7	%		3990 Westerly Place, Suite 200, Newport Beach, CA 92660
				Total Dental Practice Management Software									22,834,741				23,658,846				7.7	%
C2 Educational Systems (d)		Education Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.50%), 10.00% Cash, 5/31/2023		5/31/2017		$	16,000,000				15,998,379				13,499,200				4.4	%		6465 East Johns Crossing, Suite 100, Duluth Georgia 30097
Texas Teachers of Tomorrow, LLC (h), (i)		Education Services		Common Stock		12/2/2015			750				750,000				1,011,596				0.3	%
Texas Teachers of Tomorrow, LLC (d)		Education Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.25%), 9.75% Cash, 6/28/2024		6/28/2019		$	25,947,024				25,748,711				25,874,372				8.5	%		5599 San Felipe Street, Suite 1425, Houston, Texas 77056
				Total Education Services									42,497,090				40,385,168				13.2	%
Destiny Solutions Inc. (d)		Education Software		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.50%), 9.50% Cash, 10/24/2024		5/16/2018		$	43,500,000				43,204,446				43,630,500				14.3	%
Destiny Solutions Inc. (h), (i)		Education Software		Limited Partner Interests		5/16/2018			2,342				2,468,464				3,069,267				1.0	%		1320 Flynn Road #100, Camarillo, CA 93012
Identity Automation Systems (d)		Education Software		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+9.24%), 10.99% Cash, 5/8/2024		8/25/2014		$	17,247,500				17,247,500				17,357,884				5.7	%
Identity Automation Systems (h)		Education Software		Common Stock Class A-2 Units		8/25/2014			232,616				232,616				725,726				0.2	%
Identity Automation Systems (h)		Education Software		Common Stock Class A-1 Units		3/6/2020			43,715				171,571				185,553				0.1	%		7102 N Sam Houston Pkwy W. Ste 300, Houston, TX 77064
GoReact		Education Software		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.50%), 9.50% Cash, 1/17/2025		1/17/2020		$	5,000,000				4,940,297				5,100,000				1.7	%
GoReact (j)		Education Software		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.50%), 9.50% Cash, 1/17/2025		1/17/2020		$	-				-				-				0.0	%		256 Center St, Orem, UT 84057
Kev Software Inc. (a)		Education Software		First Lien Term Loan (1M USD LIBOR+8.63%), 9.63% Cash, 9/13/2023		9/13/2018		$	17,835,914				17,745,629				18,021,407				5.9	%		1167 Caledonia Rd. Suite 200, Toronto, ON M6A 2X1
				Total Education Software									86,010,523				88,090,337				28.9	%
Davisware, LLC		Field Service Management		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.00%), 9.00% Cash, 7/31/2024		9/6/2019		$	3,000,000				2,977,590				3,030,000				1.0	%
Davisware, LLC		Field Service Management		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.00%), 9.00% Cash, 7/31/2024		9/6/2019		$	977,790				974,399				987,568				0.3	%		514 Market Loop Rd., West Dundee, IL 60118
				Total Field Service Management									3,951,989				4,017,568				1.3	%
GDS Software Holdings, LLC  (h)		Financial Services		Common Stock Class A Units		8/23/2018			250,000				250,000				418,531				0.1	%		5307 East Mockingbird Lane, Suite 1001, Dallas, Texas 75206
				Total Financial Services									250,000				418,531				0.1	%
Ohio Medical, LLC (h)		Healthcare Products Manufacturing		Common Stock		1/15/2016			5,000				380,353				566,592				0.2	%		1111 Lakeside Drive, Gurnee, IL 60031
				Total Healthcare Products Manufacturing									380,353				566,592				0.2	%
Axiom Parent Holdings, LLC (h)		Healthcare Services		Common Stock Class A Units		6/19/2018			400,000				400,000				1,415,301				0.5	%
Axiom Purchaser, Inc. (d)		Healthcare Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+6.00%), 7.75% Cash, 6/19/2023		6/19/2018		$	10,000,000				9,955,177				10,059,000				3.3	%
Axiom Purchaser, Inc. (d)		Healthcare Services		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+6.00%), 7.75% Cash, 6/19/2023		6/19/2018		$	6,000,000				5,961,748				6,035,400				2.0	%		8401 New Trails Drive, Suite 100, The Woodlands, TX 77381
ComForCare Health Care		Healthcare Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.75%), 8.75% Cash, 1/31/2025		1/31/2017		$	25,000,000				24,871,639				24,900,000				8.2	%		2520 S Telegraph Rd #201, Bloomfield Hills, MI 48302
				Total Healthcare Services									41,188,564				42,409,701				14.0	%
TRC HemaTerra, LLC (h)		Healthcare Software		Class D Membership Interests		4/15/2019			2,000,000				2,000,000				2,572,002				0.8	%		180 Osten Street, Suite 267A, Baltimore, MD 21230
HemaTerra Holding Company, LLC (d)		Healthcare Software		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+6.75%), 9.25% Cash, 4/15/2024		4/15/2019		$	6,000,000				5,956,593				6,060,000				2.0	%
HemaTerra Holding Company, LLC (d), (j)		Healthcare Software		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+6.75%), 9.25% Cash, 4/15/2024		4/15/2019		$	12,000,000				11,914,035				12,120,000				4.0	%		180 Osten Street, Suite 267A, Baltimore, MD 21230
Procurement Partners, LLC		Healthcare Software		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+6.50%), 7.50% Cash, 11/12/2025		11/12/2020		$	8,000,000				7,924,230				7,920,000				2.6	%
Procurement Partners, LLC (j)		Healthcare Software		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+6.50%), 7.50% Cash, 11/12/2025		11/12/2020		$	-				-				-				0.0	%
Procurement Partners Holdings LLC (h)		Healthcare Software		Class A Units		11/12/2020			300,000				300,000				300,000				0.1	%		17035 W. Wisconsin Avenue, Suite 100, Brookfield, WI 53005
				Total Healthcare Software									28,094,858				28,972,002				9.5	%
Roscoe Medical, Inc. (d), (h)		Healthcare Supply		Common Stock		3/26/2014			5,081				508,077				280,346				0.1	%
Roscoe Medical, Inc.		Healthcare Supply		Second Lien Term Loan 11.25% Cash, 3/28/2021		3/26/2014		$	5,141,413				5,141,413				5,141,413				1.7	%		921 E. Amidon St., Sioux Falls, SD 57104
				Total Healthcare Supply									5,649,490				5,421,759				1.8	%
Book4Time, Inc. (a)		Hospitality/Hotel		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.50%), 10.25%, 12/22/2025		12/22/2020		$	3,136,517				3,105,788				3,105,152				1.0	%
Book4Time, Inc. (a), (j)		Hospitality/Hotel		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.50%), 10.25%, 12/22/2025		12/22/2020		$	-				-				-				0.0	%
Book4Time, Inc. (a), (i)		Hospitality/Hotel		Class A Preferred Shares		12/22/2020			200,000				156,826				156,826				0.1	%		306 Town Centre Blvd, Suite 400, Markham (Toronto), ON, L3R 0Y6, Canada
Knowland Group, LLC		Hospitality/Hotel		Second Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.00%), 10.00% Cash, 5/9/2024		11/9/2018		$	15,767,918				15,767,918				10,788,409				3.5	%		1735 N Lynn St, Suite 600, Arlington, VA 22209
Sceptre Hospitality Resources, LLC		Hospitality/Hotel		First Lien Term Loan (1M USD LIBOR+9.00%), 10.00% Cash, 4/27/2025		4/27/2020		$	3,000,000				2,973,387				3,030,000				1.0	%		1900 W Loop S #700, Houston, TX 77027
				Total Hospitality/Hotel									22,003,919				17,080,387				5.6	%
Granite Comfort, LP		HVAC Services and Sales		First Lien Term Loan (1M USD LIBOR+9.00%), 10.00% Cash, 11/16/2025		11/16/2020		$	7,000,000				6,932,689				6,950,300				2.3	%
Granite Comfort, LP (j)		HVAC Services and Sales		Delayed Draw Term Loan (1M USD LIBOR+9.00%), 10.00% Cash, 11/16/2025		11/16/2020		$	8,000,000				7,922,181				7,943,200				2.6	%		717 Fifth Ave, FL 12A, New York, NY 10022
				Total HVAC Services and Sales									14,854,870				14,893,500				4.9	%
Vector Controls Holding Co., LLC (d)		Industrial Products		First Lien Term Loan 11.50% (9.75% Cash/1.75% PIK), 3/6/2022		3/6/2013		$	7,021,046				7,021,046				7,021,046				2.3	%
Vector Controls Holding Co., LLC (d), (h)		Industrial Products		Warrants to Purchase Limited Liability Company Interests, Expires 11/30/2027		5/31/2015			343				-				2,025,598				0.7	%		2200 10th St #300, Plano, TX 75074
				Total Industrial Products									7,021,046				9,046,644				3.0	%
CLEO Communications Holding, LLC (d)		IT Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.00%), 9.00% Cash/2.00% PIK, 3/31/2022		3/31/2017		$	14,073,964				14,064,807				14,176,704				4.7	%
CLEO Communications Holding, LLC (d), (j)		IT Services		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.00%), 9.00% Cash/2.00% PIK, 3/31/2022		3/31/2017		$	20,451,756				20,388,504				20,601,054				6.8	%		4949 Harrison Avenue, Suite 200, Rockford, IL  61108
LogicMonitor, Inc.		IT Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+5.00), 6.00% Cash, 5/17/2023		3/20/2020		$	23,000,000				22,865,749				23,089,700				7.6	%		500 W 2nd St, Suite 1750, Austin, TX 78701
				Total IT Services									57,319,060				57,867,458				19.1	%
inMotionNow, Inc.		Marketing Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.50), 10.00% Cash, 5/15/2024		5/15/2019		$	12,200,000				12,116,232				12,322,000				4.1	%
inMotionNow, Inc.		Marketing Services		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.50)  10.00% Cash, 5/15/2024		5/15/2019		$	5,000,000				4,960,820				5,050,000				1.7	%		215 Southport Dr #1000, Morrisville, NC 27560
				Total Marketing Services									17,077,052				17,372,000				5.8	%
Omatic Software, LLC		Non-profit Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.00%), 9.75% Cash, 5/29/2023		5/29/2018		$	5,500,000				5,470,787				5,554,450				1.8	%		3200 North Carolina Avenue, North Charleston, SC 29405
				Total Non-profit Services									5,470,787				5,554,450				1.8	%
Emily Street Enterprises, L.L.C.		Office Supplies		Senior Secured Note (3M USD LIBOR+8.50%), 10.00% Cash, 12/31/2023		12/28/2012		$	3,300,000				3,300,000				3,287,460				1.1	%
Emily Street Enterprises, L.L.C. (h)		Office Supplies		Warrant Membership Interests                           Expires 12/28/2022		12/28/2012			49,318				400,000				322,853				0.1	%		15878 Gaither Drive, Gaithersburg, MD 20877
				Total Office Supplies									3,700,000				3,610,313				1.2	%
Apex Holdings Software Technologies, LLC		Payroll Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.00%), 9.00% Cash, 9/21/2024		9/21/2016		$	18,000,000				17,981,413				17,368,200				5.7	%
Apex Holdings Software Technologies, LLC		Payroll Services		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+8.00%), 9.00% Cash, 9/21/2024		10/1/2018		$	1,000,000				994,557				964,900				0.3	%		500 Colonial Center Parkway, Suite 650, Roswell, GA 30076
				Total Payroll Services									18,975,970				18,333,100				6.0	%
Village Realty Holdings LLC		Property Management		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+6.50%), 8.75% Cash, 10/8/2024		10/8/2019		$	7,250,000				7,189,591				7,395,000				2.4	%
Village Realty Holdings LLC (j)		Property Management		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+6.50%), 8.75% Cash, 10/8/2024		10/8/2019		$	4,876,322				4,838,617				4,973,850				1.6	%		Village Realty Main Office, 5301 S Croatan Hwy, P.O.Box 1807, Nags Head, NC 27959
V Rental Holdings LLC (h)		Property Management		Class A-1 Membership Units		10/8/2019			122,578				365,914				2,208,681				0.7	%		Village Realty Main Office, 5301 S Croatan Hwy, P.O.Box 1807, Nags Head, NC 27959
				Total Property Management									12,394,122				14,577,531				4.7	%
Buildout, Inc.		Real Estate Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.75%), 9.25% Cash, 7/9/2025		7/9/2020		$	14,000,000				13,873,317				13,952,400				4.6	%
Buildout, Inc.		Real Estate Services		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.75%), 9.25% Cash, 7/9/2025		2/12/2021		$	3,000,000				2,970,361				2,989,800				1.0	%
Buildout, Inc. (h), (i)		Real Estate Services		Limited Partner Interests		7/9/2020			1,071				1,071,301				1,090,002				0.4	%		222 S. Riverside Plaza #810, Chicago,  IL 60606
				Total Real Estate Services									17,914,979				18,032,202				6.0	%
TMAC Acquisition Co., LLC (k)		Restaurant		Unsecured Term Loan 8.00% PIK, 9/01/2023		3/1/2018		$	2,261,017				2,261,017				2,140,911				0.7	%		6220 Shiloh Rd#100, Alpharetta, GA 30005
				Total Restaurant									2,261,017				2,140,911				0.7	%
ArbiterSports, LLC (d)		Sports Management		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+6.50%), 8.25% Cash, 2/21/2025		2/21/2020		$	26,000,000				25,800,743				24,525,800				8.1	%
ArbiterSports, LLC (d)		Sports Management		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+6.50%), 8.25% Cash, 2/21/2025		2/21/2020		$	1,000,000				1,000,000				943,300				0.3	%		235 W Sego Lily, Suite 200,  Sandy, UT  84070
				Total Sports Management									26,800,743				25,469,100				8.4	%
Avionte Holdings, LLC (h)		Staffing Services		Class A Units		1/8/2014			100,000				100,000				924,509				0.3	%		1270 Eagan Industrial Rd, Suite#150, Eagan, MN 55121
				Total Staffing Services									100,000				924,509				0.3	%
National Waste Partners (d)		Waste Services		Second Lien Term Loan 10.00% Cash, 2/13/2022		2/13/2017		$	9,000,000				8,981,436				9,000,000				3.0	%		2538 E University Drive, Suite 165, Phoenix, AZ 85034
				Total Waste Services									8,981,436				9,000,000				3.0	%
Sub Total Non-control/Non-affiliate investments													471,328,212				469,946,494				154.5	%
Affiliate investments - 6.4% (b)
GreyHeller LLC (d), (f)		Cyber Security		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+11.00%), 12.00% Cash, 12/31/2025		11/17/2016		$	7,000,000				6,988,549				7,000,000				2.3	%
GreyHeller LLC (d), (f), (j)		Cyber Security		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+11.00%), 12.00% Cash, 12/31/2025		10/19/2020		$	2,250,000				2,233,173				2,250,000				0.7	%
GreyHeller LLC (f), (h)		Cyber Security		Series A Preferred Units		11/17/2016			850,000				850,000				3,924,291				1.3	%		111 Deerwood Road, Ste 200, San Ramon, CA 94583
				Total Cyber Security									10,071,722				13,174,291				4.3	%
Top Gun Pressure Washing, LLC (f)		Facilities Maintenance		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.00%), 9.50% Cash, 8/12/2024		8/12/2019		$	5,000,000				4,961,639				4,491,500				1.5	%
Top Gun Pressure Washing, LLC (f), (j)		Facilities Maintenance		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR+7.00%), 9.50% Cash, 8/12/2024		8/12/2019		$	1,825,000				1,810,198				1,639,397				0.6	%		500 West 67th Street, Loveland, CO 80538
TG Pressure Washing Holdings, LLC (f), (h)		Facilities Maintenance		Preferred Equity		8/12/2019			488,148				488,148				62,552				0.0	%		500 West 67th Street, Loveland, CO 80538
				Total Facilities Maintenance									7,259,985				6,193,449				2.1	%
Sub Total Affiliate investments													17,331,707				19,367,740				6.4	%
Control investments - 21.4% (b)
Netreo Holdings, LLC (g)		IT Services		First Lien Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR +6.25%), 9.00% Cash/2.75% PIK, 12/31/2025		7/3/2018		$	5,296,555				5,268,156				5,349,521				1.8	%
Netreo Holdings, LLC (g), (j)		IT Services		Delayed Draw Term Loan (3M USD LIBOR +6.25%), 9.00% Cash/2.75% PIK, 12/31/2020		5/26/2020		$	1,223,203				1,213,962				1,235,435				0.4	%
Netreo Holdings, LLC (g), (h)		IT Services		Common Stock Class A Unit		7/3/2018			3,150,000				3,150,000				8,634,768				2.8	%		8717 Research Drive, Suite 150, Irvine, CA 92618
				Total IT Services									9,632,118				15,219,724				5.0	%
Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd. (a), (e), (g)		Structured Finance Securities		Other/Structured Finance Securities 11.72%, 1/20/2030		1/22/2008		$	111,000,000				33,846,643				31,449,732				10.3	%		535 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022
Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd. Class F-R-3 Note (a), (g)		Structured Finance Securities		Other/Structured Finance Securities (3M USD LIBOR+10.00%), 10.19%, 4/20/2033		2/26/2020		$	17,875,000				17,875,000				18,329,025				6.1	%		535 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor, New York, NY 10022
				Total Structured Finance Securities									51,721,643				49,778,757				16.4	%
Sub Total Control investments													61,353,761				64,998,481				21.4	%
TOTAL INVESTMENTS - 182.2% (b)												$	550,013,680			$	554,312,715				182.2	%

  

 

		Number of Shares				Cost				Fair Value				% of Net Assets
Cash and cash equivalents and cash and cash equivalents, reserve accounts - 6.2% (b)
U.S. Bank Money Market (l)			18,828,047			$	18,828,047			$	18,828,047				6.2	%
Total cash and cash equivalents and cash and cash equivalents, reserve accounts			18,828,047			$	18,828,047			$	18,828,047				6.2	%

 

(a)

Represents an ineligible investment as defined under Section 55(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended. As of February 28, 2021 non-qualifying assets represent 9.5% of the Company’s portfolio at fair value. As a BDC, the Company can only invest 30% of its portfolio in non-qualifying assets.

(b)

Percentages are based on net assets of $304,185,770 as of February 28, 2021.

(c)

Because there is no readily available market value for these investments, the fair values of these investments were determined using significant unobservable inputs and approved in good faith by our board of directors. These investments have been included as Level 3 in the Fair Value Hierarchy (see Note 3 to the consolidated financial statements).

(d)

These securities are either fully or partially pledged as collateral under a senior secured revolving credit facility (see Note 7 to the consolidated financial statements).

(e)

This investment does not have a stated interest rate that is payable thereon. As a result, the 11.72% interest rate in the table above represents the effective interest rate currently earned on the investment cost and is based on the current cash interest and other income generated by the investment.

(f)

As defined in the Investment Company Act, this portfolio company is an Affiliate as we own between 5.0% and 25.0% of the voting securities. Transactions during the year ended February 28, 2021 in which the issuer was an Affiliate are as follows:

 

Company		Purchases				Sales				Total Interest from Investments				Management Fee Income				Net Realized Gain (Loss) from Investments				Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Elyria Foundry Company, L.L.C.		$	-			$	(2,309,806	)		$	172,626			$	-			$	(8,726,013	)		$	7,745,228
GreyHeller LLC			2,227,500				-				987,969				-				-				942,175
Top Gun Pressure Washing, LLC			1,806,750				-				668,294				-				-				(712,711	)
TG Pressure Washing Holdings, LLC			138,148				-				-				-				-				(425,596	)
Total		$	4,172,398			$	(2,309,806	)		$	1,828,889			$	-			$	(8,726,013	)		$	7,549,096

 

(g)

As defined in the Investment Company Act, we “Control” this portfolio company because we own more than 25% of the portfolio company’s outstanding voting securities. Transactions during the year ended February 28, 2021 in which the issuer was both an Affiliate and a portfolio company that we Control are as follows:

 

Company		Purchases				Sales				Total Interest from Investments				Management Fee Income				Net Realized Gain (Loss) from Investments				Net Change in Unrealized Appreciation (Depreciation)
Netreo Holdings, LLC		$	1,188,000			$	-			$	738,012			$	-			$	-			$	1,832,136
Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd.			14,000,000				-				3,535,591				2,507,626				-				(1,433,723	)
Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd. Class F-R-2 Notes			-				(2,500,000	)			237,163				-				-				22,000
Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd. Class F-R-3 Note			17,875,000				-				15,187				-				-				454,025
Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd. Class G-R-2 Notes			-				(7,500,000	)			805,759				-				-				65,250
Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1 Warehouse 2, Ltd.			22,500,000				(25,000,000	)			679,926				-				-				295,459
Total		$	55,563,000			$	(35,000,000	)		$	6,011,638			$	2,507,626			$	-			$	1,235,147

 

(h)

Non-income producing at February 28, 2021.

(i)

Includes securities issued by an affiliate of the Company.

(j)

All or a portion of this investment has an unfunded commitment as of February 28, 2021. (see Note 8 to the consolidated financial statements).

(k)

As of February 28, 2021, the investment was on non-accrual status. The fair value of these investments was approximately $2.1 million, which represented 0.4% of the Company’s portfolio (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements).

(l)

Included within cash and cash equivalents and cash and cash equivalents, reserve accounts in the Company’s consolidated statements of assets and liabilities as of February 28, 2021.

 

LIBOR - London Interbank Offered Rate

 

1M USD LIBOR - The 1 month USD LIBOR rate as of February 28, 2021 was 0.12%.

3M USD LIBOR - The 3 month USD LIBOR rate as of February 28, 2021 was 0.19%.

PIK - Payment-in-Kind (see Note 2 to the consolidated financial statements).

 

 

MANAGEMENT

 

The information in the section entitled “Directors, Executive Officers and Corporate Governance” in Part III, Item 10 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

MANAGEMENT AND OTHER AGREEMENTS

 

The information in the sections entitled “Investment Advisory and Management Agreement,” “Administration Agreement” and “License Agreement” in the “Business” section of Part I, Item 1 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and in the notes to our consolidated financial statements under the caption “Note 6. Agreements and Related Part Transactions” in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

PORTFOLIO MANAGEMENT

 

The information in the section entitled “Portfolio Management” in our most recent Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

 

The information in the section entitled “Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence” in Part III, Item 13 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS

 

The information in the section entitled “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters” in Part III, Item 12 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

REGULATION

 

The information in the sections entitled “Business Development Company Regulations” and “Small Business Investment Company Regulations” in the “Business” section of Part I, Item 1 of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K is incorporated herein by reference.

 

 

CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS

 

The following discussion is a general summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to us and to an investment in shares of our common stock which is based on the provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations in effect as they directly govern our U.S. federal income tax treatment and the U.S. federal income taxation of our stockholders. These provisions are subject to differing interpretations and change by legislative or administrative action, and any change may be retroactive. The discussion does not purport to deal with all of the U.S. federal income tax consequences applicable to us, or which may be important to particular stockholders in light of their individual investment circumstances or to some types of stockholders subject to special tax rules, such as financial institutions, broker-dealers, insurance companies, tax-exempt organizations, partnerships or other pass-through entities, persons holding our common shares in connection with a hedging, straddle, conversion or other integrated transaction, persons engaged in a trade or business in the United States or persons who have ceased to be U.S. citizens or to be taxed as resident aliens. This discussion assumes that the stockholders hold their common shares as capital assets for U.S. federal income tax purposes (generally, assets held for investment). No attempt is made to present a detailed explanation of all U.S. federal income tax aspects affecting us and our stockholders, and the discussion set forth herein does not constitute tax advice. This summary also does not discuss any aspects of U.S. estate or gift tax or foreign, state or local tax. It does not discuss the special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws that could result if we invested in tax-exempt securities or certain other investment assets. No ruling has been or will be sought from the Internal Revenue Service, which we refer to as the IRS, regarding any matter discussed herein. Tax counsel has not rendered any legal opinion regarding any tax consequences relating to us or our stockholders. Stockholders are urged to consult their own tax advisors to determine the U.S. federal, state, local and foreign tax consequences to them of investing in our shares.

 

This summary does not discuss the consequences of an investment in shares of our preferred stock, debt securities or warrants representing rights to purchase shares of our common stock, preferred stock, debt or securities. The tax consequences of such an investment will be discussed in a relevant prospectus supplement.

 

For purposes of this discussion, a “U.S. stockholder” (or in this section, a “stockholder”) is a holder or a beneficial holder of shares of our common stock which is for U.S. federal income tax purposes (1) an individual who is a citizen or resident of the U.S., (2) a corporation (or other entity taxable as a corporation for U.S. federal income tax purposes) created or organized in or under the laws of the United States or any state thereof or the District of Columbia, (3) an estate whose income is subject to U.S. federal income tax regardless of its source, or (4) a trust if (a) a U.S. court is able to exercise primary supervision over the trust’s administration and one or more U.S. persons are authorized to control all substantial decisions of the trust or (b) the trust has in effect a valid election to be treated as a domestic trust for U.S. federal income tax purposes. If a partnership or other entity classified as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes holds the shares, the tax treatment of the partnership and each partner generally will depend on the activities of the partnership and the activities of the partner. Partnerships acquiring shares, and partners in such partnerships, should consult their own tax advisors. Prospective investors that are not U.S. stockholders should refer to “Non-U.S. Stockholders” below.

 

Tax matters are complicated and prospective investors in our shares are urged to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in our shares, including the potential application of U.S. withholding taxes.

 

Taxation of the Company

 

Election to Be Taxed as a RIC

 

As a BDC, we elected and qualified to be treated as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code. As a RIC, we generally will not have to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income taxes on any net ordinary income or capital gain net income that we timely distribute to our stockholders as dividends. To qualify as a RIC, we must, among other things, meet certain source-of-income and asset diversification requirements (as described below). In addition, we must timely distribute to our stockholders, for each taxable year, at least 90% of our “investment company taxable income,” which is generally our net ordinary income plus the excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses (the “Annual Distribution Requirement”). Our SBIC subsidiary may be limited by the Small Business Investment Act of 1958, and SBA regulations governing SBICs, from making certain distributions to us that may be necessary to enable us to maintain our status as a RIC. We may have to request a waiver of the SBA’s restrictions for our SBIC subsidiary to make certain distributions to maintain our RIC status. We cannot assure you that the SBA will grant such a waiver.

 

 

Taxation as a RIC

 

As a RIC, if we satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, we will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the portion of our investment company taxable income and net capital gain, defined as net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses, we distribute to stockholders. We will be subject to U.S. federal income tax at regular corporate rates on any net income or net capital gain not distributed to our stockholders.

 

We will be subject to our nondeductible U.S. federal excise tax of 4% on undistributed income if we do not distribute at least the sum of (a) 98% of our net ordinary income for any calendar year, (b) 98.2% of our capital gain net income for each one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year, and (c) any net ordinary income and capital gain net income that we recognized in preceding years, but were not distributed during such years, and on which we did not pay U.S. federal income tax. Depending on the level of investment company taxable income (“ICTI”) earned in a tax year and the amount of net capital gains recognized in such tax year, the Company may choose to carry forward ICTI and net capital gains in excess of current year dividend distributions into the next tax year. In order to eliminate our liability for U.S. federal income tax, and to the extent necessary to maintain our qualification as a RIC, any such carryover ICTI and net capital gains must be distributed before the end of that next tax year through a dividend declared prior to the 15th day of the 9th month after the close of the taxable year in which such ICTI was generated. To the extent that the Company determines that its estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of estimated current year dividend distributions for U.S. federal excise tax purposes, the Company accrues U.S. federal excise tax, if any, on estimated excess taxable income as taxable income is earned.

 

In order to qualify as a RIC for U.S. federal income tax purposes, we must, among other things:

 

●

qualify to be treated as a BDC under the 1940 Act at all times during each taxable year;

 

●

derive in each taxable year at least 90% of our gross income from dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of stock or other securities, or other income derived with respect to our business of investing in such stock or securities, and net income derived from interests in “qualified publicly traded partnerships” (partnerships that are traded on an established securities market or tradable on a secondary market, other than partnerships that derive 90% of their income from interest, dividends and other permitted RIC income) (the “90% Income Test”); and

 

●

diversify our holdings so that at the end of each quarter of the taxable year:

 

●

at least 50% of the value of our assets consists of cash, cash equivalents, U.S. government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities if such other securities of any one issuer do not represent more than 5% of the value of our assets or more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of the issuer; and

 

●

no more than 25% of the value of our assets is invested in the securities, other than U.S. government securities or securities of other RICs, of one issuer or of two or more issuers that are controlled, as determined under applicable tax rules, by us and that are engaged in the same or similar or related trades or businesses or in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (the “Diversification Tests”).

 

We may invest in partnerships, including qualified publicly traded partnerships, which may result in our being subject to state, local or foreign income and franchise or withholding liabilities.

 

Any underwriting fees paid by us are not deductible. We may be required to recognize taxable income in circumstances in which we do not receive cash. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, with increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we must include in income each year a portion of the original issue discount that accrues over the life of the obligation, regardless of whether cash representing such income is received by us in the same taxable year. Because any original issue discount accrued will be included in our investment company taxable income for the year of accrual, we may be required to make a distribution to our stockholders in order to satisfy the Annual Distribution Requirement, even though we will not have received any corresponding cash amount.

 

 

Although we do not presently expect to do so, we are authorized to borrow funds and to sell assets in order to satisfy distribution requirements. However, under the 1940 Act, we are not permitted to make distributions to our stockholders while our debt obligations and other senior securities are outstanding unless certain “asset coverage” tests are met. See “Regulation — Senior Securities.” Moreover, our ability to dispose of assets to meet our distribution requirements may be limited by (1) the illiquid nature of our portfolio and/or (2) other requirements relating to our qualification as a RIC, including the Diversification Tests. If we dispose of assets in order to meet the Annual Distribution Requirement or the U.S. federal excise tax requirement, we may make such dispositions at times that, from an investment standpoint, are not advantageous.

 

Some of the income and fees that we may recognize will not satisfy the 90% Income Test. In order to ensure that such income and fees do not disqualify us as a RIC for a failure to satisfy the 90% Income Test, we may be required to recognize such income and fees indirectly through one or more entities treated as corporations for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Such corporations will be required to pay corporate-level U.S. federal income tax on their earnings, which ultimately will reduce our return on such income and fees.

 

Failure to Qualify as a RIC

 

If we were unable to continue to qualify for treatment as a RIC, we would be subject to tax on all of our taxable income at regular corporate rates. We would not be able to deduct distributions to stockholders, nor would they be required to be made. Distributions, including distributions of net long-term capital gain, would generally be taxable to our stockholders as ordinary dividend income to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. Subject to certain limitations under the Code, corporate distributees would be eligible for the dividends received deduction. Distributions in excess of our current and accumulated earnings and profits would be treated first as a return of capital to the extent of the stockholder’s tax basis, and any remaining distributions would be treated as a capital gain. If we fail to qualify as a RIC for a period greater than two taxable years, to qualify as a RIC in a subsequent year we may be subject to regular corporate tax on any net built-in gains with respect to certain of our assets ( i.e., the excess of the aggregate gains, including items of income, over aggregate losses that would have been realized with respect to such assets if we had been liquidated) that we elect to recognize on requalification or when recognized over the next five years.

 

Company Investments

 

Certain of our investment practices are subject to special and complex U.S. federal income tax provisions that may, among other things, (1) disallow, suspend or otherwise limit the allowance of certain losses or deductions, including the dividends received deduction, (2) convert lower taxed long-term capital gains and qualified dividend income into higher taxed short-term capital gains or ordinary income, (3) convert ordinary loss or a deduction into capital loss (the deductibility of which is more limited), (4) cause us to recognize income or gain without a corresponding receipt of cash, (5) adversely affect the time as to when a purchase or sale of stock or securities is deemed to occur, (6) adversely alter the characterization of certain complex financial transactions and (7) produce income that will not qualify as good income for purposes of the 90% annual gross income requirement described above. We will monitor our transactions and may make certain tax elections and may be required to borrow money or dispose of securities to mitigate the effect of these rules and prevent disqualification as a RIC.

 

Investments we make in securities issued at a discount or providing for deferred interest or payment of interest in kind are subject to special tax rules that will affect the amount, timing and character of distributions to stockholders. For example, if we hold debt obligations that are treated under applicable tax rules as having original issue discount (such as debt instruments with PIK interest or, in certain cases, with increasing interest rates or issued with warrants), we will generally be required to accrue daily as income a portion of the discount and to distribute such income each year to avoid U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Since in certain circumstances we may recognize income before or without receiving cash representing such income, we may have difficulty making distributions in the amounts necessary to satisfy the requirements for maintaining RIC status and for avoiding U.S. federal income and excise taxes. Accordingly, we may have to sell some of our investments at times we would not consider advantageous, raise additional debt or equity capital or reduce new investment originations to meet these distribution requirements. If we are not able to obtain cash from other sources, we may fail to qualify as a RIC and thereby be subject to corporate-level U.S. federal income tax.

 

 

Gain or loss realized by us from warrants acquired by us as well as any loss attributable to the lapse of such warrants generally will be treated as capital gain or loss. Such gain or loss generally will be long term or short term, depending on how long we held a particular warrant.

 

In the event we invest in foreign securities, we may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes with respect to those securities. In that case, our yield on those securities would be decreased. We do not expect to satisfy the requirements necessary to pass through to our stockholders their share of the foreign taxes paid by us.

 

If we purchase shares in a “passive foreign investment company” (a “PFIC”), we may be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a portion of any “excess distribution” or gain from the disposition of such shares even if such income is distributed as a taxable dividend by us to our stockholders. Additional charges in the nature of interest may be imposed on us in respect of deferred taxes arising from such distributions or gains. If we invest in a PFIC and elect to treat the PFIC as a “qualified electing fund” under the Code (a “QEF”), in lieu of the foregoing requirements, we will be required to include in income each year a portion of the ordinary earnings and net capital gain of the QEF, even if such income is not distributed to us. Alternatively, we can elect to mark-to-market at the end of each taxable year our shares in a PFIC; in this case, we will recognize as ordinary income any increase in the value of such shares, and as ordinary loss any decrease in such value to the extent it does not exceed prior increases included in income. Under either election, we may be required to recognize in a year income in excess of our distributions from PFICs and our proceeds from dispositions of PFIC stock during that year, and such income will nevertheless be subject to the Annual Distribution Requirement and will be taken into account for purposes of the 4% U.S. federal excise tax.

 

Income inclusions from a QEF will be “good income” for purposes of the 90% Income Test provided that they are derived in connection with our business of investing in stocks and securities or the QEF distributes such income to us in the same taxable year to which the income is included in our income.

 

The remainder of this discussion assumes that we qualify as a RIC and have satisfied the Annual Distribution Requirement.

 

Taxation of U.S. Stockholders

 

Distributions we pay to you from our net ordinary income or from an excess of realized net short-term capital gains over realized net long-term capital losses (together referred to hereinafter as “ordinary income dividends”) are generally taxable to you as ordinary income to the extent of our earnings and profits. Due to our expected investments, in general, distributions will not be eligible for the dividends received deduction allowed to corporate stockholders and will not qualify for the reduced rates of tax for qualified dividend income allowed to individuals. Distributions made to you from an excess of realized net long-term capital gains over realized net short-term capital losses (“capital gain dividends”), including capital gain dividends credited to you but retained by us, are taxable to you as long-term capital gains if they have been properly designated by us, regardless of the length of time you have owned our shares. Distributions in excess of our earnings and profits will first reduce the adjusted tax basis of your shares and, after the adjusted tax basis is reduced to zero, will constitute capital gains to you (assuming the shares are held as a capital asset). The current maximum U.S. federal tax rate on long-term capital gains of individuals is generally 20 percent. For non-corporate taxpayers, ordinary income dividends will currently be taxed at a maximum rate of 37 percent (39.6 percent for taxable years beginning after December 31, 2025), while capital gain dividends generally will be currently taxed at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 20 percent. For corporate taxpayers, both ordinary income dividends and capital gain dividends are currently taxed at a maximum U.S. federal income tax rate of 21 percent. In addition, individuals with income in excess of $200,000 ($250,000 in the case of married individuals filing jointly) and certain estates and trusts are subject to an additional 3.8% tax on their “net investment income,” which generally includes net income from interest, dividends, annuities, royalties, and rents, and net capital gains (other than certain amounts earned from trades or businesses). Present law also taxes both long-term and short-term capital gains of corporations at the rates applicable to ordinary income. Non-corporate stockholders with net capital losses for a year (i.e., net capital losses in excess of net capital gains) generally may deduct up to $3,000 of such losses against their ordinary income each year; any net capital losses of a non-corporate stockholder in excess of $3,000 generally may be carried forward and used in subsequent years, subject to certain limitations, as provided in the Code. Corporate stockholders generally may not deduct any net capital losses for a year, but may carryback such losses for three years or carry forward such losses for five years.

 

 

In the event that we retain any net capital gains, we may designate the retained amounts as undistributed capital gains in a notice to our stockholders. If a designation is made, stockholders would include in income, as long-term capital gains, their proportionate share of the undistributed amounts, but would be allowed a credit or refund, as the case may be, for their proportionate share of the corporate tax paid by us. In addition, the tax basis of shares owned by a stockholder would be increased by an amount equal to the difference between (i) the amount included in the stockholder’s income as long-term capital gains and (ii) the stockholder’s proportionate share of the corporate tax paid by us.

 

We may distribute taxable dividends that are payable in cash or shares of our common stock at the election of each stockholder. Under certain applicable provisions of the Code and the Treasury regulations, distributions payable in cash or in shares of stock at the election of stockholders are treated as taxable dividends. The IRS has issued a revenue procedure indicating that this rule will apply where the total amount of cash to be distributed is limited to not less than 20% of the total distribution. Under this revenue procedure, if too many stockholders elect to receive their distributions in cash, each such stockholder would receive a pro rata share of the total cash to be distributed and would receive the remainder of their distribution in shares of stock. If we decide to make any distributions consistent with this revenue procedure that are payable in part in our stock, taxable stockholders receiving such dividends will be required to include the full amount of the dividend (whether received in cash, our stock, or a combination thereof) as ordinary income (or as long-term capital gain to the extent such distribution is properly reported as a capital gain dividend) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits for U.S. federal income tax purposes. As a result, a U.S. stockholder may be required to pay tax with respect to such dividends in excess of any cash received. If a U.S. stockholder sells the stock it receives as a dividend in order to pay this tax, the sales proceeds may be less than the amount included in income with respect to the dividend, depending on the market price of our stock at the time of the sale. If a significant number of our stockholders determine to sell shares of our stock in order to pay taxes owed on dividends, it may put downward pressure on the trading price of our stock.

 

If an investor purchases shares of our common stock shortly before the record date of a distribution, the price of the shares will include the value of the distribution and the investor will be subject to tax on the distribution even though economically it may represent a return of his, her or its investment.

 

We (or the applicable withholding agent) will send to each of our U.S. stockholders after the end of each calendar year, a notice reporting the amounts includible in such U.S. stockholder’s taxable income for such year as ordinary income and as long-term capital gain. In addition, the federal tax status of each year’s distributions generally will be reported to the IRS (including the amount of dividends, if any, eligible for the 20% maximum rate). Dividends paid by us generally will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction or the preferential tax rate applicable to Qualifying Dividends because our income generally will not consist of dividends. Distributions may also be subject to additional state, local and foreign taxes depending on a U.S. stockholder’s particular situation.

 

Dividends and other taxable distributions are taxable to you even though they are reinvested in additional shares of our common stock. If we pay you a dividend in January which was declared in the previous October, November or December to stockholders of record on a specified date in one of these months, then the dividend will be treated for tax purposes as being paid by us and received by you on December 31 of the year in which the dividend was declared.

 

 

A stockholder will generally recognize gain or loss on the sale or exchange of our common shares in an amount equal to the difference between the stockholder’s adjusted basis in the shares sold or exchanged and the amount realized on their disposition. Generally, gain recognized by a stockholder on the sale or other disposition of our common shares will result in capital gain or loss to you, and will be a long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than one year at the time of sale. Any loss upon the sale or exchange of our shares held for six months or less will be treated as a long-term capital loss to the extent of any capital gain dividends received (including amounts credited as an undistributed capital gain dividend) by you. A loss realized on a sale or exchange of our shares will be disallowed if other substantially identical shares are acquired (whether through the automatic reinvestment of dividends or otherwise) within a 61-day period beginning 30 days before and ending 30 days after the date that the shares are disposed of. In this case, the basis of the shares acquired will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.

 

Stockholders should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in our shares.

 

Backup Withholding. We are required in certain circumstances to backup withhold on taxable dividends or distributions and certain other payments paid to non-corporate stockholders who do not furnish us with their correct taxpayer identification number (in the case of individuals, their social security number) and certain certifications, or who are otherwise subject to backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to you may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

Reportable Transactions Reporting. If a U.S. stockholder recognizes a loss with respect to shares of our common stock of $2 million or more for an individual stockholder or $10 million or more for a corporate stockholder, the stockholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on Form 8886. Direct stockholders of portfolio securities are in many cases exempted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, stockholders of a RIC are not exempted. 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. U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their specific circumstances.

 

Taxation of Non-U.S. Stockholders

 

The following discussion only applies to non-U.S. stockholders. A “non-U.S. stockholder” is a holder that is not a U.S. stockholder for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Whether an investment in the shares is appropriate for a non-U.S. stockholder will depend upon that person’s particular circumstances. An investment in the shares by a non-U.S. stockholder may have adverse tax consequences. Non-U.S. stockholders should consult their tax advisors before investing in our shares.

 

Distributions of ordinary income dividends to non-U.S. stockholders, subject to the discussion below, will generally be subject to withholding of U.S. federal tax at a 30% rate (or lower rate provided by an applicable treaty) to the extent of our current and accumulated earnings and profits. However, properly reported dividends received by a non-U.S. stockholder are generally exempt from U.S. federal withholding tax when they (1) are paid in respect of our “qualified net interest income” (generally, our U.S. source interest income, other than certain contingent interest and interest from obligations of a corporation or partnership in which we are at least a 10% stockholder, reduced by expenses that are allocable to such income), or (2) are paid in connection with our “qualified short-term capital gains” (generally, the excess of our net short-term capital gain over our long-term capital loss for such taxable year). Depending on the circumstances, we may report all, some or none of our potentially eligible dividends as such qualified net interest income or as qualified short-term capital gains, or treat such dividends, in whole or in part, as ineligible for this exemption from withholding. In order to qualify for this exemption from withholding, a non-U.S. stockholder must comply with applicable certification requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E, or an acceptable substitute or successor form). In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary could withhold even if we report the payment as qualified net interest income or qualified short-term capital gain. Non-U.S. stockholders should contact their intermediaries with respect to the application of these rules to their accounts.

 

Different tax consequences may result if the non-U.S. stockholder is engaged in a trade or business in the United States or, in the case of an individual, is present in the United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

 

 

Actual or deemed distributions of our net capital gains to a non-U.S. stockholder, and gains recognized by a non-U.S. stockholder upon the sale of our common stock, generally will not be subject to U.S. federal withholding tax and will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax unless the distributions or gains, as the case may be, are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business of the non-U.S. stockholder or, in the case of an individual, such individual is present in the United States for 183 days or more during a taxable year and certain other conditions are met.

 

If we distribute our net capital gains in the form of deemed rather than actual distributions (which we may do in the future), a non-U.S. stockholder will be entitled to a U.S. federal income tax credit or tax refund equal to the stockholder’s allocable share of the tax we pay on the capital gains deemed to have been distributed. In order to obtain the refund, the non-U.S. stockholder must obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number and file a U.S. federal income tax return even if the non-U.S. stockholder is not otherwise required to obtain a U.S. taxpayer identification number or file a U.S. federal income tax return. For a corporate non-U.S. stockholder, distributions (both actual and deemed), and gains realized upon the sale of our common stock that are effectively connected with a U.S. trade or business may, under certain circumstances, be subject to an additional “branch profits tax” at a 30% rate (or at a lower rate if provided for by an applicable tax treaty). Accordingly, investment in the shares may not be appropriate for certain non-U.S. stockholders.

 

Backup Withholding. A non-U.S. stockholder who is a non-resident alien individual, and who is otherwise subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax, may be subject to information reporting and backup withholding of U.S. federal income tax on dividends unless the non-U.S. stockholder provides us or the dividend paying agent with an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or an acceptable substitute form or otherwise meets documentary evidence requirements for establishing that it is a non-U.S. stockholder or otherwise establishes an exemption from backup withholding. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld from payments made to you may be refunded or credited against your U.S. federal income tax liability, if any, provided that the required information is furnished to the IRS.

 

Non-U.S. persons should consult their own tax advisors with respect to the U.S. federal income tax and withholding tax, and state, local and foreign tax consequences of an investment in our shares.

 

Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act

 

Legislation commonly referred to as the “Foreign Account Tax Compliance Act,” or “FATCA,” generally imposes a 30% withholding tax on payments of certain types of income to foreign financial institutions (“FFIs”) unless such FFIs either (i) enter into an agreement with the U.S. Treasury to report certain required information with respect to accounts held by U.S. persons (or held by foreign entities that have U.S. persons as substantial owners) or (ii) reside in a jurisdiction that has entered into an intergovernmental agreement (“IGA”) with the United States to collect and share such information and are in compliance with the terms of such IGA and any enabling legislation or regulations. The types of income subject to the tax include U.S. source interest and dividends. While existing U.S. Treasury regulations would also require withholding on payments of the gross proceeds from the sale of any property that could produce U.S. source interest or dividends, the U.S. Treasury Department has indicated its intent to eliminate this requirement in subsequent proposed regulations, which state that taxpayers may rely on the proposed regulations until final regulations are issued. The information required to be reported includes the identity and taxpayer identification number of each account holder that is a U.S. person and transaction activity within the holder’s account. In addition, subject to certain exceptions, this legislation also imposes a 30% withholding on payments to foreign entities that are not FFIs unless the foreign entity certifies that it does not have a greater than 10% U.S. owner or provides the withholding agent with identifying information on each greater than 10% U.S. owner. Depending on the status of a beneficial owner and the status of the intermediaries through which they hold their shares, beneficial owners of our common stock could be subject to this 30% withholding tax with respect to distributions on their shares and potentially proceeds from the sale of their shares. Under certain circumstances, a beneficial owner might be eligible for refunds or credits of such taxes.

 

 

DETERMINATION OF NET ASSET VALUE

 

The NAV per share of our outstanding shares of common stock is determined quarterly by dividing the value of total assets minus liabilities by the total number of shares of common stock outstanding at the date as of which the determination is made.

 

We carry our investments at fair value, as approved in good faith using written policies and procedures adopted by our board of directors. In calculating the value of our total assets, investments for which market quotations are readily available are recorded in our financial statements at such market quotations subject to any decision by our board of directors to approve a fair value determination to reflect significant events affecting the value of these investments. We value investments for which market quotations are not readily available at fair value as approved in good faith by our board of directors based on input from Saratoga Investment Advisors, our audit committee and, on a selected basis, a third party independent valuation firm. Determinations of fair value may involve subjective judgments and estimates. The types of factors that may be considered in determining the fair value of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, market yield trend analysis, comparison to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flow and other relevant factors.

 

Our investment in Saratoga CLO is carried at fair value, which is based on a discounted cash flows that utilizes prepayment, re-investment and loss assumptions based on historical experience and projected performance, economic factors, the characteristics of the underlying cash flow, and market comparables for equity interests in collateralized loan obligation funds similar to Saratoga CLO, when available, as determined by Saratoga Investment Advisors and recommended to our board of directors. Specifically, we use Intex cash flows, or an appropriate substitute, to form the basis for the valuation of our investment in Saratoga CLO. The cash flows use a set of inputs including projected default rates, recovery rates, reinvestment rate and prepayment rates in order to arrive at estimated valuations. The inputs are based on available market data and projections provided by third parties as well as management estimates. We use the output from the Intex models (i.e., the estimated cash flows) to perform a discounted cash flow analysis on expected future cash flows to determine a valuation for our investment in Saratoga CLO.

 

We undertake a multi-step valuation process each quarter when valuing investments for which market quotations are not readily available, as described below:

 

●

each investment is initially valued by the responsible investment professionals of Saratoga Investment Advisors and preliminary valuation conclusions are documented and discussed with our senior management; and

 

●

an independent valuation firm engaged by our board of directors independently reviews a selection of these preliminary valuations each quarter so that the valuation of each investment for which market quotes are not readily available is reviewed by the independent valuation firm at least once each fiscal year.

 

In addition, all our investments are subject to the following valuation process:

 

●

the audit committee of our board of directors reviews and approves each preliminary valuation and our investment adviser and independent valuation firm (if applicable) will supplement the preliminary valuation to reflect any comments provided by the audit committee; and

 

●

our board of directors discusses the valuations and approves the fair value of each investment in good faith based on the input of our investment adviser, independent valuation firm (to the extent applicable) and the audit committee of our board of directors.

 

Because such valuations, and particularly valuations of private investments and private companies, are inherently uncertain, they may fluctuate over short periods of time and may be based on estimates.

 

The determination of fair value may differ materially from the values that would have been used if a ready market for these investments existed. Our net asset value could be materially affected if the determinations regarding the fair value of our investments were materially higher or lower than the values that we ultimately realize upon the disposal of such investments.

 

 

In September 2006, the Financial Accounting Standards Board, (the “FASB”), issued Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 157, “Fair Value Measurements” (“FAS 157”). In conjunction with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 105 issued by the FASB in June 2009, FAS 157 has been codified in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurement and Disclosures” (“ASC 820”). ASC 820 defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value in accordance with Generally Accepted Accounting Principles in the United Sates, or GAAP, and expands disclosures about fair value measurements.

 

We value all investments in accordance with ASC 820. As defined in ASC 820, fair value is the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between independent market participants at the measurement date.

 

ASC 820 establishes a hierarchal disclosure framework which prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability of inputs used in measuring investments at fair value. Market price observability is affected by a number of factors, including the type of investment and the characteristics specific to the investment. Investments with readily available active quoted prices or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices generally will have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

 

Based on the observability of the inputs used in the valuation techniques, we are required to provide disclosures on fair value measurements according to the fair value hierarchy. The fair value hierarchy ranks the observability of the inputs used to determine fair values. Investments carried at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following three categories:

 

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Level 1—Valuations based on quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that we have the ability to access.

 

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Level 2—Pricing inputs are other than quoted prices in active markets, which are either directly or indirectly observable as of the reporting date. Such inputs may be quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities, quoted markets that are not active, or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data for substantially the full character of the financial instrument, or inputs that are derived principally from, or corroborated by, observable market information. Investments which are generally included in this category include illiquid debt securities and less liquid, privately held or restricted equity securities, for which some level of recent trading activity has been observed.

 

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Level 3—Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment and includes situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the investment. The inputs may be based on the our own assumptions about how market participants would price the asset or liability or may use Level 2 inputs, as adjusted, to reflect specific investment attributes relative to a broader market assumption. Even if observable market data for comparable performance or valuation measures (earnings multiples, discount rates, other financial/valuation ratios, etc.) are available, such investments are grouped as Level 3 if any significant data point that is not also market observable (private company earnings, cash flows, etc.) is used in the valuation technique. We use multiple techniques for determining fair value based on the nature of the investment and experience with those types of investments and specific portfolio companies. The selections of the valuation techniques and the inputs and assumptions used within those techniques often require subjective judgements and estimates. These techniques include market comparables, discounted cash flows and enterprise value waterfalls. Fair value is best expressed as a range of values from which we determine a single best estimate. The types of inputs and assumptions that may be considered in determining the range of values of our investments include the nature and realizable value of any collateral, the portfolio company’s ability to make payments, market yield trend analysis and volatility in future interest rates, call and put features, the markets in which the portfolio company does business, comparison to publicly traded companies, discounted cash flows and other relevant factors.

 

 

In addition to using the above inputs in investment valuations, we continue to employ the valuation policy approved by the board of directors that is consistent with ASC 820 and the 1940 Act (see Note 2 in our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K). Consistent with our valuation policy, we evaluate the source of inputs, including any markets in which our investments are trading, in determining fair value.

 

Ongoing relationships with and monitoring of portfolio companies

 

Saratoga Investment Advisors closely monitors each investment we make and, when appropriate, conducts a regular dialogue with both the management team and other debtholders and seeks specifically tailored financial reporting. In addition, in certain circumstances, senior investment professionals of Saratoga Investment Advisors may take board seats or board observation seats.

 

Determinations in Connection with Offerings

 

In connection with any offering of shares of our common stock, our board of directors or one of its committees will be required to make the determination that we are not selling shares of our common stock at a price below the then current NAV of our common stock or, if our shareholders have granted us the authority to sell shares of our common stock at a price below the then current NAV per share, at a level consistent with such explicit authority, at the time at which the sale is made. Our board of directors or the applicable committee will consider the following factors, among others, in making such determination:

 

●

the NAV of our common stock most recently disclosed by us in the most recent periodic report that we filed with the SEC;

 

●

our management’s assessment of whether any material change in the NAV of our common stock has occurred (including through the realization of gains on the sale of our portfolio securities) during the period beginning on the date of the most recently disclosed NAV of our common stock in our most recent periodic report that we filed with the SEC and ending two days prior to the date of the sale of our common stock; and

 

●

the magnitude of the difference between the NAV of our common stock most recently disclosed by us in our most recent periodic report that we filed with the SEC and our management’s assessment of any material change in the NAV of our common stock since that determination, and the offering price of the shares of our common stock in the proposed offering.

 

The processes and procedures set forth above are part of our compliance policies and procedures. In addition, we will make a record of any such determinations made and such documentation will be maintained in a manner consistent with our other 1940 Act related materials.

 

 

SALES OF COMMON STOCK BELOW NET ASSET VALUE

 

We are not generally able to sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share. We may, however, sell our common stock at a price below net asset value per share (i) in connection with a rights offering to our existing stockholders, (ii) with the approval of our common stockholders, or (iii) under such other circumstances as the SEC may permit. For example, we may sell our common stock at a price below the then current net asset value of our common stock if our board of directors determines that such sale is in our best interests and the best interests of our stockholders, and our stockholders approve our policy and practice of making such sales. We do not have stockholder approval and do not currently intend to seek stockholder approval to allow us to issue common stock at a price below net asset value per share.

 

Any offering of common stock below its net asset value per share will be designed to raise capital for investment in accordance with our investment objective. In making a determination that an offering of common stock below its net asset value per share is in our and our stockholders’ best interests, our board of directors will consider a variety of factors including:

 

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the effect that an offering below net asset value per share would have on our stockholders, including the potential dilution to the net asset value per share of our common stock our stockholders would experience as a result of the offering;

 

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the amount per share by which the offering price per share and the net proceeds per share are less than our most recently determined net asset value per share;

 

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the relationship of recent market prices of par common stock to net asset value per share and the potential impact of the offering on the market price per share of our common stock;

 

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whether the estimated offering price would closely approximate the market value of shares of our common stock;

 

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the potential market impact of being able to raise capital during the current financial market difficulties;

 

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the nature of any new investors anticipated to acquire shares of our common stock in the offering;

 

●

the anticipated rate of return on and quality, type and availability of investments; and

 

●

the leverage available to us.

 

Our board of directors will also consider the fact that sales of shares of common stock at a discount will benefit our investment adviser as the investment adviser will earn additional investment management fees on the proceeds of such offerings, as it would from the offering of any other of our securities or from the offering of common stock at a premium to net asset value per share.

 

Sales by us of our common stock at a discount from net asset value per share pose potential risks for our existing stockholders whether or not they participate in the offering, as well as for new investors who participate in the offering. Any sale of common stock at a price below net asset value per share would result in an immediate dilution to existing common stockholders who do not participate in such sale on at least a pro-rata basis. See “Risk Factors—Risks Relating to Our Common Stock—Stockholders may incur dilution if we sell shares of our common stock in one or more offerings at prices below the then current net asset value per share of our common stock.”

 

The following three headings and accompanying tables explain and provide hypothetical examples on the impact of an offering of our common stock at a price less than net asset value per share on three different types of investors:

 

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existing stockholders who do not purchase any shares in the offering;

 

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existing stockholders who purchase a relatively small amount of shares in the offering or a relatively large amount of shares in the offering; and

 

●

new investors who become stockholders by purchasing shares in the offering.

 

 

Impact On Existing Stockholders Who Do Not Participate in the Offering

 

Our current stockholders who do not participate in an offering below net asset value per share or who do not buy additional shares in the secondary market at the same or lower price as we obtain in the offering (after expenses and commissions) face the greatest potential risks. These stockholders will experience an immediate dilution in the net asset value of the shares of common stock they hold and their net asset value per share. These stockholders will also experience a disproportionately greater decrease in their participation in our earnings and assets and in their voting power than the increase we will experience in our assets, potential earning power and voting interests due to such offering. These stockholders may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares, which often reflects to some degree announced or potential increases and decreases in net asset value per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discounts increases. Further, if current stockholders do not purchase any shares to maintain their percentage interest, regardless of whether such offering is above or below the then current net asset value, their voting power will be diluted.

 

The following table illustrates the level of NAV dilution that would be experienced by a nonparticipating stockholder in three different hypothetical offerings of different sizes and levels of discount from NAV per share, although it is not possible to predict the level of market price decline that may occur. Actual sales prices and discounts may differ from the presentation below.

 

The examples assume that Company XYZ has 5,500,000 shares of common stock outstanding, $273,000,000 in total assets and $150,000,000 in total liabilities. The current NAV and NAV per share are thus $123,000,000 and $22.36. The table illustrates the dilutive effect on nonparticipating Stockholder A of (1) the issuance of 550,000 shares (10% of the outstanding shares) at an offering price of $20.12 per share to investors (a 10% discount from NAV); (2) the issuance of 1,100,000 shares (20% of the outstanding shares) at an offering price of $19.01 per share to investors (a 15% discount from NAV); (3) the issuance of 2,200,000 shares (40% of the outstanding shares) at an offering price of $19.01 per share to investors (a 15% discount from NAV); and (4) the issuance of 5,500,000 (100% of the outstanding shares) at an offering price of $19.01 per share to investors (a 15% discount from NAV).

 

		Prior to				Example 1 10% Offering at 10% Discount								Example 2 20% Offering at 15% Discount								Example 3 40% Offering at 15% Discount								Example 4 100% Offering at 15% Discount
		Sale Below NAV				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change
Offering Price
Price per Share to Public			—			$	20.12				—				19.01				—			$	19.01				—			$	19.01				—
Net Proceeds per Share to Issuer(1)			—			$	18.71				—				17.68				—			$	17.68				—			$	17.68				—
Decrease to NAV
Total Shares Outstanding			5,500,000				6,050,000				10.00	%			6,600,000				20.00	%			7,700,000				40.00	%			11,000,000				100	%
NAV per Share			22.36			$	22.03				-1.48	%		$	21.58				-3.49	%		$	21.03				-5.97	%			20.02				-10.46	%
Dilution to Stockholder
Shares Held by Stockholder A			11,000				11,000				—				11,000				—				11,000				—				11,000				—
Percentage Held by Stockholder A			0.20	%			0.18	%			-9.09	%			0.17	%			-16.67	%			0.14	%			-28.57	%			0.10	%			-50.00	%
Total Asset Values
Total NAV Held by Stockholder A		$	245,960			$	242,320				-1.48	%			237,376				-3.49	%		$	231,276				-5.97	%		$	220,233				-10.46	%
Total Investment by Stockholder A (Assumed to be $22.36 per Share)		$	—			$	245,960				—			$	245,960				—			$	245,960				—			$	245,960				—
Total Dilution to Stockholder A (Total NAV Less Total Investment)			—			$	-3,640				—				-8,584				—				-14,684				—			$	-25,727				—
Per Share Amounts
NAV per Share Held by Stockholder A			—			$	22.03				—				21.58				—			$	21.03				—			$	20.02				—
Investment per Share Held by Stockholder A (Assumed to be $22.36 per Share on Shares Held Prior to Sale)		$	—			$	22.36				—				22.36				—			$	22.36				—			$	22.36				—
Dilution per Share Held by Stockholder A (NAV per Share Less Investment per Share)			—			$	-0.33				—			$	-0.78				—			$	-1.33				—			$	-2.34				—
Percentage Dilution to Stockholder A (Dilution per Share Divided by Investment per Share)			—				—				-1.5	%			—				-3.5	%			—				-6.0	%			—				-10.50	%

 

(1)

Assumes 7% issuance discount.

 

Impact on Existing Stockholders Who Do Participate in the Offering

 

Our existing stockholders who participate in an offering below net asset value per share or who buy additional shares in the secondary market at the same or lower price as we obtain in the offering (after expenses and commissions) will experience the same types of net asset value dilution as the nonparticipating stockholders, albeit at a lower level, to the extent they purchase less than the same percentage of the discounted offering as their interest in our shares immediately prior to the offering. The level of net asset value dilution to such stockholders will decrease as the number of shares such stockholders purchase increases. Existing stockholders who buy more than their proportionate percentage will experience net asset value dilution but will, in contrast to existing stockholders who purchase less than their proportionate share of the offering, experience an increase (often called accretion) in net asset value per share over their investment per share and will also experience a disproportionately greater increase in their participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than our increase in assets, potential earning power and voting interests due to the offering. The level of accretion will increase as the excess number of shares purchased by such stockholder increases. Even a stockholder who over-participates will, however, be subject to the risk that we may make additional discounted offerings in which such stockholder does not participate, in which case such a stockholder will experience net asset value dilution as described above in any subsequent offerings. These stockholders may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares, which often reflects to some degree announced or potential decreases in net asset value per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and the level of discount to net asset value increases.

 

The following chart illustrates the level of dilution and accretion in the hypothetical 20% offering at a 15% discount from the prior chart (Example 3) for a stockholder that acquires shares equal to (1) 50% of its proportionate share of the offering (i.e., 1,100) shares, which is 0.1% of an offering of 1,100,000 shares rather than its 0.2% proportionate share) and (2) 150% of such percentage (i.e., 3,300 shares, which is 0.3% of an offering of 1,100,000 shares rather than its 0.2% proportionate share). The prospectus supplement pursuant to which any discounted offering is made will include a chart for this example based on the actual number of shares in such offering and the actual discount from the most recently determined NAV per share.

 

		Prior to				50% Participation								150% Participation
		Sale Below NAV				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change
Offering Price
Price per Share to Public			—			$	19.01				—	%		$	19.01				—	%
Net Proceeds per Share to Issuer(1)			—			$	17.68				—	%		$	17.68				—	%
Increase in Shares and Decrease to NAV
Total Shares Outstanding			5,500,000				6,600,000				20	%			6,600,000				20	%
NAV per share		$	22.36			$	21.58				-3.49	%		$	21.58				-3.49	%
Dilution/Accretion to Participating Stockholder A
Share Dilution/Accretion
Shares Held by Stockholder A			11,000				12,100				10	%			14,300				30	%
Percentage Outstanding Held by Stockholder A			0.2	%			0.18	%			-8.33	%			0.21	%			8.33	%
NAV Dilution/Accretion
Total NAV Held by Stockholder A		$	245,960			$	261,118				6.16	%		$	308,594				25.47	%
Total Investment by Stockholder A (Assumed to be $22.36 per Share on Shares Held Prior to Sale)			—			$	265,408				—			$	304,304				—
Total Dilution/Accretion to Stockholder A (Total NAV Less Total Investment)		$	—			$	-4,290				-1.64	%		$	4,290				1.39	%
NAV Dilution/Accretion per Share
NAV per Share Held by Stockholder A		$	—			$	21.58				-3.49	%		$	21.58				-3.49	%
Investment per Share Held by Stockholder A (Assumed to be $22.36 per Share on Shares Held Prior to Sale)		$	—			$	21.93				—	%		$	21.28				—	%
NAV Dilution/Accretion per Share Experienced by Stockholder A (NAV per Share Less Investment per Share)			—			$	-0.35				—	%		$	0.30				—	%
Percentage NAV Dilution/Accretion Experienced by Stockholder A (NAV Dilution/Accretion per Share Divided by Investment per Share)			—				—				-1.60	%			—				1.41	%

 

(1)	Assumes 7% issuance discount.

 

 

Impact on New Investors

 

Investors who are not currently stockholders, but who participate in an offering below NAV and whose investment per share is greater than the resulting NAV per share due to selling compensation and expenses paid by us will experience an immediate decrease, albeit small, in the NAV of their shares and their NAV per share compared to the price they pay for their shares (Example 1 below). On the other hand, investors who are not currently stockholders, but who participate in an offering below NAV per share and whose investment per share is also less than the resulting NAV per share will experience an immediate increase in the NAV of their shares and their NAV per share compared to the price they pay for their shares (Examples 2 and 3 below). These latter investors will experience a disproportionately greater participation in our earnings and assets and their voting power than our increase in assets, potential earning power and voting interests. These investors will, however, be subject to the risk that we may make additional discounted offerings in which such new stockholder does not participate, in which case such new stockholder will experience dilution as described above in any subsequent offerings. These investors may also experience a decline in the market price of their shares, which often reflects to some degree announced or potential decreases in NAV per share. This decrease could be more pronounced as the size of the offering and level of discount to NAV increases.

 

The following chart illustrates the level of dilution or accretion for new investors that would be experienced by a new investor in the same hypothetical discounted offerings as described in the first chart above. The illustration is for a new investor who purchases the same percentage (0.20%) of the shares in the offering as Stockholder A in the prior examples held immediately prior to the offering. The prospectus supplement pursuant to which any discounted offering is made will include a chart for these examples based on the actual number of shares in such offering and the actual discount from the most recently determined NAV per share.

 

		Prior to				Example 1 10% Offering at 10% Discount								Example 2 20% Offering at 15% Discount								Example 3 40% Offering at 15% Discount								Example 4 100% Offering at 15% Discount
		Sale Below NAV				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change				Following Sale				% Change
Offering Price
Price per Share to Public			—			$	20.12				—			$	19.01				—	%		$	19.01				—	%		$	19.01				—	%
Net Proceeds per Share to Issuer			—			$	18.71				—			$	17.68				—	%		$	17.68				—	%		$	17.68				—	%
Increase in Shares and Decrease to NAV
Total Shares Outstanding			5,500,000				6,050,000				10	%			6,600,000				20	%			7,700,000				40	%			11,000,000				100	%
NAV per Share		$	22.36			$	22.03				-1.48	%		$	21.58				-3.49	%		$	21.03				-5.99	%		$	20.02				-10.48	%
Dilution/Accretion to New Investor A
Share Dilution
Shares held by Investor A			—				1,100				—	%			2,200				—	%			4,400				—	%			11,000				—	%
Percentage Outstanding Held by Investor A			—	%			0.02	%			—	%			0.03	%			—	%			0.06				—	%			0.10				—	%
NAV Dilution
Total NAV Held by Investor A			—			$	22,030				—	%		$	47,476				—	%		$	92,532				—	%		$	220,220				—	%
Total Investment by Investor A (At Price to Public)			—			$	18,710				—	%		$	38,896				—	%		$	77,792				—	%		$	194,480				—	%
Total Dilution/Accretion to Investor A (Total NAV Less Total Investment)			—			$	3,720				17.74	%		$	8,580				22.06	%		$	14,740				18.95	%		$	25,740				13.24	%
NAV Dilution per Share
NAV per Share Held by Investor A			—			$	22.03				—	%		$	21.58				—	%		$	21.03				—	%		$	20.02				—	%
Investment per Share Held by Investor A			—			$	18.71				—	%		$	17.68				—	%		$	17.68				—	%		$	17.68				—	%
NAV Dilution/Accretion per Share Experienced by Investor A (NAV per Share Less Investment per Share)			—			$	3.32				—	%		$	3.90				—	%		$	3.35				—	%		$	2.34				—	%
Percentage NAV Dilution/Accretion Experienced by Investor A (NAV Dilution/ Accretion per Share Divided by Investment per Share)			—				—				17.74	%			—				22.06	%			—				18.95	%			—				13.24	%

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF OUR CAPITAL STOCK

 

The following description is based on relevant portions of the Maryland General Corporation Law and our charter and bylaws, which we collectively refer to as our “governing documents.”

 

As of the date of this prospectus, our authorized stock consists of 100,000,000 shares of capital stock, $0.001 par value per share, all of which are designated as shares of common stock. Our common stock trades under the symbol “SAR” on the New York Stock Exchange. There are no outstanding options or warrants to purchase our common stock. No shares of common stock have been authorized for issuance under any equity compensation plans. Under Maryland law, our stockholders generally are not personally liable for our debts or obligations.

 

Under our governing documents, our board of directors is authorized to create new classes or series of shares of stock and to authorize the issuance of shares of stock without obtaining stockholder approval. Our charter provides that the board of directors, without any action by our stockholders, may amend the charter from time to time to increase or decrease the aggregate number of shares of stock or the number of shares of stock of any class or series that we have authority to issue.

 

Common Stock

 

Each share of our common stock has equal rights as to earnings, assets, dividends and voting and all of our outstanding shares of common stock are duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Distributions may be paid to the holders of our common stock if, as and when authorized by our board of directors and declared by us out of funds legally available therefor. Shares of our common stock have no preemptive, exchange, conversion or redemption rights.

 

In the event of our liquidation, dissolution or winding up, each share of common stock would be entitled to share ratably in all of our assets that are legally available for distribution after we pay all debts and other liabilities and subject to any preferential rights of holders of shares of our preferred stock, if any are outstanding at such time. Each share of our common stock entitles its holder to cast one vote on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders, including the election and removal of directors.

 

The following table sets forth information regarding our authorized shares of stock under our charter and shares of stock outstanding as of June 29, 2021.

 

Title of Class

Shares Authorized

Amount Held by Us or for Our Account

Amount Outstanding Exclusive of Amount Held by Us or for Our Account

Common Stock

100,000,000

—

11,150,372

 

Preferred Stock

 

Our governing documents authorize our board of directors to classify and reclassify any unissued shares of stock into other classes or series of stock, including preferred stock. Prior to the issuance of shares of stock of each class or series, the board of directors is required by our governing documents to set the terms, preferences, conversion or other rights, voting powers, restrictions, limitations as to dividends or other distributions, qualifications and terms or conditions of redemption for each class or series of shares of stock. Thus, the board of directors could authorize the issuance of preferred stock with terms and conditions that could have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a transaction or a change in control that might involve a premium price for holders of our common stock or otherwise be in their best interest. In addition, as a business development company, any issuance of preferred stock must comply with the requirements of the 1940 Act. The 1940 Act requires, among other things, that (1) immediately after issuance and before any dividend or other distribution is made with respect to our common stock and before any purchase of common stock is made, the aggregate dividend or distribution on, or purchase price of, such shares of preferred stock together with all other indebtedness and senior securities must not exceed an amount equal to 50% of our total assets after deducting the amount of such dividend, distribution or purchase price, as the case may be, and (2) the holders of preferred stock, if any are issued, must be entitled as a class to elect two directors at all times and to elect a majority of the directors if dividends on such preferred stock is in arrears by two years or more. Certain matters under the 1940 Act require the separate vote of the holders of any issued and outstanding shares of preferred stock. We believe that the availability for issuance of preferred stock will provide us with increased flexibility in structuring future financings and acquisitions.

 

 

Limitation on Liability of Directors and Officers; Indemnification and Advance of Expenses

 

The Maryland General Corporation Law permits a Maryland corporation to include in its charter a provision limiting the liability of its directors and officers to the corporation and its stockholders for money damages except for liability resulting from (a) actual receipt of an improper benefit or profit in money, property or services or (b) active and deliberate dishonesty established by a final judgment as being material to the cause of action. Our governing documents contain a provision which eliminates directors’ and officers’ liability to the maximum extent permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, subject to the requirements of the 1940 Act.

 

Maryland law requires a corporation (unless its charter provides otherwise, which, our charter does not) to indemnify a director or officer who has been successful, on the merits or otherwise, in the defense of any proceeding to which he or she is made or threatened to be made a party by reason of his or her service in that capacity. Maryland law permits a corporation to indemnify its present and former directors and officers, among others, against judgments, penalties, fines, settlements and reasonable expenses actually incurred by them in connection with any proceeding to which they may be made or are threatened to be made a party by reason of their service in those or other capacities unless it is established that (a) the act or omission of the director or officer was material to the matter giving rise to the proceeding and (1) was committed in bad faith or (2) was the result of active and deliberate dishonesty, (b) the director or officer actually received an improper personal benefit in money, property or services or (c) in the case of any criminal proceeding, the director or officer had reasonable cause to believe that the act or omission was unlawful. However, under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation may not indemnify for an adverse judgment in a suit by or in the right of the corporation or for a judgment of liability on the basis that a personal benefit was improperly received unless, in either case, a court orders indemnification, and then only for expenses. In addition, Maryland law permits a corporation to advance reasonable expenses to a director or officer upon the corporation’s receipt of (a) a written affirmation by the director or officer of his or her good faith belief that he or she has met the standard of conduct necessary for indemnification by the corporation and (b) a written undertaking by him or her or on his or her behalf to repay the amount paid or reimbursed by the corporation if it is ultimately determined that the standard of conduct was not met.

 

Our charter authorizes us to obligate ourselves, and our bylaws do obligate us, to the maximum extent permitted by Maryland law and subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act, to indemnify and to pay or reimburse reasonable expenses in advance of final disposition of a proceeding to (1) any present or former director or officer or (2) any individual who, while a director or officer and at our request, serves or has served another corporation, real estate investment trust, partnership, limited liability company, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise as a director, officer, partner, manager, member or trustee, from and against any claim or liability to which that person may become subject for which that person may incur by reason of his or her service in such capacity. Our charter and bylaws also permit indemnification and the advancement of expenses to any person who served a predecessor to Saratoga Investment Corp. in any of the capacities described above and any of our employees or agents or any employees or agents of such predecessor.

 

As a business development company, and in accordance with the 1940 Act, we will not indemnify any person for any liability to which such person would be subject by reason of such person’s willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office.

 

In addition to the indemnification provided for in our bylaws, we have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our current directors and officers and we intend to enter into indemnification agreements with each of our future directors and officers. The indemnification agreements attempt to provide these directors and officers the maximum indemnification permitted under Maryland law and the 1940 Act. The agreements provide, among other things, for the advancement of expenses and indemnification for liabilities incurred which such person may incur by reason of his or her status as a present or former director or officer in any action or proceeding arising out of the performance of such person’s services as a present or former director or officer.

 

 

Provisions of Our Governing Documents and the Maryland General Corporation Law

 

Our governing documents and the Maryland General Corporation Law contain provisions that could make it more difficult for a potential acquiror to acquire us by means of a tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise. These provisions are expected to discourage certain coercive takeover practices and inadequate takeover bids and to encourage persons seeking to acquire control of us to negotiate first with our board of directors. We believe that the benefits of these provisions outweigh the potential disadvantages of discouraging any such acquisition proposals because, among other things, the negotiation of such proposals may improve their terms.

 

Classified Board of Directors

 

Our board of directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered three-year terms. Directors of each class are elected to serve for three-year terms and until their successors are duly elected and qualify, and each year one class of directors is elected by the stockholders. A classified board may render a change in control of us or removal of our incumbent management more difficult. We believe, however, that the longer time required to elect a majority of a classified board of directors will help to ensure the continuity and stability of our management and policies.

 

Number of Directors; Vacancies; Removal

 

Our governing documents provide that the number of directors will be set only by our board of directors in accordance with our bylaws. Our bylaws provide that a majority of our entire board of directors may at any time increase or decrease the number of directors. However, unless our bylaws are amended, the number of directors may never be less than three nor more than eleven. Our charter provides that, except as may be provided by the board of directors in setting the terms of any class or series of shares of stock, so long as we have a class of securities registered under the Exchange Act and at least three independent directors, any and all vacancies on the board of directors may be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the remaining directors in office, even if the remaining directors do not constitute a quorum, and any director elected to fill a vacancy will serve for the remainder of the full term of the directorship in which the vacancy occurred and until a successor is elected and qualifies, subject to any applicable requirements of the 1940 Act. If there are no directors then in office, vacancies may be filled by stockholders at a special meeting called for such purpose. Our charter provides that a director may be removed only by the affirmative vote of at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

 

Election of Directors

 

Our charter and bylaws provide that the affirmative vote of the holders of a plurality of the votes cast at a meeting of the Company’s stockholders duly called and at which a quorum is present will be required to elect each director. Pursuant to our charter and bylaws, our board of directors may amend the bylaws to alter the vote required to elect directors.

 

Action by Stockholders

 

All of our outstanding shares of common stock will generally be able to vote on any matter that is a proper subject for action by the stockholders of a Maryland corporation, including in respect of the election or removal of directors as well as other extraordinary matters. Under the Maryland General Corporation Law, stockholder action can be taken only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders or by written or electronically-transmitted unanimous consent in lieu of a meeting. These provisions, combined with the requirements of our governing documents regarding the calling of a stockholder-requested special meeting of stockholder discussed below, may have the effect of delaying consideration of a stockholder proposal until the next annual meeting.

 

Advance Notice Provisions for Stockholder Nominations and Stockholder Proposals

 

Our bylaws provide that, with respect to an annual meeting of our stockholders, nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors and the proposal of business to be considered by stockholders may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of the board of directors, (3) by any stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving notice by the stockholder and at the time of the annual meeting, who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice procedures of the bylaws. With respect to special meetings of stockholders, only the business specified in our notice of the meeting may be brought before the meeting. Nominations of individuals for election to the board of directors at a special meeting may be made only (1) pursuant to our notice of the meeting, (2) by or at the direction of the board of directors, (3) provided that the board of directors has determined that directors will be elected at the meeting, by a stockholder who is a stockholder of record both at the time of giving notice by the stockholder and at the time of the special meeting and who is entitled to vote at the meeting and who has complied with the advance notice provisions of our bylaws or (4) by a stockholder who is entitled to vote at the meeting in circumstances in which a special meeting of stockholders is called for the purpose of electing directors when no directors remain in office.

 

 

The purpose of requiring stockholders to give us advance notice of nominations and other business is to afford our board of directors a meaningful opportunity to consider the qualifications of the proposed nominees and the advisability of any other proposed business and, to the extent deemed necessary or desirable by our board of directors, to inform stockholders and make recommendations about such qualifications or business, as well as to provide a more orderly procedure for conducting meetings of stockholders. Although our bylaws do not give our board of directors any power to disapprove stockholder nominations for the election of directors or proposals recommending certain action, they may have the effect of precluding a contest for the election of directors or the consideration of stockholder proposals if proper procedures are not followed and of discouraging or deterring a third party from conducting a solicitation of proxies to elect its own slate of directors or to approve its own proposal without regard to whether consideration of such nominees or proposals might be harmful or beneficial to us and our stockholders.

 

Calling of Special Meetings of Stockholders

 

Our bylaws provide that special meetings of our stockholders may be called by our board of directors and certain of our officers. Additionally, our bylaws provide that, subject to the satisfaction of certain procedural and informational requirements by the stockholders requesting the meeting, a special meeting of our stockholders will be called by our secretary upon the written request of stockholders entitled to cast not less than a majority of all the votes entitled to be cast at such meeting, except that, if no directors remain in office, a special meeting of our stockholders shall be called to elect directors by the secretary upon the written request of holders entitled to cast at least 10% of the votes entitled to be cast generally in the election of directors.

 

Amendment of Governing Documents

 

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot dissolve or amend its charter unless the corporation’s board of directors declares the dissolution or amendment to be advisable and the dissolution or amendment is approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Our charter generally provides for approval of amendments to our charter by the stockholders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. However, our charter also provides that certain charter amendments and proposals for our liquidation, dissolution or conversion, whether by merger or otherwise, from a closed-end company to an open-end company require the approval of the stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds percent of the votes entitled to be cast on such matter. If such amendment or proposal is approved by at least two-thirds of our continuing directors (in addition to approval by our board of directors), such amendment or proposal may be approved by a majority of the votes entitled to be cast on such a matter. The “continuing directors” are, as defined in our charter, our current directors as well as those directors whose nomination for election by the stockholders or whose election by the directors to fill vacancies is approved by a majority of the continuing directors then on the board of directors.

 

Our governing documents provide that the board of directors has the exclusive power to adopt, alter or repeal any provision of our bylaws and to make new bylaws.

 

Approval of Extraordinary Actions

 

Under Maryland law, a Maryland corporation generally cannot amend its charter, merge, sell all or substantially all of its assets, engage in a share exchange or engage in similar transactions outside the ordinary course of business, unless the corporation’s board of directors declares action or transaction to be advisable and the action or transaction is approved by the affirmative vote of stockholders entitled to cast at least two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. A Maryland corporation may provide in its charter for approval of these matters by a lesser percentage, but not less than a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

 

Except for a merger that would result in our conversion to an open-end company, which requires the approval described above, our charter provides that we may merge, sell all or substantially all of our assets, engage in a consolidation or share exchange or engage in similar transactions, if such transaction is declared advisable by our board of directors and approved by a majority of all of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter.

 

No Appraisal Rights

 

Except with respect to appraisal rights arising in connection with the Maryland Control Share Acquisition Act discussed below, as permitted by the Maryland General Corporation Law, our governing documents provide that our stockholders will not be entitled to exercise appraisal rights unless a majority of our board of directors determines that such rights will apply with respect to all or any classes or series of stock, to one or more transactions occurring after the date of such determination in connection with which holders of such shares would otherwise be entitled to exercise appraisal rights.

 

Control Share Acquisitions

 

The Control Share Acquisition Act provides that control shares of a Maryland corporation acquired in a control share acquisition have no voting rights except to the extent approved by a vote of two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast on the matter. Shares owned by the acquiror, by officers or by directors who are employees of the corporation are excluded from shares entitled to vote on the matter. Control shares are voting shares of stock which, if aggregated with all other shares of stock owned by the acquiror or in respect of which the acquiror is able to exercise or direct the exercise of voting power (except solely by virtue of a revocable proxy), would entitle the acquiror to exercise voting power in electing directors within one of the following ranges of voting power:

 

●

one-tenth or more but less than one-third;

 

●

one-third or more but less than a majority; or

 

●

a majority or more of all voting power.

 

The requisite stockholder approval must be obtained each time an acquiror crosses one of the thresholds of voting power set forth above. Control shares do not include shares the acquiring person is then entitled to vote as a result of having previously obtained stockholder approval. A control share acquisition means the acquisition of control shares, subject to certain exceptions.

 

A person who has made or proposes to make a control share acquisition may compel the board of directors of the corporation to call a special meeting of stockholders to be held within 50 days of demand to consider the voting rights of the shares. The right to compel the calling of a special meeting is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, including an undertaking to pay the expenses of the meeting. If no request for a meeting is made, the corporation may itself present the question at any stockholder meeting.

 

If voting rights are not approved at the meeting or if the acquiring person does not deliver an acquiring person statement as required by the statute, then the corporation may repurchase for fair value any or all of the control shares, except those for which voting rights have previously been approved. The right of the corporation to repurchase control shares is subject to certain conditions and limitations, including, as provided in our bylaws, compliance with the 1940 Act, which will prohibit any such repurchase other than in limited circumstances. Fair value is determined, without regard to the absence of voting rights for the control shares, as of the date of the last control share acquisition by the acquiror or of any meeting of stockholders at which the voting rights of the shares are considered and not approved. If voting rights for control shares are approved at a stockholder meeting and the acquiror becomes entitled to vote a majority of the shares entitled to vote, all other stockholders may exercise appraisal rights. The fair value of the shares as determined for purposes of appraisal rights may not be less than the highest price per share paid by the acquiror in the control share acquisition.

 

The Control Share Acquisition Act does not apply (a) to shares acquired in a merger, consolidation or share exchange if the corporation is a party to the transaction or (b) to acquisitions approved or exempted by the charter or bylaws of the corporation.

 

 

Our bylaws contain a provision exempting from the Control Share Acquisition Act any and all acquisitions by any person of our common stock. Such provision could also be amended or eliminated at any time in the future. However, we will amend our bylaws to be subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act only if the board of directors determines that it would be in our best interests and if the SEC does not object to our determination that our being subject to the Control Share Acquisition Act does not conflict with the 1940 Act. The SEC staff has issued informal guidance setting forth its position that, if a closed-end investment company opts in to and triggers the Control Share Act, it would not violate Section 18(i) of the 1940 Act if the determination do so by the board of directors of the closed-end investment company was taken with reasonable care on a basis consistent with other applicable duties and laws, including those to the fund and its stockholders generally.

 

Business Combinations

 

Under Maryland law, “business combinations” between a Maryland corporation and an interested stockholder or an affiliate of an interested stockholder are prohibited for five years after the most recent date on which the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. These business combinations include a merger, consolidation, share exchange or, in circumstances specified in the statute, an asset transfer or issuance or reclassification of equity securities. An interested stockholder is defined as:

 

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any person who beneficially owns 10% or more of the voting power of the corporation’s stock; or

 

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an affiliate or associate of the corporation who, at any time within the two-year period prior to the date in question, was the beneficial owner of 10% or more of the voting power of the then outstanding voting stock of the corporation.

 

A person is not an interested stockholder under this statute if the board of directors approved in advance the transaction by which the stockholder otherwise would have become an interested stockholder. However, in approving a transaction, the board of directors may provide that its approval is subject to compliance, at or after the time of approval, with any terms and conditions determined by the board.

 

After the five-year prohibition, any business combination between the corporation and an interested stockholder generally must be recommended by the board of directors of the corporation and approved by the affirmative vote of at least:

 

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80% of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of outstanding shares of voting stock of the corporation; and

 

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two-thirds of the votes entitled to be cast by holders of voting stock of the corporation other than shares held by the interested stockholder with whom or with whose affiliate the business combination is to be effected or held by an affiliate or associate of the interested stockholder.

 

These super-majority vote requirements do not apply if the corporation’s stockholders receive a minimum price, as defined under Maryland law, for their shares in the form of cash or other consideration in the same form as previously paid by the interested stockholder for its shares.

 

The statute permits various exemptions from its provisions, including business combinations that are exempted by the board of directors before the time that the interested stockholder becomes an interested stockholder. Our board of directors has adopted a resolution exempting from the provisions of the Maryland Business Combination Act any business combination between us and any other person. If our board of directors adopts resolutions causing us to be subject to the provisions of the Business Combination Act, these provisions may discourage others from trying to acquire control of us and increase the difficulty of consummating any offer.

 

Conflict with 1940 Act

 

Our bylaws provide that, if and to the extent that any provision of the Maryland General Corporation Law, including the Control Share Acquisition Act or the Business Combination Act (if we amend our bylaws to be subject to such Acts), or any provision of our charter or bylaws conflicts with any provision of the 1940 Act, the applicable provision of the 1940 Act will control.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF OUR SUBSCRIPTION RIGHTS

 

We may issue subscription rights to our stockholders to purchase common stock. Subscription rights may be issued independently or together with any other offered security and may or may not be transferable by the person purchasing or receiving the subscription rights. In connection with any subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we may enter into a standby underwriting or other arrangement with one or more underwriters or other persons pursuant to which such underwriters or other persons would purchase any offered securities remaining unsubscribed for after such subscription rights offering. We will not offer transferable subscription rights to our stockholders at a price equivalent to less than the then current net asset value per share of common stock, excluding underwriting commissions, unless we first file a post-effective amendment that is declared effective by the SEC with respect to such issuance and the common stock to be purchased in connection with the rights represents no more than one-third of our outstanding common stock at the time such rights are issued. In connection with a subscription rights offering to our stockholders, we would distribute certificates evidencing the subscription rights and a prospectus supplement to our stockholders on the record date that we set for receiving subscription rights in such subscription rights offering. Our common stockholders will indirectly bear the expenses of such subscription rights offerings, regardless of whether our common stockholders exercise any subscription rights.

 

The applicable prospectus supplement would describe the following terms of subscription rights in respect of which this prospectus is being delivered:

 

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the title of such subscription rights;

 

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the exercise price or a formula for the determination of the exercise price for such subscription rights;

 

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the number or a formula for the determination of the number of such subscription rights issued to each stockholder;

 

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the extent to which such subscription rights are transferable;

 

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if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations applicable to the issuance or exercise of such subscription rights;

 

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the date on which the right to exercise such subscription rights would commence, and the date on which such rights shall expire (subject to any extension);

 

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the extent to which such subscription rights include an over-subscription privilege with respect to unsubscribed securities;

 

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if applicable, the material terms of any standby underwriting or other purchase arrangement that we may enter into in connection with the subscription rights offering; and

 

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any other terms of such subscription rights, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such subscription rights.

 

Exercise of Subscription Rights

 

Each subscription right would entitle the holder of the subscription right to purchase for cash such amount of shares of common stock or other securities at such exercise price as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby or another report filed with the SEC. Subscription rights may be exercised at any time up to the close of business on the expiration date for such subscription rights set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, all unexercised subscription rights would become void. We have not previously completed such an offering of subscription rights.

 

Subscription rights may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement relating to the subscription rights offered thereby. Upon receipt of payment and the subscription rights certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the subscription rights agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will forward, as soon as practicable, the shares of common stock or other securities purchasable upon such exercise. To the extent permissible under applicable law, we may determine to offer any unsubscribed offered securities directly to stockholders, persons other than stockholders, to or through agents, underwriters or dealers or through a combination of such methods, including pursuant to standby underwriting or other arrangements, as set forth in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

Dilutive Effects

 

Any stockholder who chooses not to participate in a rights offering should expect to own a smaller interest in the Company upon completion of such rights offering. Any rights offering will dilute the ownership interest and voting power of stockholders who do not fully exercise their subscription rights. Further, because the net proceeds per share from any rights offering may be lower than our then current net asset value per share, the rights offering may reduce our net asset value per share. The amount of dilution that a stockholder will experience could be substantial, particularly to the extent we engage in multiple rights offerings within a limited time period. In addition, the market price of our common stock could be adversely affected while a rights offering is ongoing as a result of the possibility that a significant number of additional shares may be issued upon completion of such rights offering. All of our stockholders will also indirectly bear the expenses associated with any rights offering we may conduct, regardless of whether they elect to exercise any rights.

 

DESCRIPTION OF OUR DEBT SECURITIES

 

We may issue debt securities in one or more series. The specific terms of each series of debt securities will be described in the particular prospectus supplement relating to that series. The prospectus supplement may or may not modify the general terms found in this prospectus and will be filed with the SEC. For a complete description of the terms of a particular series of debt securities, you should read both this prospectus and the prospectus supplement relating to that particular series.

 

As required by federal law for all bonds and notes of companies that are publicly offered, the debt securities are governed by a document called an “indenture.” An indenture is a contract between us and the financial institution acting as trustee on your behalf, and is subject to and governed by the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended. The trustee has two main roles. First, the trustee can enforce your rights against us if we default. There are some limitations on the extent to which the trustee acts on your behalf, described in the second paragraph under “—Events of Default—Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs.” Second, the trustee performs certain administrative duties for us with respect to our debt securities.

 

All the material terms of the indenture and the supplemental indenture, as well as an explanation of your rights as a holder of debt securities, are described in this prospectus and in the prospectus supplement accompanying this prospectus. Because this section is a summary, however, it does not describe every aspect of the debt securities and the indenture. We urge you to read the indenture because it, and not this description, defines your rights as a holder of debt securities. A copy of the form of indenture is attached, or incorporated by reference, as an exhibit to the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part. See “Available Information” for information on how to obtain a copy of the indenture. We will file a supplemental indenture with the SEC in connection with any debt offering, at which time the supplemental indenture would be publicly available.

 

The prospectus supplement, which will accompany this prospectus, will describe the particular series of debt securities being offered by including:

 

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the designation or title of the series of debt securities;

 

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the total principal amount of the series of debt securities;

 

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the percentage of the principal amount at which the series of debt securities will be offered;

 

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the date or dates on which principal will be payable;

 

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the rate or rates (which may be either fixed or variable) and/or the method of determining such rate or rates of interest, if any;

 

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the date or dates from which any interest will accrue, or the method of determining such date or dates, and the date or dates on which any interest will be payable;

 

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whether any interest may be paid by issuing additional securities of the same series in lieu of cash (and the terms upon which any such interest may be paid by issuing additional securities);

 

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the terms for redemption, extension or early repayment, if any;

 

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the currencies in which the series of debt securities are issued and payable;

 

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whether the amount of payments of principal, premium or interest, if any, on a series of debt securities will be determined with reference to an index, formula or other method (which could be based on one or more currencies, commodities, equity indices or other indices) and how these amounts will be determined;

 

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the place or places, if any, other than or in addition to the Borough of Manhattan in the City of New York, of payment, transfer, conversion and/or exchange of the debt securities;

 

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the denominations in which the offered debt securities will be issued (if other than $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof);

 

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the provision for any sinking fund;

 

 

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any restrictive covenants;

 

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any Events of Default (as defined in “Events of Default” below);

 

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whether the series of debt securities are issuable in certificated form;

 

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any provisions for defeasance or covenant defeasance;

 

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any special U.S. federal income tax implications, including, if applicable, U.S. federal income tax considerations relating to original issue discount;

 

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whether and under what circumstances we will pay additional amounts in respect of any tax, assessment or governmental charge and, if so, whether we will have the option to redeem the debt securities rather than pay the additional amounts (and the terms of this option);

 

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any provisions for convertibility or exchangeability of the debt securities into or for any other securities;

 

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whether the debt securities are subject to subordination and the terms of such subordination;

 

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whether the debt securities are secured and the terms of any security interest;

 

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the listing, if any, on a securities exchange; and

 

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any other terms.

 

The debt securities may be secured or unsecured obligations. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, principal (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, will be paid by us in immediately available funds.

 

Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, we, as a BDC, pursuant to the approval of our board of directors, are permitted to issue debt only in amounts such that our asset coverage, as defined in the 1940 Act, equals at least 150% after each issuance of debt, but giving effect to any exemptive relief granted to us by the SEC. For a discussion of the legislation that took effect that allows us to incur additional leverage, see “Risk Factors — Risks Relating to Our Business and Structure — Legislation that took effect in 2018 would allow us to incur additional leverage” in Part 1, Item 1A of our most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K. In addition, while any indebtedness and senior securities remain outstanding, we must make provisions to prohibit the distribution to our stockholders or the repurchase of such securities or shares unless we meet the applicable asset coverage ratios at the time of the distribution or repurchase. For a discussion of the risks associated with leverage, see “Risk Factors—Risks Related to Our Business and Structure—Regulations governing our operation as a BDC will affect our ability to raise additional capital.”

 

General

 

The indenture provides that any debt securities proposed to be sold under this prospectus and the accompanying prospectus supplement (“offered debt securities”) and any debt securities issuable upon the exercise of warrants or upon conversion or exchange of other offered securities (“underlying debt securities”) may be issued under the indenture in one or more series.

 

For purposes of this prospectus, any reference to the payment of principal of, or premium or interest, if any, on, debt securities will include additional amounts if required by the terms of the debt securities.

 

The indenture does not limit the amount of debt securities that may be issued thereunder from time to time. Debt securities issued under the indenture, when a single trustee is acting for all debt securities issued under the indenture, are called the “indenture securities.” The indenture also provides that there may be more than one trustee thereunder, each with respect to one or more different series of indenture securities. See “—Resignation of Trustee” below. At a time when two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, each with respect to only certain series, the term “indenture securities” means the one or more series of debt securities with respect to which each respective trustee is acting. In the event that there is more than one trustee under the indenture, the powers and trust obligations of each trustee described in this prospectus will extend only to the one or more series of indenture securities for which it is trustee. If two or more trustees are acting under the indenture, then the indenture securities for which each trustee is acting would be treated as if issued under separate indentures.

 

 

The indenture does not contain any provisions that give you protection in the event we issue a large amount of debt or we are acquired by another entity.

 

We refer you to the prospectus supplement for information with respect to any deletions from, modifications of or additions to the Events of Default or our covenants that are described below, including any addition of a covenant or other provision providing event risk protection or similar protection.

 

We have the ability to issue indenture securities with terms different from those of indenture securities previously issued and, without the consent of the holders thereof, to reopen a previous issue of a series of indenture securities and issue additional indenture securities of that series unless the reopening was restricted when that series was created.

 

Conversion and Exchange

 

If any debt securities are convertible into or exchangeable for other securities, the prospectus supplement will explain the terms and conditions of the conversion or exchange, including the conversion price or exchange ratio (or the calculation method), the conversion or exchange period (or how the period will be determined), if conversion or exchange will be mandatory or at the option of the holder or us, provisions for adjusting the conversion price or the exchange ratio and provisions affecting conversion or exchange in the event of the redemption of the underlying debt securities. These terms may also include provisions under which the number or amount of other securities to be received by the holders of the debt securities upon conversion or exchange would be calculated according to the market price of the other securities as of a time stated in the prospectus supplement.

 

Issuance of Securities in Registered Form

 

We may issue the debt securities in registered form, in which case we may issue them either in book-entry form only or in “certificated” form. Debt securities issued in book-entry form will be represented by global securities. We expect that we will usually issue debt securities in book-entry only form represented by global securities.

 

Book-Entry Holders

 

We will issue registered debt securities in book-entry form only, unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement. This means debt securities will be represented by one or more global securities registered in the name of a depositary that will hold them on behalf of financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system. These participating institutions, in turn, hold beneficial interests in the debt securities held by the depositary or its nominee. These institutions may hold these interests on behalf of themselves or customers.

 

Under the indenture, only the person in whose name a debt security is registered is recognized as the holder of that debt security. Consequently, for debt securities issued in book-entry form, we will recognize only the depositary as the holder of the debt securities and we will make all payments on the debt securities to the depositary. The depositary will then pass along the payments it receives to its participants, which in turn will pass the payments along to their customers who are the beneficial owners. The depositary and its participants do so under agreements they have made with one another or with their customers; they are not obligated to do so under the terms of the debt securities.

 

As a result, investors will not own debt securities directly. Instead, they will own beneficial interests in a global security, through a bank, broker or other financial institution that participates in the depositary’s book-entry system or holds an interest through a participant. As long as the debt securities are represented by one or more global securities, investors will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

 

Street Name Holders

 

In the future, we may issue debt securities in certificated form or terminate a global security. In these cases, investors may choose to hold their debt securities in their own names or in “street name.” Debt securities held in street name are registered in the name of a bank, broker or other financial institution chosen by the investor, and the investor would hold a beneficial interest in those debt securities through the account he or she maintains at that institution.

 

 

For debt securities held in street name, we will recognize only the intermediary banks, brokers and other financial institutions in whose names the debt securities are registered as the holders of those debt securities, and we will make all payments on those debt securities to them. These institutions will pass along the payments they receive to their customers who are the beneficial owners, but only because they agree to do so in their customer agreements or because they are legally required to do so. Investors who hold debt securities in street name will be indirect holders, and not holders, of the debt securities.

 

Legal Holders

 

Our obligations, as well as the obligations of the applicable trustee and those of any third parties employed by us or the applicable trustee, run only to the legal holders of the debt securities. We do not have obligations to investors who hold beneficial interests in global securities, in street name or by any other indirect means. This will be the case whether an investor chooses to be an indirect holder of a debt security or has no choice because we are issuing the debt securities only in book-entry form.

 

For example, once we make a payment or give a notice to the holder, we have no further responsibility for the payment or notice even if that holder is required, under agreements with depositary participants or customers or by law, to pass it along to the indirect holders but does not do so. Similarly, if we want to obtain the approval of the holders for any purpose (for example, to amend an indenture or to relieve us of the consequences of a default or of our obligation to comply with a particular provision of an indenture), we would seek the approval only from the holders, and not the indirect holders, of the debt securities. Whether and how the holders contact the indirect holders is up to the holders.

 

When we refer to you in this Description of Our Debt Securities, we mean those who invest in the debt securities being offered by this prospectus, whether they are the holders or only indirect holders of those debt securities. When we refer to your debt securities, we mean the debt securities in which you hold a direct or indirect interest.

 

Special Considerations for Indirect Holders

 

If you hold debt securities through a bank, broker or other financial institution, either in book-entry form or in street name, we urge you to check with that institution to find out:

 

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how it handles securities payments and notices;

 

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whether it imposes fees or charges;

 

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how it would handle a request for the holders’ consent, if ever required;

 

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whether and how you can instruct it to send you debt securities registered in your own name so you can be a holder, if that is permitted in the future for a particular series of debt securities;

 

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how it would exercise rights under the debt securities if there were a default or other event triggering the need for holders to act to protect their interests; and

 

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if the debt securities are in book-entry form, how the depositary’s rules and procedures will affect these matters.

 

Global Securities

 

As noted above, we usually will issue debt securities as registered securities in book-entry form only. A global security represents one or any other number of individual debt securities. Generally, all debt securities represented by the same global securities will have the same terms.

 

Each debt security issued in book-entry form will be represented by a global security that we deposit with and register in the name of a financial institution or its nominee that we select. The financial institution that we select for this purpose is called the depositary. Unless we specify otherwise in the applicable prospectus supplement, The Depository Trust Company, New York, New York, known as DTC, will be the depositary for all debt securities issued in book-entry form.

 

 

A global security may not be transferred to or registered in the name of anyone other than the depositary or its nominee, unless special termination situations arise. We describe those situations below under “—Termination of a Global Security.” As a result of these arrangements, the depositary, or its nominee, will be the sole registered owner and holder of all debt securities represented by a global security, and investors will be permitted to own only beneficial interests in a global security. Beneficial interests must be held by means of an account with a broker, bank or other financial institution that in turn has an account with the depositary or with another institution that has an account with the depositary. Thus, an investor whose security is represented by a global security will not be a holder of the debt security, but only an indirect holder of a beneficial interest in the global security.

 

Special Considerations for Global Securities

 

As an indirect holder, an investor’s rights relating to a global security will be governed by the account rules of the investor’s financial institution and of the depositary, as well as general laws relating to securities transfers. The depositary that holds the global security will be considered the holder of the debt securities represented by the global security.

 

If debt securities are issued only in the form of a global security, an investor should be aware of the following:

 

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an investor cannot cause the debt securities to be registered in his or her name and cannot obtain certificates for his or her interest in the debt securities, except in the special situations we describe below;

 

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an investor will be an indirect holder and must look to his or her own bank or broker for payments on the debt securities and protection of his or her legal rights relating to the debt securities, as we describe under “—Issuance of Securities in Registered Form” above;

 

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an investor may not be able to sell interests in the debt securities to some insurance companies and other institutions that are required by law to own their securities in non-book-entry form;

 

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an investor may not be able to pledge his or her interest in a global security in circumstances where certificates representing the debt securities must be delivered to the lender or other beneficiary of the pledge in order for the pledge to be effective;

 

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the depositary’s policies, which may change from time to time, will govern payments, transfers, exchanges and other matters relating to an investor’s interest in a global security. We and the trustee have no responsibility for any aspect of the depositary’s actions or for its records of ownership interests in a global security. We and the trustee also do not supervise the depositary in any way;

 

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if we redeem less than all the debt securities of a particular series being redeemed, DTC’s practice is to determine by lot the amount to be redeemed from each of its participants holding that series;

 

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an investor is required to give notice of exercise of any option to elect repayment of its debt securities, through its participant, to the applicable trustee and to deliver the related debt securities by causing its participant to transfer its interest in those debt securities, on DTC’s records, to the applicable trustee;

 

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DTC requires that those who purchase and sell interests in a global security deposited in its book-entry system use immediately available funds; your broker or bank may also require you to use immediately available funds when purchasing or selling interests in a global security; and

 

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financial institutions that participate in the depositary’s book-entry system, and through which an investor holds its interest in a global security, may also have their own policies affecting payments, notices and other matters relating to the debt securities; there may be more than one financial intermediary in the chain of ownership for an investor; we do not monitor and are not responsible for the actions of any of those intermediaries.

 

Termination of a Global Security

 

If a global security is terminated for any reason, interests in it will be exchanged for certificates in non-book-entry form (certificated securities). After that exchange, the choice of whether to hold the certificated debt securities directly or in street name will be up to the investor. Investors must consult their own banks or brokers to find out how to have their interests in a global security transferred on termination to their own names, so that they will be holders. We have described the rights of legal holders and street name investors under “—Issuance of Securities in Registered Form” above.

 

 

The prospectus supplement may list situations for terminating a global security that would apply only to the particular series of debt securities covered by the prospectus supplement. If a global security is terminated, only the depositary, and not we or the applicable trustee, is responsible for deciding the investors in whose names the debt securities represented by the global security will be registered and, therefore, who will be the holders of those debt securities.

 

Payment and Paying Agents

 

We will pay interest to the person listed in the applicable trustee’s records as the owner of the debt security at the close of business on a particular day in advance of each due date for interest, even if that person no longer owns the debt security on the interest due date. That day, usually about two weeks in advance of the interest due date, is called the “record date.” Because we will pay all the interest for an interest period to the holders on the record date, holders buying and selling debt securities must work out between themselves the appropriate purchase price. The most common manner is to adjust the sales price of the debt securities to prorate interest fairly between buyer and seller based on their respective ownership periods within the particular interest period. This prorated interest amount is called “accrued interest.”

 

Payments on Global Securities

 

We will make payments on a global security in accordance with the applicable policies of the depositary as in effect from time to time. Under those policies, we will make payments directly to the depositary, or its nominee, and not to any indirect holders who own beneficial interests in the global security. An indirect holder’s right to those payments will be governed by the rules and practices of the depositary and its participants, as described under “—Special Considerations for Global Securities.”

 

Payments on Certificated Securities

 

We will make payments on a certificated debt security as follows. We will pay interest that is due on an interest payment date to the holder of debt securities as shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date at our office and/or at other offices that may be specified in the prospectus supplement. We will make all payments of principal and premium, if any, by check at the office of the applicable trustee and/or at other offices that may be specified in the prospectus supplement or in a notice to holders against surrender of the debt security.

 

Alternatively, at our option, we may pay any cash interest that becomes due on the debt security by mailing a check to the holder at his, her or its address shown on the trustee’s records as of the close of business on the regular record date or by transfer to an account at a bank in the United States, in either case, on the due date.

 

Payment When Offices Are Closed

 

If any payment is due on a debt security on a day that is not a business day, we will make the payment on the next day that is a business day. Payments made on the next business day in this situation will be treated under the indenture as if they were made on the original due date, except as otherwise indicated in the attached prospectus supplement. Such payment will not result in a default under any debt security or the indenture, and no interest will accrue on the payment amount from the original due date to the next day that is a business day.

 

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how they will receive payments on their debt securities.

 

Events of Default

 

You will have rights if an Event of Default occurs in respect of the debt securities of your series and is not cured, as described later in this subsection.

 

The term “Event of Default” in respect of the debt securities of your series means any of the following:

 

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we do not pay the principal of (or premium, if any, on) a debt security of the series when due;

 

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we do not pay interest on a debt security of the series when due, and such default is not cured within 30 days;

 

 

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we do not deposit any sinking fund payment in respect of debt securities of the series within two business days of its due date;

 

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we remain in breach of a covenant in respect of debt securities of the series for 60 days after we receive a written notice of default stating we are in breach (the notice must be sent by either the trustee or holders of at least 25% of the principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the series);

 

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we file for bankruptcy or certain other events of bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization occur and remain undischarged or unstayed for a period of 60 days;

 

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the series of debt securities has an asset coverage, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, of less than 100 per centum on the last business day of each of twenty-four consecutive calendar months, after giving effect to any exemptive relief granted to the Company by the SEC; or

 

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any other Event of Default in respect of debt securities of the series described in the prospectus supplement occurs.

 

An Event of Default for a particular series of debt securities does not necessarily constitute an Event of Default for any other series of debt securities issued under the same or any other indenture. The trustee may withhold notice to the holders of debt securities of any default, except in the payment of principal, premium, interest, or sinking or purchase fund installment, if it in good faith considers the withholding of notice to be in the interest of the holders.

 

Remedies if an Event of Default Occurs

 

If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the trustee or the holders of not less than 25% in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series may (and the trustee shall at the request of such holders) declare the entire principal amount of all the debt securities of that series to be due and immediately payable. This is called a declaration of acceleration of maturity. A declaration of acceleration of maturity may be canceled by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series if (1) we have deposited with the trustee all amounts due and owing with respect to the securities (other than principal that has become due solely by reason of such acceleration) and certain other amounts, and (2) any other Events of Default have been cured or waived.

 

The trustee is not required to take any action under the indenture at the request of any holders unless the holders offer the trustee protection from expenses and liability reasonably satisfactory to it (called an “indemnity”). If indemnity reasonably satisfactory to it is provided, the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the relevant series may direct the time, method and place of conducting any lawsuit or other formal legal action seeking any remedy available to the trustee. The trustee may refuse to follow those directions in certain circumstances. No delay or omission in exercising any right or remedy will be treated as a waiver of that right, remedy or Event of Default.

 

Before you are allowed to bypass your trustee and bring your own lawsuit or other formal legal action or take other steps to enforce your rights or protect your interests relating to the debt securities, the following must occur:

 

●

you must give the trustee written notice that an Event of Default with respect to the relevant series of debt securities has occurred and remains uncured;

 

●

the holders of at least 25% in principal amount of all outstanding debt securities of the relevant series must make a written request that the trustee take action because of the default and must offer the trustee indemnity, security or both reasonably satisfactory to it against the costs, expenses and other liabilities of taking that action;

 

●

the trustee must not have taken action for 60 days after receipt of the above notice and offer of indemnity and/or security; and

 

●

the holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of that series must not have given the trustee a direction inconsistent with the above notice during that 60-day period.

 

However, you are entitled at any time to bring a lawsuit for the payment of money due on your debt securities on or after the due date.

 

 

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how to give notice or direction to or make a request of the trustee and how to declare or cancel an acceleration of maturity.

 

Each year, we will furnish to each trustee a written statement of certain of our officers certifying that to their knowledge we are in compliance with the indenture and the debt securities, or else specifying any default.

 

Waiver of Default

 

Holders of a majority in principal amount of the outstanding debt securities of the affected series may waive any past defaults other than

 

●

the payment of principal, any premium or interest; or

 

●

in respect of a covenant that cannot be modified or amended without the consent of each holder.

 

Merger or Consolidation

 

Under the terms of the indenture, we are generally permitted to consolidate or merge with another corporation. We are also permitted to sell all or substantially all of our assets to another corporation. However, we may not take any of these actions unless all the following conditions are met:

 

●

where we merge out of existence or sell substantially all our assets, the resulting corporation or transferee must agree to be legally responsible for our obligations under the debt securities;

 

●

the merger or sale of assets must not cause a default on the debt securities and we must not already be in default (unless the merger or sale would cure the default). For purposes of this no-default test, a default would include an Event of Default that has occurred and has not been cured, as described under “Events of Default” above. A default for this purpose would also include any event that would be an Event of Default if the requirements for giving us a notice of default or our default having to exist for a specific period of time were disregarded;

 

●

we must deliver certain certificates and documents to the trustee; and

 

●

we must satisfy any other requirements specified in the prospectus supplement relating to a particular series of debt securities.

 

Modification or Waiver

 

There are three types of changes we can make to the indenture and the debt securities issued thereunder.

 

Changes Requiring Your Approval

 

First, there are changes that we cannot make to your debt securities without your specific approval. The following is a list of those types of changes:

 

●

change the stated maturity of the principal of or interest on a debt security or the terms of any sinking fund with respect to any security;

 

●

reduce any amounts due on a debt security;

 

●

reduce the amount of principal payable upon acceleration of the maturity of an original issue discount or indexed security following a default or upon the redemption thereof or the amount thereof provable in a bankruptcy proceeding;

 

●

adversely affect any right of repayment at the holder’s option;

 

●

change the place or currency of payment on a debt security (except as otherwise described in the prospectus or prospectus supplement);

 

●

impair your right to sue for payment;

 

●

adversely affect any right to convert or exchange a debt security in accordance with its terms;

 

 

●

modify the subordination provisions in the indenture in a manner that is adverse to outstanding holders of the debt securities;

 

●

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to modify or amend the indenture;

 

●

reduce the percentage of holders of debt securities whose consent is needed to waive compliance with certain provisions of the indenture or to waive certain defaults;

 

●

modify any other aspect of the provisions of the indenture dealing with supplemental indentures with the consent of holders, waiver of past defaults, changes to the quorum or voting requirements or the waiver of certain covenants; and

 

●

change any obligation we have to pay additional amounts.

 

Changes Not Requiring Approval

 

The second type of change does not require any vote by the holders of the debt securities. This type is limited to clarifications, establishment of the form or terms of new securities of any series as permitted by the indenture and certain other changes that would not adversely affect holders of the outstanding debt securities in any material respect. We also do not need any approval to make any change that affects only debt securities to be issued under the indenture after the change takes effect.

 

Changes Requiring Majority Approval

 

Any other change to the indenture and the debt securities would require the following approval:

 

●

if the change affects only one series of debt securities, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of that series; and

 

●

if the change affects more than one series of debt securities issued under the same indenture, it must be approved by the holders of a majority in principal amount of all of the series affected by the change, with all affected series voting together as one class for this purpose.

 

In each case, the required approval must be given by written consent.

 

The holders of a majority in principal amount of a series of debt securities issued under the indenture, voting together as one class for this purpose, may waive our compliance with some of our covenants applicable to that series of debt securities. However, we cannot obtain a waiver of a payment default or of any of the matters covered by the bullet points included above under “—Changes Requiring Your Approval.”

 

Further Details Concerning Voting

 

When taking a vote, we will use the following rules to decide how much principal to attribute to a debt security:

 

●

for original issue discount securities, we will use the principal amount that would be due and payable on the voting date if the maturity of these debt securities were accelerated to that date because of a default;

 

●

for debt securities whose principal amount is not known (for example, because it is based on an index), we will use the principal face amount at original issuance or a special rule for that debt security described in the prospectus supplement; and

 

●

for debt securities denominated in one or more foreign currencies, we will use the U.S. dollar equivalent.

 

Debt securities will not be considered outstanding, and therefore not eligible to vote, if we have deposited or set aside in trust money for their payment or redemption or if we, any other obligor, or any affiliate of us or any obligor own such debt securities. Debt securities will also not be eligible to vote if they have been fully defeased as described later under “—Defeasance—Full Defeasance.”

 

We will generally be entitled to set any day as a record date for the purpose of determining the holders of outstanding indenture securities that are entitled to vote or take other action under the indenture. However, the record date may not be more than 30 days before the date of the first solicitation of holders to vote on or take such action. If we set a record date for a vote or other action to be taken by holders of one or more series, that vote or action may be taken only by persons who are holders of outstanding indenture securities of those series on the record date and must be taken within eleven months following the record date.

 

 

Book-entry and other indirect holders should consult their banks or brokers for information on how approval may be granted or denied if we seek to change the indenture or the debt securities or request a waiver.

 

Defeasance

 

The following provisions will be applicable to each series of debt securities unless we state in the applicable prospectus supplement that the provisions of covenant defeasance and full defeasance will not be applicable to that series.

 

Covenant Defeasance

 

Under current U.S. federal tax law and the indenture, we can make the deposit described below and be released from some of the restrictive covenants in the indenture under which the particular series was issued. This is called “covenant defeasance.” In that event, you would lose the protection of those restrictive covenants but would gain the protection of having money and government securities set aside in trust to repay your debt securities. If we achieved covenant defeasance and your debt securities were subordinated as described under “—Indenture Provisions—Subordination” below, such subordination would not prevent the trustee under the indenture from applying the funds available to it from the deposit described in the first bullet below to the payment of amounts due in respect of such debt securities for the benefit of the subordinated debt holders. In order to achieve covenant defeasance, we must do the following:

 

●

we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of a series of debt securities a combination of cash (in such currency in which such securities are then specified as payable at stated maturity) or government obligations applicable to such securities (determined on the basis of the currency in which such securities are then specified as payable at stated maturity) that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates and any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments;

 

●

we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel confirming that, under current U.S. federal income tax law, we may make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit;

 

●

we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the 1940 Act, as amended, and a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to covenant defeasance have been complied with;

 

●

defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or result in a default under, of the indenture or any of our other material agreements or instruments;

 

●

no default or event of default with respect to such debt securities shall have occurred and be continuing and no defaults or events of default related to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization shall occur during the next 90 days; and

 

●

satisfy the conditions for covenant defeasance contained in any supplemental indentures.

 

If we accomplish covenant defeasance, you can still look to us for repayment of the debt securities if there were a shortfall in the trust deposit or the trustee is prevented from making payment. For example, if one of the remaining Events of Default occurred (such as our bankruptcy) and the debt securities became immediately due and payable, there might be such a shortfall. However, there is no assurance that we would have sufficient funds to make payment of the shortfall.

 

Full Defeasance

 

If there is a change in U.S. federal tax law or we obtain an IRS ruling, as described in the second bullet below, we can legally release ourselves from all payment and other obligations on the debt securities of a particular series (called “full defeasance”) if we put in place the following other arrangements for you to be repaid:

 

●

we must deposit in trust for the benefit of all holders of a series of debt securities a combination of cash (in such currency in which such securities are then specified as payable at stated maturity) or government obligations applicable to such securities (determined on the basis of the currency in which such securities are then specified as payable at stated maturity) that will generate enough cash to make interest, principal and any other payments on the debt securities on their various due dates and any mandatory sinking fund payments or analogous payments;

  

 

●

we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion confirming that there has been a change in current U.S. federal tax law or an IRS ruling that allows us to make the above deposit without causing you to be taxed on the debt securities any differently than if we did not make the deposit. Under current U.S. federal tax law, the deposit and our legal release from the debt securities would be treated as though we paid you your share of the cash and notes or bonds at the time the cash and notes or bonds were deposited in trust in exchange for your debt securities and you would recognize gain or loss on the debt securities at the time of the deposit;

 

●

we must deliver to the trustee a legal opinion of our counsel stating that the above deposit does not require registration by us under the 1940 Act, as amended, and a legal opinion and officers’ certificate stating that all conditions precedent to defeasance have been complied with;

 

●

defeasance must not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a default under, of the indenture or any of our other material agreements or instruments;

 

●

no default or event of default with respect to such debt securities shall have occurred and be continuing and no defaults or events of default related to bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization shall occur during the next 90 days; and

 

●

satisfy the conditions for full defeasance contained in any supplemental indentures.

 

If we ever did accomplish full defeasance, as described above, you would have to rely solely on the trust deposit for repayment of the debt securities. You could not look to us for repayment in the unlikely event of any shortfall. Conversely, the trust deposit would most likely be protected from claims of our lenders and other creditors if we ever became bankrupt or insolvent. If your debt securities were subordinated as described later under “—Indenture Provisions—Subordination”, such subordination would not prevent the trustee under the indenture from applying the funds available to it from the deposit referred to in the first bullet of the preceding paragraph to the payment of amounts due in respect of such debt securities for the benefit of the subordinated debt holders.

 

Form, Exchange and Transfer of Certificated Registered Securities

 

If registered debt securities cease to be issued in book-entry form, they will be issued:

 

●

only in fully registered certificated form;

 

●

without interest coupons; and

 

●

unless we indicate otherwise in the prospectus supplement, in denominations of $1,000 and amounts that are multiples of $1,000.

 

Holders may exchange their certificated securities for debt securities of smaller denominations or combined into fewer debt securities of larger denominations, as long as the total principal amount is not changed and as long as the denomination is greater than the minimum denomination for such securities.

 

Holders may exchange or transfer their certificated securities at the office of the trustee. We have appointed the trustee to act as our agent for registering debt securities in the names of holders transferring debt securities. We may appoint another entity to perform these functions or perform them ourselves.

 

Holders will not be required to pay a service charge to transfer or exchange their certificated securities, but they may be required to pay any tax or other governmental charge associated with the transfer or exchange. The transfer or exchange will be made only if our transfer agent is satisfied with the holder’s proof of legal ownership.

 

If we have designated additional transfer agents for your debt security, they will be named in the prospectus supplement. We may appoint additional transfer agents or cancel the appointment of any particular transfer agent. We may also approve a change in the office through which any transfer agent acts.

 

 

If any certificated securities of a particular series are redeemable and we redeem less than all the debt securities of that series, we may block the transfer or exchange of those debt securities during the period beginning 15 days before the day we mail the notice of redemption and ending on the day of that mailing, in order to freeze the list of holders to prepare the mailing. We may also refuse to register transfers or exchanges of any certificated securities selected for redemption, except that we will continue to permit transfers and exchanges of the unredeemed portion of any debt security that will be partially redeemed.

 

If a registered debt security is issued in book-entry form, only the depositary will be entitled to transfer and exchange the debt security as described in this subsection, since it will be the sole holder of the debt security.

 

Resignation of Trustee

 

Each trustee may resign or be removed with respect to one or more series of indenture securities provided that a successor trustee is appointed to act with respect to these series and has accepted such appointment. In the event that two or more persons are acting as trustee with respect to different series of indenture securities under the indenture, each of the trustees will be a trustee of a trust separate and apart from the trust administered by any other trustee.

 

Indenture Provisions—Subordination

 

Upon any distribution of our assets upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on any indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities is to be subordinated to the extent provided in the indenture in right of payment to the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined below), but our obligation to you to make payment of the principal of (and premium, if any) and interest, if any, on such subordinated debt securities will not otherwise be affected. In addition, no payment on account of principal (or premium, if any), sinking fund or interest, if any, may be made on such subordinated debt securities at any time unless full payment of all amounts due in respect of the principal (and premium, if any), sinking fund and interest on Senior Indebtedness has been made or duly provided for in money or money’s worth.

 

In the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment by us is received by the trustee in respect of subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities, upon our dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization before all Senior Indebtedness is paid in full, the payment or distribution received by the trustee in respect of such subordinated debt securities or by the holders of any of such subordinated debt securities must be paid over to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness or on their behalf for application to the payment of all the Senior Indebtedness remaining unpaid until all the Senior Indebtedness has been paid in full, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness. Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness upon this distribution by us, the holders of such subordinated debt securities will be subrogated to the rights of the holders of the Senior Indebtedness to the extent of payments made to the holders of the Senior Indebtedness out of the distributive share of such subordinated debt securities.

 

By reason of this subordination, in the event of a distribution of our assets upon our insolvency, certain of our senior creditors may recover more, ratably, than holders of any subordinated debt securities or the holders of any indenture securities that are not Senior Indebtedness. The indenture provides that these subordination provisions will not apply to money and securities held in trust under the defeasance provisions of the indenture.

 

Senior Indebtedness is defined in the indenture as the principal of (and premium, if any) and unpaid interest on:

 

●

our indebtedness (including indebtedness of others guaranteed by us), whenever created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed, for money borrowed, that we have designated as “Senior Indebtedness” for purposes of the indenture and in accordance with the terms of the indenture (including any indenture securities designated as Senior Indebtedness), and

 

●

renewals, extensions, modifications and refinancings of any of this indebtedness.

 

If this prospectus is being delivered in connection with the offering of a series of indenture securities denominated as subordinated debt securities, the accompanying prospectus supplement will set forth the approximate amount of our Senior Indebtedness and of our other Indebtedness outstanding as of a recent date.

 

 

Secured Indebtedness and Ranking

 

Certain of our indebtedness, including certain series of indenture securities, may be secured. The prospectus supplement for each series of indenture securities will describe the terms of any security interest for such series and will indicate the approximate amount of our secured indebtedness as of a recent date. Any unsecured indenture securities will effectively rank junior to any secured indebtedness, including any secured indenture securities, that we incur in the future to the extent of the value of the assets securing such future secured indebtedness. The debt securities, whether secured or unsecured, of the Company will rank structurally junior to all existing and future indebtedness (including trade payables) incurred by our subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities (i.e., the holders of the debt securities will not have access to the assets of the Company’s subsidiaries, financing vehicles or similar facilities until after all of these entities’ creditors have been paid and the remaining assets have been distributed up to the Company as the equity holder of these entities). In this regard, any notes that we may issue will be strictly the obligation of the Company, and not of Saratoga CLO, or any subsidiary we may form in the future.

 

In the event of our bankruptcy, liquidation, reorganization or other winding up, any of our assets that secure secured debt will be available to pay obligations on unsecured debt securities only after all indebtedness under such secured debt has been repaid in full from such assets. We advise you that there may not be sufficient assets remaining to pay amounts due on any or all unsecured debt securities then outstanding after fulfillment of this obligation. As a result, the holders of unsecured indenture securities may recover less, ratably, than holders of any of our secured indebtedness.

 

The Trustee under the Indenture

 

U.S. Bank National Association serves as the trustee under the indenture.

 

Certain Considerations Relating to Foreign Currencies

 

Debt securities denominated or payable in foreign currencies may entail significant risks. These risks include the possibility of significant fluctuations in the foreign currency markets, the imposition or modification of foreign exchange controls and potential illiquidity in the secondary market. These risks will vary depending upon the currency or currencies involved and will be more fully described in the applicable prospectus supplement.

 

 

DESCRIPTION OF OUR WARRANTS

 

The following is a general description of the terms of the warrants we may issue from time to time. Particular terms of any warrants we offer will be described in the prospectus supplement relating to such warrants and will be subject to compliance with the 1940 Act.

 

As described further below, subject to receiving shareholder approval to issue warrants at a future annual meeting of stockholders, we may issue warrants to purchase shares of our common stock or debt securities. Such warrants may be issued independently or together with shares of common stock or debt securities and may be attached or separate from such securities. We will issue each series of warrants under a separate warrant agreement to be entered into between us and a warrant agent. The warrant agent will act solely as our agent and will not assume any obligation or relationship of agency for or with holders or beneficial owners of warrants.

 

A prospectus supplement will describe the particular terms of any series of warrants we may issue, including the following:

 

●

the title and aggregate number of such warrants;

 

●

the price or prices at which such warrants will be issued;

 

●

the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which the price of such warrants may be payable;

 

●

if applicable, the designation and terms of the securities with which the warrants are issued and the number of warrants issued with each such security or each principal amount of such security;

 

●

in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the principal amount of debt securities purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which this principal amount of debt securities may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

●

in the case of warrants to purchase common stock, the number of shares of common stock purchasable upon exercise of one warrant and the price at which and the currency or currencies, including composite currencies, in which these shares may be purchased upon such exercise;

 

●

the date on which the right to exercise such warrants shall commence and the date on which such right will expire (subject to any extension);

 

●

whether such warrants will be issued in registered form or bearer form;

 

●

if applicable, the minimum or maximum amount of such warrants that may be exercised at any one time;

 

●

if applicable, the date on and after which such warrants and the related securities will be separately transferable;

 

●

the terms of any rights to redeem, or call such warrants;

 

●

information with respect to book-entry procedures, if any;

 

●

the terms of the securities issuable upon exercise of the warrants;

 

●

if applicable, a discussion of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations; and

 

●

any other terms of such warrants, including terms, procedures and limitations relating to the exchange and exercise of such warrants.

 

We and the warrant agent may amend or supplement the warrant agreement for a series of warrants without the consent of the holders of the warrants issued thereunder to effect changes that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the warrants and that do not materially and adversely affect the interests of the holders of the warrants.

 

Each warrant will entitle the holder to purchase for cash such common stock at the exercise price or such principal amount of debt securities as shall in each case be set forth in, or be determinable as set forth in, the prospectus supplement relating to the warrants offered thereby. Warrants may be exercised as set forth in the prospectus supplement beginning on the date specified therein and continuing until the close of business on the expiration date set forth in the prospectus supplement. After the close of business on the expiration date, unexercised warrants will become void.

 

 

Upon receipt of payment and a warrant certificate properly completed and duly executed at the corporate trust office of the warrant agent or any other office indicated in the prospectus supplement, we will, as soon as practicable, forward the securities purchasable upon such exercise. If less than all of the warrants represented by such warrant certificate are exercised, a new warrant certificate will be issued for the remaining warrants. If we so indicate in the applicable prospectus supplement, holders of the warrants may surrender securities as all or part of the exercise price for warrants.

 

Prior to exercising their warrants, holders of warrants will not have any of the rights of holders of the securities purchasable upon such exercise, including, in the case of warrants to purchase debt securities, the right to receive principal, premium, if any, or interest payments, on the debt securities purchasable upon exercise or to enforce covenants in the applicable indenture or, in the case of warrants to purchase common stock, the right to receive dividends or other distributions, if any, or payments upon our liquidation, dissolution or winding up or to exercise any voting rights.

 

Under the 1940 Act, we may generally only offer warrants provided that (i) the warrants expire by their terms within ten years, (ii) the exercise or conversion price is not less than the current market value at the date of issuance, (iii) our stockholders authorize the proposal to issue such warrants, and our board of directors approves such issuance on the basis that the issuance is in the best interests of us and our stockholders and (iv) if the warrants are accompanied by other securities, the warrants are not separately transferable unless no class of such warrants and the securities accompanying them has been publicly distributed. The 1940 Act also provides that the amount of our voting securities that would result from the exercise of all outstanding warrants, as well as options and rights, at the time of issuance may not exceed 25% of our outstanding voting securities.

 

We may in the future seek the approval of our stockholders to approve a proposal to authorize us to issue securities to subscribe to, convert to, or purchase shares of our common stock in one or more offerings. Such authorization will have no expiration. If we do not receive such stockholder approval, we will not issue any warrants.

 

 

PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION

 

We may offer, from time to time, in one or more offerings or series, up to $500,000,000 of common stock, preferred stock, subscription rights to purchase shares of common stock, warrants and debt securities, in one or more underwritten public offerings, at-the-market offerings to or through a market maker or into an existing trading market for our securities, on an exchange or otherwise, negotiated transactions, block trades, best efforts or a combination of these methods.

 

We may sell our securities through underwriters or dealers, directly to one or more purchasers through agents or through a combination of any such methods of sale. In the case of a rights offering, the applicable prospectus supplement will set forth the number of shares of our common stock issuable upon the exercise of each right and the other terms of such rights offering. Any underwriter or agent involved in the offer and sale of our securities will be named in the applicable prospectus supplement. A prospectus supplement or supplements will also describe the terms of the offering of our securities, including: the purchase price of our securities and the proceeds we will receive from the sale; any over-allotment options under which underwriters may purchase additional securities from us; any agency fees or underwriting discounts and other items constituting agents’ or underwriters’ compensation; the public offering price; any discounts or concessions allowed or re-allowed or paid to dealers; and any securities exchange or market on which our securities may be listed. Only underwriters or agents named in the prospectus supplement will be underwriters or agents of our securities offered by the prospectus supplement.

 

The distribution of our securities may be effected from time to time in one or more transactions at a fixed price or prices, which may be changed, at prevailing market prices at the time of sale, at prices related to such prevailing market prices, or at negotiated prices, provided, however, that the offering price per share of our common stock, less any underwriting commissions and discounts or agency fees paid by us, must generally equal or exceed the net asset value per share of our common stock. We may under certain circumstances consider selling our securities at prices below our net asset value per share consistent with the terms of our stockholder approval to sell our shares of common stock at a price below our net asset value per share. Any offering of shares of our common stock at a price below our then current net asset value per share that requires shareholder approval must occur, if at all, within one year after receiving such shareholder approval. We do not currently have stockholder approval of issuances below net asset value.

 

In connection with the sale of our securities, underwriters or agents may receive compensation from us or from purchasers of our securities, for whom they may act as agents, in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions. Our common stockholders will bear, directly or indirectly, such expenses, as well as any other fees and the expenses incurred by us in connection with any offering of our securities, including debt securities.

 

Underwriters may sell our securities to or through dealers and such dealers may receive compensation in the form of discounts, concessions or commissions from the underwriters and/or commissions from the purchasers for whom they may act as agents. Underwriters, dealers and agents that participate in the distribution of our securities may be deemed to be underwriters under the Securities Act, and any discounts and commissions they receive from us and any profit realized by them on the resale of our securities may be deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act. Any such underwriter or agent will be identified and any such compensation received from us will be described in the applicable prospectus supplement. The maximum aggregate commission or discount to be received by any member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (“FINRA”) or independent broker-dealer will not be greater than 10% of the gross proceeds of the sale of our securities offered pursuant to this prospectus and any applicable prospectus supplement. We may also reimburse the underwriter or agent for certain fees and legal expenses incurred by it.

 

We may enter into derivative transactions with third parties, or sell securities not covered by this prospectus to third parties in privately negotiated transactions. If the applicable prospectus supplement indicates, in connection with those derivatives, the third parties may sell securities covered by this prospectus and the applicable prospectus supplement, including in short sale transactions. If so, the third party may use securities pledged by us or borrowed from us or others to settle those sales or to close out any related open borrowings of stock, and may use securities received from us in settlement of those derivatives to close out any related open borrowings of stock. The third parties in such sale transactions will be underwriters and, if not identified in this prospectus, will be identified in the applicable prospectus supplement (or a post-effective amendment).

 

Any underwriter may engage in over-allotment, stabilizing transactions, short-covering transactions and penalty bids in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act. Over-allotment involves sales in excess of the offering size, which create a short position. Stabilizing transactions permit bids to purchase the underlying security so long as the stabilizing bids do not exceed a specified maximum price. Syndicate-covering or other short-covering transactions involve purchases of our securities, either through exercise of the over-allotment option or in the open market after the distribution is completed, to cover short positions. Penalty bids permit the underwriters to reclaim a selling concession from a dealer when our securities originally sold by the dealer are purchased in a stabilizing or covering transaction to cover short positions. Those activities may cause the price of our securities to be higher than it would otherwise be. If commenced, the underwriters may discontinue any of the activities at any time.

 

 

Any underwriters that are qualified market makers on the NYSE may engage in passive market making transactions in our common stock on the NYSE in accordance with Regulation M under the Exchange Act, during the business day prior to the pricing of the offering, before the commencement of offers or sales of our common stock. Passive market makers must comply with applicable volume and price limitations and must be identified as passive market makers. In general, a passive market maker must display its bid at a price not in excess of the highest independent bid for such security; if all independent bids are lowered below the passive market maker’s bid, however, the passive market maker’s bid must then be lowered when certain purchase limits are exceeded. Passive market making may stabilize the market price of our common stock at a level above that which might otherwise prevail in the open market and, if commenced, may be discontinued at any time.

 

We may sell our securities directly or through agents we designate from time to time. We will name any agent involved in the offering and sale of our securities and we will describe any commissions we will pay the agent in the prospectus supplement. Unless the prospectus supplement states otherwise, our agent will act on a best-efforts basis for the period of its appointment.

 

Unless otherwise specified in the applicable prospectus supplement, each class or series of securities will be a new issue with no trading market, other than our common stock, which is traded on the NYSE. We may elect to list any other class or series of securities on any exchanges, but we are not obligated to do so. We cannot guarantee the liquidity of the trading markets for any securities.

 

Under agreements into which we may enter, underwriters, dealers and agents who participate in the distribution of our securities may be entitled to indemnification by us against certain liabilities, including liabilities under the Securities Act, or contribution with respect to payments that the agents or underwriters may make with respect to these liabilities. Underwriters, dealers and agents may engage in transactions with, or perform services for, us in the ordinary course of business.

 

If so indicated in the applicable prospectus supplement, we will authorize underwriters or other persons acting as our agents to solicit offers by certain institutions to purchase our securities from us pursuant to contracts providing for payment and delivery on a future date. Institutions with which such contracts may be made include commercial and savings banks, insurance companies, pension funds, investment companies, educational and charitable institutions and others, but in all cases such institutions must be approved by us. The obligations of any purchaser under any such contract will be subject to the condition that the purchase of our securities shall not at the time of delivery be prohibited under the laws of the jurisdiction to which such purchaser is subject. The underwriters and such other agents will not have any responsibility in respect of the validity or performance of such contracts. Such contracts will be subject only to those conditions set forth in the prospectus supplement, and the prospectus supplement will set forth the commission payable for solicitation of such contracts.

 

In order to comply with the securities laws of certain states, if applicable, our securities offered hereby will be sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain states, our securities may not be sold unless they have been registered or qualified for sale in the applicable state or an exemption from the registration or qualification requirement is available and is complied with.

 

BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES

 

Since we will acquire and dispose of many of our investments in privately negotiated transactions, many of the transactions that we engage in will not require the use of brokers or the payment of brokerage commissions. Subject to policies established by our board of directors, our investment adviser will be primarily responsible for selecting brokers and dealers to execute transactions with respect to the publicly-traded securities portion of our portfolio transactions and the allocation of brokerage commissions. Our investment adviser does not expect to execute transactions through any particular broker or dealer but will seek to obtain the best net results for us under the circumstances, taking into account such factors as price (including the applicable brokerage commission or dealer spread), size of order, difficulty of execution and operational facilities of the firm and the firm’s risk and skill in positioning blocks of securities. Our investment adviser generally will seek reasonably competitive trade execution costs but will not necessarily pay the lowest spread or commission available. Subject to applicable legal requirements and consistent with Section 28(e) of the Exchange Act, our investment adviser may select a broker based upon brokerage or research services provided to our investment adviser and us and any other clients. In return for such services, we may pay a higher commission than other brokers would charge if our investment adviser determines in good faith that such commission is reasonable in relation to the services provided.

 

CUSTODIAN, TRANSFER AND DIVIDEND PAYING AGENT AND REGISTRAR

 

Our investment securities are held under a custody agreement with U.S. Bank National Association. The address of the custodian is U.S. Bank National Association, Corporate Trust Services, One Federal Street, 3^rd Floor, Boston, MA 02110. The transfer agent and registrar for our common stock, Broadridge Financial Solutions, Inc., acts as our transfer agent, dividend paying and reinvestment agent for our common stock. The principal business address of the transfer agent is 1717 Arch St., Suite 1300, Philadelphia, PA 19103. U.S. Bank National Association, our trustee under an indenture and the supplemental indentures thereto relating to the Notes, is the paying agent, registrar and transfer agent relating to the Notes. The principal business address of our trustee is 214 N. Tyron Street, 12^th Floor, Charlotte, North Carolina 28202.

 

 

LEGAL MATTERS

 

Certain legal matters regarding the securities offered by this prospectus will be passed upon for us by Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP, Washington, D.C.

 

 

INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

 

Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, has audited our consolidated financial statements as of February 28, 2021 and February 29, 2020 and for each of the three years ended February 28, 2021, February 29, 2020, and February 28, 2019. Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd.’s financial statements as of February 29, 2020 and February 28, 2019 have been included in this prospectus in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young Ltd., as stated in their report incorporated by reference. Ernst & Young LLP’s principal business address is 5 Times Square, New York, New York 10036.

 

The consolidated financial statements and the Senior Securities table incorporated by reference under the heading “Senior Securities” for Saratoga Investment Corp. and subsidiaries have been incorporated by reference herein and in the registration statement in reliance upon the reports of Ernst & Young LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, incorporated by reference herein, upon the authority of said firm as experts in accounting and auditing.

 

Independent Auditors

 

CohnReznick LLP, Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd.’s independent auditors have audited Saratoga Investment Corp. CLO 2013-1, Ltd.’s financial statements as of February 28, 2021, and for the year then ended as set forth in their report incorporated by reference. CohnReznick LLP’s principal business address is 200 South Wacker Drive, Suite 2600, Chicago, IL 60606.

 

 

AVAILABLE INFORMATION

 

We have filed with the SEC a registration statement on Form N-2, together with all amendments and related exhibits, under the Securities Act, with respect to the securities offered by this prospectus. The registration statement contains additional information about us and the securities being offered by this prospectus. We file with or submit to the SEC annual, quarterly and current periodic reports, proxy statements and other information meeting the informational requirements of the Exchange Act. We maintain a website at https://saratogainvestmentcorp.com/ and intend to make all of our annual, quarterly and current reports, proxy statements and other publicly filed information available, free of charge, on or through our website. You may also obtain such information by contacting us in writing at 535 Madison Avenue, New York, NY 10022. The SEC maintains a website that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information we file with the SEC at http://www.sec.gov. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this prospectus or any supplements to this prospectus, and you should not consider that information to be part of this prospectus or any supplements to this prospectus.

 

 

INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN INFORMATION BY REFERENCE

 

This prospectus is part of a registration statement that we have filed with the SEC. We may “incorporate by reference” the information that we file with the SEC, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to those documents. The information incorporated by reference is considered to comprise a part of this prospectus from the date we file that document. Any reports filed by us with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus and before the date that any offering of any securities by means of this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement is terminated will automatically update and, where applicable, supersede any information contained in this prospectus or incorporated by reference in this prospectus.

 

We incorporate by reference into this prospectus our filings listed below and any future filings that we may file with the SEC under Section 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, subsequent to the date of this prospectus until all of the securities offered by this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement have been sold or we otherwise terminate the offering of these securities; provided, however, that information “furnished” under Item 2.02 or Item 7.01 of Form 8-K or other information “furnished” to the SEC which is not deemed filed is not incorporated by reference in this prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement. Information that we file with the SEC subsequent to the date of this prospectus will automatically update and may supersede information in this prospectus, any accompanying prospectus supplement and information previously filed with the SEC.

 

This prospectus and any accompanying prospectus supplement incorporate by reference the documents set forth below that have previously been filed with the SEC:

 

●

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 28, 2021 filed with the SEC on May 5, 2021;

 

●

Our Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A, filed with the SEC on August 4, 2020 (to the extent incorporated by reference into Part III of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 29, 2020);

 

●

Current Reports on Form 8-K filed on March 4, 2021, March 5, 2021, and March 10, 2021; and

 

●

The description of our common stock contained in Exhibit 4.10 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 28, 2021, which updated the description thereof in our Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 001-33376), as filed with the SEC on March 21, 2007, including any amendment or report filed for the purpose of updating such description prior to the termination of the offering of the common stock registered hereby.

 

To obtain copies of these filings, see “Available Information,” or you may request a copy of these filings (other than exhibits, unless the exhibits are specifically incorporated by reference into these documents) at no cost by writing or calling the following address and telephone number:

 

Saratoga Investment Corp.

535 Madison Avenue, 4th Floor

New York, NY 10022

(212) 906-7800

 

You should rely only on the information incorporated by reference or provided in this prospectus or any prospectus supplement. We have not authorized anyone to provide you with different or additional information, and you should not rely on such information if you receive it. We are not making an offer of or soliciting an offer to buy, any securities in any state or other jurisdiction where such offer or sale is not permitted. You should not assume that the information in this prospectus or in the documents incorporated by reference is accurate as of any date other than the date on the front of this prospectus or those documents.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Saratoga Investment Corp.

 

$150,000,000

Common Stock

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PROSPECTUS SUPPLEMENT

 

July 30, 2021

 

 

 

 

 

Ladenburg Thalmann

Compass Point