UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM N-CSR

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

 

Investment Company Act File Number: 811-22974

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)

 

600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202

Greenwich, CT 06830

(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip code)

 

Thomas P. Majewski

c/o Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. 

600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202 

Greenwich, CT 06830 

(Name and address of agent for service)

 

Copies to

 

Thomas J. Friedmann 

Philip Hinkle
Dechert LLP
One International Place, 40th Floor

100 Oliver Street

Boston, MA 02110
(617) 728-7120

 

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (203) 340-8500

 

Date of fiscal year end: December 31

 

Date of reporting period: December 31, 2021

 

Form N-CSR is to be used by management investment companies to file reports with the Commission not later than 10 days after the transmission to stockholders of any report that is required to be transmitted to stockholders under Rule 30e-1 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 (17 CFR 270.30e-1). The Commission may use the information provided on Form N-CSR in its regulatory, disclosure review, inspection, and policymaking roles.

 

A registrant is required to disclose the information specified by Form N-CSR, and the Commission will make this information public. A registrant is not required to respond to the collection of information contained in Form N-CSR unless the Form displays a currently valid Office of Management and Budget (“OMB”) control number. Please direct comments concerning the accuracy of the information collection burden estimate and any suggestions for reducing the burden to Secretary, Securities and Exchange Commission, 100 F Street, NE, Washington, DC 20549. The OMB has reviewed this collection of information under the clearance requirements of 44 U.S.C. § 3507.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 1. Report to Stockholders

 

The Annual Report to stockholders of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. (the “Company”) for the year ended December 31, 2021 is filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.

Annual Report – December 31, 2021

 

Table of Contents

 

Letter to Stockholders and Management Discussion of Company Performance  2
    
Important Information about this Report and Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.  17
    
Performance Data  25
    
Summary of Certain Unaudited Portfolio Characteristics  26
    
Fees and Expenses  28
    
Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended December 31, 2021 (Audited)  31
    
Price Range of Common Stock  70
    
Dividend Reinvestment Plan  71
    
Additional Information  73

 

1

 

 

Letter to Stockholders and Management Discussion of Company Performance

 

Dear Fellow Stockholders:

 

We are pleased to provide you with the enclosed report of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. (“we,” “us,” “our” or the “Company”) for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

 

The Company is a closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”) and is advised by Eagle Point Credit Management LLC (the “Adviser”). The Company’s primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve these objectives by investing primarily in equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) and may also invest in other securities or instruments that are related investments or that are consistent with our investment objectives.

 

Following a strong 2020, 2021 was another very successful year for the Company. Our GAAP return on common equity, the change in our net asset value (“NAV”) plus distributions, or ROE for 2021 was 36.17%. Measuring our performance over the COVID pandemic, from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2021, the Company generated a non-annualized total GAAP ROE of 63.12%.1

 

As a result of our Adviser’s proactive approach to managing the Company, we created shareholder value in a number of ways during 2021. Beyond the robust and consistent cash flows generated by our investment portfolio throughout the year, we:

 

§Realized significant future debt cost savings through resetting or refinancing over 30 of the CLOs in our portfolio,

 

§Increased the weighted average remaining reinvestment period of the Company’s CLO equity portfolio by seven months despite twelve months of time decay, and

 

§Materially strengthened the Company’s balance sheet through several attractive long-term unsecured debt and preferred stock issuances.

 

Both due to the performance of our portfolio and the proactive positioning of the Company, we were able to increase our monthly common distribution by 50% during 2021 and declare a special distribution of $0.50 per common share during the fourth quarter.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

2

 

 

Following our strong 2021, on February 14, 2022, the Company announced another 17% increase in our monthly common distribution, beginning in the second quarter of 2022. Looking ahead, we believe the Company remains well-positioned to deliver strong returns.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company recorded an increase in net assets resulting from operations of $132 million, or $3.85 per weighted average common share.2 From December 31, 2020 through December 31, 2021, the Company’s NAV increased 20% from $11.18 per common share to $13.39 per common share. We actively deployed $276 million into new CLO equity and debt investments during 2021.

 

Our recurring cash flows steadily increased throughout 2021 and were well ahead of pre-pandemic recurring cash flow levels. Recurring cash flows from our investment portfolio, which excludes cash received from called CLOs, totaled $160 million, or $4.67 per weighted average common share, a 58% increase versus cash flows of $91 million, or $2.96 per weighted average common share, received in 2020. Our 2021 total represents a 9% increase from pre-Covid cash flows of $110 million, or $4.28 per weighted average common share, received in 2019.

 

While our portfolio performed well in 2021, we believe our portfolio continues to have the potential for further meaningful upside. The weighted average expected yield of our CLO equity portfolio (excluding called CLOs), based on current market values and expected future cash flows, was 18.61% as of December 31, 2021, which we believe represents an attractive value in a relatively low rate environment.

 

The market for new CLO creation, resets and refinancings was robust during the year driven principally by consistent and favorably low CLO liability spreads. During the year, the Company capitalized on this environment and completed 21 resets and 13 refinancings, which resulted in an average savings of 21 basis and 29 basis points, respectively, of the cost of debt on the impacted classes. Additionally, the reset transactions added new, five year reinvestment periods to each of the relevant CLOs. Our reset activity was instrumental in increasing the portfolio’s weighted average remaining reinvestment period from 2.4 years at the beginning of 2021 to 3.0 years at December 31, 2021, reflecting a meaningful increase of seven months, despite a full year of time decay. These actions are accretive to the portfolio and position the Company to benefit from increased prospective cash flow while also taking advantage of loan price volatility, when it next occurs.

 

We continue to prudently and actively manage the Company’s capital structure while raising capital to take advantage of available investment opportunities. During 2021, the Company raised $67 million of additional common equity through our at-the-market (“ATM”) program. These issuances were beneficial to the Company as shares were issued at a premium to NAV, with net proceeds utilized to increase our liquidity and expand our investment portfolio.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

3

 

 

The Company capitalized on attractive market conditions and issued $45 million of 6.75% Notes due 2031 (the “ECCW Notes”) in March 2021, $30 million of 6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031 (the “Series C Term Preferred Stock”) in June 2021, and $25 million of 6.75% Series D Perpetual Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) in November 2021, raising a total of $96 million of additional capital which was utilized for investment opportunities and to opportunistically refinance a portion of the Company’s debt to a lower cost of capital. The weighted average maturity of our outstanding financing at December 31, 2021 was extended to 7.6 years3 from 6.7 years as of December 31, 2020. During the year, we also utilized the ATM program to raise an additional $6 million of capital through the issuance of shares of our Series B Term Preferred Stock and an additional $16 million of capital through the issuance of shares of the Series C Term Preferred Stock.

 

Subsequent to year end, we were very pleased to have another opportunity to considerably lower our cost of capital by 63 basis points, as well as further extend the weighted average maturity of our outstanding debt by 6 months. Including a partial exercise of the “greenshoe” by our underwriters, we issued $93 million of 5.375% Notes due 2029 (the “ECCV Notes”).

 

When considering the market outlook for interest rates, we believe the timing of the fixed rate ECCV Notes issuance was apt. The ECCV Notes represent the Company’s largest $25-denominated issuance ever and our lowest cost of financing ever. The Company used certain of the proceeds from this offering to fully redeem the 6.75% Notes due 2027 (the “ECCY Notes”) and redeem half of the 6.6875% Notes due 2028 (the “ECCX Notes”) on February 14, 2022. In addition, the Company announced its plan to fully redeem the remaining Series B Term Preferred Stock, which has a 7.75% coupon, on February 28, 2022.

 

Notably, after giving effect to the above redemptions, we will have no financing maturities prior to April 2028. All of our debt and preferred stock is fixed rate and we have no secured or “repo”-style financing whatsoever.

 

The Company’s momentum continued into January. As of January 31, 2022, management’s unaudited estimate of the range of the Company’s NAV per common share was between $13.42 and $13.52. The midpoint of this range represents an increase of 0.6% compared to the NAV per common share as of December 31, 2021. As of February 11, 2022, we have over $31 million in cash available for investment.

 

Beginning in January 2022, in lieu of LIBOR, substantially all U.S. CLO transactions will be issued using SOFR as their reference rates. SOFR is another short-term rate and is generally expected to increase as the Fed raises short-term Treasury rates. Our existing CLOs, which typically use LIBOR as their reference rate, are expected to gradually change their reference rates to SOFR once the majority of the loans in their portfolios pay interest based off of SOFR. We do not expect the transition from LIBOR to SOFR to have a material impact on the Company.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

4

 

 

While the CLO market continues to command attention from investors worldwide, we believe the CLO market, and CLO equity in particular, remains inefficient and attractive. In less efficient markets, specialization matters and the Company benefits from the investment experience of our Adviser, which applies a proprietary, private equity style investment approach to the fixed income market. This approach seeks to maximize returns while mitigating potential risks. We believe the scale and experience of our Adviser in CLO investing provides the Company with meaningful advantages.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

5

 

 

Company Overview

 

Common Stock

 

The Company’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “ECC.” As of December 31, 2021, the NAV per share of the Company’s common stock was $13.39. The trading price of our common stock may, and often does, differ from NAV per share. The closing price per share of our common stock was $14.00 on December 31, 2021, representing a 4.56% premium to NAV per share as of year end.4 For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company’s total return to common shareholders, on a market price basis and assuming reinvestment of distributions, was approximately 52%.5

 

From our IPO on October 7, 2014 through December 31, 2021, our common stock has traded on average at an 11.2% premium to NAV. As of January 31, 2022, the closing price per share of common stock was $13.77, a premium of 2.23% compared to the midpoint of management’s unaudited and estimated NAV range of $13.42 to $13.52 as of January 31, 2022.

 

In connection with our at-the-market offering program, the Company sold 5,001,120 shares of our common stock during the year ended December 31, 2021 for total net proceeds to the Company of approximately $67.1 million.

 

During 2021, the Company paid to common stockholders aggregate distributions totaling $1.14 per share of common stock. An investor who purchased common stock as part of our IPO at $20.00 per share has received total cash distributions of $15.26 per share since the IPO. A certain portion of these distributions was comprised of a return of capital as described at the time of the applicable distribution.6

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company’s net investment income and net realized capital gains were, in the aggregate, $1.38 per weighted average common share (this measure excludes unrealized appreciation/depreciation), well above the $1.14 per share in common distributions paid during the year. Excluding non-recurring expenses related to securities offerings and the partial redemption of the Series B Term Preferred Stock, our income per weighted average common share would have been even higher.

 

We also want to highlight the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan for common stockholders. This plan allows common stockholders to have their distributions automatically reinvested into new shares of common stock. If the prevailing market price of our common stock exceeds our NAV per share, such reinvestment is at a discount (up to five percent) to the prevailing market price. If the prevailing market price of our common stock is less than our NAV per share, such reinvestment is at the prevailing market price. We encourage all common stockholders to carefully review the terms of the plan. See “Dividend Reinvestment Plan” in the enclosed report.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

6

 

 

Other Securities

 

In addition to our common stock, the Company has five other securities which trade on the NYSE, which are summarized below:7

 

Security  NYSE
Symbol
  Par Amount
Outstanding
  Rate   Payment
Frequency
  Callable  Maturity
6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031  ECCC  $46.2 million   6.50%  Monthly  June 2024  June 2031
6.75% Series D Preferred Stock  ECC PRD  $25.0 million   6.75%  Monthly  November 2026  None
6.6875% Notes due 2028  ECCX  $32.4 million   6.6875%  Quarterly  Callable  April 2028
6.75% Notes due 2031  ECCW  $44.9 million   6.75%  Quarterly  March 2024  March 2031
5.375% Notes due 2029  ECCV  $93.3 million   5.375%  Quarterly  January 2025  January 2029

 

 

The Company took advantage of attractive market conditions during 2021, issuing its ECCW Notes in March at a fixed coupon rate of 6.75% and its Series C Term Preferred Stock in June with a fixed coupon rate of 6.50%, both with ten-year maturities. In November 2021, the Company issued its Series D Preferred Stock with no maturity date (our first “perpetual” preferred stock offering) with a fixed coupon rate of 6.75%.

 

Pursuant to our at-the-market offering program, the Company also sold 242,268 shares of its Series B Term Preferred Stock during the year ended December 31, 2021 for total net proceeds to the Company of approximately $6.0 million, and sold 646,838 shares of its Series C Term Preferred Stock during the year ended December 31, 2021 for total net proceeds to the Company of approximately $16.1 million.

 

As a result of these issuances, the weighted average maturity on our outstanding notes and preferred stock as of December 31, 2021 increased to approximately 7.6 years, up from 6.7 years at the end of 2020. In addition, all of our financing is fixed rate, providing us with added certainty in a rising rate environment.

 

Subsequent to year-end, the Company further capitalized on favorable market conditions and issued its ECCV Notes in January 2022 at a fixed coupon of 5.375%, our lowest cost of capital to date. With the proceeds from the offering, we announced the full redemption of the remaining outstanding shares of Series B Term Preferred Stock on February 28, 2022, as well as the full redemption of ECCY Notes and the redemption of 50% of the ECCX Notes (both of which were

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

7

 

 

completed on February 14, 2022). As a result, we have significantly lowered our overall cost of capital moving forward.

 

As of December 31, 2021, we had debt and preferred securities outstanding which totaled approximately 32% of our total assets (less current liabilities). Based on the midpoint of management’s estimated January 31, 2022 NAV pro forma for the Series B Term Preferred Stock and ECCY Notes redemption and 50% ECCX Notes redemption, leverage slightly increased to 33.0%. Over the long term, management expects to operate the Company generally with leverage within a range of 25% to 35% of total assets under normal market conditions. As market conditions evolve, or should significant opportunities present themselves, the Company may incur leverage outside of this range, subject to applicable regulatory and contractual limits.

 

Monthly Common Distributions

 

The Company paid six monthly distributions of $0.08 per share of common stock from January 2021 through June 2021, paid three monthly distributions of $0.10 per share of common stock from July 2021 through September 2021, and paid three monthly distributions of $0.12 per share of common stock from October 2021 through December 2021. In the aggregate, we paid cumulative monthly distributions of $1.14 per share to common stock holders in 2021. We intend to continue declaring monthly distributions on shares of our common stock (and have done so with respect to distributions declared through June 2022). Please note the actual frequency, components and amount of such distributions are subject to variation over time.

 

Special Distributions to Common Stockholders

 

In order to maintain our tax status as a regulated investment company (“RIC”), the Company is generally required to pay distributions to holders of its common stock in an amount equal to substantially all of the Company’s taxable income within one year of the end of its tax year.

 

For our tax year ended November 30, 2021, we estimate taxable income will exceed the aggregate amount distributed to common stockholders for the same time period. As a result, the Company paid a special distribution of $0.50 per common share on January 24, 2022 to stockholders of record as of December 23, 2021. The Company’s final taxable income and the actual amount required to be distributed in respect of the tax year ended November 30, 2021 will be finally determined when the Company files its final tax returns and we expect that our final taxable income will exceed amounts already distributed in respect of the 2021 tax year. As of the date of this report, the Company has incurred a 4% excise tax on the estimated amount of remaining undistributed taxable income pertaining to the 2021 tax year which is estimated to be $0.06 per weighted average common share and which is recorded as a liability in the Company’s December 31, 2021 financial results.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

8

 

 

Portfolio Overview

 

2021 Portfolio Update

 

Our portfolio consistently generated strong cash flows in 2021. During the year, the Company received cash distributions from our portfolio, excluding called CLOs, of $159.8 million, or $4.67 per weighted average common share. When distributions from called CLOs are included, the totals increase to $164.5 million, or approximately $4.81 per weighted average common share.

 

During the year, the Company made 86 new CLO equity and debt investments with total purchase proceeds of approximately $276.4 million. The Company also sold 34 CLO equity and debt investments, generating aggregate sales proceeds of approximately $76.1 million.

 

Included within this annual report, you will find detailed portfolio information, including certain look-through information related to the underlying collateral characteristics of the CLO equity and other unrated investments that we held as of December 31, 2021.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

9

 

 

 

MARKET OVERVIEW8

 

Loan Market

 

Senior secured loans to larger US companies comprise the vast majority of our CLOs’ underlying portfolios. The Credit Suisse Leverage Loan Index9 (“CSLLI”), which is a broad index followed by many tracking the corporate loan market, generated a total return of 5.40% in 2021. 2021 marked the 28th year of positive total returns for the CSLLI in its 30 years of existence, reflecting the strength of the underlying loans that form the raw material of CLOs.

 

Despite the positive performance of the asset class, relative value trading opportunities presented themselves via bouts of volatility over the course of the year. The percentage of loans trading above par shifted throughout the year, hitting a low of 6% during November’s omicron-led volatility and a peak of 35% during the February 2021 loan rally. At year-end, only 15% of the loan market was priced at par or higher, well below the pre-pandemic figure of 53% in 2019. With a large number of loans trading at a discount, many CLO collateral managers saw sufficient opportunities to trade and rotate portfolios.

 

Loan upgrades are a meaningful metric for CLO portfolios. As of December 2021, upgrades had outpaced downgrades for 14 out of the last 15 months, and the upgrade to downgrade ratio for U.S. leveraged loans during that period was 2:1. Strong corporate fundamentals including balance sheet liquidity, positive earnings trends, de-leveraging activity and an ability to further extend debt maturities supported the improvement in credit ratings for many U.S. companies. Approximately 60% of loan issuers that were downgraded in 2020 saw a reversal in their rating in 2021. As a result, the concentration of lower-rated loans held by CLOs decreased significantly, leading to an improvement in underlying portfolio quality and an increase in many CLOs’ overcollateralization ratios.

 

Retail loan funds experienced regular net inflows throughout the year, a reversal from prior years of consistent net outflows. For 2021, mutual funds and ETFs investing in U.S. leveraged loans experienced net inflows of $47 billion, a stark contrast to net outflows of $27 billion in 2020.10 Demand for these funds from non-institutional investors was net positive for 48 out of 52 weeks during the year. The high-yield mutual fund/ETF market, by comparison, recorded $13 billion of net outflows in 2021. With anticipated interest rate hikes likely for this year, the narrative of investors moving from fixed to floating rate instruments is expected to make loans an attractive asset class.

 

Historically low yields and an anticipated rising rate environment fueled a surge in investor demand for floating rate debt. Institutional loan issuance exceeded prior annual records to finish 2021 at $613 billion. Total institutional loans outstanding stood at $1.35 trillion as of December 31, 2021.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

10

 

 

 

The par-weighted default rate for U.S. leveraged loans fell for 14 consecutive months into October, and finished the year at 0.29%, narrowly missing the all-time historical low of 0.15% for the asset class. This compares to 3.83% in 2020 and the long-term default rate of 2.8%.11 For eight consecutive months, the combined default activity across loan and bond markets averages less than two corporate actions each month. Looking into 2022, loan default expectations remain muted. J.P. Morgan recently released loan default forecasts of 0.75% for 2022 and 1.25% for 2023.

 

We remain aware of greater leverage used by many borrowers in the loan the market (and in our underlying portfolios). Currently, however, the vast majority of the maturity wall is pushed out to 2025 and later. Only 12.8% of the loans in the portfolios of our underlying CLO equity positions mature prior to 2025.

 

CLO Market

 

New issuance in the CLO market remained a headline for much of 2021, with quarterly primary CLO volumes surpassing their prior records over consecutive quarters throughout 2021. Driven by a heavy and persistent appetite for floating rate instruments paired with attractive new issue arbitrage levels, total new CLO issuance in 2021 totaled $187 billion, doubling the total from 2020 of $94 billion and easily surpassing the previous record of $129 billion set back in 2018.

 

Despite the strong supply, the CLO equity arbitrage remained balanced throughout the year, as most CLOs were driven by economic third party equity investors rather than return-agnostic captive funds. Favorable market conditions, plentiful loan supply and an expansion of investors interested in CLO debt supported an increase in the number of CLO collateral managers that priced multiple new CLOs during the year, as well as several new issuers in the market.

 

We view the growth of players in the CLO market as a net positive. Indeed, given the breadth and depth of our experience as CLO investors, part of our playbook is identifying talented collateral managers and specific drivers of performance within the asset class. CLOs are nuanced structures and the ability to navigate the many provisions and tests within a CLO requires a unique combination of credit expertise, relative trading ability and portfolio management. We believe we are partnered with CLO collateral managers that are the best at what they do.

 

During the year, demand for CLO debt kept spreads at relatively low levels. Average U.S. CLO AAA debt spreads remained inside 120 basis points over LIBOR throughout the year. Similar tightening occurred at all points in the CLO debt stack. Absent a handful of spikes of short-term volatility, average AAA debt costs ranged from 115 basis points over LIBOR in the first quarter to a peak of 118 basis points in the third quarter. These tights compare to a pre-pandemic level of 134 basis points over LIBOR at the end of 2019.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

11

 

 

 

Reset and refinancing transactions reached new highs in 2021. A backlog of eligible and “in-the-money” CLOs, principally those priced with higher debt costs in 2017 and 2019 as well as short-dated 2020 CLOs, encouraged managers to take advantage of the attractive economics to lock in lower go-forward debt costs. Full year 2021 reset volume of $138 billion surpassed the all time high of $122 billion set in 2018, while refinancing volume of $113 billion also topped the previous high of $102 billion set in 2017. Looking into 2022, we expect reset and refinancing activity to remain strong but moderate on a relative basis. While we expect debt spreads to be attractive over the near term, the remaining number of CLOs presently eligible to be reset or refinanced is smaller compared to 2021.

 

As we look forward into 2022, our Adviser expects approximately $160 billion of primary CLO issuance, along with approximately $125 billion of resets and $110 billion of refinancing transactions.

 

Additional Information

 

In addition to the Company’s regulatory requirement to file certain quarterly and annual portfolio information as described further in the enclosed report, the Company makes a monthly estimate of NAV and certain additional financial information available to investors via our website (www.eaglepointcreditcompany.com). This information includes (1) an estimated range of the Company’s net investment income and realized capital gains or losses per share of common stock for each calendar quarter end, generally made available within the first fifteen days after the applicable calendar month end, (2) an estimated range of the Company’s NAV per share of common stock for the prior month end and certain additional portfolio-level information, generally made available within the first fifteen days after the applicable calendar month end, and (3) during the latter part of each month, an updated estimate of NAV, if applicable, and, with respect to each calendar quarter end, an updated estimate of the Company’s net investment income and realized capital gains or losses per share for the applicable quarter, if available.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

12

 

 

 

Subsequent Developments

 

Management’s unaudited estimate of the range of the Company’s NAV per share of common stock was between $13.42 and $13.52 as of January 31, 2022. The midpoint of this range represents an increase of 0.6% compared to the NAV per common share as of December 31, 2021.

 

On January 24, 2022, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of $87.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its ECCV Notes, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $83.9 million after payment of underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses. Subsequently, on January 28, 2022, the underwriters purchased an additional $6.3 million in aggregate principal amount of the ECCV Notes pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option, which resulted in additional net proceeds to the Company of approximately $6.1 million after payment of underwriting discounts.

 

On January 31, 2022, the Company paid a monthly distribution of $0.12 per common share to holders of record on January 11, 2022. Additionally, and as previously announced, the Company declared distributions of $0.12 per share of common stock payable on each of February 28, 2022 and March 31, 2022 to holders of record on February 8, 2022 and March 11, 2022 respectively. Additionally, and as previously announced, the Company declared distributions of $0.14 per share of common stock payable on each of April 29, 2022, May 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 to holders of record on April 11, 2022, May 11, 2022 and June 10, 2022, respectively. As noted previously, on January 24, 2022, the Company paid a special distribution of $0.50 per common share to holders of record on December 23, 2021.

 

On January 31, 2022, the Company paid a monthly distribution of $0.161459 per share of the Company’s Series B Term Preferred Stock to holders of record on January 11, 2022. As previously announced, the Company will redeem all of the outstanding shares of Series B Term Preferred Stock on February 28, 2022. The redemption price of the Series B Term Preferred Stock will be $25 per share, plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions on each share accumulated to, but excluding, the Series B redemption date, without interest thereon.

 

On January 31, 2022, the Company paid a monthly distribution of $0.135417 per share of the Company’s Series C Term Preferred Stock to holders of record on January 11, 2022. Additionally, and as previously announced, the Company declared distributions of $0.135417 per share on Series C Term Preferred Stock, payable on each of February 28, 2022, March 31, 2022, April 29, 2022, May 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 to holders of record on February 8, 2022, March 11, 2022, April 11, 2022, May 11, 2022 and June 10, 2022, respectively.

 

On January 31, 2022, the Company paid a monthly distribution of $0.140625 per share of the Company’s Series D Preferred Stock to holders of record on January 11, 2022. Additionally, and as previously announced, the Company declared distributions of $0.140625 per share on

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

13

 

 

 

Series D Preferred Stock, payable on each of February 28, 2022, March 31, 2022, April 29, 2022, May 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 to holders of record on February 8, 2022, March 11, 2022, April 11, 2022, May 11, 2022 and June 10, 2022, respectively.

 

Pursuant to the “at-the-market” offering, in the period from January 1, 2022 through February 11, 2022, the Company issued:

 

§2,426,061 shares of our common stock for total net proceeds to the Company of approximately $33.3 million,

 

§161,726 shares of our Series C Term Preferred Stock, for total net proceeds to the Company of approximately $4.0 million, and

 

§70,088 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock, for total net proceeds to the Company of approximately $1.7 million.

 

In the period from January 1, 2022 through January 31, 2022, the Company received cash distributions on its investment portfolio of $39.1 million. In addition, the Company made gross new investments totaling $31.2 million in the period from January 1, 2022 to February 11, 2022. As of February 11, 2022, the Company had over $31 million of cash available for investment.

 

* * * * *

 

Management remains keenly focused on continuing to create value for our stockholders. We appreciate the trust and confidence our fellow stockholders have placed in the Company.

 

Thomas Majewski

Chief Executive Officer

 

This letter is intended to assist stockholders in understanding the Company’s performance during the twelve months ended December 31, 2021. The views and opinions in this letter were current as of February 11, 2022. Statements other than those of historical facts included herein may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this stockholder letter and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this stockholder letter or any other report we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

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ABOUT OUR ADVISER

 

Eagle Point Credit Management LLC is a specialist asset manager focused on investing in CLO Securities and other income-oriented credit investments. As of December 31, 2021, our Adviser had approximately $6.9 billion of assets under management (inclusive of undrawn capital commitments).12

 

Notes

 

1Return on our common equity reflects the Company’s cumulative monthly performance net of applicable expenses and fees measured against beginning capital adjusted for any common equity issued during the period.
2“Weighted average common share” is calculated based on the average daily number of shares of common stock outstanding during the period and “per common share” refers to per share of the Company’s common stock.
3For purposes of the weighted average maturity calculation, a 10-year maturity is assumed for the Series D Preferred Stock.
4An investment company trades at a premium when the market price at which its shares trade is more than its net asset value per share. Alternatively, an investment company trades at a discount when the market price at which its shares trade is less than its net asset value per share.
5Total return based on market value is calculated assuming shares of the Company’s common stock were purchased at the market price as of the beginning of the period, and distributions paid to common stockholders during the period were reinvested at prices obtained by the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, and the total number of shares were sold at the closing market price per share on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect any sales load.
6To date, a portion of common stock distributions has been estimated to be a return of capital as noted under the Tax Information section on the Company's website. The actual components of the Company's distributions for U.S. tax reporting purposes can only be finally determined as of the end of each fiscal year of the Company and are thereafter reported on Form 1099-DIV. A distribution comprised in whole or in part by a return of capital does not necessarily reflect the Company’s investment performance and should not be confused with “yield” or “income”. Future distributions may consist of a return of capital. Not a guarantee of future distributions or yield.
7Amounts shown are as of December 31, 2021, pro forma for the issuance of the ECCV Notes, the redemption of the Series B Term Preferred Stock, the redemption of the ECCY Notes, and the partial redemption of the ECCX Notes. The table excludes Series B Term Preferred Stock, which will continue to trade on the NYSE until redemption on February 28, 2022.
8JPMorgan Chase & Co.; S&P Capital IQ; S&P LCD; Credit Suisse.
9The CSLLI tracks the investable universe of the US dollar-denominated leveraged loan market. The performance of an index is not an exact representation of any particular investment, as you cannot invest directly in an index.
10JPMorgan Chase & Co. North American Credit Research – JPM High Yield and Leveraged Loan Research (cumulative 2021 reports).
11“Par-weighted default rate” represents the rate of obligors who fail to remain current on their loans based on the par amount.
12Calculated in the aggregate with its affiliate Eagle Point Income Management LLC.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance.

 

Please see page 15 for endnotes.

 

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Page Intentionally Left Blank

 

 

 

Important Information about this Report and Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.

 

This report is transmitted to the stockholders of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. (“we”, “us”, “our” or the “Company”) and is furnished pursuant to certain regulatory requirements. This report and the information and views herein do not constitute investment advice, or a recommendation or an offer to enter into any transaction with the Company or any of its affiliates. This report is provided for informational purposes only, does not constitute an offer to sell securities of the Company and is not a prospectus. From time to time, the Company may have a registration statement relating to one or more of its securities on file with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Any registration statement that has not yet been declared effective by the SEC, and any prospectus relating thereto, is not complete and may be changed. Any securities that are the subject of such a registration statement may not be sold until the registration statement filed with the SEC is effective.

 

The information and its contents are the property of Eagle Point Credit Management LLC (the “Adviser”) and/or the Company. Any unauthorized dissemination, copying or use of this presentation is strictly prohibited and may be in violation of law. This presentation is being provided for informational purposes only.

 

Investors should read the Company’s prospectus and SEC filings (which are publicly available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov) carefully and consider their investment goals, time horizons and risk tolerance before investing in the Company. Investors should consider the Company’s investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing in securities of the Company. There is no guarantee that any of the goals, targets or objectives described in this report will be achieved.

 

An investment in the Company is not appropriate for all investors. The investment program of the Company is speculative, entails substantial risk and includes investment techniques not employed by traditional mutual funds. An investment in the Company is not intended to be a complete investment program. Shares of closed-end investment companies, such as the Company, frequently trade at a discount from their net asset value (“NAV”), which may increase investors’ risk of loss. Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance. The performance and certain other portfolio information quoted herein represents information as of December 31, 2021. Nothing herein should be relied upon as a representation as to the future performance or portfolio holdings of the Company. Investment return and principal value of an investment will fluctuate, and shares, when sold, may be worth more or less than their original cost. The Company’s performance is subject to change since the end of the period noted in this report and may be lower or higher than the performance data shown herein.

 

Neither the Adviser nor the Company provide legal, accounting or tax advice. Any statement regarding such matters is explanatory and may not be relied upon as definitive advice. Investors should consult with their legal, accounting and tax advisors regarding any potential investment. The information presented herein is as of the dates noted herein and is derived from financial and other information of the Company, and, in certain cases, from third party sources and reports (including reports of third party custodians, CLO managers and trustees) that have not been independently verified by the Company. As noted herein, certain of this information is estimated and unaudited, and therefore subject to change. We do not represent that such information is accurate or complete, and it should not be relied upon as such.

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.

 

The following information in this annual report is a summary of certain changes during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021. This information may not reflect all of the changes that have occurred since you purchased shares of our common stock.

 

During the applicable period, there have been: (i) no material changes to the Company’s investment objectives and policies that have not been approved by shareholders, (ii) no material changes to the Company’s principal risks, (iii) no changes to the persons primarily responsible for day-to-day management of the Company; and (iv) no changes to the Company’s charter or bylaws that would delay or prevent a change of control of the Company.

 

Investment Objectives and Strategies

 

We are an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company that has registered as an investment company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). We have elected to be treated, and intend to qualify annually, as a regulated investment company, or “RIC,” under Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or the “Code,” commencing with our tax year ended November 30, 2014.

 

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Our primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. We seek to achieve our investment objectives by investing primarily in equity and junior debt tranches of CLOs, that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. We may also invest in other related securities and instruments or other securities and instruments that the Adviser believes are consistent with our investment objectives, including senior debt tranches of CLOs, loan accumulation facilities and securities issued by other securitization vehicles. The amount that we invest in other securities and instruments, which may include investments in debt and other securities issued by CLOs collateralized by non-U.S. loans, securities of other collective investment vehicles and corporate issuers (among other instruments), will vary from time to time and, as such, may constitute a material part of our portfolio on any given date, all as based on the Adviser’s assessment of prevailing market conditions. Loan accumulation facilities are short- to medium-term facilities often provided by the bank that will serve as the placement agent or arranger on a CLO transaction. Loan accumulation facilities typically incur leverage between four and six times prior to a CLO’s pricing.

 

The CLO securities in which we primarily seek to invest are unrated or rated below investment grade and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. Unrated and below investment grade securities are also sometimes referred to as “junk” securities. In addition, the CLO equity and junior debt securities in which we invest are highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities typically being leveraged nine to 13 times), which magnifies our risk of loss on such investments.

 

These investment objectives are not fundamental policies of ours and may be changed by our board of directors without prior approval of our stockholders.

 

“Names Rule” Policy

 

In accordance with the requirements of the 1940 Act, we have adopted a policy to invest at least 80% of our assets in the particular type of investments suggested by our name. Accordingly, under normal circumstances, we invest at least 80% of the aggregate of our net assets and borrowings for investment purposes in credit and credit-related instruments. For purposes of this policy, we consider credit and credit-related instruments to include, without limitation: (i) equity and debt tranches of CLOs, loan accumulation facilities and securities issued by other securitization vehicles, such as credit-linked notes and CBOs; (ii) secured and unsecured floating rate and fixed rate loans; (iii) investments in corporate debt obligations, including bonds, notes, debentures, commercial paper and other obligations of corporations to pay interest and repay principal; (iv) debt issued by governments, their agencies, instrumentalities, and central banks; (v) commercial paper and short-term notes; (vi) preferred stock; (vii) convertible debt securities; (viii) certificates of deposit, bankers’ acceptances and time deposits; and (ix) other credit-related instruments. Our investments in derivatives, other investment companies, and other instruments designed to obtain indirect exposure to credit and credit-related instruments are counted towards our 80% investment policy to the extent such instruments have similar economic characteristics to the investments included within that policy.

 

This policy is not a fundamental policy of ours and may be changed by our board of directors without prior approval of our stockholders.

 

Investment Restrictions

 

Our investment objectives and our investment policies and strategies, except for the eight investment restrictions designated as fundamental policies under this caption, are not fundamental and may be changed by the board of directors without stockholder approval.

 

The following eight investment restrictions are designated as fundamental policies and, as such, cannot be changed without the approval of the holders of a majority of our outstanding voting securities:

 

1.We may not borrow money, except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction;
2.We may not engage in the business of underwriting securities issued by others, except to the extent that we may be deemed to be an underwriter in connection with the disposition of portfolio securities;

 

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3.We may not purchase or sell physical commodities or contracts for the purchase or sale of physical commodities. Physical commodities do not include futures contracts with respect to securities, securities indices, currency or other financial instruments;
4.We may not purchase or sell real estate, which term does not include securities of companies which deal in real estate or mortgages or investments secured by real estate or interests therein, except that we reserve freedom of action to hold and to sell real estate acquired as a result of our ownership of securities;
5.We may not make loans, except to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction. For purposes of this investment restriction, the purchase of debt obligations (including acquisitions of loans, loan participations or other forms of debt instruments) shall not constitute loans by us;
6.We may not issue senior securities, except to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, the SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction;
7.We may not invest in any security if as a result of such investment, 25% or more of the value of our total assets, taken at market value at the time of each investment, are in the securities of issuers in any particular industry except (a) securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government and its agencies and instrumentalities or tax-exempt securities of state and municipal governments or their political subdivisions (however, not including private purpose industrial development bonds issued on behalf of non-government issuers), or (b) as otherwise provided by the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, and as modified or supplemented from time to time by (i) the rules and regulations promulgated by the SEC under the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time, and (ii) any exemption or other relief applicable to us from the provisions of the 1940 Act, as amended from time to time. For purposes of this restriction, in the case of investments in loan participations between us and a bank or other lending institution participating out the loan, we will treat both the lending bank or other lending institution and the borrower as “issuers.” For purposes of this restriction, an investment in a CLO, collateralized bond obligation, collateralized debt obligation or a swap or other derivative will be considered to be an investment in the industry (if any) of the underlying or reference security, instrument or asset; and
8.We may not engage in short sales, purchases on margin, or the writing of put or call options, except as permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction.

 

The latter part of certain of our fundamental investment restrictions (i.e., the references to “except to the extent permitted by (i) the 1940 Act, or interpretations or modifications by the SEC, the SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction, or (ii) exemptive or other relief or permission from the SEC, SEC staff or other authority with appropriate jurisdiction”) provides us with flexibility to change our limitations in connection with changes in applicable law, rules, regulations or exemptive relief. The language used in these restrictions provides the necessary flexibility to allow our board of directors to respond efficiently to these kinds of developments without the delay and expense of a stockholder meeting.

 

Our 80% policy with respect to investments in credit and credit-related instruments is not fundamental and may be changed by our board of directors without stockholder approval. Stockholders will be provided with sixty (60) days’ notice in the manner prescribed by the SEC before making any change to this policy. Our investments in derivatives, other investment companies, and other instruments designed to obtain indirect exposure to credit and credit-related instruments are counted towards our 80% investment policy to the extent such instruments have similar economic characteristics to the investments included within that policy.

 

Whenever an investment policy or investment restriction set forth in this report or in our prospectus states a maximum percentage of assets that may be invested in any security or other asset or describes a policy regarding quality standards, such percentage limitation or standard shall be determined immediately after and as a result of our acquisition of such security or asset. Accordingly, any later increase or decrease resulting from a change in values, assets or other circumstances or any subsequent rating change made by a rating agency (or as determined by the Adviser if the security is not rated by a rating agency) will not compel us to dispose of such security or other asset. Notwithstanding the foregoing, we must always be in compliance with the borrowing policies set forth above.

 

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Risk Factors

 

The value of our assets, as well as the market price of our securities, will fluctuate. Our investments should be considered risky, and you may lose all or part of your investment in us. Investors should consider their financial situation and needs, other investments, investment goals, investment experience, time horizons, liquidity needs and risk tolerance before investing in our securities. An investment in our securities may be speculative in that it involves a high degree of risk and should not be considered a complete investment program. We are designed primarily as a long-term investment vehicle, and our securities are not an appropriate investment for a short-term trading strategy. We can offer no assurance that returns, if any, on our investments will be commensurate with the risk of investment in us, nor can we provide any assurance that enough appropriate investments that meet our investment criteria will be available.

 

The following is a summary of certain principal risks of an investment in us. See the section “Risk Factors” in our prospectus for a more complete discussion of the risks of investing in our securities, including certain risks not summarized below.

 

Risks of Investing in CLOs and Other Structured Debt Securities. CLOs and other structured finance securities are generally backed by a pool of credit-related assets that serve as collateral. Accordingly, CLO and structured finance securities present risks similar to those of other types of credit investments, including default (credit), interest rate and prepayment risks. In addition, CLOs and other structured finance securities are often governed by a complex series of legal documents and contracts, which increases the risk of dispute over the interpretation and enforceability of such documents relative to other types of investments. There is also a risk that the trustee of a CLO does not properly carry out its duties to the CLO, potentially resulting in loss to the CLO. CLOs are also inherently leveraged vehicles and are subject to leverage risk.Subordinated Securities. CLO equity and junior debt securities that we may acquire are subordinated to more senior tranches of CLO debt. CLO equity and junior debt securities are subject to increased risks of default relative to the holders of superior priority interests in the same CLO. In addition, at the time of issuance, CLO equity securities are under-collateralized in that the face amount of the CLO debt and CLO equity of a CLO at inception exceed its total assets. Though not exclusively, we will typically be in a first loss or subordinated position with respect to realized losses on the underlying assets held by the CLOs in which we are invested.

 

High Yield Investment Risk. The CLO equity and junior debt securities that we acquire are typically rated below investment grade, or in the case of CLO equity securities unrated, and are therefore considered “higher yield” or “junk” securities and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. The senior secured loans and other credit-related assets underlying CLOs are also typically higher yield investments. Investing in CLO equity and junior debt securities and other high yield investments involves greater credit and liquidity risk than investment grade obligations, which may adversely impact our performance.

 

Leverage Risk. The use of leverage, whether directly or indirectly through investments such as CLO equity or junior debt securities that inherently involve leverage, may magnify our risk of loss. CLO equity or junior debt securities are very highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities typically being leveraged approximately ten times), and therefore the CLO securities in which we are currently invested and in which we intend to invest are subject to a higher degree of loss since the use of leverage magnifies losses.

 

We previously incurred leverage through the issuance of our preferred stock and our unsecured notes. We may incur additional leverage, directly or indirectly, through one or more special purpose vehicles, indebtedness for borrowed money, as well as leverage in the form of derivative transactions, additional shares of preferred stock, debt securities and other structures and instruments, in significant amounts and on terms that the Adviser and our board of directors deem appropriate, subject to applicable limitations under the 1940 Act. Such leverage may be used for the acquisition and financing of our investments, to pay fees and expenses and for other purposes. Such leverage may be secured and/or unsecured. The more leverage we employ, the more likely a substantial change will occur in our NAV. Accordingly, any event that adversely affects the value of an investment would be magnified to the extent leverage is utilized. The cumulative effect of the use of leverage with respect to any investments in a market that moves adversely to such investments could result in a substantial loss that would be greater than if our investments were not leveraged.

 

The following table is intended to illustrate the effect of the use of direct leverage on returns from an investment in our common stock assuming various annual returns, net of expenses. The calculations in the table below are hypothetical and actual returns may be higher or lower than those appearing in the table below.

 

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Assumed Return on Our Portfolio (Net of Expenses)   -10%     -5%     0%     5%     10%  
Corresponding return to common stockholder(1)   -17.73 %   -10.30 %   -2.88 %   4.55 %   11.98 %

 

 

 

(1)Assumes (i) $789.4 million in pro forma total assets as of December 31, 2021; (ii) adjusted to reflect the issuance in the Company’s “at-the-market” offering of 2,426,061 shares of our common stock, 161,726 shares of our Series C Term Preferred Stock and 70,088 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock from January 1, 2022 through February 11, 2022, yielding net proceeds to the Company of approximately $39.0 million; (iii) adjusted to reflect the issuance of $93.3 million of our ECCV Notes, yielding net proceeds to the Company of approximately $89.9 million; (iv) adjusted to reflect the full redemption of the remaining outstanding shares of Series B Term Preferred Stock (together with the Series C Term Preferred Stock and Series D Preferred Stock, the “Preferred Stock”), as well as the full redemption of ECCY Notes and the redemption of 50% of the ECCX Notes; (v) $50.2 million in Series C Term Preferred Stock (after giving effect to the issuances described above), $26.8 million in Series D Preferred Stock (after giving effect to the issuances described above), $93.3 million in ECCV Notes (after giving effect to the offering described above), $44.9 million in ECCW Notes, and $32.4 million in outstanding ECCX Notes (after giving effect to the redemption described above) (together with the ECCV Notes and ECCX Notes, the “Notes”); (vi) $531.4 million in pro forma net assets as of December 31, 2021 (adjusted to reflect the issuances and redemptions described above); and (vii) an annualized average interest rate on our indebtedness and preferred equity, as of December 31, 2021 (adjusted to reflect the issuances and redemptions described above), of 6.17%.

 

Based on our assumed leverage described above, our investment portfolio would have been required to experience an annual return of at least 1.94% to cover annual interest and dividend payments on our outstanding indebtedness and preferred equity.

 

Credit Risk. If (1) a CLO in which we invest, (2) an underlying asset of any such CLO or (3) any other type of credit investment in our portfolio declines in price or fails to pay interest or principal when due because the issuer or debtor, as the case may be, experiences a decline in its financial status, our income, NAV and/or market price would be adversely impacted.

 

Key Personnel Risk. We are dependent upon the key personnel of the Adviser for our future success.

 

Conflicts of Interest Risk. Our executive officers and directors, and the Adviser and certain of its affiliates and their officers and employees, including the senior investment team, have several conflicts of interest as a result of the other activities in which they engage.

 

Prepayment Risk. The assets underlying the CLO securities in which we invest are subject to prepayment by the underlying corporate borrowers. In addition, the CLO securities and related investments in which we invest are subject to prepayment risk. If we or a CLO collateral manager are unable to reinvest prepaid amounts in a new investment with an expected rate of return at least equal to that of the investment repaid, our investment performance will be adversely impacted.

 

LIBOR Risk. The CLO equity and debt securities in which we invest earn interest at, and CLOs in which we invest typically obtain financing at, a floating rate based on LIBOR. After the global financial crisis, regulators globally determined that existing interest rate benchmarks should be reformed based on concerns that LIBOR was susceptible to manipulation. In a speech on July 27, 2017, the then-Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority of the UK (the “FCA”) announced the FCA’s intention to cease sustaining LIBOR. On March 5, 2021, the FCA announced that all LIBOR settings would either cease to be provided by any administrator, or no longer be representative (i) immediately after December 31, 2021, for all GBP, EUR, CHF and JPY LIBOR settings and one-week and two-month US dollar LIBOR settings, and (ii) immediately after June 30, 2023 for the remaining US dollar LIBOR settings, including three-month US dollar LIBOR. Replacement rates that have been identified include the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR, which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR and measures the cost of overnight borrowings through repurchase agreement transactions collateralized with U.S. Treasury securities) and the Sterling Overnight Index Average Rate (SONIA, which is intended to replace GBP LIBOR and measures the overnight interest rate paid by banks for unsecured transactions in the sterling market), although other replacement rates could be adopted by market participants. At this time, it is not possible to predict the effect of the establishment of SOFR, SONIA or any other replacement rates or any other reforms to LIBOR. In addition, the effect of a phase out of LIBOR on U.S. senior secured loans, the underlying assets of the CLOs in which we invest, is currently unclear. In addition, based on supervisory guidance from regulators, many banks were expected to cease issuance of new LIBOR-based instruments by January 1, 2022. To the extent that any LIBOR replacement rate utilized for senior secured loans differs from that utilized for debt of a CLO that holds those loans (including instances where the replacement rate is utilized for such loans prior to it being utilized by the CLO), for the duration of such mismatch, the CLO would experience an interest rate mismatch between its assets and liabilities, which would be expected to have an adverse impact on the cash flows distributed to CLO equity investors as well as our net investment income and portfolio returns until such mismatch is corrected or minimized, which would be expected to occur when both the

 

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underlying senior secured loans and the CLO debt securities utilize the same LIBOR replacement rate. As of the date hereof, certain senior secured loans have already transitioned to utilizing SOFR based interest rates and newly issued CLO debt securities have begun to transition to such replacement rate.

 

Liquidity Risk. Generally, there is no public market for the CLO investments we target. As such, we may not be able to sell such investments quickly, or at all. If we are able to sell such investments, the prices we receive may not reflect our assessment of their fair value or the amount paid for such investments by us.

 

Incentive Fee Risk. Our incentive fee structure and the formula for calculating the fee payable to the Adviser may incentivize the Adviser to pursue speculative investments and use leverage in a manner that adversely impacts our performance.

 

Fair Valuation of Our Portfolio Investments. Generally there is no public market for the CLO investments we target. As a result, we value these securities at least quarterly, or more frequently as may be required from time to time, at fair value. Our determinations of the fair value of our investments have a material impact on our net earnings through the recording of unrealized appreciation or depreciation of investments and may cause our NAV on a given date to understate or overstate, possibly materially, the value that we ultimately realize on one or more of our investments.

 

Limited Investment Opportunities Risk. The market for CLO securities is more limited than the market for other credit related investments. We can offer no assurances that sufficient investment opportunities for our capital will be available.

 

Non-Diversification Risk. We are a non-diversified investment company under the 1940 Act and expect to hold a narrower range of investments than a diversified fund under the 1940 Act.

 

Market Risk. Political, regulatory, economic and social developments, and developments that impact specific economic sectors, industries or segments of the market, can affect the value of our investments. A disruption or downturn in the capital markets and the credit markets could impair our ability to raise capital, reduce the availability of suitable investment opportunities for us, or adversely and materially affect the value of our investments, any of which would negatively affect our business. These risks may be magnified if certain events or developments adversely interrupt the global supply chain, and could affect companies worldwide.

 

Loan Accumulation Facilities Risk. We may invest in loan accumulation facilities, which are short to medium term facilities often provided by the bank that will serve as placement agent or arranger on a CLO transaction and which acquire loans on an interim basis which are expected to form part of the portfolio of a future CLO. Investments in loan accumulation facilities have risks similar to those applicable to investments in CLOs. Leverage is typically utilized in such a facility and as such the potential risk of loss will be increased for such facilities employing leverage. In the event a planned CLO is not consummated, or the loans are not eligible for purchase by the CLO, the Company may be responsible for either holding or disposing of the loans. This could expose the Company primarily to credit and/or mark-to-market losses, and other risks.

 

Currency Risk. Although we primarily make investments denominated in U.S. dollars, we may make investments denominated in other currencies. Our investments denominated in currencies other than U.S. dollars will be subject to the risk that the value of such currency will decrease in relation to the U.S. dollar.

 

Hedging Risk. Hedging transactions seeking to reduce risks may result in poorer overall performance than if we had not engaged in such hedging transactions, and they may also not properly hedge our risks.

 

Reinvestment Risk. CLOs will typically generate cash from asset repayments and sales that may be reinvested in substitute assets, subject to compliance with applicable investment tests. If the CLO collateral manager causes the CLO to purchase substitute assets at a lower yield than those initially acquired (for example, during periods of loan compression or as may be required to satisfy a CLO’s covenants) or sale proceeds are maintained temporarily in cash, it would reduce the excess interest-related cash flow, thereby having a negative effect on the fair value of our assets and the market value of our securities. In addition, the reinvestment period for a CLO may terminate early, which would cause the holders of the CLO’s securities to receive principal payments earlier than anticipated. There can be no assurance that we will be able to reinvest such amounts in an alternative investment that provides a comparable return relative to the credit risk assumed.

 

Interest Rate Risk. The price of certain of our investments may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates. Interest rates in the United States are near historic lows, which increases our exposure to risks associated with rising interest rates.

 

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Refinancing Risk. If we incur debt financing and subsequently refinance such debt, the replacement debt may be at a higher cost and on less favorable terms and conditions. If we fail to extend, refinance or replace such debt financings prior to their maturity on commercially reasonable terms, our liquidity will be lower than it would have been with the benefit of such financings, which would limit our ability to grow, and holders of our common stock would not benefit from the potential for increased returns on equity that incurring leverage creates.

 

Tax Risk. If we fail to qualify for tax treatment as a RIC under Subchapter M of the Code for any reason, or become subject to corporate income tax, the resulting corporate taxes could substantially reduce our net assets, the amount of income available for distributions, and the amount of such distributions, to our common stockholders and for payments to the holders of our other obligations.

 

Derivatives Risk. Derivative instruments in which we may invest may be volatile and involve various risks different from, and in certain cases greater than, the risks presented by other instruments. The primary risks related to derivative transactions include counterparty, correlation, liquidity, leverage, volatility, and OTC trading risks. In addition, a small investment in derivatives could have a large potential impact on our performance, effecting a form of investment leverage on our portfolio. In certain types of derivative transactions, we could lose the entire amount of our investment; in other types of derivative transactions the potential loss is theoretically unlimited.

 

Counterparty Risk. We may be exposed to counterparty risk, which could make it difficult for us or the CLOs in which we invest to collect on obligations, thereby resulting in potentially significant losses.

 

Global Economy Risk. Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market.

 

COVID-19 Pandemic Risk. The COVID-19 pandemic has created economic and financial disruptions and contributed to increased volatility in global financial markets. The pandemic has affected certain countries, regions, companies, industries and market sectors more dramatically than others and will likely continue to do so. It is not known how long the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will last or the severity thereof. Federal, state and local governments, as well as foreign governments, have taken aggressive steps to address problems being experienced by the markets and by businesses and the economy in general; however, there can be no assurance that these measures will be adequate.

 

Additional Information

 

The Company makes certain unaudited portfolio information available each month on its website in addition to making certain other unaudited financial information available on its website (www.eaglepointcreditcompany.com). This information includes (1) an estimated range of the Company’s net investment income (“NII”) and realized capital gains or losses per weighted average share of common stock for each calendar quarter end, generally made available within the first fifteen days after the applicable calendar month end, (2) an estimated range of the Company’s NAV per share of common stock for the prior month end and certain additional portfolio-level information, generally made available within the first fifteen days after the applicable calendar month end, and (3) during the latter part of each month, an updated estimate of NAV, if applicable, and, with respect to each calendar quarter end, an updated estimate of the Company’s NII and realized capital gains or losses for the applicable quarter, if available.

 

Information contained on our website is not incorporated by reference into this Annual Report and you should not consider information contained on our website to be part of this Annual Report or any other report we file with the SEC.

 

Forward-Looking Statements

 

This report may contain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Statements other than statements of historical facts included in this report may constitute forward-looking statements and are not guarantees of future performance or results and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results may differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements as a result of a number of factors, including those described in the Company’s filings with the SEC. The Company undertakes no duty to update any forward-looking statement made herein. All forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this report.

 

23 

 

 

Notes

 

1The performance of an index is not an exact representation of any particular investment, as you cannot invest directly in an index. The indices shown herein have not been selected to represent a benchmark for a strategy’s performance, but are instead disclosed to allow for comparison of the Company’s returns to that of known, recognized and/or similar indices. The Credit Suisse Leveraged Loan Index tracks the investable universe of the US-denominated leveraged loan market. The ML US High Yield Index tracks the performance of US dollar denominated below investment grade corporate debt publicly issued in the US domestic market. The Wells Fargo BDC Index was discontinued by Wells Fargo in August 2021. For purposes of this report, the Wells Fargo BDC Index has therefore been replaced with the S&P BDC Index for the entirety of the periods shown. The S&P BDC Index is intended to measure the performance of all Business Development Companies (BDCs) that are listed on the NYSE or NASDAQ and satisfy market capitalization and other eligibility requirements. Although ECC is not a BDC, BDCs generally invest in high yielding credit investments, as does ECC. In addition, similar to ECC, BDCs generally elect to be classified as a regulated investment company under the U.S. Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, which generally requires an investment company to distribute its taxable income to shareholders.

2The summary of portfolio investments shown is based on the estimated fair value of the underlying positions and cash net of pending settlements as of as of December 31, 2021.

3The information presented herein is on a look-through basis to the collateralized loan obligation, or “CLO”, equity and related investments (i.e. loan accumulation facilities) held by the Company as of December 31, 2021 (except as otherwise noted) and reflects the aggregate underlying exposure of the Company based on the portfolios of those investments. The data is estimated and unaudited and is derived from CLO trustee reports received by the Company relating to December 2021 and from custody statements and/or other information received from CLO collateral managers and other third party sources. Information relating to the market price of underlying collateral is as of month end; however, with respect to other information shown, depending on when such information was received, the data may reflect a lag in the information reported. As such, while this information was obtained from third party data sources, December 2021 trustee reports and similar reports, other than market price, it does not reflect actual underlying portfolio characteristics as of December 31, 2021 and this data may not be representative of current or future holdings. The weighted average remaining reinvestment period information is based on the fair value of CLO equity investments held by the Company as of December 31, 2021.

4We obtain exposure in underlying senior secured loans indirectly through CLOs and related investments.

5Credit ratings shown are based on those assigned by Standard & Poor’s Rating Group, or “S&P,” or, for comparison and informational purposes, if S&P does not assign a rating to a particular obligor, the weighted average rating shown reflects the S&P equivalent rating of a rating agency that rated the obligor provided that such other rating is available with respect to a CLO equity or related investment held by us. In the event multiple ratings are available, the lowest S&P rating, or if there is no S&P rating, the lowest equivalent rating, is used. The ratings of specific borrowings by an obligor may differ from the rating assigned to the obligor and may differ among rating agencies. For certain obligors, no rating is available in the reports received by the Company. Such obligors are not shown in the graphs and, accordingly, the sum of the percentages in the graphs may not equal 100%. Ratings below BBB- are below investment grade. Further information regarding S&P’s rating methodology and definitions may be found on its website (www.standardandpoors.com). This data includes underlying portfolio characteristics of the Company’s CLO equity and loan accumulation facility portfolio.

6Industry categories are based on the S&P industry categorization of each obligor as reported in CLO trustee reports to the extent so reported. Certain CLO trustee reports do not report the industry category of all of the underlying obligors and where such information is not reported, it is not included in the summary look-through industry information shown. As such, the Company’s exposure to a particular industry may be higher than that shown if industry categories were available for all underlying obligors. In addition, certain underlying obligors may be re-classified from time to time based on developments in their respective businesses and/or market practices. Accordingly, certain underlying borrowers that are currently, or were previously, summarized as a single borrower in a particular industry may in current or future periods be reflected as multiple borrowers or in a different industry, as applicable.

7Certain CLO trustee reports do not provide the industry classification for certain underlying obligors. These obligors are not summarized in the look-through industry data shown; if they were reflected, they would represent 5.2%.

 

24 

 

 

Performance Data1

 

The following graph shows the market price performance of a $10,000 investment in the Company’s common shares for the period from October 7, 2014 (inception) through December 31, 2021. The performance calculation assumes the purchase of Company shares at the offering price at the beginning of the period and the sale of Company shares at the market price at the end of the period. Ending values for each year are as of December 31 of the applicable year. For comparative purposes, the performance of a relevant third-party securities market index, the S&P BDC Index, is shown. Distributions are assumed, for purposes of this calculation, to be reinvested at prices obtained under the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan. The performance does not reflect brokerage commissions in connection with the purchase or sale of Company shares, which if included would lower the performance shown above. Returns do not reflect the deduction of taxes that a shareholder would pay on Company distributions or the sale of Company shares.

 

Past performance is not indicative of, or a guarantee of, future performance. Future results may vary and may be higher or lower than the data shown.

 

Value of $10,000 Invested

 

 

   Annualized Total Return   Cumulative 
   1 year   3 year   5 Year   Since
Inception
   Since
Inception
 
ECC   51.60%   13.49%   11.10%   8.85%   84.69%
S&P BDC Index   37.42%   17.09%   8.48%   7.87%   73.06%

 

Please see footnote disclosures on page 24.

 

25 

 

 

Summary of Certain Unaudited Portfolio Characteristics

 

The information presented below is on a look–through basis to the collateralized loan obligation, or “CLO”, equity and related investments held by the Company as of December 31, 2021 (except as otherwise noted) and reflects the aggregate underlying exposure of the Company based on the portfolios of those investments. The data is estimated and unaudited and is derived from CLO trustee reports received by the Company relating to December 2021 and from custody statements and/or other information received from CLO collateral managers, or other third party sources.

 

Summary of Portfolio Investments (as of 12/31/2021)2

 

Cash: $13.8 million2

 

Summary of Underlying Portfolio Characteristics (as of 12/31/2021)3
 
Number of Unique Underlying Loan Obligors   1,829 
Largest Exposure to an Individual Obligor   0.78%
Average Individual Loan Obligor Exposure   0.05%
Top 10 Loan Obligors Exposure   5.71%
Currency: USD Exposure   98.44%
Aggregate Indirect Exposure to Senior Secured Loans4   97.35%
Weighted Average Junior OC Cushion   3.89%
Weighted Average Market Value of Loan Collateral   98.34%
Weighted Average Stated Loan Spread   3.55%
Weighted Average Loan Rating5   B+/B 
Weighted Average Loan Maturity   4.9 years 
Weighted Average Remaining CLO Reinvestment Period   3.0 years 

 

Please see footnote on page 24.

 

26 

 

 

Top 10 Underlying Obligors3

 

Obligor  % of Total 
Cablevision   0.8%
Asurion   0.7%
American Airlines   0.6%
Transdigm   0.6%
Numericable   0.6%
Centurylink   0.5%
Univision Communications   0.5%
Howden   0.5%
Virgin Media Investment Holdings   0.5%
United Airlines   0.5%
Total   5.7%

 

Rating Distribution of Underlying Obligors3,5

 

 

 

Top 10 Industries of Underlying Obligors3,6,7

 

Industry  % of Total 
Technology   9.6%
Health Care   9.2%
Publishing   7.9%
Financial Intermediaries   5.4%
Diversified/Conglomerate Service   4.7%
Lodging & Casinos   4.5%
Commercial Services & Supplies   4.2%
Building & Development   4.1%
Telecommunications   4.1%
Technology: Hardware & Equipment   3.7%
Total   57.3%

 

Maturity Distribution of Underlying Obligors3

 

 

 

Please see footnote disclosures on page 24.

 

27 

 

 

Fees and Expenses

 

The following table is intended to assist you in understanding the costs and expenses that an investor in shares of the Company’s common stock will bear directly or indirectly. The expenses shown in the table under “Annual Expenses” are estimated based on historical fees and expenses incurred by the Company, as appropriate. In addition, such amounts are based on the Company’s pro forma total assets as of December 31, 2021, which have been adjusted to reflect (i) the issuance in the Company’s “at-the-market” offering of 2,426,061 shares of our common stock, 161,726 shares of our Series C Term Preferred Stock and 70,088 shares of our Series D Preferred Stock from January 1, 2022 through February 11, 2022, yielding net proceeds to the Company of approximately $39.0 million; (ii) the issuance of $93.3 million of our ECCV Notes, yielding net proceeds to the Company of approximately $89.9 million; (iii) the full redemption of the remaining outstanding shares of Series B Term Preferred Stock, as well as the full redemption of ECCY Notes and the redemption of 50% of the ECCX Notes, which would mean that the Company’s adjusted total assets are assumed to equal approximately $789.4 million. As of December 31, 2021, and pro forma for the issuances and redemptions described above (excluding any regular monthly distributions paid after December 31, 2021), the Company’s leverage, including the outstanding Notes and Preferred Stock, represented approximately 31.7% of the Company’s total assets (less current liabilities). Such expenses, and actual leverage incurred by the Company, may vary in the future. Whenever this report (or other Company disclosures, including the Company’s prospectus) contain a reference to fees or expenses paid by the Company, the Company’s common stockholders will indirectly bear such fees or expenses.

 

Stockholder Transaction Expenses (as a percentage of the offering price):  
Sales load   —%(1)
Offering expenses borne by the Company   —%(2)
Dividend reinvestment plan expenses   Up to $15(3)
Total stockholder transaction expenses   —%
Annual Expenses (as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stock):  
Base management fee   2.04%(4)
Incentive fee payable under the Investment Advisory Agreement (20%)   3.05%(5)
Interest payments on borrowed funds   2.86%(6)
Other expenses   0.80%(7)
Total annual expenses   8.75%

 

(1)In the event that the Company sells its securities publicly through underwriters or agents (including each underwritten offering by selling stockholders), the related prospectus supplement will disclose the applicable sales load.

(2)In the event that the Company sells its securities publicly through underwriters or agents (including each underwritten offering by selling stockholders), the related prospectus supplement will disclose the estimated amount of total offering expenses (which may include offering expenses borne by third parties on the Company’s behalf), the offering price and the offering expenses borne by the Company as a percentage of the offering price.

(3)The expenses associated with the dividend reinvestment plan are included in “Other expenses.” If a participant elects by written notice to the plan administrator prior to termination of his or her account to have the plan administrator sell part or all of the shares held by the plan administrator in the participant’s account and remit the proceeds to the participant, the plan administrator is authorized to deduct a $15.00 transaction fee plus a $0.07 per share brokerage commission from the proceeds. See the section “Dividend Reinvestment Plan,” below.

(4)The Company’s base management fee is calculated and payable quarterly in arrears at an annual rate equal to 1.75% of the Company’s “Total Equity Base,” or the NAV attributable to the common stock and the paid-in or stated capital of the Company’s preferred stock. See the section “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee and Incentive Fee” in the Company’s prospectus for additional information regarding the calculation of the base management fee. The base management fee referenced in the table above is based on actual amounts incurred during the three months ended December 31, 2021, annualized for a full year, and reflects the pro forma adjustments described above. For purposes of this table, the SEC requires that the “Base management fee” percentage be calculated as a percentage of net assets attributable to common stockholders, rather than total assets, including assets that have been funded with borrowed monies because common stockholders bear all of this cost. If the management fee were calculated instead as a percentage of the Company’s total assets (as adjusted for the assumptions described above), the Company’s base management fee would be approximately 1.37% of total assets.

 

28 

 

 

(5)The incentive fee referenced in the table above reflects the pro forma adjustments described above. Such actions were assumed to have taken place at the start of such period. In addition, the incentive fee also assumes and that such pro forma assets representing common stock earn a return that is the same as the return on the Company’s total deployed assets during the three months ended December 31, 2021, annualized for a full fiscal year and is based on the total assets assumed for such period. The Company has agreed to pay the Adviser as compensation under the Investment Advisory Agreement a quarterly incentive fee equal to 20% of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income for the immediately preceding quarter, subject to a hurdle of 2.00% of the Company’s NAV and a catch-up feature. Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income includes accrued income that the Company has not yet received in cash. However, the portion of the incentive fee that is attributable to deferred interest (such as payment-in-kind, or “PIK,” interest or original issue discount, or “OID”) will be paid to the Adviser, without interest, only if and to the extent the Company actually receives such interest in cash, and any accrual will be reversed if and to the extent such interest is reversed in connection with any write-off or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to any deferred interest accrual. No incentive fees are payable to the Adviser in respect of any capital gains.

 

The incentive fee in each calendar quarter is paid to the Adviser as follows:

 

·no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income does not exceed the hurdle of 2.00% of the Company’s NAV;

·100% of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income with respect to that portion of such Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds the hurdle but is less than 2.50% of the Company’s NAV in any calendar quarter. This portion of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income (which exceeds the hurdle but is less than 2.50% of the Company’s NAV) is referred to as the “catch-up.” The “catch-up” is meant to provide the Adviser with 20% of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income as if a hurdle did not apply if this net investment income meets or exceeds 2.50% of the Company’s NAV in any calendar quarter; and

·20% of the amount of the Company’s Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income, if any, that exceeds 2.50% of the Company’s NAV in any calendar quarter is payable to the Adviser (that is, once the hurdle is reached and the catch-up is achieved, 20% of all Pre-Incentive Fee Net Investment Income thereafter is paid to the Adviser). For a more detailed discussion of the calculation of this fee, see “The Adviser and the Administrator — Investment Advisory Agreement — Management Fee and Incentive Fee” in the Company’s prospectus.

 

(6)“Interest payments on borrowed funds” represents the Company’s annualized interest expense and includes dividends payable on the Preferred Stock and interest payable on the Notes, each as outstanding on December 31, 2021, and includes the pro forma effect of the issuances and redemptions described above, which, in the aggregate, have a weighted average interest rate of 6.17% per annum. The Company may issue additional shares of preferred stock or debt securities. In the event that the Company were to issue additional shares of preferred stock or debt securities, the Company’s borrowing costs, and correspondingly its total annual expenses, including, in the case of such preferred stock, the base management fee as a percentage of the Company’s net assets attributable to common stock, would increase.

(7)“Other expenses” includes the Company’s overhead expenses, including payments under the Administration Agreement based on the Company’s allocable portion of overhead and other expenses incurred by Eagle Point Administration LLC (“Eagle Point Administration”), the administrator to the Company and an affiliate of the Adviser, and payment of fees in connection with outsourced administrative functions, and are based on estimated amounts for the current fiscal year. See “Related Party Transactions — Administrator” in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. “Other expenses” also includes the ongoing administrative expenses to the independent accountants and legal counsel of the Company, compensation of independent directors, and cost and expenses relating to rating agencies.

 

Example

 

The following example is furnished in response to the requirements of the SEC and illustrates the various costs and expenses that you would pay, directly or indirectly, on a $1,000 investment in shares of the Company’s common stock for the time periods indicated, assuming (1) total annual expenses of 5.70% of net assets attributable to the Company’s common stock and (2) a 5% annual return*:

 

   1 year   3 years   5 years   10 years 
You would pay the following expenses on a $1,000 investment, assuming a 5% annual return  $57   $170   $281   $552 

 

* The example should not be considered a representation of future returns or expenses, and actual returns and expenses may be greater or less than those shown. The example assumes that the estimated “other expenses” set forth in the Annual Expenses table are accurate, and that all dividends and distributions are reinvested at NAV. In addition, because the

 

29 

 

 

example assumes a 5% annual return, the example does not reflect the payment of the incentive fee. The Company’s actual rate of return may be greater or less than the hypothetical 5% return shown in the example.

 

30

 

 

Consolidated Financial Statements for the Year Ended
December 31, 2021 (Audited)

 

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities   32
Consolidated Schedule of Investments   33
Consolidated Statement of Operations   36
Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income   37
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Net Assets   38
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows   39
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements   40
Consolidated Financial Highlights   65
Supplemental Information   67
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm   68

 

31

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities

As of December 31, 2021

(expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

ASSETS     
Investments, at fair value (cost $727,765,410)  $730,720,693 
Interest receivable   22,694,371 
Cash and cash equivalents   13,916,601 
Receivable for shares of common stock issued pursuant to the Company's dividend reinvestment plan   364,013 
Prepaid expenses   338,365 
Receivable for securities sold   5,639 
Total Assets   768,039,682 
      
LIABILITIES     
6.6875% Unsecured Notes due 2028, at fair value under the fair value option (aggregate principal amount of $64,847,575) (Note 7)   65,703,563 
      
6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2031, at fair value under the fair value option (aggregate principal amount of $44,850,000) (Note 7)   46,883,679 
      
6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031 (Note 6):     
6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031, at fair value under the fair value option (1,846,838 shares outstanding)   46,725,001 
Unamortized share issuance premium associated with 6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031   217,033 
6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031, at fair value, plus associated unamortized share issuance premium   46,942,034 
      
7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026 (Note 6):     
7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026 (1,078,382 shares outstanding)   26,959,550 
Unamortized deferred issuance costs associated with 7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026   (792,431)
Unamortized share issuance premium associated with 7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026   26,309 
Net 7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026 less associated unamortized deferred issuance costs and share issuance premium   26,193,428 
      
6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2027 (Note 7):     
6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2027   28,887,200 
Unamortized deferred issuance costs associated with 6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2027   (779,770)
Net 6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2027 less associated unamortized deferred issuance costs   28,107,430 
      
Common stock distribution payable   18,464,882 
Incentive fee payable   3,504,980 
Management fee payable   2,606,694 
Tax expense payable   2,227,114 
Professional fees payable   658,981 
Directors' fees payable   198,750 
Administration fees payable   145,875 
Payable for securities purchased   145,125 
Other expenses payable   64,062 
Total Liabilities   241,846,597 
      
TEMPORARY EQUITY     
6.75% Series D Preferred Stock (1,000,000 shares outstanding) (Note 6)   23,888,750 
      
COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES (Note 9)     
      
NET ASSETS applicable to 37,526,810 shares of $0.001 par value common stock outstanding  $502,304,335 
      
NET ASSETS consist of:     
Paid-in capital (Note 5)  $517,543,915 
Aggregate distributable earnings (losses)   (13,012,903)
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)   (2,226,677)
Total Net Assets  $502,304,335 
Net asset value per share of common stock  $13.39 

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

32

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

As of December 31, 2021

(expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

Issuer ⁽¹⁾  Investment ⁽²⁾  Maturity
Date
  Reference
Rate and
Spread
  Interest
Rate/
Effective
Yield
  Acquisition
Date ⁽³⁾
  Principal
Amount
   Cost   Fair Value ⁽⁴⁾   % of
Net
Assets
CLO Debt ⁽⁵⁾                                 
Carlyle US CLO 2021-1, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class D  4/15/2034  3M L+6.00%  6.12%  02/02/21  $1,250,000   $1,238,561   $1,225,000   0.24%
Catamaran CLO 2014-2, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class C  10/18/2026  3M L+3.50%  3.62%  07/15/21   4,730,000    4,730,000    4,730,000   0.94%
CIFC Funding 2015-III, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class F-R  4/19/2029  3M L+6.80%  6.92%  02/23/18   2,450,000    2,398,089    2,144,240   0.43%
Dryden 53 CLO, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class F  1/15/2031  3M L+7.50%  7.62%  11/28/17   1,095,000    1,056,706    1,001,268   0.20%
Flagship CLO VIII, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class F-R ⁽⁶⁾  1/16/2026  3M L+5.84%  5.96%  01/18/18   8,959,907    2,316,458    6,675,131   1.33%
Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding 2018-1 Ltd.  Secured Note - Class A-2  7/21/2031  3M L+1.80%  1.93%  10/21/21   10,310,000    10,304,414    10,248,140   2.04%
HarbourView CLO VII-R, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class F ⁽⁶⁾  7/18/2031  3M L+8.27%  8.39%  05/17/18   855,784    817,840    293,534   0.06%
Marathon CLO VII Ltd.  Secured Note - Class D ⁽⁶⁾  10/28/2025  3M L+5.40%  5.54%  02/08/18   3,117,746    1,481,014    2,391,623   0.48%
Marathon CLO VIII Ltd.  Secured Note - Class D-R  10/18/2031  3M L+6.44%  6.56%  08/14/18   4,150,000    4,086,077    3,413,375   0.68%
Marathon CLO XI Ltd.  Secured Note - Class D  4/20/2031  3M L+5.50%  5.63%  02/06/18   1,650,000    1,650,000    1,346,730   0.27%
Mariner CLO 5, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class D  4/25/2031  3M L+2.65%  2.77%  10/28/21   2,300,000    2,277,510    2,271,020   0.45%
Octagon Investment Partners 27, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class F-R  7/15/2030  3M L+7.85%  7.97%  07/05/18   900,000    851,129    795,420   0.16%
Octagon Investment Partners 44, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class E-R  10/15/2034  3M L+6.75%  6.87%  08/27/21   3,050,000    3,050,000    3,001,810   0.60%
OZLM XXII, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class D  1/17/2031  3M L+5.30%  5.42%  02/05/18   900,000    897,561    805,230   0.16%
RR 3 Ltd.  Secured Note - Class C-R2  1/15/2030  3M L+2.50%  2.62%  10/27/21   875,000    865,187    858,988   0.17%
Steele Creek CLO 2019-1, Ltd.  Secured Note - Class E  4/15/2032  3M L+7.01%  7.13%  03/22/19   3,091,000    2,963,979    2,954,378   0.59%
                        40,984,525    44,155,887   8.80%
CLO Equity ⁽⁷⁾ ⁽⁸⁾                                 
ALM VIII, Ltd.  Preferred Share ⁽⁹⁾  10/20/2028  N/A  0.00%  06/02/16   8,725,000    192,076    807,063   0.16%
Anchorage Credit Funding 12, Ltd.  Income Note  10/25/2038  N/A  11.68%  09/04/20   9,250,000    7,109,324    7,467,826   1.49%
Anchorage Credit Funding 13, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  7/27/2039  N/A  7.18%  05/25/21   1,200,000    1,200,000    1,158,964   0.23%
Ares XXXIV CLO Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/17/2033  N/A  21.82%  09/16/20   15,150,000    7,236,992    8,033,006   1.60%
Ares XLI CLO Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  4/15/2034  N/A  18.65%  11/29/16   29,388,000    16,048,456    17,059,561   3.40%
Ares XLIII CLO Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/2029  N/A  15.98%  04/04/17   30,850,000    17,177,766    17,516,729   3.49%
Ares XLIII CLO Ltd.  Subordinated Note  10/15/2029  N/A  15.98%  11/10/21   1,505,000    775,075    768,888   0.15%
Ares XLIV CLO Ltd.  Income Note  4/15/2034  N/A  15.35%  10/06/21   10,000,000    4,415,862    4,264,908   0.85%
Ares XLVII CLO Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/15/2030  N/A  27.84%  10/22/20   8,500,000    4,853,037    5,521,905   1.10%
Ares LI CLO Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2034  N/A  21.24%  01/25/19   13,353,849    9,230,422    10,429,043   2.08%
Ares LVIII CLO Ltd.  Subordinated Note  1/15/2033  N/A  14.47%  08/17/21   6,175,000    4,779,897    4,616,536   0.92%
Avery Point V CLO, Limited  Income Note ⁽⁹⁾  7/17/2026  N/A  0.00%  10/16/14   13,687,500    -    136,875   0.03%
Bain Capital Credit CLO 2016-2, Limited  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  1/15/2029  N/A  2.63%  11/30/16   16,700,000    8,262,122    6,496,942   1.29%
Bain Capital Credit CLO 2021-1, Limited  Subordinated Note  4/18/2034  N/A  16.73%  04/29/21   9,100,000    7,334,961    7,600,506   1.51%
Bardin Hill CLO 2021-2 Ltd.  Subordinated Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/25/2034  N/A  20.53%  09/24/21   1,500,000    1,125,900    1,119,571   0.22%
Barings CLO Ltd. 2018-I  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  4/15/2031  N/A  15.30%  02/23/18   20,808,000    13,609,778    12,397,316   2.47%
Barings CLO Ltd. 2019-I  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  04/15/35  N/A  19.34%  02/12/19   13,085,000    9,465,184    10,374,431   2.07%
Barings CLO Ltd. 2019-II  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  04/15/36  N/A  18.66%  03/15/19   16,150,000    10,726,430    11,652,671   2.32%
Barings CLO Ltd. 2020-I  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/36  N/A  33.02%  09/04/20   5,550,000    2,820,233    4,663,218   0.93%
Barings CLO Ltd. 2021-III  Subordinated Note  1/18/2035  N/A  17.30%  11/17/21   2,000,000    1,660,000    1,653,457   0.33%
Basswood Park CLO, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/20/2034  N/A  14.33%  08/17/21   4,750,000    4,260,480    4,208,469   0.84%
Battalion CLO IX Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2031  N/A  17.72%  07/09/15   18,734,935    11,866,956    11,199,568   2.23%
Battalion CLO 18 Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/36  N/A  37.25%  08/25/20   8,400,000    4,532,658    7,692,088   1.53%
Battalion CLO XIX Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  4/15/2034  N/A  25.11%  03/11/21   8,600,000    5,142,909    6,566,937   1.31%
BBAM European CLO II DAC ⁽¹²⁾  Subordinated Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/2034  N/A  17.30%  11/05/21   8,568,000    9,216,066    9,356,513   1.86%
Bethpage Park CLO, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/2036  N/A  17.36%  09/24/21   14,750,000    10,420,158    10,187,951   2.03%
BlueMountain CLO 2013-2 Ltd.  Subordinated Note  10/22/2030  N/A  30.60%  10/21/14   23,000,000    7,491,457    7,384,596   1.47%
BlueMountain CLO 2018-1 Ltd.  Subordinated Note  7/30/2030  N/A  59.05%  03/26/20   5,550,000    1,290,375    2,074,622   0.41%
BlueMountain CLO XXIII Ltd.  Subordinated Note  10/20/2031  N/A  18.40%  02/24/21   6,340,000    4,505,628    4,602,376   0.92%
BlueMountain CLO XXIV Ltd.  Subordinated Note  04/20/34  N/A  29.86%  06/16/20   7,375,000    4,070,718    5,758,952   1.15%
BlueMountain CLO XXV Ltd.  Subordinated Note  07/15/36  N/A  26.47%  06/23/20   6,525,000    4,013,974    5,277,839   1.05%
Bristol Park CLO, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  4/15/2029  N/A  17.21%  11/01/16   34,250,000    20,262,126    19,602,951   3.90%
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO 2014-5, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  7/15/2031  N/A  18.89%  06/02/16   10,800,000    3,830,812    4,013,738   0.80%
Carlyle US CLO 2017-4, Ltd.  Income Note  1/15/2030  N/A  9.11%  10/13/17   9,000,000    5,507,962    4,668,103   0.93%
Carlyle US CLO 2018-1, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/20/2031  N/A  19.45%  03/23/21   4,730,000    2,681,857    2,789,591   0.56%
Carlyle US CLO 2018-4, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  1/20/2031  N/A  15.67%  02/18/21   6,625,000    4,711,025    4,566,527   0.91%
Carlyle US CLO 2019-4, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  1/15/2033  N/A  13.98%  04/13/21   6,000,000    4,528,977    4,673,196   0.93%
Carlyle US CLO 2021-1, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  4/15/2034  N/A  23.74%  02/02/21   13,425,000    7,840,246    9,801,618   1.95%
Carlyle US CLO 2021-4, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/20/2034  N/A  14.97%  11/17/21   11,475,000    10,901,250    10,839,613   2.16%
Carlyle US CLO 2021-7, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/2035  N/A  17.52%  08/11/21   10,400,000    8,446,360    9,025,809   1.80%
CIFC Funding 2013-II, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/18/2030  N/A  19.77%  06/06/14   17,265,625    6,294,184    6,067,294   1.21%
CIFC Funding 2014, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  1/18/2031  N/A  10.80%  06/06/14   16,033,750    6,882,275    5,669,509   1.13%
CIFC Funding 2014-III, Ltd.  Income Note  10/22/2031  N/A  13.13%  02/17/15   19,725,000    7,941,040    7,109,506   1.42%
CIFC Funding 2014-IV-R, Ltd.  Income Note  01/17/35  N/A  7.73%  08/05/14   8,457,500    3,297,523    2,838,226   0.57%
CIFC Funding 2015-III, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  4/19/2029  N/A  21.77%  06/23/15   9,724,324    3,767,187    3,573,324   0.71%
CIFC Funding 2019-III, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  10/16/34  N/A  17.43%  04/18/19   2,875,000    2,169,878    2,254,929   0.45%
CIFC Funding 2019-IV, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/36  N/A  17.10%  06/07/19   14,000,000    10,322,695    10,746,375   2.14%
CIFC Funding 2020-I, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2032  N/A  32.12%  06/12/20   9,400,000    5,064,245    8,009,629   1.59%
CIFC Funding 2020-IV, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  1/15/2034  N/A  20.14%  12/11/20   7,900,000    5,925,205    6,853,658   1.36%
CIFC Funding 2021-III, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2036  N/A  19.95%  04/23/21   17,275,000    11,083,381    12,880,528   2.56%
CIFC Funding 2021-VI, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/2034  N/A  18.74%  09/22/21   12,200,000    9,858,588    10,987,824   2.19%
Cutwater 2015-I, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  1/15/2029  N/A  14.29%  05/01/15   31,100,000    11,753,974    9,410,473   1.87%
Dewolf Park CLO, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/2030  N/A  15.80%  08/10/17   7,700,000    5,299,932    5,105,976   1.02%
Dryden 53 CLO, Ltd.  Income Note  1/15/2031  N/A  19.83%  11/28/17   7,684,999    4,493,824    4,436,206   0.88%
Dryden 64 CLO, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/18/2031  N/A  42.59%  05/11/20   9,600,000    4,225,624    5,732,816   1.14%
Dryden 66 Euro CLO 2018 B.V. ⁽¹²⁾  Subordinated Note  1/18/2032  N/A  13.74%  11/08/18   1,025,000    901,456    874,089   0.17%
Dryden 68 CLO, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2049  N/A  17.85%  05/30/19   14,080,000    9,894,704    10,201,024   2.03%
Dryden 78 CLO, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/17/2033  N/A  15.93%  02/04/21   1,000,000    824,087    814,588   0.16%
Dryden 85 CLO, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/49  N/A  25.47%  09/17/20   8,610,000    6,331,307    8,255,484   1.64%
Dryden 88 Euro CLO 2020 DAC ⁽¹²⁾  Subordinated Note  7/20/2034  N/A  13.42%  04/23/21   600,000    638,854    591,279   0.12%
Eaton Vance CLO 2015-1, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  1/20/2030  N/A  32.79%  06/05/20   6,372,500    2,821,379    3,406,904   0.68%
Flagship CLO VIII, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾ ⁽¹¹⁾  1/16/2026  N/A  0.00%  10/02/14   27,360,000    -    58,467   0.01%
Greywolf CLO IV, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/17/2030  N/A  18.54%  03/26/21   7,520,000    4,244,279    4,361,377   0.87%
Halcyon Loan Advisors Funding 2014-3, Ltd.  Subordinated Note ⁽¹¹⁾  10/22/2025  N/A  0.00%  09/12/14   5,750,000    8,625    5,750   0.00%
HarbourView CLO VII-R, Ltd.  Subordinated Note ⁽¹¹⁾  7/18/2031  N/A  0.00%  09/29/17   1,100,000    399,175    22,000   0.00%
Lake Shore MM CLO I Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  04/15/33  N/A  25.45%  03/08/19   14,550,000    9,641,377    10,811,685   2.15%
Madison Park Funding XXI, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  10/15/49  N/A  16.50%  08/22/16   6,462,500    3,832,648    4,610,327   0.92%
Madison Park Funding XXII, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  1/15/2033  N/A  16.55%  10/30/18   6,327,082    4,140,997    4,293,285   0.85%
Madison Park Funding XL, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  2/28/2047  N/A  19.12%  06/02/16   16,550,000    7,257,776    7,332,322   1.46%
Madison Park Funding XLIV, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  1/23/2048  N/A  18.07%  11/16/18   8,744,821    5,391,456    5,774,498   1.15%

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

33

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

As of December 31, 2021

(expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

Issuer ⁽¹⁾  Investment ⁽²⁾  Maturity
Date
  Reference
Rate and
Spread
  Interest
Rate/
Effective
Yield
  Acquisition
Date ⁽³⁾
  Principal
Amount
   Cost   Fair Value ⁽⁴⁾   % of
Net
Assets
CLO Equity ⁽⁷⁾ ⁽⁸⁾                                 
Madison Park Funding XLVII, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  1/19/2034  N/A  15.95%  04/29/21  $2,000,000   $1,696,553   $1,809,031   0.36%
Marathon CLO VI Ltd.  Subordinated Note ⁽¹¹⁾  5/13/2028  N/A  0.00%  06/06/14   6,375,000    2,702,885    956,250   0.19%
Marathon CLO VII Ltd.  Subordinated Note ⁽¹¹⁾  10/28/2025  N/A  0.00%  10/30/14   10,526,000    52,630    10,526   0.00%
Marathon CLO VIII Ltd.  Income Note  10/18/2031  N/A  1.52%  06/16/15   16,333,000    10,038,507    5,326,506   1.06%
Marathon CLO X Ltd.  Subordinated Note ⁽¹¹⁾  11/15/2029  N/A  0.00%  08/09/17   2,550,000    1,603,383    790,500   0.16%
Marathon CLO XI Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/20/2031  N/A  4.77%  02/06/18   2,075,000    1,641,223    960,085   0.19%
Marathon CLO XII Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/18/2031  N/A  3.20%  09/06/18   4,500,000    3,224,949    1,824,339   0.36%
OCP Euro CLO 2019-3 DAC ⁽¹²⁾  Subordinated Note  4/20/2033  N/A  15.58%  05/26/21   1,500,000    1,371,444    1,345,278   0.27%
Octagon Investment Partners XIV, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2029  N/A  2.18%  06/06/14   20,572,125    8,585,513    5,596,927   1.11%
Octagon Investment Partners 26, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2030  N/A  26.76%  03/23/16   13,750,000    5,927,600    6,355,472   1.27%
Octagon Investment Partners 27, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2030  N/A  21.78%  05/25/16   11,804,048    5,493,922    5,442,663   1.08%
Octagon Investment Partners 29, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  1/24/2033  N/A  14.96%  05/05/21   9,875,000    7,076,719    6,825,048   1.36%
Octagon Investment Partners 37, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  7/25/2030  N/A  15.15%  05/25/21   1,550,000    1,112,145    1,040,322   0.21%
Octagon Investment Partners 44, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  07/20/34  N/A  19.48%  06/19/19   13,500,000    9,752,393    11,118,704   2.21%
Octagon Investment Partners 46, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  07/15/36  N/A  37.40%  06/26/20   10,650,000    4,764,659    8,320,947   1.66%
Octagon Investment Partners 50, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  01/16/35  N/A  26.90%  10/06/20   9,250,000    5,431,962    7,569,764   1.51%
Octagon Investment Partners 51, Ltd.  Income B Note  7/20/2034  N/A  18.26%  04/16/21   5,750,000    4,849,523    5,299,418   1.06%
OFSI BSL VIII, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾ ⁽¹¹⁾  8/16/2037  N/A  0.00%  07/18/17   7,719,320    4,630,507    2,725,487   0.54%
Regatta VII Funding Ltd.  Subordinated Note  12/20/2028  N/A  18.07%  10/01/21   6,450,000    2,891,646    2,758,987   0.55%
Regatta VII Funding Ltd.  Class R1A Note  6/20/2034  N/A  53.10%  10/01/21   10,126,500    21,193    38,546   0.01%
Regatta VII Funding Ltd.  Class R2 Note  6/20/2034  N/A  101.70%  10/01/21   10,126,500    119,409    346,828   0.07%
Regatta XX Funding Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/15/2034  N/A  19.10%  08/04/21   11,000,000    8,402,977    9,225,011   1.84%
Rockford Tower CLO 2019-1, Ltd.  Subordinated Note  4/20/2034  N/A  18.08%  06/14/21   7,500,000    5,737,278    5,733,794   1.14%
Steele Creek CLO 2015-1, Ltd.  Subordinated Note ⁽¹¹⁾  5/21/2029  N/A  0.00%  07/26/17   8,100,000    3,444,311    2,187,000   0.44%
Steele Creek CLO 2018-1, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  4/15/2048  N/A  12.19%  03/28/18   11,370,000    7,293,459    5,772,193   1.15%
Steele Creek CLO 2019-1, Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  4/15/2049  N/A  13.54%  03/22/19   8,500,000    6,189,275    5,247,495   1.04%
Venture 41 CLO, Limited  Subordinated Note  1/20/2034  N/A  19.03%  11/30/21   3,325,000    2,643,375    2,689,659   0.54%
Wind River 2013-2 CLO Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  10/18/2030  N/A  8.31%  06/06/14   11,597,500    6,354,285    4,776,855   0.95%
Wind River 2014-1 CLO Ltd.  Subordinated Note  7/18/2031  N/A  10.62%  05/05/16   9,681,764    4,128,152    3,303,285   0.66%
Wind River 2014-3 CLO Ltd.  Subordinated Note  10/22/2031  N/A  10.90%  12/17/14   11,000,000    5,963,640    4,830,478   0.96%
Wind River 2016-1 CLO Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2028  N/A  13.67%  05/18/16   13,050,000    7,000,931    6,641,597   1.32%
Wind River 2016-1 CLO Ltd.  Subordinated Note  7/15/2028  N/A  13.67%  05/18/16   900,000    417,466    441,173   0.09%
Wind River 2017-1 CLO Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  04/18/36  N/A  18.48%  02/02/17   17,700,000    10,625,567    11,283,376   2.25%
Wind River 2017-3 CLO Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  04/15/35  N/A  16.23%  08/09/17   23,940,000    15,586,460    15,539,175   3.09%
Wind River 2018-1 CLO Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2030  N/A  19.40%  06/22/18   15,750,000    10,819,435    11,031,107   2.20%
Wind River 2019-2 CLO Ltd.  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  1/15/2033  N/A  19.57%  09/20/19   13,470,000    9,045,472    10,620,517   2.11%
Zais CLO 3, Limited  Income Note ⁽¹⁰⁾  7/15/2031  N/A  12.74%  04/08/15   16,871,644    8,844,272    5,571,804   1.11%
Zais CLO 5, Limited  Subordinated Note ⁽¹¹⁾  10/15/2028  N/A  0.00%  09/23/16   5,950,000    3,131,013    1,130,500   0.23%
Zais CLO 6, Limited  Subordinated Note  7/15/2029  N/A  0.60%  05/03/17   11,600,000    5,980,981    3,351,727   0.67%
Zais CLO 7, Limited  Income Note  4/15/2030  N/A  3.66%  09/11/17   12,777,500    7,575,406    4,287,394   0.85%
Zais CLO 8, Limited  Subordinated Note  4/15/2029  N/A  0.28%  10/11/18   750,000    454,557    254,733   0.05%
Zais CLO 9, Limited  Subordinated Note  7/20/2031  N/A  9.78%  10/29/18   3,015,000    1,983,587    1,171,609   0.23%
                        632,863,848    632,671,935   125.98%
Loan Accumulation Facilities ⁽⁷⁾ ⁽¹³⁾                                 
Steamboat XXIV Ltd.  Loan Accumulation Facility  N/A  N/A  N/A  04/30/21   6,234,000    6,234,000    6,235,497   1.24%
Steamboat XXVII Ltd.  Loan Accumulation Facility  N/A  N/A  N/A  07/23/21   6,478,750    6,478,750    6,487,256   1.29%
Steamboat XXVIII Ltd.  Loan Accumulation Facility  N/A  N/A  N/A  08/10/21   5,745,000    5,745,000    5,751,834   1.15%
Steamboat XXIX Ltd.  Loan Accumulation Facility  N/A  N/A  N/A  08/04/21   11,343,750    11,343,750    11,346,786   2.26%
Steamboat XXX Ltd.  Loan Accumulation Facility  N/A  N/A  N/A  09/30/21   5,137,500    5,137,500    5,138,152   1.02%
Steamboat XXXI Ltd.  Loan Accumulation Facility  N/A  N/A  N/A  10/04/21   8,760,000    8,760,000    8,761,189   1.74%
Steamboat XXXII Ltd.  Loan Accumulation Facility  N/A  N/A  N/A  11/22/21   1,943,000    1,943,000    1,944,519   0.39%
Steamboat XXXIII Ltd.  Loan Accumulation Facility  N/A  N/A  N/A  12/21/21   1,780,000    1,780,000    1,780,025   0.35%
                        47,422,000    47,445,258   9.44%
Bank Debt Term Loan ⁽⁵⁾                                 
Consumer Products                                 
JP Intermediate B LLC  Term B 1L Senior Secured  11/20/2025  3M L+5.50%  6.50%  03/02/21   613,434    585,973    573,561   0.11%
                                  
Common Stock                                 
Oil & Gas                                 
McDermott International Ltd  Common Stock   N/A   N/A   N/A  12/31/20   243,875    126,820    106,086   0.02%
                                  
Corporate Bonds ⁽⁵⁾                                 
Chemicals                                 
Unifrax Escrow Issuer Corp  Secured  9/30/2028  N/A  5.25%  09/15/21   512,000    523,131    522,240   0.10%
Unifrax Escrow Issuer Corp  Senior Unsecured  9/30/2029  N/A  7.50%  09/16/21   171,000    176,399    173,779   0.03%
                                  
Food                                 
Del Monte Foods Inc  Secured   5/15/2025   N/A  11.875%  06/21/21   997,000    1,123,366    1,115,394   0.22%
                                  
Oil & Gas                                 
Energy Ventures Gom LLC / EnVen Finance Corp  Second Lien   4/15/2026   N/A  11.75%  06/15/21   632,000    657,881    650,960   0.13%
GAC Holdco Inc  Secured  8/15/2025  N/A  12.00%  10/18/21   502,000    528,419    546,553   0.11%
                                  
Pipelines                                 
NGL Energy Partners LP / NGL Energy Finance Corp  Senior Unsecured  3/1/2025  N/A  6.125%  06/24/21   1,010,000    930,601    868,600   0.17%
                                  
Real Estate Investment Trusts                                 
Service Properties Trust  Senior Unsecured   9/15/2025   N/A  7.50%  06/24/21   997,000    1,112,117    1,081,745   0.22%
                                  
Transportation                                 
Seaspan Corp  Senior Unsecured   8/1/2029   N/A  5.50%  07/09/21   669,000    669,000    679,035   0.14%
                        5,720,914    5,638,306   1.12%
Preferred Stock ⁽⁵⁾                                 
Apparel                                 
Fossil Group Inc  Senior Unsecured   11/30/2026   N/A  7.00%  11/04/21   1,399    34,975    35,535   0.01%
                                  
Warrants                                 
Oil & Gas                                 
GAC Holdco Inc  Warrant   8/15/2026   N/A   N/A  10/18/21   502    26,355    94,125   0.02%
                                  
Total investments at fair value as of December 31, 2021                      $727,765,410   $730,720,693   145.50%

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

34

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Consolidated Schedule of Investments

As of December 31, 2021

(expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

Issuer ⁽¹⁾  Investment ⁽²⁾  Maturity
Date
  Reference
Rate and
Spread
  Interest
Rate/
Effective
Yield
  Acquisition
Date ⁽³⁾
  Principal
Amount
   Cost   Fair Value ⁽⁴⁾   % of
Net
Assets
Liabilities valued at fair value option ⁽¹⁴⁾                                 
6.6875% Unsecured Notes due 2028  Unsecured Note              $(64,847,575)  $(64,847,575)  $(65,703,563)  -13.08%
6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2031  Unsecured Note               (44,850,000)   (44,850,000)   (46,883,679)  -9.33%
6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031  Preferred Stock               (46,170,950)   (46,387,983)   (46,725,001)  -9.30%
                       $(156,085,558)  $(159,312,243)  -31.72%
                                  
Net assets above (below) fair value of investments and liabilities at fair value                            (69,104,115)   
                                  
Net assets as of December 31, 2021                           $502,304,335    

 

(1) The Company is not affiliated with, nor does it "control" (as such term is defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940 (the "1940 Act")), any of the issuers listed. In general, under the 1940 Act, the Company would be presumed to "control" an issuer if it owned 25% or more of its voting securities.
(2) CLO debt, CLO equity, and loan accumulation facilities are restricted and categorized as structured finance securities.
(3) Acquisition date represents the initial date of purchase or the date the investment was contributed to the Company.
(4) Fair value is determined in good faith in accordance with the Company's valuation policy and is approved by the Company's Board of Directors.
(5) CLO debt, bank debt term loan, corporate bond and preferred stock positions reflect the interest rate as of the reporting date.
(6) As of December 31, 2021, the investment includes interest income capitalized as additional investment principal ("PIK" Interest).  The PIK interest rate for CLO debt positions represents the interest rate at payment date when PIK interest is received. See Note 2 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for further discussion.
(7) The fair value of CLO equity and loan accumulation facility investments are classified as Level III investments.  See Note 3 "Investments" for further discussion.
(8) CLO subordinated notes and income notes are considered CLO equity positions. CLO equity positions are entitled to recurring distributions which are generally equal to the remaining cash flow of payments made by underlying assets less contractual payments to debt holders and fund expenses.  The effective yield is estimated based upon the current projection of the amount and timing of these recurring distributions in addition to the estimated amount of terminal principal payment.  It is the Company's policy to update the effective yield for each CLO equity position held within the Company’s portfolio at the initiation of each investment and each subsequent quarter thereafter.  The effective yield and investment cost may ultimately not be realized. As of December 31, 2021, the Company's weighted average effective yield on its aggregate CLO equity positions, based on current amortized cost, was 17.03%.  When excluding called CLOs, the Company's weighted average effective yield on its CLO equity positions was 17.04%.
(9) As of December 31, 2021 the investment has been called. Expected value of residual distributions, once received, is anticipated to be recognized as return of capital, pending any remaining amortized cost, and/or realized gain for any amounts received in excess of such amortized cost.
(10) Fair value includes the Company's interest in fee rebates on CLO subordinated and income notes.
(11) As of December 31, 2021, the effective yield has been estimated to be 0%. The aggregate projected amount of future recurring distributions and terminal principal payment is less than the amortized investment cost. Future recurring distributions, once received, will be recognized solely as return of capital until the aggregate projected amount of future recurring distributions and terminal principal payment exceeds the amortized  investment cost.
(12) Investment is denominated in EUR.
(13) Loan accumulation facilities are financing structures intended to aggregate loans that may be used to form the basis of a CLO vehicle.
(14) The Company has accounted for its 6.6875% Notes due 2028, 6.75% Notes due 2031 and 6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock utilizing the fair value option election under ASC Topic 825.  Accordingly, the Series 2028 Notes, Series 2031 Notes and Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031 are carried at their fair value.  See Note 2 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies" for further discussion.

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

35

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2021

(expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

INVESTMENT INCOME     
Interest income  $81,877,452 
Other income   6,635,912 
Total Investment Income   88,513,364 
      
EXPENSES     
Interest expense   14,466,067 
Incentive fee   11,093,919 
Management fee   9,291,328 
Commission expense   2,677,136 
Tax expense (1)   2,307,503 
Professional fees   1,755,748 
Administration fees   946,124 
Directors' fees   397,500 
Other expenses   1,052,361 
Total Expenses   43,987,686 
      
Incentive fee voluntarily waived by the Adviser   (153,224)
      
Net Expenses   43,834,462 
      
NET INVESTMENT INCOME   44,678,902 
      
6.75% Series D Preferred Stock Distributions (Note 2)   (150,000)
      
REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)     
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents   3,365,121 
Net realized gain (loss) on extinguishment of Preferred Stock (Note 6)   (766,122)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents   85,334,382 
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on liabilities at fair value under the fair value option   (756,021)
NET REALIZED AND UNREALIZED GAIN (LOSS)   87,177,360 
      
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $131,706,262 

 

(1)Tax expense includes $2,207,114 of estimated excise tax and $100,050 of Delaware franchise tax.        

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

36 

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income

For the year ended December 31, 2021

(expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM OPERATIONS  $131,706,262 
      
OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS) (1)     
Change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on liabilities at fair value under the fair value option   (2,739,575)
Total Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)   (2,739,575)
      
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN NET ASSETS RESULTING FROM COMPREHENSIVE INCOME  $128,966,687 

 

(1)    See Note 2 "Summary of Significant Accounting Policies- Other Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities at Fair Value" for further discussion relating to other comprehensive income.          

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

37 

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Changes in Net Assets

(expressed in U.S. dollars, except share amounts)

 

   For the   For the 
   year ended   year ended 
   December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations:          
Net investment income  $44,678,902   $35,586,541 
6.75% Series D Preferred Stock Distributions (Note 2)   (150,000)   - 
Net realized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents   3,365,121    (37,013,548)
Net realized gain (loss) on extinguishment of Preferred Stock (Note 6)   (766,122)   (443,753)
Net realized gain (loss) on retirement of Unsecured Notes   -    1,332,441 
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents   85,334,382    61,032,150 
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on liabilities at fair value under the fair value option   (756,021)   392,395 
Total net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations   131,706,262    60,886,226 
           
Other comprehensive income (loss):          
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on liabilities at fair value under the fair value option   (2,739,575)   1,582,010 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)   (2,739,575)   1,582,010 
           
Common stock distributions:          
Total earnings distributed (1)   (57,679,486)   (7,882,396)
Common stock distributions from tax return of capital   -    (32,400,708)
Total common stock distributions   (57,679,486)   (40,283,104)
           
Capital share transactions:          
Issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the Company's "at the market" program, net of commissions and offering expenses   67,073,258    35,325,525 
Issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the Company's dividend reinvestment plan   2,283,188    877,171 
Total capital share transactions   69,356,446    36,202,696 
           
Total increase (decrease) in net assets   140,643,647    58,387,828 
Net assets at beginning of period   361,660,688    303,272,860 
Net assets at end of period  $502,304,335   $361,660,688 
           
Capital share activity:          
Shares of common stock sold pursuant to the Company's "at the market" program   5,001,120    3,647,743 
Shares of common stock issued pursuant to the Company's dividend reinvestment plan   170,800    75,028 
Total increase (decrease) in capital share activity   5,171,920    3,722,771 

 

(1) Total earnings distributed includes a $18,464,882 special common stock distribution, payable on January 24, 2022 to holders of record as of December 23, 2021.                

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

38 

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows

For the year ended December 31, 2021

(expressed in U.S. dollars)

 

CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES     
Net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations  $131,706,262 
      
Adjustments to reconcile net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:     
Purchases of investments   (485,030,813)
Proceeds from sales of investments and repayments of principal (1)   327,551,042 
Payment-in-kind interest   (69,461)
Net realized (gain) loss on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents   (3,365,121)
Net realized (gain) loss on extinguishment of Preferred Stock (Note 6)   766,122 
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents   (85,334,382)
Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on liabilities at fair value under the fair value option   756,021 
Amortization (accretion) included in interest expense   323,873 
Amortization (accretion) of premiums or discounts on debt securities   (35,959)
Changes in assets and liabilities:     
Interest receivable   (5,895,972)
Prepaid expenses   88,525 
Incentive fee payable   440,527 
Management fee payable   816,492 
Tax expense payable   2,207,114 
Professional fees payable   371,981 
Administration fees payable   (43,970)
Other expenses payable   39,384 
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities   (114,708,335)
      
CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES     
Common stock distributions   (39,214,604)
Issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the Company's "at the market" program, net of commissions and offering expenses   67,073,258 
Issuance of shares of common stock pursuant to the Company's dividend reinvestment plan, net of change in receivable for shares of common stock issued   1,919,175 
Issuance of 7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026 pursuant to the Company's "at the market" program   6,056,700 
Deferred debt issuance costs associated with 7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026   (126,658)
Share issuance premium associated with 7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026   33,549 
Issuance of 6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2031   44,850,000 
Issuance of 6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031   30,000,000 
Issuance of 6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031 pursuant to the Company's "at the market" program   16,170,950 
Share issuance premium associated with 6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031   245,085 
Issuance of 6.75% Series D Preferred Stock, net of issuance costs   23,888,750 
Partial Redemption of Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026   (26,959,575)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities   123,936,630 
      
NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   9,228,295 
      
EFFECT OF FOREIGN EXCHANGE RATE CHANGES ON CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS   (72,620)
      
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING OF PERIOD   4,760,926 
      
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, END OF PERIOD  $13,916,601 
      
      
Supplemental disclosures:     
Cash paid for interest expense on 7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026  $4,139,633 
Cash paid for interest expense on 6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031  $1,403,415 
Cash paid for interest expense on 6.75% Series D Preferred Stock  $150,000 
Cash paid for interest expense on 6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2027  $1,949,886 
Cash paid for interest expense on 6.6875% Unsecured Notes due 2028  $4,336,682 
Cash paid for interest expense on 6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2031  $2,312,578 
Cash paid for franchise taxes  $100,050 

 

(1)   Proceeds from sales or maturity of investments includes $80,337,795 of return of capital on CLO equity investments from recurring cash flows and distributions from called deals, and $608,934 of in-kind distribution proceeds and $1,821 of return of capital from the liquidation of a loan accumulation facility

 

See accompanying notes to the consolidated financial statements

 

39 

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

 

1.ORGANIZATION

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. (the “Company”) is an externally managed, non-diversified closed-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”). The Company’s primary investment objective is to generate high current income, with a secondary objective to generate capital appreciation. The Company seeks to achieve its investment objectives by investing primarily in equity and junior debt tranches of collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) that are collateralized by a portfolio consisting primarily of below investment grade U.S. senior secured loans with a large number of distinct underlying borrowers across various industry sectors. The Company may also invest in other related securities and instruments or other securities and instruments that Eagle Point Credit Management LLC (the “Adviser”) believes are consistent with the Company’s investment objectives, including senior debt tranches of CLOs, loan accumulation facilities (“LAFs”) and securities and instruments of corporate issuers. From time to time, in connection with the acquisition of CLO equity, the Company may receive fee rebates from the CLO issuer. The CLO securities in which the Company primarily seeks to invest are unrated or rated below investment grade and are considered speculative with respect to timely payment of interest and repayment of principal. The Company’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (the “NYSE”) under the symbol “ECC.”

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had two wholly-owned subsidiaries: Eagle Point Credit Company Sub (Cayman) Ltd. (“Sub I”), a Cayman Islands exempted company, and Eagle Point Credit Company Sub II (Cayman) Ltd (“Sub II”), a Cayman Islands exempted company. As of December 31, 2021, Sub I and Sub II represent 35.8% and 4.6% of the Company’s net assets, respectively.

 

The Company was initially formed on March 24, 2014 as Eagle Point Credit Company LLC, a Delaware limited liability company and a wholly-owned subsidiary of Eagle Point Credit Partners Sub Ltd., a Cayman Island exempted company (the “Sole Member”), which, in turn, is a subsidiary of Eagle Point Credit Partners LP, a private fund managed by the Adviser.

 

The Company commenced operations on June 6, 2014, the date the Sole Member contributed, at fair value, a portfolio of cash and securities to the Company.

 

For the period of June 6, 2014 to October 5, 2014, the Company was a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Sole Member. As of October 5, 2014, the Company had 2,500,000 units issued and outstanding, all of which were held by the Sole Member.

 

On October 6, 2014, the Company converted from a Delaware limited liability company into a Delaware corporation (the “Conversion”). At the time of the Conversion, the Sole Member became a stockholder of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. In connection with the Conversion, the Sole Member converted 2,500,000 units of the Delaware limited liability company into shares of common stock in the Delaware corporation at $20 per share, resulting in 8,656,057 shares and an effective conversion rate of 3.4668 shares per unit. On October 7, 2014, the Company priced its initial public offering (the “IPO”) and sold an additional 5,155,301 shares of its common stock at a public offering price of $20 per share. On October 8, 2014, the Company’s shares began trading on the NYSE.

 

Computershare Corporate Trust serves at the Company’s custodian.

 

The Company intends to operate so as to qualify to be taxed as a regulated investment company (“RIC”) under subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), for federal income tax purposes.

 

The Adviser is the investment adviser of the Company and manages the investments of the Company subject to the supervision of the Company’s Board of Directors (the “Board”). The Adviser is registered as an investment adviser with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. Eagle Point Administration LLC, an affiliate of the Adviser, is the administrator of the Company (the “Administrator”).

 

40

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

2.SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

 

Basis of Accounting

 

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All intercompany accounts have been eliminated upon consolidation. The Company is considered an investment company under accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”). The Company follows the accounting and reporting guidance applicable to investment companies in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 946 Financial Services – Investment Companies. Items included in the consolidated financial statements are measured and presented in United States dollars.

 

Use of Estimates

 

The preparation of the consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions which affect the reported amounts included in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes as of the reporting date. Actual results may differ from those estimates.

 

Valuation of Investments

 

The most significant estimate inherent in the preparation of the consolidated financial statements is the valuation of investments. In the absence of readily determinable fair values, fair value of the Company’s investments is determined in accordance with the Company’s valuation policy. Due to the uncertainty of valuation, this estimate may differ significantly from the value that would have been used had a ready market for the investments existed, and the differences could be material.

 

There is no single method for determining fair value in good faith. As a result, determining fair value requires judgment be applied to the specific facts and circumstances of each portfolio investment while employing a consistently applied valuation process for the types of investments held by the Company.

 

The Company accounts for its investments in accordance with U.S. GAAP, and fair values its investment portfolio in accordance with the provisions of the FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, which defines fair value, establishes a framework for measuring fair value and requires enhanced disclosures about fair value measurements. Investments are reflected in the consolidated financial statements at fair value. Fair value is the estimated amount that would be received to sell an asset, or paid to transfer a liability, in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date (i.e., the exit price). The Company’s fair valuation process is reviewed and approved by the Board.

 

The fair value hierarchy prioritizes and ranks the level of market price observability used in measuring investments at fair value. Market price observability is impacted by a number of factors, including the type of investment, the characteristics specific to the investment and the state of the marketplace (including the existence and transparency of transactions between market participants). Investments with readily available actively quoted prices, or for which fair value can be measured from actively quoted prices in an orderly market, will generally have a higher degree of market price observability and a lesser degree of judgment used in measuring fair value.

 

Investments measured and reported at fair value are classified and disclosed in one of the following categories based on inputs:

 

·Level I – Observable, quoted prices for identical investments in active markets as of the reporting date.

 

·Level II – Quoted prices for similar investments in active markets or quoted prices for identical investments in markets that are not active as of the reporting date.

 

·Level III – Pricing inputs are unobservable for the investment and little, if any, active market exists as of the reporting date. Fair value inputs require significant judgment or estimation from the Adviser.

 

41

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

In certain cases, inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy. In such cases, the determination of which category within the fair value hierarchy is appropriate for any given investment is based on the lowest level of input significant to that fair value measurement. The assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment and consideration of factors specific to the investment.

 

Investments for which observable, quoted prices in active markets do not exist are reported at fair value based on Level III inputs. The amount determined to be fair value may incorporate the Adviser’s own assumptions (including assumptions the Adviser believes market participants would use in valuing investments and assumptions relating to appropriate risk adjustments for nonperformance and lack of marketability), as provided for in the Company’s valuation policy and accepted by the Board.

 

An estimate of fair value is made for each investment at least monthly taking into account information available as of the reporting date. For financial reporting purposes, valuations are determined by the Board on a quarterly basis.

 

See Note 3 “Investments” for further discussion relating to the Company’s investments.

 

In valuing the Company’s investments in CLO debt, CLO equity and LAFs, the Adviser considers a variety of relevant factors, including, as applicable, price indications from a third-party pricing service, recent trading prices for specific investments, recent purchases and sales known to the Adviser in similar securities and output from a third-party financial model. The third-party financial model contains detailed information on the characteristics of CLOs, including recent information about assets and liabilities, and is used to project future cash flows. Key inputs to the model, including, but not limited to assumptions for future loan default rates, recovery rates, prepayment rates, reinvestment rates and discount rates are determined by considering both observable and third-party market data and prevailing general market assumptions and conventions as well as those of the Adviser.

 

The Company engages a third-party independent valuation firm as an input to the Company’s valuation of the fair value of its investments in CLO equity. The valuation firm’s advice is only one factor considered in the valuation of such investments, and the Board does not solely rely on such advice in determining the fair value of the Company’s investments in accordance with the 1940 Act.

 

Temporary Equity

 

The Company’s 6.75% Series D Preferred Stock (the “Series D Preferred Stock”) is accounted for in the Company’s Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities as temporary equity. FASB ASC Topic 480-10-S99 (“ASC 480”), Distinguishing Liabilities from Equity, requires preferred stock that is contingently redeemable upon an occurrence of an event outside the Company’s control to be classified as temporary equity. Deferred issuance costs on the Series D Preferred Stock consist of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance, which are capitalized into temporary equity, and are amortized only when it is probable the Series D Preferred Stock will become redeemable. As of December 31, 2021, the Company is compliant with all contingent redemption provisions of the preferred offering; therefore, no deferred issuance costs have been amortized. Distributions paid on the Series D Preferred Stock are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations as a component of net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations.

 

   Liquidation
Preference
   Deferred
Issuance Costs
   Balance, Net of Deferred
Issuance Costs, as of
December 31, 2021
   Shares at
December 31, 2021
 
Series D Preferred Stock  $25,000,000   $(1,111,250)  $23,888,750    1,000,000 

 

42

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

Other Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities at Fair Value

 

The Fair Value Option (“FVO”) under FASB ASC Subtopic 825-10, Fair Value Option (“ASC 825”), allows companies an irrevocable election to use fair value as the initial and subsequent accounting measurement for certain financial assets and liabilities. The decision to elect the FVO is determined on an instrument-by-instrument basis and must be applied to an entire instrument. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are required to be reported separately from those instruments measured using another accounting method and changes in fair value attributable to instrument-specific credit risk on financial liabilities for which the FVO is elected are required to be presented separately in other comprehensive income.  Additionally, upfront offering costs related to such instruments, inclusive of the costs associated with issuances under the Company’s at-the-market (“ATM”) program, are recognized in earnings as incurred and are not deferred.

 

The Company elected to account for its 6.6875% Unsecured Notes due 2028 (the “Series 2028 Notes”), 6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2031 (the “Series 2031 Notes”), and 6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031 (the “Series C Term Preferred Stock”) utilizing the FVO under ASC 825. The primary reason for electing the FVO is to reflect economic events in the same period in which they are incurred and address simplification of reporting and presentation.

 

Investment Income Recognition

 

Interest income from investments in CLO debt is recorded using the accrual basis of accounting to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected. Interest income on investments in CLO debt is generally expected to be received in cash. Amortization of premium or accretion of discount is recognized using the effective interest method. The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Standards Update No. 2017-08 Premium Amortization on Purchased Callable Debt Securities (“ASU 2017-08”) in calculating amortization of premium for purchased CLO debt securities.

 

In certain circumstances, interest income may be paid in the form of additional investment principal, often referred to as payment-in-kind (“PIK”) interest. PIK interest is included in interest income and interest receivable through the payment date. The PIK interest rate for CLO debt securities represents the coupon rate at payment date when PIK interest is received. On the payment date, interest receivable is capitalized as additional investment principal in the CLO debt security. To the extent the Company does not believe it will be able to collect PIK interest, the CLO debt security will be placed on non-accrual status, and previously recorded PIK interest income will be reversed.

 

CLO equity investments and fee rebates recognize investment income for U.S. GAAP purposes on the accrual basis utilizing an effective interest methodology based upon an effective yield to maturity utilizing projected cash flows. ASC Topic 325-40, Beneficial Interests in Securitized Financial Assets, requires investment income from CLO equity investments and fee rebates to be recognized under the effective interest method, with any difference between cash distributed and the amount calculated pursuant to the effective interest method being recorded as an adjustment to the cost basis of the investment. It is the Company’s policy to update the effective yield for each CLO equity position held within the Company’s portfolio at the initiation of each investment and each subsequent quarter thereafter.

 

LAFs recognize interest income according to the guidance noted in ASC Topic 325-40-35-1, Beneficial Interest in Securitized Financial Assets, which states that the holder of a beneficial interest in securitized financial assets shall determine interest income over the life of the beneficial interest in accordance with the effective yield method, provided such amounts are expected to be collected. FASB ASC 325-40-20 further defines “beneficial interests,” among other things, as “rights to receive all or portions of specified cash inflows received by a trust or other entity.” FASB ASC 325-40-15-7 also states that for income recognition purposes, beneficial interests in securitized financial assets (such as those in LAFs) are within the scope of ASC 325-40 because it is customary for certain industries, such as investment companies, to report interest income as a separate item in their income statements even though the investments are accounted for at fair value. The amount of interest income from loan accumulation facilities recorded for the year ended December 31, 2021 was $4,730,152.

 

43

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

Interest income from investments in bank debt term loans and corporate bonds are recorded using the accrual basis of accounting to the extent such amounts are expected to be collected. Interest income on investments in bank debt term loans and corporate bonds is generally expected to be received in cash. Amortization of premium or accretion of discount is recognized using the effective interest method.

 

Other Income

 

Other income includes the Company’s share of income under the terms of fee rebate agreements.

 

Interest Expense

 

Interest expense includes the Company’s distributions associated with its 7.75% Series B Term Preferred Stock due 2026 (the “Series B Term Preferred Stock”) and its Series C Term Preferred Stock, and interest, paid and accrued, associated with its 6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2027 (the “Series 2027 Notes”), its Series 2028 Notes, and its Series 2031 Notes (collectively with the Series 2027 Notes and Series 2028 Notes, the “Unsecured Notes”).

 

Interest expense also includes the Company’s amortization of deferred issuance costs associated with its Series B Term Preferred Stock and Series 2027 Notes, as well as amortization of original issue premiums associated with its Series B Term Preferred Stock and Series C Term Preferred Stock.

 

The following table summarizes the components of interest expense for the year ended December 31, 2021:

 

   Series B Term
Preferred Stock
   Series C Term
Preferred Stock
   Series 2027
Notes
   Series 2028
Notes
   Series 2031
Notes
   Total 
Distributions declared and paid  $4,139,633   $1,403,415   $1,949,886   $4,336,682   $2,312,578   $14,142,194 
                               
Amortization of deferred issuance costs   255,820    -    104,368    -    -    360,188 
                               
Amortization of issuance premium   (8,263)   (28,052)   -    -    -    (36,315)
                               
Total interest expense  $4,387,190   $1,375,363   $2,054,254   $4,336,682   $2,312,578   $14,466,067 

 

The Company’s Series B Term Preferred Stock, Series C Term Preferred Stock and Unsecured Notes had no interest payable outstanding as of December 31, 2021.

 

See Note 6 “Preferred Stock” and Note 7 “Unsecured Notes” for further discussion relating to preferred stock issuances and Unsecured Notes issuances, respectively.

 

Deferred Issuance Costs

 

Deferred issuance costs on liabilities, which the Company does not measure at fair value under the FVO, consist of fees and expenses incurred in connection with the issuance of the Series B Term Preferred Stock and Series 2027 Notes. The deferred issuance costs are capitalized at the time of issuance and amortized using the effective interest method over the respective terms of the Series B Term Preferred Stock and Series 2027 Notes. Amortization of deferred issuance costs is reflected in interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. In the event of an early redemption or retirement of the Series B Term Preferred Stock or Series 2027 Notes, the remaining balance of unamortized deferred issuance costs associated with such securities will be accelerated into net realized loss.

 

Original Issue Premiums

 

Original issue premiums on liabilities consist of premiums received in connection with the issuance of the Series B Term Preferred Stock and Series C Term Preferred Stock as part of the Company’s ATM program. The original issue premiums are capitalized at the time of issuance and amortized using the effective interest method over the respective terms of the Series B Term Preferred Stock and Series C Term Preferred Stock. Amortization of original issue premium is reflected as a contra expense under interest expense in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

44

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

Repurchase of Debt Securities

 

The Company records any gains from the repurchase of the Company’s debt at a discount through open market transactions and subsequent retirement as a realized gain in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

Securities Transactions

 

The Company records the purchases and sales of securities on trade date. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are recorded on the basis of the specific identification method.

 

In certain circumstances where the Adviser determines it is unlikely to fully amortize a CLO equity or CLO debt investment’s remaining amortized cost, such remaining cost is written-down to its current fair value and recognized as a realized loss in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

Cash and Cash Equivalents

 

The Company has defined cash and cash equivalents as cash and short-term, highly liquid investments with original maturities of three months or less from the date of purchase. The Company maintains its cash in bank accounts, which, at times, may exceed federal insured limits. The Adviser monitors the performance of the financial institution where the accounts are held in order to manage any risk associated with such accounts. No cash equivalent balances were held as of December 31, 2021.

 

Foreign Currency

 

The Company does not isolate the portion of its results of operations resulting from changes in foreign exchange rates on investments from the fluctuations arising from changes in the market price of such investments. Such fluctuations are included with the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents. Reported net realized foreign exchange gains or losses may arise from sales of foreign currency, currency gains or losses realized between the trade and settlement dates on investment transactions, and the difference between the amounts of dividends and interest income recorded on the Company’s books and the U.S. dollar equivalent of the amounts actually received.

 

Expense Recognition

 

Expenses are recorded on the accrual basis of accounting.

 

Prepaid Expenses

 

Prepaid expenses consist primarily of insurance premiums, shelf registration expenses and ATM program expenses. Insurance premiums are amortized over the term of the current policy. Prepaid shelf registration expenses and ATM program expenses represent fees and expenses incurred in connection with maintaining the Company’s current shelf registration and ATM program. Such costs are allocated to paid-in-capital or expensed, depending on the security being issued pursuant to the ATM program and shelf registration, for each transaction pro-rata based on the amount issued relative to the total respective offering amount.

 

Any unallocated prepaid expense balance associated with the shelf registration and the ATM program are accelerated into expense at the earlier of the end of the program period or at the effective date of a new shelf registration or ATM program.

 

Offering Expenses

 

Offering expenses associated with the issuance and sale of shares of common stock, inclusive of expenses incurred associated with offerings under the ATM program, are charged to paid-in capital at the time the shares are sold in accordance with guidance noted in FASB ASC Topic 946-20-25-5, Investment Companies – Investment Company Activities – Recognition, during the period incurred.

 

Federal and Other Taxes

 

The Company intends to continue to operate so as to qualify to be taxed as a RIC under subchapter M of the Code and, as such, to not be subject to federal income tax on the portion of its taxable income and gains distributed to stockholders. To qualify for RIC tax treatment, among other requirements, the Company is required to distribute

 

45

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

at least 90% of its investment company taxable income, as defined by the Code. Accordingly, the Company intends to distribute its taxable income and net realized gains, if any, to stockholders in accordance with timing requirements imposed by the Code. Therefore, no federal income provision is required. The Company has adopted November 30th as its fiscal tax year end. The Company intends to file federal income and excise tax returns as well as any applicable state tax filings. The statute of limitations on the Company’s tax return filings generally remains open for three years. The Company has analyzed its tax positions for the year ended December 31, 2021, including open tax years, and does not believe there are any uncertain tax positions requiring recognition in the Company’s financial statements.

 

Because U.S. federal income tax regulations differ from U.S. GAAP, distributions in accordance with tax regulations may differ from net investment income and realized capital gains recognized for financial reporting purposes. Differences may be permanent or temporary. Permanent differences are reclassified among capital accounts in the consolidated financial statements to reflect their tax character. Temporary differences arise when certain items of income, expense, gain or loss are recognized at some time in the future. Differences in classification may also result from the treatment of short-term capital gains as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. The tax basis components of distributable earnings differ from the amounts reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities due to temporary book/tax differences arising primarily from partnerships and passive foreign investment company investments.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, $1,584,781 was reclassified between aggregate distributable earnings (losses) and paid-in capital due to nondeductible offering expenses related to the Series C Term Preferred Stock and $2,207,114 nondeductible U.S. federal excise taxes incurred in relation to the 2021 excise tax year. This difference has no effect on net assets or net asset value per share.

 

For the tax year ended November 30, 2021, the estimated components of distributable earnings, on a tax basis, were as follows:

 

   For the tax year ended
November 30, 2021
 
Undistributed ordinary income  $63,177,217 
      
Capital loss carryforward   31,132,239 
      
Net unrealized depreciation   (41,981,764)

 

The tax character of distributions declared and paid on the Company’s common shares and preferred stock for the tax year ended November 30, 2021 were ordinary dividends of $42,668,651 and return of capital of $0 and for the tax year ended November 30, 2020 were ordinary dividends of $14,880,532 and return of capital of $32,400,708 and for the tax year ended November 30, 2019 were ordinary dividends of $42,176,416 and return of capital of $25,630,680 and for the tax year ended November 30, 2018 were ordinary dividends of $39,143,538 and return of capital of $19,478,443. Tax information for the tax year ended November 30, 2021 is estimated and is not considered final until the Company files its tax return.

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company’s tax cost for federal income tax purposes was $769,916,218. Accordingly, accumulated net unrealized depreciation on investments held by the Company was $(39,195,525), consisting of $59,962,914 gross unrealized appreciation and $(99,158,439) gross unrealized depreciation.

 

Depending on the level of taxable income earned in a tax year, the Company is permitted to carry forward taxable income (including net capital gains, if any) in excess of its current year distributions from the current tax year into the next tax year and pay a nondeductible 4% U.S federal excise tax on such taxable income, as required.

 

The Company has determined that its estimated current year annual taxable income will be in excess of current year distributions from such income, as a result the Company has accrued U.S federal excise tax of $2,207,114

 

46

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

on the estimated excess of taxable income for the year ended December 31, 2021, which is reported in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company incurred $100,050 in Delaware franchise tax expense.

 

Distributions

 

The composition of distributions paid to common stockholders from net investment income and capital gains are determined in accordance with U.S. federal income tax regulations, which differ from U.S. GAAP. Distributions to common stockholders are comprised of net investment income, net realized capital gains and return of capital for U.S. federal income tax purposes and are intended to be paid monthly. Distributions payable to common stockholders are recorded as a liability on ex-dividend date. Unless a common stockholder opts out of the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan (the “DRIP”), distributions are automatically reinvested in full shares of the Company as of the payment date, pursuant to the DRIP. The Company’s common stockholders who opt-out of participation in the DRIP (including those common stockholders whose shares are held through a broker who has opted out of participation in the DRIP) generally will receive all distributions in cash.

 

In addition to the regular monthly distributions, and subject to available taxable earnings of the Company, the Company may make periodic special distributions representing the excess of the Company’s net taxable income over the Company’s aggregate monthly distributions paid during the year (or for other purposes).

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company declared and paid monthly distributions on common stock of $39,214,604 or $1.14 per share. As of December 31, 2021, the Company has accrued a special distribution on common stock $18,464,882 or $0.50 per share, which is payable on January 24, 2022 to shareholders of record as of December 23, 2021.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company declared and paid dividends on the Series B Term Preferred Stock of $4,139,633 or approximately $1.94 per share.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company declared and paid dividends on the Series C Term Preferred Stock of $1,403,415 or approximately $0.88 per share.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company declared and paid dividends on the Series D Preferred Stock of $150,000 or approximately $0.15 per share.

 

The characterization of distributions paid to common stockholders, as set forth in the Financial Highlights, reflect estimates made by the Company for federal income tax purposes. Such estimates are subject to change once the final determination of the source of all distributions has been made by the Company.

 

47

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

3.INVESTMENTS

 

Fair Value Measurement

 

The following tables summarize the valuation of the Company’s investments measured and reported at fair value under the fair value hierarchy levels described in Note 2 “Summary of Significant Accounting Policies” as of December 31, 2021:

 

Fair Value Measurement

 

   Level I   Level II   Level III   Total 
Assets                    
CLO Debt  $-   $44,155,887   $-   $44,155,887 
                     
CLO Equity   -    -    632,671,935    632,671,935 
                     
Loan Accumulation Facilities   -    -    47,445,258    47,445,258 
                     
Bank Debt Term Loan   -    573,561    -    573,561 
                     
Common Stock   -    106,086    -    106,086 
                     
Corporate Bonds   -    5,638,306    -    5,638,306 
                     
Preferred Stock   35,535    -    -    35,535 
                     
Warrants   -    94,125    -    94,125 
                     
Total Assets at Fair Value  $35,535   $50,567,965   $680,117,193   $730,720,693 
                     
Liabilities at Fair Value Under FVO                    
6.6875% Unsecured Notes due 2028  $65,703,563   $-   $-   $65,703,563 
                     
6.75% Unsecured Notes due 2031   46,883,679    -    -    46,883,679 
                     
6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031   46,725,001    -    -    46,725,001 
                     
Total Liabilities at Fair Value Under FVO  $159,312,243   $-   $-   $159,312,243 

 

48

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

The changes in investments classified as Level III are as follows for the year ended December 31, 2021:

 

Change in Investments Classified as Level III

 

   CLO Equity   Loan
Accumulation
Facilities
   Total 
Beginning Balance at January 1, 2021  $452,881,696   $12,649,011   $465,530,707 
                
Purchases of investments   191,007,109(1)    99,764,250    290,771,359 
                
Proceeds from sales or maturity of investments   (90,989,979)(2)   (65,362,317) (1) (3)   (156,352,296)
                
Net realized gains (losses) and net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)   79,773,109    394,314    80,167,423 
                
Balance as of December 31, 2021(4)  $632,671,935   $47,445,258   $680,117,193 
                
Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments still held as of December 31, 2021  $73,616,759   $23,258   $73,640,017 

 

(1)Includes $38,845,856 of proceeds from sales or maturity of investments in loan accumulation facilities transferred to purchases of investments in CLO equity.
(2)Includes $80,337,795 of return of capital on CLO equity investments from recurring cash flows and distributions from called deals.
(3)Includes $608,934 of in kind distribution proceeds and $1,821 of return of capital from the liquidation of a loan accumulation facility investment.
(4)There were no transfers into or out of level III investments during the period.

 

The net realized gains (losses) recorded for Level III investments are reported in the net realized gain (loss) on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents balance in the Consolidated Statement of Operations. Net changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) are reported in the net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents balance in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

Valuation of CLO Equity

 

The Adviser utilizes the output of a third-party financial model to estimate the fair value of CLO equity investments. The model contains detailed information on the characteristics of each CLO, including recent information about assets and liabilities from data sources such as trustee reports, and is used to project future cash flows to the CLO note tranches, as well as management fees.

 

The following table summarizes the quantitative inputs and assumptions used for investments categorized as Level III of the fair value hierarchy as of December 31, 2021. In addition to the techniques and inputs noted in the table below, the Adviser may use other valuation techniques and methodologies when determining the Company’s fair value measurements as provided for in the valuation policy approved by the Board. The table below is not intended to be all-inclusive, but rather provides information on the significant Level III inputs as they relate to the Company’s fair value measurements as of December 31, 2021. Unobservable inputs and assumptions are periodically reviewed and updated as necessary to reflect current market conditions.

 

49

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

 

    Quantitative Information about Level III Fair Value Measurements
               
Assets   Fair Value as of
December 31, 2021
   Valuation
Techniques/Methodologies
  Unobservable Inputs  Range / Weighted Average(1)
CLO Equity  $631,653,254   Discounted Cash Flows  Annual Default Rate (2)  0.00% - 3.51%
           Annual Prepayment Rate (3)  25% / 25%
           Reinvestment Spread  3.17% - 4.94% / 3.51%
           Reinvestment Price  99.5% / 99.5%
           Recovery Rate  67.06% - 70.00% / 69.83%
           Expected Yield  8.95% - 56.94% / 18.61%

 

(1) Weighted average calculations are based on the fair value of investments.

(2) A weighted average is not presented as the input in the discounted cash flow model varies over the life of an investment.

(3) 0% is assumed for defaulted and non-performing assets.                    

 

Increases (decreases) in the annual default rate, reinvestment price and expected yield in isolation would result in a lower (higher) fair value measurement. Increases (decreases) in the reinvestment spread and recovery rate in isolation would result in a higher (lower) fair value measurement. Changes in the annual prepayment rate may result in a higher (lower) fair value, depending on the circumstances. Generally, a change in the assumption used for the annual default rate may be accompanied by a directionally opposite change in the assumption used for the annual prepayment rate and recovery rate.

 

The Adviser categorizes CLO equity as Level III investments. Certain pricing inputs may be unobservable. An active market may exist, but not necessarily for CLO equity investments the Company holds as of the reporting date.

 

Certain of the Company’s Level III investments have been valued using unadjusted inputs that have not been internally developed by the Adviser, including third-party transactions and data reported by trustees. As a result, fair value assets of $47,445,258 have been excluded from the preceding table. Additionally, the preceding table excludes $1,018,681 of fair value pertaining to called CLO equity that has not yet been paid down and CLO equity with expected yields below 0% and over 100%.

 

Valuation of CLO Debt

 

The Company’s investments in CLO debt have been valued using an independent pricing service. The valuation methodology of the independent pricing service includes incorporating data comprised of observable market transactions, executable bids, broker quotes from dealers with two sided markets, as well as transaction activity from comparable securities to those being valued. As the independent pricing service contemplates real time market data and no unobservable inputs or significant judgment has been used by the Adviser in the valuation of the Company’s investment in CLO debt, such positions are considered Level II assets.

 

Valuation of Bank Debt Term Loans, Corporate Bonds and Warrants

 

Bank debt term loans, corporate bonds and warrants held by the Company are generally valued using the mid-point of an indicative broker quotation as of the reporting date. The Adviser categorizes bank debt term loans, corporate bonds and warrants held by the Company as Level II investments as an active market exists for the reporting period.

 

Valuation of Common Stock

 

Common stock held by the Company is valued using the mid-point of an indicative broker quotation as of the reporting date. The Adviser categorizes common stock held by the Company as a Level II investment as it is traded in over the counter markets and not listed on a major exchange as of the reporting date.

 

50

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

 

Valuation of Preferred Stock

 

Preferred stock held by the Company are valued utilizing the official closing price from the applicable exchange as of the measurement date. The Adviser categorizes preferred stock held by the Company as Level I investments due to their observability and active market for the reporting period.

 

Valuation of Loan Accumulation Facilities

 

The Adviser determines the fair value of LAFs in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures, utilizing the income approach as noted in ASC 820-10-55-3F (the “Income Approach”), in which fair value measurement reflects current market expectations about the receipt of future amounts (i.e. exit price). LAFs are typically short- to medium-term in nature and formed to acquire loans on an interim basis that are expected to form part of a specific CLO transaction. Pursuant to LAF governing documents, loans acquired by the LAF are typically required to be transferred to the contemplated CLO transaction at original cost plus accrued interest. In such situations, because the LAF will receive its full cost basis in the underlying loan assets and the accrued interest thereon upon the consummation of the CLO transaction, the Adviser determines the fair value of the LAF as follows: (A) the cost of the Company’s investment (i.e., the principal amount invested), and (B) to the extent the LAF has realized gains (losses) on its underlying loan assets which are reported by the Trustee during the applicable reporting period, its attributable portion of such realized gains (losses).

 

In certain circumstances, the LAF documents can contemplate transferring the underlying loans at a price other than original cost plus accrued interest or the Adviser may determine that, despite the initial expectation that a CLO transaction would result from a LAF, such a transaction is in fact unlikely to occur and, accordingly, it is unlikely the loans held by the LAF will be transferred at cost. Rather, the loans held by the LAF will most likely be sold at market value. In such situations, the Adviser will continue to fair value the LAF consistent with the Income Approach, but modify the fair value measurement to reflect the change in exit strategy of the LAF to incorporate market expectations of the receipt of future amounts (i.e. exit price). As such, the fair value of the LAF is most appropriately determined by reference to the market value of the LAF’s underlying loans, which is reflective of the price at which the LAF could sell its loan assets in an orderly transaction between market participants. As such, in these situations, the Adviser will continue utilizing the Income Approach and determine the fair value of the LAF as follows: (A) the cost of the Company’s investment (i.e., the principal amount invested), (B) the Company’s attributable portion of the unrealized gain (loss) on the LAF’s underlying loan assets, and (C) to the extent the LAF has realized gains (losses) on its underlying loan assets which are reported by the Trustee during the applicable reporting period, its attributable portion of such realized gains (losses). The Adviser’s measure of the Company’s attributable portion of the unrealized gain (loss) on the LAF’s underlying loan assets takes into account the Adviser’s current market expectations of the receipt of future amounts on such assets, which may be impacted by various factors including any applicable change in market conditions or new information.

 

The Adviser categorizes LAFs as Level III investments. There is no active market and prices are unobservable.

 

Valuation of Series 2028 Notes, Series 2031 Notes and Series C Term Preferred Stock

 

The Series 2028 Notes, Series 2031 Notes and Series C Term Preferred Stock are considered Level I securities and are valued at their official closing price, taken from the NYSE.

 

Investment Risk Factors and Concentration of Investments

 

The following list is not intended to be a comprehensive list of all of the potential risks associated with the Company. The Company’s prospectus provides a detailed discussion of the Company’s risks and considerations. The risks described in the prospectus are not the only risks the Company faces. Additional risks and uncertainties not currently known to the Company or that are currently deemed to be immaterial also may materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and/or operating results.

 

51

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

Global Economic Risks

 

Terrorist acts, acts of war, natural disasters, outbreaks or pandemics may disrupt the Company’s operations, as well as the operations of the businesses in which it invests. Such acts have created, and continue to create, economic and political uncertainties and have contributed to global economic instability. For example, many countries have experienced outbreaks of infectious illnesses in recent decades, including swine flu, avian influenza, SARS and COVID-19. Since December 2019, the spread of COVID-19 has caused social unrest and commercial disruption on a global scale.

 

Global economies and financial markets are becoming increasingly interconnected, and conditions and events in one country, region or financial market may adversely impact issuers in a different country, region or financial market. The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has magnified these risks and has had, and will continue to have, a material adverse impact on local economies in the affected jurisdictions and also on the global economy, as cross border commercial activity and market sentiment are increasingly impacted by the outbreak and government and other measures seeking to contain its spread. The effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have contributed to increased volatility in global financial markets and have affected countries, regions, companies, industries and market sectors more dramatically than others. The COVID-19 pandemic has had, and any other outbreak of an infectious disease or serious environmental or public health concern could have, a significant negative impact on economic and market conditions, could exacerbate pre-existing political, social and economic risks in certain countries or regions and could trigger a prolonged period of global economic slowdown, which may impact the Company and its underlying investments.

 

While vaccination programs have helped to curtail the spread of COVID-19 in certain countries and regions, the pandemic’s trajectory will depend on the speed and scale of vaccine distribution and the vaccines’ efficacy in preventing transmission of new variants of the coronavirus. Accordingly, it is impossible to know how long the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic will last or the severity thereof. Federal, state and local governments, as well as foreign governments, have taken aggressive steps to address problems being experienced by the markets and by businesses and the economy in general; however, these measures are not indefinite and there can be no assurance that they will be adequate. Furthermore, it is possible that they are causing, or will in the future cause, market distortions or other indirect consequences which could have an adverse impact on the Company.

 

To the extent the Company’s underlying investments are overweight in certain countries, regions, companies, industries or market sectors, such positions will increase the risk of loss from adverse developments affecting those countries, regions, companies, industries or sectors. The COVID-19 pandemic and related government-imposed restrictions have imposed, and may continue to impose, severe financial harm on certain industries to which the Company is exposed indirectly through its CLOs investments’ underlying loan assets. For example, the airline and hotel industries have experienced sharp declines in revenue due to restrictions on travel, hospitals and other healthcare companies have experienced financial losses as a result of increased expenses and declining revenue as patients choose to delay elective or routine procedures, and many casino operators have been forced to limit operations due to the imposition of mandatory business closures and to address social distancing guidelines.

 

Following the onset of the pandemic, certain CLOs held by the Company experienced increased defaults by underlying borrowers. Obligor defaults and rating agency downgrades caused, and may in the future cause, payments that would have otherwise been made to the CLO equity or CLO debt securities that the Company held to instead be diverted to buy additional loans within a given CLO or paid to senior CLO debt holders as an early amortization payment. In addition, defaults and downgrades of underlying obligors caused, and may in the future cause, a decline in the value of CLO securities generally. If CLO cash flows or income decrease as a result of the pandemic, the portion of the Company’s distribution comprised of a return of capital could increase or distributions could be reduced.

 

Concentration Risk

 

The Company is classified as “non-diversified” under the 1940 Act. As a result, the Company can invest a greater portion of its assets in obligations of a single issuer than a “diversified” fund. The Company may therefore be

 

52

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

 

more susceptible than a diversified fund to being adversely affected by any single corporate, economic, political or regulatory occurrence.

 

Liquidity Risk

 

The securities issued by CLOs generally offer less liquidity than below investment grade or high-yield corporate debt, and are subject to certain transfer restrictions imposed on certain financial instruments and other eligibility requirements on prospective transferees. Other investments the Company may purchase through privately negotiated transactions may also be illiquid or subject to legal restrictions on their transfer. As a result of this illiquidity, the Company’s ability to sell certain investments quickly, or at all, in response to changes in economic and other conditions and to receive a fair price when selling such investments may be limited, which could prevent the Company from making sales to mitigate losses on such investments.

 

Risks of Investing in CLOs

 

The Company’s investments consist primarily of CLO securities and the Company may invest in other related structured finance securities. CLOs and structured finance securities are generally backed by an asset or a pool of assets (typically senior secured loans and other credit-related assets in the case of a CLO) which serve as collateral. The Company and other investors in CLOs and related structured finance securities ultimately bear the credit risk of the underlying collateral. If there are defaults or the relevant collateral otherwise underperforms, scheduled payments to senior tranches of such securities take precedence over those of junior tranches, and scheduled payments to junior tranches have a priority in the right of payment to subordinated/equity tranches. Therefore, CLO and other structured finance securities may present risks similar to those of the other types of debt obligations and, in fact, such risks may be of greater significance in the case of CLO and other structured finance securities. In addition to the general risks associated with investing in debt securities, CLO securities carry additional risks, including, but not limited to: (1) the possibility that distributions from collateral assets will not be adequate to make interest or other payments; (2) the quality of the collateral may decline in value or default; (3) the fact that investments in CLO equity and junior debt tranches will likely be subordinate in the right of payment to other senior classes of CLO debt; and (4) the complex structure of the security may not be fully understood at the time of investment and may produce disputes with the issuer or unexpected investment results.

 

Risks of Investing in Loan Accumulation Facilities

 

The Company invests in LAFs, which are short- to medium-term facilities often provided by a bank that will serve as placement agent or arranger in a CLO transaction and which acquire loans on an interim basis that are expected to form part of the portfolio of a future CLO. Investments in LAFs have risks similar to those applicable to investments in CLOs. Leverage is typically utilized in such a facility and as such the potential risk of loss will be increased for such facilities employing leverage. In the event a planned CLO is not consummated, or the loans are not eligible for purchase by the CLO, the Company may be responsible for either holding or disposing of the loans. This could expose the Company primarily to credit and/or mark-to-market losses, and other risks.

 

Interest Rate Risk

 

The fair value of certain investments held by the Company may be significantly affected by changes in interest rates. In general, rising interest rates will negatively affect the price of a fixed rate debt instrument and falling interest rates will have a positive effect on the price of a fixed rate instrument. Although senior secured loans are generally floating rate instruments, the Company’s investments in senior secured loans through equity and junior debt tranches of CLOs are sensitive to interest rate levels and volatility. Although CLOs are generally structured to mitigate the risk of interest rate mismatch, there may be some difference between the timing of interest rate resets on the assets and liabilities of a CLO. Such a mismatch could have a negative effect on the amount of funds distributed to CLO equity investors. In addition, in the event of a significant rising interest rate environment and/or economic downturn, loan defaults may increase and result in credit losses which may adversely affect the Company’s cash flow, fair value of its assets and operating results. In the event that the Company’s interest expense were to increase relative to income, or sufficient financing became unavailable, return on investments and cash available for distribution to stockholders or to make other payments on the Company’s securities would be reduced.

 

53

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

 

LIBOR Risk

 

The CLO equity and debt securities in which the Company invests earn interest at, and CLOs in which it invests typically obtain financing at, a floating rate based on LIBOR.

 

On July 27, 2017, the Chief Executive of the Financial Conduct Authority (“FCA”), the United Kingdom's financial regulatory body and regulator of LIBOR, announced that after 2021 it will cease its active encouragement of banks to provide the quotations needed to sustain LIBOR due to the absence of an active market for interbank unsecured lending and other reasons. On March 5, 2021, the FCA announced that all LIBOR settings will either cease to be provided by any administrator, or no longer be representative (i) immediately after December 31, 2021 for all GBP, EUR, CHF and JPY LIBOR settings and one-week and two-month US dollar LIBOR settings, and (ii) immediately after June 30, 2023 for the remaining US dollar LIBOR settings, including three-month US dollar LIBOR.

 

Replacement rates that have been identified include the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (SOFR, which is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR and measures the cost of overnight borrowings through repurchase agreement transactions collateralized with U.S. Treasury securities) and the Sterling Overnight Index Average Rate (SONIA, which is intended to replace GBP LIBOR and measures the overnight interest rate paid by banks for unsecured transactions in the sterling market), although other replacement rates could be adopted by market participants. On July 29, 2021, the Alternative Reference Rates Committee (“ARRC”) announced that it recommended Term SOFR, a similar forward-looking term rate which will be based on SOFR, for business loans. Certain senior secured loans have already transitioned to utilizing SOFR based interest rates whereas CLO debt securities have generally not yet transitioned to such replacement rate. Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that Term SOFR will ultimately be broadly adopted as a replacement to LIBOR.

 

Loans held by CLO issuers and other issuers in which the Company may invest may reference LIBOR, and the termination of LIBOR presents risks to such issuers and, indirectly, the Company. As LIBOR is currently being reformed, investors should be aware that: (a) any changes to LIBOR could affect the level of the published rate, including to cause it to be lower and/or more volatile than it would otherwise be; (b) if the applicable rate of interest on any CLO security is calculated with reference to a tenor which is discontinued, such rate of interest will then be determined by the provisions of the affected CLO security, which may include determination by the relevant calculation agent in its discretion; (c) the administrator of LIBOR will not have any involvement in the CLOs or loans and may take any actions in respect of LIBOR without regard to the effect of such actions on the CLOs or loans; and (d) any uncertainty in the value of LIBOR or, the development of a widespread market view that LIBOR has been manipulated or any uncertainty in the prominence of LIBOR as a benchmark interest rate due to the recent regulatory reform may adversely affect the liquidity of the securities in the secondary market and their market value. Any of the above or any other significant change to the setting of LIBOR could have a material adverse effect on the value of, and the amount payable under, (i) any underlying assets of a CLO which pay interest linked to a LIBOR rate and (ii) the CLO securities in which the Company invests.

 

If LIBOR is eliminated as a benchmark rate, market participants (including the Company) may be subject to the risk that an acceptable transition mechanism may not be found or may not be suitable for a particular issuer. In addition, any alternative reference rate and any pricing adjustments required in connection with the transition from LIBOR may impose costs on issuers or may not be suitable to close out positions and enter into replacement trades. Any such consequence could have a material adverse effect on an issuer in whose securities the Company may invest and their ability to make distributions or service outstanding debt. If no replacement conventions develop, it is uncertain what effect broadly divergent interest rate calculation methodologies in the markets will have on the price and liquidity of CLO securities and the ability of the collateral manager to effectively mitigate interest rate risks. While the issuers and the trustee of a CLO may enter into a reference rate amendment or the collateral manager may designate a designated reference rate, in each case, subject to the conditions described in a CLO indenture, there can be no assurance that a change to any alternative benchmark rate (a) will be adopted, (b) will effectively mitigate interest rate risks or result in an equivalent methodology for determining the interest rates on the floating rate instrument, (c) will be adopted prior to any date on which the issuer suffers adverse consequences from the elimination or modification or potential elimination or modification of LIBOR or (d) will

 

54

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

 

not have a material adverse effect on the holders of the CLO securities.

 

In addition, the effect of a phase out of LIBOR on U.S. senior secured loans, the underlying assets of CLOs, is currently unclear. To the extent that any replacement rate utilized for senior secured loans differs from that utilized for a CLO that holds those loans, the CLO would experience an interest rate mismatch between its assets and liabilities, which could have an adverse impact on the Company’s net investment income and portfolio returns.

 

Low Interest Rate Environment

 

As of the date of the financial statements, interest rates in the United States are near historic lows These historically low interest rate levels magnify the risks associated with rising interest rates described under “Interest Rate Risk,” above. The senior secured loans underlying the CLOs in which the Company invests typically have floating interest rates. A rising interest rate environment may increase loan defaults, resulting in losses for the CLOs in which the Company invests. In addition, increasing interest rates may lead to higher prepayment rates, as corporate borrowers look to avoid escalating interest payments or refinance floating rate loans. Further, a general rise in interest rates will increase the financing costs of the CLOs. However, since many of the senior secured loans within these CLOs have LIBOR floors, if LIBOR is below the applicable LIBOR floor (which can typically range from 0.00% to 1.00% depending on the loan), there may not be corresponding increases in investment income, which could result in the CLO not having adequate cash to make interest or other payments on the securities which the Company holds.

 

Leverage Risk

 

The Company has incurred leverage through the issuances of the Series B Term Preferred Stock, the Series C Term Preferred Stock, and the Series D Preferred Stock (collectively with the Series B Term Preferred Stock and the Series C Term Preferred Stock, the “Preferred Stock”), and the Unsecured Notes, and the Company may incur additional leverage, directly or indirectly, through one or more special purpose vehicles, including indebtedness for borrowed money and leverage in the form of derivative transactions, repurchase agreement transactions, short sale transactions, additional shares of preferred stock and other structures and instruments, in significant amounts and on terms the Adviser and the Board deem appropriate, subject to applicable limitations under the 1940 Act. Such leverage may be used for the acquisition and financing of the Company’s investments, to pay fees and expenses and for other purposes. Any such leverage does not include embedded or inherent leverage in CLO structures in which the Company invests or in derivative instruments in which the Company may invest. Accordingly, there is effectively a layering of leverage in the Company’s overall structure. The more leverage is employed, the more likely a substantial change will occur in the Company’s net asset value (“NAV”). For instance, any decrease in the Company’s income would cause net income to decline more sharply than it would have had the Company not borrowed. In addition, any event adversely affecting the value of an investment would be magnified to the extent leverage is utilized.

 

Highly Subordinated and Leveraged Securities Risk

 

The Company’s portfolio includes equity and junior debt investments in CLOs, which involve a number of significant risks. CLO equity and junior debt securities are typically very highly leveraged (with CLO equity securities typically being leveraged nine to thirteen times), and therefore the junior debt and equity tranches in which the Company invests are subject to a higher degree of risk of total loss. In particular, investors in CLO securities indirectly bear risks of the collateral held by such CLOs. The Company generally has the right to receive payments only from the CLOs, and generally does not have direct rights against the underlying borrowers or the entity that sponsored the CLO.

 

Credit Risk 

 

If a CLO in which the Company invests, an underlying asset of any such CLO or any other type of credit investment in the Company’s portfolio declines in price or fails to pay interest or principal when due because the issuer or debtor, as the case may be, experiences a decline in its financial status either or both the Company’s income and NAV may be adversely impacted. Non-payment would result in a reduction of the Company’s income, a reduction in the value of the applicable CLO security or other credit investment experiencing non-payment and, potentially, a decrease in the Company’s NAV. To the extent the credit rating assigned to a security in the

 

55

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

 

Company’s portfolio is downgraded, the market price and liquidity of such security may be adversely affected. In addition, if a CLO in which the Company invests triggers an event of default as a result of failing to make payments when due or for other reasons, the CLO would be subject to the possibility of liquidation, which could result in full loss of value to the CLO equity and junior debt investors. CLO equity tranches are the most likely tranche to suffer a loss of all of their value in these circumstances.

 

Low Or Unrated Securities Risks

 

The Company invests primarily in securities that are rated below investment grade or, in the case of CLO equity securities, are not rated by a national securities rating service. The primary assets underlying the CLO security investments are senior secured loans, although these transactions may allow for limited exposure to other asset classes including unsecured loans, high-yield bonds, emerging market loans or bonds and structured finance securities with underlying exposure to collateralized loan obligation and other collateralized debt obligation tranches, residential mortgage backed securities, commercial mortgage backed securities, trust preferred securities and other types of securitizations. CLOs generally invest in lower-rated debt securities that are typically rated below Baa/BBB by Moody’s, S&P or Fitch. In addition, the Company may obtain direct exposure to such financial assets/instruments. Securities that are not rated or are rated lower than Baa by Moody’s or lower than BBB by S&P or Fitch are sometimes referred to as “high-yield” or “junk.” High-yield debt securities have greater credit and liquidity risk than investment grade obligations. High-yield debt securities are generally unsecured and may be subordinated to certain other obligations of the issuer thereof. The lower rating of high-yield debt securities and below investment grade loans reflects a greater possibility that adverse changes in the financial condition of an issuer or in general economic conditions or both may impair the ability of the issuer thereof to make payments of principal or interest.

 

4.RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

 

Investment Adviser

 

On June 6, 2014, the Company entered into an investment advisory agreement with the Adviser, which was amended and restated on May 16, 2017 (the “Advisory Agreement”). Pursuant to the terms of the Advisory Agreement, the Company pays the Adviser a management fee and an incentive fee for its services.

 

The management fee is calculated and payable quarterly, in arrears, at an annual rate equal to 1.75% of the Company’s “total equity base.” “Total equity base” means the net asset value attributable to the common stock and the paid-in, or stated, capital of the Preferred Stock. The management fee is calculated based on the “total equity base” at the end of the most recently completed calendar quarter end, and, with respect to any common stock or preferred stock issued or repurchased during such quarter, is adjusted to reflect the number of days during such quarter that such common stock and/or preferred stock, if any, was outstanding. The management fee for any partial quarter is pro-rated (based on the number of days actually elapsed at the end of such partial quarter relative to the total number of days in such calendar quarter). The Company was charged management fees of $9,291,328 for the year ended December 31, 2021, and has a payable balance of $2,606,694 as of December 31, 2021.

 

The incentive fee is calculated and payable quarterly, in arrears, based on the pre-incentive fee net investment income (the “PNII”) of the Company for the immediately preceding calendar quarter. For this purpose, PNII means interest income, dividend income and any other income (including any other fees, such as commitment, origination, structuring, diligence and consulting fees or other fees the Company receives from an investment) accrued during the calendar quarter, minus the Company’s operating expenses for the quarter (including the base management fee, expenses payable under the Administration Agreement (as defined below) and any interest expense and distributions paid on any issued and outstanding preferred stock or debt, but excluding the incentive fee). PNII includes, in the case of investments with a deferred interest feature (such as original issue discount, debt instruments with payment in-kind interest and zero coupon securities), accrued income that the Company has not yet received in cash. PNII does not include any realized or unrealized capital gains or realized or unrealized capital losses. The portion of incentive fee that is attributable to deferred interest (such as payment-in-kind interest or original issue discount) will be paid to the Adviser, without interest, only if and to the extent the Company actually receives such deferred interest in cash, and any accrual thereof will be reversed if and to the extent such interest

 

56

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

 

is reversed in connection with any write-off or similar treatment of the investment giving rise to any deferred interest accrual.

 

PNII, expressed as a rate of return on the value of the Company’s net assets at the end of the immediately preceding calendar quarter, is compared to a hurdle rate of 2.00% per quarter. The Company pays the Adviser an incentive fee with respect to the Company’s PNII in each calendar quarter as follows: (1) no incentive fee in any calendar quarter in which the Company’s PNII does not exceed the hurdle rate of 2.00%; (2) 100% of the Company’s PNII with respect to that portion of such PNII, if any, exceeding the hurdle rate but equal to or less than 2.50% in any calendar quarter; and (3) 20% of the amount of the Company’s PNII, if any, exceeding 2.50% in any calendar quarter. The Company incurred incentive fees of $11,093,919 for the year ended December 31, 2021, and has a payable balance of $3,504,980 as of December 31, 2021. For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Adviser has voluntarily waived a portion of the incentive fee in the amount of $153,224. The waived incentive fee is not subject to recoupment by the Adviser.

 

Administrator

 

Effective June 6, 2014, the Company entered into an administration agreement (the “Administration Agreement”) with the Administrator, an affiliate of the Adviser. Pursuant to the Administration Agreement, the Administrator performs, or arranges for the performance of, the Company’s required administrative services, which include being responsible for the financial records which the Company is required to maintain and preparing reports which are disseminated to the Company’s stockholders. In addition, the Administrator provides the Company with accounting services, assists the Company in determining and publishing its net asset value, oversees the preparation and filing of the Company’s tax returns, monitors the Company’s compliance with tax laws and regulations, and prepares and assists the Company with any audits by an independent public accounting firm of the consolidated financial statements. The Administrator is also responsible for printing and disseminating reports to the Company’s stockholders and maintaining the Company’s website, providing support to investor relations, generally overseeing the payment of the Company’s expenses and the performance of administrative and professional services rendered to the Company by others, and providing such other administrative services as the Company may from time to time designate.

 

Payments under the Administration Agreement are equal to an amount based upon the Company’s allocable portion of the Administrator’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions and the Company’s allocable portion of the compensation of the Company’s chief compliance officer, chief financial officer, chief operating officer and the Company’s allocable portion of the compensation of any related support staff.  The Company’s allocable portion of such compensation is based on an allocation of the time spent on the Company relative to other matters. To the extent the Administrator outsources any of its functions, the Company pays the fees on a direct basis, without profit to the Administrator. Certain accounting and other administrative services have been delegated by the Administrator to SS&C Technologies, Inc. (“SS&C”). The Administration Agreement may be terminated by the Company without penalty upon not less than sixty days’ written notice to the Administrator and by the Administrator upon not less than ninety days’ written notice to the Company. The Administration Agreement is approved by the Board, including by a majority of the Company’s independent directors, on an annual basis.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company was charged a total of $946,124 in administration fees consisting of $660,050 and $286,074, relating to services provided by the Administrator and SS&C, respectively, which are included in the Consolidated Statement of Operations and, of which $145,875 was payable as of December 31, 2021.

 

Affiliated Ownership

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Adviser and senior investment team held an aggregate of 4.2% of the Company’s common stock and 0.11% of the Series B Term Preferred Stock. This represented 3.8% of the total outstanding voting stock of the Company as of December 31, 2021. Additionally, the senior investment team held an aggregate of 1.6% and 0.4% of the Series 2027 Notes and Series 2028 Notes, respectively, as of December 31, 2021.

 

57

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

 

Exemptive Relief

 

On March 17, 2015, the SEC issued an order granting the Company exemptive relief to co-invest in certain negotiated investments with affiliated investment funds managed by the Adviser, subject to certain conditions.

 

5.COMMON STOCK

 

As of December 31, 2020, there were 100,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, of which 32,354,890 shares were issued and outstanding.

 

On June 1, 2020, the Company launched an ATM offering to sell up to $125,000,000 aggregate amount of its common stock, pursuant to a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on June 1, 2020 and additional supplements thereafter.

 

On July 14, 2021, the Company launched an ATM offering to sell up to $125,000,000 aggregate amount of its common stock, pursuant to a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on July 14, 2021 and additional supplements thereafter. As a result of the new ATM offering, $40,567 in remaining prepaid expense balance associated with the previous ATM program was accelerated into expense and reflected in professional fees in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

On December 20, 2021, the Company launched an ATM offering to sell up to $125,000,000 aggregate amount of its common stock, pursuant to a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on December 20, 2021 and additional supplements thereafter. As a result of the new ATM offering, $25,393 in remaining prepaid expense balance associated with the previous ATM program was accelerated into expense and reflected in professional fees in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company sold 5,001,120 shares of its common stock, pursuant to the ATM offerings for total net proceeds to the Company of $67,073,258. In connection with such sales, the Company paid a total of $994,970 in sales agent commissions.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, 170,800 shares of common stock were issued in connection with the DRIP for total net proceeds to the Company of $2,283,188.

 

As of December 31, 2021, there were 100,000,000 shares of common stock authorized, of which 37,526,810 shares were issued and outstanding.

 

6.PREFERRED STOCK

 

As of December 31, 2021, there were 20,000,000 shares of preferred stock authorized, par value $0.001 per share, of which 1,078,382 shares of Series B Term Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding, 1,846,838 shares of Series C Term Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding and 1,000,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock were issued and outstanding.

 

Except where otherwise stated in the 1940 Act or the Company’s certificate of incorporation, each holder of Preferred Stock will be entitled to one vote for each share of preferred stock held on each matter submitted to a vote of the Company’s stockholders. The Company’s preferred stockholders and common stockholders will vote together as a single class on all matters submitted to the Company’s stockholders. Additionally, the Company’s preferred stockholders will have the right to elect two Preferred Directors at all times, while the Company’s preferred stockholders and common stockholders, voting together as a single class, will elect the remaining members of the Board.

 

58

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries 

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 

December 31, 2021

 

Mandatorily Redeemable Preferred Stock

 

The Company has accounted for its Series B Term Preferred Stock and Series C Term Preferred Stock as Liabilities under ASC 480 due to their mandatory redemption requirements.

 

The Company is required to redeem all outstanding shares of the Series B Term Preferred Stock on October 30, 2026, at a redemption price of $25 per share (the “Series B Liquidation Preference”), plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any. The Company may redeem the Series B Term Preferred Stock in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option.

 

On December 31, 2021, the Company redeemed 1,078,383 Series B Term Preferred Stock at a redemption price of $25 per share of Series B Term Preferred Stock. Upon the partial redemption of the series B Term Preferred Stock, the Company accelerated $766,122 of unamortized deferred issuance costs into net realized loss on extinguishment of Preferred Stock in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

On June 16, 2021, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 1,060,000 shares of its Series C Term Preferred Stock, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $25.4 million after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions of $0.8 million and offering expenses of $0.2 million.

 

Subsequently, on June 21, 2021, the underwriters purchased an additional 140,000 shares of its Series C Term Preferred Stock pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option, which resulted in additional net proceeds to the Company of $3.4 million after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions of $0.1 million.

 

The Company is required to redeem all outstanding shares of the Series C Term Preferred Stock on June 30, 2031, at a redemption price of $25 per share (the “Series C Liquidation Preference”), plus accumulated but unpaid dividends, if any. At any time on or after June 16, 2024, the Company may, at its sole option, redeem the outstanding shares of the Series C Term Preferred Stock.

 

The Company has elected the FVO under ASC 825 for its Series C Term Preferred Stock. Accordingly, the Series C Term Preferred Stock are measured at their fair value and issuance costs in the aggregate amount of $1.2 million, which consisted of $0.9 million of underwriting commissions, $0.2 million of professional fees and other expenses, were expensed as incurred in the year ended December 31, 2021 .

 

The estimated change in fair value of the Series C Term Preferred Stock attributable to market risk for the year ended December 31, 2021 is ($130,213), which is recorded as unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on liabilities at fair value under the FVO on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

The estimated change in fair value of the Series C Term Preferred Stock attributable to instrument-specific credit risk for the year ended December 31, 2021 is ($423,838), which is recorded as unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on liabilities at fair value under the FVO on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. The Company defines the change in fair value attributable to instrument-specific credit risk as the excess of the total change in fair value over the change in fair value attributable to changes in a base market rate, such as a Markit CDX North America Investment Grade Index with a similar maturity to the instrument being valued.

 

Preferred Stock

 

On November 29, 2021, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of 1,000,000 shares of its Series D Preferred Stock, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $23.9 million after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions of $0.8 million and estimated offering expenses of $0.3 million.

 

The Company has accounted for its Series D Preferred Stock as temporary equity under ASC 480.  Accordingly, the Series D Preferred Stock is reflected in the Consolidated Statement of Assets and Liabilities at its liquidation preference of $25.0 million, net of deferred issuance costs in the aggregate amount of $1.1 million, which consisted of $0.8 million of underwriting commissions, $0.3 million of estimated professional fees and other

 

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Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

expenses. The deferred issuance costs will remain unamortized until it is probable the Series D Preferred Stock will be redeemed.

 

At any time on or after November 29, 2026, the Company may, at its sole option, redeem the outstanding shares of the Series D Preferred Stock.

 

ATM Program

 

On June 1, 2020, the Company launched an ATM offering to sell up to 1,000,000 shares of Series B Term Preferred Stock with an aggregate liquidation preference of $25,000,000, pursuant to a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on June 1, 2020 and additional supplements thereafter.

 

On July 14, 2021, the Company launched a new ATM offering to sell up to 1,900,000 shares of Series C Term Preferred Stock with an aggregate liquidation preference of $47,500,000, pursuant to a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on July 14, 2021 and additional supplements thereafter.

 

On December 20, 2021, the Company launched a new ATM offering to sell up to 1,900,000 shares of Series C Term Preferred Stock and 2,500,000 shares of Series D Preferred Stock with an aggregate liquidation preference of $47,500,000 and $62,500,000, respectively, pursuant to a prospectus supplement filed with the SEC on December 20, 2021 and additional supplements thereafter.

 

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company sold 242,268 shares of its Series B Term Preferred Stock, 646,838 shares of its Series C Term Preferred Stock and 0 shares of its Series D Preferred Stock, pursuant to the ATM offerings for total proceeds to the Company of $22,042,789. In connection with such sales, the Company paid a total of $450,126 in sales agent commissions.

 

See Note 8 “Asset Coverage” for further discussion on the Company’s calculation of asset coverage with respect to its Preferred Stock.

 

7.UNSECURED NOTES

 

As of December 31, 2021, there was $28,887,200 in aggregate principal amount of Series 2027 Notes, $64,847,575 in aggregate principal amount of Series 2028 Notes and $44,850,000 in aggregate principal amount of Series 2031 Notes issued and outstanding.

 

The Unsecured Notes were issued in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof.

 

The Series 2027 Notes will mature on September 30, 2027 and 100% of the aggregate principal amount will be paid at maturity. The Company may redeem the Series 2027 Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option.

 

The Series 2028 Notes will mature on April 30, 2028 and 100% of the aggregate principal amount will be paid at maturity. The Company may redeem the Series 2028 Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option.

 

The Company has accounted for its Series 2028 Notes utilizing the FVO under ASC 825. Accordingly, the Series 2028 Notes are measured at fair value under the FVO.

 

On March 25, 2021, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of $39 million in aggregate principal amount of its Series 2031 Notes, resulting in net proceeds to the Company of $37.5 million after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions of $1.2 million and offering expenses of $0.3 million.

 

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Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

Subsequently, on April 5, 2021, the underwriters purchased an additional $5.9 million in aggregate principal amount of the Series 2031 Notes pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option, which resulted in additional net proceeds to the Company of $5.7 million after payment of underwriting discounts and commissions of $0.2 million.

 

The Series 2031 Notes were issued in minimum denominations of $25 and integral multiples of $25 in excess thereof.

 

The Series 2031 Notes will mature on March 31, 2031 and 100% of the aggregate principal amount will be paid at maturity. The Company may redeem the Series 2031 Notes in whole or in part at any time or from time to time at the Company’s option, on or after March 29, 2024.

 

The Company has accounted for its Series 2031 Notes utilizing the FVO under ASC 825.  Accordingly, the Series 2031 Notes are measured at their fair value and issuance costs in the aggregate amount of $1.7 million, which consisted of $1.4 million of underwriting commissions, $0.3 million of professional fees and other expenses, were expensed as incurred in the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

The estimated change in fair value of the Series 2028 Notes and Series 2031 Notes attributable to market risk for the year ended December 31, 2021 is ($232,025) and ($393,783), respectively, which is recorded as unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on liabilities at fair value under the FVO on the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

 

The estimated change in fair value of the Series 2028 Notes and Series 2031 Notes attributable to instrument-specific credit risk for the year ended December 31, 2021 is ($675,842) and ($1,639,895), respectively, which is recorded as unrealized appreciation on liabilities at fair value under the FVO on the Consolidated Statement of Comprehensive Income. The Company defines the change in fair value attributable to instrument-specific credit risk as the excess of the total change in fair value over the change in fair value attributable to changes in a base market rate, such as a Markit CDX North America Investment Grade Index with a similar maturity to the instrument being valued.

 

The Company has engaged a broker-dealer to repurchase opportunistically, on the Company’s behalf, a portion of the Company’s Unsecured Notes through open market transactions.  The price and other terms of any such repurchases will depend on prevailing market conditions, the Company’s liquidity and other factors.  Depending on market conditions, the amount of Unsecured Note repurchases may be material and may continue through year-end 2022; however, the Company may reduce or extend this timeframe in its discretion and without notice. Any Unsecured Note repurchases will comply with the provisions of the 1940 Act and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.  Upon repurchase, the Company intends to retire the Unsecured Notes reducing the Company’s outstanding leverage. The Company did not repurchase Unsecured Notes for the year ended December 31, 2021.

 

See Note 8 “Asset Coverage” for further discussion on the Company’s calculation of asset coverage with respect to its Unsecured Notes.

 

8.ASSET COVERAGE

 

Under the provisions of the 1940 Act, the Company is permitted to issue senior securities, including debt securities and preferred stock, and borrow from banks or other financial institutions, provided that the Company satisfies certain asset coverage requirements.

 

With respect to senior securities that are stocks, such as the Preferred Stock, the Company is required to have asset coverage of at least 200%, as measured at the time of issuance of any such senior securities that are stocks and calculated as the ratio of the Company’s total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, over the aggregate amount of the Company’s outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness plus the aggregate liquidation preference of any outstanding shares of senior securities

 

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Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

that are stocks.

 

With respect to senior securities representing indebtedness, such as the Unsecured Notes or any bank borrowings (other than temporary borrowings as defined under the 1940 Act), the Company is required to have asset coverage of at least 300%, as measured at the time of borrowing and calculated as the ratio of the Company’s total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, over the aggregate amount of the Company’s outstanding senior securities representing indebtedness.

 

If the Company’s asset coverage declines below 300% (or 200%, as applicable), the Company would be prohibited under the 1940 Act from incurring additional debt or issuing additional preferred stock and from declaring certain distributions to its stockholders. In addition, the terms of the Preferred Stock and the Unsecured Notes require the Company to redeem shares of the Preferred Stock and/or a certain principal amount of the Unsecured Notes, if such failure to maintain the applicable asset coverage is not cured by a certain date.

 

The following table summarizes the Company’s asset coverage with respect to its Preferred Stock and Unsecured Notes, as of December 31, 2021, and as of December 31, 2020:

 

Asset Coverage of Preferred Stock and Debt Securities

 

   As of   As of 
   Decmeber 31, 2021   December 31, 2020 
Total assets  $768,039,682   $512,589,535 
Less liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities   (28,016,464)   (11,954,355)
Net total assets and liabilities   740,023,218   $500,635,180 
           
Preferred Stock  $98,130,500   $47,862,425 
Unsecured Notes   138,584,775    93,734,775 
   $236,715,275   $141,597,200 
           
Asset coverage of preferred stock (1)   313%   354%
Asset coverage of debt securities (2)   534%   534%

 

(1) The asset coverage of preferred stock is calculated in accordance with section 18(h) of the 1940 Act, as generally described above.

(2) The asset coverage ratio of debt securities is calculated in accordance with section 18(h) of the 1940 Act, as generally described above.

 

9.COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

 

The Company is not currently subject to any material legal proceedings. From time to time, the Company may be a party to certain legal proceedings in the ordinary course of business, including proceedings relating to the enforcement of the Company’s rights under contracts. While the outcome of these legal proceedings cannot be predicted with certainty, the Company does not expect these proceedings will have a material effect upon its financial condition or results of operations.

 

As of December 31, 2021, the Company had no unfunded commitments.

 

10.INDEMNIFICATIONS

 

Under the Company’s organizational documents, its officers and directors are indemnified against certain liabilities arising out of the performance of their duties to the Company. In addition, during the normal course of business, the Company enters into contracts containing a variety of representations which provide general indemnifications. The Company’s maximum exposure under these agreements cannot be known; however, the

 

62

 

 

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

Company expects any risk of loss to be remote.

 

11.SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

 

On January 14, 2022, the Company announced that it will redeem all of the outstanding shares of the Series B Term Preferred Stock on February 28, 2022 at $25 per share, plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends and distributions on each share accumulated to, but excluding the date of redemption date.

 

On January 24, 2022, the Company closed an underwritten public offering of $87.0 million in aggregate principal amount of its 5.375% notes due 2029 (the “Series 2029 Notes”), resulting in net proceeds to the Company of approximately $83.9 million after payment of underwriting discounts, commissions and estimated offering expenses. Subsequently, on January 28, 2022, the underwriters purchased an additional $6.3 million in aggregate principal amount of the Series 2029 Notes pursuant to the underwriters’ overallotment option, which resulted in additional net proceeds to the Company of approximately $6.1 million after payment of underwriting discounts.

 

On January 24, 2022, the Company paid a special distribution of $0.50 per share on its common stock to holders of record as of December 23, 2021.

 

On January 28, 2022, the Company agreed to co-invest with a third-party investment firm through Double Eagle Holdings JV LLC, an unconsolidated Delaware limited liability company (“Double Eagle JV”). Double Eagle JV is expected to make investments in certain corporate debt obligations and other opportunistic, credit-oriented investments consistent with the Company’s investment objectives and strategies. Double Eagle JV may incur leverage in the future. Double Eagle JV is managed by a four-member board of managers, on which the Company and its joint venture partner each have equal representation. Investment decisions generally must be unanimously approved by a quorum of the board of managers. The Company has committed to fund $40 million into Double Eagle JV, representing approximately 80% economic ownership.

 

On January 31, 2022, the Company paid a monthly distribution of $0.12 per share on its common stock to holders of record as of January 11, 2022. Additionally, on February 14, 2022, the Company declared three separate distributions of $0.14 per share on its common stock. The distributions are payable on each of April 29, 2022, May 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 to holders of record as of April 11, 2022, May 11, 2022 and June 10, 2022, respectively.

 

On January 31, 2022, the Company paid a monthly distribution of $0.161459 per share on its Series B Term Preferred Stock to holders of record as of January 11, 2022.

 

On January 31, 2022, the Company paid a monthly distribution of $0.135417 per share on its Series C Term Preferred Stock to holders of record as of January 11, 2022. Additionally, on February 14, 2022, the Company declared three separate distributions of $0.135417 per share of its Series C Term Preferred Stock. The distributions are payable on each of April 29, 2022, May 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 to holders of record as of April 11, 2022, May 11, 2022 and June 10, 2022, respectively.

 

On January 31, 2022, the Company paid a monthly distribution of $0.140625 per share on its Series D Preferred Stock to holders of record as of January 11, 2022. Additionally, on February 14, 2022, the Company declared three separate distributions of $0.140625 per share of its Series D Preferred Stock. The distributions are payable on each of April 29, 2022, May 31, 2022 and June 30, 2022 to holders of record as of April 11, 2022, May 11, 2022 and June 10, 2022, respectively.

 

On February 14, 2022, the Company redeemed all of the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding Series 2027 Notes and 50%, or $32,423,775 aggregate principal amount, of the outstanding Series 2028 Notes. The Series 2027 Notes and Series 2028 Notes were redeemed at a redemption price of $25 plus accrued and unpaid interest through, but excluding, the redemption date, which totaled $61.8 million.

 

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Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2021

 

For the period of January 1, 2022 to February 16, 2022, the Company sold 2,426,061 shares of its common stock, 161,726 shares of its Series C Term Preferred Stock and 70,088 shares of its Series D Preferred Stock, pursuant to the ATM offering, for total net proceeds to the Company of approximately $39.0 million. In connection with such sales, the Company paid a total of $0.7 million in sales agent commissions.

 

Management’s unaudited estimate of the range of the Company’s NAV per common share as of January 31, 2022 was $13.42 to $13.52.

 

Management of the Company has evaluated the need for disclosures and/or adjustments resulting from subsequent events through the date of release of this report. Management has determined there are no events in addition to those described above which would require adjustment to or disclosure in the consolidated financial statements and related notes through the date of release of this report.

 

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Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Consolidated Financial Highlights

 

   For the   For the   For the   For the   For the 
   year ended   year ended   year ended   year ended   year ended 
Per Share Data  December 31, 2021   December 31, 2020   December 31, 2019   December 31, 2018   December 31, 2017 
Net asset value at beginning of period  $11.18   $10.59   $12.40   $16.77   $17.48 
                          
Net investment income (1) (2)   1.31    1.15    1.34    1.59    1.88 
                          
6.75% Series D Preferred Stock Distributions (2)   -    -    -    -    - 
                          
Net realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents (2) (3)   2.65    0.49    (1.29)   (3.92)   (0.12)
                          
Net change in unrealized (appreciation) depreciation on liabilities at fair value under the fair value option (2)   (0.02)   0.01    (0.08)   0.06    - 
                          
Net income (loss) and net increase (decrease) in net assets resulting from operations (2)   3.94    1.65    (0.03)   (2.27)   1.76 
                          
Common stock distributions from net investment income (4)   (1.64)   (0.26)   (1.40)   (1.51)   (2.60)
                          
Common stock distributions from net realized gains on investments (4)   -    -    -    -    - 
                          
Common stock distributions from tax return of capital (4)    -    (1.06)   (1.00)   (0.89)   (0.05)
                          
Total common stock distributions declared to stockholders (4)   (1.64)   (1.32)   (2.40)   (2.40)   (2.65)
                          
Common stock distributions based on weighted average shares impact (5)   (0.04)   0.02    -    0.01    - 
                          
Total common stock distributions   (1.68)   (1.30)   (2.40)   (2.39)   (2.65)
                          
Effect of other comprehensive income (2) (6)   (0.08)   0.05    (0.10)   0.06    - 
                          
Effect of paid-in capital contribution (2)   -    -    -    0.06    - 
                          
Effect of shares issued (7)   0.06    0.20    0.77    0.29    0.27 
                          
Effect of underwriting discounts, commissions and offering expenses associated with shares issued (7)   (0.03)   (0.02)   (0.07)   (0.12)   (0.11)
                          
Effect of shares issued in accordance with the Company's dividend reinvestment plan   -    0.01    0.02    -    0.02 
                          
Net effect of shares issued   0.03    0.19    0.72    0.17    0.18 
                          
Net asset value at end of period  $13.39   $11.18   $10.59   $12.40   $16.77 
                          
Per share market value at beginning of period  $10.09   $14.61   $14.21   $18.81   $16.71 
                          
Per share market value at end of period  $14.00   $10.09   $14.61   $14.21   $18.81 
                          
Total return (8)   51.60%   -19.76%   20.15%   -13.33%   29.45%
                          
Shares of common stock outstanding at end of period   37,526,810    32,354,890    28,632,119    23,153,319    18,798,815 
                          
Ratios and Supplemental Data:                         
                          
Net asset value at end of period  $502,304,335   $361,660,688   $303,272,860   $287,127,842   $315,256,439 
Ratio of expenses to average net assets (9) (10)   9.71%   10.56%   10.00%   9.85%   10.43%
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets (9) (10)    9.90%   13.44%   10.64%   9.76%   10.77%
Portfolio turnover rate (11)   51.56%   52.80%   34.83%   40.91%   41.16%
Asset coverage of preferred stock   313%   354%   279%   246%   268%
Asset coverage of debt securities   534%   534%   476%   477%   537%

 

See accompanying footnotes to the financial highlights on the following page.

 

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Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Consolidated Financial Highlights

 

Footnotes to the Financial Highlights:

 

(1)Per share distributions paid to Series B Term Preferred Stock and Series C Term Preferred Stock stockholders, and the aggregate amount of amortized deferred issuance costs and share issuance premiums associated with the Series B Term Preferred Stock and Series C Term Preferred Stock are reflected in net investment income, and totaled ($0.16) and ($0.01) per share of common stock, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2021, ($0.12) and ($0.01) per share of common stock, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2020, ($0.25) and ($0.02) per share of common stock, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019, ($0.33) and ($0.02) per share of common stock, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2018, and ($0.40) and ($0.02) per share of common stock, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2017.
(2)Per share amounts are based on weighted average of shares of common stock outstanding for the period.
(3)Net realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents includes a balancing figure to reconcile to the change in net asset value (“NAV”) per share at the end of each period.  The amount per share may not agree with the change in the aggregate net realized gain (loss) and change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments, foreign currency and cash equivalents for the period because of the timing of issuance of the Company’s common stock in relation to fluctuating market values for the portfolio.
(4)The information provided is based on estimates available at each respective period. The Company’s final taxable income and the actual amount required to be distributed will be finally determined when the Company files its final tax returns and may vary from these estimates. The year ended December 31, 2021 includes a special distribution of $0.50 per share of common stock paid on January 24, 2022 to stockholders of record on December 23, 2021.
(5)Represents the difference between the per share amount distributed to common stockholders of record and the per share amount distributed based on the weighted average of shares of common stock outstanding for the period.
(6)Effect of other comprehensive income is related to income/(loss) deemed attributable to instrument specific credit risk derived from changes in fair value associated with liabilities valued under the fair value option (ASC 825.)
(7)Represents the effect per share of the Company’s ATM offerings as well as the Company’s follow-on offerings. Effect of shares issued reflect the excess of offering price over management’s estimated NAV per share at the time of each respective offering.
(8)Total return based on market value is calculated assuming shares of the Company’s common stock were purchased at the market price as of the beginning of the period, and distributions paid to common stockholders during the period were reinvested at prices obtained by the Company’s dividend reinvestment plan, and the total number of shares were sold at the closing market price per share on the last day of the period. Total return does not reflect any sales load.
(9)Ratios include distributions paid to the Series B Term Preferred and the Series C Term Preferred Stock stockholders. Ratios for the years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 reflect the portion of incentive fee voluntarily waived by the Adviser of 0.03%, 0.06%, 0.03% and 0.09% of average net assets, respectively. Ratios for the year ended December 31, 2021 include excise tax of 0.49% of average net assets.
(10)Ratios for the years ended December 31, 2021, December 31, 2020, December 31, 2019, December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2017 include interest expense on the Series B Term Preferred Stock, Series C Term Preferred Stock, and the Unsecured Notes of 3.24%, 3.97%, 4.18%, 4.16% and 4.20% of average net assets, respectively. Ratios do not include distributions to the Series D Preferred Stock stockholders of 0.03% of average net assets.
(11)The portfolio turnover rate is calculated as the lesser of total investment purchases executed during the period or the total investment sales executed during the period and repayments of principal, divided by the average fair value of investments for the same period.

 

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Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries

Supplemental Information

 

Senior Securities Tables

 

Information about the Company’s senior securities shown in the following table has been derived from the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of and for the dates noted.

 

Class  Total Amount
Outstanding Exclusive
of Treasury Securities
   Asset Coverage
Per Unit (1)
   Involuntary
Liquidating
Preference Per Unit (2)
   Average Market
Value Per Unit (3)
 
For the year ended December 31, 2021                    
Preferred Stock  $98,130,500   $78.16   $25   $25.48 
Unsecured Notes  $138,584,775   $5,339.86     N/A    $25.58 
                     
For the year ended December 31, 2020                    
Preferred Stock  $47,862,425   $88.39   $25   $24.25 
Unsecured Notes  $93,734,775   $5,340.98     N/A    $23.93 
                     
For the year ended December 31, 2019                    
Preferred Stock  $69,843,150   $69.71   $25   $26.04 
Unsecured Notes  $98,902,675   $4,757.42     N/A    $25.47 
                     
For the year ended December 31, 2018                    
Preferred Stock  $92,568,150   $61.55   $25   $25.78 
Unsecured Notes  $98,902,675   $4,766.23     N/A    $25.08 
                     
For the year ended December 31, 2017                    
Preferred Stock  $92,139,600   $66.97   $25   $25.75 
Unsecured Notes  $91,623,750   $5,372.28     N/A    $25.96 
                     
For the year ended December 31, 2016                    
Preferred Stock  $91,450,000   $71.53   $25   $25.41 
Series 2020 Notes  $59,998,750   $7,221.89     N/A    $25.29 
                     
For the year ended December 31, 2015                    
Series A Term Preferred Stock  $45,450,000   $91.16   $25   $25.43 
Series 2020 Notes  $25,000,000   $10,275.46     N/A    $24.52 

 

(1)The asset coverage per unit figure is the ratio of the Company's total consolidated assets, less all liabilities and indebtedness not represented by senior securities, to the aggregate dollar amount of outstanding applicable senior securities, as calculated separately for each of the Preferred Stock and the Unsecured Notes in accordance with section 18(h) of the 1940 Act. With respect to the Preferred Stock, the asset coverage per unit figure is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per share of outstanding preferred stock (based on a per share liquidation preference of $25.) With respect to the Unsecured Notes, the asset coverage per unit figure is expressed in terms of dollar amounts per $1,000 principal amount of such notes.
(2)The involuntary liquidating preference per unit is the amount to which a share of Preferred Stock would be entitled in preference to any security junior to it upon our involuntary liquidation.
(3)The average market value per unit is calculated by taking the average of the closing price of each of (a) a share of the Preferred Stock (NYSE: ECCA, ECCB, ECCC, ECC PRD) and(b) $25 principal amount of the Unsecured Notes (NYSE: ECCW, ECCX, ECCY, ECCZ) for each day during the years for which each applicable security was listed on the NYSE.

 

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KPMG LLP

345 Park Avenue

New York, NY 10154-0102

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

To the Shareholders and Board of Directors

Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.:

 

Opinion on the Financial Statements

 

We have audited the accompanying consolidated statement of assets and liabilities of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. & Subsidiaries (the Company), including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2021, the related consolidated statement of operations, comprehensive income and cash flows for the year then ended, the consolidated statements of changes in net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the related consolidated notes (collectively, the financial statements) and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended. In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company as of December 31, 2021, the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the years in the two-year period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the years in the five-year period then ended, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles.

 

Basis for Opinion

 

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

 

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Such procedures also included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2021, by correspondence with custodians and brokers. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

 

Accompanying Supplemental Information

 

We have previously audited, in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB, the consolidated statement of assets and liabilities, including the consolidated schedule of investments, as of December 31, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, and 2015 and the related consolidated statements of operations, cash flows and changes in net assets for the two-year period then ended, and the related consolidated notes, and the consolidated statement of comprehensive income for the years ended December 31, 2020, 2019 and 2018 (none of which are presented herein), and we expressed unqualified opinions on those consolidated financial statements. The senior securities table on page 67 has been subjected to audit procedures performed in conjunction with the

 

KPMG LLP, a Delaware limited liability partnership and a member firm of the KPMG global organization of independent member firms affiliated with KPMG International Limited, a private English company limited by guarantee.

 

68

 

 

 

 

audit of the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The senior securities table is the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our audit procedures included determining whether the senior securities table reconciles to the consolidated financial statements or the underlying accounting and other records, as applicable, and performing procedures to test the completeness and accuracy of the information presented in the senior securities table. In forming our opinion on the senior securities table, we evaluated whether the senior securities table, including its form and content, is presented in conformity with the instructions in Form N-2. In our opinion, the senior securities table is fairly stated, in all material respects, in relation to the consolidated financial statements as a whole.

 

 

 

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eagle Point Credit Management LLC advised companies since 2014.

 

New York, New York

February 17, 2022

 

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Price Range of Common Stock

 

Our common stock began trading on October 8, 2014 and is currently traded on the NYSE under the symbol “ECC.” The following table lists the high and low closing sale price for our common stock, the high and low closing sale price as a percentage of NAV and distributions declared per share each quarter since January 1, 2020.

 

           Premium   Premium     
           (Discount)   (Discount)     
           of High   of Low     
       Closing Sales Price   Sales Price   Sales Price   Distributions 
Period  NAV(1)   High   Low   to NAV(2)   to NAV(2)   Declared(3) 
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2020(4)                              
First quarter  $6.12   $15.88   $5.11    159.5%   (16.5)%  $0.60 
Second quarter  $7.45   $8.30   $5.05    11.4%   (32.2)%  $0.48 
Third quarter  $8.45   $8.62   $6.94    2.0%   (17.9)%  $0.24 
Fourth quarter  $11.18   $10.45   $7.48    (6.5)%   (33.1)%  $0.24 
Fiscal year ending December 31, 2021(5)                              
First quarter  $12.02   $11.98   $10.12    (0.3)%   (15.8)%  $0.24 
Second quarter  $12.97   $14.40   $12.15    11.0%   (6.3)%  $0.30 
Third quarter  $13.98   $14.40   $12.73    3.0%   (8.9)%  $0.36 
Fourth quarter  $13.39   $15.49   $13.70    15.7%   2.3%  $0.86 

 

(1)NAV per share is determined as of the last day in the relevant quarter and therefore may not reflect the NAV per share on the date of the high and low sales prices. The NAVs shown are based on outstanding shares at the end of each period.

(2)Calculated as of the respective high or low closing sales price divided by the quarter end NAV.

(3)Represents the cash distributions (including dividends, dividends reinvested and returns of capital, if any) per share that we have declared on our common stock in the specified quarter. Tax characteristics of distributions will vary.

(4)For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2020, as reported on the Company’s 2020 Form 1099-DIV, distributions made by the Company were comprised of a return of capital, as calculated on a per share basis, of 80.4% (or $1.06 per share of common stock).

(5)For the fiscal year ending December 31, 2021, as reported on the Company’s 2021 Form 1099-DIV, distributions made by the Company did not comprise of a return of capital.

 

Shares of closed-end management investment companies may trade at a market price that is less than the NAV that is attributable to those shares. The possibility that the Company’s shares of common stock will trade at a discount to NAV or at a premium that is unsustainable over the long term is separate and distinct from the risk that the Company’s NAV will decrease. It is not possible to predict whether the Company’s shares will trade at, above or below NAV in the future. Our NAV per share was $13.39 as of December 31, 2021. The closing sales price for shares of the Company’s common stock on the NYSE on December 31, 2021 was $14.00, which represented a 4.6% premium to NAV per share. On January 31, 2022, the last reported closing sales price of the Company’s common stock was $13.77 per share. As of January 31, 2022, there were 14 stockholders of record of the Company’s common stock (which does not reflect holders whose shares are held in street name by a broker, bank or other nominee).

 

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Dividend Reinvestment Plan

 

The Company has adopted a dividend reinvestment plan (“DRIP”). Under the DRIP, each registered holder of at least one full share of our common stock will be automatically enrolled in the DRIP and distributions on shares of the Company’s common stock are automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Company’s common stock by American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC (the “DRIP Agent”) unless a stockholder “opts-out” of the DRIP. Holders of the Company’s common stock who receive distributions in the form of additional shares of the Company’s common stock are nonetheless required to pay applicable federal, state or local taxes on the reinvested distribution but will not receive a corresponding cash distribution with which to pay any applicable tax. Distributions that are reinvested through the issuance of new shares increase the Company’s stockholders’ equity on which a management fee is payable to the Adviser. If we declare a distribution payable in cash, holders of shares of the Company’s common stock who opt-out of participation in the DRIP (including those holders whose shares are held through a broker or other nominee who has opted out of participation in the DRIP) generally will receive such distributions in cash.

 

The DRIP Agent, on the Company’s behalf, will primarily use newly-issued, authorized shares of common stock to implement reinvestment of distributions under the DRIP (regardless of whether the outstanding shares are trading at a premium or at a discount to the Company’s NAV). However, the Company reserves the right to instruct the DRIP Agent to purchase shares of the Company’s common stock on the open market (on the New York Stock Exchange or elsewhere) in connection with the reinvestment of distributions under the DRIP to the extent that the Company’s shares of common stock are trading at a discount to NAV per share.

 

The number of shares of common stock to be credited to each participant’s account will be determined by dividing the aggregate dollar amount of the distribution by 95% of the closing market price per share of common stock on the payment date, provided that if 95% of the closing market price per share of common stock on the payment date is below the Company’s last determined NAV per share, then the number of shares to be credited to each participant’s account pursuant to the DRIP will be determined by dividing the aggregate dollar amount of the distribution by the lesser of (i) the last determined NAV per share and (ii) the closing market price per share.

 

In the event that the DRIP Agent is instructed to buy shares of our common stock on the open market, any shares so purchased will be allocated to each participant based upon the average purchase price (excluding any brokerage charges or other fees) of all shares purchased with respect to the distribution. In any case, the DRIP Agent (or the DRIP Agent’s broker) will have until the last business day before the next date on which the shares trade on an “ex-dividend” basis or 30 days after the payment date for the applicable distribution, whichever is sooner, to invest the distribution amount in shares acquired on the open market. To the extent that the DRIP Agent is unable to reinvest the full amount of the distribution through open market purchases, the balance shall be credited to participants’ accounts in the form of newly-issued shares of common stock, in accordance with the procedures described above. Open market purchases may be made on any securities exchange where shares of our common stock are traded, in the over-the-counter market or in negotiated transactions, and may be on such terms as to price, delivery and otherwise as the DRIP Agent shall determine.

 

There are no brokerage charges with respect to shares of common stock issued directly by the Company. However, whenever shares are purchased or sold on the NYSE or otherwise on the open market, each participant will pay a pro rata portion of brokerage trading fees, currently $0.07 per share purchased or sold. Brokerage trading fees will be deducted from amounts to be invested.

 

Holders of the Company’s common stock can also sell shares held in the DRIP account at any time by contacting the DRIP Agent in writing at American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, NY 10269-0560. The DRIP Agent will mail a check to such holder (less applicable brokerage trading fees) on the settlement date, which is three business days after the shares have been sold. If a stockholder chooses to sell its shares through a broker, the

 

71

 

 

holder will need to request that the DRIP Agent electronically transfer their shares to the broker through the Direct Registration System.

 

Stockholders participating in the DRIP may withdraw from the DRIP at any time by contacting the DRIP Agent in writing at American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, NY 10269-0560. Such termination will be effective immediately if the notice is received by the DRIP Agent prior to any dividend or distribution record date; otherwise, such termination will be effective on the first trading day after the payment date for such dividend or distribution and thus apply to any subsequent dividend or distribution. If a holder of the Company’s common stock withdraws, full shares will be credited to their account, and the stockholder will be sent a check for the cash adjustment of any fractional share at the market value per share of the Company’s common stock as of the close of business on the day the termination is effective, less any applicable fees. Alternatively, if the stockholder wishes, the DRIP Agent will sell their full and fractional shares and send them the proceeds, less a transaction fee of $15.00 and less brokerage trading fees of $0.07 per share. If a stockholder does not maintain at least one whole share of common stock in the DRIP account, the DRIP Agent may terminate such stockholder’s participation in the DRIP after written notice. Upon termination, stockholders will be sent a check for the cash value of any fractional share in the DRIP account, less any applicable broker commissions and taxes.

 

Stockholders who are not participants in the DRIP, but hold at least one full share of our common stock, may join the DRIP by notifying the DRIP Agent in writing at American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, P.O. Box 922, Wall Street Station, New York, NY 10269-0560. If received in proper form by the DRIP Agent before the record date of a dividend, the election will be effective with respect to all dividends paid after such record date. If a stockholders wishes to participate in the DRIP and their shares are held in the name of a brokerage firm, bank or other nominee, the stockholder should contact their nominee to see if it will participate in the DRIP. If a stockholder wishes to participate in the DRIP, but the brokerage firm, bank or other nominee is unable to participate on their behalf, the stockholder will need to request that their shares be re-registered in their own name, or the stockholder will not be able to participate. The DRIP Agent will administer the DRIP on the basis of the number of shares certified from time to time by the stockholder as representing the total amount registered in their name and held for their account by their nominee.

 

Experience under the DRIP may indicate that changes are desirable. Accordingly, the Company and the DRIP Agent reserve the right to amend or terminate the DRIP upon written notice to each participant at least 30 days before the record date for the payment of any dividend or distribution by the Company.

 

All correspondence or additional information about the DRIP should be directed to American Stock Transfer & Trust Company, LLC, 6201 15th Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11219.

 

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Additional Information

 

Management

 

Our Board of Directors (the “Board”) is responsible for managing the Company’s affairs, including the appointment of advisers and sub-advisers. The Board has appointed officers who assist in managing the Company’s day-to-day affairs.

 

The Board

 

The Board currently consists of six members, four of whom are not “interested persons” (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Company. The Company refers to these directors as the Company’s “independent directors.”

 

Under our certificate of incorporation and bylaws, our board of directors is divided into three classes with staggered terms, with the term of only one of the three classes expiring at each annual meeting of our stockholders. The classification of the board across staggered terms may prevent replacement of a majority of the directors for up to a two-year period.

 

The directors and officers of the Company are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices with the same company for the last five years. Certain of the Company’s officers and directors also are officers or managers of our Adviser and its affiliates. Each of our directors also serves as a director of Eagle Point Income Company Inc., a registered investment company for which an affiliate of our Adviser serves as investment adviser, and as a trustee of Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund, a registered investment company which is also managed by our Adviser.

 

Name, Address1
and Age

  Position(s) held with
the Company
  Term of Office and
Length of Time Served
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

 

Other Directorships3

Interested Directors2

           
             
Thomas P. Majewski
Age: 47
  Class III Director and  Chief Executive Officer  

Since inception;

Term expires 2023

  Managing Partner of Eagle Point Income Management LLC since September 2018; Managing Partner of Eagle Point Credit Management LLC since September 2012.  Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Point Income Company Inc. since October 2018; Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund since January 2022.   Eagle Point Income Company Inc. and Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund
                 
James R. Matthews
Age: 54
  Class II Director and Chairperson of the Board  

Since inception;

Term expires 2022

  Managing Director of Stone Point Capital LLC.   Eagle Point Income Company Inc. and Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund
Independent Directors            
             

Scott W. Appleby
Age: 57

 

  Class I Director  

Since inception;

Term expires 2024

  President of Appleby Capital, Inc., a financial advisory firm, since April 2009.   Eagle Point Income Company Inc. and Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund

 

73

 

 

Name, Address1
and Age

Position(s) held with
the Company
Term of Office and
Length of Time Served

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Past 5 Years

Other Directorships3

Kevin F. McDonald
Age: 55
  Class III Director  

Since inception;

Term expires 2023

 

Chief Operating Officer of AltaRock Partners, an asset management firm, since January 2019; Director of Business Development and Investor Relations of Folger Hill Asset Management, LP from December 2014 to July 2018; Principal of Taylor Investment Advisors, LP from March 2002 to March 2017.

 

 

Eagle Point Income Company Inc. and Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund

Paul E. Tramontano
Age: 60

 

  Class II Director  

Since inception;

Term expires 2022

  Senior Managing Director and Portfolio Manager at First Republic Investment Management since October 2015.   Eagle Point Income Company Inc. and Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund
                 
Jeffrey L. Weiss
Age: 60
  Class I Director  

Since inception;

Term expires 2024

  Private Investor since June 2012; Managing Partner of Colter Lewis Investment Partners since January 2018.   Eagle Point Income Company Inc. and Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund

 

1The business address of each of our directors is c/o Eagle Point Credit Company Inc., 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
2Mr. Majewski is an interested director due to his position with the Adviser. Mr. Matthews is an interested director due to his position with Stone Point Capital LLC, which is an affiliate of the Adviser.
3Eagle Point Income Company Inc. and Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund are each considered to be in the same fund complex as us and, as a result, each director serves as a director/trustee of three investment companies in the same complex. Each director was elected as trustee of Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund in January 2022.

 

The Company’s registration statement, prospectus and proxy statement for the annual stockholders’ meeting include additional information about our directors. A copy of the prospectus and proxy statement is available free of charge at www.eaglepointcreditcompany.com or upon request by calling (844) 810-6501.

 

Officers

 

Information regarding our officers who are not directors is as follows:

 

Name,

Address1

and Age

  Positions Held with the
Company
  Term of Office and
Length of Time
Served2
 

Principal Occupation(s)

During the Last Five Years

Kenneth P. Onorio
Age: 54

 

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer

 

Since July 2014

 

Chief Financial Officer and Chief Operating Officer of Eagle Point Income Company Inc. since October 2018 and Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund since January 2022; Chief Financial Officer of Eagle Point Credit Management LLC since July 2014 and Eagle Point Income Management LLC since October 2018; Chief Operating Officer of Eagle Point Credit Management LLC since August 2014 and Eagle Point Income Management since October 2018.

 

Nauman S. Malik

Age: 41

  Chief Compliance Officer   Since September 2015  

Chief Compliance Officer of Eagle Point Income Company Inc. since October 2018 and Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund since January 2022; General Counsel of Eagle Point Credit Management LLC since June 2015 and Eagle Point Income Management LLC since October 2018; Chief Compliance Officer of Eagle Point Credit

 

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Management LLC from September 2015 to March 2020 and Eagle Point Income Management LLC from October 2018 to March 2020.

 

Courtney B. Fandrick

Age: 39

  Secretary   Since August 2015  

Chief Compliance Officer of Eagle Point Credit Management LLC and Eagle Point Income Management LLC since April 2020; Deputy Chief Compliance Officer of Eagle Point Credit Management LLC from December 2014 to March 2020 and Eagle Point Income Management LLC from October 2018 to March 2020; Secretary of Eagle Point Income Company Inc. since October 2018 and Eagle Point Institutional Income Fund since January 2022.

 

1The business address of each of our officers is c/o Eagle Point Credit Company Inc., 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830. All of our officers are officers or employees of the Adviser or affiliated companies.
2Each officer holds office until his or her successor is chosen and qualifies, or until his or her earlier resignation or removal.

 

Director and Officer Compensation

 

Our independent directors received compensation from the Company in the amounts set forth in the following table during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Name  Aggregate Compensation
from the Company1, 2
 
Scott W. Appleby  $100,000 
Kevin F. McDonald  $95,000 
Paul E. Tramontano  $95,000 
Jeffrey L. Weiss  $107,500 
TOTAL
  $397,500*

 

* Reflects $50,000, $47,500, $47,500, and $53,750 relating to the year ended December 31, 2020 that was payable to each of Mr. Appleby, Mr. McDonald, Mr. Tramontano and Mr. Weiss, respectively, and paid during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021; does not reflect $198,750 relating to the year ended December 31, 2021 that was paid during the month ended January 31, 2022, which amount was comprised of $50,000, $47,500, $47,500 and $53,750 paid to each of Mr. Appleby, Mr. McDonald, Mr. Tramontano and Mr. Weiss, respectively.

 

1For a discussion of the independent directors’ compensation, see below.

2The Company does not maintain a pension plan or retirement plan for any of our directors.

 

As compensation for serving on the Board, each independent director receives an annual fee of $95,000, as well as reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in attending Board and committee meetings. The chairman of the audit committee receives an additional annual fee of $12,500 and the chairman of the nominating committee receives an additional annual fee of $5,000 for their additional services in these capacities.

 

No compensation is, or is expected to be, paid by us to our directors who are “interested persons” of us, as such term is defined in the 1940 Act, or to our officers. Our officers are compensated by the Adviser or one of its affiliates, as applicable.

 

We have entered into an Administration Agreement pursuant to which Eagle Point Administration LLC, our administrator (“Eagle Point Administration”), performs, or arranges for the performance of, our required administrative services, among other things. Payments under the Administration Agreement are equal to an amount based upon our allocable portion of Eagle Point Administration’s overhead in performing its obligations under the Administration Agreement, including rent, the fees and expenses associated with performing compliance functions and our allocable portion of the compensation of our chief financial officer and chief compliance officer and our allocable portion of the compensation of any administrative support staff. Our allocable portion of such total compensation is based on an allocation of the time spent on us relative to other matters. The Administration Agreement will remain in effect if approved by the Board, including by a majority of our independent directors, on an annual basis. The Administration Agreement was most recently reapproved by the Board in May 2021.

 

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Stockholder Meeting Information

 

An annual meeting of stockholders of the Company was held on May 13, 2021. At the meeting, the two nominees for re-election as Class I directors, Scott W. Appleby and Jeffrey L. Weiss, were each elected to serve as a director for a term expiring at the Company’s 2024 annual meeting or until his successor is duly elected and qualified. A discussion regarding the voting at such meeting is available in our Semiannual Report for the period ended June 30, 2021. A copy of the Semiannual Report is available free of charge at www.eaglepointcreditcompany.com, upon request by calling (844) 810-6501, or from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

 

Investment Advisory Agreement

 

Subject to the overall supervision of our Board, the Adviser manages the day-to-day operations of, and provides investment advisory and management services to, us pursuant to an Investment Advisory Agreement (the “Advisory Agreement”). A discussion regarding the basis for the Board’s approval of the Advisory Agreement is available in our Semiannual Report for the period ended June 30, 2021. A copy of the Semiannual Report is available free of charge at www.eaglepointcreditcompany.com, upon request by calling (844) 810-6501, or from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

 

Portfolio Information

 

The Company files its complete schedule of portfolio holdings with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year as an exhibit to its reports on Form N-PORT. The Company’s Form N-PORT is available without charge, upon request by calling (844) 810-6501, or from the EDGAR Database on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

 

Proxy Information

 

The Company has delegated its proxy voting responsibility to the Adviser. A description of these policies and procedures is available (1) without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (844) 810-6501; and (2) in the Company’s pre-effective amendment to its registration statement on Form N-2 filed on May 29, 2020 with the SEC, which can be found on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov).

 

Information regarding how the Company voted proxies relating to portfolio securities for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2021 is available: (1) without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (844) 810-6501; and (2) in the Company’s Form N-PX filing made with the SEC on August 23, 2021, which can be found on the SEC’s website (www.sec.gov). The Company also makes this information available on its website at www.eaglepointcreditcompany.com.

 

Tax Information

 

For the tax year ended November 30, 2021, the Company recorded distributions on our common stock equal to $1.10 per share or $37.4 million.

 

Privacy Notice

 

The Company is committed to protecting your privacy. This privacy notice explains the privacy policies of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. and its affiliated companies. The terms of this notice apply to both current and former stockholders. The Company will safeguard, according to strict standards of security and confidentiality, all information it receives about you. With regard to this information, the Company maintains procedural safeguards that are reasonably designed to comply with federal standards.  We have implemented procedures that are designed to restrict access to your personal information to authorized employees of the Company’s investment adviser, Eagle Point Credit Management LLC and its affiliates who need to know your personal information to perform their jobs, and in connection with servicing your account. The Company’s goal is to limit the collection and use of information about you. While we may share your personal information with our affiliates

 

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in connection with servicing your account, our affiliates are not permitted to share your information with non-affiliated entities, except as permitted or required by law.

 

When you purchase shares of the Company’s common stock and in the course of providing you with products and services, we and certain of our service providers, such as a transfer agent, may collect personal information about you, such as your name, address, social security number or tax identification number. This information may come from sources such as account applications and other forms, from other written, electronic or verbal correspondence, from your transactions, from your brokerage or financial advisory firm, financial adviser or consultant, and/or information captured on applicable websites.

 

We do not disclose any personal information provided by you or gathered by us to non-affiliated third parties, except as permitted or required by law or for our everyday business purposes, such as to process transactions or service your account. For example, we may share your personal information in order to send you annual and semiannual reports, proxy statements and other information required by law, and to send you information the Company believes may be of interest to you. We may disclose your personal information to unaffiliated third party financial service providers (which may include a custodian, transfer agent, accountant or financial printer) who need to know that information in order to provide services to you or to the Company. These companies are required to protect your information and use it solely for the purpose for which they received it or as otherwise permitted by law. We may also provide your personal information to your brokerage or financial advisory firm and/or to your financial adviser or consultant, as well as to professional advisors, such as accountants, lawyers and consultants.

 

We reserve the right to disclose or report personal or account information to non-affiliated third parties in limited circumstances where we believe in good faith that disclosure is required by law, such as in accordance with a court order or at the request of government regulators or law enforcement authorities or to protect our rights or property. We may also disclose your personal information to a non-affiliated third party at your request or if you consent in writing to the disclosure.

 

If you have any queries or concerns about the privacy of your personal information, please contact our investor relations team at (203) 340-8510 or (844) 810-6501.

 

We will review this policy from time to time and may update it at our discretion.

 

*            *            *

 

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End of Annual Report. Back Cover Follows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Item 2. Code of Ethics

 

As of the end of the period covered by this report, Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. (the “registrant”) has adopted a code of ethics that applies to the registrant’s principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, regardless of whether these individuals are employed by the registrant or a third party (the “SOX Code of Ethics”). The registrant did not amend, or grant any waivers from, any provisions of the SOX Code of Ethics during the period covered by this report. The registrant’s SOX Code of Ethics is available upon request to any person without charge. Such requests should be submitted to the registrant’s Chief Compliance Officer at (203) 340-8500, toll free (844) 810-6501 or cco@eaglepointcredit.com.

 

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

 

The registrant’s board of directors has determined that the registrant has at least one “audit committee financial expert” (as defined in Item 3 of Form N-CSR) serving on its Audit Committee. The board of directors has determined that Jeffrey Weiss satisfies the requirements of an audit committee financial expert. Mr. Weiss is “independent” within the meaning of that term used in Form N-CSR.

 

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

 

(a)Audit Fees. The aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by KPMG LLP (“KPMG”), the registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm, for the audit of the registrant’s annual financial statements or services that are normally provided by the accountant in connection with statutory and regulatory filings or engagements for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were $245,500 and $306,000, respectively.

 

(b)Audit-Related Fees. The aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services by KPMG that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of the registrant’s financial statements and not reported under paragraph (a) of this Item 4 in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were $79,250, and $227,500 respectively. The fees incurred in the 2021 and 2022 fiscal years were in connection with the registrant’s “at the market” common and preferred stock issuance programs, filing of its shelf registration statements and the offering of the Company’s 6.75% notes due 2031 and 6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031.

 

(c)Tax Fees. The aggregate fees billed for professional services by KPMG for tax compliance, tax advice and tax planning in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were $132,870 and $252,490, respectively. These fees were in connection with the preparation of the registrant’s regulated investment company tax compliance and related tax advice.

 

(d)All Other Fees. The aggregate fees billed for all other services not listed in (a) through (c) above by KPMG in the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021 were $0 and $0, respectively.

 

(e)(1) The registrant’s Audit Committee has adopted written policies relating to the pre-approval of audit and permitted non-audit services to be performed by the registrant’s independent registered public accounting firm. Under the policies, on an annual basis, the registrant’s Audit Committee reviews and pre-approves proposed audit and permitted non-audit services to be performed by the independent registered public accounting firm on behalf of the registrant.

 

In addition, the registrant’s Audit Committee pre-approves annually any permitted non-audit services (including audit-related services) to be provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the registrant’s investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant (together, the “Service Affiliates”), provided, in each case, that the engagement relates directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant. Although the Audit Committee does not pre-approve all services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm to Service Affiliates (for instance, if the engagement does not relate directly to the operations and financial reporting of the registrant), the Audit Committee receives an annual report showing the aggregate fees paid by Service Affiliates for such services.

 

 

 

 

The registrant’s Audit Committee may also from time to time pre-approve individual non-audit services to be provided to the registrant or a Service Affiliate that were not pre-approved as part of the annual process described above. The Audit Committee may form and delegate authority to subcommittees consisting of one (1) or more members when appropriate, including the authority to grant pre-approvals of audit and permitted non-audit services, provided that any decisions of such subcommittee to grant pre-approvals shall be presented to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.

 

The pre-approval policies provide for waivers of the requirement that the Audit Committee pre-approve permitted non-audit services provided to the registrant pursuant to de minimis exceptions described in Section 10A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”) and applicable regulations.

 

(2) None of the independent accountant’s expenses described in paragraphs (b) through (d) of this item were approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(i)(C) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X as all such expenses were pre-approved by the Audit Committee.

 

(f)Not Applicable

 

(g)For the fiscal years ended December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021, the aggregate fees billed by KPMG for non-audit services rendered to the registrant and for non-audit services rendered to the registrant’s investment adviser and/or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrant’s investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant were $275,320 and $560,895, respectively. For the years ended, December 31, 2020 and December 31, 2021, these fees were for the services rendered in connection with advisory, tax compliance, tax advice, tax planning, “at the market” common and preferred stock issuance programs, offerings of the Company’s 6.75% notes due 2031 and 6.50% Series C Term Preferred Stock due 2031, and filing of its shelf registration statements during the period for the registrant and for the registrant’s investment adviser. These fees exclude any fees paid by Eagle Point Income Management LLC.

 

(h)The registrant’s Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit services that were rendered to the investment adviser and/or to any entity controlling, controlled by or under common control with the registrant’s investment adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not required to be pre-approved pursuant to paragraph (c)(7)(ii) of Rule 2-01 of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining KPMG’s independence.

 

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrant

 

The registrant has a separately-designated standing Audit Committee established in accordance with Section 3(a)(58)(A) of the Exchange Act. The members of the committee are Jeffrey L. Weiss (chair), Scott Appleby, Kevin McDonald and Paul Tramontano.

 

Item 6. Investments

 

A schedule of investments is included in the Company’s report to stockholders under Item 1.

 

Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

 

The registrant has delegated its proxy voting responsibility to Eagle Point Credit Management LLC (the “Adviser”). The Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures of the Adviser are set forth below. The guidelines will be reviewed periodically by the Adviser and the registrant’s independent directors, and, accordingly, are subject to change.

 

 

 

 

Introduction

 

An investment adviser registered under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the “Advisers Act”) has a fiduciary duty to act solely in the best interests of its clients. As part of this duty, the Adviser recognizes that it must vote client securities in a timely manner free of conflicts of interest and in the best interests of the Adviser’s clients.

 

These policies and procedures for voting proxies for the Adviser’s investment advisory clients are intended to comply with Section 206 of, and Rule 206(4)-6 under, the Advisers Act.

 

Proxy Policies

 

Based on the nature of the registrant’s investment strategy, the Adviser does not expect to receive proxy proposals but may from time to time receive amendments, consents or resolutions applicable to investments held by the registrant. The Adviser’s general policy is to exercise voting or consult authority in a manner that serves the interests of the registrant’s stockholders. The Adviser may occasionally be subject to material conflicts of interest in voting proxies due to business or personal relationships it maintains with persons having an interest in the outcome of certain votes. If at any time the Adviser becomes aware of a material conflict of interest relating to a particular proxy proposal, the Adviser’s Chief Compliance Officer will review the proposal and determine how to vote the proxy in a manner consistent with interests of the registrant’s stockholders.

 

Proxy Voting Records

 

Information regarding how the Adviser voted proxies relating to the registrant’s portfolio securities is available: (1) without charge, upon request, by calling toll free (844) 810-6501; and (2) on the SEC’s website at http://www.sec.gov. You may also obtain information about how the Adviser voted proxies by making a written request for proxy voting information to: Eagle Point Credit Management LLC, 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 202, Greenwich, CT 06830 or cco@eaglepointcredit.com.

 

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Investment Companies

 

Information pertaining to the portfolio managers of the registrant, and information relating to the registrant’s investment adviser, is set forth below as of December 31, 2021.

 

The management of the registrant’s investment portfolio is the responsibility of the Adviser pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (“Investment Advisory Agreement”). The Adviser provides investment advisory services to pooled investment vehicles, separately managed accounts, and the registrant (collectively, the “Accounts”). The terms and conditions of the Accounts may vary depending on the type of services provided or the type of client, and these terms and conditions may also vary from client to client.

 

There are no restrictions on the ability of the Adviser and certain of its affiliates to manage accounts for multiple clients, including accounts for affiliates of the Adviser or their directors, officers or employees, following the same, similar or different investment objectives, philosophies and strategies as those used by the Adviser for the registrant’s account. In those situations, the Adviser and its affiliates may have conflicts of interest in allocating investment opportunities between the registrant and any other account managed by the Adviser or an affiliate. Such conflicts of interest would be expected to be heightened where the Adviser manages an account for an affiliate or its directors, officers or employees. In addition, certain of these accounts may provide for higher management fees or have incentive fees or may allow for higher expense reimbursements, all of which may contribute to a conflict of interest and create an incentive for the Adviser to favor such other accounts. Further, accounts managed by the Adviser or certain of its affiliates hold, and may in the future be allocated, certain investments in collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”), such as debt tranches, which conflict with the positions held by other accounts in such CLOs, such as the registrant. In these cases, when exercising the rights of each account with respect to such investments, the Adviser and/or its affiliates will have a conflict of interest as actions on behalf of one account may have an adverse effect on another account managed by the Adviser or such affiliate, including the registrant. In such cases, such conflicts may not be resolved in a manner that is always or exclusively in our best interests.

 

 

 

 

In addition, certain of the Adviser’s affiliates (and the investment funds that they manage) may also invest in companies that compete with the Adviser and that therefore manage other accounts and funds that compete for investment opportunities with the registrant. The registrant’s executive officers and Directors, as well as other current and potential future affiliated persons, officers and employees of the Adviser and certain of its affiliates, may serve as officers, directors or principals of, or manage the accounts for, other entities with investment strategies that substantially or partially overlap with the strategy that the registrant pursues. Accordingly, they may have obligations to investors in those entities, the fulfillment of which obligations may not be in the best interests of the registrant or the registrant’s common stockholders.

 

Further, the professional staff of the Adviser will devote as much time to the registrant as such professionals deem appropriate to perform their duties in accordance with the Investment Advisory Agreement. However, such persons are also committed to providing investment advisory and other services for other clients and engage in other business ventures in which the registrant has no interest. In addition, certain personnel of the Adviser also serve as members of the investment committee of an affiliate of the Adviser or otherwise may be involved in providing research, analysis, valuation and/or other support services to such affiliate or other affiliates of the Adviser. Certain of the Adviser’s and its affiliates’ senior personnel and ultimate managers serve and may serve as officers, directors, managers or principals of other entities that operate in the same or a related line of business as the Adviser, and its affiliates, or that are service providers to firms or entities such as the Adviser, the registrant, CLOs or other similar entities. Accordingly, such persons may have obligations to investors in those entities the fulfillment of which may not be in the registrant’s best interest. In addition, certain of such persons hold direct and indirect personal investments in various companies, including certain investment advisers and other operating companies, some of which do or may provide services to the Adviser, the registrant, or other accounts serviced by the Adviser or its affiliates, or to any issuer in which the registrant may invest. The registrant may pay fees or other compensation to any such operating company or financial institution for services received. Further, these relationships may result in conflicts of interest that may not be foreseen or may not be resolved in a manner that is always or exclusively in the registrant’s best interest. As a result of these separate business activities and payment structures, the Adviser has conflicts of interest in allocating management time, services and functions among the registrant and its affiliates and other business ventures or clients.

 

As a fiduciary, the Adviser owes a duty of loyalty to its clients, including the registrant, and must treat each client fairly. When the Adviser purchases or sells securities for more than one account, the trades must be allocated in a manner consistent with its fiduciary duties. To this end, the Adviser has adopted and reviewed policies and procedures pursuant to which it allocates investment opportunities appropriate for more than one client account in a manner deemed appropriate in its sole discretion to achieve a fair and equitable result over time. Pursuant to these policies and procedures, when allocating investment opportunities, the Adviser may take into account regulatory, tax or legal requirements applicable to an account. In allocating investment opportunities, the Adviser may use rotational, percentage or other allocation methods provided that doing so is consistent with the Adviser’s internal conflict of interest and allocation policies and the requirements of the Advisers Act, the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”), and other applicable laws. In addition, an account managed by the Adviser, such as the registrant, is expected to be considered for the allocation of investment opportunities together with other accounts managed by affiliates of the Adviser. There is no assurance that investment opportunities will be allocated to any particular account equitably in the short-term or that any such account, including the registrant, will be able to participate in all investment opportunities that are suitable for it.

 

In the ordinary course of business, the registrant may enter into transactions with persons who are affiliated with the registrant by reason of being under common control of the Adviser or its affiliates. In order to ensure that the registrant does not engage in any prohibited transactions with any affiliated persons, the registrant has implemented certain policies and procedures whereby its executive officers screen each of its transactions for any possible affiliations between the registrant, the Adviser and its affiliates and the registrant’s employees, officers and directors. The registrant will not enter into any such transactions unless and until it is satisfied that doing so is consistent with the 1940 Act, applicable SEC exemptive rules, interpretations or guidance, or the terms of the registrant’s exemptive order (discussed below), as applicable. The registrant’s affiliations may require it to forgo attractive investment opportunities. For example, the registrant may be limited in its ability to invest in CLOs managed by certain affiliates of the Adviser.

 

 

 

 

The registrant may co-invest on a concurrent basis with other accounts managed by the Adviser and may do so with other accounts managed by certain of our Adviser’s affiliates subject to compliance with applicable regulations and regulatory guidance and applicable written allocation procedures. The registrant has received exemptive relief from the SEC that permits it to participate in certain negotiated co-investments alongside other accounts managed by the Adviser and certain of its affiliates, subject to certain conditions including (i) that a majority of the registrant’s directors who have no financial interest in the transaction and a majority of the registrant’s directors who are not interested persons, as defined in the 1940 Act, of the registrant approve the co-investment and (ii) the price, terms and conditions of the co-investment are the same for each participant. The Adviser may determine not to allocate certain potential co-investment opportunities to the registrant after taking into account regulatory requirements or other considerations. A copy of the registrant’s application for exemptive relief, including all of the conditions, and the related order are available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

In order to address such conflicts of interest, the registrant has adopted a Code of Ethics. Similarly, the Adviser has separately adopted a Code of Ethics (“Code”). The Adviser’s Code requires the officers and employees of the Adviser to act in the best interests of its client accounts (including the registrant), act in good faith and in an ethical manner, avoid conflicts of interests with the client accounts to the extent reasonably possible and identify and manage conflicts of interest to the extent that they arise. Personnel subject to each code of ethics may invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, including securities that may be purchased or held by us, so long as such investments are made in accordance with the code’s requirements. The registrant’s Directors and officers, and the officers and employees of the Adviser, are also required to comply with applicable provisions of the U.S. federal securities laws and make prompt reports to supervisory personnel of any actual or suspected violations of law.

 

In addition, the Adviser has built a professional working environment, firm-wide compliance culture and compliance procedures and systems designed to protect against potential incentives that may favor one account over another. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures that address the allocation of investment opportunities, execution of portfolio transactions, personal trading by employees and other potential conflicts of interest that are designed to ensure that all client accounts are treated equitably over time.

 

Investment Personnel. The senior investment team of the Adviser is primarily responsible for the registrant’s day-to-day investment management and the implementation of the registrant’s investment strategy and process, with oversight provided by the Adviser’s board of managers. Biographical information on the senior investment team, each of whom has served as a portfolio manager since the registrant’s inception, is set forth below:

 

Thomas P. Majewski, Managing Partner (Since November 2012).  Mr. Majewski is the Managing Partner and founder of the Adviser, and serves as a director, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Eagle Point Income Company Inc. Mr. Majewski has been involved in the formation and/or monetization of many CLO transactions across multiple market cycles. Mr. Majewski led the creation of some of the earliest refinancing CLOs, introducing techniques that are now commonplace in the market. Mr. Majewski’s experience in the CLO market dates back to the 1990s. He has spent his entire career in the structured finance and credit markets. Mr. Majewski is a member of the Adviser’s Board of Managers and Eagle Point Credit Management’s investment committee. Mr. Majewski is also the Managing Partner of Eagle Point Income Management, LLC, the adviser to Eagle Point Income Company Inc. and an affiliate of the Adviser.

 

Prior to joining Eagle Point Credit Management LLC in September 2012, Mr. Majewski was a Managing Director and U.S. Head of CLO Banking at RBS Securities Inc., or “RBS,” from September 2011 through September 2012, where he was responsible for all aspects of RBS’s new-issue CLO platform. Prior to joining RBS, Mr. Majewski was the U.S. country head at AMP Capital Investors (US) Ltd. and AE Capital Advisers (US) LLC, where he was responsible for investing in credit, structured products and other private assets on behalf of several Australian investors. Prior to this, Mr. Majewski was a Managing Director and head of CLO banking at Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner and Smith Inc. Mr. Majewski also has held leadership positions within the CLO groups at JPMorgan Securities Inc. and Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. Mr. Majewski serves as a member of the board of managers and investment committee of Marble Point, and as a director of Marble Point Loan Financing Limited, an investment fund managed by Marble Point which is listed on the London Stock Exchange. Mr. Majewski has a B.S. from Binghamton University and has been a Certified Public Accountant (inactive).

 

Daniel W. Ko, Principal and Portfolio Manager (Since December 2012).  Mr. Ko is a Principal and Portfolio Manager of the Adviser and Eagle Point Income Management LLC. Mr. Ko is responsible for manager evaluation and structuring investment opportunities in the primary CLO market, analyzing secondary CLO market opportunities, executing trades and monitoring investments. Mr. Ko has specialized in structured finance throughout his entire career.

 

 

 

 

Prior to joining the Adviser in December 2012, Mr. Ko was with Bank of America Merrill Lynch (“BAML”) for the previous six years, most recently as Vice President of the CLO structuring group, where he was responsible for modeling the projected deal cash flows, negotiating deal terms with both debt and equity investors and coordinating the rating process. In addition, he was responsible for exploring non-standard structuring initiatives such as financing trades with dynamic leverage, emerging market collateralized bond obligations and European CLOs. Prior to joining the CLO structuring group, Mr. Ko managed BAML’s legacy CLO, trust-preferred securities CDO and asset-backed securities CDO portfolios. Prior to Bank of America’s merger with Merrill Lynch, Mr. Ko was an associate in Merrill Lynch’s CDO structuring group, Mr. Ko graduated magna cum laude from the University of Pennsylvania’s Wharton School with a B.S. in finance and accounting.

 

Daniel M. Spinner (CAIA), Principal and Portfolio Manager (Since February 2013).  Mr. Spinner is a Principal and Portfolio Manager of the Adviser and Eagle Point Income Management LLC. Mr. Spinner is primarily responsible for manager evaluation and due diligence and for monitoring investments. Mr. Spinner is also actively involved in investor relations and communications. Mr. Spinner is an alternative asset management industry specialist with 20 years of experience advising, financing and investing in alternative asset management firms and funds. Mr. Spinner’s experience in the CLO market dates back to the late 1990s.

 

Prior to joining the Adviser in February 2013, Mr. Spinner was an Investment Analyst at the 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds, from June 2009 to February 2013, where he oversaw the private equity, special opportunities credit and real estate allocations. The 1199SEIU Benefit and Pension Funds are collectively among the largest Taft-Hartley plans in the United States. Prior to this, Mr. Spinner was a Managing Director at Bear, Stearns & Co. Inc. focused on alternative asset managers. Prior to Bear Stearns, Mr. Spinner was the co-founder and president of Structured Capital Partners, Inc., a financial holding company formed to invest in structured credit managers. Mr. Spinner was credit trained at Chase Manhattan Bank where he began his career as an investment banker and spent seven years in the Financial Institutions Group (including at JPMorgan Securities Inc. post-merger), where he had coverage responsibility for asset management firms including CLO collateral managers. Mr. Spinner serves as a member of the board of managers and investment committee of Marble Point. Mr. Spinner earned a B.A., summa cum laude, from Gettysburg College and an M.B.A. from Columbia University.

 

The following table sets forth other accounts within each category listed for which members of the senior investment team are jointly and primarily responsible for day-to-day portfolio management as of December 31, 2021. Among the accounts listed below, 6 of the “Other Pooled Investment Vehicles” (with total assets of $2,035.6) and 22 of the “Other Accounts” (with total assets of $1,447.0) are subject to a performance fee. In addition, the registrant (which is included in the list of “Registered Investment Companies”) (with total assets of $768.0) is subject to a performance fee.

 

  Registered Investment
Companies
   Other Pooled
Investment Vehicles
   Other
Accounts
 
Portfolio Manager  Number of
Accounts
   Total Assets
(in millions)
   Number of
Accounts
   Total Assets
(in millions)
   Number of
Accounts
   Total Assets
(in millions)
 
Thomas P. Majewski   2   $941.2    9   $2,376.2    46   $3,986.5 
Daniel W. Ko   2   $941.2    9   $2,376.2    46   $3,986.5 
Daniel M. Spinner   2   $941.2    9   $2,376.2    46   $3,986.5 

 

* Total Assets are estimated and unaudited and may vary from final audited figures. Total assets exclude amounts invested in the equity of another investment vehicle managed by the portfolio manager so as to avoid double counting.

 

 

 

 

Compensation.

 

The Adviser’s investment professionals are paid out of the total revenues of the Adviser and certain of its affiliates, including the advisory fees earned with respect to providing advisory services to the registrant. Professional compensation is structured so that key professionals benefit from strong investment performance generated on the accounts that the Adviser and such affiliates manage and from their longevity with the Adviser. Each member of the senior investment team has indirect equity ownership interests in the Adviser and related long-term incentives. Members of the senior investment team also receive a fixed base salary and an annual market and performance-based cash bonus. The bonus is determined by the Adviser’s board of managers, and is based on both quantitative and qualitative analysis of several factors, including the profitability of the Adviser and its affiliates, and the contribution of the individual employee. Many of the factors considered by management in reaching its compensation determinations will be impacted by the registrant’s long-term performance and the value of the registrant’s assets as well as the portfolios managed for the Adviser’s and such affiliates’ other clients.

 

Securities Owned in the Company by Portfolio Managers.

 

The table below sets forth the dollar range of the value of the shares of the registrant’s common stock which are owned beneficially by each portfolio manager as of December 31, 2021. For purposes of this table, beneficial ownership is defined to mean a direct or indirect pecuniary interest.

 

Name of Portfolio Manager  Dollar Range
of Equity Securities
in the Company (1)
Thomas P. Majewski  $500,001 – $1,000,000
Daniel W. Ko  $100,001 – $500,000
Daniel M. Spinner  $100,001 – $500,000

 

(1)Dollar ranges are as follows: None, $1 – $10,000, $10,001 – $50,000, $50,001 – $100,000, $100,001 – $500,000, $500,001 – $1,000,000 and over $1,000,000.

 

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchases

 

There have been no purchases by or on behalf of the registrant of shares or other units of any class of the registrant’s equity securities that are registered pursuant to Section 12 of the Exchange Act during the period covered by this report.

 

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

 

There have been no material changes to the procedures by which stockholders may recommend nominees to the registrant’s board of directors.

 

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

 

(a)The registrant’s principal executive and principal financial officers, or persons performing similar functions, have concluded that the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30(a)-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the “1940 Act”)) are effective as of a date within 90 days of the filing of this report, based on the evaluation of these controls and procedures required by Rule 30a-3(b) under the 1940 Act and Rules 13a-15(b) or 15d-15(b) under the Exchange Act.

 

(b)There were no changes in the Registrant’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the 1940 Act) that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

 

 

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies.

 

The registrant did not engage in securities lending activity during the fiscal year ended December 31, 2021.

 

Item 13. Exhibits

 

(a) (2)Certifications pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 filed herewith.

 

(b)Certifications pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 filed herewith.

 

 

 

 

SIGNATURES

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

  EAGLE POINT CREDIT COMPANY INC.
   
  By: /s/ Thomas P. Majewski
    Thomas P. Majewski 
    Chief Executive Officer
     
  Date: February 17, 2022

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacity and on the dates indicated.

 

 

By: /s/ Thomas P. Majewski  
  Thomas P. Majewski   
  Chief Executive Officer (principal executive officer)  
     
Date: February 17, 2022  
     
     
By: /s/ Kenneth P. Onorio  
  Kenneth P. Onorio   
  Chief Financial Officer (principal financial officer)  
     
Date: February 17, 2022  

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.CERT

 

CERTIFICATIONS

(Section 302)

 

I, Thomas P. Majewski, Chief Executive Officer of the Registrant, certify that:

 

1.I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.;

 

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have;

 

a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

 

Dated: February 17, 2022

 

 

By: /s/ Thomas P. Majewski   
  Thomas P. Majewski   
  Chief Executive Officer  

 

 

 

 

CERTIFICATIONS

(Section 302)

 

I, Kenneth P. Onorio, Chief Financial Officer of the Registrant, certify that:

 

1.I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.;

 

2.Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

 

3.Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

 

4.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have;

 

a.Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

 

b.Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

 

c.Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

 

d.Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

 

5.The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the Audit Committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

 

a.All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

 

b.Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Dated: February 17, 2022

 

By: /s/ Kenneth P. Onorio  
  Kenneth P. Onorio   
  Chief Financial Officer  

 

 

 

Exhibit 99.906CERT

 

Certification Under Section 906
of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002

 

Thomas P. Majewski, Chief Executive Officer, and Kenneth P. Onorio, Chief Financial Officer of Eagle Point Credit Company Inc. (the “registrant”), each certify to the best of his knowledge that:

 

1.The registrant’s periodic report on Form N-CSR for the period ended December 31, 2021 (the “Form N-CSR”) fully complies with the requirements of section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

2.The information contained in the Form N-CSR fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the registrant.

 

 

Chief Executive Officer   Chief Financial Officer
Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.  Eagle Point Credit Company Inc.
    
/s/ Thomas P. Majewski  /s/ Kenneth P. Onorio
Thomas P. Majewski  Kenneth P. Onorio
    
Date: February 17, 2022  Date: February 17, 2022

 

This certification is being furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to Rule 30a-2(b) under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and 18 U.S.C. 1350 and is not being filed as part of the Form N-CSR with the Securities and Exchange Commission.